Mass Schedule
SATURDAY
5:00 P.M. - Vigil Mass at Our Lady of Consolation Church
8:30 A.M. - First Saturday Mass with Devotions (first Saturday of each month only)
SUNDAY
8:00 A.M. - Our Lady of Consolation Church
9:30 A.M. - St. Malachi Church
11:15 A.M. - Schneider Parish Center
Holy Days
7:00 P.M. Vigil Mass, 8:30 A.M. - Our Lady of Consolation Church
Daily Mass
8:30 A.M. - Monday through Friday* at Our Lady of Consolation Church
*First Friday Devotions following Mass on the first Friday of each month
Confession & Adoration
3:30-4:30 P.M. - Saturday at Our Lady of Consolation Church
5:00 P.M. - Vigil Mass at Our Lady of Consolation Church
8:30 A.M. - First Saturday Mass with Devotions (first Saturday of each month only)
SUNDAY
8:00 A.M. - Our Lady of Consolation Church
9:30 A.M. - St. Malachi Church
11:15 A.M. - Schneider Parish Center
Holy Days
7:00 P.M. Vigil Mass, 8:30 A.M. - Our Lady of Consolation Church
Daily Mass
8:30 A.M. - Monday through Friday* at Our Lady of Consolation Church
*First Friday Devotions following Mass on the first Friday of each month
Confession & Adoration
3:30-4:30 P.M. - Saturday at Our Lady of Consolation Church
Pastor's Corner
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The latest thoughts from Fr. O'Neill can be found in this week's bulletin.
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1-5-25
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Happy New Year and Happy Epiphany! Pope Francis recounts that we each have “2 books” that provide signs to guide us in our earthly pilgrimage: the book of creation and the book of scripture. The star which the Magi followed was discovered by the natural light of human reason. It is part of the created world. They found Jerusalem based upon divine revelation based in the Scriptures. This would require the gift of faith, which only God can give to us. Surely, following the star must have cost the Magi dearly in money, resources and travel time. However, even more costly was the price of conversion demanded by scripture. They did not find, as they expected, the newborn King in the palace in Jerusalem. Rather, it was a power-thirsty, pathetic, greedy and homicidal king in Herod the Tetrarch. By the guidance of the prophecies of Scriptures, they changed up their journey toward a sleepy, forgotten village of Bethlehem. It was by this humbling of themselves that they were able to find at last their true destination. Following the “star” of divine inspiration, a deeper challenge arose for them: Could they see in a powerless and tiny child, born to poor parents without status, the mystery of Emmanuel, God-with-us? We know they did, for we are told that they prostrated themselves before the Christ-child and opened their coffers and presented Him with the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Magi, in their journey of discovering Christ, also call us to a new challenge of conversion: They show us that we encounter God in a personal way, not in the passing splendor of earthly wealth or power, but in the gentle and humble love of God. May we, like the Magi, set our course during this New Year by the brilliant star of God’s unfathomable mercy and the love of Christ.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
Happy New Year and Happy Epiphany! Pope Francis recounts that we each have “2 books” that provide signs to guide us in our earthly pilgrimage: the book of creation and the book of scripture. The star which the Magi followed was discovered by the natural light of human reason. It is part of the created world. They found Jerusalem based upon divine revelation based in the Scriptures. This would require the gift of faith, which only God can give to us. Surely, following the star must have cost the Magi dearly in money, resources and travel time. However, even more costly was the price of conversion demanded by scripture. They did not find, as they expected, the newborn King in the palace in Jerusalem. Rather, it was a power-thirsty, pathetic, greedy and homicidal king in Herod the Tetrarch. By the guidance of the prophecies of Scriptures, they changed up their journey toward a sleepy, forgotten village of Bethlehem. It was by this humbling of themselves that they were able to find at last their true destination. Following the “star” of divine inspiration, a deeper challenge arose for them: Could they see in a powerless and tiny child, born to poor parents without status, the mystery of Emmanuel, God-with-us? We know they did, for we are told that they prostrated themselves before the Christ-child and opened their coffers and presented Him with the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The Magi, in their journey of discovering Christ, also call us to a new challenge of conversion: They show us that we encounter God in a personal way, not in the passing splendor of earthly wealth or power, but in the gentle and humble love of God. May we, like the Magi, set our course during this New Year by the brilliant star of God’s unfathomable mercy and the love of Christ.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
12-29-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them…And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” (Lk. 2:51-52) Christians have had difficulty from the earliest days in accepting that Jesus was completely God and completely human at every moment during His life on this earth. Believers have split off in different directions by denying the divinity (e.g., the Arian heresy) or the humanity (Monophysite heresy). In fact, the Church spent her first centuries addressing and correcting errors or heresies regarding Jesus’ divinity and humanity. At first, it was more difficult to believe in Jesus’ divinity, but later, and even up to the present, many Christians have found it more difficult to accept His full humanity, and take words like “Jesus advanced in wisdom” as only a figure of speech. Even more difficult are passages like those in Hebrews: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15) When he visited Nazareth in 1964, Pope St. Paul IV said, “The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus.” In Jesus’ obedience in His family home, we see Him living and growing up just as we did. We know that He understands our own life intimately. “So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” (Heb. 4:16) (See Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas: Waiting in Joyful Hope, 2015-16, by Genevieve Glen and Jerome Kodell, pp. 70-71) By submitting His obedience to Mary and Joseph, Jesus is also obeying His Heavenly Father. He consecrates and sanctifies the life of every human family. Mary and Joseph, in obedience to God the Father, are consecrated and give all families a model to follow, in being faithful to each other and to God, even in the face of struggles and difficulties. We can ask ourselves: What are some of our own struggles in life that we find hard to imagine in the life of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph? How would it help if you or I were really able to understand and accept that Jesus experienced completely what it is to be human and to deal with everyday challenges? May the Lord Jesus, Emmanuel, who came into the world and entered completely into our humanity draw us close to Himself. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us and our families. Amen.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
“He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them…And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” (Lk. 2:51-52) Christians have had difficulty from the earliest days in accepting that Jesus was completely God and completely human at every moment during His life on this earth. Believers have split off in different directions by denying the divinity (e.g., the Arian heresy) or the humanity (Monophysite heresy). In fact, the Church spent her first centuries addressing and correcting errors or heresies regarding Jesus’ divinity and humanity. At first, it was more difficult to believe in Jesus’ divinity, but later, and even up to the present, many Christians have found it more difficult to accept His full humanity, and take words like “Jesus advanced in wisdom” as only a figure of speech. Even more difficult are passages like those in Hebrews: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15) When he visited Nazareth in 1964, Pope St. Paul IV said, “The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus.” In Jesus’ obedience in His family home, we see Him living and growing up just as we did. We know that He understands our own life intimately. “So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” (Heb. 4:16) (See Daily Reflections for Advent and Christmas: Waiting in Joyful Hope, 2015-16, by Genevieve Glen and Jerome Kodell, pp. 70-71) By submitting His obedience to Mary and Joseph, Jesus is also obeying His Heavenly Father. He consecrates and sanctifies the life of every human family. Mary and Joseph, in obedience to God the Father, are consecrated and give all families a model to follow, in being faithful to each other and to God, even in the face of struggles and difficulties. We can ask ourselves: What are some of our own struggles in life that we find hard to imagine in the life of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph? How would it help if you or I were really able to understand and accept that Jesus experienced completely what it is to be human and to deal with everyday challenges? May the Lord Jesus, Emmanuel, who came into the world and entered completely into our humanity draw us close to Himself. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us and our families. Amen.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
12-15-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Last Sunday’s Gospel reading introduced us to John the Baptist and his role as the herald or precursor to Jesus, our long-awaited Savior. He came on the scene in the region of the Jordan, applying to himself Isaiah’s “Voice crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord,” proclaiming a baptism of repentance to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Continuing from where we left off in Luke’s Gospel, John now challenges the crowds who came to him to be baptized. He exhorts them to show evidence of their repentance. He says to them that they cannot rely on their lineage as Israelites, because God can raise up children of Abraham up from stones. The Baptist’s message is that repentance, symbolized in his baptism, must be evident in their actions. We have not been merely baptized in a baptism of repentance, but much more. As John was a precursor to our Lord, so too, his baptism was a precursor to the Sacrament of Baptism in water and the Holy Spirit. Yet, we are constantly called to be renewed in grace by the need to repent. Here, Luke is continuing to set up two major themes of his Gospel message: that our Christian faith is expressed in our actions, and the call to salvation is universal, offered to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. In today's Gospel reading, John’s listeners ask him what they are to do specifically. What evidence of repentance is needed? John responds by offering concrete examples. The crowds should share their food and clothing with the needy, tax collectors should be honest and act justly and soldiers should carry out their duties with fairness. We will continue to see justice as a recurring theme In Luke’s Gospel. The question then arises in the hearts of those gathered in the crowd: “Could this John the Baptist be the Messiah?” John says in no uncertain terms that his baptism and ministry is to prepare them for the Messiah, but he understands his calling and role in Salvation History as the one who would prepare, not as the Messiah who would save us. John teaches an important lesson here: just as he has accepted his role in God’s plan, so to by acting in a similar way, we too can accept and live our part in God’s plan of salvation, regardless of our state of life. This is part of the great mystery of salvation that God desires our participation and cooperation in His Divine Plan. This gives us a cause for great joy. The third Sunday of Advent has been traditionally known as “Gaudete Sunday” taken from a Latin word that means “rejoice.” This name is taken from the entrance antiphon for Sunday's Mass, which is also echoed in today's second reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians. The lighting of the rose-colored candle in our Advent Wreath is a reminder that the Season of Advent is one of joy because our salvation is already at hand and that God wants our participation in this great mystery of salvation. May we be renewed in His grace and seek out concrete examples of showing our new life in Christ.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
