Pilgrim Priest

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • Jesus wants to remind us: Just hold my hand, and you’ll be safe. It’s just like getting though a haunted house. My family held Jesus’ hand and it brought me to serve as a priest in the Diocese of Green Bay. Don’t grab hold of the President or the latest fad. Holding Jesus’ hand will help you reach out and make a difference in America.

(13 Nov 2016)

Point to Ponder: When have I been tempted to let go of Jesus’ hand?

Point to Discuss: Talk to a friend about a time when God’s plans seemed strange, but then they worked out.

Point of Action: Cross the aisle to shake hands with someone whose political views differ from yours. Find something you can agree on. Work together for a positive change.

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • US Voters have the opportunity of going to the polls next Tuesday, November 8. If you don’t exercise your right to vote, you lose your right to complain. The Bishops say there are four key issues for Catholics voters:

* Human Dignity

* Subsidiarity

* Common Good

* Solidarity

We are not single-issue voters, but some issues are more important than others. Read more about this, look up the candidates on your ballot, and vote for the best candidates. But your job isn’t done. We have to stand up for our values and beliefs every day, in our country and our community. Pray a novena, do your job, and leave the rest in God’s hands. To paraphrase Padre Pio: Pray, Vote, and Don’t Worry.

(30 Oct 2016)

Point for Action: Start a Novena for our Country: Knights of Columbus | Novena for Faithful Citizenship | Our Lady of Good Help

Point to Ponder: Read and reflect on the US Bishop’s document on voting:

* Summary Bulletin Insert Part 1 (en Español)

* Summary Bulletin Insert Part 2 (en Español)

Point to Discuss: Discuss with others which candidate will best take care of these issues. Wisconsin voters should look here: https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • “I’m basically a good person.” Most of us are in danger of believing in our own righteousness. St. Paul knows that he is nothing without God; all he has is a gift from God. Perhaps he spent a lot of time praying: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”

(23 Oct 2106)

Point to Ponder: When you heard the congregation pray the Jesus Prayer together, what did you notice or feel?

Point to Discuss: Read more about the Jesus Prayer and tell your mom (or child or friend) what you learned.

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • Plantar warts taught me three things: (1) Don’t ignore the problem (2) Get the help you need (3) Don’t give up. The same goes for our spiritual life. Life is a struggle, but with God’s help we can overcome. Just stay faithful and persevere.

(16 Oct 2016)

Point to Ponder: What do you struggle with the most in your daily walk with the Lord?

Point to Discuss: Talk to a friend about fighting of the Kingdom of God against His enemies. Does your life look different when you expect a struggle?

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • The Queen of Heaven wishes us to pray for the Conversion of Sinners. All of us are called to spread the Good News of Jesus. Evangelization is about helping people begin to hear the voice of the true God and see the Face of God. It happens when we ourselves see, hear, and love as Jesus loves. Why are you idle when others are working in the vineyard of the Lord? Go and fear nothing, for she will help you.

(9 Oct 2016)

Point to Ponder: Learn more about the Knights of Columbus family initiative.

Point to Discus: What do you think about a Wisconsin apparition of Mary? Talk to a friend about what Our Lady’s message at Champion, WI means to you.

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • God is the Master; we are the stewards. Does your bedroom, apartment or home reflect good stewardship? Do your finances, time management, and life choices honor God? It’s about more than just ourselves; our corner of the kingdom includes our neighbors. We just do the little tasks we have been given and God can do amazing things. Look at Mother Therese or St. Therese of Lisieux. They were faithful, and that is why they were fruitful.

(2 Oct 2016)

Point to Ponder: What is a “little thing” that God is asking you to do?

Point to Discuss: Have you ever been discouraged by seeing a lack of results from your work? Talk to a spiritual person about your experience.

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • We have been given so much — even more than four new tires. Clinging to what we have been given will cause spiritual constipation. Instead we must give generously as we have received. I challenge you this week to notice someone you might have ignored. Look them in the eyes, listen to them, and give them some time.

(25 Sep 2016)

Point to Ponder: Do you have a problem with the idea that the rich man went to hell?

Point to Discuss: Share with a friend a moment when you received unexpected generosity.

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • We are Stewards of God’s stuff. God expects us to use it wisely, generously, and for the good of others. All the stuff we have will one day belong to others. Use it while you still can to make your Master proud of you.

(18 Sep 2016)

Point to Ponder: Do you have a will?

Point to Discuss: Speak to your executor (or the person  you’d like to name as your executor) about your final wishes.

Point of Action: Find a way to be extra-generous this week.

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross • Jesus got made fun of, beaten up, and killed. This made Jesus a loser by the world’s standards. But the real battle was being faithful to God and loving his enemies. Jesus was a winner in God’s eyes. We have a choice to make: We can only be a winner by God’s standards if we are willing to be a loser in this world. We can become something greater than superheroes: saints.

(14 Sep 2016)

Point to Discuss: Talk to a friend about what the word “winner” means to you.

Point to Ponder: Read and meditate on the Stabat Mater, the sequence for the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15):

At the cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful Mother weeping,

Close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,

All his bitter anguish bearing,

Now at length the sword had passed.

Oh, how sad and sore distressed

Was that Mother highly blessed

Of the sole begotten One!

Christ above in torment hangs,

She beneath beholds the pangs

Of her dying, glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,

‘Whelmed in miseries so deep,

Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain

From partaking in her pain,

In that mother’s pain untold?

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,

She beheld her tender Child,

All with bloody scourges rent.

For the sins of his own nation

Saw him hang in desolation

Till his spirit forth he sent.

O sweet Mother! font of love,

Touch my spirit from above,

Make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as you have felt;

Make my soul to glow and melt

With the love of Christ, my Lord.

Holy Mother, pierce me through,

In my heart each wound renew

Of my Savior crucified.

Let me share with you his pain,

Who for all our sins was slain,

Who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with you,

Mourning him who mourned for me,

All the days that I may live.

By the cross with you to stay,

There with you to weep and pray,

Is all I ask of you to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest!

Listen to my fond request:

Let me share your grief divine.

Let me to my latest breath,

In my body bear the death

Of that dying Son of yours.

Wounded with his every wound,

Steep my soul till it has swooned

In his very Blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,

Lest in flames I burn and die,

In his awful judgment day.

Christ, when you shall call me hence,

Be your Mother my defense,

Be your cross my victory.

While my body here decays,

May my soul your goodness praise,

Safe in heaven eternally.

Amen. (Alleluia)

 

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) • God desires to soak us in His mercy. When we come to our senses and return to our Father, our Father runs to meet us. This story is all about us. It tells us that we have a Father who loves us, and he won’t stop giving us stuff. Sometimes we get stuck on the stuff and won’t come home to the Father. So come to Confession and the Father will run to you and soak you in his mercy.

(11 Sep 2016)

Point to Ponder: Listen to Fr. Mike Schmitz tell the airplane story himself.

Point to Discuss: Have you had a good experience of Confession? Tell someone about how it felt to be forgiven.