WELCOME!! St. Philip the Apostle Parish Addison, IL

2010-10-08T00:02:00.003-04:00

The Parish Blog will return on Ash Wednesday!

See you soon!

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin and doctor of the Church

2010-10-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Adapted from www.americancatholic.org

"I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul." These are the words of Theresa of the Child Jesus, a Carmelite nun called the "Little Flower," who lived a cloistered life of obscurity in the convent of Lisieux, France. [In French-speaking areas, she is known as Thérèse of Lisieux.] And her preference for hidden sacrifice did indeed convert souls. Few saints of God are more popular than this young nun. Her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, is read and loved throughout the world. Thérèse Martin entered the convent at the age of 15 and died in 1897 at the age of 24.

Life in a Carmelite convent is indeed uneventful and consists mainly of prayer and hard domestic work. But Thérèse possessed that holy insight that redeems the time, however dull that time may be. She saw in quiet suffering redemptive suffering, suffering that was indeed her apostolate. Thérèse said she came to the Carmel convent "to save souls and pray for priests." And shortly before she died, she wrote: "I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth."

[On October 19, 1997, Pope John Paul II proclaimed her a Doctor of the Church, the third woman to be so recognized in light of her holiness and the influence of her teaching on spirituality in the Church.]

Comment:

Thérèse has much to teach our age of the image, the appearance, the "sell." We have become a dangerously self-conscious people, painfully aware of the need to be fulfilled, yet knowing we are not. Thérèse, like so many saints, sought to serve others, to do something outside herself, to forget herself in quiet acts of love. She is one of the great examples of the gospel paradox that we gain our life by losing it, and that the seed that falls to the ground must die in order to live (see John 12).

Preoccupation with self separates modern men and women from God, from their fellow human beings and ultimately from themselves. We must relearn to forget ourselves, to contemplate a God who draws us out of ourselves and to serve others as the ultimate expression of selfhood. These are the insights of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and they are more valid today than ever.

Tuesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-09-28T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Lk 9:51-56
Gospel

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
"Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?"
Jesus turned and rebuked them,
and they journeyed to another village.

REFLECTION: If you have been driving anywhere lately in the Chicagoland area, you probably have observed the color orange--construction. These construction zones either slow down traffic or have detours setup to go a different way. Sometimes these detours are not expected and will add time onto a drive. For many of us, it always seems to be at the wrong time that these detours and/or traffic can occur. For me personally, as long as I am moving, I don't mind driving out of my way to get somewhere. It is in those moments of sitting in the gridlock that can not only irritate me, but those around as well.

In today's Gospel we read about a detour had taken place because Jesus and his followers wanted to travel through the Samaritan Village to get to Jerusalem. Since that was not allowed, immediately some of Jesus' followers wanted to take negative action against them. Jesus told them no and they went about their journey a different way.

QUESTIONS: When was the last time your life had an unexpected detour? Was it welcomed? Why or why not?

Be sure to respond below by posting your comments!

Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-09-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Eccl 3:1-11
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
What advantage has the worker from his toil?
I have considered the task that God has appointed
for the sons of men to be busied about.
He has made everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into their hearts,
without man's ever discovering,
from beginning to end, the work which God has done.

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS:
This reading reminds us that we live in God’s time not our time. Kairos time is God’s time. Our prayers are answered in God’s time not our time. Be careful of what you ask God in prayer. St. Teresa of Avila said that” more tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered prayers.” Being totally open to God’s will is a difficult thing. Anytime we have to give up our will we feel a degree of uneasiness or rebellion. The next time you say the Our Father, remember we say “Thy Will Be Done on earth as it is in heaven.” Are we serious? If so it means we have to change our hearts. Are we willing to change our hearts? Are we ready to change the way we do things? What do I need to change now in my life now to live Jesus’ message of love? Jesus’ Gospel puts demands on us but if we live this life of love we find the “peace the world cannot give.”

Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

2010-09-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Mt 9:9-13

Gospel

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and said,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

REFLECTION: Some interesting words in today's Gospel Reading! To have been seen with a tax collector was not a popular thing back then (still isn't today). Little did we know though Jesus was doing Ministry, taking care of others.

Jesus knew early on that everyone needs to be cared for. Sadly, we know that everyday this does not happen in our world with one another. This is also a big social justice issue as well. We only get to talk to Jesus though in those moments that we allow. There are times in our lives when we think Jesus may be speaking to us to slow down with life. We all have had those examples.

QUESTIONS: What is Jesus asking of you today? When was the last time you took time to talk to Jesus? When was the last time you listened to Jesus?

Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-09-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Lk 8:1-3

Gospel

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another,
preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza,
Susanna, and many others
who provided for them out of their resources.

REFLECTION: Have you ever had a time in your life when you have gone out somewhere and not know really what to expect? It can be a time of fear, a time of hope, or even a time of uncertainty. As Jesus made his journeys, nobody could really expect what would happen in the future. They however followed him as because they were called and chosen.

QUESTION: What will you do this weekend to follow our Lord?

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

2010-09-14T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Phil 2:6-11

Reading 2

Brothers and sisters:
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

REFLECTION: What beautiful words in today's Second Reading. The words are very poetic--very moving. The more I read the reading the more simple the words in it became.

As we read and hear in a variety of scripture, we have come to know the many works of Jesus. Along the way there were many trails--to the ultimate trial--death upon the Cross.

As you go about your day today, take a moment to meditate on any of the crucifixies you may have at home. This is a great opportunity to talk to Jesus about the highs and lows of life.

Take a listen below:

http://www.spiritandsong.com/compositions/15220

Enjoy your day,
Peace,

Vince

Tuesday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

2010-09-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Lk 6:12-19

Gospel

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground.
A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people
from all Judea and Jerusalem
and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon
came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;
and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured.
Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him
because power came forth from him and healed them all.

REFLECTION: In today's Gospel, Jesus calls and names his twelve disciples. While each person was different, they all wanted to pass along the faith. Even though they were the chosen ones by our Lord, it did mean that they did not have their hardships along the way.

As we look in our world today, how often do we hear of people executed or punished for their faith? We are very lucky to be in this country, that we are free to practice our chosen religion among the many based off of culture and belief.

QUESTIONS: Do you consider yourself a disciple? Why or why not? Post your responses below!

PRAYER: The song "God Has Chosen Me"

Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the Church

2010-09-03T00:00:00.002-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Lk 5:33-39

Gospel

The scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
"The disciples of John the Baptist fast often and offer prayers,
and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same;
but yours eat and drink."
Jesus answered them, "Can you make the wedding guests fast
while the bridegroom is with them?
But the days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
then they will fast in those days."
And he also told them a parable.
"No one tears a piece from a new cloak to patch an old one.
Otherwise, he will tear the new
and the piece from it will not match the old cloak.
Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins,
and it will be spilled, and the skins will be ruined.
Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins.
And no one who has been drinking old wine desires new,
for he says, 'The old is good.'"

REFLECTION: Today's gospel reading reminds us of what a parish should be--a mix of both the old and new, older and younger. From generation to generation our faith needs to get passed on. How does that happen? It happens more than just by attending Mass. Individuals of faith need to take it a step further and step forward to help in educating--especially the children. This can be nerve racking to some -- yet a very rewarding ministry at the end of the day/year. It is by taking these chances that we allow ourselves to grow and to stretch.

Today the Church also celebrates the Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, pope and doctor of the Church. Saint Gregory was a humble and great educator in the late 500s and early 600s. 9/3 is his feast day, the day that he was elected Pope.

QUESTION: What is it that you do to help pass on the faith to someone? What can you be doing to help at your local church?

Enjoy your day!
Vince

Feast of St. Monica

2010-08-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Ps. 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11

Responsorial Psalm

R. (5) The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
For upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;
he foils the designs of peoples.
But the plan of the LORD stands forever;
the design of his heart, through all generations.
R. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

REFLECTION: August is a month of many new beginnings. Children return to school, some starting for the first time. Some will start college and others will go straight into the work force. Teachers and administrators return to the classrooms.

Today's responsorial psalm is a reminder of all that we keep new and how we need to keep our faith life fresh and new as well. As we continue to keep our Lord in our lives we begin to see all those things around us with a new vision--new lenses or perhaps with new life.

QUESTIONS: What in your life needs to be renewed? How can prayer help that?

Feel free to post your responses below. If you have questions about submitting a post, please email your question to stphilipblog@gmail.com

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

2010-08-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Jn 1:45-51

Gospel

Philip found Nathanael and told him,
“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”
But Nathanael said to him,
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened and the angels of God
ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

REFLECTION:
Today's gospel poses two important thoughts:
1) “Come and see.” &
2) “How do you know me?”

As we read at the end of the Gospel when Jesus answered Nathanael it is those who believe would see the angels of God ascending and desecending on the Son of Man. This goes back to our faith. There are many things that people question about our faith and at times we cannot put words to describe it. At Mass we always hear "Let us Proclaim the Mystery of Faith" which leads into one of the Memorial Acclamations (Christ Has Died, Christ Has Risen, Christ will come again; etc).

QUESTIONS:
What is it that we "Come and See"? Have you gone to try any new volunteer opportunities at your parish? If you are from St. Philip's, look at our parish information form to find out how you can volunteer at the parish.

How do you know me? What is it that you know about Jesus? When was the last time you went out of your way to learn something about your faith and Jesus?

Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-08-17T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Mt 19:23-30

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich
to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Again I say to you,
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said,
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said,
“For men this is impossible,
but for God all things are possible.”
Then Peter said to him in reply,
“We have given up everything and followed you.
What will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you
that you who have followed me, in the new age,
when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory,
will yourselves sit on twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters
or father or mother or children or lands
for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more,
and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS: But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Interesting and trying words we read today. Last year I had the occasion of going to Atlanta, Georgia and going to Mass at a local Catholic Church. All the parishes in the Diocese of Atlanta follow that Gospel line. This means that for receiving the Eucharist the back of the Church came up first with the front pew receiving last. I had never witnessed that before but it really got me thinking. Why do many of us sit in particular seats at Mass? Why are some people willing to give up their seat for someone else? Why are some people not willing to move an inch from their seat?

We read these words today and reflect that those who are last may be their for a reason. Whether we are at the grocery store, the movie theatre, Church, school, etc there will also be someone first and someone last. I challenge everyone to focus for a day on those who are last. Learn their story. Talk to them. See them as Jesus would.

Friday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-08-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

Responsorial Psalm

R. (1c) You have turned from your anger.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You have turned from your anger.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You have turned from your anger.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You have turned from your anger.

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS: Today's Responsorial Psalm gives us a lot to think about. How much anger is do we witness in our world? In our country? In our State? In our County? In our local community? How often are we quick to judge without getting to know somebody first? Is it easier to find a flaw with someone or to see that person as Jesus?

Tuesday, Feast of St. Lawrence, deacon & martyr

2010-08-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Jn 12:24-26

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.”

REFLECTION: (adapted from http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1103)

The esteem in which the Church holds Lawrence is seen in the fact that today’s celebration ranks as a feast. We know very little about his life. He is one of those whose martyrdom made a deep and lasting impression on the early Church. Celebration of his feast day spread rapidly.

He was a Roman deacon under Pope St. Sixtus II. Four days after this pope was put to death, Lawrence and four clerics suffered martyrdom, probably during the persecution of the Emperor Valerian.

