Pearl of Great Price

As mentioned in the video this week is Natural Family Planning Awarness Week, and because of this Fr. Abbott preached all of the Masses about NFP. Here is the website for the USCCB on Natural Family Planning. You should be able to find some resources on NFP here.
All right, wish me luck, I have a 13 mile run in the morning.

Thank you YouTube

Pick a Team

I hope that you all enjoyed your weekend. I know that it was hot and humid outside, but we are lucky enough here at Epiphany to have air conditioning. Of course my homily is below, but I just want to throw out a quick thank you to the soundboard operators who do such a good job of recording these homilies. Also, thank you to those who actually listen to the homilies online, one of these Sunday's I am going to mention you in the homily, so make sure to keep on listening. Finally, I am hoping to dive deeper into using "social media" soon, so make sure to keep checking back to see where this leads me.

Here is my homily from Sunday:

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Skiing (Not Walking) on Water

This past Saturday night I had the opportunity to go to St. Francis Xavier in Buffalo, Minnesota to hear confessions and celebrate Mass that evening. It is a beautiful Church and a very prayerful community. It also happens to be close to my Uncle Brad’s cabin in Maple Lake. So, after Mass (which plenty of my family was at) I was able to go to “the cabin” and relax. Now ever since I was a little kid I have always wanted to water ski, but for some reason have never been able to get up on water skis. When I told my Uncle that I was coming, I mentioned that I wanted to try to water ski again, even though I thought that I would have no chance of getting up.

So, when I arrived at the cabin, essentially the first thing that we did was hop in the boat and head out on the lake (which was clear as glass). Also, my cousin Bradley was very generous and headed up to Maple Lake to spot for me, and also offer encouragement. After Bradley was done skiing, it was my turn to give it a shot. The first three times that I yelled “hit it” I was able to almost get up, but would always fall. However, it seemed like my Uncle and Cousin would not let me give up, and after my Uncle offered one simple tip (putting the ski tips higher out of the water) I was finally able to get up water skiing!!! Of course that lasted for about 10 yards before I yelled out in excitement, and then fell face forward into the water. So, I tried again, and made it a little farther, but Bradley was not able to get a picture, so I said I would go one more time (I was a little tired by this time). The third time that I got up I was able to make a longer run (about a minute) before I was exhausted, and let go of the rope. 

 I am now proud to say that I can join my two brothers in saying that I can water ski (it may have been a little pride thing) and cannot wait to go out again and give it a try. So, if any of you have a big boat and some water skis, don’t be afraid to give me a call and invite me out. 

Do you have a Relationship with God?

Take some time this week to evaluate your relationship with God and figure out not only where you need to improve it, but also give thanks to God that you do have a relationship with Him.



Below is my homily for the week:

Podcast Powered By Podbean

"You are Really Sweaty"

A priest usually gets one day off a week, and the day that I take off is Tuesday. I usually try to do my errands that day, and also try to partake in one of my hobbies. The hobby that has been dominating my off day this summer has been running, because every Tuesday is the day that I do my “long run” for the training of the marathon (more on the marathon later). This past Tuesday I was 7.5 miles into my 10 mile run when I spotted the children from our Extended Day Program down by the Coon Rapids Dam. Needless to say they were surprised to see me, and one of the kids even said “you must have ran a long way, because you are really sweaty.” After I spent about a minute of talking to them, I took off to finish the rest of my run (which was all uphill) during which I got to thinking about all of our school children who are gone for the summer, and how nice it is to have a school here. So, for Mass that day I made the Mass intention for all of the school children as well as the children who go to Faith Formation here that they may have a safe and enjoyable summer.  

Now talking about running and school children, once again I would like to remind people that I am running the Twin Cities Marathon and am trying to raise $4,000 for the school. So, far I have either been given or pledged right around $600. If you want to help out with my goal you can simply send a check to me and write it out to Epiphany School, or you can send cash (however just specify in the note that it is for the marathon). Also, some companies have matching gift programs for the marathon, to see if your company matches gifts check out this website here. Every little bit donated will help out for me not only to reach my goal but hopefully even exceed it. Over the past couple of weeks I have learned that there is a difference between running as a hobby and training for a marathon, and I think that in the future it is only going to get harder. In all honesty the only thing that has made me continue to get out and run is because I am doing this for a purpose, which is to provide a great education to those in need, so if the Spirit moves you please make a donation.

