October 6, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Marriage is surely one of the most misunderstood realities of our present age. We who are people of the Book, the Sacred Scriptures, have a clear teaching about marriage Read More
September 29, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, In the gospel this weekend, Jesus prioritizes the good deeds done by His expansive group of followers. He welcomes those who take action in His name without stopping to Read More
September 22, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, "On the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest" (Mark 9:34). How do you imagine that argument went? Today's gospel (Mark 9:30-37) doesn't tell us Read More
September 15, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, What is it about Jesus Christ that sets Him apart from all other religious leaders in history? Well, of course, to Christians, the answer is easy: All the other Read More
September 8, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, What does it mean to be open? Today, it could mean different things to different people. For us, Roman Catholics, I believe, being open suggests being open to God Read More
September 1, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, I hope this letter finds you well and having had a healthy and happy summer. I was away for two weeks and had a great vacation with my family. Read More
August 25, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, I believe it was Winston Churchill who said, "Democracy is a terrible form of government." But then he added, "There is no other form that is better." Sometimes our Read More
August 18, 2024
FROM THE PAROCHIAL VICAR’S DESK Dear Parishioners, Since Fr. Monteleone is away, he gave me the task of writing an article for this weekend. However, this article contains more of a catechetical and practical approach Read More
August 11, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Sister Mary Grace was an Irish nun who ran an orphanage after the Second World War. Joe was a young nine-year-old boy who entered that orphanage after both of Read More
August 04, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, It's important for us to notice in today's gospel that Jesus does not give the crowd what they want. He gives them more. When Jesus leaves the deserted place, Read More
July 28, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, A man was very rapidly losing his hair, and this caused him a good deal of concern. So, he was attracted to an advertisement in the newspaper. "Miracle formula! Read More
July 21, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, I'd like to say a few words today about compassion. Compassion comes from a Latin word that means to feel with or to suffer with. And compassion might not Read More
July 14, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Jesus sends out the twelve on a long and difficult mission. But he tells them they are to take no bag. Now, what sense does that make? Well, it Read More
July 7, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Today's Gospel is strangely disturbing, but it also carries a thread of consolation. This passage from Mark's gospel is the only passage in the gospels where Jesus is said Read More
June 30, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, When I was assigned to St. Philip the Apostle back in 2021, I was given not only a wonderful assignment, but a wonderful associate, Fr. Nico Quintos. I had Read More
June 23, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Normally we are quite respectful when we speak to God. Controlled and subservient we place our needs before the Lord. "Dear Jesus, help my son be accepted into the Read More
June 16, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, In today’s Gospel, Jesus is again speaking in parables. Parables were Jesus’ favorite way of teaching. He used parables, because parables force you to think. You have to pause Read More
June 9, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Jesus finds himself amid a violent controversy in today’s gospel. His family, the scribes, and the people of Galilee are trying to decide who he is and what he Read More
June 2, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, On this feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord we celebrate the foundational Catholic truth that Christ is present, really present, in the Eucharist. What should we Read More
May 26, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, To be a Roman Catholic is to always be "on call." On this feast of the Most Holy Trinity, we celebrate the mystery that God: Father, Son, and Spirit, Read More
May 19, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Throughout Christian history mystics and spiritual writers have at times referred to the Holy Spirit as "the Kiss of God." It is a striking image, because it conveys not Read More
May 12, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, A wealthy widow who lived in Washington, D.C., died. She left her entire estate to God. Now, this rather strange bequest gave rise to many legal ramifications, because if Read More
May 5, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Jesus gives us a commandment in today's gospel, and it is not an easy one. We are to love one another as He has loved us. Now loving others Read More
April 28, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Today's gospel is not about plants. It's about people. It is not about vines. It's about life. The image of the vine and the branches which Jesus uses in Read More
April 21, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, A Jewish couple living in Texas decided to participate in a cultural exchange program in which Jews from throughout the world came to visit the United States. So, around Read More
April 14, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Back in 2005 there was a movie called Wedding Crashers, starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. It follows these two characters who crash wedding reception to meet women. While Read More
April 7, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, In 2000, St. Pope John Paul II canonized St. Faustina, and made the second Sunday of Easter to be celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. St. Faustina was a Polish Read More
