The Road to Damascus

I've been having some writer's block as of late - a sort of disconnect from by brain to my hands. I'm struggling with the direction and message I want to portray from this blog. I feel that I have a calling to evangelize but not a clear mission. I've been doing a lot of praying for guidance and a sense of purpose so bear with me. I'm not a professional, just someone with a sincere desire to write about the Truth.

A friend recommended I pray to St. Paul to help clarify my mission. Actually, I'd like a "road to Damascus moment" where it all becomes clear....without the blindness of course.  Please pray that I hear and can answer the call - whatever that may be.


Glorious St. Paul, Most zealous Apostle, Martyr for the love of Christ, give us a deep faith, a steadfast hope, a burning love for our Lord; So that we can proclaim with you,“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Help us to become apostles, serving the Church with a pure heart, witnesses to her truth and beauty amidst the darkness of our days. With you we praise God our Father: “To Him be the glory, in the Church and in Christ, now and forever.” Amen

Render (Back) Unto Ceasar?

External: City Wants Land Back From Fall River Diocese.

This is appalling in so many ways. It's always a tragedy when a parish closes. Now we have a municipality asking for it's land for free? I understand the city sold part of the parcel to the diocese 60 years ago but does that give them the right to demand they "donate" it back? 

This is alarming on so many different levels but the most notable is where once city official states "the church used it for about 50 years, and like other religious organizations, didn’t pay taxes on it. “They shouldn’t make a profit. They should give it back to the city free and clear.”  It would appear that the constitutional right to private property is rendered moot if you don't pay taxes on it.


There are many "private" business and organizations that have benefited from land deals with government bodies. There is never a call for them to give anything back. This looks more like a cash-strapped city taking advantage of a church with a bruised reputation. They fail to mention how many people the Diocese of Fall River have helped over the years and the services rendered by it's Catholic Social Services organization taking the burden off the city.

The current parish has the right to sell this land to whomever they wish and for a price dictated by the market. They are several vacant parcels of land in Fall River owned by the diocese. Please pray for our Bishop and Fr. Andrade as I fear this is only the beginning,

Look over the nations and see, and be utterly amazed! For a work is being done in your days that you would not have believed, were it told.
        Habakkuk 1: 5

Not My Will, But Yours Be Done, Part 2.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!
"For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor?"  Romans 11: 33-34


It is certainly not I, although as mentioned before I usually give it my best shot. Still, the questions remains: How do we reconcile our situation with what God has planned for us? The truth is, we may only realize what His plan actually is years down the road or perhaps not even in this lifetime. But how does that bring us any solace? 

When Peter almost drowns while attempting to walk on water, Jesus chastises him by saying "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mt. 14: 31) I can imagine Jesus saying the same thing to me - probably daily. I'm sure all of the Apostles heard the same thing at the end of their earthly lives. After the Resurrection, they probably had it all planned out. The Lord was back from the dead and would lead them into the Kingdom here on earth. But wait, He was leaving them again? This can't be; That's not how it was supposed to go down.

Our Lord's plan was beyond the understanding of even his closest followers.What unfolded was much more grand than any of them could imagine. It was no coincidence that at Pentecost, Jerusalem was filled with devout Jews from every nation. (Acts 2: 5)  There was a purpose in God choosing that exact moment. The Apostles spent three years with Jesus listening, learning, and witnessing many miracles. They had the benefit of first hand knowledge of all he said and did yet the day before the descent of the Spirit, they were cowering in the upper room, probably discussing whether they should all go their separate ways and find salvation elsewhere. Had they paid attention to anything? Do we?

Not My Will, But Yours Be Done, Part 1.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.   Is. 55: 8-9


Since the moment of the Fall in Genesis, man has always tried to question the ways of God. The funny thing, no matter how often we realize that this is a futile endeavour, we still try to figure it out on our own. Usually, this leads to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-guessing our own actions in response to what has happened and plenty of restless nights and groggy mornings.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul tells us that he came so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. (1 Cor. 2: 5)  Why then, (insert my own personal mea culpa) is it so hard to trust God in his eternal wisdom? I've been questioning some recent events and my own pride won't let me rest until I get an answer.

More on this later...

Church and Summer

Here in New England, summer is never long enough. I think by nature, we try to cram in as many activities and get-togethers as possible in these few precious weeks. The question is: Does this affect when and where we go to church? Do we attend at a different time or place? What do we do when we travel?



For my family, it's actually easier. With choir on hiatus until September, we can attend one Mass together on Sunday, usually 8:30. Then we get the whole rest of the day as "family time."


What do you do?

Oh Dear, I've Lost Jesus...

I'll never forget the CYO Mass I attended in college where Fr. Joe, the beloved little old Irish priest, misplaced the host under the patten and exclaimed that he "lost Jesus." The good news is that Jesus was never lost and our Mass continued once he realized what happened. 

Although an amusing story today, it illustrates a sad but common reality in how many we lose focus during the Mass and instead let the details and our own sense of "me" get in the way. Please don't get me wrong....I'm not doubting any one's sincerity and love for Christ when I write this...but I think we've lost sight of the center of the Holy Mass..Jesus.

We recently attended Mass at another parish while visiting it's town. (Said parish and town's name will remain nameless to protect the innocent....and the guilty.) I'll just say that this is a rather large, newer church whose builders spared no expense when it came to amenities but missed the boat when it came to a "space suitable for worship." Don't get me wrong - this church has potential but sadly a bit more catechises on the Mass is an order. The raised choir "stage" behind the altar, digital hymn boards, parade of EMHC's slathering the on hand sanitizer before communion, and the complete lack of anything resembling Jesus in the sanctuary, make it very difficult to concentrate on the suffering and death of Our Lord. If dear Fr. Joe had "lost Jesus" during this circus, no one would have noticed.

Beautiful music and immagry, vestments, incense, and "full participation" are a wonderful part of our faith. Our Lord deserves no less than the best we are able to do. We just have to understand that these things are supposed to enhance the Mass and not take away from and become the focus unto themselves. Fortunatly, this parish has a new pastor who I think will guide his flock to understand what is important. I'm looking forward to visiting this church in about a year or so.

Let's pray that our clergy and lay people develop a deeper understanding and love for the Mass and that we don't "lose Jesus" in the details.