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St. Paul was a missionary. In his day he used the a modern, state of the art technology to proclaim the gospel: Roman roads. He used those roads to bring his message out to the people. Today, we have other “roads” at our fingertips to proclaim the message of Jesus: the internet. As Christians we are all missionaries and through our baptism we are supposed to be out sharing the news of Jesus.
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2019
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Meeting Jesus in the Eucharist
13th of SeptemberA few of us were recently discussing Eucharist practices: tongue vs hand, standing vs kneeling. I researched this subject and found various, interesting opinions. Communion PracticesReceiving Communion is as intimate and varied as our spiritual practices. I made my First Communion in 1965, before the Vatican II reforms were implemented... -
True Discipleship
30th of AugustWhat are the conditions of discipleship? If I were to take a survey, I am sure that the majority of you would say: 1. Follow Jesus. 2. Repent and be baptized. 3. Live the commandments. True Discipleship True discipleship demands more. In the Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary... -
Embracing and Living The Truth
17th of JulyI recently ordered a handbook described as “containing everything children and adults need to, step by step, deepen their knowledge of the Christian faith and to develop a living relationship with Jesus Christ.” Can one book do that? Church Textbook YOUCAT is based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church... -
The Power to Change
4th of JulyAs Christians, we are called to follow Christ and live by his example. To really follow Jesus, we need to understand this process and his mission. In the Gospel for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 10:25-37), a scholar of the law, a kind of lawyer, challenged Jesus and... -
Timeless Message
21st of JuneOn June 29th, we celebrate and honor Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. Paul travelled thousands of kilometers to preach the Good News of the Risen Christ after he had a dramatic meeting with him. Jesus built his Church on Peter and asked him to feed his sheep. Two very different... -
May The Force Be In Us
9th of JuneSeveral days after Jesus returned to heaven the Jewish people celebrated the festival of Pentecost. Jesus’ closest friends were hiding away together when they experienced something so remarkable that it would change their lives forever. What filled the room that day is described in The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible as... -
Haurietis Aquas
7th of June“You shall draw waters with joy out of the Savior’s fountain.” Pope Pius XII began his encyclical (Haurietis Aquas) on devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in May 1956 with this verse from the prophet Isaiah. Vatican 1 DevotionsIn the days before the Second Vatican Council, it was common... -
The Good Shepherd
4th of MayThe Good ShepherdOne of my earliest experiences with Jesus was through the images found in my mother’s Family Bible. A heavy, large, leather bound book filled with pictures explaining the Mass and Catholic Sacraments,photographs of Stations of the Cross and images from the Holy Land. My little girl eyes were most impressed... -
He Is Not There
24th of AprilHe Is Not There Why did Mary Magdalene visit the tomb of Christ? the Gospel of John on Easter Sunday (John 20:1-9) doesn't tell us why, and neither does Matthew. Maybe it wasn’t important, maybe it didn’t matter. The other two Gospels go into detail that the women went to... -
Do You Love Me?
