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You are here: Home / Archives for Fr. Steve's Reflections

Reflection from Father Steve – January 29, 2023

I am writing this while shut down by the Christmas freeze and blizzard. Like the shelter in place of the pandemic, being stranded because of weather is frustrating and advantageous. Frustrating because you are stuck and cannot go where you want to go; advantageous because you have time and opportunity to do things around the […]

Published January 27, 2023. Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – January 22, 2023

Since the time of the First Vatican Council the practice in the church has been to see the leadership in the faith resting with the pope and through him with the bishops. Dioceses were seen as “branch offices” of the Vatican and bishops were the local “branch managers”, the representation of the pope. Meanwhile voices […]

Published January 20, 2023. Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – January 15, 2023

This Monday, January 16th, marks the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is known as MLK Day. Those younger than 65 years old have no personal recollection of Dr. King and the dynamic force he brought to the “cry for civil rights.” Dr. King was not a politician, neither was he a […]

Published January 15, 2023. Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve: Examination of Conscience – January 8, 2023

Some have asked for a copy of the examination of conscience at the Penance Service on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. It is found below. Fr. Steve Adrian Examination of Conscience Can you set aside your need to be in control? Can you stop being judgmental, intolerant, and self-righteous? Can you let go of the […]

Published January 5, 2023. Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – January 1, 2023

We say “goodbye” to 2022 and “hello” to 2023. The past year has been a difficult year for many; it has also been a time of joy for some. I know I can learn something about living in 23 from my experiences of 22. I keep a notebook, a kind of daily diary—just a few […]

Published December 31, 2022. Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – December 25, 2022

Years ago when people talked of simple living and ecology they championed “Small Is Beautiful”.  In some ways the Feast and Season of Christmas celebrates God’s dwelling among us in the small and the beautiful – in a condition a busy and commercial driven world at best disregards and at worst doesn’t even see. How […]

Published December 22, 2022. Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – December 18, 2022

Next Sunday, December 25th is Christmas Day, the Feast of the Birth of the Son of God. Christmas worship will take place on Christmas Eve, December 24th at 4:15 PM. A service of carols takes place before Mass. On Christmas Day, December 25th the Mass of Christmas is at 10:15 AM, preceded by a service […]

Published December 17, 2022. Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – December 11, 2022

Next Sunday, December 18th at 2:00 PM we will celebrate our annual Advent Communal Reconciliation. This service is offered twice a year, once now before Christmas and in the spring of the year before Easter. Also each day from December 19th through Friday, December 23rd Private Confessions will be available in the Chapel. The Sacrament […]

Published December 11, 2022. Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – December 4, 2022

The Christmas Season begins at various times in various places. In northern Europe the Christmas Season begins on the Feast of Saint Martin, November 11th. This time of preparation for Christmas is known as ”Saint Martin’s Lent.” In southern Europe the Christmas Season begins on the Feast of Saint Nicholas, December 6th or the Feast […]

Published December 3, 2022. Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – November 27, 2022

This weekend we begin a new Church year with the opening of the Season of Advent. Advent is, in part, a kind of “new year” celebration for the Church. In the last weeks of “the old year” and the first weeks of  ”the new year” the liturgy of the Church focuses on the final coming […]

Published November 25, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – November 20, 2022

Thursday, November 24th is Thanksgiving Day. This is the closest we have to a “national holy day”. The holiday was celebrated on the last Thursday of November since President Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation of “a national day of Thanksgiving and praise.” Each year it was up to the President to issue a proclamation to announce the […]

Published November 19, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – November 13, 2022

Next weekend, November 19th and 20th, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will take place at both the Saturday afternoon Mass and the Sunday morning Mass. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is from ancient times.  In the Letter of James we read that a person who is ill should call […]

Published November 16, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – November 6, 2022

A few weeks ago I received an invitation to attend an Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Over the years I have received such invitations regularly.  This invitation was really special. This Court of Honor was given for two young women – the second and third girls in the city of Saint Paul to have achieved […]

Published November 6, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – October 30, 2022

Day of the Dead, also known as Dia de Muertos in Spanish, is a Mexican holiday where beloved family members that have died come to visit the living and reunite with loved ones. Although it may be perceived as a somber holiday, it’s actually a grand celebration with music, food and vibrant decorations. Each year, families set […]

Published October 31, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – October 23, 2022

Next weekend is Halloween weekend, a time anticipated by children and prepared for many weeks in advance. I went to Sam’s Club this month to buy the candy treats I will offer the visitors this year. The celebration of Halloween has a strong religious origin. The English are fond of contractions. The word is the […]

Published October 21, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – October 16, 2022

On October 16, 1962 photos taken from a US spy plane conclusively showed the installation of Soviet missile sites in Cuba capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to the United States. 90 miles from the coast of the USA the Soviet Union’s missiles are readied for launch. Thus the Cuban Missile Crisis! Time magazine’s correspondent […]

Published October 13, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – October 9, 2022

October 11th is the Feast of Saint John XXIII. This grandfatherly figure was a revolutionary. He desired to see the Church become a significant presence and voice in a rapidly changing world. On the evening of January 25, 1959, following the Solemn Vespers on the Feast of Saint Paul, he simply announced that it was […]

