Pope Francis’ Chrism Mass Homily

March 28, 2013

These words from our new pope are a beautiful reminder of what it means to be anointed by Christ to live the gospel. All of us, both lay and clergy, are called to be those who go out into the world to proclaim the good news. HOMILY OF POPE FRANCIS HOLY THURSDAY CHRISM MASS ST [...]

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Fr. Barron & Stephen Colbert on Gary Wills’ “Why Priests?”

March 8, 2013

I always find value in Fr. Bob Barron’s youtube commentaries. After having heard Gary Wills’ comments recently on The Colbert Report, I was very interested in hearing what Fr. Barron would have to say about Wills’ most recent book. I was fairly certain that he would do some quoting from St. Augustine, which he did and more. [...]

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Pray for us, sinners

February 26, 2013

Here in the Diocese of Knoxville, our bishop has asked us to pray. He has asked us to pray for Pope Benedict XVI during his last days as the Bishop of Rome. He has asked us to pray for the College of Cardinals who have been given the task of electing his successor. He has [...]

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Wait for the Lord

February 25, 2013

Regular readers of this blog may have noticed more silence here in recent days than is normal. This is due mostly to an abundance of time given to burying the dead in my parish, along with giving attention to personal matters, and most especially due to the regular work of a pastor which should always [...]

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Be Kind

February 13, 2013

Wise words from Fr. Jim Martin as we begin the annual Lenten journey.

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How Big Is Your But?

February 6, 2013

That’s the question that continues to resonate with me from our priest gathering this week. The question came from Fr. Brendan Moss, a monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey, who spent the last few days with us sharing his expertise on preaching to the young generation. He recalled a homily for young people in which he [...]

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I Am Who I Am

February 4, 2013

What do we mean when we say that God is self-existing? When we say that God is self-existing we mean that He does not owe His existence to any other being. As a child, each time I heard the story of Moses and the burning bush, I couldn’t help but think of Popeye the sailor [...]

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What Are You Reading?

February 1, 2013

If you were to ever visit my house it would difficult not to notice the abundance of books. The hallway leading into the house is lined on one side with shelves of them. Just off the kitchen is another shelf. The guest room has them. The bathroom has them. My bedroom has them. Then of [...]

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What is a Spirit?

January 31, 2013

Now that I have completed the blog series on Fr. Thomas Hopko’s 55 Maxims for Christian Living, it is time to get back to another series I began on the Baltimore Catechism. I will take it as a lesson that it is wise to stick to one series at a time. The last question and answer from the [...]

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One More Musial Post

January 28, 2013

“Here at home where it mattered most, we got it. We understood that it is more important to be appreciated than to be glorified, to be respected than to be celebrated, to be understood and loved than to be idolized, and that friendship is more important than fame. As the remembrances have poured in this week, [...]

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Stika Says Goodbye to Stan the Man

January 26, 2013

This weekend I was honored to be asked to travel with Bishop Stika for the funeral of Baseball Hall of Famer, Stan Musial. Stan was not only a great baseball player, but he was great man of faith. You can read Bishop Stika’s homily over at our diocesan blog, Life at 25.

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With A Little Help From My Friends

January 23, 2013

Get help when you need it, without fear and without shame. Maxim #55 All of us at some time in our life need some help. Many of us avoid seeking that help for a multitude of reasons that include pride, fear and embarrassment. Growing up in America, I was taught that one can do just [...]

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One Week, Four Funerals

January 21, 2013

Just a note to let folks know I have not given up blogging for the new year. My attention has been turned to the corporal works of mercy, specifically burying the dead. I hope you will remember these most recently departed and their families in your prayers. Each of the deceased has left behind a [...]

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