Holy Thursday | Mass of the Lord's Supper

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 6/11/21

Ex 12:1-8, 11-14 | Ps 116 | 1 Cor 11:23-26 | Jn 13:1-15

With great solemnity, this evening, the Universal Church begins the Sacred Paschal Triduum, the three holiest days of the Church year.

At this, the first of these sacred celebrations, the primary mysteries we commemorate in this ... Read More »

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 3/29/21

Mk 11:1-10 | Is 50:4-7 | Ps 22 | Phil 2:6-11 | Mk 14:1-15:47

The procession celebrating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem overflowed with praise and excitement, as onlookers waved these triumphant branches and proclaimed their blessings.

Yet, in only a few days, they will cry out, “Crucify him!” The ... Read More »

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 3/24/21

Jer 31:31-34 | Ps 51 | Heb 5:7-9 | Jn 12:20-33

The English Catholic writer, G.K. Chesterton, once wrote about original sin that “it is the only Christian doctrine that can be proven.”

What did he mean by that?

Original sin is the Christian teaching that, when Adam and ... Read More »

Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 3/24/21

2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23 | Ps 137 | Eph 2:4-10 | Jn 3:14-21

After high school, Paul wasn’t sure what career he wanted to pursue. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to go to college at all.  So, he decided to get a job at the local factory ... Read More »

Third Sunday of Lent (9 AM)

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 3/07/21

Ex 20:1-17 | Ps 19 | 1 Cor 1:22-25 | Jn 2:13-25

A businessman traveled to India to purchase exotic carpets and furniture for his store back in England. He was determined to bring back only the best and hardest to find items so he went to bazaars and ... Read More »

Third Sunday of Lent (5 PM Vigil)

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 3/07/21

Ex 20:1-17 | Ps 19 | 1 Cor 1:22-25 | Jn 2:13-25

The Judeo-Christian faith is founded on the law of God, which Moses was given on Mount Sinai. This law, or the Ten Commandments, has often been used to paint an image of God as judgmental, unforgiving, a ... Read More »

Second Sunday of Lent

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 2/28/21

Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 | Ps 116 | Rom 8:31b-34 | Mk 9:2-10

For many people, today’s first reading is just too hard to believe. How could God ask something so terrible of a parent: to sacrifice their only son? Reading such passages, many people conclude that the ... Read More »

First Sunday of Lent (Catholic Charities Annual Appeal)

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 2/21/21

Gn 9:8-15 | Ps 25 | 1 Pt 3:18-22 | Mk 1:12-15

On this first Sunday of Lent, I invite all of us to reflect on what it means to follow Jesus into the desert.

In today’s gospel from the first chapter of Mark, we hear that “the Spirit ... Read More »

Ash Wednesday

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 2/19/21

Jl 2:12-18 | Ps 51 | 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 | Mt 6:1-6, 16-18

Today we observe the beginning of Lent—a time of fasting, penance, and almsgiving. During this sacred time before the celebration of Easter, we are called to turn away from our sins and turn more faithfully toward ... Read More »

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 2/19/21

Lv 13:1-2, 44-46 | Ps 32 | 1 Cor 10:31-11:1 | Mk 1:40-45

Some of the most beautiful stories in the gospels are of Jesus’ interactions with ordinary people who have the courage to step out of the crowd and approach him.

Today’s gospel is a wonderful example of ... Read More »