Posted: April 14, 2013
In their book SLEEPING WITH BREAD, Dennis, Sheila, and Matthew Linn tell the story that, during the second world war, after the bombing raids, thousands of children were left homeless. The adults that cared for these traumatized children found that the children had a hard time falling asleep at nights because of the anxiety that [...]
Read this articlePosted: April 7, 2013
When Jesus was executed on Good Friday, he basically died alone. From all observable evidence, his project, his dream had come to a violent and sad demise, and almost everyone he knew ran for cover. For the first time in a long time, the religious and civil authorities in Judea were able to breathe easy. [...]
Read this articlePosted: March 31, 2013
As I returned to Louisiana after 6 years living in El Paso, which is located the northern part of the Chihuahuan desert, I have been overwhelmed by the beauty of springtime in Louisiana. It is almost as if those Azalea bushes, especially the bright red ones, are SHOUTING at me! I have never appreciated them [...]
Read this articlePosted: March 24, 2013
Each one of us will remember where he or she was when we heard the news that a pope was selected. We will all remember that hour of anticipation, waiting for him to come out on the balcony. And then we will all remember our surprise at meeting Pope Francis, and learning of the many [...]
Read this articlePosted: March 13, 2013
Last Sunday was a very happy day for me as it was my first official day as your pastor. Although I must confess that it was very heartbreaking to part with my beautiful parishioners at Sacred Heart in El Paso, it was nevertheless a great joy to return home to you. Back in February of [...]
Read this articlePosted: March 10, 2013
During my last confession, the priest, who is also my spiritual director, gave me an interesting penance: reflect on my years at Holy Name parish and express thanks to God. Now that penance was not a difficult one! I reflected on my eight years here. Almost six of those years, I spent as pastor. I [...]
Read this articlePosted: March 3, 2013
At the end of our third year of theology in Toronto in 1976, we Jesuit students faced an oral exam, conducted by three examiners. One of the Jesuit examiners, a graduate student in some more esoteric field, told us that if he were our examiner, he would challenge us with “What is the Good News [...]
Read this articlePosted: February 24, 2013
First of all, I must let everyone know how edifying and encouraging it was for me to preside at the seven-thirty morning Mass and the five-thirty evening Mass on Ash Wednesday. In the morning the church was almost full. In the afternoon it was a case of SRO, with people in the aisles and at [...]
Read this articlePosted: February 17, 2013
“Judicial killing” is the term used by the bishops of Louisiana in speaking of the execution scheduled for Ash Wednesday. As of today, February 7, since the Pardon Board and Governor Jindal have declined to intervene, the death Christopher Sepulvado may occur. Just today a federal judge has issued a stay in the execution based [...]
Read this articlePosted: February 10, 2013
Catholics are a “Eucharistic people.” Since we derive eucharist from the Greek word meaning “to give thanks,” Catholics are of necessity a people of thanksgiving. In the case of Holy Name of Jesus parish, we are a people who must give thanks for so many gifts over the last one hundred twenty or so years: [...]
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