Thursday, September 17, 2009 By Sister Carol Gaeke, O.P. At our first Communion retreat Bobby sat rapt, his arms crossed over his heart, as I dramatically told the Emmaus story. He couldn’t contain his excitement and blurted out, “I can feel my heart getting warm all over waiting to receive …

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 By Sister Betty J. Lillie, S.C. 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Psalm 54:3-8; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37 As Jesus walked and talked with His disciples, there were some points of instruction they needed to understand very clearly. One of them was about His …

Thursday, September 10, 2009 By Father Ben Urmston, S.J. There are many forms of non-violence — prayer, meaningful dialogue, conflict resolution, arbitration, education, voting intelligently, giving input to our public representatives, getting basic human rights into our legal and constitutional structures, civil disobedience, arbitration and many others.  But can the …

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 By Father Kyle Schnippel I have been examining the development of priestly identity in the Jewish Scriptures over these last few months, culminating in my last column with Jesus fulfilling the Passover rituals during His entrance into glory through His paschal mystery. Even with these discussions, …

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 By Sister Betty J. Lillie, S.C. 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Isaiah 50:5-9a; Psalm 116: 1-6, 8-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35 As we have followed the Gospels of Mark we have noticed several incidents that contribute to an understanding of the identity of Jesus. In our …

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 By Scott Mussari The number 40 has certain significance in the Bible. Forty days was the length of time Noah withstood the rains, Moses was up the mountain and Jesus was in the desert. Scholars believe the meaning behind the use of 40 is to symbolize …

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 By Sister Betty J. Lillie, S.C. 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Isaiah 35:4-7a; Psalm 146:7-10; James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37 Wonderful things occurred when the messianic prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures were finally fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus. Miracles were the authenticating signs of the identity …

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 By Father Rob Waller A youngish girl comes to Communion, and as she has been taught and is accustomed, she places her left hand in her right hand to receive. As the priest says, “The body of Christ,” and as she says, “Amen,” both sets of …

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 By Terrance Callan Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; Psalm 15:2-5; James 1: 17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. All of us who believe in God try to do God’s will. But the history of the human race and our personal histories show …

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 By Sister Carol Gaeke, O.P. The greatest commandment is the Gospel: “Love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself.” It is proclaimed on the feast of Pope St. Pius X who was the great promoter of early and frequent reception of the Eucharist. Prior …