Legendary details of his death were known to Damasus, Prudentius, Ambrose and Augustine. The church built over his tomb became one of the seven principal churches in Rome and a favorite place for Roman pilgrimages.

A well-known legend has persisted from earliest times. As deacon in Rome, Lawrence was charged with the responsibility for the material goods of the Church, and the distribution of alms to the poor. When Lawrence knew he would be arrested like the pope, he sought out the poor, widows and orphans of Rome and gave them all the money he had on hand, selling even the sacred vessels to increase the sum. When the prefect of Rome heard of this, he imagined that the Christians must have considerable treasure. He sent for Lawrence and said, “You Christians say we are cruel to you, but that is not what I have in mind. I am told that your priests offer in gold, that the sacred blood is received in silver cups, that you have golden candlesticks at your evening services. Now, your doctrine says you must render to Caesar what is his. Bring these treasures—the emperor needs them to maintain his forces. God does not cause money to be counted: He brought none of it into the world with him—only words. Give me the money, therefore, and be rich in words.”

Lawrence replied that the Church was indeed rich. “I will show you a valuable part. But give me time to set everything in order and make an inventory.” After three days he gathered a great number of blind, lame, maimed, leprous, orphaned and widowed persons and put them in rows. When the prefect arrived, Lawrence simply said, “These are the treasure of the Church.”

The prefect was so angry he told Lawrence that he would indeed have his wish to die—but it would be by inches. He had a great gridiron prepared, with coals beneath it, and had Lawrence’s body placed on it. After the martyr had suffered the pain for a long time, the legend concludes, he made his famous cheerful remark, “It is well done. Turn me over!”

QUESTION: Who today would make a great modern day saint?

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

2010-08-06T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's blogger is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Ps. 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
Responsorial Psalm

R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

REFLECTION: Today's Responsorial Psalm speaks of this Feast of the Transfiguration today. This psalm of praise reminds us why we gather together week after week. "The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory" This particular part of the psalm allows us to reflect on his marvelous deeds through justice. It is that justice that we continue to see our Lord in each other day after day.

QUESTION: What is your take on today's responsorial psalm "The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory"

Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-08-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Mt 15:1-2, 10-14

Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?
They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.”
He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand.
It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man;
but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.”
Then his disciples approached and said to him,
“Do you know that the Pharisees took offense
when they heard what you said?”
He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted
will be uprooted.
Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.
If a blind man leads a blind man,
both will fall into a pit.”

REFLECTION: “Hear and understand" we read in today's Gospel. What does it mean to hear? What does it mean to understand? Whenever we prepare ourselves to listen to the Gospel reading at Mass, we make a small Sign of the Cross on our forehead, our lips, and on our hearts. We make the Sign of the Cross in those three ways to remind ourselves that "May the words of the Holy Gospel be in my mind, in my mouth, and in my heart". By doing these actions it is a gentle reminder of how we need to apply the scriptures to our daily life.

QUESTIONS: What other rituals do you have in your daily life that you do that will remind you of something else? How much ritual is in your daily life?

PRAYER: Take a listen below!

Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-07-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Mt 13:54-58

Gospel

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.
They were astonished and said,
"Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter's son?
Is not his mother named Mary
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us?
Where did this man get all this?"
And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them,
"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and in his own house."
And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith.

REFLECTION: Have you ever gone to a strange or new place and not know anyone? How did people adapt to you? Or should I ask, did they adapt to you? Often times when visiting a well established area where "everybody knows your name" it is very hard for an outsider to come in. We witness the opposite in today's gospel. Jesus went to his native land and people were not very accepting of him. Whenever we go home we want to have that sense of security--especially children. Today's gospel reminds us to talk to each other, get to know each other.

QUESTIONS: Do I rush to judge someone? Have you ever been judged? If so, how did it feel?

Please post your replies below! simply click on the reply button and select anonymous to share you thoughts!

PRAYER:
Lord, take me where You want me to go;
Let me meet who You want me to meet;
Tell me what You want me to say; and
Keep me out of your way.

(Pray written by Fr. Michael Judge)

Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-07-27T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Jer 14:17-22

Let my eyes stream with tears
day and night, without rest,
Over the great destruction which overwhelms
the virgin daughter of my people,
over her incurable wound.
If I walk out into the field,
look! those slain by the sword;
If I enter the city,
look! those consumed by hunger.
Even the prophet and the priest
forage in a land they know not.

Have you cast Judah off completely?
Is Zion loathsome to you?
Why have you struck us a blow
that cannot be healed?
We wait for peace, to no avail;
for a time of healing, but terror comes instead.
We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness,
the guilt of our fathers;
that we have sinned against you.
For your name's sake spurn us not,
disgrace not the throne of your glory;
remember your covenant with us, and break it not.
Among the nations' idols is there any that gives rain?
Or can the mere heavens send showers?
Is it not you alone, O LORD,
our God, to whom we look?
You alone have done all these things.

REFLECTION:

Allow me to share a story I heard recently... Bishop Sheen was approached by a woman one day who said she would never want to be a Catholic. Bishop asked this woman why. The woman replied saying that why would Catholics want to repeat prayers time and time again. By doing that it becomes so habit forming that we would forget what we were praying for. The Bishop then asked her who was the man that was with her. She replied saying that it was her fiancee. Bishop Sheen then asked why are you with this man. She replied saying because he loves me. He asked how did you know that he loved you. She replied saying that he told me. Bishop Sheen asked when. The woman replied with an hour ago. Bishop asked if he had ever told her that before. She replied with yes. He asked when. She replied with last night. Just once asked Bishop? She replied no, all the time. Bishop then said his love for you doesn't matter, because he says it to you all the time.

What a powerful story. It can show you that even when things are not going the way that we want them too, that YES we can pray those prayers that we know often. Every day our prayers have a new meaning or we may look at them in a different light. When times get tough, we can always go to those prayers that give us continual comfort. Like in today's reading, we all need something to grasp onto.

QUESTION: What prayer provides the most comfort for you?

PRAYER: Listen Below!

Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-07-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

Mt 13:18-23

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Hear the parable of the sower.
The seed sown on the path is the one who hears the word of the Kingdom
without understanding it,
and the Evil One comes and steals away
what was sown in his heart.
The seed sown on rocky ground
is the one who hears the word and receives it at once with joy.
But he has no root and lasts only for a time.
When some tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
he immediately falls away.
The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word,
but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word
and it bears no fruit.
But the seed sown on rich soil
is the one who hears the word and understands it,
who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."

REFLECTION:

Today's reflection comes from a recording from Father Robert Barron from the Archdiocese of Chicago "The Word on Fire". Enjoy!

Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-07-20T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Mt 13:36-43

Gospel

Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.
His disciples approached him and said,
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
He said in reply, "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man,
the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom.
The weeds are the children of the Evil One,
and the enemy who sows them is the Devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire,
so will it be at the end of the age.
The Son of Man will send his angels,
and they will collect out of his Kingdom
all who cause others to sin and all evildoers.
They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun
in the Kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears ought to hear."

REFLECTION:
Some strong words here this Tuesday. Today's Gospel is a constant reminder of what happens when good seeds are planted. "He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom." Where exactly is it though that we can find this in our families and within our communities?

Of course it will have to start with each and everyone of us (you). The way that we look at life through the different lenses that we all have is what makes us all individuals in our own ways. It is in that individuality that we become accustomed with ourselves and that everything should be done the way that we see it--the way we want it.

Taking the time to be in the shoes of someone else can have an everlasting footprint amongst ones life. By seeing other situations will help us to plant seeds beyond our own lenses.

Question: What kind of seeds do you plant?

Prayer: Please listen to this song below, Seek Ye First

PLEASE post any thoughts, or reflections below. Simply click on the reply button and select "anonymous"

Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-07-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Carmen.

According to my resources, the name Carmen is a derivation of Carmel which is one of the titles given to Our Blessed Mother, namely, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This is the patronal feast of the Carmelites. The Order of Carmelites takes its name from Mount Carmel, which was the first place dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and where a chapel was erected in her honor before her Assumption into Heaven. July 16 is also the feast of the "Scapular of Mount Carmel". On that day in 1251, pious tradition says, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock, General of the Carmelites at Cambridge, England, showed him the scapular and promised supernatural favors and her special protection to his Order and to all persons who would wear the scapular. To obtain the indulgences and other benefits promised to those who wear the Carmelite scapular, a person must be invested by a priest who has the requisite faculties and must lead a consistent Christian life. Her feast day is July 16th.
(adapted from http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=578)

REFLECTION:
In an effort to have more dialogue on this blog, what stories do you know of Our Lady of Mount Carmel? What special traditions do you take part in for this day?

Please post your responses below. Simply click on Anonymous and type in your comments! It is that easy!

Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time

2010-07-13T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Sister Clarita Schumacher, OSF, Pastoral Associate at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Is 7:1-9

In the days of Ahaz, king of Judah, son of Jotham, son of Uzziah,
Rezin, king of Aram,
and Pekah, king of Israel, son of Remaliah,
went up to attack Jerusalem,
but they were not able to conquer it.
When word came to the house of David that Aram
was encamped in Ephraim,
the heart of the king and the heart of the people trembled,
as the trees of the forest tremble in the wind.

Then the LORD said to Isaiah: Go out to meet Ahaz,
you and your son Shear-jashub,
at the end of the conduit of the upper pool,
on the highway of the fuller's field, and say to him:
Take care you remain tranquil and do not fear;
let not your courage fail
before these two stumps of smoldering brands
the blazing anger of Rezin and the Arameans,
and of the son Remaliah,
because of the mischief that
Aram, Ephraim and the son of Remaliah,
plots against you, saying,
"Let us go up and tear Judah asunder, make it our own by force,
and appoint the son of Tabeel king there."

Thus says the LORD:
This shall not stand, it shall not be!
Damascus is the capital of Aram,
and Rezin is the head of Damascus;
Samaria is the capital of Ephraim,
and Remaliah's son the head of Samaria.

But within sixty years and five,
Ephraim shall be crushed, no longer a nation.
Unless your faith is firm
you shall not be firm!

REFLECTION:

Isaiah urges firm faith for the people who are surrounded by enemies. When my enemies of sickness, self-doubt, being too busy, trying to control people and situations surround me, do I have faith? Faith is like the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark. When I sit still in dark times and become aware of the enemies within, do also become aware of the God within me and with me.

QUESTIONS:

When has my faith faltered when faced with my daily challenges?

When has my faith helped me through difficult times and situations?

PRAYER:

Jesus, increase my faith. Help me to grow in the awareness of your abiding presence. Jesus, I believe in you. Amen

Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-07-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Sr. Clarita Schumacher, OSF, Pastoral Associate at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Mt 10:16-23

Gospel

Jesus said to his Apostles:
"Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
But beware of men,
for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.
Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel
before the Son of Man comes."

REFLECTION:

"Do not worry about how you are to speak."

Often there are times when we may worry what to say to another person when ...

... someone they love has died

... they or a family member has lost their job

... a person tells you that they have cancer or an incurable disease

... there has been a terrible family arguement

... a son or daughter no longer believes in God

Often it is best just to BE there with a listening ear, a compassionate heart,

a reassurance that you care, a reminder that God's presence is always with us.

QUESTION:
When have I experienced God guiding my words in surprising ways?

PRAYER:

Jesus help me to not worry, to listen attentively, to call someone who is hurting,

and to pray for another. May I always be open to You and allow the Spirit to speak

in and thru me. Thank you, God, for being our God. Amen.

Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-07-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Ps 48:2-3a, 3b-4, 5-6, 7-8

Responsorial Psalm

R. (see 9d) God upholds his city for ever.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
R. God upholds his city for ever.
Mount Zion, "the recesses of the North,"
is the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
renowned is he as a stronghold.
R. God upholds his city for ever.
For lo! the kings assemble,
they come on together;
They also see, and at once are stunned,
terrified, routed.
R. God upholds his city for ever.
Quaking seizes them there;
anguish, like a woman's in labor,
As though a wind from the east
were shattering ships of Tarshish.
R. God upholds his city for ever.

QUESTION: What do you do to uphold God's Kingdom?

Feel free to post your responses!

Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-07-02T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Mt 9:9-13

Gospel

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and said,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

REFLECTION:
Today's Gospel reminds us that we need to continue to be fed in order to be healthy. Just as we put food into our bodies, we need to feed ourselves spiritually as well. How do our bodies feel when we do not give it the proper nourishment of food and drink that it needs?--Our bodies will send us some type of signal that something needs to change. Our spirituality works the same way.

If we deny ourselves the proper spirituality that we need we will feel out of balance--something is missing. Think about a point in time in your life that you may not of had the best prayer life--was something missing? Did you feel incomplete? Adding prayer or increasing prayer in our lives will help us to continue to find the inner peace that we all long for. Anxiety levels will be lower as well.

QUESTIONS:
What is your body currently telling you? Is something missing? Are you out of balance?

Have a safe weekend,
Vince
Feel free to post responses below!

Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-06-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Jn 21:15-19
Gospel
Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples
and, when they had finished breakfast, said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
He said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

REFLECTION:

In this Gospel reading Jesus tells Peter how to follow him through service to others especially those in greatest need. If we love God we must serve others. We must feed others. We must love others they way they need to be loved. We must be willing to go and do what God wants from us. Through Baptism we are given the call to serve. We are given the strength to do this by the continual presence of God among us through the Holy Spirit and through the gift of the Eucharist. Each time we receive the Eucharist we are strengthen in faith to become more like Christ and to do what Christ ask from us. We become what we eat! We make Christ present where we are.

The passage ends with a statement about the reality of life. As we grow old we depend more on others for the basic things of life. We need to let go and trust in God. It is difficult to accept the weakness of the body, poor eye sight, lack of hearing, pains and aches. But this is when we give others the opportunities to be Christ for us. Our weakness offers them the possibility to grow and become strong in faith.

QUESTIONS:
How do I feed others? How do I bring others Christ through my presence? Do I add to another’s life or take away from their life? Am I positive and loving or negative and anxiety-ridden? Am I willing to let go and let others do things for me? Am I ready to fully follow the Lord in my daily life.

Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-06-25T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Mt 8:1-4

Gospel

When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.

And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said,

“Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”

He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said,

“I will do it. Be made clean.”

His leprosy was cleansed immediately.

Then Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one,

but go show yourself to the priest,

and offer the gift that Moses prescribed;

that will be proof for them.”

REFLECTION:

To "believe" in something is to make a commitment. We read about that in today's Gospel. The Leper believed in Jesus and in turn the Leper was made clean. It is through our prayers that we can come closer to our Lord. Often times we are so full of anxiety that we want a response right away and on our own time. Answers could days, weeks, months, even years. Everything is on God's time. Sometimes this may even be a gentle reminder from our Lord of what is truly important at this point in time.

There is however a difference between "believing" and "knowing". We know that 2+2=4. As Catholics, we believe that the bread and wine becomes Jesus' body and blood. There are those who do not "believe" in our Lord Jesus Christ because he is not tangible. Some do not believe to pray to somebody who is nailed to a cross. As Christians and as Catholics, this can challenge us at times. It can make us focus on the what, who and why we truly "believe"?

QUESTIONS: Why do you "believe"? How do you show others who and what you "believe" in? Is it hard at times to "believe"?

Feel free to post your responses below!

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-06-22T00:00:00.002-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Mt 7:6, 12-14

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine,

lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.

This is the Law and the Prophets.

“Enter through the narrow gate;

for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction,

and those who enter through it are many.

How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.

And those who find it are few.”

REFLECTION:

Even though today's Gospel is short, there is a lot to unpack! "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you"--some very powerful words. We know that this is very hard to do at times, because there are times that we may get upset at certain situations in life. It does however start with each and every one of us. We think before we speak and act and put yourself in somebody else's position, how different our responses may be to one another. Often times we want to react to situations right away. It is in those quiet moments that we take the time to think of what is the right thing to do.

The Serenity Prayer is a prayer that can be applied to these situations when we need a reminder. A copy of it can be seen below.

The Gospel today also reminds us to pause and to see what path we are on. Do we always follow God's voice? Are we tempted from means in life? The song "Strength for the Journey" comes to mind. Take a listen. http://www.spiritandsong.com/compositions/31010

Questions: What path are you on? How can you stay on God's path? How are you with accepting change? Is it easy or a challenge? What could make the changes in life easier for you?

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Friday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time

2010-06-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Mt 6:19-23

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.

But store up treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

“The lamp of the body is the eye.

If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light;

but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness.

And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”

REFLECTION:
Have you ever heard someone say, "You can't take it with you when you die?" That one question sums up today's Gospel Reading. To be filled with the light, we need our eyes to recognize all that is around us. If there is a need, if possible, we want to help. Volunteering is a great way to see the light. Often volunteers are very happy people. When going to hospitals, it is often that the retired folks volunteer some time and greet you with a smile. As trying as hospitals can be for some people, the smile from a stranger can provide some comfort.

For others there is volunteering at local parishes, schools, and within the local community.

QUESTION:
Where do you see the light? What is keeping your light from shining?

Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

2010-06-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Mt 5:43-48

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:

“You have heard that it was said,

You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

But I say to you, love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you,

that you may be children of your heavenly Father,

for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,

and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?

Do not the tax collectors do the same?

And if you greet your brothers only,

what is unusual about that?

Do not the pagans do the same?

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

REFLECTION:
We like to think that we are the best that we can be to everyone. We hope to be like that, right? But in our human nature we know that there are times that we wished we didn't say or do something. We think back and perhaps feel bad about some instance in time. Hopefully after such an event takes place, a reconciliation of sorts takes place. We need to be at peace with one another. It is a matter of having respect for another.

There are those times that something may have been done to you that you may think is not the fairest option possible. It is in those moments that we can grow the most. It is through those trying times that we are able to think of the trails that Jesus went through.

QUESTIONS:
What can you do to be more like Jesus? Is there something that you can say or do that may make a difference?

Feel free to post your thoughts below! Would love to read them!

Enjoy your day,
Peace,
Vince

Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-06-11T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Ez 34:11-16

Thus says the Lord GOD:

I myself will look after and tend my sheep.

As a shepherd tends his flock

when he finds himself among his scattered sheep,

so will I tend my sheep.

I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered

when it was cloudy and dark.

I will lead them out from among the peoples

and gather them from the foreign lands;

I will bring them back to their own country

and pasture them upon the mountains of Israel

in the land's ravines and all its inhabited places.

In good pastures will I pasture them,

and on the mountain heights of Israel

shall be their grazing ground.

There they shall lie down on good grazing ground,

and in rich pastures shall they be pastured

on the mountains of Israel.

I myself will pasture my sheep;

I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD.

The lost I will seek out,

the strayed I will bring back,

the injured I will bind up,

the sick I will heal,

but the sleek and the strong I will destroy,

shepherding them rightly.

REFLECTION:
Have you ever watched children play "Follow the Leader"? In such a game, everyone does exactly what the leader wants them to do. But what happens when a player in the game decides to stop playing altogether? I do not recall any rules on that. Eventually though the game will come to an end. Period. Done.

We know that as Jesus as our leader he takes on the role of "follow-up" in the "Follow-the-Leader" game. Jesus is always wanting us to come back--some do all the time, and yet some keep falling away. Yet, Jesus is always there to welcome us with open arms.

QUESTIONS:
How can you be more like Jesus as Shepherd? What other names do you have for Jesus that give you comfort? (Example: Risen Lord, Messiah, King of Kings, etc)

Post your thoughts below!

Tuesday of the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time

2010-06-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel Mt 5: 13-16

Jesus said to his disciples:

“You are the salt of the earth.

But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?

It is no longer good for anything

but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

You are the light of the world.

A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;

it is set on a lampstand,

where it gives light to all in the house.

Just so, your light must shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your heavenly Father.”

REFLECTION:
Today's Gospel Reading reminds us of our vocation to the Church. Some of us attend Mass weekly or daily, some volunteer in other activities around the parish, and some have even taken ministry jobs within the Church.

In order for us to keep doing what we are doing our light needs to continue to shine. Whether it is a home, work, or just even out with friends, those who are tired will show it. Often times we all want to be with people who are going to energize us.

The Gospel today tells us that we should take time for ourselves in order to be good for others. If we are good to others, we can continue to enjoy all that God offers us.

QUESTIONS:
What is your vocation to the Church? Are you being called to serve in some way? How do you take care of yourself? Where does your light shine?

Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-06-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

2 Tm 3:10-17

You have followed my teaching, way of life,

purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions,

and sufferings, such as happened to me

in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra,

persecutions that I endured.

Yet from all these things the Lord delivered me.

In fact, all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus

will be persecuted.

But wicked people and charlatans will go from bad to worse,

deceivers and deceived.

But you, remain faithful to what you have learned and believed,

because you know from whom you learned it,

and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures,

which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching,

for refutation, for correction,

and for training in righteousness,

so that one who belongs to God may be competent,

equipped for every good work.

REFLECTION:
Today's First Reading reminds us of how we should follow our faith. Of course, we can only follow what we have learned over the years. Is it right to past judgment on someone who may be ignorant to something that you may know? As Catholics, we must continue to pass on the faith to one another. But how you may ask? Here are a few ways:
-Read scripture with others and share your thoughts and feelings
-Volunteer in the Religious Education Program as a Catechist
-Lead by example
-Pray for one another
-Ask questions
-Attend Mass as a faithful witness
-Volunteer within the local community

Question: How will you pass on our Catholic faith to someone else?

Post your responses below!

Friday of the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time

2010-05-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

1 Pt 4:7-13

Beloved:

The end of all things is at hand.

Therefore be serious and sober-minded

so that you will be able to pray.

Above all, let your love for one another be intense,

because love covers a multitude of sins.

Be hospitable to one another without complaining.

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another

as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God;

whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies,

so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,

to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you,

as if something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ,

so that when his glory is revealed

you may also rejoice exultantly.

REFLECTION:
Today's First Reading brings to mind two sayings in life. #1 "live each day to the fullest" & #2 "treat others as you would like to be treated." In our face paced society, we can often leave others behind. Sometimes we think we may not have the time to help somebody out in need. If we truly took the time to stop and think about the situation, chances are some time can be built in to help others.

Service is a part of our Catholic life. As we were all confirmed, we became the "soldiers for Christ", the adults in the Catholic Church. Part of that is to be of service to one another. Service is not an expectation, it is a way of life. We all have gifts! How can we use our talents/gifts to help others?

QUESTIONS:
How would Jesus want us to respond to those who are in need of help? What ways can you help those in need in the Addison Community (or your local community)?

Post your responses below!

