“To enter into the mystery means going beyond our own comfort zone, beyond the laziness and indifference which hold us back, and going out in search of truth, beauty and love. It is seeking a deeper meaning, an answer, and not an easy one, to the questions which challenge our faith, our fidelity and our very existence. To enter into the mystery, we need humility, the lowliness to abase ourselves, to come down from the pedestal of our “I” which... Read more
“To enter into the mystery means going beyond our own comfort zone, beyond the laziness and indifference which hold us back, and going out in search of truth, beauty and love. It is seeking a deeper meaning, an answer, and not an easy one, to the questions which challenge our faith, our fidelity and our very existence. To enter into the mystery, we need humility, the lowliness to abase ourselves, to come down from the pedestal of our “I” which... Read more
This was sung throughout the Triduum at my parish, and most triumphantly last night, for the Vigil, with the Easter verses. I love it. I selected this for the entrance hymn at my Mass of Thanksgiving, too. Our choir always does a spectacular job with it. Here, a thrilling version from the choir at Notre Dame, featuring the verses of Easter. Out of darkness, God has called us, Claimed by Christ as God’s own people, Holy nation, royal priesthood, Walking in... Read more
…is the rehearsal that goes into it. Just got back from this year’s rehearsal with our DRE, Deacon Bill McNamara, and our pastor, Bishop Paul Sanchez. The church was being decorated. Cassocks were being mended. Catechumens were being pushed around. Robes were being measured. Tonight, of course, it will all look effortless. (Unless the deacon screws up The Exsultet. But let’s not think about that…) Some scenes from the preparations below. [img attachment=”74424″ align=”alignnone” size=”medium” alt=”IMG_0029-575×860″ /] [img attachment=”74425″ align=”alignnone”... Read more
In a rarity for a secular newspaper, The Day in Connecticut has a profile of a young man discerning a vocation to the priesthood: Michael Bovino never thought his family was overly religious. They said grace before dinner and he participated in religious education classes at their parish, St. Michael the Archangel in Pawcatuck, but “I was just going through the motions,” he said. It was the same with Sunday Mass. He went every week with his parents and brothers,... Read more
In a rarity for a secular newspaper, The Day in Connecticut has a profile of a young man discerning a vocation to the priesthood: Michael Bovino never thought his family was overly religious. They said grace before dinner and he participated in religious education classes at their parish, St. Michael the Archangel in Pawcatuck, but “I was just going through the motions,” he said. It was the same with Sunday Mass. He went every week with his parents and brothers, “but I definitely... Read more
…is the rehearsal that goes into it. Just got back from this year’s rehearsal with our DRE, Deacon Bill McNamara, and our pastor, Bishop Paul Sanchez. The church was being decorated. Cassocks were being mended. Catechumens were being pushed around. Robes were being measured. Tonight, of course, it will all look effortless. (Unless the deacon screws up The Exsultet. But let’s not think about that…) Some scenes from the preparations below. Read more
When I was a child, I’d hear this account of Christ’s Passion and I’d keep hoping it would have another ending. I hoped that the soldiers would turn back…or Pilate would change his mind…or the people would cry out for Jesus to be the one freed instead of Barabbas. What happens is so heart-wrenching and heartbreaking—you just don’t want to imagine that this is the way it happened. There has to be another ending. But there isn’t. It is inevitable.... Read more
A few scenes from my parish tonight, from before and after our stunning Mass of the Lord’s Supper. [img attachment=”74436″ align=”alignnone” size=”medium” alt=”IMG_0233-575×384″ /] [img attachment=”74437″ align=”alignnone” size=”medium” alt=”IMG_0230-575×384″ /] [img attachment=”74430″ align=”alignnone” size=”medium” alt=”IMG_0248-575×384″ /] [img attachment=”74431″ align=”alignnone” size=”medium” alt=”IMG_0240-575×384″ /] [img attachment=”74432″ align=”alignnone” size=”medium” alt=”IMG_0244-575×384″ /] [img attachment=”74433″ align=”alignnone” size=”medium” alt=”IMG_0245-575×384″ /] [img attachment=”74434″ align=”alignnone” size=”medium” alt=”IMG_0235-575×716″ /] Read more
Some resources: The Way of the Cross with Pope Francis for this year The Way of the Cross with Pope Francis from 2014 Forgiveness and Mercy: A reflection on The Seven Last Words Homily for April 3, 2015: Good Friday Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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