Religion of the Heart: Memorial of St. Francis de Sales (Heb 8:6-13; Ps 85; Mk 3:13-19) ************************************************** “I will put my laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” That sentence, and the readings today, invite us to move from sacrificial […]
Living in an Intimate Covenant Relationship with God (Heb 7:25-8:6; Ps40; Mk 3:7-12) ****************************************************** A young man shared a dilemma with a friend. He was in love with two young women. One was a wonderful baker, and the other a wonderful poet, and he did not know which to marry. His friend commiserated with him, […]
HOMILY WEEK 02 03 – Year I Towards a More Peaceful, Pure Faith: Optional Memorial of St. Vincent, First Spanish Martyr (Heb 7:1-3,15-17; Ps 110; Mk 3:1-6) *********************************************** Which of the following statements resonates most deeply with you: Law and legalism, or Love and relationships? The readings today invite us to deepen our faith in […]
Covenants of Hope and Love: Memorial of St. Agnes (Heb 6:10-20; Ps 111; Mk 2:23-28) *************************************** “God is ever mindful of his covenant.” That sentence from today’s psalm, along with the first reading and gospel not as connected as usual, combine to invite us to be a people in a covenant relationship with God filled […]
New Wine of Eternal Life; Fresh Skins of Humble Obedience: Optional Memorial of St. Fabian, Martyr Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Heb 5:1-10; Ps 110; Mk 2:18-22) ****************************************************** The superior of a religious community of women was on her death bed. One of the sisters, whose father found drinking a little brandy each night […]
HOMILY WEEK 01 06 – Year I Following Jesus (Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19; Mk 2:13-17) *********************************** “God accepts us as we are, but believes in whom we can become.” That quote from Sr. Teresita Kambeitz OSU, underlines the message from today’s readings: we are called to follow Jesus into a new life of mercy, grace […]
HOMILY SUNDAY 02 – YEAR C Marriage and a New Creation (Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-12) ********************************************************* One year, on December 30th, a wedding took place in the northern Manitoba community of Lac Brochet. A young couple decided it was time for them to make a lifelong commitment before God in […]
HOMILY WEEK 01 04 – Year ITorah and Temple, or Partners of Christ(Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95; Mk 1:40-45)************************************************* Have you ever felt guilty for not picking up a hitchhiker? Or not reaching out to a person seemingly lost in a parking lot? Today’s liturgy invites us to go far beyond the rubrics of the Torah […]
HOMILY ADVENT DECEMBER 23 – Year II An Infinite Horizon of Faith, Forgiveness and Healing: Optional Memorial of St. John Kanti (Mal 3:1-4; 4:5-6; Ps 25; Lk 1:57-66) ******************************************************** Bishop Olivier Tremblay, an Oblate who previously worked with university students in Eastern Canada, spoke at an Oblate symposium once. He noted that youth today lack […]
GOOD NEWS – AURORA PROGRAM – REGISTER NOW! The Star of the North offers a faith formation program called Aurora Living open to Christians willing to engage in the inner work of integrating contemplative prayer and social practice. The program is now into its fourth year, and we’ve been privileged to have folks from all different professions, […]