Published October 10, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – October 2, 2022

October 4th is the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. On October 4, 1965 Pope Paul VI visited the United States and spoke at the United Nations calling for an end to the rage of war. Pope Paul: “War, never again. Never again war!” This was the first time a Pope set foot on the […]

Published September 29, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – September 25, 2022

Next Saturday, October 1st, following the 4:15 PM Mass, a blessing of animals will take place in the square outside the church, around the Saint Matthew statue. This blessing has been a practice here and is being re-established in honor of the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi – whose feast is October 4th. Pope […]

Published September 23, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – September 18, 2022

On the weekend of September 24 and 25 we will celebrate the Feast of Saint Matthew, Patron of our Parish Community. In 1886 The Church of Saint Matthew was established as a Daughter church of the Mother church of German Catholics – The Assumption. Other Daughter churches also sprang from the Assumption – Saint Bernard, […]

Published September 13, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – September 11, 2022

On September 11, 2001, at 8:45 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people […]

Published September 8, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – September 4, 2022

Thursday, September 1st was the beginning of meteorological Fall; and this weekend – Labor Day weekend – is the beginning of the Fall routine. Labor Day is time to recognize the power and work of organized labor in the betterment of social life. Since 1891 the Catholic Church has affirmed the value of collective bargaining […]

Published September 3, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – August 28, 2022

What about this Latin Mass? The Latin Mass is not about Latin. One could celebrate the Vatican II Mass in Latin if one wanted to. It is not the Latin Mass, it is the “Old Mass”. The “Old Mass” is not just another way of celebrating Mass, but an expression of a pre-Vatican II mentality […]

Published August 22, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – August 21, 2022

In the 27th chapter of the rule Saint Benedict wrote for his monks, he writes about the need for the Abbot to care for the weakest. He wrote: “They (Church leaders) are to imitate the loving example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who left the ninety-nine sheep in the mountains and went in search of […]

Published August 21, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – August 14, 2022

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is a saint because she truly accepted who she was and who God chose her to be. The following, from Bryce Lungren, Wyoming’s Cowboy Priest, writes about finding within your self the seeds of holiness. Father Steve Adrian Father Bryce […]

Published August 10, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – August 7, 2022

Next Saturday, August 13th, is the Annual Saint Matt’s Mass in the Park with Buffet following. This annual event usually takes place on the weekend closest to the Feast of the Assumption, August 15th. The relaxed atmosphere of the park provides a different experience of prayer and liturgy as well as an opportunity to visit […]

Published August 5, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – July 24, 2022

If you or your son were students at Cretin High School in the 1960s you may have taken a course from Brother James Miller or Brother Jim Miller may have coached you in football. He was known for his ability to fix almost anything. He oversaw the maintenance work at Cretin. Students called him “Brother […]

Published July 23, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – July 17, 2022

Pope Francis warns against hypocrisy, it jeopardizes the unity of the Church. Francis says: “Hypocrisy can be called the fear of the truth, that it is better to pretend than to be yourself. It can suffocate the courage to openly say what is true.” He warned: “hypocrisy flourishes in the environment where interpersonal relations are […]

Published July 14, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – July 10, 2022 – an open letter to 2022 graduates

By this time the annual array of graduation parties and receptions are over, or mostly over. I write this reflection as an open letter to 2022 graduates. You have been through two years of a totally unexpected life – no one was prepared for it. COVID-19 turned everything upside down. You have been through it, […]

Published July 8, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – July 3, 2022

This weekend we celebrate our citizenship, our independence. Pundits, politicians, commentators and Monday morning quarterbacks all seek to grab our attention and tell us what this day is all about. It is pretty simple. Today we commemorate that moment in July of 1776 when a rag-tag group of people took a stand and declared they […]

Published June 30, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – June 26, 2022

Are you a follower of Jesus? How do you become a follower of Jesus? Fr. Gerhard Lofink says “there is no New Testament noun for followers of Jesus.” The word used is disciple. Disciple means student; and to be a disciple means that you are under the tutelage of a teacher. Jews had many opportunities […]

Published June 20, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – June 19, 2022

Today, June 19th is Juneteenth, sometimes known as Jubilee Day or Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is the anniversary of the date of June 19th 1865 on which union Army General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom for enslaved people of Texas, […]

Published June 16, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections, Sacraments. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – June 12, 2022

The celebration of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will take place during the Mass on Saturday and Sunday, June 18th and 19th. The Sacrament of the Sick is not what we used to call “Extreme Unction” or “Last Rites”. The Sacrament of the Sick provides a healing remedy for persons struggling with serious […]

Published June 9, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections, Sacraments. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – June 5, 2022

June 5, 70 AD was the day Titus breached the middle wall of the city of Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple – a date and event that would forever alter the religious life of Jews. The Temple and temple worship was at the very heart of Jewish religious life. Three times a year a Jew […]

Published June 3, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

Reflection from Father Steve – May 29, 2022

May 29, 2022 Seventh Sunday of Easter Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of their country. It’s difficult to prove the origins of this day as over two dozen towns and cities lay claim to be the birthplace. Regardless of the location of […]

Published May 25, 2022. Filed Under: Fr. Steve's Reflections. Posted by Richard Schletty

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