Last Sunday’s Gospel reading introduced us to John the Baptist and his role as the herald or precursor to Jesus, our long-awaited Savior. He came on the scene in the region of the Jordan, applying to himself Isaiah’s “Voice crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord,” proclaiming a baptism of repentance to prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Continuing from where we left off in Luke’s Gospel, John now challenges the crowds who came to him to be baptized. He exhorts them to show evidence of their repentance. He says to them that they cannot rely on their lineage as Israelites, because God can raise up children of Abraham up from stones. The Baptist’s message is that repentance, symbolized in his baptism, must be evident in their actions. We have not been merely baptized in a baptism of repentance, but much more. As John was a precursor to our Lord, so too, his baptism was a precursor to the Sacrament of Baptism in water and the Holy Spirit. Yet, we are constantly called to be renewed in grace by the need to repent. Here, Luke is continuing to set up two major themes of his Gospel message: that our Christian faith is expressed in our actions, and the call to salvation is universal, offered to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. In today's Gospel reading, John’s listeners ask him what they are to do specifically. What evidence of repentance is needed? John responds by offering concrete examples. The crowds should share their food and clothing with the needy, tax collectors should be honest and act justly and soldiers should carry out their duties with fairness. We will continue to see justice as a recurring theme In Luke’s Gospel. The question then arises in the hearts of those gathered in the crowd: “Could this John the Baptist be the Messiah?” John says in no uncertain terms that his baptism and ministry is to prepare them for the Messiah, but he understands his calling and role in Salvation History as the one who would prepare, not as the Messiah who would save us. John teaches an important lesson here: just as he has accepted his role in God’s plan, so to by acting in a similar way, we too can accept and live our part in God’s plan of salvation, regardless of our state of life. This is part of the great mystery of salvation that God desires our participation and cooperation in His Divine Plan. This gives us a cause for great joy. The third Sunday of Advent has been traditionally known as “Gaudete Sunday” taken from a Latin word that means “rejoice.” This name is taken from the entrance antiphon for Sunday's Mass, which is also echoed in today's second reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians. The lighting of the rose-colored candle in our Advent Wreath is a reminder that the Season of Advent is one of joy because our salvation is already at hand and that God wants our participation in this great mystery of salvation. May we be renewed in His grace and seek out concrete examples of showing our new life in Christ.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
12-8-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Paul’s Letter to the Philippians in our 2nd reading this Sunday offers a message of joyful partnership in the Gospel. St. Paul begins by thanking God for the Philippians’ faith and their partnership in spreading the Good News of Christ. This gratitude is a reminder of the joy that comes from collaborating together in faith. It demonstrates that we never travel alone in our journey towards God but with the together, strengthened and encouraged by our brothers and sisters in faith. Paul expresses confidence that God, who began a good work in the Philippians, will bring it to completion. This assurance can comfort us, reminding us that God is always at work in our lives. Even when we face challenges, we can trust that God is guiding us and helping us grow in faith. This theme is essential for this 2nd Sunday of Advent, as we reflect on how we can allow God’s work to continue in our hearts. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians is that their love may abound more and more, filled with knowledge and insight. As we prepare for Christ’s coming, we too should pray for growth in love and understanding. This prayer encourages us to deepen our relationships with others and with God. May we heed the call of this 2nd Sunday of Advent to be active partners in the Gospel, supporting one another and growing in faith and love.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
Paul’s Letter to the Philippians in our 2nd reading this Sunday offers a message of joyful partnership in the Gospel. St. Paul begins by thanking God for the Philippians’ faith and their partnership in spreading the Good News of Christ. This gratitude is a reminder of the joy that comes from collaborating together in faith. It demonstrates that we never travel alone in our journey towards God but with the together, strengthened and encouraged by our brothers and sisters in faith. Paul expresses confidence that God, who began a good work in the Philippians, will bring it to completion. This assurance can comfort us, reminding us that God is always at work in our lives. Even when we face challenges, we can trust that God is guiding us and helping us grow in faith. This theme is essential for this 2nd Sunday of Advent, as we reflect on how we can allow God’s work to continue in our hearts. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians is that their love may abound more and more, filled with knowledge and insight. As we prepare for Christ’s coming, we too should pray for growth in love and understanding. This prayer encourages us to deepen our relationships with others and with God. May we heed the call of this 2nd Sunday of Advent to be active partners in the Gospel, supporting one another and growing in faith and love.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
12-1-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We now turn the page on a new Church Calendar Year, as the holy season of Advent commences this weekend. As in any of our celebrations throughout the year, whether they be sacred or secular festivities, it is often good to step back and reflect on why it is that we celebrate this event, so that we do not lose the true meaning of what we are celebrating. The Redemptorist Fathers have published this little article on the importance of Advent. I hope it is helpful in our personal and communal preparation as a Parish for this wonderful and holy season.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
"Preparation for Christmas is an important theme for Advent, but more is involved. Advent gives us a vision of our lives as Christians and shows us the possibilities of life. The vision of life that Advent gives us is twofold; it looks back to the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem, and it looks to the future when Christ will come again. In the interval between these two events we find meaning for our life as a Christian. First we celebrate Christ-become-human. We view His life and experience His presence as a human being in our history. Christ came to show us what life can and should be. He gave us true and valid principles by which we can live true and valid lives. But Jesus knew that the human heart could not live in isolation. He formed the Church around the concept of a people held together by love. In that community, we discover unlimited possibilities and meaning. Alone we can do nothing. Together we find real meaning. When Christ left this earth, He did not abandon us. He remains with us in His Spirit, the Church, the sacraments, the Scriptures and each other. He lives in community with us and keeps his vision of life before us. When Christ comes again, his presence will no longer be hidden behind the signs and symbols of the liturgy or the words of the Scriptures. His presence among us will be revealed in all its fullness, a presence that will never end, a presence that will perfect and complete our community. This is the "greater significance" of Advent. In these few short weeks, we take in the sweeping panorama of time - from Christ's birth to His Second Coming. The season of Advent brings us the magnificent vision of life and hope for the future given to us by Christ. Advent is our time to become more involved, more caught up in the meaning and the possibilities of life as a Christian community. Thus we are preparing not only for Christmas but also for Christ's Second Coming. This means that when He comes again, we will be awake and watchful. He will not find us asleep."
© Liguori Publications Excerpt from Advent - A Quality Store cupboard The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
We now turn the page on a new Church Calendar Year, as the holy season of Advent commences this weekend. As in any of our celebrations throughout the year, whether they be sacred or secular festivities, it is often good to step back and reflect on why it is that we celebrate this event, so that we do not lose the true meaning of what we are celebrating. The Redemptorist Fathers have published this little article on the importance of Advent. I hope it is helpful in our personal and communal preparation as a Parish for this wonderful and holy season.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
"Preparation for Christmas is an important theme for Advent, but more is involved. Advent gives us a vision of our lives as Christians and shows us the possibilities of life. The vision of life that Advent gives us is twofold; it looks back to the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem, and it looks to the future when Christ will come again. In the interval between these two events we find meaning for our life as a Christian. First we celebrate Christ-become-human. We view His life and experience His presence as a human being in our history. Christ came to show us what life can and should be. He gave us true and valid principles by which we can live true and valid lives. But Jesus knew that the human heart could not live in isolation. He formed the Church around the concept of a people held together by love. In that community, we discover unlimited possibilities and meaning. Alone we can do nothing. Together we find real meaning. When Christ left this earth, He did not abandon us. He remains with us in His Spirit, the Church, the sacraments, the Scriptures and each other. He lives in community with us and keeps his vision of life before us. When Christ comes again, his presence will no longer be hidden behind the signs and symbols of the liturgy or the words of the Scriptures. His presence among us will be revealed in all its fullness, a presence that will never end, a presence that will perfect and complete our community. This is the "greater significance" of Advent. In these few short weeks, we take in the sweeping panorama of time - from Christ's birth to His Second Coming. The season of Advent brings us the magnificent vision of life and hope for the future given to us by Christ. Advent is our time to become more involved, more caught up in the meaning and the possibilities of life as a Christian community. Thus we are preparing not only for Christmas but also for Christ's Second Coming. This means that when He comes again, we will be awake and watchful. He will not find us asleep."
© Liguori Publications Excerpt from Advent - A Quality Store cupboard The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
11-24-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“And they all lived happily ever after. The End.”
Unless we were born in Great Britain or another nation of the world still under a monarchy, most of our own experience with kings and queens and kingdoms would very likely come from fairy tales that our moms or dads, grandparents or older siblings read to us as children, which often ended with the above words, “and they lived happily ever after.” In more recent times, shows on TV seem to captivate something of that nostalgia and curiosity from our child hood for us in adulthood. Even real-life kings and queens in Britain and other places in the world still maintaining a monarchy seem to pique the curiosity of many, even though they seem almost unreal, or distant from our real-life experiences. The Feast of Jesus Christ the King of the Universe brings the Church calendar year to a close. Next week the Church begins a brand new Church Year with the Holy Season of Advent commencing with the cycle of “C” readings in the Lectionary for Mass. The Gospel of St. Luke will be highlighted during the upcoming liturgical year. A few questions we may have is why do we end the year with the notion of Christ the King and why do we place this feast here? What is the point of the Church’s celebration today? The Church always wishes to teach her children and renew our faith. Often, through the various celebrations and feasts throughout the year, the Church wants to highlight something important for our reflection and spiritual growth as disciples of Jesus. This particular celebration has several levels of meaning. Firstly, by calling Christ our King we are making a statement and that statement is that Jesus is the Lord of our lives. It is saying that we put Christ first, and that we serve Him with the allegiance of our hearts, minds, and bodies. We are saying in this feast that we belong to Christ, our Ruler. Secondly, to claim Christ as our King means that we claim to be members of His Kingdom. Through our Baptism we are called to the community of faith, the Church, and we possess an inheritance that is ultimately not of this world. We are citizens who have a responsibility to work together – for this world and the world to come. Thirdly, the Our Lord Jesus Christ the King of the Universe will come at the end of time to call His faithful people home to heaven. We believe that the world will end in the future, on a day unknown to us. This feast reminds us that in the end we belong to one home or the other, one Lord or another. Finally, to say that Christ is our King reminds us that all our power, strength, hope, and direction come from Him. The skills and talents we possess are from the King, who created us. The forgiveness we long for is from the benevolent and merciful King who died for us. The life of the Holy Spirit which sustains us was sent by the King who asked the Father for this Gift on our behalf. To claim Christ as our King, then, is to make a statement about who we are. As disciples of Christ the King, we offer our lives in service to the one who is our Lord. We make this King our first priority in all things, and we look upon Jesus Christ as both the beginning and end of our existence. This is a good time for us to examine and prepare our hearts. Jesus Christ, Our King, is no fairy tale king, nor merely some earthly monarch. He is real and His Kingdom is real and we are really his “royal subjects” and co-heirs with Him to His Kingdom. He truly wants us to live “happily ever after” with Him, for all eternity. But, we have to recommit ourselves to Him daily. As this Church year comes to an end, we begin to make ourselves ready for the Lord who comes to us, that he might find us vigilant and prepared for his arrival. May we renew our allegiance to Christ our King and allow Him to rule us with mercy, grace, and love.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
“And they all lived happily ever after. The End.”
