My Dear Parishioners,
Well, the Patriots are going to the Superbowl! Last Sunday evening they beat the Baltimore Ravens and there was much cheering and excitement throughout all of our neighboring cities and towns. Perhaps for a short time, people forgot about their problems and focused on the Patriots winning!
If we think about it, this win gave us all (Patriots’ fans anyway) hope. May we take this to a higher level as we think about our spirituality and our relationship with Jesus. As we look at this weekend’s Gospel, Jesus is bringing excitement and hope to the people in Capernaum. The Gospel states that they were astonished at His teaching, and then it says that He taught with authority. People living at the time that Jesus walked the earth, believed that evil spirits roamed the world and created havoc wherever they went. So Jesus came and stood in their midst and spoke words of comfort and joy; people no doubt clapped and cheered as they heard His message, for He truly brought much needed good news into their lives.
So, as we get excited about the Patriots going to the Superbowl, may we also continually find hope and excitement in the message of Jesus, for His words are truly filled with peace and love, which we all need in the world today.
Fr. Leroy
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 22, 2012
My Dear Parishioners,
There is an expression that parents use today when their children are misbehaving-they tell them to take a “time out”. What does a ‘time out’ do? It gives the child time to think about what they did, and perhaps think about how they could change their behavior.
I thought this weekend, we could all consider taking a “time out” to be with God. Our lives can become so busy, that we sometimes neglect to take time out to pray and give special attention to God. But perhaps the real benefit in taking a time out is to keep us from getting too caught up in our every day worries and to prevent us from getting too attached to things of this earth. We need to give attention to our spiritual life-our life of prayer and reflection on the God Who created us.
Certainly one of the best ways we can take a “time out” is on the weekend for worship, for this is where we find strength as a community of believers, to show respect for God and to hear what He is speaking to us. Time outs for children are to help them to become better behaved. May we as adults continually take time out for God to enrich our commitment to Him, and to lead lives that are pleasing to Him.
Fr. Leroy
There is an expression that parents use today when their children are misbehaving-they tell them to take a “time out”. What does a ‘time out’ do? It gives the child time to think about what they did, and perhaps think about how they could change their behavior.
I thought this weekend, we could all consider taking a “time out” to be with God. Our lives can become so busy, that we sometimes neglect to take time out to pray and give special attention to God. But perhaps the real benefit in taking a time out is to keep us from getting too caught up in our every day worries and to prevent us from getting too attached to things of this earth. We need to give attention to our spiritual life-our life of prayer and reflection on the God Who created us.
Certainly one of the best ways we can take a “time out” is on the weekend for worship, for this is where we find strength as a community of believers, to show respect for God and to hear what He is speaking to us. Time outs for children are to help them to become better behaved. May we as adults continually take time out for God to enrich our commitment to Him, and to lead lives that are pleasing to Him.
Fr. Leroy
Friday, January 13, 2012
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 15, 2012
My Dear Parishioners,
It is Monday morning, January 9th, as I write this letter. Today in the Church, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Traditionally, this is celebrated on a Sunday, but this year because Christmas and Epiphany fell on a Sunday, it is celebrated on a Monday. As we look at the Baptism of the Lord by John the Baptist at the Jordan, we imagine the beautiful picture of God the Father speaking from the heavens stating “you are my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased,” and then the Spirit of the Dove descending upon Jesus.
Each year as we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, it is good for us to reflect upon our own Baptismal Commitment, for truly the Lord says to us as well, “you are my beloved son/daughter with whom I am well pleased.” The symbol of Baptism is water. We need water for health, as water truly refreshes us and gives us new life. In the summer months, as we swim in a lake or an ocean, water again gives us new spirit. So it is with our Baptism-we are given new life in Jesus Christ. We die to self so Christ can live within us.
So, as we reflect on our own Baptism, may we continue to make a commitment to our growth in the Lord, showing that we believe in Him by how we act in our day-to-day lives. As we begin a New Year with perhaps some resolutions, may one resolution be to strengthen our Baptismal Promise to live the life as a beloved son or daughter of God our Father, for truly that is what He asks of us.
Fr. Leroy
It is Monday morning, January 9th, as I write this letter. Today in the Church, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Traditionally, this is celebrated on a Sunday, but this year because Christmas and Epiphany fell on a Sunday, it is celebrated on a Monday. As we look at the Baptism of the Lord by John the Baptist at the Jordan, we imagine the beautiful picture of God the Father speaking from the heavens stating “you are my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased,” and then the Spirit of the Dove descending upon Jesus.
