"We all experience things that are over in our life. ... And there's parts of us that always wants to hang on to what was. ... There's some of us who are really sad when things have to end or things move to a new time in our life. ... there's time for mourning. ... It's time to be thankful to the Lord for having had that opportunity. ... It's time for a new adventure." (from Fr. Daniel's homily)

Scripture Reference:Daniel 2:31-45.

"The challenge for all of us as we engage in the world is to make decisions that remain faithful to God in the midst of that." (from Fr. Daniel's homily)

Scripture Reference:Daniel 1: 1-6, 8-20

"...why do bad things happen to good people? ... If you believe in a fair and just world, how can there be acceptance of injustice and suffering in this world. ... Why is that many people believe that the reward for being good and believing in the good is that we will be safeguarded from the sufferings and evil of this world? ... We say that Jesus is Good, not just a good person but he is good itself. And yet we see what happens. He is crucified on a cross. ... Bad things happen to everybody and they will happen to us, and when they happen we stand on the side of Christ our King. We are to keep our hands clean and stay faithful to the good, never compromising or giving in to the bad no matter what we must face, just like Jesus did."

Scripture Reference: Luke 23:35-43

"As we move toward the end of the liturgical year with just a few weeks to Advent and a new Church year, the readings turn our thoughts and minds to the end of our lives. ... We are pilgrim people on a journey - journeying on our way to eternal life with our Creator. ... Jesus says that life is a testing ground for who will use wisely what they have been given by God. ... The goal of our life on earth is to prepare ourselves for eternal life in heaven." (from Fr. Daniel's homily)

Scripture Reference:2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 and Luke 20:27-38.

In today's Gospel "Jesus is talking about the cost of discipleship ... where Christ is first in your life. And when things are first in your life there's a cost that has to be paid for that. ... Anything after that "first" has to be sacrificed in some way, certainly if God is first." (from Fr. Daniel's homily)

Scripture Reference:Romans 13:8-10 and Luke 14:25-33.

"What would be truly a selfless act? One of the greatest images of that selfless act would be the Cross - Jesus dying on the Cross." (from Fr. Daniel's homily)

Scripture Reference: Luke 14:12-14.

"This week is vocation awareness week and our faith asks us to take a look at our calling in life ... our calling by God. We believe that each on of us has a purpose, a special mission from God that is only given to us by our Creator. Our life is about finding that purpose which brings meaning to our life and helps us understand why we are here." (from Fr. Daniel's homily)

Scripture Reference:Wisdom 11:22-12:2 and Luke 19:1-10.

"Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. ... Oftentimes when we don't feel God's presence in our life ... there's that sense that we're far from him or that he is far from us, but yet the Scriptures remind us that even if our hearts are not with God, there is nothing that can separate us from him." (from Fr. Daniel's homily)

Scripture Reference: Romans 8:31B-39.

"In today's Gospel Jesus says that the Pharisee was not praying to God even if he started with the words 'O God'. Jesus says he spoke the prayer to himself." (from Fr. Daniel's homily about prayer)

Scripture Reference:Luke 18:9-14

In this Gospel, "Jesus reminds us to be ready to meet our Lord."(from Fr. Daniel's homily)

Scripture Reference:Luke 12:35-38