Remember that we are dust and into dust we shall return

March 1, 2017

Ash Wednesday

Ashes blow away. Ashes wipe off.  They are not permanent.  Why then do we mark ourselves at the very beginning of Lent with the most permanent sign of our Christianity, the cross, using something that is so easy to do away with?  Perhaps because the ashes represent our sins, blown away as if they are cleaned by the redeeming action of our Savior and the love of our God.  During this time of Lent, let us pray in thanksgiving for such wondrous love.                             – Deacon Jim

Can we witness glimpses of Christ's Glor on the faces of others in our life?

March 12, 2017

Second Sunday of Lent

When we prepare for a journey, we are intent on getting from one place to our destination.  How often as children did we say, “Are we there yet?” As we continue this Lenten journey toward Jesus’ “transfigured glory”, the only way we can get there is to walk in His footsteps.  That is our Lenten challenge and our goal for our every day of our life.  Are we there yet?                             – Deacon Jim

"One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

March 5, 2017

First Sunday of Lent

Throughout our lives we are faced with choices that will either bring us closer to God or move us away from God.  Every day of our lives we are faced with the temptations to put our wants before God.  As we begin this Lenten season, let us use prayer, fasting and good works to feed our soul, so that our faith may be renewed and our giving sincere.                               – Deacon Jim

"Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil." Sunday Mass for 8th Sunday in OT

Weekend Mass for Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception for February 26, 2017. Click on the link or the picture to enjoy watching...
https://youtu.be/o4ZZG0tq7ac

Who do we script our life after? "Lord, Have I Changed?"

February 26, 2017

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is our life a “Master” piece? Jesus raises the question, to whom or to what do we choose to be enslaved?  Are we more concerned in building a life that serves ourselves and our individual needs or are we creating a life that paints the needs of others as key?  If our time is consumed in molding a life that is centered on the needs of others and working to create a life focused on creating a place for ourselves in the Kingdom of God, then we are creating a life that is tied to our Master in heave, a true “Master piece” for God.                        –Deacon Jim

Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.

Do you see the face of Christ in the people you encounter in life? Take time to reflect on the readings and message from the Mass from the 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Just click on the link below or the picture above to enjoy the video of this Mass.
https://youtu.be/kzCnUj7EL4A

"Love is the answer" If you are looking for more, you are lost indeed.

February 19, 2017

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Gospel today, continues the words of Jesus as we listen to the Sermon on the Mount.  Throughout His sermon we have heard The Beatitudes, The teaching about our being the salt of the earth, about the support for the law handed down from God by Moses, about anger, adultery, etc. In this part of His Sermon we learn about our relationship with others.  “I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father…”  (The Gospel of Matthew is, in my opinion, the most powerful in the bible.  Like it was said in the song from England Dan & John Ford Coley -- “Love is the answer.”)                                                                    -Deacon Jim

While you do this, listen on You Tube to, "Love Is The Answer"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbfPJWL7ykc

Love Is The Answer - England Dan & John Ford Coley - Lyrics www.youtube.com DOWNLOAD IT HERE .... http://bit.ly/Wju8AZ

What choices are we making and where are they leading us?

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 12, 2017

One of the great gifts that God has giving each of us is a free will. We have the opportunity to make our own decisions as we face hundreds of choices every day.  Some are easy, some are difficult and demanding.  Rather than our making choices because of our personal convenience or preference, we should listen to the words of Jesus who challenges us to make choices that will put us on the right track and lead us to becoming the “greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”                - Deacon Jim

We are the Salt of the Earth. 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Weekend Mass for Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception. To view this recorded Mass, click on the link below or the picture above:
https://youtu.be/Vi88s3__slc

We are to be the "Salt of The Earth" Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 5, 2017

Since I have been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, I have had to cut back my use of salt.  Do you realize that salt seems to be in almost everything and how hard it is to go without it?  Today’s Gospel talks about our being the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  That is a tall task.  Like the salt we consume in our daily diet, we are to be the salt that is consumed in the daily diet of the faith of the world.  Some of the ways we can accomplish this are mentioned in our first reading:  “feed the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless, clothe the naked.”  We note that there is no mention of their “deserving this care.”  When we do these things, we demonstrate that we are indeed the salt that feeds the earth and the light that is shining our faith and love of God on the world today.                     – Deacon Jim