Talking about the Spirit moving you, this is exactly how I ended my recent bulletin article. I talked about social media and technology and how they can be used as a tool for the Universal Church. If you want to take a look at the article you can find it here.
I hope that you all have an enjoyable weekend, I know that mine will be busy, but at the same time very enjoyable.

My Yoke is Easy, and my Burden Light.

I'm off to Wisconsin to visit a friend and his family, I hope that you all have a safe holiday and know of my prayers.

Below is my homily:

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Quick Update

Here is the information for our Second Friday Young Adult Series on Friday night, I hope you can make it:

Whoever Eats this Bread will Live Forever!!!

It was great preaching this weekend at Epiphany. It had been 2 weeks since I had preached a Sunday homily, so I actually was a little nervous. However, it helped that it was a great Sunday to preach because it was the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ). Also, the Gospel was from John 6:51-58 which is one of, if not my favorite Gospel passage. The reason why I like it so much is because it explains the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I was able to grasp this teaching when I was in my Johannine class (the study of John). What helped me out the most was a handout that my teacher gave me, which explained that the word "eat" can be translated two different ways. Anyways, here is the handout:

John 6:51-58 

51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh (sarks)." 

52 ¶ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh (sarks) to eat (phagein)?" 

53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat (phagein) the flesh (sarks) of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; 

54 he who eats (trogein) my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

55 For my flesh (sarks) is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 

56 He who eats (trogein) my flesh (sarks) and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 

57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats (trogein) me will live because of me. 

58 This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate (phagein) and died; he who eats (trogein) this bread will live forever."

Sarks = Flesh

Phagein = Eat

Trogo = Gnaws or Chews

As you can tell, the difference between Phagein and Trogein is huge. We are truly called to gnaw/chew on the body of Christ. If you want to learn more about this, please listen to my homily, I think it offers a fairly good explanation. However, in the homily I did not use the word "gnaws" because I did not want to freak out any children, however "gnaws" would be a better translation.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

When in Rome (see everything possible)

Sorry for not posting anything for a long time, but as many of you know I have been on vacation for the last week in Rome. My mother and sister Sarah joined me on this trip, and the main point behind the trip for me was to see one of my friends since college get married (it was in St. Peters Basilica and I was able to concelebrate the wedding). Overall it was a great trip. We saw the Pope twice. The first time we saw him was at the Pentecost Mass at St. Peter's where I was able to be a Eucharistic Minister and where the Pope passed within four feet of my mother and sister.  The other time we saw the Pope was at the general audience on Wednesday where we had great seats thanks to Archbishop Harvey. We were also able to see almost all of the sites in Rome.  We saw St. Peter's Basilica (where I was able to either say Mass or concelebrate Mass four times), the Vatican Gardens and Museum (the gardens are beautiful), and also we were able to do the Scavi tour (which is a tour of the excavation that archeologists under St. Peters did in the 1940’s to try to find the bones of St. Peter which they did). Some other churches that we were able to see were all of the Major Basilicas (Mary Major, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul’s outside the Walls), and, of course, the Pantheon and many other Churches .

Just so you know we did see many other things then religious sites including the Coliseum, Forum, Palatine Hill, the Spanish Steps, and, of course, we had to go and see the Trevi Fountain (although we forgot to throw a coin in, although I never have). The food was great, and I even got to go to my favorite restaurant in Rome which is Abruzzi’s (they have the best carbonera that I have ever had, and they also have great service). We were also able to eat plenty of Gelato. One of the best things about Rome is that most of the sights are in walking distance of each other, and even if they are not the public transportation can get you anywhere where you want to go. The main way of transportation for us was the bus, but we did take the metro one day, and I soon figured out that my mother is not a fan of being underground, which she definitely let me know. I also enjoyed running in Rome, because I would be running faster than the cars (the traffic can be pretty bad).

   So, the question has to be what was my favorite part of the trip? Well, it may surprise you but my favorite part is always the same when I go to Rome; which is being able to see the Universal Church. It always shows to me that the Church is bigger than just me, or the American Church. It is the Universal Church and it is a beautiful Church. I am always amazed at how big the Church is, but also to realize that we are all part of this Church, and that what we do in our own lives affects what happens for the Universal Church. So, keep on trying to live a life that will contribute to the glorification to the Universal Church and all of its members.
If you want to see more pictures of my trip to Rome, check out this link for more great pictures, thanks to my sister Sarah.