Dear sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus, We receive a call from Christ to a particular vocation. This vocation is both our call to holiness and happiness. Our greatest happiness in this life generally comes from the satisfaction we receive from serving others in love. For example, I love to cook, but I love cooking for others even more. I love the look of joy on their faces from the gifts I share with them. We can use our God-given talents for selfish reasons ends, but is not their true purpose, nor is selfishness very satisfying. St. Paul gives us this direction: “You were called for freedom, brothers and sisters. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, ser
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus, We celebrate Christ Jesus present in the Eucharist with a special feast, separate from the Institution of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday. This feast of Corpus Christi is our declaration that the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is itself worthy of praise. The Eucharist not only commemorates the sacrifice of Jesus’ body and blood on the Cross, but the real, true, substantial Presence of Jesus in the Eucharistic species. After the words of the Eucharistic Prayer, we believe the bread and wine that were offered are Transubstantiated into the Body and Blood of Jesus. The Eucharist we share at the Altar is Jesus. Transubstantiation is a big word, a
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus, Conflict seems to be an inevitable part of living in community. As soon as we have two people with two separate wills, those wills are going to disagree on something. But this need not be so. The Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, exist together in perfect society in unity of will and action. Perfect community is not only possible but is the goal for us set by Jesus in the sending of the Holy Spirit. We are called to rise above our pettiness and self-seeking so that we might grow together in imitation of the Trinity. Conflict now can make us grow and learn so that we will eliminate conflict in the future. Conflict forces us to humb
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus, Why should we remain Catholic in the midst of scandals, particularly scandals that involve our leaders? Has the Holy Spirit abandoned the Church because of our sins? This is what the world would have us believe, but the truth is that Christ Jesus will always be the Head of His Body, the Church. No amount of sin on our part can separate us from Christ, and He has given us the Holy Spirit to be our Paraclete for all time. He is with us; He will remain with us always, and we need to remain with Him. [cf. Romans 8:38-39] Our Lord promised that He would remain with us always, and He promised St. Peter that “Upon this rock I will build my church, and
