Holy Family - Expect a Miracle 7

This is my after thought from the Expect a Miracle Series: keep asking and be obedient like Jesus.

Christmas 2015 - Expect a Miracle 6

You can expect a miracle this Christmas. Acknowledge the storms in your life, allow God to act and then do your part. Merry Christmas and I pray that you experience in your life the miracle that God has in store for you. A special note of thanks to Fr. Michael White and the staff at Nativity Church in Timonium, MD for the inspiration and permission to use this wonderful series this past Advent Season. Fr. White first gave this message series in 2012 (the year of the Sandy Hook massacres).

2015 Christmas Schedule

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Expect a Miracle 5

The fifth in the Miracles message series. Believe and receive a miracle the Christmas.

Third Sunday of Advent - Expect a Miracle 4

In the midst of all the tragedies and storms in life prayer is the only response. Pray with joy and thanksgiving as you expect a miracle this Christmas.

Second Sunday of Advent - Expect a Miracle 3

Part three in the Expect a Miracle series, this week: repent! Don't forget Nightfever this coming Friday, December 11th.

Homily - First Sunday of Advent - Expect A Miracle 2

In this second part of the message series for Advent: Expect a Miracle we look at the necessity of "storms" in order for miracles to happen. What is the miracle you would like to see happen this Christmas - share yours in the comment section.

Christ the King - Expect a Miracle 1

This is the last of the Discipleship Message Series - the wrap up with our Director of Parish Ministries, Kristin Osenbach. This is also the beginning of a new message series that will take us through Christmas: Expect a Miracle.  I want to send a very special thank you to Fr. Michael White and the Team at Nativity Church in Timonium, Maryland for the inspiration and permission to use this great series her at St. John XXIII.

Thirty Second Sunday - Your Call to Discipleship 6

This is the sixth in the Call to Discipleship message series. Because discipleship demands service, our parish offers two opportunities to serve the needs of others both within the parish and outside the parish.

All Saints - Your Call to Discipleship 5

This the fifth in the Call to Disciplship series. It is God's desire that we become saints. This begins at baptism. The John the Baptist Ministry is an opportunity to connect with families who seek baptism for their children - so that through a personal relationship with a parishioner, they will be able to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Sorry, but no images, Apple strikes again.  I'll try a new editor next week and hopefully the images will be back.

Thirtheeth Sunday - Your Call to Discipleship 4

 

 

This week we start the service portion of the series Your Call to Discipleship. This week the Gospel offers the healing of Bartimaeus and is welcomed by Jesus. He teaches his disciples to do the same.

Twenty Ninth Sunday - Your Call to Discipleship 3

Welcome Alpha! In this third of the series on Discipleship we introduce Alpha, our new evangelization series open to everyone and anyone, Catholic or not. Find answers to the questions you have about life and God.  The series starts Thursday, October 22nd at 6:30PM with a light meal (you won't have to cook dinner), a short talk (25-30 min.) then small group discussion - very friendly, very informal.

Again, sorry about the lack of images...  Apple has succeeded in preventing me from inserting any "non-iPhone/iPad" created images into iMovie.  As soon as there's a fix the images will be back.

Twenty Eighth Sunday - Your Call to Discipleship 2

Here is LAST weeks message: Your Call to Discipleship part 2 - for the men of the parish. Sorry, but there are no images - blame it on Apple and iMovie (I updated iMovie and there is a bug in the program that does not allow me to insert the many images in my photo album that I use for these homily messages). The studies series Be A Man starts Monday, October 19th following the 7:00 pm Mass at St. John XXIII Parish Center (former St. Jerome Rectory).

Twenty Seventy Sunday - Your Call to Discipleship 1

Starting this Sunday we are starting series of very pratical way to grow as a disciple. This week for the women of the parish we are introducing the Women of Grace series to begin on Sunday, October 18th.

Twenty Fourth Sunday - Are You Engaged? 2

If you are engaged in the life of your Church then you'll know what the answer will be when you ask: "what do I give?" (And it ain't money!!!)

Twenty Third Sunday - Are you engaged? 1

How healthy is your spiritual life? How does that show how engaged you are in the life of your Church? This this first part of a two part (actually four part - the third and fourth will come later) message series. Today the question to answer is "What do I get?"

Twenty-second Sunday - The School of Prayer Conclusion

This is the final message in the School of Prayer series. What is required to increase receptivity and be more responsive to God?  Many thanks to Fr. Scott Traynor whose little book "the Parish as a School of Prayer" for the inspiration for this series.

Twenty-first Sunday -The School of Prayer 7/7

The forth and final essential habit in the school of prayer is respond. Like the ancient Hebrews Joshua asks the people who they will serve, how will they respond to all that God has done for them. What will your response be?

Twentieth Sunday - the School of Prayer 6/7

Relating the movements of your heart (which you must Acknowledge) positions you to Receive all that God has to offer. These are the many blessing that we experience through the course of a day. Most importantly, we place ourselves in a position to receive the greatest gift he has to offer: His very self in the Holy Eucharist.

Nineteenth Sunday - The School of Prayer 5/7

Eighteenth Sunday - School of Prayer 4/7

The School of Prayer has a core curriculum and today we start with the first of four essential habits of prayer: acknowledge.

Sorry for the delay in posting - had troubles with the upload!

Seventeenth Sunday - School of Prayer 3/7

Part three of the School of Prayer Message series.  Prayer starts with listening because acts first inviting us into a relationship with Him.

