Skills for Intimacy

Dear Parishioners,

I’ve joked before that people shouldn’t listen to priests’ advice on marriage; all priests have observed marriages but few of us have actually experienced it. I hesitate to give advice for a happy marriage in my homilies and try to concentrate on the Church’s understanding of what marriage is supposed to be. I try to give a vision toward which couples should work. It is based on the Church’s understanding that marriage is a communion of life and love wherein the couple works out their salvation together. Continue reading ‘Skills for Intimacy’

Forgiveness is just the beginning

Dear Parishioners,

Today, Thursday, the Gospel was about our need to forgive others. It resulted in conversations with several people and reaffirmed my belief that it’s hard for human beings to forgive. Some things are easy to forgive but most of us have had an experience of an incident where forgiveness just wouldn’t seem to come, not matter how hard we tried. I hear that from people all the time. And, they’re good people, trying to forgive. So, what’s up? Continue reading ‘Forgiveness is just the beginning’

Workers in the Vineyard

Dear Parishioners,

I taught a class for the Basic Catechist Course this week. It was entitled “The Nature and Mission of Church”. It was a good class, of course, and, the students this year are special; they’re excited about and knowledgeable of the faith. One of the items we discussed was the makeup and function of a parish. Continue reading ‘Workers in the Vineyard’

The Mass and Everyday Life

Dear Parishioners,

This has been a busy week for me and dry one in terms of being inspired about what to write. Someone suggested that I reprint one of my old ones. So, I dug around and found this. I think it is good for us to reflect on the liturgy on a regular basis, so here it is. Continue reading ‘The Mass and Everyday Life’

Discerning New Members for the Pastoral Council

Dear Parishioners,

The Parish Pastoral Council met this week to discern who should be appointed to fill the one vacancy we have on the Council. It was another experience of life here at St. Luke which excited me about who we are and who we are becoming. It was obvious, as demonstrated through this process, that people care, that people are willing to serve and that people are paying attention to how the Holy Spirit is moving them in terms of what is needed for this parish. Continue reading ‘Discerning New Members for the Pastoral Council’