Joseph John Getz, O.S.A.
1924 – 2022 (October 21) Joseph John Getz, O.S.A., was born on July 14, 1924, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the son of Peter F. and Eleanor A. (Herbert) Getz. He had two brothers and three sisters. He was baptized on July 27, 1924, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Atlantic City, New Jersey. He attended […]
Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
Today, we see the importance of the disposition of humility in prayer. The humble and honest prayer of the tax collector reveals his true self. His example serves as a reminder to us that with and in humility we are invited to begin and end all prayer. What other thoughts does this Gospel raise for us?
John Peter Stack, O.S.A.
1947 – 2022 (October 13) John Peter Stack, O.S.A., was born on September 20, 1947, in Darby, Pennsylvania, the son of John P. and Helen (Fitzgibbons) Stack. He had one brother and three sisters. He was baptized on October 12, 1947 at Saint Madeleine Sophie Catholic Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Saint Andrew Parish School, […]
Twenty-ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
What is our body language? What is our posture? What is our stance in life? What is it that we communicate? Are we closed off from one another, to each other’s voices, ideas, concerns? Do we listen to one another, or are we too busy looking the other way? Or are we open to each other, looking at each other in the eye?
October 12 – Blessed Maria Teresa Fasce
Virgin The life of the contemplative nun, Blessed Teresa Fasce, whom we commemorate today, though different from that of most of us, nevertheless illustrates the universal Christian virtues of fidelity to God’s will at all costs and the practical implementation of the great commandment of love. Though dedicated to the life of the cloister, Blessed […]
October 10 – Saint Thomas of Villanova
Bishop Today we celebrate the memory of Saint Thomas of Villanova, one of the great Spanish saints of the 16th Century, known as the Father of the Poor. Like Saint Augustine, he was called to serve the Church as bishop, much against his will, but carried out this service with great fidelity and zeal, bringing […]
Twenty-eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
Naaman’s dignity is revealed with the healing waters of the Jordan. Likewise, the ten lepers were reunited with their family and community celebrating their dignity. Can we see a parallel meaning in our baptism? Washing may not have happened in a river, but it is an image of cleansing, an experience that celebrates our dignity.
Twenty-seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
We see the impossible being done everyday by healthcare workers and laborers on farms and factories, by teachers finding ways to bring forth learning, by innovators and imagineers able to see possibilities never considered before. Without faith, so much remains impossible and untried. With faith, miracles happen because faith opens our eyes to the awe and wonder of what God has done and is doing in our midst.
September 28 – Blessed Thomas of Saint Augustine
Thomas Ochia Kintsuba Jihyoe of Augustine Martyr Augustinian Thomas “Kintsuba” Jihyoe of Saint Augustine, along with his 187 companions, was beatified November 24, 2008. The beatification ceremony took place in Nagasaki, Japan. “For all of us, this is a magnificent opportunity to renew our own faith, and to open our hearts to the inspiration of […]
Twenty-sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time • Year C
Our Catholic faith teaches us that there are two ways in which we can fall off the wagon – so to speak – on our pilgrimage through life. One is by the deliberate, conscious and willful choices we make to do harm, cause injury, inflict pain by word or thought or action. The other is more subtle, more hidden perhaps, more damaging in the long run – and that is the failure to do something positive where the opportunity presents itself.