Listen to the homily here.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Christmas Party: 12-27-15
Again—happy Christmas!
Remember
as Catholics, our Christmas is not done yet. December 25th continues on December 26th,
27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st
and January 1st, 2016.
Yes—we keep the big Masses (Christmas and Easter) for eight days for a party. Unlike the businesses in our Country,
their Christmas decorations are already gone as Valentine ideas are in. Don’t rid the tree away! Don’t put off the Christmas music! Don’t throw out the cookies! It’s still Christmas!
Personally,
I love the Masses this time of the year—they are rolling! As the Masses on December 24th
and 25th for Christmas was awesome, December 26th and 27th
for the Holy Family—Mother Mary, Joseph and Jesus. As daily Masses continue on the 28th, 29th
and 30th (8:30am—Christmas Masses) another big one comes—the
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God—31st and January 1st,
2016. And then another weekend
with the Epiphany of the kings through the star (January Saturday 2nd,
Sunday 3rd). Wow!
Take
this time for Jesus Christ, the child.
Take this time for our Mother Mary. Take this time for the gifts the kings gave Jesus in the
manger. Take this time for how
much love, mercy and compassion brings us. Amen!
Again—what
some love of Masses!
God
Bless!
Thursday, December 24, 2015
The final sprint, with a pregnant Mother!: Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015
Listen to the homily here.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Canticles from two Mothers: Mother Mary and Hannah: Tuesday, December 22nd, 2015
Listen to the homily here.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Sunday, December 20, 2015
4th Advent and Christmas: 12-20-15
Welcome to Fr. Michael Garry to
churches. Fr. Michael is a brother
and a friend and we were two years together at the seminary. Make sure Fr. Michael has a donut!
4th Advent for our weekend Masses (December 20th-21st)
As
we enter into our 4th Advent, continue our last “lap”. As it was a race, work hard through
your prayers, thoughts and ideas for our CHURCHES, SCHOOL, DIOCESE OF DULUTH,
POOR and SICK. Take this time with
quietness with God, especially with our TIME, TALENT and TREASURE.
Remember,
I asked you to read two pages (139-140) or thirty-two pages (107-138) in “The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic”. If you haven’t grab this gift, please
enjoy it!
I have been very proud for our
whole family this season. Our
MISSION was awesome and let’s finish the last lap because…
Christmas!
greeting
to all of you to this amazing time of the year—the born of Jesus Christ! Know that you are all welcome to our churches—St. Thomas
Aquinas (International Falls) and St. Columban (Littlefork).
Our Pope Francis shows the whole
world how good is God for love, peace, compassion, forgiveness,
kindness, clemency, happiness, friendship! On December 8th our Pope gave us a whole year for
mercy to help with the sick, the
poor, the sinful, and each person be close to God. This is an awesome year!
As we praise for Christmas, I share
a quick note about last August 8th—I had a stroke. I had a helicopter from I Falls to
Duluth (the first time of my life!).
I had a surgery for my brain. And God (with a huge team of doctors, nurses and prayers)
saved me. Jesus saved me! God LOVES all of us!
After the surgery, I stayed 40 days
in a hospital. I was through
speech, physical therapy and occupational therapy for 56 days. I had another 20 days of speech only. Now I continue to learn English,
grammar, reading, writing and listening.
The great gift of my life is unreal from God.
And as we begin Christmas I ask for
you the one gift I would ask for our world: come to Mass each weekend. It
is only one hour—out of the 168 hours of a week. And it’s free!
And we give you a gift: an easy book called “Rediscover Jesus”. Take one to yourself, your family, your
friends or those who work with you.
Remember how good Jesus is?
I hope you all have a wonderful
Christmas with your family, friends and those you know.
Know of my prayers, as well as our
churches. Happy Christmas!
God Bless!
