‘See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’ (Isaiah 43:19) Dear Brothers, Associates and Colleagues, As I come to the end of my term as General Superior, I want to share some thoughts and feelings about…[read more]
With Pentecost a few days off, I want to wish each of you ‘Holy Pentecost!’ A joyful feast, Pentecost recalls the birth of our Christian community and recalls the great ‘fear that paralyzed Jesus’ followers.’ An awe-filled moment in the life of the disciples, Pentecost was a breakthrough event. It broke the chains of fear that fettered the hearts of Jesus’ followers.…[read more]
The Gospel reading from St. John for the Fifth Sunday of Easter holds special meaning for me. Emotional events, both terribly sad and understandably joyful, have filled the past three weeks. The Gospel is an excerpt from Jesus’ very intimate sharing with his disciples hours before the sacrifice of His death. As I listened Saturday evening to the following words, a number of vivid images and feelings filled my mind and heart and have stayed with me.…[read more]
The Easter Season is a time of joy and a time of hope. The signs of new life fill the senses. The post-resurrection stories of the disciples’ encounters with the Risen Lord intrigue me. They cause me to wonder, if I had been with the disciples, would I have recognized Jesus, the Risen Lord? The gospel story for Divine Mercy Sunday offers us a lot to ponder. We witness two apparitions of Jesus as Risen Lord.…[read more]
As Holy Week begins, I pray that as a Community we grow in our intimacy with God as we accompany His Son, Jesus, through his passion, death and resurrection. May our reflections, prayers and conversations with Jesus this week renew our commitment ‘to live a life of love as disciples of Jesus’ as Brothers, Associates, Colleagues, and Friends in the Xaverian Congregation. As we prepare for Easter, I want to share a few reflections.…[read more]
The Christmas spirit is something I look forward to every year. Perhaps it is the child still in me! Something magical seems to fill the air. People seem kinder and more aware of others, and more caring about those in need. Even strangers seem friendlier. No doubt that the sounds of Christmas carols, the scent and sight of the pine trees decorated with brightly colored lights fill my senses and bring out the child in me. Yet, I also know there is something deeper to the Christmas spirit.…[read more]
Proficiat to all the Saints I know! As the Church celebrates the Feast of All Saints, I want to wish everyone the blessings of the Feast. The commemoration of All Saints is very meaningful in the life of the Church as well as in our life as a Congregation. What prompted me to write to…[read more]
On Pentecost, we celebrate the birth of the Church. As with any birth there is always a sense of the miraculous, and feelings of excitement and a reverence for the new life that has just entered our world. I am sure each of us has also received birthday wishes that tell us that we have another opportunity for a ‘new beginning.’…[read more]
THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT The Gift of Wisdom: enables us to desire and value the things of God. The Gift of Understanding: helps us grasp the truths of our faith more readily. The Gift of Counsel: helps us to tell right from wrong and gives us proper judgment. The Gift of Courage:…[read more]
Do not be afraid. Go tell my Brothers to go to Galilee and there they will see me. (Mt 28:10) Dear Brothers, Associates and Collaborators: The Easter Season in the liturgical life of the Church is my favorite. The post resurrection readings help me renew my relationship with Christ even more so than those in…[read more]
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