Be patient in tribulation, fervent in Spirit The epistle appointed for today’s mass opens with a long list of advice for spiritual welfare.  “People are always impatient, but God is never in a hurry!” Nikos Kazantzakis wrote those words and they highlight an important truth: We need to be patient, infinitely patient, with God. We  Read more …

What are Charisms? The word “charismatic” comes from the Greek word for “gift.”  There are many charisms, and God distributes them differently to different people.  The Bible, in 1 Corinthians 7:7, shows us that everyone “has a particular gift (charisma) from God, one of one kind and one of another.” Romans 12:6-8 lists gifts of Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, and  Read more …

Epiphany: “Lumen requirunt lumine” Which means by following a light, they sought the light. The feast of Epiphany has the makings of high drama.  It features long journeys, guiding stars, ominous danger, holy dreams, great escapes, and a threatened baby. Epiphany’s conflicts are boldly drawn. Light fights night.  The joy of discovery ends long wandering. Truth foils deception. The  Read more …

Where are you going? The feast of epiphany opens a new era in the life of the three “wise men”, “Magi” who left their Eastern region to follow the “star”.  That journey changed them.  Following the star sets a new beginning, a new year so to speak.  And they know where they are going: to  Read more …

The Last Gospel St. John 1:1-14 1   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2   The same was in the beginning with God. 3   All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4  Read more …

My Dearly Beloved in Christ, “In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways…In these last days, He has spoken to us through the Son.” — Hebrews 1:1-2 With deep joy and gratitude, I extend to you my prayerful best wishes for a holy, blessed, merry Christmas 2020 and Happy New Year 2021. I know  Read more …

FATHER POTHIN’S TWO CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS Fully Booked, No Room! “The time came for Mary to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Lk 2:6f.). These words touch our hearts every time  Read more …

Blue Feelings….Blue Christmas Our worship today is intended to be a time when we can, with others, acknowledge the “blue” feelings we may have in the holiday season.  For many who have lost a loved one, this can be a very painful time.  For others it is an especially lonely time of year.  We gather  Read more …

I’m sure you’ve heard and read about how we are supposed to be giving people. While we may accept and agree with that, many of us have an inner dialogue that occurs when God asks us to give something. We wonder why God is asking us to give, especially if we don’t have much to  Read more …

Are you ready to GIVE BACK? Do you know Him? He is coming. After exhorting us to wait in patience and prayer for days, the readings for this third Sunday direct our attention to two fundamental questions:  Are you ready? Do you know Him? The underlying theme in the scriptures appointed for this mass is  Read more …