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

2010-05-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel Mk 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus,

“We have given up everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you,

there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters

or mother or father or children or lands

for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel

who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:

houses and brothers and sisters

and mothers and children and lands,

with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.

But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

REFLECTION:
Often times, people turn to their faith in a time of struggle. Perhaps someone may have been away from church for awhile and has decided to start attending again because everything is not how they would want it to be in their life. Then, when things get better, old habits kick back in and church falls away. This process may happen over and over again. This is okay. It shows that our loving God will be their for us. God's love and forgiveness is much greater for us than what we may be able to offer back.

In time, many will realize how important their faith life needs to be. We need to remember that not everyone has had the same education along the way and we need to be willing to meet people with open arms.

QUESTION:
How often do you think people came into and out of Jesus' life over his time? What can you do to make St. Philip (or your parish) a more welcoming place?

Feel free to post your replies below! It only takes one to start a conversation! That person can be YOU!

Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter

2010-05-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said,

“Father, the hour has come.

Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you,

just as you gave him authority over all people,

so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him.

Now this is eternal life,

that they should know you, the only true God,

and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.

I glorified you on earth

by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.

Now glorify me, Father, with you,

with the glory that I had with you before the world began.

“I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.

They belonged to you, and you gave them to me,

and they have kept your word.

Now they know that everything you gave me is from you,

because the words you gave to me I have given to them,

and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you,

and they have believed that you sent me.

I pray for them.

I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me,

because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours

and everything of yours is mine,

and I have been glorified in them.

And now I will no longer be in the world,

but they are in the world, while I am coming to you.”

REFLECTION:
Prayer is something that many people take part in. You would not be reading this if you were not in prayer. There are after all many different types of prayers that we can pray for. Two of the more common types of prayer are those of thanksgiving and petition. Through our prayers of Thanksgiving, we give praise and thanks to God for the various in our lives. Through prayers of petition, we are calling upon God to hear us in our time of need.

QUESTION:
How often do you pray? Do you find your prayer time beneficial or becoming a habit? What is it that you pray for?

Please feel free to dialogue amongst each other by posting your responses below!

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

2010-05-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Feast of St. Matthias
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”

RELFECTION & QUESTIONS:
Did you ever wonder why you exist now and were not born at a different time in history? This Gospel reminds us that we have been called to minister wherever we are now for a reason. God chose each of us to make Christ present in the world at a specific time and place. God chose us to minister now for whatever reason. It is our choice whether we do the job or not. We have been given the freedom to be Christ for others in our time and place. We do that by using the unique gifts and talents God has given us. If we remain in his love, we will do his will, if we do it His way we will bear much fruit. If we do it “my way” it is hit or miss. If we do it His way we will experience the joy and peace that the world cannot give but only He gives. Then we will have complete joy and peace here and now where we are. Do I remain in Christ’s love now? Do I do his will or my will now? Do I have his joy and peace in my life right now? Do I share it with others?

Please post your answer, thoughts, or questions below!

Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter

2010-05-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Saint of the Day:
(Adapted from http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.aspx)

St. Ignatius of Laconi
(1701-1781)

Ignatius is another sainted begging brother.

He was the second of seven children of peasant parents in Sardinia. His path to the Franciscans was unusual. During a serious illness, Ignatius vowed to become a Capuchin if he recovered. He regained his health but ignored the promise. A riding accident prompted him to renew the pledge, which he acted on the second time; he was 20 then. Ignatius’s reputation for self-denial and charity led to his appointment as the official beggar for the friars in Cagliari. He fulfilled that task for 40 years; he was blind the last two years.

While on his rounds, Ignatius would instruct the children, visit the sick and urge sinners to repent. The people of Cagliari were inspired by his kindness and his faithfulness to his work. He was canonized in 1951.

QUESTION:
What traits of Saint Ignatius of Laconi caught your attention? What traits do you have that could help others? Please share by posting a reply below!

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

2010-05-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel Jn 15:12-17

Jesus said to his disciples:

“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.

No one has greater love than this,

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

I no longer call you slaves,

because a slave does not know what his master is doing.

I have called you friends,

because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you

and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,

so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”

REFLECTION:
Today's Gospel reminds us of love for another. Often times it may be hard to love someone who we know that does not love us back. It is through that everlasting love that we can put hate aside. There are though times in our lives that the last thing we may want to do is love someone. We can experience hurt in many different forms. Surely in life, we are not going to be best friends with everyone that we come in contact with. The gospel really speaks of having an understanding for one another.

Today's Gospel also has a musical version. It took me awhile to find it in its entirety and I found a clip of it by a church group somewhere singing the song. Take a listen if you have a chance today at the attached link.

Question: How would life be different if we took the time to understand one another?

FEEL FREE to post your responses below!

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

2010-05-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's Gospel Jn 14:27-31a

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give it to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me tell you,

‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’

If you loved me,

you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;

for the Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you this before it happens,

so that when it happens you may believe.

I will no longer speak much with you,

for the ruler of the world is coming.

He has no power over me,

but the world must know that I love the Father
and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

REFLECTION:
When Mass comes to an end with the Priest or Deacon says "The Mass is ended. Go in peace and love to serve the Lord." I am often surprised as to what I often witness afterwards.

At times people start gossiping before they leave the church. There is a lack of patience in the parking lot with one another. To go in peace is to do just that. By being patient with each other we can help to make our communities a better place to be. If we as adults have a hard time, what can we expect of children?

QUESTION:
What is it that you can do to "Go in Peace"? This is a question that can have a lot of feedback here on the blog. It only takes one person to start by posting an answer. Could it be you!?!?

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

2010-04-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's Gospel: Jn 14: 1-6

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”

REFLECTION & QUESTION:
Often times when I attend a funeral, a lot of the same readings are chosen time and time again by various families. The Gospel Reading today has so much packed into it and leaves an excellent message. This is a reading that I do not hear that often.

In the Gospel we read about those who believe will know where they are going. There is no questioning where we will go when we meet Jesus face to face. Those who believe have this faith.

I am the way, the truth, and the life. What powerful words. As we will one day meet Jesus face to face will we know the way? What is it that needs to change in your life for you to know the way? Is there something that you can do to help others find their way as well?

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

2010-04-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's Gospel Jn 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.

REFLECTION:
It is fun to watch children around a Christmas Tree each year waiting to see what is under the tree for them. We know that gifts can come in all different shapes and sizes. But for the little children, seeing is believing. They have no idea what is inside those boxes until they are unwrapped.

We read a similar story in today's Gospel. There are those who need to see to believe and those who may take it for granted. Many though believe because something was taught to them. Those who follow Jesus may not of been able to explain everything, but they had the faith to keep on believing.

QUESTION: Do you walk by faith or do you walk by sight?

Feel free to post your thoughts below!

Friday of the Third Week of Easter

2010-04-23T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

6:52-59
Gospel

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,
“How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?”
Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood,
you do not have life within you.
Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood
has eternal life,
and I will raise him on the last day.
For my Flesh is true food,
and my Blood is true drink.
Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood
remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me
and I have life because of the Father,
so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

REFLECTION:
Throughout my time in College there was plenty of talk about what the Eucharist meant to each and everyone of us. At one particular class a classmate of mine said that after she received the Eucharist as she would walk back to her seat she would pray for each and every person that she made eye contact within the Church whether she knew the person or not. For me, that has always stuck with me. The Eucharist brings us together at Mass not only closer to Jesus, but to those in our faith community.

QUESTION:
Who is it that you pray for after you receive the Eucharist? Bishop Sartain of the Diocese of Joliet has named this year "The Year of the Eucharist". What can you do to have the Eucharist as a more prominent part in your life?

Feel free to post your comments, thoughts or questions below!

Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

2010-04-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's blog author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel John 6:30-35

The crowd said to Jesus:
“What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?
What can you do?
Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:

He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

So Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;
my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world.”

So they said to Jesus,
“Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

REFLECTION:
This is a wonderful reading for this time of the year. Many parishes will be celebrating First Communion in the coming weeks. I still remember receiving my First Communion some years ago. What a wonderful feeling to be able to receive the Eucharist at Mass with the rest of the Congregation.

QUESTIONS: What is it that feeds you when you attend Mass? What meaning does receiving the Eucharist have for you?

Feel free to post your responses below!
Enjoy the day!
Vince

Friday of the Second Week of Easter

2010-04-16T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry of St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's Responsorial Psalm:

R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
One thing I ask of the LORD
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.

R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

R. One thing I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS:
Today's responsorial psalm gives us much hope. Often times, this psalm is a commonly used psalm at funerals because of the message that it leaves you with.

For the most part, I am sure most of us enjoy the homes that we live in. Having a place to sleep, eat, and stay warm/cool is something that we all probably take for granted. How many of us though take the time to think of what it may be like in heaven with our Lord? Should our goal to be to get into heaven? If so, how would you go about it?

Enjoy the weekend,
Vince

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

2010-04-13T00:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome Back!

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry of St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's Gospel Jn: 3:7b-15

Gospel Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“‘You must be born from above.’
The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;
so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus answered and said to him,
‘How can this happen?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?
Amen, amen, I say to you,
we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen,
but you people do not accept our testimony.
If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe,
how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

REFLECTION:

Have you ever heard the saying, “Seeing is believing”? Many times throughout life we need to “see” something before we can believe that something is true. In a day in age when everyone enjoys thinking and discussing on various topics, we are programmed to ask questions right away. However when is “seeing” not what it appears to be?

I have a twin brother. We look nothing alike. If you have seen the movie “Twins” you know exactly what I am talking about (I would take the role of Danny DeVito). Whenever we have met somebody new most people think we are joking because we look so different. Usually we need another witness around to confirm. What does that say as we meet one another? Would people lie from the beginning? If so, that would probably not make for a great friendship. Think about your family and friends for a moment. When you think of trust, who comes to mind? Hopefully everyone does! If not, it may be time to examine the influences in your life.

In today's Gospel Jesus is telling one another to listen to each other. As we listen to each other we are able to "see" clearly. Did everyone listen to Jesus? Did Jesus have to do any convincing?

As you go about your day, take the time to listen. I would challenge you to take five minutes out of your day and just sit and listen or perhaps go for a walk and just listen to what Jesus is telling you. It is in those silent moments that we can see and hear clearly.

Easter Sunday -- April 4, 2010

2010-04-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

As you attend Church today, we rejoice! This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad! Be sure to take the time today to be thankful for all the wonderful things that you have in your life! We especially thank Jesus for all that we have in our life, and for His life that we gave for us.

On behalf of Father Mark, Frank Giangrego, Patti Sue Stolfe, and LaVerne Tedeski, we thank you for allowing us to journey with you during this Lenten Season.

The blog will continue on a weekly basis starting next week.

Happy Easter to you and your family!
~Vince Zaprzal
Director of Pastoral Ministry

Holy Saturday -- April 3, 2010

2010-04-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel
At daybreak on the first day of the week
the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus
took the spices they had prepared
and went to the tomb.
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb;
but when they entered,
they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
While they were puzzling over this, behold,
two men in dazzling garments appeared to them.
They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground.
They said to them,
“Why do you seek the living one among the dead?
He is not here, but he has been raised.
Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee,
that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners
and be crucified, and rise on the third day.”
And they remembered his words.
Then they returned from the tomb
and announced all these things to the eleven
and to all the others.
The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James;
the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles,
but their story seemed like nonsense
and they did not believe them.
But Peter got up and ran to the tomb,
bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone;
then he went home amazed at what had happened.