March 31, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Easter is a story about dirt and graves and uncertainty. Even Mary Magdalene mistook Jesus for a gardener. Nadia Bolz-Weber, a theologian and author, reminds us that the depictions Read More
March 24, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Each year on the Sunday before Easter, Christians around the world celebrate and commemorate what is traditionally called Palm or Passion Sunday, when we recount the events leading up Read More
March 17, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Jesus is trying to do a difficult thing in today’s gospel. He is trying to promote a positive dimension to death. Jesus describes his own death as his moment Read More
March 10, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Late one afternoon, a teenager sneaks into the back row of church. He takes off his backpack, unplugs his I-pod and rolls his basketball under his seat. He's overwhelmed Read More
March 3, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Aristotle has written, "It is easy to become angry. Anyone can do it. But to become angry at the right moment, to the right degree, for the right purpose, Read More
February 25, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, A famous musician was debuting a new work which he had just written for the piano. As he struck the last chord, the audience rose to their feet applauding Read More
February 18, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, On the first Sunday of every Lent, we find Jesus in the wilderness. He is in the desert without food, without shelter. He is tempted by Satan. We have Read More
February 11, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, There is little doubt that the leper in today's gospel had a deep respect for Jesus. Who would not honor someone who healed them of leprosy? But if this Read More
February 4, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, The evangelist Mark can be quite succinct. Whereas other evangelists will take a few paragraphs or even a whole chapter to tell a story, Mark can do it in Read More
January 28, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, My Perhaps the most useful question we could ask about today’s Gospel is: What is an unclean spirit doing in a synagogue? It was commonly accepted in the world Read More
January 21, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Once upon a time, a boy said to God: "Oh God, when I grow up, I want to live in a huge house with a big front porch and Read More
January 14, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, “Teacher, where are you staying?” “Come and see.” The two disciples in today's gospel ask a simple, straight-forward question: “Teacher, where are you staying?” An answer to this question Read More
January 7, 2024
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Why would anyone choose to give myrrh to a baby? This is very likely what was going through Mary's mind as the magi presented their gifts to her son. Read More
December 31, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, It's become commonplace nowadays for people to put together a bucket list. This is a list of things that they wish to experience or accomplish before they die. Even Read More
December 24, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, "Let it be done to me according to your Word." The history of the world turned on that line. All that God planned to do to save us, the Read More
December 17, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, John the Baptist is the major character of today's gospel, and we should not fail to notice the bizarre way he responds to the question that is posed to Read More
December 10, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, There is an old rabbinic story about a farmer named Isaac who went to his neighbor and asked to borrow his donkey. The neighbor said, "I'm sorry Isaac, but Read More
December 3, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Efficiency and organization are certainly gifts, but they are not the most important ones. There are other qualities that are more fundamental, more necessary for life. A young naval Read More
November 26, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Today’s gospel presents Jesus as the judge of the entire world. It reminds us that a day will come where we will stand before the Lord to give an Read More
November 19, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, It is easier for us to see what is negative rather than what is good. We tend to focus on what is wrong rather than on what is right. Read More
November 12, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Many of us are suspicious of the promises that people make to us and sometimes even of the promises that we make to ourselves. It is common to encounter Read More
November 5, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Today's gospel is not about the Pharisees. It is about us. However, we imagine Jesus' relationship to the Pharisees during his earthly ministry, his words of criticism in today's Read More
October 29, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Jesus pulls a fast one in today's Gospel. A lawyer comes up to him with a simple question: choose from all the commandments one that is the greatest. Jesus Read More
October 22, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, The following letter was found in the files on the Internal Revenue Service. "Dear IRS, my conscience has been bothering me. I am including a check for $5,000 to Read More
October 15, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, A woman decided that she was going to have a dinner party for a good number of her friends. So, she spent most of the week cleaning, baking, cooking, Read More
October 8, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Not all of Jesus’ parables describe the bright future Kingdom of God. Some of them describe our present world. Those are often tragic parables. We have an example of Read More
October 1, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, In today's gospel parable, we know more about the two sons than we know about the father. The first son tells his father that he will not go into Read More
