When I was a boy in a Catholic school in western Pennsylvania, each class would set up a May altar each year. The altar had a statue of Mary decorated with colorful cloths, mostly blue. Children would bring flowers each […]
At our May 2 Parish Council meeting, we reviewed the up to date (July 1-March 31, 2023) Profit and Loss statement and the comparison with the same time period for fiscal year 2021-22. Sunday giving is up slightly $152,000 to […]
Sooner or later in every person’s life three questions surface. Who am I? What am I doing here? Where am I going? The way a person answers these questions will either bring peace and hope or disillusionment and despair. A […]
The Catholic Church of the United States is asking all Catholics to reflect on the Eucharist, the real presence of Jesus Christ under the form of bread and wine. At every Mass, we encounter Jesus Christ. Around the year 150, […]
Our Saint John’s Laudate Si Circle is planning to commemorate Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, by having a banner in front of the church and offering flowers and tree seedlings for planting to people passing by. They are giving […]
Palm Sunday, the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Vigil of Easter) and Easter Sunday celebrations were truly inspirational; I’ve heard so many positive comments. I want to express my thanks to all who were involved in making those special days […]
In the Apostles Creed we profess that Jesus “descended into hell”. What does this strange doctrine mean? In the first letter of Saint Peter, there are two references to Jesus’ descent into hell. For Christ also suffered for sins once, […]
In the bulletin for the weekend of March 11-12, I wrote that Saint John Church was in deficit spending in the current fiscal year and I asked everyone to consider increasing Sunday donations. I was astonished that the Sunday collection […]
In today’s first reading, God chose David as the next king of Israel. David was a surprising choice since he was a young man, most likely a teen ager, and the youngest brother. The Bible and Christian history are full […]
I have been at Saint John Church for more than six months. I am grateful to be here, grateful to be pastor. How many workers have the privilege of doing meaningful work every day? I have that honor. I celebrate […]