Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 12/13/21

Zep 3:14-18a | Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 | Phil 4:4-7 | Lk 3:10-18

Shout for joy! Sing joyfully! Be glad and exult with all your heart! Rejoice in the Lord always! Cry out with joy and gladness! Shout with exultation! Acclaim his name!

This isn’t a drill. This is ... Read More »

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity) Patronal Feast Day of the United States of America

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 12/08/21

Gn 3:9-15, 20 | Ps 98 | Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 | Lk 1:26-38

I think we're all fully aware that God can do whatever God wants. He doesn’t need our help at all; and yet, enjoys involving us in His work.

Think about it this way: when a grandmother ... Read More »

Second Sunday of Advent

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 12/08/21

Bar 5:1-9 | Ps 126 | Phil 1:4-6, 8-11 | Lk 3:1-6

On this Second Sunday of Advent, our Scriptures focus on rejoicing. The prophet Baruch, whose name means, “Blessed,” lived 600 years before Christ. He was a scribe, disciple, and devoted friend of the prophet Jeremiah (whom we ... Read More »

First Sunday of Advent (Year C)

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 11/29/21

Jer 33:14-16 | Ps 25 | 1 Thes 3:12-4:2 | Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

On this First Sunday of Advent, we begin a new Church year. We start our journey anew in anticipation of the birth of our Lord and Savior, who is Emmanuel (God with us). Advent is a ... Read More »

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 11/21/21

Dn 7:13-14 | Ps 93 | Rv 1:5-8 | Jn 18:33b-37

In 2013, when Pope Francis was elected, cardinals were standing on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica with him as he addressed the crowds that had gathered in the piazza below. While many of the cardinals were looking ... Read More »

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 11/07/21

1 Kgs 17:10-16 | Ps 146 | Heb 9:24-28 | Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44

One of the most difficult lessons we teach young children is to share. The reason is simple. Sharing requires a sacrifice. For children who are asked to share a toy, the sacrifice is usually viewed ... Read More »

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls' Day)

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 11/06/21

Wis 3:1-9 | Ps 25 | Rom 6:3-9 | Jn 6:37-40

Many individuals, I believe, have asked the question, “What wisdom have I gained?” They may respond that they haven’t gained a bundle of certainties, but only become all the more aware of just how mysterious almost everything about ... Read More »

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Patronal Feast Day of Saint Noel)

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 10/18/21

Is 53:10-11 | Ps 33 | Heb 4:14-16 | Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45

Who among us doesn’t face a flood of demands day after day? Some demands gain our attention, like a child asking for homework help, or needing papers signed. Others are written off as ridiculous, like spam ... Read More »

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 10/16/21

Wis 7:7-11 | Ps 90 | Heb 4:12-13 | Mk 10:17-30 or 10:17-27

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

These are the wise words of Winnie-the-Pooh. They often surface at graduations, funerals, and other significant moments of transition. The childhood favorite names ... Read More »

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 10/16/21

Gn 2:18-24 | Ps 128 | Heb 2:9-11 | Mk 10:2-16  or Mk 2:-12

Human life plays out under the shadow of the cross. Until God’s kingdom finally and fully comes, humanity will always know the pain of suffering and death. We live in a fallen world. Hopes of ... Read More »