Browsing Pastor's Article
May 3, 2020
Posted by Jo Ann Bednar
“Together We Can!” This is a mantra that we hear over and over these days in trying to overcome the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that has overtaken, for all practical purposes the whole world. Each of us is called upon to do whatever is possible to protect ourselves ... Read More »
April 26, 2020
Posted by Jo Ann Bednar
“In my old age, ‘angels,’ as I call them, have come to me,” a 95-year old woman named Erminia told Pope Francis when he was visiting Naples, Italy. Her angels included “young and not-so-young people,” she explained. They “help me, visit me, support me in my daily struggles.” Erminia ... Read More »
April 19,2020
Posted by Jo Ann Bednar
Pope Francis gave this marvelous meditation in St. Peter’s Square at the end of March in conjunction with giving the Urbi et Orbi Blessing during the ravages occurring from the Coronavirus pandemic. It still has excellent reflection for us right up to the present day.
“When evening had come” ... Read More »
April 12, 2020
Posted by Jo Ann Bednar
It seems that everyone looks forward to celebrating Easter, although perhaps for varying reasons. For some, Easter really signals the beginning of spring. No matter what specific date Easter falls on in a particular year, we somewhat think of it as a true transition from the doldrums of winter ... Read More »
April 5, 2020
Posted by Jo Ann Bednar
This article was written before I knew that we would not be able to celebrate publically any of the Holy Week Services this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic. I hope those reading it online will find it worthwhile in living the Holy Week liturgies in spirit.
Can ... Read More »
March 29, 2020
Posted by Jo Ann Bednar
Surprises should make people happy, right? Some surprises, arriving out of the blue, are reason enough to celebrate wholeheartedly: an unforeseen job offer promising a better future for a family, or purchasing a ticket to a raffle and then hearing that you had won the grand prize, or wanting ... Read More »
March 22, 2020
Posted by Jo Ann Bednar
All three of the synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark and Luke—clearly state that Jesus, following his baptism, was moved by the Spirit to go off alone to the desert and that there he was tempted by the devil. “At once, the Spirit drove him out into the desert, and he remained ... Read More »
March 15, 2020
Posted by Jo Ann Bednar
In his First Letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul encouraged the Church at Corinth to think of their faith as an athlete thinks of a competition: Run to win. “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins ... Read More »
March 8, 2020
Posted by Jo Ann Bednar
The story of John Newton is generally well known. He was a ship captain in the African slave trade during the 1700s, and eventually he had a conversion to Christianity. He later joined with his friend William Wilberforce to bring about the end of the British slave trade.
... Read More »
March 1, 2020
Posted by Jo Ann Bednar
A few days ago I read about a story of Christian missionaries visiting a pagan king. They preached a new religion that he was uncertain about accepting. He consulted his advisors, and one of them told him the story of a bird that quickly flies into a hall during ... Read More »