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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Reflection from Father Steve – May 22, 2022
May 22, 2022 Sixth Sunday of Easter The month of May is traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. May is a month of growth, when nature is reborn. This month is a fitting time to reflect on the Virgin Mary’s role in salvation and to honor her as the Mother of God. The tradition […]
Reflection from Father Steve – May 15, 2022
May 15, 2022 Fifth Sunday of Easter This is the 131st anniversary of Rerum Novarum. May 15, 1891 Pope Leo XIII defends workers’ rights and property rights in the encyclical letter Rerum Novarum, the beginning of modern Catholic social teaching. Rerum Novarum is the Latin opening words and the title of the letter and means […]