Unless we were born in Great Britain or another nation of the world still under a monarchy, most of our own experience with kings and queens and kingdoms would very likely come from fairy tales that our moms or dads, grandparents or older siblings read to us as children, which often ended with the above words, “and they lived happily ever after.” In more recent times, shows on TV seem to captivate something of that nostalgia and curiosity from our child hood for us in adulthood. Even real-life kings and queens in Britain and other places in the world still maintaining a monarchy seem to pique the curiosity of many, even though they seem almost unreal, or distant from our real-life experiences. The Feast of Jesus Christ the King of the Universe brings the Church calendar year to a close. Next week the Church begins a brand new Church Year with the Holy Season of Advent commencing with the cycle of “C” readings in the Lectionary for Mass. The Gospel of St. Luke will be highlighted during the upcoming liturgical year. A few questions we may have is why do we end the year with the notion of Christ the King and why do we place this feast here? What is the point of the Church’s celebration today? The Church always wishes to teach her children and renew our faith. Often, through the various celebrations and feasts throughout the year, the Church wants to highlight something important for our reflection and spiritual growth as disciples of Jesus. This particular celebration has several levels of meaning. Firstly, by calling Christ our King we are making a statement and that statement is that Jesus is the Lord of our lives. It is saying that we put Christ first, and that we serve Him with the allegiance of our hearts, minds, and bodies. We are saying in this feast that we belong to Christ, our Ruler. Secondly, to claim Christ as our King means that we claim to be members of His Kingdom. Through our Baptism we are called to the community of faith, the Church, and we possess an inheritance that is ultimately not of this world. We are citizens who have a responsibility to work together – for this world and the world to come. Thirdly, the Our Lord Jesus Christ the King of the Universe will come at the end of time to call His faithful people home to heaven. We believe that the world will end in the future, on a day unknown to us. This feast reminds us that in the end we belong to one home or the other, one Lord or another. Finally, to say that Christ is our King reminds us that all our power, strength, hope, and direction come from Him. The skills and talents we possess are from the King, who created us. The forgiveness we long for is from the benevolent and merciful King who died for us. The life of the Holy Spirit which sustains us was sent by the King who asked the Father for this Gift on our behalf. To claim Christ as our King, then, is to make a statement about who we are. As disciples of Christ the King, we offer our lives in service to the one who is our Lord. We make this King our first priority in all things, and we look upon Jesus Christ as both the beginning and end of our existence. This is a good time for us to examine and prepare our hearts. Jesus Christ, Our King, is no fairy tale king, nor merely some earthly monarch. He is real and His Kingdom is real and we are really his “royal subjects” and co-heirs with Him to His Kingdom. He truly wants us to live “happily ever after” with Him, for all eternity. But, we have to recommit ourselves to Him daily. As this Church year comes to an end, we begin to make ourselves ready for the Lord who comes to us, that he might find us vigilant and prepared for his arrival. May we renew our allegiance to Christ our King and allow Him to rule us with mercy, grace, and love.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
11-17-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“The Lord is our inheritance,” says today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps.16:1) for this 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time. As we come once again to the end of our Church Calendar Year, we begin to hear in our readings about the end times, which isn’t always the most comforting of topics, but there’s a reason for that, too. One of the things that should bring us comfort and hope is that Jesus, our inheritance, will show us the path to life and the fullness of joys in His presence. But the challenging thing that should keep us “uncomfortable” is that we know not when that time will come – for each one of us individually, and for the world. Our readings from Daniel and the Gospel of Mark focus on one theme: to be vigilant. Christians in the early Church were expecting the Lord to return very soon, but over time, they had to learn to be vigilant when they realized that Jesus’ return might not be imminent. How did they do this? By living each day as if it might be their last, focusing on their love of God and neighbor in the here and now, “in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” We say these words after the Lord’s Prayer and before the Sign of Peace at every Mass. We can see these words as a way for us to be prepared and to wish and pray for our neighbor to be vigilant and ready for the Lord’s return, as well. So vigilance is the order of the day: preparing ourselves and the world for the Great Prince of whom Daniel speaks – the coming of the Son of Man who has taken away our sins. An excellent opportunity for us to do this is spending time in Adoration before the Eucharistic Lord as we celebrate our Annual 40 Hours Devotions beginning this Sunday and concluding Tuesday evening. May we await in that joyful hope for the victorious return of Jesus, not sitting back and just waiting, but by walking on the two legs of our Faith by loving God and neighbor.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
“The Lord is our inheritance,” says today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps.16:1) for this 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time. As we come once again to the end of our Church Calendar Year, we begin to hear in our readings about the end times, which isn’t always the most comforting of topics, but there’s a reason for that, too. One of the things that should bring us comfort and hope is that Jesus, our inheritance, will show us the path to life and the fullness of joys in His presence. But the challenging thing that should keep us “uncomfortable” is that we know not when that time will come – for each one of us individually, and for the world. Our readings from Daniel and the Gospel of Mark focus on one theme: to be vigilant. Christians in the early Church were expecting the Lord to return very soon, but over time, they had to learn to be vigilant when they realized that Jesus’ return might not be imminent. How did they do this? By living each day as if it might be their last, focusing on their love of God and neighbor in the here and now, “in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” We say these words after the Lord’s Prayer and before the Sign of Peace at every Mass. We can see these words as a way for us to be prepared and to wish and pray for our neighbor to be vigilant and ready for the Lord’s return, as well. So vigilance is the order of the day: preparing ourselves and the world for the Great Prince of whom Daniel speaks – the coming of the Son of Man who has taken away our sins. An excellent opportunity for us to do this is spending time in Adoration before the Eucharistic Lord as we celebrate our Annual 40 Hours Devotions beginning this Sunday and concluding Tuesday evening. May we await in that joyful hope for the victorious return of Jesus, not sitting back and just waiting, but by walking on the two legs of our Faith by loving God and neighbor.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
11-10-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.” (Wisdom 6:12, 1st Reading, 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time) These beautiful words that open our First Reading this Sunday from Wisdom are very beautiful, but are also a poetic way of exhorting us to something very practical and down to earth: “get your priorities right and use the brains that God gave you!” This is the basic message of the Gospel, as well. The point of the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins at the wedding feast is easy enough for us to grasp: we need to be prepared for that moment when God calls us to meet Him, either at the end of our lives or at the Second Coming of Jesus, should we be still living at His return in glory. However, sometimes a message can be so simple, so practical, or so well-known that we actually neglect to take it to heart. Though either event – our personal judgment before God at the end of our lives or the Second Coming of Christ – could happen this very day, do we live and act in this expectation, or even give it thought? We can easily get caught up with so many other things during the course of our day, or over a period of time, that we put other priorities and concerns ahead of our relationship with God and neighbor and our salvation. Yet, we must look ahead. We must make this our number one priority. We are not alone if we think that this is a difficult challenge. St. Paul, writing to the Thessalonian Christians around 51 AD, less than 20 years after the Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord, had to urge them to do the same. They had come to believe that Jesus would return very soon, but then fell into the distractions and busyness of everyday life like all of us do. Paul, himself at that point believing the Lord’s return was imminent (although in later Letters seems to come to the conclusion that this may not be so, while still remaining vigilant), encourages them to stay the course of being vigilant, not wavering in putting their salvation as their number one priority and living with expectation. Thinking ahead and living from day to day in this manner seem to be mutually contradictory, at least at first glance. However, we can reflect on our lives and the decisions we’ve made, both good and bad, and see how each day’s actions influence those of the next day. If we strive prayerfully each day, examining our consciences on the choices we have made that day (or more than once a day at times) to see where we are placing our priorities and trying, with God’s grace, to get them right and allowing the Wisdom of God be revealed to us, then we shall be like those wise virgins, open-eyed and alert, who were prepared for the Bridegroom, our Lord, no matter when He may decide to come.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
“Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.” (Wisdom 6:12, 1st Reading, 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time) These beautiful words that open our First Reading this Sunday from Wisdom are very beautiful, but are also a poetic way of exhorting us to something very practical and down to earth: “get your priorities right and use the brains that God gave you!” This is the basic message of the Gospel, as well. The point of the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins at the wedding feast is easy enough for us to grasp: we need to be prepared for that moment when God calls us to meet Him, either at the end of our lives or at the Second Coming of Jesus, should we be still living at His return in glory. However, sometimes a message can be so simple, so practical, or so well-known that we actually neglect to take it to heart. Though either event – our personal judgment before God at the end of our lives or the Second Coming of Christ – could happen this very day, do we live and act in this expectation, or even give it thought? We can easily get caught up with so many other things during the course of our day, or over a period of time, that we put other priorities and concerns ahead of our relationship with God and neighbor and our salvation. Yet, we must look ahead. We must make this our number one priority. We are not alone if we think that this is a difficult challenge. St. Paul, writing to the Thessalonian Christians around 51 AD, less than 20 years after the Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord, had to urge them to do the same. They had come to believe that Jesus would return very soon, but then fell into the distractions and busyness of everyday life like all of us do. Paul, himself at that point believing the Lord’s return was imminent (although in later Letters seems to come to the conclusion that this may not be so, while still remaining vigilant), encourages them to stay the course of being vigilant, not wavering in putting their salvation as their number one priority and living with expectation. Thinking ahead and living from day to day in this manner seem to be mutually contradictory, at least at first glance. However, we can reflect on our lives and the decisions we’ve made, both good and bad, and see how each day’s actions influence those of the next day. If we strive prayerfully each day, examining our consciences on the choices we have made that day (or more than once a day at times) to see where we are placing our priorities and trying, with God’s grace, to get them right and allowing the Wisdom of God be revealed to us, then we shall be like those wise virgins, open-eyed and alert, who were prepared for the Bridegroom, our Lord, no matter when He may decide to come.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
11-3-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This weekend, although we celebrate the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) is also part of this weekend (Saturday), and so we remember our beloved dead this Sunday. We especially remember all those who have died this past year and their families and friends who mourn their loss. We will remember them in a special way at this Sunday’s 11:15 Mass followed by our social. As we remember our loved ones who have passed away, we pray for their eternal repose in the eternal life for which they were created and that purified of their sins like "gold in the furnace" (see Wis. 3:1-6, first reading), they may enter into the joy of eternal happiness. While we have the hope of eternal life for our loved ones and for ourselves, we struggle to find happiness at times as we mourn their loss. This is where the power of our faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection can strengthen us. It’s not to say we don’t feel the loss of their physical presence, but we are reminded that our life’s journey doesn’t end in death. As we pray for ourselves and all who are journeying this life with us, we especially pray that we will enter into the blessedness and peace of heaven with them, where we hope to enjoy forever the fullness of God's glory, when “He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. For seeing Him, our God, as He is, we shall be like Him for all the ages and praise Him without end.” (see, The Roman Missal, Eucharistic Prayer III, insert for Masses for the Dead.) May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. And may all who mourn know the tender and healing presence of Jesus, our Risen Lord.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
This weekend, although we celebrate the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) is also part of this weekend (Saturday), and so we remember our beloved dead this Sunday. We especially remember all those who have died this past year and their families and friends who mourn their loss. We will remember them in a special way at this Sunday’s 11:15 Mass followed by our social. As we remember our loved ones who have passed away, we pray for their eternal repose in the eternal life for which they were created and that purified of their sins like "gold in the furnace" (see Wis. 3:1-6, first reading), they may enter into the joy of eternal happiness. While we have the hope of eternal life for our loved ones and for ourselves, we struggle to find happiness at times as we mourn their loss. This is where the power of our faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection can strengthen us. It’s not to say we don’t feel the loss of their physical presence, but we are reminded that our life’s journey doesn’t end in death. As we pray for ourselves and all who are journeying this life with us, we especially pray that we will enter into the blessedness and peace of heaven with them, where we hope to enjoy forever the fullness of God's glory, when “He will wipe away every tear from our eyes. For seeing Him, our God, as He is, we shall be like Him for all the ages and praise Him without end.” (see, The Roman Missal, Eucharistic Prayer III, insert for Masses for the Dead.) May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. And may all who mourn know the tender and healing presence of Jesus, our Risen Lord.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
10-27-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today’s Gospel from Mark chapter 10 shows Jesus is heading to Jerusalem, knowing He will face rejection there. He has been talking about His coming sacrifice and the need to give everything for His mission. He also calls His disciples to do the same, although they don’t understand. As they traveled through Jericho, the blind man Bartimaeus boldly calls out to Jesus and asks Him to be healed of his blindness, which Jesus does. He got up and came to Jesus when the disciples obeyed Jesus’ command to call him over to be healed. As he did so, Bartimaeus casts aside his cloak and the money he had received from begging. Bartimaeus did not just gain his sight; he chose to follow Jesus. Bartimaeus has the faith and courage to leave his cloak and everything behind to follow Jesus. Jesus told Bartimaeus to go his way, but he chose to follow Jesus instead. This shows his complete trust in Jesus and his dedication to Him. Bartimaeus is an example to us to follow Jesus no matter the cost. On the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, we reflect on our own willingness to follow Jesus. Are we ready to leave behind our old ways and trust in Him fully?
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
Today’s Gospel from Mark chapter 10 shows Jesus is heading to Jerusalem, knowing He will face rejection there. He has been talking about His coming sacrifice and the need to give everything for His mission. He also calls His disciples to do the same, although they don’t understand. As they traveled through Jericho, the blind man Bartimaeus boldly calls out to Jesus and asks Him to be healed of his blindness, which Jesus does. He got up and came to Jesus when the disciples obeyed Jesus’ command to call him over to be healed. As he did so, Bartimaeus casts aside his cloak and the money he had received from begging. Bartimaeus did not just gain his sight; he chose to follow Jesus. Bartimaeus has the faith and courage to leave his cloak and everything behind to follow Jesus. Jesus told Bartimaeus to go his way, but he chose to follow Jesus instead. This shows his complete trust in Jesus and his dedication to Him. Bartimaeus is an example to us to follow Jesus no matter the cost. On the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, we reflect on our own willingness to follow Jesus. Are we ready to leave behind our old ways and trust in Him fully?
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
10-13-24
HURRICANE DISASTER RELIEF PCCO – Parkesburg Churches Community Outreach
Below is the list of items requested for the North Carolina hurricane relief effort. These items will be loaded on trucks at Maple Grove Mennonite Church, 549 Swan Road, Atglen, Pa. on Thursday, October 24, between 3 PM-7 PM. If you are unable to drop off a donation, please call the church to make other arrangements. (610-593-6658)
- Water (bottles & 5 gallon-jugs)
- Non-perishable food
- First aid kits
- Diapers (baby & adult)
- Bug spray & sunscreen
- New socks & underwear
- Toiletries
- Shower wipes
- Cleaning supplies
- Trash bags (13 gal)
- Flashlights
- Solar lights
- Work gloves
- Nitrile gloves
- Matches
- Sport drinks & powders
- Manual can openers
- Dog & cat food
- Baby wipes & formula
- Feminine hygiene products
- Toothbrushes & toothpaste
- Hand sanitizer & wipes
- Paper towels & toilet paper
-Plastic sheeting & tarps
- Batteries (all sizes)
Let us come together as a community of faith, answering the call to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering. May God continue to bless you for your kindness, support and prayers. Details are forthcoming for those who wish to make a financial contribution or household and clothing donation.
Thank you.
Below is the list of items requested for the North Carolina hurricane relief effort. These items will be loaded on trucks at Maple Grove Mennonite Church, 549 Swan Road, Atglen, Pa. on Thursday, October 24, between 3 PM-7 PM. If you are unable to drop off a donation, please call the church to make other arrangements. (610-593-6658)
- Water (bottles & 5 gallon-jugs)
- Non-perishable food
- First aid kits
- Diapers (baby & adult)
- Bug spray & sunscreen
- New socks & underwear
- Toiletries
- Shower wipes
- Cleaning supplies
- Trash bags (13 gal)
- Flashlights
- Solar lights
- Work gloves
- Nitrile gloves
- Matches
- Sport drinks & powders
- Manual can openers
- Dog & cat food
- Baby wipes & formula
- Feminine hygiene products
- Toothbrushes & toothpaste
- Hand sanitizer & wipes
- Paper towels & toilet paper
-Plastic sheeting & tarps
- Batteries (all sizes)
Let us come together as a community of faith, answering the call to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering. May God continue to bless you for your kindness, support and prayers. Details are forthcoming for those who wish to make a financial contribution or household and clothing donation.
Thank you.
10-6-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am pleased to announce that the Permanent Diaconate Program of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has assigned Mr. Dennis Murphy in his internship this year to Our Lady of Consolation Parish. This internship, which begins this weekend, October 5-6, 2024 and concludes at Easter 2025, is a valuable and integral experience for a Permanent Deacon candidate. It provides the candidate with a “hands on” opportunity to learn and grow in his formation, as he shadows both the pastor and deacon in a parish to gain valuable knowledge and participates in the various aspects of our parish life. This preparation will serve him well as he continues forward towards ordination as a Permanent Deacon. We are blessed to have Dennis with us for this part of his formation journey and look forward to welcoming him here to our Parish Family. He will be with us for all Masses this weekend, so we will all have an opportunity to meet him and welcome him to OLC. Here is a brief bio that Dennis has provided:
“My name is Dennis Murphy and I am in my fourth year of formation as a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. My wife Amy and I have been married for 29 years, have 4 children and are members of Sacred Heart Parish in Oxford. I have worked as an accountant in the insurance industry for the past 30 years and enjoy running, bike riding and photography. As part of my formation, I will be doing an internship at Our Lady of Consolation for the next 6 months. I look forward to learning about the spiritual, liturgical and social life of the parish and getting to know each of you during my internship. I am excited to immerse myself into the parish and join you on your mission of keeping the vibrant love of Jesus present in the world. I thank you for welcoming me into your community and pray this journey together will enable us to grow deeper in our faith and in the love of the Father.”
