Readings: Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17; 1 Peter 3: 15-18; John 14: 15-21 Preacher: Ruth Marchetti “My.” It’s such a small word. John’s gospel tells us that Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Notice that Jesus doesn’t say keep the commandments, he says keep my commandments. What’s the difference? Jesus was an observant Jew who honored the… read more →

Readings: Acts 6: 1-7; 1 Peter 2: 4-9; John 14: 1=12 Preacher: Susan Howard As one who has listened to the call of the Shepherd, responded with my whole heart, pursued an active ministry, earned a Masters in Divinity,  and practiced 15 years of professional ministry, this week’s passage from Acts 6:1-7 regarding the creation of the Diaconate raises many questions.… read more →

Readings: Acts 2: 14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 2: 20b-25; John 10: 1-10 Preacher: Nancy DeRycke I have always treasured Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel, “I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.”  But to be honest, this year personally has been a real challenge to those words for me.  When my husband Ron fell and hit… read more →

Readings: Acts 2: 14, 22-23; 1 Peter 1: 17-21; Luke 24: 13-35 Preacher: Sr. Joan Sobala  Later that night, Jesus would meet the Eleven in the Upper Room. But earlier, he found Cleophas and his companion on the road west out of Jerusalem toward Emmaus. There is every reason to think that his companion was Mary, his wife. She was, after all, one of the women cited as being at the cross of Jesus. (John… read more →

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 →