REFLECTION: We are an Easter people, Alleluia! The story continues today because Jesus rose from the dead as he said. Alleluia! It started at the empty tomb when women and men realized Jesus was real and risen. The realization that Jesus spoke the truth and so must they. Women and men still proclaim this message today. We collaborate and use our gifts for the good of all. We bring Christ to those who need him most in their most trying situations. We bring Christ to those who don’t believe or can’t believe. We bring Christ to those who hate and to those who have lost hope. We bring Christ to those who are lonely and those who are in denial. We bring Christ to the skeptics and the doubters. We bring Christ to the addicted and to the hurting. We bring Christ to the arrogant and the proud. We bring Christ to the weak and the vulnerable. We bring Christ to the confident and to those who lead others. We bring Christ to the rich and the poor, to the young and the old. We bring Christ to individuals in all stages of their lives. This is the church. We are the church. If we don’t do this today, who will? To bring Christ to others, we must know him ourselves. How well do I know Christ? How well to I love Christ? How well do I serve Christ? What can I do better during this Easter Season? What one step will I take each day to be Christ for others?

Good Friday -- April 2, 2010

2010-04-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Faith Formation Director at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

REFLECTION

As we celebrate Good Friday let’s reflect on the last words of Jesus on the cross. Jesus taught us not only how to live but also how to die. How to die to the old self. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 Before we die we must forgive those who have hurt us and we must ask forgiveness of those we have hurt. How can we experience a peaceful death if we can’t forgive and forget? Who do I need to forgive? What do I need to forget?

“Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23: 43. Jesus responds to Dismas the good thief who was crucified with him. Jesus gives us hope that there is eternal life and those who believe and live in him will be with him in paradise. Christians give hope to others because of our belief in the promises of God. We don’t talk or walk “doom and gloom” that brings others down. Do I bring hope to others or “doom and gloom”? How?

“Woman, behold your son...Son behold your mother” John 19:26-27. These words of Jesus to the beloved disciple John express the importance of loved ones knowing that those who they leave behind will be taken care of by each other. This is what church is all about—we care for those in need, especially the most vulnerable.

How do I care for those in need especially the most vulnerable?

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mark 15: 34. Jesus in his humanity feels desolation and sadness during his sufferings. We experience the same during our suffering but united to Christ’s sufferings, they become redemptive for us. Suffering is part of the human condition and Christ has sanctified it. Those who suffer are close to the Lord. How am I dealing with my sufferings?

“I am thirsty.” John 19:28 Dryness comes as death grows near. This is true physically and spiritually. When we are emotionally upset or frightened we get a dry mouth. What causes my dryness? What do I need to do to quench my thirst? Jesus is the living water that comforts us and keeps us alive. How can I receive the living water that never ends? How can I always be in touch with the living waters?

“It is finished” John 19:30 Jesus realizes that what he needed to do in life was over. He accomplished his task. He accepts the inevitable. How do I accept the inevitable in my life? Or do I hang too long to things that don’t matter anymore?

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” Luke 23:26 Jesus gives over everything to his Father. He is secure in the Father’s love. We need to let go and let God. Abandoning ourselves totally to the Father is the goal of the Christian. God wants us to bring his love into places where there is no love. Where do I need to let go and let God in my life now? Where do I need to bring God’s love?

Holy Thursday--Mass of the Lord's Supper--April 1, 2010

2010-04-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Patti Sue Stolfe, RCIA Education Team Member at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Jn 13:1-15
Gospel

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come

to pass from this world to the Father.

He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.

The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.

So, during supper,

fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power

and that he had come from God and was returning to God,

he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.

He took a towel and tied it around his waist.

Then he poured water into a basin

and began to wash the disciples’ feet

and dry them with the towel around his waist.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,

“Master, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus answered and said to him,

“What I am doing, you do not understand now,

but you will understand later.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered him,

“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”

Simon Peter said to him,

“Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”

Jesus said to him,

“Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,

for he is clean all over;

so you are clean, but not all.”

For he knew who would betray him;

for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So when he had washed their feet

and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,

he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?

You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.

If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,

you ought to wash one another’s feet.

I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

REFLECTION

The Gospel and the Holy Thursday Liturgy are so filled with symbolism and meaning that they are overwhelmingly beautiful.

This is the story of our faith. We gather at Mass as Jesus gathered his apostles. At that Last Supper, the first thing Jesus did was to serve his friends.

He begins by washing their feet and letting them know that he is giving them an example to follow. He is truly aware of their humanity and how they will be tested. By washing their feet, he is showing them how to follow him. He answers Peter’s anxious questions. If you wish to be in my kingdom, you must do as I have done.

To truly love you must serve. As Jesus shows his apostles, you must give of yourself. As Jesus told his apostles: to know the Father, to know me and to receive the Holy Spirit, you must love one another as I have loved you.

We gather at this Liturgy to thank God and to serve one another and to become one body, one spirit in Christ.

QUESTION:
“He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.” How can we enter into his kingdom?

Wednesday of Holy Week -- March 31, 2010

2010-03-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Reading I
Is 50:4-9a
The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue,
That I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning
he opens my ear that I may hear;
And I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
My face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
He is near who upholds my right;
if anyone wishes to oppose me,
let us appear together.
Who disputes my right?
Let him confront me.
See, the Lord GOD is my help;
who will prove me wrong?

REFLECTION:

Today's reading brings a song to mind "Open My Eyes". I invite you to click on this link to listen to it. http://www.spiritandsong.com/compositions/2162

QUESTION:
What is it that our God is calling you to see...to hear...to love?

Tuesday of Holy Week -- March 30, 2010

2010-03-30T12:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Responsorial Psalm
71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17

R. I will sing of your salvation.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, and deliver me;
incline your ear to me, and save me.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
For you are my hope, O Lord;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother’s womb you are my strength.
R. I will sing of your salvation.
My mouth shall declare your justice,
day by day your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. I will sing of your salvation.

REFLECTION:

As we near the end of our Lenten journey, today's responsorial psalm reminds us of where we can turn in our happy, sad, and most trying times. Through our conversations with our God we realize that our God is forgiving and we can grow so much in our faith through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

I was told once that we can only get out as much as we put into the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It really is true. If we only go through the motions of this Sacrament (or any Sacrament for that matter) what are we really accomplishing? For some, the Sacrament can be very uncomfortable for a variety of reasons. The important thing to remember is that we all sin--and we are all looking and seeking for forgiveness. When we are truly free of what is weighing us down, we can be so much happier in life.

As we all sing of our God's salvation today let us take the time to think about what exactly we are praising on this beautiful Tuesday.

QUESTION:
I invite you to read this posting at two different times during the day if possible. As you do that, think about what you might have done differently today because of the psalm. Are you a better person for it?

Please feel free to post your comments and thoughts below!

Monday of Holy Week -- March 29, 2010

2010-03-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Reading I
Is 42:1-7
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
Upon whom I have put my Spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
Not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
A bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
Until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the LORD,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spreads out the earth with its crops,
Who gives breath to its people
and spirit to those who walk on it:
I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant of the people,
a light for the nations,
To open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

REFLECTION:

In today's first reading we read about formation. As we have all been formed, it brings to mind that we have all been put on this earth for a reason. Whether we are in the womb, 5 years old, 25 years old, 50 years old, etc, we are all part of the God's creation. We have all been made in that great image, but of course we are all different shapes and sizes.

QUESTION:
As you think about your life, what are you contributing to your community and/or Church? What can make you a better a person? How could the community/Church benefit from your wonder works?

Feel free to post your thoughts below!

Palm Sunday -- March 28, 2010

2010-03-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Fr. Mark Jendrysik, Pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's Gospel:
Gospel
Lk 22:14—23:56 or 23:1-49
When the hour came,
Jesus took his place at table with the apostles.
He said to them,
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,
for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again
until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said,
“Take this and share it among yourselves;
for I tell you that from this time on
I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine
until the kingdom of God comes.”
Then he took the bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them, saying,
“This is my body, which will be given for you;
do this in memory of me.”
And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
which will be shed for you.

“And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me
is with me on the table;
for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined;
but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.”
And they began to debate among themselves
who among them would do such a deed.

Then an argument broke out among them
about which of them should be regarded as the greatest.
He said to them,
“The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them
and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’;
but among you it shall not be so.
Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest,
and the leader as the servant.
For who is greater:
the one seated at table or the one who serves?
Is it not the one seated at table?
I am among you as the one who serves.
It is you who have stood by me in my trials;
and I confer a kingdom on you,
just as my Father has conferred one on me,
that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom;
and you will sit on thrones
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

“Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded
to sift all of you like wheat,
but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail;
and once you have turned back,
you must strengthen your brothers.”
He said to him,
“Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.”
But he replied,
“I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day,
you will deny three times that you know me.”

He said to them,
“When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals,
were you in need of anything?”
“No, nothing, “ they replied.
He said to them,
“But now one who has a money bag should take it,
and likewise a sack,
and one who does not have a sword
should sell his cloak and buy one.
For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me,
namely, He was counted among the wicked;
and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.”
Then they said,
“Lord, look, there are two swords here.”
But he replied, “It is enough!”

Then going out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives,
and the disciples followed him.
When he arrived at the place he said to them,
“Pray that you may not undergo the test.”
After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling,
he prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing,
take this cup away from me;
still, not my will but yours be done.”
And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him.
He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently
that his sweat became like drops of blood
falling on the ground.
When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples,
he found them sleeping from grief.
He said to them, “Why are you sleeping?
Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.”

While he was still speaking, a crowd approached
and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas.
He went up to Jesus to kiss him.
Jesus said to him,
“Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked,
“Lord, shall we strike with a sword?”
And one of them struck the high priest’s servant
and cut off his right ear.
But Jesus said in reply,
“Stop, no more of this!”
Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards
and elders who had come for him,
“Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
Day after day I was with you in the temple area,
and you did not seize me;
but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness.”

After arresting him they led him away
and took him into the house of the high priest;
Peter was following at a distance.
They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it,
and Peter sat down with them.
When a maid saw him seated in the light,
she looked intently at him and said,
“This man too was with him.”
But he denied it saying,
“Woman, I do not know him.”
A short while later someone else saw him and said,
“You too are one of them”;
but Peter answered, “My friend, I am not.”
About an hour later, still another insisted,
“Assuredly, this man too was with him,
for he also is a Galilean.”
But Peter said,
“My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.”
Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed,
and the Lord turned and looked at Peter;
and Peter remembered the word of the Lord,
how he had said to him,
“Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.”
He went out and began to weep bitterly.
The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him.
They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying,
“Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?”
And they reviled him in saying many other things against him.

When day came the council of elders of the people met,
both chief priests and scribes,
and they brought him before their Sanhedrin.
They said, “If you are the Christ, tell us, “
but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe,
and if I question, you will not respond.
But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated
at the right hand of the power of God.”
They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”
He replied to them, “You say that I am.”
Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony?
We have heard it from his own mouth.”

Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate.
They brought charges against him, saying,
“We found this man misleading our people;
he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar
and maintains that he is the Christ, a king.”
Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
He said to him in reply, “You say so.”
Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds,
“I find this man not guilty.”
But they were adamant and said,
“He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea,
from Galilee where he began even to here.”