Let us pray for Dennis and his wife Amy and family as he continues part of his formation journey with us here at Our Lady of Consolation.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
I am pleased to announce that the Permanent Diaconate Program of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has assigned Mr. Dennis Murphy in his internship this year to Our Lady of Consolation Parish. This internship, which begins this weekend, October 5-6, 2024 and concludes at Easter 2025, is a valuable and integral experience for a Permanent Deacon candidate. It provides the candidate with a “hands on” opportunity to learn and grow in his formation, as he shadows both the pastor and deacon in a parish to gain valuable knowledge and participates in the various aspects of our parish life. This preparation will serve him well as he continues forward towards ordination as a Permanent Deacon. We are blessed to have Dennis with us for this part of his formation journey and look forward to welcoming him here to our Parish Family. He will be with us for all Masses this weekend, so we will all have an opportunity to meet him and welcome him to OLC. Here is a brief bio that Dennis has provided:
“My name is Dennis Murphy and I am in my fourth year of formation as a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. My wife Amy and I have been married for 29 years, have 4 children and are members of Sacred Heart Parish in Oxford. I have worked as an accountant in the insurance industry for the past 30 years and enjoy running, bike riding and photography. As part of my formation, I will be doing an internship at Our Lady of Consolation for the next 6 months. I look forward to learning about the spiritual, liturgical and social life of the parish and getting to know each of you during my internship. I am excited to immerse myself into the parish and join you on your mission of keeping the vibrant love of Jesus present in the world. I thank you for welcoming me into your community and pray this journey together will enable us to grow deeper in our faith and in the love of the Father.”
Let us pray for Dennis and his wife Amy and family as he continues part of his formation journey with us here at Our Lady of Consolation.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
9-29-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us that faith is a lifelong journey toward God. We don’t always get it all or even get it right. But we pray for the grace to acknowledge and build upon even the smallest signs of faith, in our lives and in the lives of others. There are plenty of obstacles that might prevent the growth of faith. We pray that we are not contributing to the obstacles that might hinder another person’s faith in Jesus. As we gather together as a Parish Family and in our individual families, we notice that there are things in our lives that nurture our faith and things that can hinder it.
What are some of the things that nurture our faith, e.g., healthy family relationships, healthy friendships, healthy activities, etc.? What are the things that could be obstacles to our faith? For example, unhealthy relationships, scandals and so on. Jesus teaches us in today’s Gospel that we are to do everything we can to help one another to have faith in Him and do all that we can to avoid creating obstacles that might hinder another person’s faith. May the celebration of this Eucharist help us in doing this.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
This Sunday’s Gospel reminds us that faith is a lifelong journey toward God. We don’t always get it all or even get it right. But we pray for the grace to acknowledge and build upon even the smallest signs of faith, in our lives and in the lives of others. There are plenty of obstacles that might prevent the growth of faith. We pray that we are not contributing to the obstacles that might hinder another person’s faith in Jesus. As we gather together as a Parish Family and in our individual families, we notice that there are things in our lives that nurture our faith and things that can hinder it.
What are some of the things that nurture our faith, e.g., healthy family relationships, healthy friendships, healthy activities, etc.? What are the things that could be obstacles to our faith? For example, unhealthy relationships, scandals and so on. Jesus teaches us in today’s Gospel that we are to do everything we can to help one another to have faith in Him and do all that we can to avoid creating obstacles that might hinder another person’s faith. May the celebration of this Eucharist help us in doing this.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
9-15-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We arrive at the midway point of Mark’s Gospel at the 8th chapter, where Jesus poses a question to His Apostles, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Christ.” Mark begins his Gospel announcing that it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Peter’s answer is correct. Jesus is the “Christ” or Messiah in Aramaic/Hebrew. The Messiah was the anointed one of God, the one sent to set free His people from oppression and a time of healing and restoration. Most of the Jews, Peter and the Apostles included, believed this was a political figure, someone who like David long ago, would restore peace to the nation. Certainly, as we desire peace and unity in our own homeland, the Jews desired freedom from the Romans. However, the Messiah or Christ was meant to be much more: the true Anointed One of God would restore peace and liberty more in the line of Isaiah’s prophecy of old, which Jesus would Himself quote at the beginning of His ministry (in Luke’s Gospel): “The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, and to go announce a year of favor from the LORD.” (Isa. 61:1–2a)
Jesus wanted to show the Apostles, gradually as they grew into their faith, what He really came for. Ultimately, the last part of Mark’s intro to his Gospel when he names Jesus as Son of God, would be proclaimed not by the Apostles, but by the centurion at Calvary at the moment of our Lord’s death: “Truly, this was the Son of God.” (Mk. 15:39)
As we journey through life and grow in our faith, God reveals Himself more and more to us if we are attentive to Him. Peter had it right about Jesus, but it wasn’t yet a complete picture of who Jesus is. Our understanding of who Jesus is for us matures and deepens, too. Who do we say that Jesus is? Let our profession of faith be the same: You are the Christ, the Son of God. And then, as James implores us, let us demonstrate that commitment to our faith by our words and actions.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
We arrive at the midway point of Mark’s Gospel at the 8th chapter, where Jesus poses a question to His Apostles, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Christ.” Mark begins his Gospel announcing that it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Peter’s answer is correct. Jesus is the “Christ” or Messiah in Aramaic/Hebrew. The Messiah was the anointed one of God, the one sent to set free His people from oppression and a time of healing and restoration. Most of the Jews, Peter and the Apostles included, believed this was a political figure, someone who like David long ago, would restore peace to the nation. Certainly, as we desire peace and unity in our own homeland, the Jews desired freedom from the Romans. However, the Messiah or Christ was meant to be much more: the true Anointed One of God would restore peace and liberty more in the line of Isaiah’s prophecy of old, which Jesus would Himself quote at the beginning of His ministry (in Luke’s Gospel): “The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, and to go announce a year of favor from the LORD.” (Isa. 61:1–2a)
Jesus wanted to show the Apostles, gradually as they grew into their faith, what He really came for. Ultimately, the last part of Mark’s intro to his Gospel when he names Jesus as Son of God, would be proclaimed not by the Apostles, but by the centurion at Calvary at the moment of our Lord’s death: “Truly, this was the Son of God.” (Mk. 15:39)
As we journey through life and grow in our faith, God reveals Himself more and more to us if we are attentive to Him. Peter had it right about Jesus, but it wasn’t yet a complete picture of who Jesus is. Our understanding of who Jesus is for us matures and deepens, too. Who do we say that Jesus is? Let our profession of faith be the same: You are the Christ, the Son of God. And then, as James implores us, let us demonstrate that commitment to our faith by our words and actions.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
9-8-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Sometimes when I have visited the homes of some of our seniors, one or the other spouse complains that their significant other doesn’t have their hearing aids in or that they are “selectively” hard of hearing, implying that they hear what they want to hear when they want to! This is often amusing and we get a few laughs out of it, but it reminds me of something in our Gospel for this Sunday from Mark. Mark relates for us that Jesus heals a deaf man with a speech issue. Despite Jesus’ instructions to keep the miracle quiet, the news spreads widely. This story shows Jesus’ compassion and power to heal. It also teaches us something about discipleship: we need to hear the Lord and we need to put into practice what we hear. St. James said this last week when he said not to be only hearers of the Word, but doers, as well. But, fundamentally, we need to listen first before acting. We all suffer from spiritual deafness at times. Sometimes we are “selective” in our hearing, tuning God out when we don’t want to hear His voice or the opinions of others. Jesus can heal us, just as He healed the deaf man, if we take time to listen. Sometimes, we are distracted by other things or we get sidetracked from truly hearing God. To overcome our spiritual deafness, we need to spend more time in prayer. Prayer is mostly about listening, not rattling things off to God. Listening to God, rather than just speaking, can open our hearts to His healing. We respond to what God says to us through praying with Scripture, etc. Jesus will heal us if we humbly ask Him to do so. May the Lord help us to truly listen and hear His voice so that we might respond and put into action what He says in speaking to our hearts.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
Sometimes when I have visited the homes of some of our seniors, one or the other spouse complains that their significant other doesn’t have their hearing aids in or that they are “selectively” hard of hearing, implying that they hear what they want to hear when they want to! This is often amusing and we get a few laughs out of it, but it reminds me of something in our Gospel for this Sunday from Mark. Mark relates for us that Jesus heals a deaf man with a speech issue. Despite Jesus’ instructions to keep the miracle quiet, the news spreads widely. This story shows Jesus’ compassion and power to heal. It also teaches us something about discipleship: we need to hear the Lord and we need to put into practice what we hear. St. James said this last week when he said not to be only hearers of the Word, but doers, as well. But, fundamentally, we need to listen first before acting. We all suffer from spiritual deafness at times. Sometimes we are “selective” in our hearing, tuning God out when we don’t want to hear His voice or the opinions of others. Jesus can heal us, just as He healed the deaf man, if we take time to listen. Sometimes, we are distracted by other things or we get sidetracked from truly hearing God. To overcome our spiritual deafness, we need to spend more time in prayer. Prayer is mostly about listening, not rattling things off to God. Listening to God, rather than just speaking, can open our hearts to His healing. We respond to what God says to us through praying with Scripture, etc. Jesus will heal us if we humbly ask Him to do so. May the Lord help us to truly listen and hear His voice so that we might respond and put into action what He says in speaking to our hearts.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
8-25-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The theme for today’s readings on this 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time is fidelity between God and his people. Joshua offers the people a choice to go their own way or to choose the Lord their God and His ways. Resoundingly, the people responded that “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods.” (Josh. 24:16) Peter speaks for the rest of the 12 when Jesus, having doubled down that eating His Flesh and Blood is necessary for eternal life, asks them if they wanted to leave Him after so many in the crowd had left. “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn. 6:68) How loyal are we to Jesus? Are we able to take Peter’s words as our own? How well do we even know the words of Jesus? Let us recommit ourselves to deepening our knowledge and love of the Lord.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
