The love of a beloved family member or friend often anchors our lives in ways we don’t see. A loss can change family dynamics and how we see ourselves. When we lose someone we love, it rocks our world and its stability. It can be hard when other people are sympathetic and more polite than […]
Music and the Gospel: “Blue Wings,” Wild Nothing Read More »
This week’s SPIRIT tells us the story of Father Tolton, the first African-American priest, whose dedicated ministry wore him out too young. Racism and white privilege persist—Jim Crow laws, current incarceration levels, the death of too many young African Americans. Black Lives Matter. Accepting all who are different from us challenges us every day. Father
Music and the Gospel: “Better Than Today,” Rhys Lewis Read More »
Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 1.4-5, 17-19, 1 Corinthians 13.4-13, Luke 4.21-30 After reading a passage from the prophet Isaiah in his hometown synagogue, Jesus sat down and began to speak. “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” All who were present spoke favorably of him; they marveled at the appealing discourse which came from his
Gospel Reflection for January 30, 2022 – 4th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Food in the fridge, money in our bank accounts, security of a home, and the loving protection of our family and friends—these easily make us forget that not everyone has stable home and family environments, education, or financial resources. Jesus aims to free people from poverty and reach out to all his mission. We can
Music and the Gospel: “Swan Song,” Dua Lipa – 4th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Currently, immigration is a major part of our news headlines and politics. Poverty, violence, war, displacement, no work—all can force people to move. These conditions separate many refugees and immigrants from families and friends for long periods of time. They have to navigate cultures, laws, and languages that they don’t know. They start anew in
Music and the Gospel: “You Belong,” Francesca Battistelli Read More »
Relationships with others become more complex as we mature. Some friendships end, some deepen. We develop crushes, pair up, break up, figure out how to make relationships work. This week’s SPIRIT discusses what it means to have healthy, strong relationships and, eventually, marriage. The song “Love Someone” is about what it means to open your
Music and the Gospel: “Love Someone,” Lukas Graham Read More »
Christmas is a time of gift-giving, merry-making, family, and friends. It’s also a time frazzled nerves, fatigue, and stress. In all the rushing back and forth, it can be difficult to remember that Christmas is ultimately a time when we recognize all what we already have and the people in our life. We don’t have
This week’s Spirit begins with a girl feeling how unfair life always is: she didn’t have enough toys as a child, not enough new clothes now. Everyone else has more than she does. Then she helps her brother out at a food kitchen in a poorer neighborhood and realizes that her hardships are minimal compared
Music and the Gospel: “Sound and Color,” Alabama Shakes – 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 33.14-16 1 Thessalonians 3.12—4.2 Luke 21.25-28, 34-36 “People will die of fright when they anticipate what is coming upon the earth. The powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then people will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with great power and glory. When these things happen, stand straight and
Gospel Reflection for November 27, 2021 – 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
This week’s SPIRIT is about walking a mile in another person’s shoes. Every year, the students of St. Paul High School walk 26 miles to raise money for a local soup kitchen. They walk through different communities and meet new people, wealthy and poor. Their journey also gives the students time to reflect and change their
Music and The Gospel: “Rescue,” Lauren Daigle Read More »