Ordinary Time 4

It is that time of year again (no, not the Super Bowl), Catholic Schools Week. This is the week in which Catholic Schools have the opportunity to show off all the good things that they do and to remind us what an importance that Catholic education adds to the child, the family, the parish, the community as well as the nation. Because of their traditionally high academic standards and high graduation rates, all supported by strong moral values, Catholic schools and their graduates make many positive contributions to American society every day. We are blessed here at St. Malachy Parish to have a fine school. Of course it is not easy to keep the school going but the support of parents, staff and parishioners as well as the many sacrifices made make our school possible. I thank my parents for their sacrifice in providing me a Catholic school education. We are grateful for this opportunity to pass on our faith to the next generation. This is what Catholic schools provide. Please pray for our students, our faculty, our volunteers and all who help our school.

Ordinary Time 3

Human life is sacred because God created us in his own image and likeness. As our Creator He alone is the Lord of Life; therefore, no one can claim the right to intentionally destroy another human being. Each and every person must be respected. Human life must be protected absolutely from the moment of creation - the moment of conception. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jer. 1:5). The miracle of life is something to be greatly respected and praised.

This Saturday, January 22 marks the 38th annual Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in our country. On Monday, January 24 hundreds of thousands of people from across our country will march peacefully upon our nation’s capital to speak up for the unborn child and the miracle of life. Our attendance at the March for Life is our way to say to our government leaders and to the American public that we honor those children who have died; and we will continue to work for legislation to protect all life, from conception through natural death.

Pope John Paul II said, “Do not be afraid of being witnesses to the dignity of every human being, from the moment of conception until death.”

Even though you may not be able to attend the March, please pray for respect for all life. Life is precious, life is a gift from God, and may we never forget this precious gift of life.

Ordinary Time 2

The words of John the Baptist that we hear in today’s Gospel, “Behold the Lamb of God," are familiar to us, because we hear them at every Mass just before we receive Holy Communion. John’s proclamation about Jesus has become the invitation to Holy Communion in our liturgy. For us today, those words are more than just singling out someone who was walking along the Jordan River. These words are now a profession of faith in what we do at every Mass. For in Holy Communion, we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

Baptism of the Lord

Don’t all parents wonder what their child will be? Isn’t every mom and dad filled with hope for their son or daughter? With most Catholics baptized as infants, it is the faith of the parents that nurtures the child as he or she grows to maturity. Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan River was another manifestation of his human and divine natures. He was revealed as the “Beloved Son.” In this, he was not so different from any son or daughter who is being raised today. The challenge for parents is to help their children understand the meaning of the divine life that is theirs.

In the baptismal rite we hear the words: “God the Father has freed you from sin, given you new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into his holy people. He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.” By our baptism we are challenged to sanctify the places where we live and work. We, the people of God, live the Jesus we know through goodness and kindness.