The theme for today’s readings on this 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time is fidelity between God and his people. Joshua offers the people a choice to go their own way or to choose the Lord their God and His ways. Resoundingly, the people responded that “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods.” (Josh. 24:16) Peter speaks for the rest of the 12 when Jesus, having doubled down that eating His Flesh and Blood is necessary for eternal life, asks them if they wanted to leave Him after so many in the crowd had left. “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn. 6:68) How loyal are we to Jesus? Are we able to take Peter’s words as our own? How well do we even know the words of Jesus? Let us recommit ourselves to deepening our knowledge and love of the Lord.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
8-18-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we continue to read from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, the “Bread of Life Discourse.” Today’s Gospel elaborates further on the teaching that Jesus began in our liturgy last week. In that reading, the crowds wondered about how Jesus could say that He had come down from heaven because they knew Jesus to be the Son of Joseph and Mary. In today’s Gospel, another layer is added, because some have difficulty with Jesus’ teaching that He is the living bread sent from God. Recall that Jesus had told them that just as God gave the Israelites manna to sustain them in the desert, so now God has sent new manna that will give eternal life. We hear the concluding verse of last week’s Gospel repeated in today’s reading: Jesus Himself is the bread sent by God; Jesus’ flesh is the bread that is given for the life of the world. Among the stumbling blocks for those who heard but did not understand Jesus is the teaching that the bread that Jesus will give is His own flesh. In response to the people who quarreled over His words, Jesus doubles down and teaches with even greater emphasis that salvation comes to those who eat His Body and Blood. Jesus doesn’t seem to answer the question posed about how salvation will come about, perhaps because this reality can only be understood after His death and Resurrection. Instead, Jesus teaches about the life that He will give to the world. To many ears, Jesus’ words are jarring and difficult to hear. Many who heard Jesus could not accept what He said. Many today continue to struggle to accept these words. But they are important words because they reveal our intimate connection with Jesus. This is the mystery that is at the heart of our eucharistic theology. In the elements of bread and wine, Jesus’ Body and Blood are made truly present. When we share in the Body and Blood of Christ, Jesus Himself comes to dwell within us. This Communion with the Lord makes us one body, brings us eternal life, and sends us forth to be Christ’s body for the life of the world.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
On this 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we continue to read from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, the “Bread of Life Discourse.” Today’s Gospel elaborates further on the teaching that Jesus began in our liturgy last week. In that reading, the crowds wondered about how Jesus could say that He had come down from heaven because they knew Jesus to be the Son of Joseph and Mary. In today’s Gospel, another layer is added, because some have difficulty with Jesus’ teaching that He is the living bread sent from God. Recall that Jesus had told them that just as God gave the Israelites manna to sustain them in the desert, so now God has sent new manna that will give eternal life. We hear the concluding verse of last week’s Gospel repeated in today’s reading: Jesus Himself is the bread sent by God; Jesus’ flesh is the bread that is given for the life of the world. Among the stumbling blocks for those who heard but did not understand Jesus is the teaching that the bread that Jesus will give is His own flesh. In response to the people who quarreled over His words, Jesus doubles down and teaches with even greater emphasis that salvation comes to those who eat His Body and Blood. Jesus doesn’t seem to answer the question posed about how salvation will come about, perhaps because this reality can only be understood after His death and Resurrection. Instead, Jesus teaches about the life that He will give to the world. To many ears, Jesus’ words are jarring and difficult to hear. Many who heard Jesus could not accept what He said. Many today continue to struggle to accept these words. But they are important words because they reveal our intimate connection with Jesus. This is the mystery that is at the heart of our eucharistic theology. In the elements of bread and wine, Jesus’ Body and Blood are made truly present. When we share in the Body and Blood of Christ, Jesus Himself comes to dwell within us. This Communion with the Lord makes us one body, brings us eternal life, and sends us forth to be Christ’s body for the life of the world.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
8-11-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is confronted by obstacles, much like Elijah was in the first reading. Both Elijah and Jesus take on the challenge. As we continue through John’s 6th chapter, the Bread of Life Discourse, many of Jesus’ hearers would not accept who Jesus said He was. They begin to debate with Him. However, Jesus did not give up. Instead, he remained focused. He insisted: “I am the living bread, which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever, and the bread I give is my flesh for the life of the world.” As we will see next week, many in the crowds who previously followed Jesus would leave, unable and unwilling to accept Jesus and believe in Him. Maybe some would later return to Jesus, we don’t know. For those of us who do believe in Jesus, good news today is that He draws us to Himself every day through the Eucharistic to nourish and strengthen us for our journey. He is the living bread that satisfies our spiritual hunger. He equally fills us with His Spirit, who directs us on the right path on our journey. So today, God is saying to us as he spoke to Elijah in the desert, “arise, eat, drink,” and continue your journey with new hope, zeal and a new spirit. Finally, let us take advantage of this generous gift that God had given us through the Holy Eucharist to enrich our lives. We must do what the psalmist tells us today: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” He is the living bread of life. He is the Mystery of our faith and the life of the world.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is confronted by obstacles, much like Elijah was in the first reading. Both Elijah and Jesus take on the challenge. As we continue through John’s 6th chapter, the Bread of Life Discourse, many of Jesus’ hearers would not accept who Jesus said He was. They begin to debate with Him. However, Jesus did not give up. Instead, he remained focused. He insisted: “I am the living bread, which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever, and the bread I give is my flesh for the life of the world.” As we will see next week, many in the crowds who previously followed Jesus would leave, unable and unwilling to accept Jesus and believe in Him. Maybe some would later return to Jesus, we don’t know. For those of us who do believe in Jesus, good news today is that He draws us to Himself every day through the Eucharistic to nourish and strengthen us for our journey. He is the living bread that satisfies our spiritual hunger. He equally fills us with His Spirit, who directs us on the right path on our journey. So today, God is saying to us as he spoke to Elijah in the desert, “arise, eat, drink,” and continue your journey with new hope, zeal and a new spirit. Finally, let us take advantage of this generous gift that God had given us through the Holy Eucharist to enrich our lives. We must do what the psalmist tells us today: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” He is the living bread of life. He is the Mystery of our faith and the life of the world.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
8-4-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we continue through Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, Jesus tells the crowd to seek food that endures to eternal life. He identifies Himself as the Bread of Life, offering spiritual nourishment that never fades. Those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst. It’s interesting to see the dialogue between Jesus and the crowd in this reading. First, the crowd asks Him how He arrived there. Jesus rightfully says they are only looking for Him because their bellies were filled and not because of the sign, or miracle that He performed. Jesus then exhorts them to work not for food that perishes, but for food that endures unto eternal life. The crowd is intrigued by our Lord’s words, because He puts the ball back in their court, and so they ask, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answers that believing in Him-the One whom God the Father sent is the “work” that they are called to do. As if the sign/miracle of the multiplication were not enough, the people ask Jesus what sign can He do that they might believe in Him. Funny how quickly they’ve forgotten and how true are the Lord’s words about only seeking Him because they were physically fed by the loaves! We now begin to get to the heart of the matter here and we even hear in the question from the crowd a reference from our first reading from Exodus, when through Moses, God provided manna in the desert. Jesus corrects them by reminding them it was the Father who provided this bread, not Moses, and that even that bread was not lasting. He reveals to them that the Father will indeed give to them the true Bread from Heaven. They respond that they desire that they might have this Bread always and Jesus reveals that He is the Bread of Life of which He has been speaking. Whoever comes to Him will never hunger and whoever believes in Him will never thirst. Jesus’ words invite us to seek Him above all else. While physical food sustains our bodies, Jesus provides what our souls truly need. By coming to Jesus and believing in Him, we find true fulfillment and purpose. Like the people in the crowd, we sometimes lose focus on what is most important for other, lesser things. This reading challenges us to reflect on what we are seeking in life. Are we focused on temporary, earthly things or on the eternal, spiritual nourishment that Jesus offers? By turning to Jesus, we can find lasting peace and satisfaction. May we desire this true Bread of Life, our Eucharistic Lord, always!
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
As we continue through Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel, Jesus tells the crowd to seek food that endures to eternal life. He identifies Himself as the Bread of Life, offering spiritual nourishment that never fades. Those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst. It’s interesting to see the dialogue between Jesus and the crowd in this reading. First, the crowd asks Him how He arrived there. Jesus rightfully says they are only looking for Him because their bellies were filled and not because of the sign, or miracle that He performed. Jesus then exhorts them to work not for food that perishes, but for food that endures unto eternal life. The crowd is intrigued by our Lord’s words, because He puts the ball back in their court, and so they ask, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answers that believing in Him-the One whom God the Father sent is the “work” that they are called to do. As if the sign/miracle of the multiplication were not enough, the people ask Jesus what sign can He do that they might believe in Him. Funny how quickly they’ve forgotten and how true are the Lord’s words about only seeking Him because they were physically fed by the loaves! We now begin to get to the heart of the matter here and we even hear in the question from the crowd a reference from our first reading from Exodus, when through Moses, God provided manna in the desert. Jesus corrects them by reminding them it was the Father who provided this bread, not Moses, and that even that bread was not lasting. He reveals to them that the Father will indeed give to them the true Bread from Heaven. They respond that they desire that they might have this Bread always and Jesus reveals that He is the Bread of Life of which He has been speaking. Whoever comes to Him will never hunger and whoever believes in Him will never thirst. Jesus’ words invite us to seek Him above all else. While physical food sustains our bodies, Jesus provides what our souls truly need. By coming to Jesus and believing in Him, we find true fulfillment and purpose. Like the people in the crowd, we sometimes lose focus on what is most important for other, lesser things. This reading challenges us to reflect on what we are seeking in life. Are we focused on temporary, earthly things or on the eternal, spiritual nourishment that Jesus offers? By turning to Jesus, we can find lasting peace and satisfaction. May we desire this true Bread of Life, our Eucharistic Lord, always!
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
7-21-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today’s readings for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time highlight the glory of Christ’s ministry, which was foretold by the prophets and proclaimed for all peoples for all times and places. The crowds followed Jesus, seeking His teaching and His healing. We, too, are members of this flock, whom He shepherds; we are taught, fed, and healed. How can we pass on this joyful message of comfort to those around us?
