I was first assigned to Saint Therese Little Flower (STLF) Parish, on Kansas City’s east side, in 1992. At that time, it had a parish school that served neighborhood children. One day I ran into the diocesan school superintendent there; she was walking the halls and visiting classrooms on her own (often when superintendents visit […]
Live, learn, work, retire, die. So goes the rhythm of earthly existence for many of us. Included in there, of course, is engagement with the world, participation in needful endeavors, faithfulness to our beliefs, love for those we cherish, and leaving behind a legacy. I never thought that I would one day retire as a […]
A sanctuary is a protected place where birds, animals, or people can gather to find refuge and safety from dangerous conditions. It’s original meaning has biblical roots and refers to an enshrined haven or holy place set apart because God’s presence is made manifest there. The portable tent used by Jewish ancestors while wandering in […]
In 1920’s Mexico, under President Plutarco Calles, clergy were restricted from public religious practices, religious education was outlawed, and many Catholics were persecuted, imprisoned, or executed for their faith. These anti-Catholic measures or “Calles Laws” continued for many decades. I hope that if I lived in Mexico at that time, I would have participated in […]
Far be it from me, a celibate priest, to offer advice on marriage. My comments herein are not advice, only observations. They start with remarks of nineteenth century philosopher Frederick Nietzsche who noted that it is not the lack of love that makes marriages unhappy, it’s the lack of friendship that does so. I think […]
I begin here by admitting that I never heard of Charlie Kirk until the day he was killed earlier this week. Like you, I know that we will hear and learn much more about him in the weeks, months, and years ahead, especially his movement, Turning Point USA, that engages young people in community affairs […]
Nineteenth Century British author John Ruskin once wrote: “The first test of a truly great person is humility…The greatest people among us have a curious feeling that the greatness is not in them, but it is through them; they see something divine in every other person and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful.” Humility links us […]
There are a few annual events this month that you may want to join and one big project to which I will dedicate the remainder of my active priesthood. The events include a parish picnic at Saint Francis Xavier on September 13, an “angel fund” watch party on September 21, and a Mass in Swope […]
The Jesuit priest, Henri de Lubac, once said, “The person who takes himself too seriously will not dominate his pain. His pain will dominate him, even if he seems to have got the better of it. It puts a strain on him, hardens him, withers him.” Not taking yourself too seriously is one of life’s […]
The late John Prine, in his song, Pretty Good, offered a clever response to all the people who ask, “How are you?” He says, “Pretty good, not bad, I can’t complain; but actually everything is just about the same.” To ask, “How are you doing?” (How’s it going? What’s up?) is to share in a […]
UPON THIS ROCK 