Pastor’s Column

Are you a Romantic?* *The definition of the noun “romantic”: A person who is characterized by, or suggested of, an idealized view of reality… As we reflect upon the Baptism of Jesus, we take time to be mindful of our own Baptism, baptism into the mystery and life of Jesus. Jesus was a “romantic!” We…

Everyone Is Created by God and Deserving of Love On this Feast of Epiphany in the year 1929, an 18-year-old woman arrived by train in the capital of the Bengal State in British India. Raised in comfort in Eastern Europe, this bright, young woman was to spend the next 20 years of her life as…

Feast of the Holy Family I share with you this reflection written by Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio: Every year right after Christmas, we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family. There is a reason for this. It’s easy to think the “incarnation” means God took on a human body. But there is much more to it…

Come Home for Christmas! We hear much about “coming home” for the holidays. My Christmas greetings and prayers for you and yours are contained in these words from Fr. Henri Nouwen: Coming Home There are two realities to which you must cling. First, God has promised that you will receive the love you have been…

A Prayer to Combat the Coronavirus Pandemic   Most merciful and Triune God, We come to you in our weakness. We come to you in our fear. We come to you with trust. For you alone are our hope.   We place before you the disease present in our world. We turn to you in…

The Holiday Season Recently, a friend of mine went to the Post Office to buy stamps. He said, “I would like some religious Christmas stamps.” The clerk queried, “Oh, do you want Hanukkah or Kwanzaa stamps?” A bit dumb-founded, my friend asked again, “I want religious Christmas stamps!” The clerk then responded, “Oh, so you…

Advent Awakening Advent is a time for rousing. Human beings are shaken to the very depths, so that they may wake up to the truth of themselves. The primary condition for a fruitful and rewarding Advent is a renunciation, a surrender… a shattering awakening; that is the necessary preliminary. Life only begins when the whole…

What Kind of King Is He? We gather together this weekend to celebrate the Eucharist on the Feast of Christ the King. Jesus is our King. We are his servants. But what kind of King is he? The answer to that question will determine what kind of servants we are called to be. As we…

Perseverance in a Time of a Pandemic I wrote this Pastor’s Column several years ago. It is worth reflecting upon again, especially in these days of the pandemic. One of the strengths we need more than ever is perseverance. We are still walking through these days with no end yet really in sight. We walk…

My Dear Friends, Due to the updated County COVID-19 Directives issued in the last day or two, STM is on the move again! Beginning this weekend, all Masses (Weekend, Daily, Funerals, Weddings, and Baptisms) with more than 10 people will be outside on the plaza. Masks will be needed; spatial distancing will be required; temperatures…