Connecting Point

Each weekend we share a question that relates to the readings of the day. This question or frame is a Connecting Point and allows us all to look inward and answer hard questions about ourselves.

Connecting Point: July 10, 2022

Posted on July 4, 2022

Who doesn’t love the neighbor who brings our garbage cans in for us when we are working late? Who doesn’t love the neighbor who snow blows our driveway or walkways before we can get to it? Who doesn’t love the Connecting Point: July 10, 2022

Connecting Point: July 3, 2022

Posted on June 27, 2022

The Lord sends us on mission by our baptism. The mission is proclaiming to others about the Kingdom of God. It will not be an easy task as Jesus mentions in the Gospel, he is sending his disciples out like Connecting Point: July 3, 2022

Connecting Point: June 26, 2022

Posted on June 20, 2022

Scripture reminds us to love and serve the Lord by loving and serving others. Whatever we do for others, we do for God. Freedom means we have choices. One way we can use our freedom to better serve the Lord Connecting Point: June 26, 2022

Connecting Point: June 19, 2022

Posted on June 13, 2022

In this Sunday’s gospel we hear the familiar story of Jesus feeding the multitude from five loaves of bread and two fish. The loaves and fish didn’t just feed the crowd until they were satisfied, there was actually food still Connecting Point: June 19, 2022

Connecting Point: June 12, 2022

Posted on June 6, 2022

In our second reading at Mass this weekend, St. Paul brags about and celebrates his suffering, and encourages us to celebrate our suffering! Why in the world should we embrace and celebrate suffering? According to Paul, who suffered a great Connecting Point: June 12, 2022

Connecting Point: June 5, 2022

Posted on May 30, 2022

I grew in age as most of us in Roman Catholic families day by day, and sacramentally speaking, from Baptism as a newborn, then seven years later, first Communion, then six year later, Confirmation. The sense of this process comes Connecting Point: June 5, 2022

Connecting Point: May 29, 2022

Posted on May 23, 2022

Since the time Jesus died, there have been people anxiously awaiting His return. At first, they were both anxious and scared because they did not know how to move forward without Him. Once Jesus made appearances post-Resurrection, we as a Connecting Point: May 29, 2022

Connecting Point: May 15, 2022

Posted on May 9, 2022

Disciple? If I am a disciple, how committed am I to being a disciple of Jesus? Many times we can get caught up in being one of the crowd. Not really listening and living according to the gospel. We float Connecting Point: May 15, 2022

Connecting Point: May 8, 2022

Posted on May 2, 2022

My ministry in music and work in planning and preparing liturgy presents a wonderful opportunity by which I can be an instrument of salvation to others. This amazing opportunity inspired me to accept a position in parish ministry rather than Connecting Point: May 8, 2022

Connecting Point: May 1, 2022

Posted on April 25, 2022

Jesus reminds us this weekend that he is our helper and guide. No matter how many times we stumble and fall he is there to lift us up again. His mercy overcomes our failures. Are we ready to receive him? Connecting Point: May 1, 2022

Connecting Point: April 24, 2022

Posted on April 19, 2022

Growing up, I’ve always felt like the story of Thomas in this Sunday’s gospel has been conveyed as an example of how not to live: – Thomas doubted. – Thomas shouldn’t have doubted. – Don’t be like Thomas; Don’t be Connecting Point: April 24, 2022

Connecting Point: April 17, 2022

Posted on April 11, 2022

Jesus is Risen! Alleluia! He lives. We can run to Him, especially in times of need, and He will be there for us. Today’s Gospel, John’s account of Easter morning, contains two strong images: Peter and John’s foot race to Connecting Point: April 17, 2022

Connecting Point: April 10, 2022

Posted on April 4, 2022

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. -Luke 23:26 It is easy Connecting Point: April 10, 2022

Connecting Point: April 3, 2022

Posted on March 28, 2022

Have you ever run a 5k, a 10k, a half marathon or even a full marathon? You train for months, modifying your routine, and before you know, it is race day. Many of the races start early in the day Connecting Point: April 3, 2022

Connecting Point: March 27, 2022

Posted on March 22, 2022

Asking for forgiveness can be very difficult. “What if the person I hurt is still very angry with me?” “What if they won’t forgive me?” “What if I can’t fix this?” When we really care about a relationship, we go Connecting Point: March 27, 2022

Connecting Point: March 20, 2022

Posted on March 14, 2022

Beginning this week and for the remainder of Lent, we will read different readings at different Masses. We will read the readings of Year A at the 9:30 Mass (for RCIA) and Year C at the other Masses. Our Connecting Connecting Point: March 20, 2022

Connecting Point: March 13, 2022

Posted on March 7, 2022

In today’s gospel we learn that while Jesus was praying, “his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.” Then later in the reading, from a cloud, came a voice, “This is my Chosen Son; listen to him.” Connecting Point: March 13, 2022