24th of AprilDo You Love Me? This is the question Jesus poses to Peter in the Gospel for the Third Sunday of Easter (John 21:1-19). This final chapter of John’s gospel is referred to as the epilogue. Here, Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection. It was on the shore of... -
Church Service - Our Service
15th of AprilChurch Service – Our ServiceOn Palm Sunday we celebrate Jesus the king who rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. As a king his only crown was made out of thorns. Jesus demonstrated his kingly dignity through humility. He demonstrated this best when, on the night before he... -
The Power of Powerlessness
26th of MarchDuring Jesus’ short ministry he taught about the power of powerlessness. He showed us how giving in and being submissive gives us power. Evil and suffering did not destroy him, it strengthened him. His resurrection invites us into the process of God showing us a new way of life and... -
Joseph: Mary's Spouse
18th of MarchJoseph: Mary's Spouse Family life can sometimes seem like an endless onslaught of responsibilities. We care for our family by providing for them and taking care of them. Our family is not limited to our children but to our parents as well. Caring for children doesn’t stop when they reach... -
Lenten Reflections
1st of MarchLenten Reflections Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6th. We then begin forty days of fasting and penance. During these days we have a chance to refresh our spiritual life by reflecting on the struggles Jesus faced during his ministry. As we get closer to Easter (April 21st) we recall... -
Loving Your Enemies
1st of MarchLoving Your Enemies In the Gospel for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 6:27-38), Jesus holds his “Sermon on the Plain”. It is not a simple text. It requires some personal Bible study. Jesus is speaking to his newly chosen disciples plus a great crowd of people. He begins... -
Heavenly Helpers
1st of FebruaryCatholicism: What We Do pt. 7 February 3rd is the feast day of St. Blasius, the patron saint of throat illness and diseases. Following Mass on that Sunday,we will offer the Blessing of the Throats. People who desire this special blessing may come forward following Mass where we will hold... -
Extra Ordinary Time
10th of JanuaryFollowing the season of Christmas (which ended with the Baptism of the Lord) the Church enters into what is called “Ordinary Time”. The word “ordinary” means plain, mediocre or unexceptional, but there is nothing ordinary about the time between the feast seasons (Christmas & Easter) and the weeks of penance... -
Following A Star
5th of JanuaryThe Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is one of the oldest Christian feasts. It’s celebrated on January 6th, but in most countries the celebration is moved to the Sunday between January 2nd and January 8th. The word epiphany comes from the ancient Greek “epiphaneia” which means appearance. It...
2018
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Get Ready, Get Set....Wait
22nd of DecemberAdvent is a time of preparation but what are we getting ready for? It seems to me that the holidays we celebrate have become extremely consumer oriented, filled with advertisements encouraging us to spend money and eat more. The Advent we celebrate in the church, however, is completely different. We... -
Telling A Story
7th of DecemberCatholicism: What We Do, pt. 6„The book you hold in your hand contains one of humanity’s greatest treasures…its epic stories, its powerful language and images have left their imprint on human history…” These words are found in the instruction of my Catholic Study Bible. There is no doubt that... -
Cleaning Our Hearts
23rd of NovemberCatholicism: What We Do, pt. 5 At the beginning of Mass we gather ourselves together. The entrance music starts and the procession begins. Anticipation fills the air as we spend the next 45 minutes in prayer, praise and contemplation. In order to properly begin our celebration, we are asked to... -
How We Show Our Respect
10th of NovemberCatholicism: What We Do pt. 4 Aside from making the Sign of the Cross, Catholics genuflect when they enter a church. Children learn it at a young age and by the time they are in catechism classes, they seem to do it automatically. Children make this gesture with great respect... -
The Cross of Our Faith
27th of OctoberCatholicism: What We Do pt. 3 One of the first things Catholics, as well as Anglicans, Orthodox Christians and some Protestants, do when entering a church is make the Sign of the Cross. When I cross myself I am conscious that I am in the present of God, who is... -
Remembering Jesus
10th of OctoberCatholicism: What We Do pt. 2In the early days of Christianity, followers of Jesus gathered together to remember Christ and celebrate what he did at the Last Supper. They met in homes and open spaces. These were not sacred dwellings, rather they became sacred by those who gathered. Gathering as... -
Celebrating Our Roots
28th of SeptemberCatholicism: What We Do pt. 1 I have wanted to write a series about our faith focusing on the Mass for a long time. I love our liturgy. I enjoy preparing the Mass and being an active member of it together with the ministers and musicians. In order to fully... -
Catholicism: What We Do
25th of AugustSometimes we repeatedly do things without much thought, like routines and rituals. They help us feel secure because we know what happens next. Most of us have some sort of morning ritual. Before we go to bed we usually follow a routine which helps us to relax. We don’t think... -
Finding A Miracle
18th of AugustThroughout his ministry Jesus touched lives. Undoubtedly the most fascinating part of his ministry was the miracles. Thirty-seven miracles are recorded in the gospels. At the conclusion of his gospel, John wrote that Jesus did so many other things that they could not be described because there would not be... -