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Jesus answering his cousin, John the Baptist: Wednesday, December 16th, 2015
Listen to the homily here.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Sign in for time and talent!: 12-13-15
For this weekend I would like to
follow up “Stewardship for the House”
in time and talent. Continue to
pray for the ways you can help our churches,
school, poor and sick. Either sign your name or chat with us
in the churches or school.
·
Churches
o Mass
§
Readers
§
Musicians
§
Singers
§
Sacristan
§
Altar Servers
§
Ushers
§
Eucharistic Ministers
o Buildings
§
Cutting grass
§
Gardens
§
“Fixing stuff”
§
(See these to talk to Dave Chute)
o Knights
of Columba
o Catholic
of Daughters
o Tabernacle
Society (cleaning our church)
o Adoration
of Eucharistic
o Donuts!
·
School
o Script
(a great easy gift for Christmas)
o Calendar
Raffle Tickets
o Christmas
Program
o Helping
as volunteers or with other events
·
Poor
o Community
Close Closet
o Food
o Social
Concerns
o Servants
of Shelter
o Minister
of Praise
·
Sick
o Visiting
for those in hospital, nursing homes, homebound
o Eucharistic
Minister (please see me about that)
Pray, pray, pray!
God Bless!
Advent MISSION "Stewardship of our House": Fr. Nick Nelson's talk: Generous of Self is the key to Holiness (12-10-15)
Listen to Fr. Nick Nelson's talk here.
Fr. Nick Nelson spoke about his talk: "Generous of Self is the key to Holiness". As he spoke to our churches about our stewardship, he spoke about generous can help each person. Enjoy!
Fr. Nick Nelson spoke about his talk: "Generous of Self is the key to Holiness". As he spoke to our churches about our stewardship, he spoke about generous can help each person. Enjoy!
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Advent MISSION "Stewardship of our House": (My talk of our mission and my stroke)
Listen to this talk here.
My talk began to share about my stroke. After this I add how stewardship must be part of our Catholic lives. As the time, talent and treasure is needed, our mission looked into our CHURCHES, SCHOOL, DIOCESE OF DULUTH, POOR and SICK.
Enjoy!
My talk began to share about my stroke. After this I add how stewardship must be part of our Catholic lives. As the time, talent and treasure is needed, our mission looked into our CHURCHES, SCHOOL, DIOCESE OF DULUTH, POOR and SICK.
Enjoy!
Advent MISSION "Stewardship of our House": (MASS Homily): Silence: Wednesday, December 9th, 2015
Listen to this homily here.
The big part...pray together at Mass for FIVE MINUTES...the homily just remembered about our TIME, TALENT and TREASURE, for our CHURCHES, SCHOOL, DIOCESE OF DULUTH, POOR and SICK.
The big part...pray together at Mass for FIVE MINUTES...the homily just remembered about our TIME, TALENT and TREASURE, for our CHURCHES, SCHOOL, DIOCESE OF DULUTH, POOR and SICK.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Advent MISSION "Stewardship of our House"
The MISSION: "Stewardship of our House" of our Churches during Advent. The big part is our time, talent and treasure for our CHURCHES, SCHOOL, DIOCESE OF DULUTH, POOR and SICK. Boom!
--Tuesday, December 8th = the confession and Masses for Mother Mary, Immaculate of Conception
--Wednesday, December 9th = Mass, pizza, signs, books and my talk ("Stewardship of our House" with my stroke as well)
--Thursday, December 10th = talk from Fr. Nick Nelson, Eucharistic Adoration, music, confession
Pray for us!
--Tuesday, December 8th = the confession and Masses for Mother Mary, Immaculate of Conception
--Wednesday, December 9th = Mass, pizza, signs, books and my talk ("Stewardship of our House" with my stroke as well)
--Thursday, December 10th = talk from Fr. Nick Nelson, Eucharistic Adoration, music, confession
Pray for us!