On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean;
and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction,
he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time.
Herod was very glad to see Jesus;
he had been wanting to see him for a long time,
for he had heard about him
and had been hoping to see him perform some sign.
He questioned him at length,
but he gave him no answer.
The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile,
stood by accusing him harshly.
Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him,
and after clothing him in resplendent garb,
he sent him back to Pilate.
Herod and Pilate became friends that very day,
even though they had been enemies formerly.
Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people
and said to them, “You brought this man to me
and accused him of inciting the people to revolt.
I have conducted my investigation in your presence
and have not found this man guilty
of the charges you have brought against him,
nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us.
So no capital crime has been committed by him.
Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.”

But all together they shouted out,
“Away with this man!
Release Barabbas to us.”
— Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion
that had taken place in the city and for murder. —
Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus,
but they continued their shouting,
“Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Pilate addressed them a third time,
“What evil has this man done?
I found him guilty of no capital crime.
Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.”
With loud shouts, however,
they persisted in calling for his crucifixion,
and their voices prevailed.
The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted.
So he released the man who had been imprisoned
for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked,
and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

As they led him away
they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian,
who was coming in from the country;
and after laying the cross on him,
they made him carry it behind Jesus.
A large crowd of people followed Jesus,
including many women who mourned and lamented him.
Jesus turned to them and said,
“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me;
weep instead for yourselves and for your children
for indeed, the days are coming when people will say,
‘Blessed are the barren,
the wombs that never bore
and the breasts that never nursed.’
At that time people will say to the mountains,
‘Fall upon us!’
and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’
for if these things are done when the wood is green
what will happen when it is dry?”
Now two others, both criminals,
were led away with him to be executed.

When they came to the place called the Skull,
they crucified him and the criminals there,
one on his right, the other on his left.
Then Jesus said,
“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
They divided his garments by casting lots.
The people stood by and watched;
the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said,
“He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
“If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him there was an inscription that read,
“This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.”

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon
because of an eclipse of the sun.
Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.
Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”;
and when he had said this he breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said,
“This man was innocent beyond doubt.”
When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened,
they returned home beating their breasts;
but all his acquaintances stood at a distance,
including the women who had followed him from Galilee
and saw these events.
Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who,
though he was a member of the council,
had not consented to their plan of action.
He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea
and was awaiting the kingdom of God.
He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
After he had taken the body down,
he wrapped it in a linen cloth
and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb
in which no one had yet been buried.
It was the day of preparation,
and the sabbath was about to begin.
The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind,
and when they had seen the tomb
and the way in which his body was laid in it,
they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils.
Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.

REFLECTION:
As we begin this most holy of weeks, we have the opportunity to walk in the steps of the Lord once again. How we walk in those steps depends on how we view ourselves in relation to the Lord. We could walk as a bystander, just peering in to see what is happening and commenting on what we see. We could give a nice on the scene report of the news. Or we could be one who knows Jesus, but does not want to invest ourselves in our relationship. A casual friend one might say we could be. It is possible for us to look at the situation and say we are a follower of Jesus and walk with him this week. We could feel our feelings of what is happening to us as we once again hear of his passion and death on this Palm Sunday. We could be a part of the crowd that says Crucify Him, or we could be moved by the events we hear and look inside ourselves and see how our Lord truly touches our life. How will we view Palm Sunday, the answer is up to us.

What will I do today to make the reading of the Passion of our Lord more real for me this day and week?

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent -- March 27, 2010

2010-03-27T00:00:00.002-04:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel
Jn 11:45-56
Many of the Jews who had come to Mary
and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him.
But some of them went to the Pharisees
and told them what Jesus had done.
So the chief priests and the Pharisees
convened the Sanhedrin and said,
“What are we going to do?
This man is performing many signs.
If we leave him alone, all will believe in him,
and the Romans will come
and take away both our land and our nation.”
But one of them, Caiaphas,
who was high priest that year, said to them,
“You know nothing,
nor do you consider that it is better for you
that one man should die instead of the people,
so that the whole nation may not perish.”
He did not say this on his own,
but since he was high priest for that year,
he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,
and not only for the nation,
but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.
So from that day on they planned to kill him.

So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews,
but he left for the region near the desert,
to a town called Ephraim,
and there he remained with his disciples.

Now the Passover of the Jews was near,
and many went up from the country to Jerusalem
before Passover to purify themselves.
They looked for Jesus and said to one another
as they were in the temple area, “What do you think?
That he will not come to the feast?”

REFLECTION & QUESTION:

Jesus was causing a stir because of his words and actions. The religious leaders feared him and what he could do. They were afraid of losing their authority over the people. Their fear leads them to plan a way to get rid of him so they don’t lose their power. They want a “sanitized” Jesus they can control. How often do we want a “sanitized” Jesus that doesn’t challenge us? How often do we feel uncomfortable about what Jesus is asking us to do? Jesus calls us to let go of the obstacles from loving---self, God, or others.. How often do we continue to live in fear? It is our fear and anger that prevents us from loving. Forgiveness is the key to letting go of the fear and anger before it destroys us. The time to forgive and forget is now!

Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent -- March 26, 2010

2010-03-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Patti Sue Stolfe, member of the RCIA education team at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel
Jn 10:31-42
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.
Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father.
For which of these are you trying to stone me?”
The Jews answered him,
“We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.
You, a man, are making yourself God.”
Jesus answered them,
“Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, "You are gods"‘?
If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came,
and Scripture cannot be set aside,
can you say that the one
whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world
blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me;
but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me,
believe the works, so that you may realize and understand
that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
Then they tried again to arrest him;
but he escaped from their power.

He went back across the Jordan
to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained.
Many came to him and said,
“John performed no sign,
but everything John said about this man was true.”
And many there began to believe in him.

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS:

“If you do not believe me: believe the works.” At the Last Supper, Jesus told is apostles to go out, to serve and to love one another. By their actions, they would be known as his disciples. We have been given the gift of faith. At times we may take our gift for granted but it is that irrevocable gift that allows us to keep going, to keep trying, to be loving, to be forgiving and to be followers of Jesus. What better time than Lent to act out our faith; knowing by our actions, we acknowledge and nourish the gift.

Does faith feel “real” to you, in the sense that it is tangible?

Can you imagine a life without faith?

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent--March 25, 2010

2010-03-25T00:00:00.007-04:00

Today's author is LaVerne Tedeski, a member of the RCIA education team at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's Gospel
Lk 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS:

“Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will” is today’s responsorial psalm . . . and the heart of Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel. While most of us never expect to take a “leap of faith” with the depth of the Angel Gabriel’s request, we encounter regular opportunities to submit to God’s will. In our day-to-day lives, we often wish for, hope for, pray for a sequence of events that we’re sure will make us happy and enhance our lives. Sometimes our wishes come to pass and they’re as gratifying as we had hoped. Sometimes our wishes come true and they bring consequences—good or bad--that we didn’t see. And sometimes it appears that our prayers weren’t answered at all. But what does come to pass is better than we could have guessed and more than we could ask for!

If we can learn to share our daily concerns with Jesus and ask for His guidance, we can embrace all that He has planned for us and share it with our family, friends and communities. Daily, let Him know that “you’ve come to do His will.”

Think of your comings and goings during the last week . . . did you take the time to listen, to experience the Spirit working in you to help discern your next step? Determine how you can share your "wish list" with Jesus so that He will become a constant partner in your journey in this life.

Thoughts, comments? Please post below!

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent -- March 24, 2010

2010-03-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel
Jn 8:31-42
Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him,
“If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham
and have never been enslaved to anyone.
How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
A slave does not remain in a household forever,
but a son always remains.
So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free.
I know that you are descendants of Abraham.
But you are trying to kill me,
because my word has no room among you.
I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence;
then do what you have heard from the Father.”

They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children,
you would be doing the works of Abraham.
But now you are trying to kill me,
a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God;
Abraham did not do this.
You are doing the works of your father!”
So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication.
We have one Father, God.”
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,
for I came from God and am here;
I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”

REFLECTION & QUESTION:

Today's Gospel reading reminds us of a certain Sacrament--Reconciliation. Reconciliation is a Sacrament that we as Catholics can receive as often as we would like. It is when we go to ask for forgiveness and are truly sorry for our sins that sustain a close relationship with our Lord. He is always willing to listen to us, even if we have gone astray. In the coming days, it may be a great time to examine what is going on in your life and what needs to be forgiven. What is keeping you from being free? What is weighing so heavy on you? With our Lord on your side, all things are possible.

Thoughts, Comments? Please post them below!

Technical Difficulties

2010-03-23T10:33:00.003-04:00

Sorry if you accessed the blog between yesterday and 9:30am this morning. I have been aware of the problem and it is now fixed. As you entered the blog it was redirecting you to a different website. To make a long story short, the web counter that I installed was not a good one and caused other problems. All is well now.

Sorry for any inconvenience,
Vince

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent -- March 23, 2010

2010-03-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today the Church celebrates St. Turibus of Mongrovejo

(The following is from http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1331)

Together with Rose of Lima, Turibius is the first known saint of the New World, serving the Lord in Peru, South America, for 26 years.

Born in Spain and educated for the law, he became so brilliant a scholar that he was made professor of law at the University of Salamanca and eventually became chief judge of the Inquisition at Granada. He succeeded too well. But he was not sharp enough a lawyer to prevent a surprising sequence of events.

When the archdiocese of Lima in Peru required a new leader, Turibius was chosen to fill the post: He was the one person with the strength of character and holiness of spirit to heal the scandals that had infected that area.

He cited all the canons that forbade giving laymen ecclesiastical dignities, but he was overruled. He was ordained priest and bishop and sent to Peru, where he found colonialism at its worst. The Spanish conquerors were guilty of every sort of oppression of the native population. Abuses among the clergy were flagrant, and he devoted his energies (and suffering) to this area first.

He began the long and arduous visitation of an immense archdiocese, studying the language, staying two or three days in each place, often with neither bed nor food. He confessed every morning to his chaplain, and celebrated Mass with intense fervor. Among those to whom he gave the Sacrament of Confirmation was St. Rose of Lima, and possibly St. Martin de Porres. After 1590 he had the help of another great missionary, St. Francis Solanus.

His people, though very poor, were sensitive, dreading to accept public charity from others. Turibius solved the problem by helping them anonymously.

QUESTIONS:

What qualities does St. Turibius have that you admire? What makes those qualities so attractive to you? Do you think you will be seen some day as a Saint? Why or why not?

Feel free to post your responses! We know that a lot of you are reading, we would love to have your interaction!

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent--March 22, 2010

2010-03-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel
Jn 8:12-20
Jesus spoke to them again, saying,
“I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
So the Pharisees said to him,
“You testify on your own behalf,
so your testimony cannot be verified.”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified,
because I know where I came from and where I am going.
But you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.
And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid,
because I am not alone,
but it is I and the Father who sent me.
Even in your law it is written
that the testimony of two men can be verified.
I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me.”
So they said to him, “Where is your father?”
Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father.
If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
He spoke these words
while teaching in the treasury in the temple area.
But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

REFLECTION & QUESTION:

What a great Gospel for a Monday! Today we read, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

As we continue on this Lenten Journey it is a great time to stop what we are doing and evaluate our journey thus far. This is our true last week of Lent before we enter Holy Week. Take the time to ask yourself, Who is my light? Who is it that I follow? Is it always easy to follow that person? If you had to start your Lent would you--why or why not? Am I in darkness? Is there any light at the end of the tunnel?

