St. Andre Bessette: 1845-1937

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Today, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Andre Bessette on the anniversary of his death in 1937. Since Brother Andre’s canonization in 2010, I have published several articles connecting  Andre’s life to the Church’s mission of healing. Click here to read again the Saint Andre section of this blog. Click here to view an article from US Catholic magazine. Please pray for healing in your worshipping community, family and in the Congregation of Holy Cross through the intercession of Saint Andre Bessette. St. Andre, pray for us.

Photo from Saint Joseph Oratory in Montreal

Photo from Saint Joseph Oratory in Montreal

Fragments from The Word: Matthew 2:1-12

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These reflections are the leftover fragments from my homily this morning, Sunday January 5, 2014. Matthew 2:1-12. The Epiphany of the Lord.   

Fragments from The Word

Fragments from The Word

Epiphany January 5, 2014

Matthew 2:1-12

We are all searching for a “white-light” experience.

Where the past will be forgiven and forgotten.

Where the future will be outlined with assurance and certainty.

Where relationships will be fruitful and generative. Continue reading →

On The Margins – Matthew 2:1-12

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fr_ron_and_kbvm_readingBWListen to  “On the Margins”. This broadcast comes from KBVM 88.3, Catholic Broadcasting Northwest. We open our search for God, sometimes in secret, sometimes without a light to lead us to the place where the child is. Our search can lead us into a greater darkness, from food, sex or power. Our search can come from our pride. The kings know within them that Jesus is the light. Jesus is greater than the light that lead them.  Epiphany of the Lord, January 5, 2014.

Listen now: [audio https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75239779/On%20The%20Margins/On%20The%20Margins%20Jan%205%202014.mp3]

Stream live On The Margins on KBVM 88.3FM on Saturdays at 8am and Sundays at 8am.

Fragments from The Word: Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

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These reflections are the leftover fragments from my homily this morning, Sunday December 29, 2013. Matthew 2:13-15,19-23 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph 

Fragments from The Word

Fragments from The Word

Fragments

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Sunday December 29, 2013

Most family relationships are complicated.

It is not always easy to get along with those we love the most.

Adult children home from college resist being treated like children.

Teens want a real voice in life.

Aging parents miss their adult children who live miles away.

Not easy to care for elderly parents or young children who all want independence.

My brother and I never really spoke until after our parents died. Continue reading →

On The Margins – Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

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fr_ron_and_kbvm_readingBWListen to my weekly radio show, On the Margins. We hear about the relationships of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Our relationships are always complicated. God is being made flesh in our experiences and how we live in the world. Families are broken and complicated. Yet, the Word is made flesh among us and hope is birthed within us all.. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph , December 29, 2013.

Listen now: [audio https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75239779/On%20The%20Margins/On%20The%20Margins%20Dec%2029%202013.mp3]

Stream live On The Margins on KBVM 88.3FM on Saturdays at 7am and Sundays at 8am.

We Preach Christ Crucified: Edited by Michael Connors, CSC

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In June of 2012, an astounding 360 people gathered at the University of Notre Dame for a major conference on Catholic preaching. With contributions by a wide variety of theologians and practitioners, We Preach Christ Crucified gathers the fruits of those days spent reflecting on the importance of the preaching ministry. Its release is timely, given the US bishops’ promulgation of a new document on preaching, Preaching the Mystery of Faith: The Sunday Homily (January, 2013), and the renewed emphasis on preaching by both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

Click here to learn more about this book from Liturgical Press

“Preaching among the Poor: A panel of Holy Cross Priests.” I gave a short presentation on my experiences preaching among people at Saint Andre Bessette Church in Portland, OR.

Christmas 2013

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Christmas 2013

Last week I sat with a young man who told me a piece of his childhood story.

The remnant of his childhood is adult loneliness.

He holds on to pieces of regret and not-so-subtle shame.

He struggles to survive Christmas carrying his past in his heart.

He never felt the love he needed to thrive.

He asked me for advice to get through the season and to calm his anger. Continue reading →

Fragments from The Word: Matthew 1:18-24

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These reflections are the leftover fragments from my homily this morning, Sunday December 22, 2013. Matthew 1:18-24. The Fourth Sunday of Advent.  

Fragments from The Word

Fragments from The Word

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 22, 2013

The rush of prophetic voices is softened by Joseph’s dream.

The finger pointing of John into the direction of the adult Christ is replaced with waiting for Jesus to be born.

John’s cry that repentance finds a place within us now becomes a tender moment of an expectant father’s dream to keep his family safe. Continue reading →