Spiritual Directions for the Journey
Posted in Big Questions, Reflections from Fellow Wanderers on Nov 23rd, 2011
This Sunday the Catholic Church introduces the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal. Basically some of the words of the mass will be changing so they are closer to the Latin text used by the Church for 450 years before Vatican II. In the video below, produced by Life Teen, you will get a fast [...]
Posted in Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Nov 16th, 2011
Here is a short video that explains the history of this feast day. As you listen to it you might notice how little seems to have changed since 1925. (Hit the “X” on the Google ads when they appear to get rid of them.)
Posted in Presentations from the Road on Nov 8th, 2011
Every year at many Catholic churches there are small faith groups meeting and exploring the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) . I had the had the honor of being with the RCIA group at St. Patrick’s Parish and talk about -The last 5 things- the topics of Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell & Purgatory. [...]
Posted in Reflections from Fellow Wanderers on Sep 30th, 2011
I had a chance this week to meet Fr. Barron in person as he was in Toronto promoting his work and his new project which is simply titled Catholicism. Fr. Barron is a scholar and one heck of an itinerant preacher. He is using the internet in creative ways to evangelize the gospel. I believe [...]
Posted in Presentations from the Road on Apr 19th, 2011
The Easter Triduum refers to the three days where we come together as a Christian family to remember the passion of the Lord and celebrate the resurrection on the third day. It is also a time for us Catholics to welcome new members into the community at the Easter Vigil which takes place after sunset [...]
Posted in Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike, This Sunday on Feb 27th, 2011
For my friends at St. Patrick’s and other travelers here is what I meant to say in my homily this past weekend which was the 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time. Since I stopped using notes while delivering the homily each one is a bit different and it even surprises me what actually comes out at [...]
Posted in Big Questions, Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike, This Sunday on Feb 25th, 2011
What does the Church actually have to say about Hell and Mortal sin (i.e. your ticket to hell)? Below are several sections from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on these subjects. Click on the title to visit the complete teaching on the subject. Clearly, the church teaches that hell exists- that sin is a [...]
Posted in Big Questions, Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike, Stuff for Wandering on Feb 21st, 2011
While on my road trip I had lots of time to catch up on my podcasts. One of my favorites is a show that is on PBS in the USA called This American Life. Each week they pick a topic and then explore it with 1-4 short segments about everyday people and their lives. I [...]
Posted in Big Questions, Reflections from Fellow Wanderers on Nov 7th, 2010
About a month ago I was at a meeting for deacons of the Archdiocese of Toronto hosted by Archbishop Thomas Collins. The primary purpose for the gathering was to discuss the new guidelines which were to be announced regarding the process for handling allegations and cases of sexual abuse by the clergy in the Archdiocese. [...]
Posted in Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Aug 12th, 2010
The Assumption of Mary was dogmatically and infallibly defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950. This belief is known as the Dormition by the Orthodox. The website Catholic Answers describes that: The doctrine of the Assumption says that at the end of her life on earth Mary was assumed, body and soul, into [...]
Posted in Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Aug 11th, 2010
Below is an excellent description of the Immaculate Conception of Mary one of the Marian Dogmas of the Church. I borrowed this from Catholic Answers which is a helpful website for those in search of a little or in my case a lot of clarification of some of faith’s mysteries. It’s important to understand what [...]
Posted in Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Aug 11th, 2010
It may seem odd to bring up the topic of Papal Infallibility during this week when we are reflecting on Mary of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the Mother of Jesus. The reason for this detour on our road to the Assumption is that this simple young woman from the small and insignificant town [...]
