Sacred Heart Pastoral Team from 1984-85 reunions

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2013 Dec 13 255

Last week I met up with Alice Bradley who served as the Director of Religious Education at Sacred Heart for seven years beginning in 1985. We met here at Sacred Heart. I was so glad to catch up with Alice for the first time in ten years.

Last evening in South Bend, Indiana, Fr. Clem had dinner with Don Wisniewski and his family. Don served as our youth minister here at Sacred Heart for a couple of years beginning in 1984 as a Holy Cross Associate. Fr. Clem was our first Holy Cross pastor at Sacred Heart for twelve years beginning in 1984.

The four of us served at Sacred Heart together for two years. So good to bridge the miles and the years once again.

On The Margins – Matthew 1:18-24

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fr_ron_and_kbvm_readingBWListen to my weekly radio show, On the Margins. The tone changes in this liturgy. The challenge of the prophets gives way to Joseph’s dreams. “Do not be afraid”. An angel comes to us, these words of hope are also for us. This gospel is a transition for us into Christmas. This gospel gets to the heart of our fear, to bring hope to the world. We are caretakers of the dream. Fourth Sunday of Advent , December 22, 2013.

Listen now: [audio https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75239779/On%20The%20Margins/On%20The%20Margins%20Dec%2022%202013.mp3]

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

Fragments from The Word: Matthew 11:2-11

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These reflections are the leftover fragments from my homily this morning, Sunday December 15, 2013. Matthew 11:2-11. The Third Sunday of Advent.  

Fragments from The Word

Fragments from The Word

December 15, 2013

I shared lunch with retired Bishop Richard Hanifen on Thursday.

I had not seen him since 1987 when I left Colorado Springs.

Bishop Hanifen ordained me a deacon in 1982. Continue reading →

On The Margins – Matthew 11:2-11

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fr_ron_and_kbvm_readingBWListen to my weekly radio show, On the Margins. We hear about why Jesus came the first time. The blind regain sight, the deaf hear. These things are what Jesus brings. Jesus’ love is for those whose hearts ache. Advent is to stir our lives for the basics of life. The disabled speak boldly about our trust in God. Third Sunday of Advent , December 1, 2013.

Listen now: [audio https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75239779/On%20The%20Margins/On%20The%20Margins%20Dec%2015%202013.mp3]

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

From the souls of the forgotten: Lenten preaching

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This article is published in Ministry and Liturgy magazine: December 2013/January2014 volume 40, number 10

From the souls of the forgotten: Lenten preaching

410coverShortly after I was ordained a deacon, a mother of a mentally disabled man approached me after Sunday Mass. She told me that her son was not allowed to receive communion in the other parishes that they had attended. She begged me to work with her son. She grabbed my attention when she told me that her son was my age. She was a frantic, yet strong mother. Her grey hair was pulled back off her face, her shoulders tight from exhaustion and concern. She introduced me to her son, Dennis. He was extremely polite and seemed so interested in our conversation.

Dennis and I discerned his readiness for the Eucharist during the next months with catechists and his mother.  After getting to know Dennis, I realized he was teaching me more than what I was offering him. He taught me to really need God, not in an intellectual way, but from the gut. The teacher-student relationship was blurring.  He companioned me during those formative months as I learned how to preach and how to lead public prayer. He walked with me through Lent and those last minute preparations for priesthood ordination after Easter. Continue reading →

Simplicity: Session Seven

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DSC_0078I wrote this retreat on simplicity in 2001. These ten sessions are the beginning of a new series here on living a simple life. I hope these sessions open you to the foundations of living a life of simplicity, learning what is essential from the inside out, a process of faith and prayer. The essence of simplicity rests in our deep faith experience of the Paschal Mystery. All things die. New life emerges. This pattern is the element of God’s creating plan. Jesus’ dying and rising reveals the brevity of life. We cannot ultimately possess or control life. Life is a great gift given from our loving Creator. I hope you enjoy this seventh session. You may download the entire series here:

 Simplicity:  Loving, Living, Serving by Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C. (Fatima Retreat Center, 2001) Continue reading →

Fragments from The Word: Matthew 3:1-12

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These reflections are the leftover fragments from my homily this morning, Sunday December 8, 2013. Matthew 3:1-12 . The Second Sunday of Advent.  

Fragments from The Word

Fragments from The Word

Second Sunday of Advent

December 8, 2013

We live very defended lives.

We think we can accomplish everything we need in life.

We are self-reliant and self-sufficient.

John the Baptist calls us to wake-up and repent.

He challenges us to rely on God and not our selves.

We cannot save our selves from our own sins. Continue reading →

On The Margins – Matthew 3:1-12

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fr_ron_and_kbvm_readingBWListen to my weekly radio show, On the Margins. The gospel seems so harsh and stern. The gospel compels us to wake-up, to ready our lives as they are to the love of God. The revelation of God is coming to us in our hearts. We hear an adult John preparing us for the coming of Christ. We are waiting for the adult Christ to come again, to break into our lives in reconciliation and peace.  Second Sunday of Advent , December 8, 2013.

Listen now: [audio https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75239779/On%20The%20Margins/On%20The%20Margins%20Dec%208%202013.mp3]

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

Fragments from The Word: Matthew 24:37-44

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These reflections are the leftover fragments from my homily this morning, Sunday December 1, 2013. Matthew 24:37-44. The First Sunday of Advent.  

Fragments from The Word

Fragments from The Word

I saw a man sleeping all bundled up on a bench near a parking garage. His belongings were piled up around him. He seemed so lost and alone.  Has he been left here on earth?

I sit with an elderly man who just lost his wife after a long illness. His tears flood his soul. His heart aches with loneliness. Has he been left here on earth?

Are these the people that the gospel speaks of who were left here on earth? Continue reading →