Each year as we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, it is good for us to reflect upon our own Baptismal Commitment, for truly the Lord says to us as well, “you are my beloved son/daughter with whom I am well pleased.” The symbol of Baptism is water. We need water for health, as water truly refreshes us and gives us new life. In the summer months, as we swim in a lake or an ocean, water again gives us new spirit. So it is with our Baptism-we are given new life in Jesus Christ. We die to self so Christ can live within us.
So, as we reflect on our own Baptism, may we continue to make a commitment to our growth in the Lord, showing that we believe in Him by how we act in our day-to-day lives. As we begin a New Year with perhaps some resolutions, may one resolution be to strengthen our Baptismal Promise to live the life as a beloved son or daughter of God our Father, for truly that is what He asks of us.
Fr. Leroy
Friday, January 6, 2012
The Epiphany of the Lord: January 8, 2012
My Dear Parishioners,
This weekend as we come to Mass, we celebrate the beautiful Feast of Epiphany, also called Little Christmas. It seems that in today’s world, Christmas closes down on December 25th and Valentine’s Day cards are in the stores the next day. In the liturgy of the Church, the Christmas Season continues until the Feast of Epiphany. An epiphany, but the way, manifests something previously hidden. Today’s solemnity manifests Christ to all nations. Isaiah speaks in his prophecy: a new and glorious day has dawned, a day of hope and a day of light into the world.
On this day, Isaiah’s words have special meaning for us. We are being awaken from sleep to hear God’s message of hope. God has taken on human flesh and the impossible has been made possible, for there is nothing God cannot do. The ancient solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord truly celebrates the manifestation of God in Christ and the extension of God’s saving love for all people. The revelation of God’s saving action is not just a past event, but a present reality that we as people are told to announce daily in our lives.
On this day, so many years ago, Jesus Christ, Son of God, became a light to the world. As we begin this year 2012, may we bring this light of Christ into our homes, our families, and into our workplace.
Fr. Leroy
This weekend as we come to Mass, we celebrate the beautiful Feast of Epiphany, also called Little Christmas. It seems that in today’s world, Christmas closes down on December 25th and Valentine’s Day cards are in the stores the next day. In the liturgy of the Church, the Christmas Season continues until the Feast of Epiphany. An epiphany, but the way, manifests something previously hidden. Today’s solemnity manifests Christ to all nations. Isaiah speaks in his prophecy: a new and glorious day has dawned, a day of hope and a day of light into the world.
On this day, Isaiah’s words have special meaning for us. We are being awaken from sleep to hear God’s message of hope. God has taken on human flesh and the impossible has been made possible, for there is nothing God cannot do. The ancient solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord truly celebrates the manifestation of God in Christ and the extension of God’s saving love for all people. The revelation of God’s saving action is not just a past event, but a present reality that we as people are told to announce daily in our lives.
On this day, so many years ago, Jesus Christ, Son of God, became a light to the world. As we begin this year 2012, may we bring this light of Christ into our homes, our families, and into our workplace.
Fr. Leroy
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Nativity of the Lord: December 25, 2011
My Dear Parishioners:
Merry Christmas! It is truly wonderful to have Christmas on a Sunday, the day of the Lord.
Christmas conjures up in all of us wonderful, reflective words. There are the words joy, peace and happiness, but there is also the word hope. The people of the Old Testament continually had the virtue of hope as they awaited a Messiah to come to them. At Christmastime, like the people in the Old Testament, we all wait; we wait for presents and we wait for family get-togethers. We also hope; we hope for happiness, we hope for good times, and we hope for peace and joy within our families.
Christmas is special because it gives us real hope in the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Isaiah tells us that “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”, and he continues “how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace and bearing good news”.
On this Christmas Day, may we reflect upon how truly blessed we are in our lives, in our families, in our community and in our parish. May we make the beautiful words of Christmas alive within us and truly be people of peace, goodness and joy. May we remember that Jesus is in our midst and that He loves us unconditionally now and forever.
Merry Christmas To All,
Fr. Leroy
Merry Christmas! It is truly wonderful to have Christmas on a Sunday, the day of the Lord.
Christmas conjures up in all of us wonderful, reflective words. There are the words joy, peace and happiness, but there is also the word hope. The people of the Old Testament continually had the virtue of hope as they awaited a Messiah to come to them. At Christmastime, like the people in the Old Testament, we all wait; we wait for presents and we wait for family get-togethers. We also hope; we hope for happiness, we hope for good times, and we hope for peace and joy within our families.
Christmas is special because it gives us real hope in the Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Isaiah tells us that “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”, and he continues “how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace and bearing good news”.
