Can I vote for a candidate who opposes Church teaching?

Sep 4, 2020thefriarwebmasterReflectionsCandidates, Elections, Faithful Citizenship, Formed Conscience, Pro-choice

When considering your vote, be sure to bring the choice before the Holy Spirit.

Can a priest endorse a political candidate?

Sep 3, 2020thefriarwebmasterReflectionsCampaigns, Code of Canon Law, Elections, Endorsements

Since I am a priest, is it EVER possible for me to suggest people vote for a specific candidate? The short answer is no.

Today’s Prayer: May 7, 2020

May 7, 2020thefriarwebmasterPodcasts, Reflections, Today's Prayercures lepers and forgives sins, Easter, Easter Prayers, Easter Reflections, He heals the sick, He is the divine Son of God, he retreats in prayer, He washes the feet of his disciples, Jesus is so much more, Jesus is the second person of the Blessed Trinity, opens the eyes of the blind

Sometimes when we think of Jesus, we consider him to be only a little better than we are. We can reduce him to being simply a very nice guy, perhaps even someone we admire.

But again and again we are reminded that Jesus is so much more. Jesus is the second person of the Blessed Trinity. He is the divine Son of God. He is, as we are reminded by Saint John the Baptist, so great, that even John the Baptist, his cousin, feels unworthy to unfasten his sandals.

Reflections from Msgr. Lavalley: The Sheepgate

May 2, 2020thefriarwebmasterReflectionskeeping the sabbath holy, the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd

Msgr. Lavalley reminds us that the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. And part of the listening involves keeping the sabbath holy. We need to plan what will we do in the absence of our presence at Mass. Msgr. Lavalley offers suggestions how to keep the holy the Lord’s Day.

Reflections from Msgr. Lavalley: The Bread of Life.

Apr 29, 2020thefriarwebmasterReflectionsBy doing what Jesus did: the will of the Father, How do we strengthen our faith in Jesus, it is a person, Jesus is the Bread of Life, Jesus speaks to people who knew him personally, The Eucharist is not a thing

The Eucharist is not a thing, it is a person. Jesus is the Bread of Life. Jesus speaks to people who knew him personally. Despite this, they saw him and they still did not believe. How do we strengthen our faith in Jesus, present fully in the Eucharist? By doing what Jesus did: the will of the Father.

Reflections from Msgr. Lavalley: Third Sunday of Easter

Apr 25, 2020thefriarwebmasterReflectionsEaster, Easter 2020, eter changes to a courageous and powerful man, Jesus becomes present in the breaking of the bread, share the gospel, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist we change too

Msgr. Richard Lavalley offers reflections for the readings of the Third Sunday of Easter. He describes the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus becomes present in the breaking of the bread and they understand their role to share the gospel. And just as Peter changes to a courageous and powerful man, so too when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist we change too.

Reflections from Msgr. Lavalley: Baptism Talk 3

Apr 22, 2020thefriarwebmasterReflectionsEaster, Easter 2020, Easter Vigil, Mass of Christian Burial, Sanctifying Grace, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, We carry God within us

Sanctifying Grace. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We carry God within us. Baptism opens the path to the other Sacraments. Today, Msgr. Lavalley talks about the Mass of Christian Burial and its similarity to the Easter Vigil.

Reflections from Msgr. Lavalley on Baptism – Talk 2

Apr 18, 2020thefriarwebmasterReflectionsbaptism, Easter, Easter 2020, Easter Reflections, good example, profession of faith, the saving power of Jesus, We ask God to protect the child, we make a statement of faith, we pray for those things we wish to protect the child from

In the sacrament we pray for those things we wish to protect the child from. Just as parents prepare a safe area for their newly arrived baby. So too in Baptism we do the same thing. We ask God to protect the child in the exorcism. We say the devil has no entrance here, because of the saving power of Jesus.

Reflections from Msgr. Lavalley on Baptism

Apr 17, 2020thefriarwebmasterReflectionsEaster, Easter 2020, God always calls us by name, Parents give the gift of God of their children back to God, we are all called by God

Msgr. Richard Lavalley continues his reflections on the sacrament of Baptism. Parents give the gift of God of their children back to God. He reminds us we are all called by God personally since God always calls us by name.

Reflections from Msgr. Lavalley: Easter Tuesday

Apr 16, 2020thefriarwebmasterPrayers, ReflectionsBaptism is not just something that is nice, Easter, Easter 2020, it is something that is essential, the beauty and mystery of the Sacrament of Baptism, What does it mean to celebrate Easter?

What does it mean to celebrate Easter? In these reflections Msgr. Lavalley uses the Easter season to unpack the beauty and mystery of the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptism is not just something that is nice, it is something that is essential.

Category: Reflections