7 November 2020 | Our Lady on Saturday | Eugene, Ore.

Join me for a peaceful Saturday drive through the falling leaves as I share some lessons I have been learning this week in the parish, a powerful prayer recommended by the Archbishop of Portland, and my take on Shakespeare’s Henry VIII. Is the ill-fated king’s first of many divorces - gasp! - an allegory?  

Opening music: “Columba aspexit (A dove gazed in),” composed by St. HIildegard of Bingen, sung by Voices of Ascension, women section, dir. Dennis Keene, 1997. All rights reserved.

31 October 2020 | Our Lady on Saturday | Eugene, Ore.

On this eve of All the Saints (and quite a chilly fall morning), join me for a stroll through a cemetery as we discuss work and rest, being good stewards of the time the Lord gives us, and of course, the last play of the Henry tragedies: Shakespeare’s Henry V. 

Opening music: “Gaudeamus omnes,” introit for the Solemnity of All Saints, sung by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, dir. Canon Louis Valadier, 2018. All rights reserved.

24 October 2020 | St. Raphael the Archangel | Eugene, Ore.

At the end of a week of many “firsts,” join me on a walk through the wild wetland as we discuss the miracles of St. Raphael in the Book of Tobit, the spiritual significance of wearing masks, and of course, the second and final part of Henry IV through the lens of one fundamental question: of which father am I a son? 

Opening music: “Laudate Dominum,” composed by J. P. Sweelinck, performed by The Cambridge Singers, dir. John Rutter, 2009. All rights reserved.

This reflection was given after Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Parish, Eugene, OR for the feast of Saint John Paul II, October 22, 2020.

17 October 2020 | St. Margaret Mary Alacoque | Eugene, Ore.

On this brisk October morning, we revisit the Monk Manual and the P.A.R. method as a means of arranging our days to live worthily and well, then cast our minds to the sunny village of Paray-le-Monial in the heart of France, where Jesus revealed the glories of His heart to a young nun and entrusted her with an important mission. Also: Falstaff is back (and doesn’t come off so well)! in this week’s play, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and we tackle a favorite question: why do priests pray so much? 

Opening music: “A la mort / Monstra te esse matrem,” motet-chanson composed by Josquin des Prez, performed by The King’s Singers, 1993. All rights reserved.

9 October 2020 | St. John Henry Newman | Eugene, Ore.

No, it's not a preexisting condition; it’s a criterion for the authentic development of doctrine, and if that piques your curiosity, then you are in for a treat! Today is the feast day (alongside a couple of other heavy hitters) of the great Cardinal Newman, and in this episode, I share some of his brilliant teaching in addition to his fascinating life.  No Shakespeare this week, but with 3 saints on the calendar, we’ve plenty to talk about! Come join me as the leaves fall amid th’encircling gloom…

Opening music: “Lead, Kindly Light,” written by St. John Henry Newman, composed by Kevin Allen, sung by Matthew J. Curtis at Cofton Park, Birmingham, England, 2010. All rights reserved.

2 October 2020 | Holy Guardian Angels | Eugene, Ore.

O bless the Lord! Praise and exalt Him above all forever! It’s the feast of the Guardian Angels, although of course (even though her day has come and gone now) I spend half the time talking about St. Thérèse. Hey, it’s me — what did you expect? Also, we meet a legendary character of the Shakespearean canon (and not one, not two, but THREE more characters named Henry) in this week’s play: King Henry IV, part 1! Friend, don’t knock the history plays until you’ve read them, because this one is a wild ride. 

Opening music: “Angelus ad pastores ait,” composed by Hieronymous Praetorius, performed by VOCES8 at Kirche St. Quirinus, Tegernsee, Germany, 2019. All rights reserved.