Pastor's Corner

Do Others see Jesus in Us?

03-17-2024Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

I share with you a beautiful reflection on this Sunday’s Gospel about people who were looking to see Jesus. It was written by Betty-Ann Medeiros Hickey from Most Holy Trinity Parish, Covington, LA and published in NPM Sunday Word.

“I remember being a young child always struggling to see over the adults around me. No matter how much I stretched, someone would always move and block my view. In today’s Gospel, the Greeks ask to see Jesus. They had probably heard stories about his preaching, teaching, and healing and they wanted to experience it for themselves. They wanted an up front and close experience that would confirm the truth of all they had heard.

READ MORE

Changing our Values & Attitudes

03-10-2024Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

As we reach the mid-point of Lent on this Laetare “Rejoice” Sunday, it’s good for us to assess how we are doing during this season of repentance to address the sinful thoughts, words and actions we’re hoping to change – both things we’ve done and those we’ve failed to do. I hope you’ve made some inroads even though those areas may still be “works in progress.” Improvement, even if incremental, is encouraging and expresses to God your desire to grow spiritually.

READ MORE

Lenten Litany on Fasting and Feasting

03-03-2024Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Fast from judging others ● Feast on seeing Christ within them.
Fast from emphasis on differences. ● Feast on the unity of life.
Fast from thoughts of illness ● Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute ● Feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent ● Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger ● Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism ● Feast on optimism.
READ MORE

Worship

02-25-2024Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Let’s say you were at your own birthday party. All the guests were gathered and the traditional song, Happy Birthday to You, was started, but only a few people bothered to sing! How would you feel? Besides being disappointed, you’d wonder whether they really wanted to be there. The guests who did sing along would feel a bit awkward as the celebratory spirit of that song had some of the “air” taken out of it. I’ve noticed that the same thing happens at Mass here at Holy Family.

READ MORE

You Are Not Alone

02-18-2024Pastor's Corner

I’ve become more aware of people who are experiencing loss in one form or another. It might be the loss of a loved one through death, the loss of a spouse through divorce, the loss of innocence, the loss of a job and one’s livelihood, the loss of the ability to function normally because of disability or old age, the loss of one’s honor and standing in the community, the loss of a friend because of the parting of ways, or the loss of the “safe and familiar” having been uprooted. Maybe you can add to this list from your own experience.

READ MORE

Beginning Our Season of Lent

02-11-2024Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Do you need to be renewed in spirit? In what way? What steps do you need to take to accomplish that goal? Built in to our liturgical year is a time set aside to refocus on what will enable us to become all that God has made us to be and, in turn, be renewed in spirit. That special time is the season of Lent, which begins this Wednesday, February 14.

READ MORE

The Gift of Ourselves

02-04-2024Pastor's CornerVery Rev. Robert J. Deehan, VF

Not long ago, I came across this quote from St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. It highlights the gift each of us can be to each other. We may not think much about the difference we make in the lives of others. However, this beautiful and timely quote invites us to realize what God wants to do in us and through us – if we nurture the peace that comes from a close and personal relationship with God.

READ MORE