CHRISTMAS IN A NEW MISSION: OPPORTUNITY FOR PRESENCE
In the three-and-a-half years since a town hall meeting was convened to explore the possibility of establishing a Catholic church in Smith County, Tennessee, much has changed. With no Catholic church in Smith County ever, since its 1799 founding, local Catholics had more recently been advocating for a worship site. The initial group of 32 […]
St. Stephen
From today’s Scripture: “Whoever endures to the end will be saved.”—Mt 10:22 The day after Christmas we hear in Scripture the cost of the disciples who follow the child Jesus. There will be hatred for the followers of Jesus, but the end victory is salvation. Today we also celebrate the feast of St. Stephen, the […]
Nativity of the Lord
From today’s Scripture: “All who heard it were amazed by what have been told them by the shepherds.”—Lk 2:18 The king has arrived. Where are his armies? His fans? The Savior comes to us in the quiet, his armies and fans are a few poor shepherds, outcasts at the time of Jesus. The first to […]
THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD
Watch Father Chet’s Christmas reflection here. One of our most creative preachers in Glenmary was a man named Father Charlie Hughes. He was my director in theology. And I remember this time of year that he gave us a sermon one time that went something like this. “What would happen if, all of a sudden, […]
Fourth Tuesday of Advent
From today’s Scripture: “I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me.”—Mal 3:1 The prophets of the Old Testament were tasked to bring the people to God. They sought to prepare the Jewish people to welcome their Savior. Bringing people to know the Lord Jesus better sounds like a great end of Advent […]
Fourth Monday of Advent
From today’s Scripture: “I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me.”—Mal 3:1 The prophets of the Old Testament were tasked to bring the people to God. They sought to prepare the Jewish people to welcome their Savior. Bringing people to know the Lord Jesus better sounds like a great end of Advent […]
Fourth Sunday of Advent
From today’s Scripture: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”—Lk 1:42 These are the words of Elizabeth, the older cousin of Mary. The long waiting for the Savior of the world is almost over. This last Sunday of Advent calls us to celebrate Jesus’ coming that is almost here. […]
Third Friday of Advent
From today’s Scripture: “Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’”—Lk 1:30b Sometimes life doesn’t go according to our plan. Mary planned to get married to a young carpenter and probably to have a big family as was the custom. She certainly did not plan […]
Third Thursday of Advent
From today’s Scripture: “The angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.’”—Lk 1:13 I imagine that Zachariah and Elizabeth probably prayed together to have children and, maybe after many years, for just a child. […]
Third Wednesday of Advent
From today’s Scripture: “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.”—Mt 1:24 Both Joseph and Mary listened carefully to God. We know, Mary said “yes” to the angel Gabriel and in today’s Scripture, Joseph does not divorce Mary for being “found with […]