On this Christmas Day, may we reflect upon how truly blessed we are in our lives, in our families, in our community and in our parish. May we make the beautiful words of Christmas alive within us and truly be people of peace, goodness and joy. May we remember that Jesus is in our midst and that He loves us unconditionally now and forever.
Merry Christmas To All,
Fr. Leroy
Monday, December 19, 2011
Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 18, 2011
My Dear Parishioners:
This weekend we arrive at the Fourth Sunday of Advent. A week from today will be
Christmas.
This is a little suggestion for what to do in our homes this week. Play CD’s of Christmas Carols. This, I believe, will give us an awareness of the true meaning of the Christmas Season; for instance, how beautiful it is to hear “Joy to the World, the Lord has Come”. How reflective is the Christmas Carol, “Away in a Manger no Crib for a Bed”. How exhilarating is it to hear “Hark the Herald, Angels Sing, Glory to the New Born King.” The beautiful hymn of invitation for all of us “O Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant.” Another wonderful hymn to the angels “Angels we have heard on High, Sweetly Singing O’er the Plains.” Then there is the beautiful, peaceful hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night, All is Calm, All is Bright, Round Yon Virgin Mother and Child.” A very peppy and joyful hymn is “Go Tell it on the Mountain, over the Hill and Everywhere, Go Tell it on the Mountain, that Jesus Christ is Born.”
A week from Sunday is Christmas, only once a year does this magnificent celebration occur and as the prayer states, Jesus is the Reason for the Season. May we all take time this week, perhaps in just listening to Christmas Carols in our homes, to really reflect that on the First Christmas Day Jesus Christ, Son of God, was born into the world. Truly, how can anything be more awesome!
Fr. Leroy
This weekend we arrive at the Fourth Sunday of Advent. A week from today will be
Christmas.
This is a little suggestion for what to do in our homes this week. Play CD’s of Christmas Carols. This, I believe, will give us an awareness of the true meaning of the Christmas Season; for instance, how beautiful it is to hear “Joy to the World, the Lord has Come”. How reflective is the Christmas Carol, “Away in a Manger no Crib for a Bed”. How exhilarating is it to hear “Hark the Herald, Angels Sing, Glory to the New Born King.” The beautiful hymn of invitation for all of us “O Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant.” Another wonderful hymn to the angels “Angels we have heard on High, Sweetly Singing O’er the Plains.” Then there is the beautiful, peaceful hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night, All is Calm, All is Bright, Round Yon Virgin Mother and Child.” A very peppy and joyful hymn is “Go Tell it on the Mountain, over the Hill and Everywhere, Go Tell it on the Mountain, that Jesus Christ is Born.”
A week from Sunday is Christmas, only once a year does this magnificent celebration occur and as the prayer states, Jesus is the Reason for the Season. May we all take time this week, perhaps in just listening to Christmas Carols in our homes, to really reflect that on the First Christmas Day Jesus Christ, Son of God, was born into the world. Truly, how can anything be more awesome!
Fr. Leroy
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Third Sunday of Advent: December 11, 2011
My Dear Parishioners:
Traditionally at St. Edward the Confessor Parish, there is a twice annual collection called “My Gift to the Parish”. This collection happens on the weekends before Christmas and Easter. This is a very important collection and parishioners have always been most generous. So, here we are in this Advent Season 2011 requesting your generosity once again.
This past year, we have had the rectory shingled and have had necessary electrical work done on the Parish property. As in your homes, there is a continual need for upkeep for the Church and the Rectory. During the winter months, there is the cost of snow plowing and sanding, which we hope will not be needed very often this year. But truly, there is always something to do that costs money. So, December 17/18 is the “My Gift to the Parish” weekend and we are asking for your support.
We are sincerely grateful to all of you, and please know how very much your kindness and generosity is appreciated!
Fr. Leroy
Traditionally at St. Edward the Confessor Parish, there is a twice annual collection called “My Gift to the Parish”. This collection happens on the weekends before Christmas and Easter. This is a very important collection and parishioners have always been most generous. So, here we are in this Advent Season 2011 requesting your generosity once again.
This past year, we have had the rectory shingled and have had necessary electrical work done on the Parish property. As in your homes, there is a continual need for upkeep for the Church and the Rectory. During the winter months, there is the cost of snow plowing and sanding, which we hope will not be needed very often this year. But truly, there is always something to do that costs money. So, December 17/18 is the “My Gift to the Parish” weekend and we are asking for your support.
We are sincerely grateful to all of you, and please know how very much your kindness and generosity is appreciated!
Fr. Leroy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
