I freely admit that I am not the world’s biggest Beatles fan. However, over the last few months, the refrain from their song “Come Together” has been echoing in my mind. I like to imagine Jesus singing it over and over to us as we try to figure out how we can make pastoral planning bear lasting fruit. Read more
This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Novena before election night; Evangelizing in prison; Media evangelization; Modern science and Catholicism; Transitions – New director of Worship and Sacramental Formation; plus this Thursday’s blog post. Read more
I spend a lot of time helping to form volunteers and ministers in parishes and schools. We have spent time in prayer and reflection, time learning about our rich faith, time redefining our priorities, and time learning how to do the ministry to which we have been called. However, as I reflect on encountering these wonderful people and accompanying them on their journey with Christ, I fear I have been missing an important step: the proclamation of the kerygma. Read more
This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Update – Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan; Essential figures in Catholicism; The mystical body of Christ; plus this Thursday’s blog post. Read more
We are called to “clothe the naked”. How can we share this message in our parish? There is the obvious corporal work of mercy of donating clothes. This time of the year as the air gets crisp we are reminded to think of our homeless sisters and brothers and to clean out our closets. The St. Vincent de Paul boxes are overflowing at parishes, which is great. You might want to suggest that folks keep care packages in their cars, especially during the winter season. Good things to fill small bags with are socks, sweatshirts, bottles of water and snacks. It is great to slip a rosary or prayer card inside as well. But what does it mean to spiritually “clothe the naked”? Read more
This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: 2018 Synod of Bishops; Holy Doors Deaf Catholic Pilgrimage; plus this Thursday’s blog post. Read more
Recently a story was shared with me about St. Mother Teresa.
She held the hand of a young child who was hungry and approached a man who was well off asking him for assistance. The man’s reply: he spit in Mother’s face. St. Mother Teresa’s response: “That was your gift to me, now do you have anything for the child?” Read more
This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: Project Rachel retreats; 35 years of Our Daily Bread; 40 Days for Life; Pastoral Staff Day; plus this Thursday’s blog post. Read more