2017 archive of From the Pastor
Reviewing the Role of an Examination of Conscience
Posted by Deborah Dubois on 3/12/17
During the Lenten Season, several extra opportunities are offered for us to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. After praying to the Holy Spirit for an awareness of where we need forgiveness in specific ways, we are encouraged to examine our consciences in preparation to receive this Sacrament of ... Read More »
Appreciating the Proper Place of a Budget in our Parish
Posted by Deborah Dubois on 3/05/17
What if our parish did not have a budget? Let’s just say that everyone was invited to contribute to her/his favorite cause. If we encouraged this, our parish would soon be hurting. Who wants to pay utility bills, health insurance costs, salaries, office supplies and other unattractive expenses? ... Read More »
Lent Starts This Wednesday, March 1st
Posted by Deborah Dubois on 2/27/17
The Christian Faith centers around the Events of the Sufferings, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we refer to as the Paschal Mystery. In and through these Saving Events, we are offered the forgiveness of all our sins and the continuing opportunity to realize in ... Read More »
Matters Pertaining to Godparents/Sponsors
Posted by Deborah Dubois on 2/19/17
From time to time, a number of us are asked to serve as a Godparent for someone who is to be baptized and/or as a Sponsor for a person who is to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Where this is possible, it is highly recommended that a person’s baptismal ... Read More »
Making Time to be Present to the Lord and to One Another in Him
Posted by Deborah Dubois on 2/12/17
There are times when we value simply the presence of persons whom we know care about us. Let’s say that as children and as youth where we attend school, we are performing in a concert or are playing in a sporting event. It means a lot to us to ... Read More »
The Challenge & the Opportunity of the Weekend Homily
Posted by Deborah Dubois on 2/07/17
Last summer, persons from St. Mary Parish attended a conference in Detroit entitled AMAZING PARISH. Participants at the conference were invited to make the Sunday Experience of gathering for worship as effective as it can possibly be for all who come. A basic aspect of the Sunday Experience is ... Read More »
Catholic Schools-a Unique Opportunity to Support our Parents/Guardians
Posted by Deborah Dubois on 1/29/17
As they raise their children, the most important responsibility that our Catholic parents/guardians have is that of transmitting the Catholic Faith to them. This can be done well in settings such as the following: that of home schooling, that of providing faith formation for children who attend public ... Read More »
Balancing the Ideal and the Practical in Regard to Safeguarding Human Life
Posted by Deborah Dubois on 1/22/17
In an ideal world, there would be no need to develop laws that prohibit abortion. Let’s imagine what life would be like in such a world. As an analogy, we might consider the following. As Catholics, we are asked to observe Holy Days of Obligation. On ... Read More »
Promoting Christian Unity
Posted by Deborah Dubois on 1/15/17
Many of us have family members, relatives and friends who belong to non-Catholic faith communities. Religious groups that baptize persons with water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit are recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as Christian faith communities. ... Read More »
Relating to the Bodies of Our Deceased Loved Ones in a Manner That Honors Them as Persons
Posted by Deborah Dubois on 1/06/17
RELATING TO THE BODIES OF OUR DECEASED LOVED ONES IN A MANNER THAT HONORS THEM AS PERSONS As most of us are aware, cremation has become more and more commonplace despite the Church’s stated preference for full burial. In addition, when cremation does occur, all too often the cremated ... Read More »