There is a lot to think about today!
Vince

Fifth Sunday of Lent -- March 21, 2010

2010-03-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Fr. Mark Jendrysik, Pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel
Jn 8:1-11
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area,
and all the people started coming to him,
and he sat down and taught them.
Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman
who had been caught in adultery
and made her stand in the middle.
They said to him,
“Teacher, this woman was caught
in the very act of committing adultery.
Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.
So what do you say?”
They said this to test him,
so that they could have some charge to bring against him.
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him,
he straightened up and said to them,
“Let the one among you who is without sin
be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
And in response, they went away one by one,
beginning with the elders.
So he was left alone with the woman before him.
Then Jesus straightened up and said to her,
“Woman, where are they?
Has no one condemned you?”
She replied, “No one, sir.”
Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.
Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

REFLECTION:
When I was younger, a priest taught me a most valuable lesson that I have not forgotten even to today. I tattled on one of my classmates when I was in first grade. I pointed my finger at that person and then Father told me to stop for a minute and to look at my hand. He asked me how many fingers were being pointed t the person and how many fingers were being pointed at me. I had to say three at me and one at the other person. But father wasn't done yet, he then reminded me in a way that a firs grader could understand that I had to worry about my faults and not the faults of others.

This Sunday as we hear of the woman caught in adultery and the lesson Jesus taught the crowd that day, Jesus could be accused of being soft on sinners, but the passage states very clearly to the woman, Go, but do not sin again. Today for our reflection, let us think about what Jesus said to the woman and to us while we check and see if we have three fingers pointing at us. Time to circle the wagons and let us see who we really are accusing.

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent -- March 20, 2010

2010-03-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel Jn 7:40-53
Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said,“This is truly the Prophet.”Others said, “This is the Christ.”But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he?Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s familyand come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?”So a division occurred in the crowd because of him.Some of them even wanted to arrest him,but no one laid hands on him.

So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees,who asked them, “Why did you not bring him?”The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man.”So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived?Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed.”Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears himand finds out what he is doing?”They answered and said to him,“You are not from Galilee also, are you?Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”Then each went to his own house.

REFLECTION

Christ spoke with such authority that people knew he was different from the other preachers of his time. Their understanding of Christ was blinded by their vision of faith. They had specific ideas of who the Messiah would be and where he would come form.

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent--March 19, 2010 --Feast of St. Joseph

2010-03-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Reading II
Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22
Brothers and sisters:
It was not through the law
that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants
that he would inherit the world,
but through the righteousness that comes from faith.
For this reason, it depends on faith,
so that it may be a gift,
and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants,
not to those who only adhere to the law
but to those who follow the faith of Abraham,
who is the father of all of us, as it is written,
I have made you father of many nations.
He is our father in the sight of God,
in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead
and calls into being what does not exist.
He believed, hoping against hope,
that he would become the father of many nations,
according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be.
That is why it was credited to him as righteousness.

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS

This passage makes us reflect on our forefathers of faith, especially Abraham.
Each family have individuals like Abraham who have passed the faith to the next generation. Each family have individuals who are faithful and persevere no matter what the circumstances life throws them. How can I be more faithful in living my beliefs? What do I need to do to continue to persevere? Think about those ancestors of faith in your family. Picture them sharing the faith with you. Reflect on their personal faith and how it influenced you. Remember their specific faith words and actions to you from your earliest days. The faith passed on to us was personal and meaningful, it was based on love. It was more than words, it was actions. We were gifted with faith through relationship with someone who knew the Lord.

Thank you Creator God for our ancestors of faith, hope, and love. Bless those who blessed me with my faith. Will I be the the person in my family who will pass my precious faith to the next generation. God our Father, show me how to reach this next generation. Help me to pass on what is deep in my heart to those I love. Help me to love as you love!

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

2010-03-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Reading I
Ex 32:7-14
The LORD said to Moses,
“Go down at once to your people
whom you brought out of the land of Egypt,
for they have become depraved.
They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them,
making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it,
sacrificing to it and crying out,
‘This is your God, O Israel,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt!’
The LORD said to Moses,
“I see how stiff-necked this people is.
Let me alone, then,
that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them.
Then I will make of you a great nation.”
But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying,
“Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people,
whom you brought out of the land of Egypt
with such great power and with so strong a hand?
Why should the Egyptians say,
‘With evil intent he brought them out,
that he might kill them in the mountains
and exterminate them from the face of the earth’?
Let your blazing wrath die down;
relent in punishing your people.
Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel,
and how you swore to them by your own self, saying,
‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky;
and all this land that I promised,
I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.’“
So the LORD relented in the punishment
he had threatened to inflict on his people.

REFLECTION:
Is God feeling this way about me? Have I turned away from the things God has pointed out to me? Do I put other things before God? Have I created my own false gods? Is God a priority in my life? Do I recognize my need for God? Am I a stiff-necked person? Am I unwilling to bend to God’s will? Am I stuck in the way I see things? Do I try to see the way God sees? I know I’m a work in progress. God is patient as I grow
as long as I am growing and not stagnating. If I’m in the same place as last year, something is wrong and I’m in danger of becoming stiff-necked. Lent is our spring training to deal with these questions.

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent -- March 17, 2010

2010-03-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Jn 5:17-30
Jesus answered the Jews:
“My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.”
For this reason they tried all the more to kill him,
because he not only broke the sabbath
but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.

Jesus answered and said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own,
but only what he sees the Father doing;
for what he does, the Son will do also.

REFLECTION & QUESTION:
How often do we hear in life that we learn by example? Today's Gospel reading reminds us just of that. The feeling that you can get when somebody you know is looking up to you can be quite humbling. At times though, we do not realize that that person might be watching your every move. How do we live as a good Christian? Do I go to Mass to celebrate the Eucharist as often as I should? Do I help those who are in need? As we go about our day today let us be reminded that we are always being watched by those who love and care for us.

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent --March 16, 2010

2010-03-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Responsorial Psalm
46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
R. (8) The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.
R. The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;
God will help it at the break of dawn.
R. The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
our stronghold is the God of Jacob.
Come! behold the deeds of the LORD,
the astounding things he has wrought on earth.
R. The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

REFLECTION & QUESTION:
Everytime we receive Holy Communion, this would be a great psalm prayer to pray. This prayer speaks of how Holy Communion is such a big part of our lives. Perhaps each time you receive Holy Communion, focus on one of the verses and let it speak to you for the day. What is it saying to you? How can you develop a better reverence for the Eucharist in your daily life?

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

2010-03-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Saint of the Day: St Louise de Marillac
(Bio from http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=196)

Louise de Marillac was born probably at Ferrieres-en-Brie near Meux, France, on August 12, 1591. She was educated by the Dominican nuns at Poissy. She desired to become a nun but on the advice of her confessor, she married Antony LeGras, an official in the Queen's service, in 1613. After Antony's death in 1625, she met St. Vincent de Paul, who became her spiritual adviser. She devoted the rest of her life to working with him. She helped direct his Ladies of Charity in their work of caring for the sick, the poor, and the neglected. In 1633 she set up a training center, of which she was Directress in her own home, for candidates seeking to help in her work. This was the beginning of the Sisters (or Daughters, as Vincent preferred) of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (though it was not formally approved until 1655). She took her vows in 1634 and attracted great numbers of candidates. She wrote a rule for the community, and in 1642, Vincent allowed four of the members to take vows. Formal approval placed the community under Vincent and his Congregation of the Missions, with Louise as Superior. She traveled all over France establishing her Sisters in hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions. By the time of her death in Paris on March 15, the Congregation had more than forty houses in France. Since then they have spread all over the world. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934, and was declared Patroness of Social Workers by Pope John XXIII in 1960. Her feast day is March 15th.

Questions:
What qualities do you admire most about St. Louise de Marillac? Is there anyone in today's society that have similar qualities or traits? What traits do you see in yourself or would like to see in yourself?

4th Sunday of Lent --March 14, 2010

2010-03-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today's author is Fr. Mark Jendrysik, Pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel

Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,

but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,

“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So to them Jesus addressed this parable:

“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,

‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’

So the father divided the property between them.

After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings

and set off to a distant country

where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.

When he had freely spent everything,

a severe famine struck that country,

and he found himself in dire need.

So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens

who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.

And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,

but nobody gave him any.

Coming to his senses he thought,

‘How many of my father’s hired workers

have more than enough food to eat,

but here am I, dying from hunger.

I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

I no longer deserve to be called your son;

treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’

So he got up and went back to his father.

While he was still a long way off,

his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.

He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.

His son said to him,

‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;

I no longer deserve to be called your son.’

But his father ordered his servants,

‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;

put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.

Then let us celebrate with a feast,

because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;

he was lost, and has been found.’

Then the celebration began.

Now the older son had been out in the field

and, on his way back, as he neared the house,

he heard the sound of music and dancing.

He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.

The servant said to him,

‘Your brother has returned

and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf

because he has him back safe and sound.’

He became angry,

and when he refused to enter the house,

his father came out and pleaded with him.

He said to his father in reply,

‘Look, all these years I served you

and not once did I disobey your orders;

yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.

But when your son returns

who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,

for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’

He said to him,

‘My son, you are here with me always;

everything I have is yours.

But now we must celebrate and rejoice,

because your brother was dead and has come to life again;

he was lost and has been found.’”

REFLECTION:
Today we once again hear the story of the Prodigal Son. It is a story that we are all aware of and have heard many different times, but today we are being asked to reflect on this reading in a new way. It has been said that this story could be one of the Crazy Father, for who would really do this in real life, forgive your child for taking your good name and spending part of your inheritance. Or we might be like the older son who has no problem throwing his younger brother under the bus for being such a bad person, yet we will complain to dad that look what I have done for you and you haven't done a thing for me. Or we might be like the younger son who is looking for a good meal after being hungry for quite a while, so we decide to come home.

Isn't it comforting to know no matter what we have done, no matter where we have been, no matter who we are, we have a father who is waiting for us and says welcome home. I love you, you are mine. Take some today to tell our Loving God how much you are grateful for his love for you and that if you can' t do this, then tell him you are on your way home.

QUESTION:
How can I relate to this parable and how is it speaking to me in life right now?

Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

2010-03-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel
Lk 18:9-14
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity,
greedy, dishonest, adulterous or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

REFLECTION

God is not into the BEST or the PERFECT. He is into the REAL. He doesn’t give awards for doing everything RIGHT. He just loves us into “RIGHTNESS.” He calls us to love others in a messy world and messy situations. He loves us for who we are. He wants us to be authentic, to be who we really are. He calls us to live our unique gifts and to use them for the good of others. We are all saints and we are all sinners. We can always do better. Do we use our standard of thinking concerning others rather than God’s standard? Do we force others to be where we are or allow them to grow at their own pace? Do we take the time to love others as they are and bring out the best in them? God makes us think in reverse. “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbles and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” How am I doing?

Friday of the Third Week of Lent

2010-03-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel
Mk 12:28-34
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
“Which is the first of all the commandments?”
Jesus replied, “The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

REFLECTION
The Kingdom of God is when we love self, love God, and love others. It is when we are in union with God and live the values of Jesus. The Kingdom of God is already within us. It is time to get in touch with the God within us. It is a time to go deeper and touch God. Lent is a great time to reflect on how we develop God’s kingdom by the way we love ourselves, our God, and others. Reflect on the obstacles in my life that prevent loving myself, God or others. Am I my own obstacle to loving? In what ways am I an obstacle to loving myself, God, and others. How can I overcome these obstacles. What do I need to let go and let God? Am I close or far from the Kingdom of God?

