Category Archives: Sacraments

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Father Pat

Today’s readings During World War II, the officers of the Third Reich’s secret service forcefully recruited many 12- and 13-year-old boys into the Junior Gestapo. The harshly treated boys were given only inhumane jobs that they were to perform without … Continue reading →

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Fourth Sunday of Easter

Posted on April 25, 2010 by Father Pat

Today’s readings Today’s brief Gospel reading begins with the wonderful line, “My sheep hear my voice.” However, I have two problems with that. First, who wants to be compared to sheep? Sheep are not the brightest of animals, and they … Continue reading →

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Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Father Pat

Today’s readings At our core, we all want peace and security in our lives.  We don’t want rough waters, or pain, or discord in our families, and that’s all understandable.  I think it’s that very same sentiment that is behind … Continue reading →

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Lent Penance Service

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Father Pat

Today’s Gospel: John 3:14-21 The only thing God wants to do is to forgive sinners.  Period.  That’s what our Gospel reading tells us very plainly today: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that … Continue reading →

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Third Sunday of Lent [Scrutiny I]

Posted on March 7, 2010 by Father Pat

Today’s readings NB: This homily is based on the readings from cycle A, which was read just for the Mass of the Scrutiny. Last year about this time, I got the flu – bad.  It was one of those rare … Continue reading →

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Pastoral Care of the Sick: Anointing of the Sick During Mass

Posted on February 27, 2010 by Father Pat

Today’s readings: Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12; Psalm 25; James 5:13-16; Matthew 8:5-17 I first met Tom probably a few weeks after I started my first assignment as a priest at St. Raphael’s back in the summer of 2006.  He was … Continue reading →

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Advent Penance Service

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Father Pat

I know a lot of people who get depressed this time of year.  Probably you do too.  Many people are missing loved ones who are far away from home, or who have passed away.  Some of my friends have a … Continue reading →

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The Second Sunday of Advent [Cycle C]

Posted on December 6, 2009 by Father Pat

Today’s readings The other day, I was trying to get out of the driveway of the rectory, but traffic was pretty backed up on Duane Street, so I was having a hard time.  It didn’t take very long to realize … Continue reading →

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Twenty-seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

Posted on October 4, 2009 by Father Pat

Today’s readings It would probably come as no surprise to you that today’s first reading and a part of the Gospel were read at the wedding I celebrated yesterday.  Obviously we left out the part about divorce, but these readings … Continue reading →

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Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time [B]

Posted on September 6, 2009 by Father Pat

Today’s readings What Every Catholic Should Know about the Anointing of the Sick Jesus’ ministry on earth was all about healing.  In today’s gospel, he heals a man who has been deaf and mute with the word of command: “Ephphatha!” … Continue reading →

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