Pastoral Message

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart…my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” The word “yoke” is the Greek word zugos, referring to a wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of two animals (usually oxen) and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull, so they could combine their strength to pull a load that would have been too much for one animal to pull alone. The

Hey Y'all! When I was in 2nd grade, my teacher entered each of her student's classroom art project into the ceramics competition of the Missouri State Fair. It was the late 1960s - 1969 or so. I was 7 or 8. My art project was a molded ceramic hippopotamus. I painted the open-mouthed hippo a vivid blue with flowers around its neck - because it was a 'flower child' hippy sort of hippo. Very timely. Very H.R. Pufnstuf. (If you don't

This past week I was on vacation in New Jersey to celebrate my cousin's wedding and again to visit an Atlantic City casino with my dad. Then, I was in Albany, New York to spend Father's Day with my brother and my dad, and I flew home this past Wednesday. I definitely feel like I need a vacation from my vacation! The calendar was also busy this week. Monday, was “Juneteenth." On Wednesday, we marked the Summer Solstice - the

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,   Hey Y’all!   I am grateful for the lovely celebration that happened last Saturday for the occasion of the 25th anniversary of my priestly ordination!  The Mass was moving – Bishop Freyer preached- the music was glorious – the incense was lit, giving an odor of joyful holiness.  Best of all, we prayed and worshipped together.  Then the Holy Smokes Meat Ministry fed those who came to the beautifully decorated Hall after Mass.  Thank you smokers!!! You fed the

Hey everybody! Today our Church calendar shows that we are celebrating the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity!  Now if you’re an old timey Catholic, in both the past and even now in the present we might sing the lyrics of this hymn on this occasion. Holy God, we praise thy name. God of all, we bow before thee. All on earth your scepter claim; all in heav’n above adore thee. Infinite thy vast domain, everlasting is they reign. Hark, the loud celestial hymn, angel

For fifty days we have been celebrating the incomparable joy of the Resurrection. Today, Pentecost Sunday, we close the Easter Season by gratefully acknowledging the magnificent and mysterious work of the Holy Spirit. As we hear in the first reading, it is a day when very ordinary men were transformed by the Spirit and began the challenging process of founding the Church. These are the same men who ran away when Jesus was arrested and then, as we hear in

Hey Y’all, About seven or eight years ago, my Dad was volunteering as an English tutor to non-native speakers. Most of the folks my Dad tutored were Japanese or Korean folks around his own age - my Dad was in his 80s at the time. So having a chat, I asked him what he found interesting in tutoring these folks. He told me it was fascinating for him to try to explain things he took for granted - language, culture, American

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Happy Mother’s Day! Whether you are a new mother, a mother for many years, an expectant mother, or simply a son or daughter of a mother, you certainly understand the essential truths that define motherhood. I would suggest that those truths include being selfless, compassionate, understanding, patient, kind and loving. A mother motivates, encourages, disciplines, instructs, and listens. Perhaps the most impressive quality of an “ideal” mother (for instance, our Blessed Mother)

Hey Y'all! I had some surgery the week after Easter. The procedure corrected a hernia. The hernia started with a hard cough and then for years I nursed it, watching my belly button grow out instead of in. Post-surgery, I have a normal belly again – well, big but normal. I'm healing well, back to work and full of gratitude that it’s fixed. In the last couple of weeks of recuperation, some of y’all had heard of my woeful state. So

“I am the gate for the sheep…Whoever enters through me will be saved.” In John’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims seven “I Am” statements that point to His unique, divine identity and purpose: I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35) I am the Light of the World (John 8:12) I am the Door (Gate) (John 10:9) I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14) I am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25) I am the Way and the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) I am the Vine