“Fr. Jeff, why haven’t you been writing?” The question has arisen many times lately because the frequency of my posts has dropped. I admit that sometimes it is due to my own reluctance. Reflecting on the events of these last few months and the blank pages that fill those days, however, You have helped me to [...]
Having just returned from the recent youth event, I was tired. As I began evening Mass, I relied on the liturgy and Your grace to celebrate the sacred mysteries. At the consecration, my mind was turned to those most precious words: This is my body, given up for You. During Communion, I felt the close link: “The [...]
Things happen that reveal that I’ve reached that elusive stage in life called “adulthood.” I’m not sure when that landmark was achieved, but I know it must be true after today: I was invited to the local public school’s 6th grade career day. The kids had tons of questions about my life as a priest. [...]
“You must be so proud!” Indeed, I am. Tonight, we celebrated the sacrament of confirmation in our parish. It brought me a great sense of joy since I was the confirmation catechist for our parish. Each Wednesday, we spent 90 minutes discussing the beauty of the world and our faith. As the bishop anointed each [...]
Today, I arrived in Washington D.C. for the Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School 8th grade trip. Since my plane arrived earlier than the rest of the group, I had a chance to visit with one of my classmates. We were catching up on the joys of being new priests. “How do you like priesthood?” I [...]
“This Easter, I have a feeling, is going to be something special.” I remember one of classmates saying that as we talked about entering into our first Triduum as priests. All day long, the question has been the same: “Fr. Jeff, how was your Easter?” The calling of the priest is to proclaim the great [...]
Good Friday is a day of great love. We celebrate the great mystery of the Redemption won by the Cross. For the second time during this Holy Week, I found myself in the role of Jesus during the reading of the Passion. This time, it was from John. It was one of those moments that [...]
Climbing the ambo to proclaim tonight’s Gospel, my eye settled on its antiphon: He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. –John 13:1 I smiled when I saw it. That was the verse from Scripture I placed on my holy card as a commemoration of my ordination to the [...]
“I look forward to Holy Week each year.” Talking to some of the altar servers before Mass, their excitement was apparent. “I do, too!” I said.” I knew that the reading of the Passion would take on new significance for me as a newly ordained priest. I was right. As a young child, the reading [...]
I was sitting at my desk absorbed in my tasks when my phone alerted me to a text message. Being that today is my birthday, my phone was quite busy. I checked it: Happy birthday to thee Happy birthday to thee A priest of Jesus Christ Forever you will be. –Fr. Mac Twenty-six of them [...]