Readings: Acts 2: 42-47; 1 Peter 1: 3-9; John 20: 19-31 Preacher: Gloria Ulterino As I look out my office window, it’s snowing!  In April!  Here in the Rochester, NY area!  While skiers may be happy, I am not!  No!  I’m eager for spring, for warm weather, flowers, and all that new life can offer, right here and right now. What,… read more →

Readings: Acts 10.34a,37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-18 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler Jesus Christ is Risen today! Our triumphant holy day! Alleluia! Easter was not just a good day for Jesus, but for all of us. For all creation, too. Resurrection means new life. In this part of the world, nature testifies to that, doesn’t it? Crocuses and snowdrops … Bringing joy… read more →

Readings: Matthew 21: 1-11; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2: 6-11; Matthew 26: 14-27: 66 Preacher: Sr. Karen Deitz Shortly after my father died Bishop Clark met me and offered his sympathy and prayers of support. The phrase he used was: “Karen, I join my prayers with yours.” I have never forgotten that moment or that phrase. It changed so much of how… read more →

Fr. Ed shares this homily from Fr. Michael G. Ryan of St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Washington. “What is a preacher to do when the moral imperatives of God’s Word in the scriptures – and our deeply-held beliefs as Catholics – are clearly at odds with the word coming from our government?” Continue reading…

Readings: Samuel 16: 1b. 6-7, 10-13a; Ephesians 5: 8-14; John 9: 11-41 Preacher: Sr. Barbara Moore RSM The Gospel shares an ancient theory about physical illnesses.  Jesus’ disciples ask a question that was common in their day.  Why was this man born blind? And they have two conclusions.  Either he was a sinner or his parents sinned.  Jesus’ answer is powerful. … read more →

Readings Exodus 17:3-7; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4: 5-42 Preacher: Susan K. Roll Lent is the season par excellence for an examination of conscience, sincere contrition for one’s failures, and confession of sins with the firm purpose of amendment.  I have a very big sin, repeated over decades, to confess.  It’s about the story in this week’s Gospel reading. For oh… read more →

Readings: Genesis 12: 1-4a; 2 Timothy 1: 8b-10; Matthew 17: 1-9 Preacher: Deni Mack Did you hear the first line of today’s first reading?  God said to Abraham, “go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” And God promised to bless Abraham so that Abraham would be a blessing… read more →

Readings: Genesis 2:7-9,3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4: 1-11 Preacher: Marilyn Catherine For me, speaking as a woman, our first reading presents a story overrun with thorny barbs. How do I weed through this thicket?  Inspiration comes in a visit to Lamberton Conservatory.  It is luxuriantly green, warm, comfortable in this tropical garden. Coincidently I sat near a giant, evergreen, treelike perennial… read more →

Readings: Sirach 15: 15-20; 1 Corinthians 2: 6-10; Matthey 5: 17-37 Preacher: Meghan Kellogg How old were you and where were you when you first learned the ten commandments?  Did you memorize them?  Did you understand what they meant? I’m going to guess that if you learned them as a child in primary school, you may have figured there were some… read more →

Readings: Isaiah 58:6-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16 Preacher: Deirdre McKiernan Hetzler For some weeks now, our readings have touched on discipleship. But today, coming shortly after Jesus calls the first disciples, that call—our call, yours and mine—can’t be missed. In Isaiah today, God challenges God’s people to live their faith boldly. Assertively. Honestly. The Israelites have been complaining. “We observe the… read more →