Foodies For Jesus
15th of AugustOn the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time we hear from the Gospel of John and Jesus’ Bread of Life Discourse (John 6:24-35). The crowd following Jesus is looking for nourishment. It’s the same crowd he fed with the Multiplication of the Loaves. They are hungry and want more. Jesus tells... -
The Power to Empower
22nd of JulyThe Gospel of Mark teaches us a lot about Jesus’ ministry. His simple use of language is short and to the point. I am still reflecting on the gospel from two weeks ago (Mark 6:1-6). Jesus was criticized and rejected in his hometown. This rejection from his people reminds me... -
Summer Reading According to Mark
8th of JulyThe second book of the New Testament is a gospel written by Mark. Mark was a follower of Simon Peter, who was an eyewitness of Jesus. This would have given Mark first hand knowledge of Jesus and his ministry. I love Mark’s gospelWe don’t know much about Mark, but enough... -
The Last Great Prophet
21st of JuneCelebrating John The Baptist Six months before we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we remember John the Baptist, on June 24th. John’s calling was formed while he was still in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth. The unborn child jumped at the sound of Mary’s voice, recognizing that she too... -
They'll Know We Are Christians
6th of JuneWhen to Confirm? The age of Confirmation is somewhere between post First Communion and into adulthood. Good Shepherd’s doesn’t have a specific age however we believe that older teenagers and young adults (even older) are most suitable. It is enough for them to want the sacrament but I often wonder... -
Finding God
21st of MayThe Mass is the center of Catholic liturgical worship and within this worship we celebrate the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Priests say Mass every day and Christians attend Mass every Sunday. Sadly though, Mass attendance in many parts of the world has declined in recent years. In past years, many... -
The Spirit of Peace
7th of MayThe Spirit of Peace We receive the Holy Spirit at baptism. It is a moment of truth when we testify to the truth of Christ and it’s the start of our relationship with Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps to guide us through life, especially when we are faced with making... -
Loving One Another
30th of AprilIn the Gospel for the Sixth Sunday of Easter (John 15:9-17), Jesus continues talking to his disciples. He tries to explain to them the depth of his love and he gives instructs on how they should love. Then he tells them that they are his friends. He reminds them... -
Our Patron and Savior
16th of AprilThroughout the gospels Jesus preaches in parables and makes comparisons. In John’s Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Easter (John 10:11-18) he is more direct and to the point. He says, “I AM”. Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, addressing their “spiritual blindness”. He says “I am the good shepherd”... -
Who Are We to Judge?
3rd of AprilEucharist = Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is celebrated all around the world. In Europe it is usually a religious feast where we give thanks to God for the abundant harvest and ask for his blessing. In Canada and the U.S. it is more than a religious feast. It's a celebration of family... -
Washing Feet
22nd of MarchWashing Feet The sundown of Holy Thursday is the official ending of Lent. It is one of the high points of the Easter Triduum as we celebrate the Last Supper with Jesus. His life, suffering, death and resurrection are historical events, well documented in the Bible. For those of us... -
A Word for Our Confirmation Candidates
24th of FebruaryAstonishing! Have you ever listened to someone trying desperately to sell something? Whatever they have is perfect for you and it will help whatever it is that you need help with? This kind of sales approach can be so convincing that we get pulled into the moment and buy whatever... -
Jesus Cleans Up
20th of FebruaryThe temple is the focus of the Gospel for the Third Sunday of Lent (John 2:13-25). Jesus got quite angry at the scene he witnessed there. The Lord had just made his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where he would celebrate Passover. There were many other pilgrims crowding into the city... -
Lenten Traditions
6th of FebruarySpring is a wonderful time of year. Spring brings new life, new beginnings and fresh growth. Lent is known as the springtime of the liturgical year because it is a time when we redirect our lives toward God. If you are lucky enough to have a garden, you know that... -
Checking your Shadow
27th of JanuaryI recently watched a movie on television called “Groundhog Day”. Groundhog Day is a popular tradition in the United States and Canada. Each year on February 2 the groundhog emerges from its winter sleep and predicts the arrival of spring by checking his shadow. In the movie, Bill Murray plays... -
Stand and Greet
20th of JanuaryI recently received a copy of an article asking the question: “Should your Church stop having a Stand and Greet time?” The general opinion of those asked seemed to be that it should stop; it is bothersome and even unhygienic. It appeared that many people not only dislike this “Stand... -
Following a Star
9th of JanuaryThe Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is one of the oldest Christian feasts. It is celebrated on January 7th, but in most countries the celebration is moved to the Sunday between January 2nd and January 8th. Traditions & Meanings Epiphany is celebrated in many different ways depending on...