Monday, December 7, 2015
Friends carried their paralyzed brother to Jesus: Monday, December 7th, 2015
Listen to the homily here.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Advent Ideas: 12-6-15
The Advent begins for week #2. As we prepare ourselves to get ready
for Christmas, I have some cool things planned for you:
·
Throughout Advent, Stewardship will be our theme- time,
treasure and talent. These are ways
to share our gifts. This is
especially important for our Churches,
School, Diocese of Duluth (UCA), poor
and sick.
·
Each Wednesday,
Mass will be at 6:30pm. For
those who come every day, those who work and would like an evening Mass, RCIA
people, high school and junior high students, and any one else—come to
Mass! (Confession will begin at
5:30-6:15pm during each Wednesday as well).
·
Adoration
and Confession will take place Tuesday’s during Advent: 7:00pm-8:00pm on
December 15th and 22nd. This is a time for you to pray with the Lord, receive
forgiveness for sins, and prepare yourself for Christmas.
·
Stewardship
of Our “House” will be during the second week of Advent: The Mission begins
on Tuesday (8th),
Wednesday (9th) and Thursday (10th.)
o Three
Masses will be held on Tuesday (8th)
for The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (See bulletin schedule for times.)
o Mass
will be on Wednesday (9th)
at 6:30pm. After Mass you will receive books, please sign up for ways to help
our Church, School and Community.
Also—there will be some great food as well.
o Thursday (10th) we will
begin at 7:00pm with a great talk followed by Eucharistic Adoration, music/
prayer and several priests hearing Confessions.
I am excited for our Stewardship
Mission!
God Bless!
Thursday, December 3, 2015
The house on rock: Thursday, December 3rd, 2015 (St. Thomas School students at Mass)
Listen to this homily here.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Monday, November 30, 2015
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Friday, November 27, 2015
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
How much time for God? How much time in heaven?: Tuesday, November 24th, 2015
Listen to the homily here.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Sunday, November 22, 2015
105 Days: 11-22-15
Praise God…Friday, November 20th marks 105 days since
my stroke. I spoke of the circle last weekend and I thought I would do some
math here:
·
40 (days
in the hospital)
·
+ 22 (days
in Duluth at Miller-Dwan for speech, OT and PT, plus a weekend of Masses in
Duluth)
·
+ 20 (days
in the Cities for speech school)
·
+ 2 (days in the Cities for my
cousin’s wedding)
·
+ 21
(days at home [of HEAVEN] in International Falls and Little Fork )
·
= 105
days.
·
(15 weeks)
·
BACK HOME!
PRAISE
GOD!
A
few things about my return to work:
·
Masses will be back to Monday-Thursday mornings.
Mass on Monday, November 23rd will be at 7:30am (I have an
appointment in Duluth…but Mass is BACK).
The rest of the week will be at 8:30am.
·
Happy Thanksgiving Day! (Yes…make it to Mass at 8:30am on
Thursday!)
·
Advent begins next week…the start of the new-year
for our Church!
·
Some cool parts of Advent for our churches:
Adoration, books, CDs, talks, music, confession, Wednesday evening Masses,
stewardship, prayer and more…
Ice fishing will be coming soon…I didn’t get to hunt this fall, but thank you, Lord, for fishing on the ice!
God Bless!
Sunday, November 15, 2015
"Cooking as a Priest": 11-15-15
As I continue to work through
Speech, I have a paragraph they taught me through. The name I wrote about—“Cooking as a Priest”. I think you’ll enjoy this!
----------
Twelve days after my stroke, I was
moved to Miller-Dwan in Duluth. I
was given speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy. On one of the first days I was taught
how to remember how to cook again.
I
was learning how to make a quick breakfast. Coffee—perfect.
Eggs—delicious (but with out bacon). The gal helped me for thirty minutes through OT to help my
life back to normal.