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
Today’s readings for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time highlight the glory of Christ’s ministry, which was foretold by the prophets and proclaimed for all peoples for all times and places. The crowds followed Jesus, seeking His teaching and His healing. We, too, are members of this flock, whom He shepherds; we are taught, fed, and healed. How can we pass on this joyful message of comfort to those around us?
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
7-14-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we see how God calls His messengers, the prophet Amos and the Apostles, to proclaim His Word. In the first reading and the Gospel, Amos and the Apostles are sent to convey God’s perfect message, which tends to make sinners feel uneasy. Like Amos and the 12, we may not feel like we’re up to the task. Amos even said that he was a shepherd and dresser of sycamores. He never saw proclaiming God’s message as a prophet on his original to-do list! The Apostles, too, must have had some trepidation when being sent out. But, Paul reminds us in the second reading that we have all been chosen by God. No matter how inadequate we might feel, we are chosen and sent to proclaim the Good News. If God has chosen us, how can we argue with that? This Sunday, several of our young people will be going to Wilmington, DE on their annual Mission Trip sponsored by Catholic Work Camps. These young people will be doing what they and all of have been chosen for: to proclaim the Gospel. This doesn’t always have to be done by word, in fact, often it is through action. Our youth will be going out to assist others in need by day and praying together at night as they grow in the faith that they share. We pray that this missionary journey may be not only a rewarding experience for them, but an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others and with one another. At the 11:15 AM Mass, we will be praying for them as we send them off much like Jesus did in sending off the 12 in the Gospel. We pray that they and the adults accompanying them will bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
On this 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we see how God calls His messengers, the prophet Amos and the Apostles, to proclaim His Word. In the first reading and the Gospel, Amos and the Apostles are sent to convey God’s perfect message, which tends to make sinners feel uneasy. Like Amos and the 12, we may not feel like we’re up to the task. Amos even said that he was a shepherd and dresser of sycamores. He never saw proclaiming God’s message as a prophet on his original to-do list! The Apostles, too, must have had some trepidation when being sent out. But, Paul reminds us in the second reading that we have all been chosen by God. No matter how inadequate we might feel, we are chosen and sent to proclaim the Good News. If God has chosen us, how can we argue with that? This Sunday, several of our young people will be going to Wilmington, DE on their annual Mission Trip sponsored by Catholic Work Camps. These young people will be doing what they and all of have been chosen for: to proclaim the Gospel. This doesn’t always have to be done by word, in fact, often it is through action. Our youth will be going out to assist others in need by day and praying together at night as they grow in the faith that they share. We pray that this missionary journey may be not only a rewarding experience for them, but an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others and with one another. At the 11:15 AM Mass, we will be praying for them as we send them off much like Jesus did in sending off the 12 in the Gospel. We pray that they and the adults accompanying them will bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
7-7-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Both Paul and Jesus speak about their struggles in their ministry in the readings for this Sunday. We can all relate to times when others didn’t accept our kindness and good intentions. It is baffling at times, and we might ask, “Is it me or something I did?” In our second reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the “thorn in his side” that he begged God to remove, but God said His grace would be sufficient for him to continue despite this “thorn.” Paul assures us through his own experience that the challenges of faith allow Christ’s power to shine through. Amazingly, even our struggles can help us grow closer to God! Paul’s message is clear: we do not need to be perfect to be loved by God. Our weaknesses and difficulties can be opportunities for God’s strength to be shown. We can embrace our struggles and trust that God is working through them. Paul’s words encourage us to rely on God’s power rather than our own. When we face hardships, we can remember that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
Both Paul and Jesus speak about their struggles in their ministry in the readings for this Sunday. We can all relate to times when others didn’t accept our kindness and good intentions. It is baffling at times, and we might ask, “Is it me or something I did?” In our second reading from 2 Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of the “thorn in his side” that he begged God to remove, but God said His grace would be sufficient for him to continue despite this “thorn.” Paul assures us through his own experience that the challenges of faith allow Christ’s power to shine through. Amazingly, even our struggles can help us grow closer to God! Paul’s message is clear: we do not need to be perfect to be loved by God. Our weaknesses and difficulties can be opportunities for God’s strength to be shown. We can embrace our struggles and trust that God is working through them. Paul’s words encourage us to rely on God’s power rather than our own. When we face hardships, we can remember that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
6-30-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As Independence Day draws near, we say Happy 249th Birthday to the Good Ol’ USA! As we celebrate our nation's birth, we give pause to reflect on the words contained in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." These words penned by Thomas Jefferson and accepted by the Continental Congress, we're not embracing a "free-for-all" lifestyle, whereby one could simply do what one wants all the time and that happiness was just the result of such a lifestyle. Granted, the Founding Fathers would have had nothing against our wanting to do well, make money and indulge ourselves a bit in life's enjoyments. However, their understanding of "happiness" goes beyond this. It goes deeper, it goes to what the philosophers of old, like Aristotle, believed about happiness: it meant pursuing ones full potential, following the purpose for which we exist, in effect, happiness for these ancient thinkers and the Founders of our country meant to flourish fully as human beings. Even despite great pain and loss, deprivation and humiliation, happiness need not be lost. In fact, one's happiness cannot be snatched away even as a result of these negative experiences. The Book of Wisdom in this Sunday’s readings reminds us that we were created in God’s image, but that we tarnished our dignity by misusing the freedom that He gave to us. By choosing against God’s will, we damaged the intimate union and communion with God. Damaged, but not destroyed. God’s plan was to send His Son to redeem us. By His Cross, Jesus restored us to union and communion with the Father. He has given us freedom from sin. When our Lord invites us to take up our Cross daily and follow Him, He is essentially telling us that if we die to ourselves, and find our true life in Him, then we will truly be happy and free. Our Gospel today relates the freedom given to the woman with the hemorrhage and the daughter of Jairus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. The freedom that our Lord gives releases us from the bonds of sin and death. As citizens of God’s Kingdom and of our beloved nation, we are called to the duty of helping others to be freed from oppression, as well. The Founders of our great nation, while most believed in God and were raised as Christians, would not have meant the "pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence as becoming a disciple of Christ, but for us, as His disciples, we do understand that true and full happiness, that "full human potential" can only be completely attained by being disciples of Jesus. Ours is the freedom of the children of God. This freedom is what fueled the Apostles and martyrs, the early Christians and saints throughout the centuries to endure great trials and hardship for their faith. It is what inspired countless others to die defending freedom on our own soil and in foreign wars so that others might enjoy this freedom to pursue happiness, to follow Christ or the faith and religion of one's choosing. We have seen it in the sacrifices that our own family members and parents have made for us, too. As citizens of God’s Kingdom and members of God's family, our names are written in heaven. God our Father knows each one of us completely and tenderly, desiring for us the best that we can be, that is, the fullness of happiness. Today, as Americans, may we offer gratitude and praise to our God that we live in a country blessed to preserve, promote and defend those unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit if happiness. As disciples of Jesus, may we continue to proclaim the message of the Gospel of Life to our society that has lost sight of this gift so fundamental and precious in the eyes of God.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
As Independence Day draws near, we say Happy 249th Birthday to the Good Ol’ USA! As we celebrate our nation's birth, we give pause to reflect on the words contained in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." These words penned by Thomas Jefferson and accepted by the Continental Congress, we're not embracing a "free-for-all" lifestyle, whereby one could simply do what one wants all the time and that happiness was just the result of such a lifestyle. Granted, the Founding Fathers would have had nothing against our wanting to do well, make money and indulge ourselves a bit in life's enjoyments. However, their understanding of "happiness" goes beyond this. It goes deeper, it goes to what the philosophers of old, like Aristotle, believed about happiness: it meant pursuing ones full potential, following the purpose for which we exist, in effect, happiness for these ancient thinkers and the Founders of our country meant to flourish fully as human beings. Even despite great pain and loss, deprivation and humiliation, happiness need not be lost. In fact, one's happiness cannot be snatched away even as a result of these negative experiences. The Book of Wisdom in this Sunday’s readings reminds us that we were created in God’s image, but that we tarnished our dignity by misusing the freedom that He gave to us. By choosing against God’s will, we damaged the intimate union and communion with God. Damaged, but not destroyed. God’s plan was to send His Son to redeem us. By His Cross, Jesus restored us to union and communion with the Father. He has given us freedom from sin. When our Lord invites us to take up our Cross daily and follow Him, He is essentially telling us that if we die to ourselves, and find our true life in Him, then we will truly be happy and free. Our Gospel today relates the freedom given to the woman with the hemorrhage and the daughter of Jairus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. The freedom that our Lord gives releases us from the bonds of sin and death. As citizens of God’s Kingdom and of our beloved nation, we are called to the duty of helping others to be freed from oppression, as well. The Founders of our great nation, while most believed in God and were raised as Christians, would not have meant the "pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence as becoming a disciple of Christ, but for us, as His disciples, we do understand that true and full happiness, that "full human potential" can only be completely attained by being disciples of Jesus. Ours is the freedom of the children of God. This freedom is what fueled the Apostles and martyrs, the early Christians and saints throughout the centuries to endure great trials and hardship for their faith. It is what inspired countless others to die defending freedom on our own soil and in foreign wars so that others might enjoy this freedom to pursue happiness, to follow Christ or the faith and religion of one's choosing. We have seen it in the sacrifices that our own family members and parents have made for us, too. As citizens of God’s Kingdom and members of God's family, our names are written in heaven. God our Father knows each one of us completely and tenderly, desiring for us the best that we can be, that is, the fullness of happiness. Today, as Americans, may we offer gratitude and praise to our God that we live in a country blessed to preserve, promote and defend those unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit if happiness. As disciples of Jesus, may we continue to proclaim the message of the Gospel of Life to our society that has lost sight of this gift so fundamental and precious in the eyes of God.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