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

2010-03-11T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's First Reading:

Jer 7:23-28

Thus says the LORD:
This is what I commanded my people:
Listen to my voice;
then I will be your God and you shall be my people.
Walk in all the ways that I command you,
so that you may prosper.

But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed.
They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts
and turned their backs, not their faces, to me.
From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day,
I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets.
Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed;
they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their fathers.
When you speak all these words to them,
they will not listen to you either;
when you call to them, they will not answer you.
Say to them:
This is the nation that does not listen
to the voice of the LORD, its God,
or take correction.
Faithfulness has disappeared;
the word itself is banished from their speech.

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS

Do these words of Jeremiah speak to me today? Do I walk in the ways God asks? What does God ask of me? Do I respond to those in need in my life now? Do I respond in a joyful way? Do I accept the intrusions in my life the way Christ would? Or do I complain? Life is lived a day at a time, even a moment at a time. Live it today by being faithful to what God asks. Mother Teresa said that God does not call us to successful, but to be faithful. Am I faithful?

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

2010-03-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's Gospel:
Mt 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS:

In today's Gospel, we read about Jesus and the 10 Commandments. The 10 Commandments are what Jesus has for us to follow and obey. At times we can find this very easy to do. At other times when we are tempted, we find it very hard to keep to them. The 10 Commandments are there to give us strength to do what is right. As simple as the wording can be though, they can become quite complicated as we may look for ways around the different scenarios of our lives which may not be in proper line with the 10 Commandments.

How would society be different today if every Christian kept to the 10 Commandments? Would we have more policies in life or less? Would life be easier or harder? What is it that Jesus is calling us to do?

Enjoy your day!
Vince
PS Don't forget to post your thoughts!

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent - March 9, 2010

2010-03-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today Gospel:
Mt 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
“Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive him?
As many as seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be sold,
along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’
Moved with compassion the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a much smaller amount.
He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,
‘Pay back what you owe.’
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
But he refused.
Instead, he had him put in prison
until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master
and reported the whole affair.
His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!
I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?’
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers
until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS:
Forgiveness is the theme for today's gospel. Forgiveness is one of the best tools we have in our tool box to help with one another. How often do we say something that we might regret right away? How hard is it to forgive someone who has hurt you or someone that you love? We often let things slide under the table and move on, but what happens when we do that? When a matter is not resolved the consequence continues to build up until it becomes something larger than it needs to be.

Jesus tells us that we can forgive and more importantly that Jesus forgives us. We as Catholics are so lucky to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Did you know that you can go to confession every Saturday between 4pm-4:30pm or by appointment? Our Parish Reconciliation Service is also coming up in the near future as well- another time to go ahead and to ask for forgiveness.

This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity of leading a Confirmation Retreat at a parish in St. Louis with their seventh graders. We had a great discussion on becoming adults in the Catholic Church and how we need to treat one another with respect. We do not need to be best friends with each and every person that we are going to come across in life, but we need to respect one another. A simple hello or smile can go a long way and quite possibly change not only your day, but the other person's as well. What would Jesus want you to do as you pass someone down the hall or at the grocery store?

As you go about your today, take some time to reflect on those who may need to be forgiven in your life. Reflect on what is keeping you from moving on. If you still feel stressed, think about going to Confession--you will feel so much better!

Enjoy your day,
Vince

Monday of the Third Week of Lent

2010-03-08T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's Gospel:

Lk 4:24-30

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth:
“Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel
in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury.
They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

REFLECTION & QUESTION:

Throughout situations in life, we may encounter at times someone being single out or perhaps it may have even happened to you. When people get recognized for some type of achievement, that will result in a good way to be singled out. Then there are the times that someone may get singled out because he/she might of done something wrong and someone decides to make an example of that person. When this happens that person pointing the finger may feel bad afterwards--possible only a fraction of the pain inflicted upon the other person.

Jesus reminds us today that we need to be accepting of one another. How will you show someone today that you are accepting of him/her? Could someone be seeking acceptance from you that could possibly change their life?

Third Sunday of Lent

2010-03-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today's author is Fr. Mark Jendrysik, Pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

1st Reading:
Reading I

Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15

Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro,
the priest of Midian.
Leading the flock across the desert, he came to Horeb,
the mountain of God.
There an angel of the LORD appeared to Moses in fire
flaming out of a bush.
As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush,
though on fire, was not consumed.
So Moses decided,
“I must go over to look at this remarkable sight,
and see why the bush is not burned.”

When the LORD saw him coming over to look at it more closely,
God called out to him from the bush, AMoses! Moses!”
He answered, “Here I am.”
God said, “Come no nearer!
Remove the sandals from your feet,
for the place where you stand is holy ground.
I am the God of your fathers, “ he continued,
“the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.”
Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
But the LORD said,
“I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt
and have heard their cry of complaint against their slave drivers,
so I know well what they are suffering.
Therefore I have come down to rescue them
from the hands of the Egyptians
and lead them out of that land into a good and spacious land,
a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Moses said to God, “But when I go to the Israelites
and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’
if they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what am I to tell them?”
God replied, “I am who am.”
Then he added, “This is what you shall tell the Israelites:
I AM sent me to you.”

God spoke further to Moses, “Thus shall you say to the Israelites:
The LORD, the God of your fathers,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob,
has sent me to you.

“This is my name forever;
thus am I to be remembered through all generations.”

REFLECTION & QUESTION
Put yourself in Moses position. Curious that a burning bush is on fire, bur not being consumed. You walk over and then you hear the voice of God. It is calling you to a vocation to come and follow him. It is a call to last us a lifetime and help us to leave a mark on the world for the future. Two things to remember as you reflect today on the readings. 1) The presence of God is very real, just as real as it was to Moses in the first reading at mass today and 2) Like Moses we are all called to see the infinite love and mercy that our God continues to show us each and every day of our lives.

Today let us remember God's love and mercy toward us and continue to change our lives and ask for God to Create a Clean Heart in me O God.

What will I do with the 2nd chance God is giving me today to faithfully follow him?

Put yourself in Moses position. Curious that a burning bush is on fire, but not being consumed. You walk over and then you hear the voice of God. It is calling you to a vocation to come and follow him. It is a call to last us a lifetime and help us to leave a mark on the world for the future. Two things to remember as you reflect today on the readings. 1) The presence of God is very real, just as real as it was to Moses in the first reading at mass today and 2) Like Moses we are all called to see the infinite love and mercy that our God continues to show us each and every day of our lives.

Today let us remember God's love and mercy toward us and continue to change our lives and ask for God to Create a Clean Heart in me O God.

What will I do with the second chance God is giving me today to faithfully follow him?

Saturday of the Second Week of Lent

2010-03-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel
Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable.
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’“

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS:\>

Jesus was different than any other religious leaders of his time. He valued the sinner. He saw people as they really were. Do I try to see others as Christ sees them? He didn’t play games. Do I play games in my relationships? He wanted his followers to treat people as the prize! All are worthy of respect. All are valued and important. Do I value all and respect all. The return of one single sinner brings joy to God and to all his disciples. He challenged the righteous to go beyond their legalism and rituals to value the person. How does God challenge me to go beyond where I am with my faith? How am I challenged to go beyond were I am in my relationships? Do I accept those who seem favored? Jesus calls us to stretch our limits of love, even for those who have hurt us and left us.

Friday of the Second Week of Lent

2010-03-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel
Mt 21:33-43, 45-46
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
“Hear another parable.
There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,
put a hedge around it,
dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.
Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.
When vintage time drew near,
he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.
But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,
another they killed, and a third they stoned.
Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones,
but they treated them in the same way.
Finally, he sent his son to them,
thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’
But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,
‘This is the heir.
Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’
They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?”
They answered him,
He will put those wretched men to a wretched death
and lease his vineyard to other tenants
who will give him the produce at the proper times.”
Jesus said to them, Did you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
by the Lord has this been done,
and it is wonderful in our eyes?
Therefore, I say to you,
the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you
and given to a people that will produce its fruit.”
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables,
they knew that he was speaking about them.
And although they were attempting to arrest him,
they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS:

The Church is part of the Kingdom of God and contributing to its
full establishment. All Christians are called to build the Kingdom of God, that is, to bring God’s values into daily life. What are the values of the kingdom? They are: love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, self-control, mercy, justice and truth. How do I live these values now? How do I fail to do live these Gospel values?

In this reading Jesus condemns the religious leaders of his day because of their lust for power. The Old Testament often spoke of Israel as God’s vineyard. The servants God sent were the prophets which earlier generations had rejected and often killed. Now Jesus had come and there is a plot to kill him.. The leaders in Jesus’ time were concerned more about personal power than the values of the kingdom. Am I part of the problem or part of the solution to promote God’s values in my family and in the world today? Am I hung up on who has the power? Jesus is the cornerstone that the builders rejected.

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

2010-03-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today's author is Frank Giangrego, Director of Faith Formation at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Gospel
Lk 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied, ‘My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing
who might wish to go from our side to yours
or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him
to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said,
‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.’“

REFLECTION & QUESTIONS:

Mother Teresa of Calcutta said “We will never know how much we owe the poor for serving them?” Who else in our life do we owe thanks for letting us serve them?

Think about your daily experiences, God puts people and events in our life to help us grow in love. Do we walk right pass them or ignore the situations that are there to teach us to love. St. John of the Cross, the great Christian mystic, said ”At the evening of life we will be judged by love.” How will I pass the test of loving? Who do I omit or walk by in my life now? Will I be the rich man talked about in this Gospel?

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent - March 3, 2010

2010-03-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's Gospel
...Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Reflection & Question:

In today's society, I really think that most people understand the importance of serving others. We see this in a variety of ways; those who help in soup kitchens, the elderly, local pantries, etc. If we do not serve others, how will we ever become more like Jesus? It is by serving others that we can be in the image and likeness of Jesus. What acts of service will you do today, this week, this month?

In peace,
Vince

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent - March 2, 2010

2010-03-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today's author is Vince Zaprzal, Director of Pastoral Ministry at St. Philip the Apostle Parish.

Today's Psalm Response:

Responsorial Psalm 46:2-3
R. The Lord of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob.

God is our refuge and our strength,
an ever-present help in distress.
Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken
and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.

REFLECTION:
Today's psalm reminds us to put our trust in God. There are times in our lives that when we pray to God it may not come out the way that we anticipated it or not in the amount of time that we wanted it to happen. When we put our problems, our struggles, our deepest need out to God we need to remember that we are turning those over. We may want something by next week but it may happen in two years. God hears all our prayers and intentions daily.

There are times though in life that we may get hung up over prayers of petitions. Prayers of Thanksgiving are an important positive aspect of our prayer life. I personally thank God every day for the food, shelter, family, and friends that I have in my life. I am blessed to work at two parishes that have active parishioners and great staffs to be a part of. When life throws a curve-ball it is very easy to look at things negative, but it is by taking time each day for reflection to see all the good that life has to offer. Thanks be to God!

QUESTION:
What is it that you thank God for today?

Enjoy your Tuesday,
Vince