We are Never Lost or Alone

by © LPi  |  12/25/2022  |  Gospel Meditation

As we age, time seems to pass more quickly. Years seemingly fly by as one holiday flows into the next, January quickly becomes December and life maintains its hectic pace. What do we accomplish in all of that busyness? Perhaps technology is responsible for some of the frenzy, keeping us isolated in our social media worlds, communicating through texts rather than in person, and always connected to world events.

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Fear Not, God is With Us

by © LPi  |  12/18/2022  |  Gospel Meditation

An entire town is wiped out by fire, a tornado rips through several neighborhoods, a bomb claims a maternity hospital and a sudden heart attack takes the life of a soul mate. Life is unpredictable and dramatic. Many buy into the sad illusion that the securities and familiarities we see around us today will remain forever: our homes, our friends, our spouses, our churches, and even our health. We are stunned and shaken by a sudden change, finding ourselves bewildered, mortified, and even embittered. We do not like change, especially change driven by sources beyond our control.

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Homily series on the Mass: Introductory rites

by Fr. Chad King  |  12/13/2022  |  Homily Series on the Mass

The quotes are taken directly from General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM) - found in front of big Roman Missal the priest prays from - which gives instructions and directions to clergy and laity of how the Liturgy (Mass) is to be celebrated.

The purpose of this entire homily series is to help us get more out of Mass. For many years I went to Mass every Sunday growing up, thinking why am I going when it is boring and I don’t get anything out of it. It really wasn’t until seminary, and I read the General Instruction (GIRM) that I realized that there was an instruction of how the priest and people are to celebrate Mass in the first place. I learned that we are to really pray the Mass instead of just be there physically but not always mentally engaged, like I was doing for years. Some things you hear might be different than what you’ve known or seen, as we know there are different ways the Mass has been celebrated, but everything we say will be what the Church instructs. And hopefully understanding more of what and why the Church instructs will help us know and appreciate what is really happening at Mass so that we can get more out of it.

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Be Strong, Fear Not!

by LPi  |  12/11/2022  |  Gospel Meditation

Life can leave us feeling dark and desolate. Sandy was just twenty-eight when her husband, Rob, died, leaving her to raise their two young children. She was without paid employment. Rob went to work one morning and never returned home. Sandy, though, had faith and trusted that somehow God would help her through, even though most days brought deafening, piercing loneliness. She persevered, and the darkness gave way to light. Remarking one day to a friend hesitant to commit to a relationship, Sandy shared her wisdom.

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God Does Not Abandon Us

by Father John Muir  |  12/04/2022  |  Gospel Meditation

For six years I lived with a priest from Iraq. His hospitality was amazing. Every single morning, he would greet me with gracious words and a friendly tone. “Father, good morning! It’s good to see you, my friend!” He never stopped doing it, even though we lived in the same house for years. It was remarkable, and I never forgot it.

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