Sixteenth Sunday - The School of Prayer 2/7

Who, in our school of prayer, will be our teacher? Jesus is the master teacher and gives authority to his apostles to do the same.

Fifteenth Sunday: The School of Prayer 1/7

Today I begin a new message series entitled "The School of Prayer." Over the course of seven Sunday's I will help listeners learn how to pray. Not lessons on saying prayers, rather how to answer the invitation God offers us to have an intimate relationship with him.  Today's lesson: why do we need to go back to school to learn how to pray?

Homily - Twelfth Sunday B

Even the wind and sea obey him. What will it bring you and I if we we obey him as well?

Laudato Si

Read Pope Francis' Encyclical Letter "Praised be to You" by clicking this link:

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/06/18/read-the-encyclical-for-yourself-laudato-si/

Homily - Eleventh Sunday B

We belong with God in heaven. We are not in heaven, we are here on earth, but why not act like we are in heaven especially in church.

Homily - Corpus Christi

Disciples are called to be ministers, to use their gifts and talents for the good of the church and the glory of Jesus Christ.

Homily - Trinity Sunday

What do disciples do? Last week: seek the power and working of the Holy Spirit! This week: make disciples; bring others into a relationship with Jesus - a relationship where we "do God's will."

Sorry for the delay in getting this posted.  I've been experiencing upload problems...

Homily - Pentecost Sunday

No one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Disciples seek the Holy Spirit in their lives so that they can proclaim this Good News.

Homily Seventh Sunday of Easter

Why are you here (in Church on Sunday, that is)? Why do you go to Sunday Mass? Think about the answer and hear Jesus' words of comfort and consolation as he sends you into the world to proclaim the Good News.

Sixth Sunday of Easter B

If Jesus is Lord - and he is! - then we must follow his command to love.  Love is that gift that will stop the tide of paganism that is sweeping western culture.  If you'd like to read the whole article that I mention in this homily click here: http://go.aleteia.org/Sx2Kbfb

Homily - Fifth Sunday of Easter B

Jesus is Lord, he is approachable because he is the vine who gives us life.

Homily - Fourth Sunday of Easter B

We can deepen our trust in Jesus the Good Shepherd through daily prayer and witnessing the Good News of the gospel.

Homily - Divine Mercy Sunday

We are made for Heaven not so much for the things of this earth.  God's great mercy draws us to life with him.

Homily - Good Friday and Easter

This is my message for both Good Friday and Easter.  This is a two part series (as one) on the four requirements of the Messiah. I borrowed these thoughts from Fr. Robert Barron's Catholicism series. Click on the Word on Fire link on the right column to go to Fr. Barron's website for more great Catholic resources and inspiration.

Homily - Palm Sunday of Our Lord's Passion

Disciples have a mission: to Evangelize - to share with others the Good News of Jesus Christ who took up his cross to free us from sin.

Homily - Fifth Sunday of Lent B

This is the fifth out of my series in deliberate discipleship. This is the moment of decision: will you be a disciple? Will you drop your net and follow Jesus? Will you be the seed the dies in order to bear great fruit. At the end of this message join me in making your commitment to be a disciple.

Just a thought

Your comments about my homilies will help me to better proclaim the good news.  What will you do this week to become a deliberate disciple?

Homily - Fourth Sunday of Lent B

Today we look at the fourth step on the journey to deliberate discipleship.  This is the step we make when we begin to act - this is the step of spiritual seeking - asking the question, "is this the one?"

Homily - Third Sunday of Lent

Openness is the third step on the journey to deliberate discipleship. The best place to open the door is in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Here at St. John XXIII Parish we have Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from after the 9:00AM Mass until Benediction at 7:45PM.  During Lent I am available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 6-7PM. At 7:15 we pray the Stations of the Cross followed by Benediction.

Homily -Second Sunday of Lent

The second step on the way to being a deliberate disciple is curiosity. What is God doing? Who is this Jesus?

Daily thought

Check out my daily thought at:
https://www.facebook.com/sj23tamaqua

Homily - First Sunday of Lent

As we begin the season of Lent, I am beginning a new message series: being a deliberate disciple.  This series is based on the five thresholds of discipleship found in Sherry Weddle's book Forming Intentional Disciples. This book is a great Lenten read for anyone interested in become a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

Homily Sixth Sunday B

This is the third part of my series of messages on generosity. Be generous, paradoxically, it will improve your life.

Ceili Rain

Back by popular demand!

Saturday, March 14, 2015 - 7:30PM

St. Jerome Regional School Hall

Admission & Refreshments: $20 per person, $30 per couple, $10 under 12

For Tickets call 570-225-7410

Homily - Fifth Sunday B

Part two of my three part message series on generosity. What benefit can being generous have in your life?

Yesterday I began a new message series on generosity. Take a moment to listen...

Homily - Third Sunday of the Year

Jesus calls the first disciples and they follow him. He is calling to us but we are all to often caught up in our search for God and miss his call.

Homily - The Baptism of Our Lord

If the Christmas season is THE season of change, because the birth of Jesus changes everything, then the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is about Trust. We need someone we can trust when the changes of life cause confusion and frustration.

Homily - Epiphany 2015

I took a break from posting my homilies from the Feast of the Holy Family and Mary the Mother of God (Mother's Day).  Here's my homily from Epiphany.  What change must you make in your life having encountered The Child in the Word and Eucharist?