My Dear Friends: Almost 20 years ago right before Thanksgiving, one of the kids in the youth group that I was leading in my first parish shared with me a homework assignment she had received in her religion class in Carrollton during her freshman year of high school. Her teacher asked the students to take …
Continue reading “November 19th – XXXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time”
My Dear Friends: As we continue this month of November dedicated to prayer for our faithful departed, I offer you this reflection on today’s readings given 12 years ago by our dearly departed Pope Benedict XVI. I ask you to pay particular attention to the second reading today: The Biblical Readings of this Sunday’s Liturgy …
Continue reading “November 12 – XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time”
My Dear Friends: In today’s gospel, Jesus tells the disciples, “Call no one on earth your father.” He does not mean this literally, for he is simply warning the disciples about the feeling of superiority that the Pharisees had gotten over all the titles they enjoyed being called. For me, the title “father” has never …
Continue reading “November 5th – XXXI Sunday in Ordinary Time”
My Dear Friends: The Catholic tradition of offering Masses for our loved ones, especially those who have died, can be traced to the beginnings of the Catholic Church. In the Eucharist we are united in a unique way with the faithful departed and the Communion of Saints. Why do we offer Masses for our loved …
Continue reading “October 29th – XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time”
My Dear Friends: Today we celebrate World Mission Sunday which falls on October 22 which would normally be the feast day of our beloved Pope St. John Paul II. On this Mission Sunday back in 1997, he proclaimed our patroness, St. Therese of Lisieux, a doctor of the church. I thought it was only appropriate …
Continue reading “October 20th – XXIX Sunday in Ordinary Time”
My Dear Friends: Let me be completely transparent with all of you: two weeks ago, when I got up to preach the homily to launch our Parish’s Centennial Campaign was one of the most stressful things I have ever had to do in my priesthood. Starting a massive project like this is difficult, and, at …
Continue reading “October 15th – XVIII Sunday in Ordinary Time”
My Dear Friends: Last week, we officially launched our Centennial Campaign as we begin our three-year journey towards Little Flower’s 100th Anniversary. I am overwhelmed by all the positive feedback I received and all the pledges that have already been made. Our $13 million goal is indeed ambitious as are all the projects we intend …
Continue reading “October 8th – XXVII Sunday in Ordinary Time”
My Dear Friends: Happy 97th Anniversary! We are drawing closer to our Centennial Celebration! Today we gather to celebrate our patroness, St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face: the Little Flower. We thank Archbishop Wenski for allowing us to celebrate our patronal feast this Sunday. After much prayer and input from our …
Continue reading “October 1st – Feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux – Parish Feast Day”
My Dear Friends: “Let them turn to the LORD to find mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.” (Isaiah 55:7) Bringing people home to the Lord is at the core of what we do as a parish community. Last week, the gospel and my homily focused on forgiveness and lifting the burden that …
Continue reading “September 24th – XXV Sunday in Ordinary Time”