Thursday, September 10, 2009 By Father Ben Urmston, S.J. There are many forms of non-violence — prayer, meaningful dialogue, conflict resolution, arbitration, education, voting intelligently, giving input to our public representatives, getting basic human rights into our legal and constitutional structures, civil disobedience, arbitration and many others.  But can the …

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 By Father Kyle Schnippel I have been examining the development of priestly identity in the Jewish Scriptures over these last few months, culminating in my last column with Jesus fulfilling the Passover rituals during His entrance into glory through His paschal mystery. Even with these discussions, …

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 By Sister Betty J. Lillie, S.C. 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Isaiah 50:5-9a; Psalm 116: 1-6, 8-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35 As we have followed the Gospels of Mark we have noticed several incidents that contribute to an understanding of the identity of Jesus. In our …

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 By Scott Mussari The number 40 has certain significance in the Bible. Forty days was the length of time Noah withstood the rains, Moses was up the mountain and Jesus was in the desert. Scholars believe the meaning behind the use of 40 is to symbolize …

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 By Sister Betty J. Lillie, S.C. 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Isaiah 35:4-7a; Psalm 146:7-10; James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37 Wonderful things occurred when the messianic prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures were finally fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus. Miracles were the authenticating signs of the identity …

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 By Father Rob Waller A youngish girl comes to Communion, and as she has been taught and is accustomed, she places her left hand in her right hand to receive. As the priest says, “The body of Christ,” and as she says, “Amen,” both sets of …

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 By Terrance Callan Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8; Psalm 15:2-5; James 1: 17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. All of us who believe in God try to do God’s will. But the history of the human race and our personal histories show …

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 By Sister Carol Gaeke, O.P. The greatest commandment is the Gospel: “Love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself.” It is proclaimed on the feast of Pope St. Pius X who was the great promoter of early and frequent reception of the Eucharist. Prior …

Wednesday, August 19, 2009 By Terrance Callan Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time: Joshua  24:1-2, 15-17, 18; Psalm 34:2-3, 16-21; Ephesians 5:21-32; John 6:60-69 When we are confronted by a difficult choice, we study the issues involved and consider the consequences of different options. Sometimes this process of reflection makes it …

Thursday, August 13, 2009 By Father Kyle Schnippel In my last column the element of sacrifice in Jewish worship was discussed.  As Catholics, we see the Old Testament illuminating and clarifying the New Testament but with the passage of time, we have lost some important details that give us a …