September 24, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, A hard-working parish priest, after a lifetime of ministry, died and went to heaven. When he got there, he was assigned an attractive two-bedroom house to serve as his Read More
September 17, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, A married couple was going through a rough time. In the process, they both said and did things that hurt one another deeply. But with patience and commitment, they Read More
September 10, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, The pigeon is an awkward bird. We all know the unusual way in which a pigeon walks: taking a few steps, stopping, moving his head forward and backward and Read More
September 3, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK Dear Parishioners, Eleven years ago, my brother and sister-in-law bought a vacant house. It was owned by the bank and needed a lot of work. After a year of renovating, it Read More
August 27, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK A pastor of a West Coast parish became frustrated by the number of people in his community who were not coming to church on Sunday, so he formed a committee to Read More
August 20, 2023
FROM FATHER NICO'S DESK Last week, I shared with you my visit to Montréal, a beautiful city once a center of Catholicism in North America. However, the tides of secularization have washed over Montréal, leaving Read More
August 13, 2023
FROM FATHER NICO'S DESK Dear Parishioners, I was in Montréal for a few days and learned how much its history is deeply rooted in Catholicism. It was once a center of Catholicism in North America Read More
August 6, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Peter is one of the most important saints of the Christian tradition. He is the first of the apostles, the rock on which Jesus builds the church. The New Read More
July 30, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Years ago, my brother, Andrew was playing basketball in the driveway with his friends. During the game, he lost one of his contact lenses. He searched up and down Read More
July 23, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Jesus often uses parables to make us think, to reveal something about the Kingdom of God and about our role in making that kingdom happen. In his parables, Jesus Read More
July 16, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Is the parable of the sower a positive or a negative parable? Is it a comedy or a tragedy? Like many of Jesus’ parables, this parable can be read Read More
July 9, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, In today’s gospel, Jesus says that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Aren’t these contradictions in terms? If a burden is light, how can it be Read More
July 2, 2023
FROM DEACON SEBASTIAN This is prodigious; it’s inexplicable; it’s mercy and pure love! By God's grace, I was ordained as a Deacon a few weeks ago, which has undoubtedly been one of the most memorable Read More
June 25, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, There’s nothing wrong with sparrows. They are cute, little brown birds with a lot of pep. And I have to admit that I enjoy watching them flutter around my Read More
June 18, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, One of the problems that many of us have in following the teachings of Jesus is that we see those teachings as a series of obligations, as a list Read More
June 11, 2023
This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK Dear Parishioners, Greta Garbo was a famous Hollywood actress who was notorious for making whatever excuse she could Read More
June 4, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Today’s gospel begins with love and ends with judgment. We are all attracted to the love: “God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whoever Read More
May 28, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, I am not sure that many people here would recognize the name Edwin Booth. But if you were living in the United States during the Civil War that name Read More
May 21, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, “I could never forgive him after what he did to me.” “You want me to do what? Forgive her? No way!” “I’m supposed to just let them get away Read More
May 14, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, I heard this joke a long time ago & it has always stuck with me. A college student landed a summer job working in the street department of a Read More
May 7, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, The words of today's gospel are a beautiful description of eternal life. It is a gospel that I usually proclaim at every funeral Mass. Jesus promises us that we Read More
April 30, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Back in 2013, just before I was ordained a priest, Pope Francis asked the priests of the world to "be shepherds that smell of the sheep. Smelling like a Read More
April 23, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, You may have heard a beautiful Latin chant after the Communion hymn being sung at every Mass since Easter Sunday. It is called the Regina Caeli, or the Queen Read More
April 16, 2023
Divine Mercy Sunday Jesus I trust in you. FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Peace be with you-I just lost my job. Peace be with you-I worry about my daughter's relationship with an abusive boyfriend. Read More
April 9, 2023
EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Easter is certainly a joyful feast. But the beginning of Easter is emptiness. There is not a gospel writer who tells Read More
Bulletin April 2, 2023
PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, In our Lord’s passion every single character could be the object of a deeply Christological interpretation on the part of theologians Read More
March 26, 2023
Fifth Sunday of Lent " God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy." POPE FRANCIS FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Today's gospel is filled with death. Read More
March 19, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, A man who was blind from birth receives his sight in the first few verses of today’s gospel. But that is not the end of his story. The gospel Read More
March 12, 2023
