Browsing the 2019 archive of Pastor's Column

January 5, 2019

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/30/19

The Epiphany of the Lord - Fr. Leo

One could contemplate many different things in today’s scriptures.  For one, the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are symbolic of Christ’s life and mission. Myrrh signifying his death for us to join that to his resurrection and eternal life.

A ... Read More »

December 29, 2019

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/30/19

Feast of the Holy Family - Fr. Leo

On YouTube, I’ve been watching clips of military personal surprising their loved ones by returning a bit early from long absences.  Some are only a couple minutes long, but they warm and inspire my heart.  Common to each clip is not ... Read More »

December 22, 2019

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/30/19

4th Sunday Advent - Fr. Leo

We celebrate many of our Marian feast days with the passage from Luke’s gospel that celebrates Mary’s yes to God’s will, when the angel Gabriel invites her to become the mother of the Son of God.  Today’s gospel passage from Matthew, is a ... Read More »

December 15, 2019

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/30/19

3rd Sunday Advent - Fr. Leo

"Go and tell John what you hear and see.”

When John’s disciples ask Jesus if he is the “one-to-come,” he doesn’t say, “Yes, I’m the one.”  Rather than proclaim himself, he simply invites them to tell John what they see.  All the miraculous ... Read More »

December 8, 2019

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/30/19

2nd Advent - Fr. Leo

“Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” Mt

In our preparing the way of the Lord, we begin with conforming our lives to Christ’s. Thus our prayer and devotion in this Advent season is aimed at living all aspects of our lives in ... Read More »

December 1, 2019

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/30/19

1st Advent - Fr. Leo

“Come, let us climb the Lord mountain.”

Our first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, chapter two, verses one through five, gives us a great image to guide our Advent journey.  First, the Lord’s mountain is established as the highest mountain.  This ... Read More »

November 24, 2019

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 11/15/19

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe  Fr. Leo

We could say, “Once upon a time there were Kings and kingdoms, rulers and subjects, slaves and free.”  But in all honesty has that really changed.  We still have the governed and those that govern.  We still ... Read More »

November 17, 2019

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 11/15/19

33rd Sunday - Fr. Leo The Apostles faith was reflected in the way they lived their lives.  Preaching the Gospel and bringing people to faith in God through Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, was the center of the Apostles existence.  This came before anything else.  The ... Read More »

November 10, 2019

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 11/05/19

32nd Sunday - Fr. Leo

The number Seven is mentioned in both our first reading from 2 Maccabees and in the passage from Luke’s gospel that we just heard.  The number seven represents fullness and perfection. The perfection in the first reading is the faithful death of the seven ... Read More »

October 27, 2019

Posted by Erin O'Leary on 10/22/19

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time- Reflection by Fr. Leo

The Gospel juxtaposes the prayer of the Pharisee and the tax collector in the temple. To benefit the most from this story, I think we should begin by acknowledging the sincerity of the Pharisee’s prayer. Because of all his sincere ... Read More »