2017
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A Light in the Dark
20th of DecemberAt Christmas time we are used to hearing stories about the shepherds, angels and the entire nativity scene as found in the gospels of Luke or Matthew. The Gospel Reading for this Christmas morning is from John. It begins with “the Word”, which was with God and was God. The... -
The Desert of Our Lives
13th of DecemberIn the Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, John writes about a man who was sent by God (John 1:6-8, 19-28). He is “the voice of one crying out in the desert”. His message is clear: “make straight the way of the Lord”. The voice is John the Baptist... -
A Year of Mark
23rd of NovemberThe new Church year begins on December 3rd with the First Sunday of Advent. Advent begins with a new series of Readings and the Gospel of Mark, which has been called the “gospel of surprises”. Mark does not begin with the birth of Jesus like the other evangelists. The first... -
Giving What We Are Given
14th of NovemberOne way to express our love or interest for someone is to give them a gift, something that they can use and enjoy. God has given us many gifts and talents as a sign of his love for us. When someone gives us a present, they like to see us... -
Do As I Do
6th of NovemberOf all of the evils that Jesus confronted, one of the greatest was the evil of hypocrisy. His strongest language was directed at hypocrites; they provoked his greatest anger. During my time as a priest, the greatest damage to our Church has been the sexual abuse scandal, and the cloud... -
The Greatest
1st of NovemberThe Pharisees were a religious party that was active in Palestine before and during the time of Jesus’ ministry until around A.D. 70. As keepers of the law, they were very knowledgeable of the commandments and certainly had their favorites. In the Gospel for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time... -
Few Are Chosen
7th of OctoberIn the Gospel for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus tells a parable about the kingdom of heaven: he compares God to a king who invited many guests to his son’s wedding feast. Jesus says that many are invited “but few are chosen.” We Are InvitedGod invites us all... -
Our Planet is Under Pressure
28th of SeptemberIt didn’t take long for Planet Earth to react to the U.S. President’s comments on climate change early last summer. The cries of Mother Nature and disgruntled citizens of the world have hopefully been heard as Trump flip flops on his decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Deal... -
We Would Only Be Marionettes
22nd of SeptemberParis, November 13, 2015. Berlin, December 19, 2016. Barcelona, August 17, 2017 Terrorist attacks in Europe have spread fear and anxiety. What used to happen in far away, war-torn countries like Iraq and Syria are happening here on our soil and has become a part of our lives. Fright and... -
The Holy Cross
17th of SeptemberThe cross that Jesus was crucified on came from dead wood, cut down from what was once a life-giving tree. In every Mass, we celebrate Jesus, who accepted his death, rose from dead wood and brought us new life. In September 320 A.D. Emperor Constantine The Great’s mother, Empress Helena... -
Swimming To Jesus
28th of AugustWe have all heard the saying “sink or swim”. It means to fail or succeed. Most of us have been in a sink or swim situation in our life at one time or another. In the Gospel for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 14:22-33) Peter is in such... -
Transfiguring Our Lives
2nd of AugustWe interrupt Ordinary Time to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on August 6th. Usually this feast day falls on a weekday, but we are lucky this year to celebrate it during the Sunday Mass. The Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9) is a unique scene in the... -
Where The Seeds Fall
18th of JulyI often speak to groups of people either giving information or a message. It is a very powerful position to be in. Probably the most powerful position is the role of teacher, especially to children. Children are in our lives for such a short amount of time and we rarely... -
Peter & Paul