Third Sunday of Lent "During Lent, let us find concrete ways to overcome our indifference." POPE FRANCIS FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Bruce Springsteen begins one of his songs, "Everybody has a hungry heart." Read More
March 5, 2023
Second Sunday of Lent "Fasting makes sense if it really chips away at our security, and as a consequence, benefits someone else, if it helps us cultivate the style of the good Samaritan who bent Read More
February 26, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, There is an ancient legend that on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, the devil, who is a master of disguise, attempted to get into heaven by pretending to be Read More
February 19, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, In recent years, transgender ideologues have mounted a cultural offensive that swept all rationality before them. First, biological science and objective reality were trashed as internal feelings came to Read More
February 12, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, It is sometimes said that the Ten Commandments are the heart of the Jewish-Christian tradition and that following the Ten Commandments is the way of faith. But such a Read More
February 5, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Jesus throws out this image right at the beginning of today’s gospel. “You are the salt of the earth.” Really, Jesus? What do you mean by that? How are Read More
January 29, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, One of the greatest gifts my mom and dad ever gave to me was the gift of a Roman Catholic education. My formal education began at St. Patrick School, Read More
January 22, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, In today's Gospel, Jesus calls his first disciples: Peter and Andrew, and then James and John. The stories are brief and unadorned. Jesus says, "Follow me," and they leave Read More
Bulletin January 15, 2023
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Those of you, who were listening attentively to the Gospel may have noticed that there was a line in the Gospel that is used in another place in our Read More
January 8, 2023
POPE EMERITUS NENEDICT XVI FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, I heard this story long ago and feel it should be told again. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do on this Read More
January 1, 2023
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners, It might come as a surprise to you that in this short and tranquil gospel, which is proclaimed on New Read More
December 25, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Christmas is a great Christian feast, a day on which we remember the birth of Jesus who we believe is Savior and Lord. I imagine that many of you Read More
December 18, 2022
FOURTH SUNDAY of Advent FROM FATHER NICO A two-year-old boy asks his father, "how are you related to my favorite uncle Bob?" The father explains that he and his Uncle Bob have the same dad, Read More
December 11, 2022
THIRD SUNDAY of Advent FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, John the Baptist was a wild man. It is important to remember this to answer the question that Jesus poses in today's gospel. Jesus asks Read More
Bulletin December 4, 2022
SECOND SUNDAY of Advent FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, "It's not over until the fat lady sings." As unlikely as it may seem, this saying directly relates to the season of Advent, and to Read More
November 27, 2022
FIRST SUNDAY of Advent FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Advent is about waiting, waiting for the good things which are to come. But not all waiting is the same. In fact, we can distinguish Read More
November 20, 2022
Feast of Christ the King FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Today we proclaim Jesus as savior of the world, as our king. But just as it is important to proclaim Jesus as our king, Read More
November 13, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, What are your goals for your life? Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years, or five years? A year from now, what do you hope to Read More
November 6, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, I do not usually refer to Greek philosophy in my homilies. But that does not mean that the great ideas of minds such as Plato or Aristotle are irrelevant Read More
October 30, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners, In this beautiful story from Luke's Gospel, we learn something important about us and something important about God. We are meant to identify with Zacchaeus in the story, Read More
October 23, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Today's Gospel is meant to trap us. But I must admit that the trap probably worked better at the time of Jesus than it does today. Because in order for the Read More
October 16, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Today's first reading from the Book of Exodus is problematic in several ways. First, it associates God with violence. God seems to be party to Joshua's military campaign that Read More
October 9, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, We all have expectations - some idea of what is likely and what is unlikely for our lives. Jesus met ten men with no expectations of anything good. He Read More
October 2, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, When we hear today’s readings, we can understand the challenge of preaching the Gospel today. We live at a time when divorce is common and acceptable in most countries Read More
September 25, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, There are many things we could discuss about this long and difficult parable about the rich man and Lazarus. But today I would like to focus on its stark Read More
September 18, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Today's gospel is a series of sayings of Jesus that pull in different directions. So rather than trying to harmonize them, I would like to focus on just one: Read More
September 11, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, I heard this story long ago and feel it should be shared with you. It always brings a smile to my face. I hope it does for you as Read More
September 4, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger" is something I first heard watching "Little House on the Prairie" TV series. Little did I know at the Read More