6-23-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
God speaks to Job in the First Reading today because Job has undergone a tremendous amount of loss and grief. He has essentially lost everything and try as he may to trust in God and reject the counsel of his friends, he begins to wonder about God's intentions in all of this. Job's prayers to God seem to have gone unanswered. God responds and reminds Job that He has set the limits and laws of all creation, including the seas, which He has made to not cross the dry land. It is as if God, like a good parent establishing rules at home, has set the "ground rules" for the ocean and all of creation. God’s point in all of this is to remind Job that He has poured out all His love on the creation which He alone fashioned. God is telling Job there is a plan. God's delay in answering Job was needed to fortify his faith and trust. And Job is able then to see his own complaints and disappointment were shortsighted. God was always present to Job and His love for him was always there. A similar incident occurs in the Gospel, when a late night squall erupts on the Sea of Galilee Jesus and the 12 are in a boat. Our Lord is asleep in the stern. The disciples panic, and like Job wonder if Jesus even cares that they are about to perish. Upon awakening, Jesus immediately responds, quieting the storm, something only God could do! As His Father challenged Job, Jesus asks His disciples about their faith: He asks if they even have any faith. Our readings these last two Sundays delve into the reality of God’s care for us, His plan and our call to deepen our faith and trust in Him. Whatever storms come up in life, God is with us, even if He seems to be “asleep” as Jesus was. Not only do these storms not last forever, but our Lord has power over them. We ask Him to strengthen our faith and trust in Him.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
God speaks to Job in the First Reading today because Job has undergone a tremendous amount of loss and grief. He has essentially lost everything and try as he may to trust in God and reject the counsel of his friends, he begins to wonder about God's intentions in all of this. Job's prayers to God seem to have gone unanswered. God responds and reminds Job that He has set the limits and laws of all creation, including the seas, which He has made to not cross the dry land. It is as if God, like a good parent establishing rules at home, has set the "ground rules" for the ocean and all of creation. God’s point in all of this is to remind Job that He has poured out all His love on the creation which He alone fashioned. God is telling Job there is a plan. God's delay in answering Job was needed to fortify his faith and trust. And Job is able then to see his own complaints and disappointment were shortsighted. God was always present to Job and His love for him was always there. A similar incident occurs in the Gospel, when a late night squall erupts on the Sea of Galilee Jesus and the 12 are in a boat. Our Lord is asleep in the stern. The disciples panic, and like Job wonder if Jesus even cares that they are about to perish. Upon awakening, Jesus immediately responds, quieting the storm, something only God could do! As His Father challenged Job, Jesus asks His disciples about their faith: He asks if they even have any faith. Our readings these last two Sundays delve into the reality of God’s care for us, His plan and our call to deepen our faith and trust in Him. Whatever storms come up in life, God is with us, even if He seems to be “asleep” as Jesus was. Not only do these storms not last forever, but our Lord has power over them. We ask Him to strengthen our faith and trust in Him.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
6-16-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this Fathers' Day, we wish all of our Dads and Granddads a Happy Fathers' Day and our appreciation for all that they do and are for us. Dads always seem to have a plan. Whether it was some project we were embarking upon, building something, fixing a bike or packing for a vacation, Dad seems to have a plan on how to do that and do it right. Dads always seem to know where everything is, as well. Whenever I was looking for something as a kid, no matter what it was, my Dad would ask, "Did you look in the drawer in the kitchen?" or "Did you look in the garage? "or on top of the TV, etc. It was almost always where he asked me to check, probably because he saw it lying around somewhere and put it there! In going about making something, from a fort to a pinewood derby car, to a birdhouse or fixing the car, the sink, or whatever else needed repair, there was always a plan. The right parts and materials were needed, and a correct step-by-step process was needed to get the job done right. Even packing for a vacation trip down the shore had a logical method, and although he appreciated help, he knew how things were to fit exactly into the car so that we could still fit in there for the trip. God the Father speaks to the Prophet Ezekiel in the First Reading announcing His plan to take the crest of the highest cedar and plant it on the mountain heights of Israel for all to see, where birds will gather. It is a symbol of God re-establishing Israel in its native homeland after exile in Babylon. As a loving Father, God seeks to rebuild and bring healing to His family. He has a plan. Like our earthly fathers, God our Father wants us to learn a valuable lesson. Like our Dads let us go for the first time without training wheels on our bikes or our first at-bat in a Little League game, God wants us to surrender and move forward so that His grace within us can be active and create that growth within us. Yet, He's just a step away, as Dad was at the first attempt on our bike or at the game. Jesus' message, with his parables of the mysterious growth of the seeds and the mustard seed, connects with God’s loving and providential care for us, His children. And Jesus, who reveals His Father’s will. Dad's got a plan. He just wants us to trust Him and put our faith in Him that no matter what He's with us and His love never fails. No matter how we’ve come up short in life, whether through our own fault or through no fault of our own, our Father, God, is there to guide us. Like any father, He desires our happiness. Happy Fathers' Day to God the Father and our Dad's on earth and in heaven.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
On this Fathers' Day, we wish all of our Dads and Granddads a Happy Fathers' Day and our appreciation for all that they do and are for us. Dads always seem to have a plan. Whether it was some project we were embarking upon, building something, fixing a bike or packing for a vacation, Dad seems to have a plan on how to do that and do it right. Dads always seem to know where everything is, as well. Whenever I was looking for something as a kid, no matter what it was, my Dad would ask, "Did you look in the drawer in the kitchen?" or "Did you look in the garage? "or on top of the TV, etc. It was almost always where he asked me to check, probably because he saw it lying around somewhere and put it there! In going about making something, from a fort to a pinewood derby car, to a birdhouse or fixing the car, the sink, or whatever else needed repair, there was always a plan. The right parts and materials were needed, and a correct step-by-step process was needed to get the job done right. Even packing for a vacation trip down the shore had a logical method, and although he appreciated help, he knew how things were to fit exactly into the car so that we could still fit in there for the trip. God the Father speaks to the Prophet Ezekiel in the First Reading announcing His plan to take the crest of the highest cedar and plant it on the mountain heights of Israel for all to see, where birds will gather. It is a symbol of God re-establishing Israel in its native homeland after exile in Babylon. As a loving Father, God seeks to rebuild and bring healing to His family. He has a plan. Like our earthly fathers, God our Father wants us to learn a valuable lesson. Like our Dads let us go for the first time without training wheels on our bikes or our first at-bat in a Little League game, God wants us to surrender and move forward so that His grace within us can be active and create that growth within us. Yet, He's just a step away, as Dad was at the first attempt on our bike or at the game. Jesus' message, with his parables of the mysterious growth of the seeds and the mustard seed, connects with God’s loving and providential care for us, His children. And Jesus, who reveals His Father’s will. Dad's got a plan. He just wants us to trust Him and put our faith in Him that no matter what He's with us and His love never fails. No matter how we’ve come up short in life, whether through our own fault or through no fault of our own, our Father, God, is there to guide us. Like any father, He desires our happiness. Happy Fathers' Day to God the Father and our Dad's on earth and in heaven.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
6-9-24
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Challenges are part of the fabric of our daily lives. I don’t have to tell you that! Some challenges are more difficult than others. In some cases, we might even purposely challenge ourselves to improve skills, grow in virtue or discipline ourselves for some purpose. At other times, challenges come that are not so welcome, and they can vary from mundane and low-level things to experiences that may stretch us and our faith to unprecedented levels. Jesus was not immune to this. Living on this earth, taking on our human nature, He, too, faced many challenges during His ministry. One of these is the focus of our Gospel today. Like many of our challenges, it involved His own family. Jesus’ family did not understand Him. Furthermore, the religious leaders opposed Him. Facing all of these problems, Jesus stayed focused on His mission. He basically tells us that Family from God’s point of view is much bigger than our blood relatives. We are members of God’s family. The sign of this is how we follow the Father’s commands. We, too, may have had similar challenges. People may not understand our faith. They might challenge us. But like Jesus, we are called to remain committed to God’s will for our lives. Through the Sacraments, God Himself gives us the grace to carry this out. All of our readings for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time remind us to stay steadfast in our faith. We have hope in God’s promises. We are part of His family and truly live that out when we follow His commands. As we reflect on these readings, may we always remember God’s love and mercy. Despite our failures, He offers us hope. By staying strong in our faith and doing His will, we are living out our vocation as members of His true family. Let us face our challenges with courage, knowing that God is with us and that faith in God sustains us through all difficulties.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
Challenges are part of the fabric of our daily lives. I don’t have to tell you that! Some challenges are more difficult than others. In some cases, we might even purposely challenge ourselves to improve skills, grow in virtue or discipline ourselves for some purpose. At other times, challenges come that are not so welcome, and they can vary from mundane and low-level things to experiences that may stretch us and our faith to unprecedented levels. Jesus was not immune to this. Living on this earth, taking on our human nature, He, too, faced many challenges during His ministry. One of these is the focus of our Gospel today. Like many of our challenges, it involved His own family. Jesus’ family did not understand Him. Furthermore, the religious leaders opposed Him. Facing all of these problems, Jesus stayed focused on His mission. He basically tells us that Family from God’s point of view is much bigger than our blood relatives. We are members of God’s family. The sign of this is how we follow the Father’s commands. We, too, may have had similar challenges. People may not understand our faith. They might challenge us. But like Jesus, we are called to remain committed to God’s will for our lives. Through the Sacraments, God Himself gives us the grace to carry this out. All of our readings for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time remind us to stay steadfast in our faith. We have hope in God’s promises. We are part of His family and truly live that out when we follow His commands. As we reflect on these readings, may we always remember God’s love and mercy. Despite our failures, He offers us hope. By staying strong in our faith and doing His will, we are living out our vocation as members of His true family. Let us face our challenges with courage, knowing that God is with us and that faith in God sustains us through all difficulties.
In Christ’s Peace,
Fr. O’Neill
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