Fr. Greg

The Importance of a Godly Father

Divorce rates skyrocketing; adultery rampant; non-married cohabitating couples; children abandoned by their fathers or mothers; “same-sex unions” adopting children and calling this the “modern family”; pornography invading homes, leading to powerful addictions and total alienation from other members of the family: all of this is a bird’s eye view of the family situation in the modern world.

“You are invited to a Pentecost Party”

You are cordially invited to a party!
When: Pentecost
Where: Prince of Peace
Why: To Celebrate the Church’s Birthday and our parish Anniversary
 
Are you confused by this invitation? Did you know that the feast of Pentecost is often referred to as the birthday of the
Church? It is called that because Pentecost is when the apostles went out among the people and began spreading Jesus’
message, thus establishing the beginning of the Church.  Pentecost (Greek for 50th day) is celebrated by Christians

“What Makes A Parish”

As we prepare to celebrate our 40th Anniversary as a parish, it gives us an opportunity to reflect on what has made
our parish, or any parish, prosper and grow in grace and faith, as well as to fulfill the mission of the Gospel.
 
One simple answer might be to state that what makes any parish great is God. It is His grace that allows us to be a
community, as He is the reason for us to come together to worship. It is also because of all of His many gifts specifically

"True Freedom"

As Americans, this Memorial Day we will remember those who died in the service of our country. But as Catholic Americans, we should also reflect on the meaning of true freedom and thank God for the Church which proclaims the way to the fullness of that freedom. I honor those in my family and yours who paid the ultimate price for the freedom that I have enjoyed as an American. However, I believe that some today have trivialized the meaning of freedom or distorted it beyond recognition. True freedom is much deeper than being able to do what we want.

"Being A Priest Today"

This weekend and next, our Archdiocese is ordaining new transitional deacons and priests for our Church. It allows me to reflect on the priesthood today and its joys and challenges.

I’ve noticed as a Catholic parish priest, people generally respond to me in two, disparate ways. It is either in generosity and kindness or confrontational and possibly judgmental.

"First Eucharist - How Do We Recognize Jesus?"

This weekend we celebrate First Eucharist with the children of our parish. We know, and our Catholic theology has taught that in His constant love, God the Father always intended to save us through Jesus. The Old Testament prefigures and prepares the way for the Eucharist to be the unique way that Jesus would offer us Himself totally so that we can offer ourselves to one another. He is the Passover lamb and the Bread from Heaven.

"Rise Up"

There is a popular song by Andra Day entitled “Rise Up”. I can’t help but think of it as we celebrate the Resurrection, the rising up of Jesus from the dead. The lyrics could easily be words from our Lord to us and why the resurrection is so important and necessary.

Only One Man

This is it – the holiest week of the year. Only one man could turn a week of betrayal, intrigue and murder into the holiest week of the year. Jesus turns this week into an amazing experience of participating in it all and more – at least that is what is possible if we afford ourselves the time to enter with Him into these days.