August 28, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK Dear Parishioners, Cats are not known for their humility. In fact, thousands of years ago cats were worshipped as gods. Apparently, they have not forgotten this! The life of a cat Read More
August 21, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK There are two images in today's gospel, and neither one of them is particularly encouraging. First there is the image of the narrow gate. Jesus says that to enter the kingdom Read More
August 14, 2022
FROM FATHER NICO Dear Friends, How providential I am writing to you for the first time this weekend, the second anniversary of my wonderful time with all of you. I officially started at Saint Philip Read More
August 7, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Today's gospelseems harsh and demanding. We are said to be servants waiting the return of our master. Of course, the master is Christ who will return at the Read More
July 31, 2022
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, Read More
July 24, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: A woman was running very late for an important meeting with her lawyer. When she arrived at the office building, even though the lot was large, she could Read More
July 17, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Giving and receiving is the interplay of life. If we are to live a full life, we must be able to give of ourselves, of our time, of Read More
July 10, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Every once in a while, it is valuable to take a parable and turn it upside down. This is particularly true of today's parable of the Good Samaritan, Read More
July 3, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: I'm sure you will have had the students and families of Robb Elementary School on your hearts and for the past several weeks, as have I. To hear Read More
June 26, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Thank you to all who help make our parish carnival a success! It was a wonderful three days of food, family, and fun! It was so nice to Read More
June 19, 2022
THE MOST HOLY BODY & BLOOD OF CHRIST The one who feeds on this bread shall live forever FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: The Eucharist is not simply something we receive; it is Read More
June 12, 2022
THE MOST HOLY TRINITY … Father … Son … Holy Spirit … FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: It was perhaps the most painful appointment I've ever experienced in my priesthood. An eight-year-old child Read More
June 5, 2022
PENTECOST FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: We cannot see the Holy Spirit. So, throughout the centuries writers and artists have struggled to come up with an adequate image to represent the Spirit. The Read More
May 29, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: I think all of us have in our minds a picture of the Ascension of Jesus. Christ is lifted up through the clouds to take a seat at Read More
May 22, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: In today’s gospel Jesus continues to speak reassuring words about love. He knows the unspoken questions in the hearts of His disciples – not only those around the Read More
May 15, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Usually when we think of the word "love," we think of romance, of hearts and flowers. But love is more than warm affection and sensual intimacy. There is Read More
May 8, 2022
Happy Mother's Day Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: You may have heard a beautiful Latin chant after the Communion hymn being Read More
May 1, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: There is a powerful lesson in today's Gospel. But it is difficult to spot because of the English translation of the Greek text of the scriptures. In English Read More
April 24, 2022
Divine Mercy Sunday FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: One of the most common symbols of Easter is the Easter egg. Eggs have been associated with Easter from the earliest days of Christianity. But Read More
April 17, 2022
RISEN LORD FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: The gospel we heard proclaimed at the Easter Vigil Mass is a familiar one. It is Luke's version of the women discovering the empty tomb on Read More
April 10, 2022
PALM SUNDAY HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST. MATTHEW 21:9 FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Christians are often exhorted to unite themselves with the Cross of Christ. We are told to 'offer it up' in Read More
April 3, 2022
Fifth Sunday of Lent "God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy." POPE FRANCIS FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: There was a wise Persian king Read More
March 27, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Lent "As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst... 'Repent and believe.'" BLESSED TERESA OF CALCUTTA FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: God is doing whatever it Read More
March 20, 2022
Third Sunday of Lent "During Lent, let us find concrete ways to overcome our indifference." POPE FRANCIS FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: I would like to tell you a story today about four Read More
March 13, 2022
Second Sunday of Lent “Fasting makes sense if it really chips away at our security, and as a consequence, benefits someone else, if it helps us cultivate the style of the good Samaritan who bent Read More
March 6, 2022
First Sunday of Lent And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness... FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: In 1922 Marjorie Williams Read More
February 27, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: This is the last Sunday before Lent. The first and second readings have words of encouragement for us. The first reading says, “As the test of what the Read More
February 20, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: A man who lived a very immoral life died and found himself standing before the gates of heaven. Saint Peter was already looking up his record in the Read More