4th of JulyImperial Rome had a long history – sometimes glorious and sometimes brutal. In Mythology, Rome was founded by Romulus in 753 AD. Romulus apparently killed his twin brother Remus who criticized the boundaries his brother set for the city. Years of bloodshed would follow. The early people of Rome were... -
Let The Children Come To Me
20th of JuneThroughout the school year, I prepare children for First Holy Communion. They learn the structure of the Mass, prayers, and they learn that the bread takes on a new meaning. Explaining the consecration is not easy and I sometimes wonder if the children really understand it. Continued Practise Before the... -
The Breath Of Life
6th of JuneIn the Gospel for Pentecost Sunday (John 20: 19-23) Jesus breathed on the disciples and this filled them with new Life. They weren’t having a heart attack, however perhaps they felt their heart jump when Jesus came to stand in their midst on the “evening of that first day of... -
The Spirit Of Truth
23rd of MayThe time after Jesus’ death and resurrection was filled with much uncertainty. In the Gospel for the 6th Sunday of Easter (John 14:15-21), we hear how Jesus told his disciples that if they loved him they would keep his commandments. He told them that he would ask the Father to... -
Opening The Gates
9th of MayOn May 7th we celebrate Good Shepherd’s Sunday. In the Gospel (John 10:1-10) Jesus calls himself “the gate for the sheep”. A gate of course is the throughway for a fence. We usually put up fences to provide security, keeping people out or locked in. An unlocked gate is inviting... -
And Now I See
29th of MarchOur Lenten journey ends with Holy Week. Jesus revealed himself to us through the Readings for the past three weeks. On the 4th Sunday in Lent, he reveals something very important: Jesus is the light of the world. In the First Reading from Samuel (1 Samuel 16:b, 6-7, 10-13a), the... -
Our Private Penance
28th of FebruaryWe tend to worry most when we are uncertain of an outcome or not in control of a situation. Maybe it is uncertainty about our career, a financial problem or the future of our children. We are experiencing widespread uncertainty not just here in Europe, but worldwide. We have valid...
2016
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Get Ready, Get Set....Wait!
20th of DecemberAdvent is a time of preparation but what are we getting ready for? It seems to me that the holidays we celebrate have become extremely consumer oriented filled with advertisements encouraging us to spend money and eat more. The Advent we celebrate in the Church is completely different. We wait... -
At His Gate A Poor Man
27th of SeptemberFor those of you who are used to wearing designer labels and dining in restaurants with Michelin stars and Gault Millau points, the Gospel for the 26th Sunday OT might make you feel uncomfortable. Jesus tells the Pharisees a story of a rich man who wears nice clothes and dines... -
My Safe Place
13th of SeptemberBefore I left for my summer holiday, I took part in a philosophical discussion at the wine shop across the street. The topic was “Where is your safe place?” A “safe place” was described as a place where we find peace when the hectic pace of our daily schedule and... -
Celebrating the Saints
30th of AugustIn August, on Saturday the 27th, we celebrate Saint Monica’s day. For girls who have the name Monica, this is a celebration of their name. On “Name Day” it is customary for people who share the name of a saint to celebrate a special meal with their families, or receive...
2015
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My Christmas Wish
17th of DecemberChristmas is usually reserved for spending time with family and friends. Children are filled with anticipation and adults try to meet their last minute deadlines as they make plans for the holidays. We look forward to some restful time off. I arrived in Switzerland twenty-six years ago on Christmas Day... -
Spiritual Check-Up
10th of NovemberWe all know the importance of staying in shape, making healthy food choices and visiting the doctor once a year. A yearly check-up helps detect health problems before they arise. The older we get, the more important it is to stay physically fit. After a certain age we should do...