The
next day—cooking again. I thought,
“Wait a second…cooking again?” My
leader helped me again; this time the thirty minutes pushed me through toast
and juice. At the same time, I
asked a question: “How much cooking are we doing?” She answered, “We could do quite a bit.” So I told her what my life is—a
priest! I said, “I am a
priest. Some days I work for 12,
14 or 16 hours for a day.
Cook? I can buy dinner
quicker for 10 bucks than cooking!
I always enjoy dinners at a family’s house to be with them. I could also be a difficult time for
cooking. For instance, I might be
called to the hospital to be with a dying person. If that happened, my cooking dinner is interrupted and the
food is trashed. Cooking? I am done cooking!”
My
occupational therapist laughed and told me, “I think we’ll be done cooking!”
---------
Only
five days left for my Speech.
Thank you for your prayers and know of my prayers for you all!
God
Bless!
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Bulletin: Thanks to YOU--November 8th, 2015
I am thankful to God for my family and my friends after
having a stroke. I am also
grateful for YOU. I was excited to
be home for eight days (October 18th-25th), and to be
back in our Churches. And yes, I
am pumped to be back in only three weeks.
Until then, I will continue to lead the weekend Masses—praise God!
A
great man in my life told me something recently regarding my recovery: “Your
parishioners are on this journey with you and it is something beautiful for
God.” Isn’t this true? We each have hard parts of life—our
sins—and we all need help. And
that’s where GOD loves us! The Savior takes us—not simply to earth—but to
heaven!
In my spiritual life I know I am
learning to be the best priest I can for you. As I work through my speech (for my brain!) and I improve my words, sacraments,
homilies, prayers, chats, bulletins and such…know that I am so thankful for you
on the way. And you are in my
prayers.
Finally—our best friend, God and
Savior, has a great prayer for our hearts:
Psalm 23
The LORD
is my shepherd, I shall not want;
he
makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
he
restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death,
I
fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your
rod and your staff,
they
comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in
the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil,
my
cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all
the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.Monday, November 2, 2015
All Saints in our family?: All Saints (instead of 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time)
Listen to the homily here.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Fifth time in the bulletin: 10-25-15
Praise God for a WHOLE WEEK to be back home. Again, some small things to share:
·
We had Mass Monday-Friday mornings. This was the first time for daily
Masses for ten weeks
·
I thought I was finally smarter than the kids at
school (I was able to see each class rooms—praise the Lord!). I was going to show the first graders
how smart I was—the names of the months of the year. I was so good—and then they sang the months in SPANISH! I still need school!
·
Yes, I will be continuing with speech in the
area of Maple Grove. This will
help me grow in my writing, reading, emails, texts and the rest of life. These four weeks will be October 26th-November
20th. This means that I
will be “at school” on Monday-Friday’s from 9:00am-12:30pm. I’ll get rides on these Friday’s to get
back north for the Masses at St. Thomas and St. Columbian. Rides on Sunday will get me back for
school in the Cities. ONLY 20 DAYS
LEFT!
·
I continue to think how much God loves us. Part of this is going beyond the “stuff
we have,” money, TV, phones or busy games. I continual how much I could be busy for every second. Yet how much do we stay with
Jesus? Family? Friends?
·
Finally, remember that we get to sleep more next
weekend!
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Mary, Mass, Bible: Wednesday, October 21st, 2015 (St. Thomas School)
Listen to the homily here.
This was the first time for Mass for the children and teachers from St. Thomas School. Praise God!
This was the first time for Mass for the children and teachers from St. Thomas School. Praise God!
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Available now for purchase of my first book: My Vocation Story
My first book is now available on the internet to buy. Check that off of the bucket list! The excited for me is that any money to buy this book will help St. Thomas School in International Falls, MN. You can find this on lulu.com (here).
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Romans from St. Paul's writing--about sin today: Tuesday, October 20th, 2015
Listen to the homily here.
Monday, October 19, 2015
What's the stuff we have?: Monday, October 19th, 2015
Listen to the homily here.
