Today’s gospel (Matt. 28:8-15) retells the meeting of the risen Lord with the women leaving the tomb. His command to them is “go and tell my brothers”. This is his command to all his followers! Go and tell others about him! Let others know of how Jesus loves them! Never stop telling all about him!
Today, liturgies throughout the world will include a reading of the Passion of Jesus (John 18:1-19:42). It shows us the depths of Jesus’ love for us! He was rejected by his own people and as such embraced the rejection of all those who are judged and treated unfairly by society.
Today’s gospel (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18) has Jesus highlighting the three important tenets of the Lenten Season: charity, prayer and fasting. Ultimately these three things are what builds us a healthy physical, mental, emotional and spiritual life with God and others!
Even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart... (Joel 2:12)
Happy Ash Wednesday everyone! Today begins the Sacred Season of Lent. We wear ashes today as a sign of our commitment to build up our relationship with Jesus by letting go of the things that prevent us from being with him!
On this feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, once again, we are reminded by Mary our mother, of the love, care and concern she has for all her children, regardless of who we are. Our Advent challenge today is to have a heart like Mary’s and be kind and respectful to others!
On May 15, 2022, Pope Francis canonized a priest named Charles de Foucauld. He lived between 1858 until his brutal murder in 1916. Charles provided spiritual care and hospitality to all-Christians, Muslims, Jews and everyone else. St. Charles reminds us that if we do anything today-be kind!
December 1st is World AIDS Day. Today I remember those whom I ministered to and those whose funerals I led. I also remember the men, women and children who live with HIV/AIDS in their lives - may we always see the presence of Christ in every person!
I was reminded that yesterday (November 28th) was the fourth anniversary of the dedication of Saint Benedict Church. I wish the parishioners congratulations and many blessings as they continue to grow and make a difference in the Milton community! Ad Multos Annos! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
On this day (November 29) in 1980, Servant of God, Dorothy Day, passed from this world to eternal life. Dorothy’s life and service was a profound testimony to her faith in Jesus. She saw him in every person by embracing them with non-judgment and dignity! May her example be our challenge as well!
Only Luke is with me. (2 Timothy 4:11)
Today we honour Saint Luke the Evangelist. His gospel is one where women have prominent roles (including Our Blessed Lady) and where miracles and healings are highlighted in the ministry of Jesus. He is patron of medical doctors and health care workers!
October 16th is the Memorial of Saint Marguerite D’Youville. She is the first Canadian-born Saint. She was a wife, mother and widow. She founded the Sisters of Charity of Montreal (Grey Nuns). She reminds us that despite the obstacles we face in life, we can always make a difference in our society.
On this Canadian Thanksgiving Day, the first reading (Colossians 3;12-17) has Saint Paul telling the us to always be thankful. A thankful heart is a generous heart. If we are grateful for what God had given to us, we must help and be there for others. Gratitude is a true measure of a thankful heart.
Today’s gospel (Luke 16:19-31) is the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (the poor man). The rich man is not a solitary figure. He stands in for each one of us, every time we fail to take action and help those in our lives who are in need. Let’s all try to do better!
Today (Sep 13) we honour a great preacher, Saint John Chrysostom (347-407). We pray for all today who are entrusted to preach the Word of God, remembering using to keep it simple enough for all to understand! Also remember a longer homily doesn’t mean a better one!
Saint Paul in today’s first Reading (I Timothy 1:15-17), Clearly emphasizes his own sinfulness. Thus he gives us the example to acknowledge who we are and not appear better or more spiritual to others! Humility is hard, but we all must work on it!
Remembering former parishioners and friends from Saint Gregory the Great Parish in Cambridge ON. on their parish feast day! May the prayers of Saint Gregory the Great guide them always towards the Lord Jesus! I was honoured to be the pastor of this wonderful faith community!
Today the Church celebrates Saint Gregory the Great. He lived around 540 to 604 AD. In 590 he was elected pope. He was an esteemed political and spiritual leader. He strived to be guided by the Holy Spirit every day of his life. As followers of Jesus, may this also be our way of life as well!
Today’s gospel (Mark 6:17-29) focuses on the evil behaviour of King Herod and Herodius his wife and their complicity in the killing of John the Baptist. Herodius holds grudges against people who challenge her. So let’s get rid of our grudges and biases and be a witness to Jesus in our lives!
Today’s gospel (Luke 13:22-30) has Jesus reminding us not to only meet the bare minimum when living our faith but to exceed the expectations required of us. Let’s not get “lost in the crowd” but be recognized by Jesus by living like him to the fullest!
Today’s gospel (Luke 12:49-53) has Jesus boldly proclaiming that he has not come to bring peace to the earth but rather division The Christian faith and lifestyle challenges our society and families and upsets the status quo. Let’s always live by the commands of Jesus and transform our world!
Remembering former parishioners and friends from Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Stoney Creek, ON. on their parish feast day! May the prayers of Mary our Mother guide them always towards her Son. I was honoured to be the pastor of this wonderful faith community!
On this Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, today's gospel recalls her words of how God will bring about a better world through His Son. Let us help the Lord to bring about a better world by challenging the injustices we see around us!
Today (August 14th), we honour a Franciscan priest who was exterminated by the Nazi forces in Auschwitz on this day in 1941. Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s life reminds us to always stand up for truth, respect, love and religious liberty in the face of corrupt political government leaders and policies!
Today is also the optional memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. However this feast is not a celebration of a building made of bricks and mortar, but rather a tribute to honour the faith and trust of Mary, the humble Virgin of Nazareth and the Mother of God.
Today we celebrate the optional memorial of Blessed Frederic Janssoone OFM. He was an enthusiastic missionary both in Canada and the Holy Land. As a Canadian, may his prayers always help Canada continue be a country of peace and respect! 🇨🇦
Today’s gospel (Matthew 14:13-21) retells the event of the feeding of the five thousand. The takeaway from this passage is that in order for the Lord to perform his works-we have to work with him. We cannot expect the Lord to do for us whatever we want and sit back and let it fall into our laps.
Today the Church honours a humble parish priest, the Cure of Ars, St Jean-Marie Vianney (1786-1859). He became the pastor of the problematic parish of Ars. He never gave up on his community. He remains a great model for all in ordained priestly ministry to always embrace and serve their people!
Today’s gospel (Luke 12:13-21) has Jesus being asked to settle a family dispute involving an inheritance. Jesus uses this opportunity to remind his followers of the evils of greed. Today’s parable reminds us to be content with what we have and share our abundance with those who are in need!
Today we honour one of the great spiritual reformers of the counter-reformation - Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Not only did he found the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), he reminds us in our spiritual lives to see every moment of our day and every encounter with others as an encounter with God.
Today’s gospel on this memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus (John 11:17-27) highlights Martha’s profession of faith: “Yes Lord I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God”. May we all make her response our own when Jesus asks us, “do you believe this?” every day of our lives!