Catholic Cardinal Reflections

November 16, 2014 - We are entrusted with the greatest gift of all, God's love, as well as the talents He gave us. Use your gifts wisely. Do not bury them out of fear, but go boldly into the world and enrich others. If you fail to act, there will be gnashing of teeth.

Preacher Fr. Daniel Rolland, OP, Parochial Vicar/Associate Director of the Catholic Community at Stanford

November 11, 2014 - Prof. David Pleins, from Santa Clara University, explores the question of justice from the standpoint of the Hebrew Bible, and points out the 3 year cycle of the Lectionary tells only a partial story.

November 9, 2014 - In John's gospel reading today, Jesus throws the merchants and money changers out of the Temple, telling the Jews that he has authority from his Father. We need to pour God into the deepest part of our heart, throgh discernment for our calling, respectful dialog about the meaning of our faith, and awareness of the poor and disadvantaged.

Preacher: Rev. John Kerrigan, Deacon of the Catholic Community

November 2, 2014 - Fr. Xavier describes how he will be glad to go to Purgatory, because it is a time of spirtual healing, learning to love like Christ and prepare us for the awesome love of the trinity in heaven. It is not a punishment, but a purifying journey for which we should be glad.

October 14, 29014 - In this Newman Nights series,Holy Names UniversityProf. Robert Lasalle-Klein, author of the book "Blood and Ink. Ignacio Ellacuría, Jon Sobrino, and the Jesuit Martyrs of the University of Central America", presents the history and context of the Jesuit martyrs in El Salvador, and the changes in radical leadership that developed from the suffering peoples.

October 12, 2014 - God invites all of us to his banquest, but those who do not accept or those who are not properly prepared ("have not put on the wedding garments") will be thrown out of the feast. Put on God every day in your heart.

Preacher:Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, OP, Pastor/Director of the Catholic Community at Stanford

October 5, 2014 - We ask for God's blessings, but we are already constantly blessed by the Holy Spirit. How often do we stop to acknowledge the gifts given us? We would do well to appreciate the grace we take for granted.

Preacher: Fr. Daniel Rolland, OP, Parochial Vicar/Associate Director of the Catholic Community at Stanford

September 28, 2014 - Jesus asks "Who is the good son, the one who said 'no' to his father but went, or the son who said 'yes' but didn't go? It was considered a disgrace to say 'no' to your father, but that son follwed his father's will. Our actions and words should match. Heaven is for those who love the Father.

'Preaher: Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, OP, Pastor/Director of the Catholic Community at Stanford

September 14, 2014 - We embrace the cross because of what it signifies in our faith life- the resurrection. The cross was an instrument of death, which Christ's actions turned into a triumphant rebirth in the life of God. We are invited today to think of those times when we experienced a death in our lives and the spiritual rebirth that followed.

Preacher: Fr. Daniel Rolland, OP, Parochial Vicar and Associate Director of the Catholic Community at Stanford

September 7, 2014 - It is often hard for us to confront someone who has offended us, but Jesus telss us to do so, in order to save that person. We are responsible for our neighbors, whom we must love as ourselves.

Preachers: Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, Pastor/Director of Catholic Community at Stanford, Teresa Pliens, Chaplain.