Merciful Like the Father 5

This is the final message for the first part of the Merciful Like the Father series. The second part of the series will begin September 11th when we begin talking about the Spiritual Works of Mercy.

Merciful Like the Father 4

Here is the second to last of the first part of the Merciful Like the Father Series on the Corporal Works of Mercy. The second part of the series will be on the Spiritual Works of Mercy and that begins September 11th.

Merciful Like the Father 3

I was informed that I never posted this...  Here's last Sunday's message, part three of the Merciful Like the Father Series.

Merciful Like the Father 2

In this second of the Merciful Like the Father Message series we reflect briefly on two more of the Corporal Works of Mercy: Comfort the Sick and Bury the Dead.

Merciful Like the Father 1

this is the beginning of a new two part message series entitled Merciful Like the Father - which is the same as the motto for this Jubilee Year of Mercy called for by Pope Francis. During this first part of the series I will be reflecting on the Corporal Works of Mercy. Today we begin with Feeding the Hungry.

Trademarks, Brands & Tattoos 3

This is the third and final part of this series about the tasks or behaviors that we as a Community of Believers value. Today: Service.  How will you serve your parish community?

Trademarks, Brands & Tattoos 2

Finally...  I don't know if my internet connection, a problem with YouTube, or a problem with my computer - but uploading this file has taken much longer than usual!

So, here's part two...

It might seem that I contradict myself by talking about being a welcoming community while at the same time offering the opportunity to get off the bus if these behaviors are not something an individual is willing to do.

Remember this: evangelization, discipleship, and service (next Sunday) are essential aspects of being a FOLLOWER of Jesus and by extension part of the parish of St. John XXIII here in Tamaqua.  My message is already longish, if I were to give an extensive list of how to do this things, how to evangelize, how to be an intentional disciple, or how to serve I would need days because the list would be limited only by the imagination of anyone wanting to do these things. Consequently, I offer only a few practical thoughts about each behavior.

Another aspect of "being on this bus" is the reality that everyone is on a different place on their journey toward holiness and sainthood. Therefore, a simple WILLINGNESS to be an evangelist, an intentional disciple, a servant is what counts, as well as finding ways to make those behaviors an important part of life. It is this that guarantees a seat on this bus.

Finally, ONE reason why I post these recordings is so that parishioners who hear me each Sunday can have the opportunity and means to hear the message again so that they can catch all that I said. When we listen to one sentence we often miss the next because we are still thinking about the first. Being able to listen to the message again enables you to catch what you missed. Catching what you miss may very well help to clear up any confusion about what I say.

Trademarks, Brands & Tattoos 1

We are starting a new series this week, actually it is more of a continuation of the series New Beginnings. As a Catholic Parish what is our trademark? What is our Brand? How are we tattooed? With the beginning of this new year (the parish of St. John XXIII begins her third year this July 1st) we begin a with a renewed emphasis on achieving the goal we all seek: the Kingdom of God and our call to be evangelists.

New Beginnings 3

William Bridges book "Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes" is the inspiration for this series. He writes of the three parts of a transition beginning with an ending, then a journey through the neutral zone and finishing with a new beginning. Today we look further into the neutral zone and see that Jesus asks us, his disciples, to see him differently just as the neutral zone is an opportunity to see a new perspective on endings which lead to a new beginning. While this is the last part of this three part series it is actually only the prelude to the new beginning that will happen in two weeks when we start the next series entitled: Trademarks, Brands & Tattoos.

New Beginnings 2

Part two, the second stage of making a new beginning is the neutral zone. A safe place in the midst of fear and danger.

New Beginnings 1

New beginnings always start with an end. In this new message series we will look at the new beginning Jesus has in store for our lives.

Corpus Christi

You can be holy - the great lie of our time is that you can not be holy! Holiness does not come from hours spent in prayer, doing good for others, or even attending Mass. Holiness comes from a relationship with Jesus and prayer, good works and the Eucharist are necessary because they sustain that relationship. (Zach, who I mention at the beginning of the message is a seminarian who has just completed his first year in theology and is staying with us for two months this summer as part of his formation to be a priest).

Trinity Sunday

What does Jesus do? As the Son he loves the Father - Jesus loves because God is Love.the love of the Father and Son is personified in the Holy Spirit. The Father, through the Son sends the Holy Spirit into our lives so that we can have joy, so that we can be holy. The great lie is that we cannot be holy, we cannot have joy, we cannot become saints. YES, we can! This week and next week we look at how that can happen.

What's Next? 6

This is the end of the What's Next? message series: results! What is next is exactly what we celebrate on this feast of Pentecost: the joy given to us by the Holy Spirit. That joy only comes in obedience to the commands of Jesus. His command is to Love God, Love Neighbor, and Make Disciples these are the results that we seek, nothing can distract us from doing just this.

I want to extend a word of thanks to Patrick Lencioni for the inspiration for this series. His book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" speaks of five gospel values that when missing from a "team" (a parish community) will be the cause of its demise.  We must be wiling to trust, enter into conflict, make a commitment, accept accountability and attend to the results that Jesus wants for us all: JOY in the Holy Spirit.

What's Next? 5

Accountability is one of the most difficult traits to find in our culture, but it is absolutely necessary for disciples to hold one another accountable if we are to accept what's next.

What's Next? 3 & 4

Here are my messages from the past two Sundays: What's Next? 3 & 4. These weeks have been kind of busy and I have not had the time necessary to get these messages uploaded.

Regarding this series, I have been using Patrick Lencioni's book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" where he writes about those foundational issues that prevent a team from properly function. The first is trust, the second, conflict, the third is commitment.  In the coming two weeks, I'll talk about the last two (you'll have to wait - or read his book - find out what they are!).  Lencioni is a devout Catholic and although you would never know that fact from reading his books, these issues, which help to make "business teams" great, are really biblical in nature.  These are Gospel Values at there best using the Easter Gospels I am hoping to point our parish towards continued growth in discipleship.

Week 3, the 5th Sunday of Easter:

Week 4, the 6th Sunday of Easter:

What's Next? 1 & 2

While there are many ways to approach life - two come to mind: we can approach life with a hospital mentality or an amusement park mentality. What’s the difference? The hospital mentality focuses on the next bit of bad news that we expect to receive when we are faced with a medical issue. What’s next? is answered with more trials and challenges that we’d rather avoid - so it’s better not to ask “what’s next?” The amusement park mentality is filled with excitement. When you finish one ride you can’t wait to get to the next ride because of the thrill that you experience of anticipating, What’s next? How you approach life determines how and if you’ll answer, “what’s next?”

Over the course of the remainder of the Easter Season we are going to take a look at this question and some of the issues that can help us to accept the answer. From the miracles we experienced at Christmas, then finding what’s your story, to the Barefoot Journey and even the Most Important Things of Easter, it’s good to ask “What’s Next?”

What's Most Important 2

When we ask what is most important and then reflect on making the Gospel most important we soon discover that there is a gap between the life we lead and the life of the Gospel.

What's most important 1

The beginning of a new message series that will run through Divine Mercy Sunday. What is most important and what difference will living that 100% make in your life?

The Barefoot Journey 5

The fifth and final message in the Barefoot Journey series. NO MATTER WHAT: God Forgives, without guilt, without blame, without shame.  In these final days of the season of Lent take time to go to confession and experience the power and joy of God's forgiveness.