I will have the Mass at St. Thomas for Monday (October 19th) through Sunday (October 25th).
Praise God!
I will have the Mass at St. Thomas for Monday (October 19th) through Sunday (October 25th).
Praise God!
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Fourth time reading the bulletin: 10-18-15
I am so excited to be up north for seven days…and NO
school! As I still learn speech
here’s some more good stuff I want to share:
·
Praise God, I’ll be leading the wedding for my
cousin on Saturday
·
Thanks again for Fr. Dennis to be the Masses
this weekend
·
Because of your prayers, I will be giving a gift
for each St. Thomas, St. Columban and our School
·
And remember that I got cable from the house I
live? This money came from your
help—the $180-$190 that adds internet, phone and cable. This means that $100 is less to pay
each month (or $1,200 for a year, $12,000 for ten years!)
·
I will be doing a bit of WORK while I am
back. Why, you may ask? And I am still the pastor by the
Bishop—which I better be working! So
I’ll be doing some stuff to our churches, school and people.
·
Speaking of money (my brain was always with math
and counting!). Remember that I
like to be funny as you lend a hand for our churches and diocese.
·
Finally (what is important in my the fall) is
that I might be able to hunt for grouse this week. But the best—my beard starts today!
God Bless!
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Third time to write in the bulletin: 10-11-15
Father, Son and Holy Spirit…Mary…
The Bible…These words are the BEST God has for us… I will be using them in the
homilies and bulletins.
From
last weekend—remember how much God LOVES us. Our families…our lives…our husband/wife…babies, kids, high
school, college, adults, seniors.
Remember that God LOVES us!
Keep talking to the people in the area. Join them in the church… have donuts on Sunday!
I
am excited to be back home for the week
of October 19th - 25th. I’ll be able to see YOU. I will talk to some of our groups about our faith that week:
daily Mass; the weekly Mass with kids, teachers, families at school; marriage
prep; 7th – 12th graders on Wednesday evening; Evangelization group; those who help the
poor, sick and lonely; and everyone else…I’ll be seeing everyone I
can—especially at Mass!
One
last thing—I only have 25 days left of “school”.
God Bless you and know of my prayers for ALL of you and your FAMILY!
God loves our family: 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time
(Listen to this homily here).
As I can't write the best yet (because I am still learning speech) I will post my homilies or other stuff from Church.
God Bless!
As I can't write the best yet (because I am still learning speech) I will post my homilies or other stuff from Church.
God Bless!
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Second time to write again...through our bulletin: 10-4-15
God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit…Mary…Bible…
It is so awesome to be back to home! As I’ll continue writing smaller…
·
As you read this weekend I’ll only 30 days of
school for my life!
·
I’ll lead for Mass on Saturday and Sunday this
weekend (October 3rd and 4th)! It is such a thanks for God…and I’ll share a bit before
Mass. One of a new deacon—who will
be a priest in our diocese—will be helping out. And even another priest too.
·
Beau (who was had from Summer) would have
coming…but he’ll be running for 26.2 miles Sunday morning. Pray for him as he runs!
·
I’m excited also to be at Masses on the
Saturday’s and Sunday’s for many weeks.
The only one I would miss is October 17th-18th. I had actually asked Fr. Dennis Hoffman
eight months ago because I had doing a Mass for a cousin before!
·
I’ll be in I Falls for October 18th-October
24th…a whole week. I
can’t wait for that…especially for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (with the school
kids) and Thursday. I have been
asking for days of priests for during the week, but having found out yet.
·
I’ll be doing more speech and learning by the
cities—close to St. Paul. This
would begin October 25th for four weeks—Monday-Friday. But yes, back for I Falls and Masses in
the weekend!
·
November 20th looks like the done for
my school! (Did I remember you I
am excited that I only have 30 days left of school for my 24 years of my life
now?!)
·
During the week, I would love it if you pray for
during the day—at 8:30am—to pray the Rosary. Every day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)