Browsing From the Pastor's Desk
The Holy Trinity
Posted by St. Joseph
Dear Friends,
This feast is truly and really a mystery. Difficult to explain in words, but, more easily demonstrated by actions.
The Holy Trinity, simply put, is the doctrine of the Church that teaches there is One God, but Three Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Godhead ... Read More »
Memorial Day
Posted by St. Joseph
I was recently watching a cable television show about World War I. It was a documentary filmed about five years ago and contained a segment about a 105 year old veteran from that war who is the only one left alive from that time. When asked a question about ... Read More »
The Ascension
Posted by St. Joseph
“Go forth into all the world and proclaim the good news, baptizing, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
These are the last words of Jesus Christ before He ascended into heaven. We are given the “Great Commission” to tell the world ... Read More »
With Great Gratitude
Posted by St. Joseph
Next weekend, I will mark the 29th anniversary of my ordination as a Catholic Priest, in 1994. It will also be the start of my 10th year as your pastor at St. Joseph Catholic Church. As I reflect upon this milestone, I remember how grateful I am to be ... Read More »
May is for Mary
Posted by St. Joseph
Mary, the Mother of God, plays an important part in the life of a priest (as she should for all faithful Catholics!). Mary is a second mother to a priest. She wraps her arms around us, keeps us safe from impurity any morality, and pleads to Christ, the High ... Read More »
The Cost of Charity
Posted by St. Joseph
I was reading an editorial in the National Catholic Register about the amount of charity that comes from America's churches. The Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion found that religious groups and churches contribute $1.2 trillion each year to the American economy. This includes all kinds of giving and ... Read More »
Revisionist 23 Psalm
Posted by St. Joseph
Dear Friends,
I found this rewrite of the 23rd Psalm in "Priest" magazine. It certainly should help us to critically reflect on what I like to call the "Tabernacle of the Domestic Church"-our TV set, and by extension our computers and phones.
“The TV is my shepherd; I shall ... Read More »
Easter
Posted by St. Joseph
Today we see God’s plan for us. Colored eggs, peeps, jelly, beans, ham, chocolate, multiple eggs, fun, food, and… wait!
As fun as all this seems, the real plan is- God loves us and wants us to go to Heaven. This is why He took on human flesh, suffered ... Read More »
Palm Sunday
Posted by St. Joseph
I want to strongly encourage you to attend these wonderful and beautiful holy days as we approach Easter Sunday. Put this message on your counter, or refrigerator, so as not to forget!
Last Chance Confessions—Tuesday April 4 from 7-8pm, and Wednesday, April 5, from 7-8pm, in the church.
Holy ... Read More »
The Fifth Sunday of Lent
Posted by St. Joseph
The 5th Sunday of Lent is when I remind you, that if you haven’t gone to Confession or Reconciliation yet, the time is nigh! Here are your remailing opportunities to lighten your burden at St. Joseph Church.
Wednesday, March 29—Be Reconciled DayThis is a Diocese-of-Rockford-wide event. The times for ... Read More »