The Clergy Corner

This Sunday, I want to speak directly to your heart. Not the polite, church-on-Sunday heart that smiles and shakes hands, but the heart that beats quietly when no one’s looking — the one that knows the truth about where you really are with God.   Let’s be honest: too many of us have gotten comfortable with a lukewarm faith. We say we love Jesus, but we live like He’s optional. We pray when it’s convenient, serve when it fits our schedule, and forgive when it’s easy. But deep

The month of November is dedicated to All Souls.   As we approach this annual commemoration, you are invited to write the names of deceased loved ones in our Books of Remembrance, located near the baptismal fonts at both Holy Family and St. John.  At every Mass in November, as we pray for the dead, we will especially remember those whose names are written in our books. Please take the opportunity through All Saints Day to add to our Book of Remembrance anyone you would like t

Each Sunday, as we proclaim the Nicene Creed together, we profess the very heart of our faith — a statement that unites us with the...

For the last half-century, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has designated the month of October as Respect Life Month  ...

How often do we miss out what is before us? We are so busy most of the time we don't take the time just to breathe. We are so anxious to...

As we hear in today’s gospel reading, after presenting the parable of the dishonest steward, St. Luke includes several sayings of Jesus...

As the days grow shorter and the air grows crisp, the season of fall greets us with its familiar beauty. Leaves blaze in shades of red,...

In lieu of my usual column this week, I share some exciting news for youth ministry at Holy Family and St. John, and at several other...

One of the most misunderstood sacraments in our Catholic faith is the Anointing of the Sick. Many still think of it in terms of what used...

The relative quiet of the past few weeks around our parishes has felt like the calm before the storm.  This weekend, the summer vacation...

A hard statement to believe because it seems in our eyes, he is asking is to do the impossible. To live a Holy life, to forgive people...

The great scripture scholar, St. Jerome, once said, “The Scriptures are shallow enough for a babe to come and drink without fear of...

As we enter the summer months, a season filled with warmth, relaxation, and often a break from our regular routines, it’s essential to...

The greeting card companies have been trying to market the Sunday after Labor Day as “Grandparents’ Day” for years, but our Church’s...

Every now and then, a song comes along that speaks not just to the ears, but to the heart. Noah Rinker’s “Save My Soul” is one of those...

We have several work projects going on around our parishes; some are planned and some are not…   At St. John we are putting our DLA...

It is said that wisdom comes from age. For the most part, I have to agree with that statement. As I reflect on my life, where I have...

Today is the last of six solemnities we are observing during the month of June—an unusual but not unheard of occurrence.  We have one of...

Many people ask: Why does the deacon wear his stole differently from the priest?   The answer is deep and beautiful. Not Power, But...

I am writing this column with the expectation that by the time you read it, I will be a couple of time zones west of Latrobe.  I am...