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Whenever I pray the Holy Rosary, and come upon the first of the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Agony in the Garden, I stop to think how lonely, how abandoned, Jesus must have felt in that moment. Think …
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4/7/22
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While hearing confessions recently, I had a few quiet moments awaiting the next penitent. I picked-up the official Rite of Penance in the confessional and began reading through the introduction. …
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3/31/22
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Reach out your hand if your cup be empty, if your cup is full, may it be again. Let it be known there is a fountain that was not made by the hands of men. (Ripple, The Grateful Dead)
The song …
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3/24/22
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Italian Cardinal Agostino Cacciavillan died in Rome on March 5th at the age of 95. Cardinal Cacciavillan was a longtime Vatican diplomat whose most prominent assignment was his service as the …
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3/17/22
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There’s a story about a little boy who was misbehaving in church one day during Holy Mass. His mother corrected him several times, growing more frustrated with each correction. He continued to …
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3/10/22
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No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to all those who hear . . . All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting and …
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3/3/22
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A number of years ago I attended the episcopal ordination of a new auxiliary bishop in another diocese. At the end of the ceremony, as is the custom, the newly minted bishop addressed a few remarks …
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2/24/22
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But the Lord said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast more gladly of my weakness in order that the power of Christ may dwell …
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2/17/22
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Frost and chill, bless the Lord. Ice and snow, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. (Dn 3: 69-70)
“Ice and snow, bless the Lord.” I prayed these words once again …
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2/10/22
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One of the things I’ve discovered about getting older is that I tend to be more cautious in carrying out everyday activities. When unloading groceries from the car to the kitchen, I carry just …
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2/3/22
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February 2nd is, of course, Groundhog Day, when lots of Americans pause early in the morning to watch a furry little rodent from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania predict the weather for the next six weeks. …
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1/27/22
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In my nearly forty-nine years as a priest, I have celebrated Holy Mass thousands of times. And even though it has become a very familiar part of my routine, sometimes in saying Holy Mass new …
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1/20/22
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A “polyglot” is defined as “a person who knows and is able to use several languages.” I admit that I’m not one of them, and I’ve had several experiences in life to …
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1/13/22
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With just a flip of a page on the calendar, a new year has begun. For many of us the beginning of a new year is an occasion to reflect on the events of the past year – the blessings and the …
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1/6/22
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Bishop Tobin is pleased to share once again this year his favorite column about Christmas.My mom loved Christmas. Each year it quickened her step and lifted her spirits, creating a lot of activity in …
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12/16/21
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I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t like Christmas music. Oh, there might be a few Grinches out there somewhere, but I’ve yet to meet them. Of course some folks …
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12/9/21
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Along with the prophets of the Old Testament, particularly Isaiah, and with our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary, one of the lead characters of the Advent Season is John the Baptist. In the liturgy of …
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12/2/21
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If you’re into classical music at all, you’re already familiar with Boléro, the one-movement symphonic piece written by the French composer, Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). It’s a …
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11/25/21
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One of the most intriguing incidents in the early ministry of Jesus involved the cleansing of a leper. The Gospel of Mark (1: 40-45) records that a man with leprosy approached Jesus, knelt before …
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11/18/21
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I don’t travel too much anymore. I don’t look forward to it and I don’t enjoy it, especially now with the extra burden of all of the Covid restrictions, as necessary as they might …
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11/11/21
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