February 13, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Fr. John Shea tells a story about a pastoral visit that changed his life. It was a rainy Monday morning and the next thing on his to-do list Read More
February 6, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Two experienced fishermen decided one day to go ice fishing. They walked out on the frozen lake, cut a hole in the ice, put worms on their hooks, Read More
January 30, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Today’s second reading is one of the most beautiful and popular passages of the New Testament. It is Paul’s famous hymn to love from first Corinthians. I can Read More
January 23, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Today’s second reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians might be the most radical and challenging passage of the New Testament. It presents to us a fundamentally Read More
January 16, 2022
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: One of the ways to read today’s gospel of the wedding at Cana is to see it as a model for prayer. We often ask God in prayer Read More
January 9, 2022
AND A VOICE CAME FROM HEAVEN: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Many times, people seek me out for grief counseling Read More
January 2, 2022
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: The most foundational truth of the Christian life can be found in today’s gospel of the Epiphany. But it is a lesson that Read More
December 26, 2021
A CHILD IS BORN CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Today’s gospel is the only place in the New Testament where we see Jesus as a teenager. It should Read More
December 19, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Mary had plenty to do. In fact, when you consider the recent events that had just occurred in her life, to say that she had to address several Read More
December 12, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: We are drawing close to celebrating the Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity, Christmas Day, on December 25th. The Lord is very near and is coming quickly, as the Read More
December 5, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Today is the second Sunday of the four Sundays of Advent and only two and a half weeks before Christmas comes, and today we hear the great Advent Read More
November 28, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Waiting. I have grown accustomed to waiting, which is not to say that I gladly welcome it in any sense. When I take my mom to her doctor’s Read More
November 21, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Our world is a very busy and fast paced place. From within it we can find many things that are at war to grab our attention. The average Read More
November 14, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: As human beings, we are interesting creatures. Normally, we go about life in a fairly routine way. We do the things that should and must be done, especially Read More
November 7, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: One of my goals for sharing my writing is to keep myself accountable. It fills the role of a good priest friend who keeps telling me to stick Read More
October 31, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: I can remember telling my grandma that I wished she lived forever. She looked at me and said, “Honey I want to see God and your sister one Read More
October 24, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: This Sunday’s Gospel passage tells us of the physical healing of a blind man – the gift of sight. Yet it also sets out for us a journey Read More
October 17, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: I’m sure that, like me, many of you were glued to the Olympics over the summer. One of the reasons I enjoyed the Games so much was that Read More
October 10, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: A priest was giving a homily on heaven and hell. At one point, he asked the people: “Is there anybody here who wants to go to heaven? Please Read More
October 3, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: When we hear today’s readings, we can understand the challenge of preaching the Gospel today. We live at a time when divorce is common and acceptable in most Read More
September 26, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: “There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can, at the same time, speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us Read More
September 19, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Grief comes boxed in many different packages. The death of a loved one, a routine visit to the doctor reveals a fatal disease, the end of a marriage, Read More
September 12, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: There's little doubt about it: life can sometimes be hard. In my own family, my younger sister Michele, died at the age of 11 after a long illness Read More
September 5, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: As we begin the unofficial end of summer weekend, our thoughts turn to school, homework and hopefully a return to "normal." A sense of hope and newness is Read More
August 29, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Is there anyone who can teach us as Jesus does? Is there any faith tradition that is as strong and true as our own? There is no God Read More
August 22, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: I believe it was Winston Churchill who said, "Democracy is a terrible form of government." But then he added, "There is no other form that is better." Sometimes Read More
August 15, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: The Catholic World celebrates the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary annually on the 15th of August. The word assumption comes from the Latin word Read More
August 8, 2021
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK My Dear Parishioners: Imagine if you were to never grow hungry or never thirst again? On a natural level, this would be an interesting reality. Of course, if you never had Read More
August 1, 2021
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME My dear parishioners, I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying your summer. As many of you know by now, I am your new pastor. St. Philip's has a Read More