Blogs and Franciscan Moments

Ah May: traditionally, for Catholics, the month of Mary. But which Mary: Mary, inviolate? Mary undefiled? Mary Immaculately Conceived? Mary every…

This Sunday’s passage from John occurs near the end of Jesus’ life. Jesus’ lengthy discourse actually begins back in chapter…

In our Gospel this Sunday we hear,  “Jesus said to his disciples:‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the…

Dear Friends, I recently read an interesting commentary from Eugene Peterson, the translator of The Message Bible. Speaking of Jesus referring…

“See what love…” These are three of my favorite words in Scripture. See what love! I really think these words from John’s…

Ah, the Good Shepherd returns! It is always one of my favorites, if but overly used at times. Seeing Jesus as…

So, what do you think of when you hear the words “eternal life”? We hear these words quite often in religious…

“They were startled and terrified,” Luke tells us of the disciples when they saw the Risen Lord. Of course!  As Robert Barron…

Imagine this:  harmony, health, and wholeness in all aspects of your life. Picture all your relationships flourishing: your relationships with God, with everyone…

As I watched the donkey watch us on Palm Sunday, I was reminded of simpler things and all things less…

The world has simply become more caustic by any measure. The interactions on social media, between persons, and against the…

Are you obedient? Let’s face it: most of us probably cringe at that word, “obedient.” We might become defensive, asking,…

The opener to this week’s Gospel is great: “some Greeks” come to Andrew and say, “Sir, we wish to see…

If You Think We Aren’t Needed… As I greeted folks departing from Mass last Sunday, I realized how fortunate we are…

. Imagine. Did you every try to imagine a scene in your mind: maybe you stir up a view of your “happy…

Poverty comes in many forms. It isn’t just financial. Trust me, as a priest I find that some of the…

Such were little Billy Murphy’s thoughts every year, as he walked home from grade school, forehead freshly ashed up by…

On my way to the parish this morning I saw a Christmas Tree on the back of an old pickup…

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia recently issued a document entitled, “The Obligations of the Faithful.” This document is meant to guide…

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” —Winnie the Pooh Leave it to Winnie the Pooh…