Browsing Pastor's Column

1-21-24 - 3rd Sunday OT B - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/16/24

3rd Sunday  in Ordinary Time- Fr. Leo

“Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

This phrase sums up our scriptures today.  It is an age old invitation to live in a right relationship with God, others, creation and ourselves.  It is not an invitation to a self-hating guilt trip.  It invites us to ... Read More »

1-14-24 - 2nd Sunday OT B - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/09/24

2nd Sunday  in Ordinary Time- Fr. Leo

Samuel is a novice of Eli, in training to become a prophet.  He places himself in Eli’s care as he seeks to know the Lord.  God spoke to him three times, but it wasn’t till the last time after Eli’s council, that he recognized ... Read More »

1-07-24 - Epiphany - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/09/24

Epiphany of the Lord - Fr. Leo

The infant Jesus and King Herod are the focus of today’s gospel.  In Christ, we have God made vulnerable to humanity, and in Herod, the expression of what is worst in human nature.  On one hand, we have Christ who died for others vs., ... Read More »

12-31-23 - Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/20/23

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - Fr. Leo

Simeon was a devout man and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  Taking the child Jesus in his arms, he recognizes who he was and his role in salvation history.  Anna too, a woman of God, recognized Jesus as the Messiah. ... Read More »

12-24-23 - 4th Advent - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/13/23

4th Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo

Nothing is impossible for God.  This is the message of our gospel today.  It seems a simple straight forward maxim.  God can do the impossible.  Yet to embrace this truth, requires faith.  Without faith God’s omnipotence is simply a thought, but not an experience of something we ... Read More »

12-17-23 - 3rd Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/12/23

Third Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo

Priest, Levites, and Pharisees went to question John the Baptist to find out who he was and what he was about. This tells us two things. First, John’s ministry was having an impact.  Enough people were seeking him out that it caused the ... Read More »

12-10-23 - 2nd Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/04/23

Second Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo

 “I have baptized you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

 

In the last sentence of today’s gospel, we see two aspects of the path to holiness.

First, is the baptism with water.  This John does as a human, ... Read More »

12-03-23 - 1st Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 11/28/23

First Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo

 “Be watchful! Be alert!  You do not know when the time will come.”

To be watchful, is to be awake in anticipation of what is coming.  For us, it is the coming of Christ present and future and we look to the past ... Read More »

11-26-23 - The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - Fr. Leo

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 11/16/23

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

To be Christian is to love Jesus Christ and all that he revealed in his life, death and resurrection.   Having an intimate relationship with Jesus is key.  And this relationship is the model for all our relationships. ... Read More »

11-19-23 - 33rd Sunday of OT A - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 11/10/23

33rd Sunday - Fr. Leo

 It’s a sad moment when the one with one talent confesses his fear of his master and buried his talent.  Fear can have that kind of power over us.  It is very real. I’m sure we have all made decisions out of fear that have limited ... Read More »