Connecting Point: March 6, 2022

Posted on February 28, 2022

Where or who do we turn to in times we experience a challenge in life? When our faith is shaken, do we turn away from God? When I had to face the particular challenge of company downsizing many years ago, Connecting Point: March 6, 2022

Connecting Point: February 27, 2022

Posted on February 21, 2022

I am an introspective person. I like to reflect on moments in my life when I could have and should have done better, so that I can improve my behavior. When I was in my late teens or early twenties Connecting Point: February 27, 2022

Connecting Point: February 20, 2022

Posted on February 14, 2022

Have you heard this one before: “What are you waiting for, a sign from God?” We’re in the 2nd month of the year 2022. Today is the 20th day of the month. That’s several 2’s and a couple zeros and Connecting Point: February 20, 2022

Connecting Point: February 13, 2022

Posted on February 7, 2022

I can still see my Dad’s face and hear his voice when he hugged me and said “Congratulations.” It was the Easter Vigil in 2013 and I had just been Baptized, Confirmed and received First Eucharist. I was draped in Connecting Point: February 13, 2022

Connecting Point: February 6, 2022

Posted on January 31, 2022

The first step toward Christian discipleship in the Gospel according to Luke is leaving behind fear and placing our trust in the Lord. We see this in the gospel passage for this Sunday. Simon Peter, a professional fisherman, has been Connecting Point: February 6, 2022

Connecting Point: January 30, 2022

Posted on January 24, 2022

God’s love does not discriminate. Even when we sin and do unloving things, He still loves us and calls us back to himself. The equation of true love involves two important factors among many others: a conscious choice to love Connecting Point: January 30, 2022

Connecting Point: January 16, 2022

Posted on January 10, 2022

In this Sunday’s second reading, St. Paul encourages us to live in the Spirit as members of the Body of Christ using the gifts that the Spirit gives each of us. Then in the gospel, we see Jesus putting his Connecting Point: January 16, 2022

Connecting Point: January 9, 2022

Posted on January 3, 2022

I remember my first real job very well. I was 14 years old and I was hired at a local pizzeria. My mother dropped me off for work on my first day and I remember thinking to myself, what have Connecting Point: January 9, 2022

Connecting Point: January 2, 2022

Posted on December 27, 2021

The Gospel story of the three Magi holds great significance for us in today’s globalized society. It reminds us that we are one global human family. The magi were drawn by the light, sought out Jesus and were welcomed by Connecting Point: January 2, 2022

Connecting Point: December 26, 2021

Posted on December 26, 2021

The Christmas Season is a wonderful time of year, filled with gatherings with friends and family. Each gathering brings opportunity to converse with loved ones on many different topics. If you are like me, you occasionally run into a conversation Connecting Point: December 26, 2021

Connecting Point: December 25, 2021

Posted on December 20, 2021

The great joy and hope of this Christmas Season is powerfully expressed in the Gospel of John proclaimed at our Masses on Christmas day. Jesus, the incarnate God, is the “light that has come into the world, and the darkness has not overcome it!” Connecting Point: December 25, 2021

Connecting Point: December 19, 2021

Posted on December 13, 2021

“As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.” In this reading from the Book of Hebrews, Jesus affirms that his obedience is to the Father’s will. But, what does that mean Connecting Point: December 19, 2021

Connecting Point: December 12, 2021

Posted on December 6, 2021

The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete (“rejoice”) Sunday with themes of joy and gladness resonating throughout the scripture and prayers. This makes it a perfect opportunity to self-reflect on how we are doing in showing joy to Connecting Point: December 12, 2021

Connecting Point: December 5, 2021

Posted on November 29, 2021

Discernment does involve perspective which can be inherently problematic. Perspective is our own attitude toward or way of regarding something; our own point of view. For as many people assembled in a place at any given time, there are potentially Connecting Point: December 5, 2021

Connecting Point: November 28, 2021

Posted on November 22, 2021

As Catholics, we have stepped into the new Liturgical Year A with readings from the Gospel of Luke. This weekend, Jesus has foretold of his second coming and we have lit the first candle on the wreath. Advent has arrived Connecting Point: November 28, 2021

Connecting Point: November 21, 2021

Posted on November 15, 2021

This weekend, the last Sunday of the Church year, we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. While Jesus’ mission on earth was to proclaim the Kingdom of God, he never recognized himself as king; it was his followers that Connecting Point: November 21, 2021

Connecting Point: November 14, 2021

Posted on November 8, 2021

I used to have a wristwatch that kept the most accurate time on earth. It was an atomic watch that never needed to have its time or date set or adjusted. Every night it would receive a low frequency radio Connecting Point: November 14, 2021

Connecting Point: November 7, 2021

Posted on November 1, 2021

“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in morethan all the other contributors to the treasury.For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,her whole livelihood.” This weekend we Connecting Point: November 7, 2021

Connecting Point: October 31, 2021

Posted on October 25, 2021

In the Sunday’s readings, we see a very clear focus on love. Unlike the love theme from the readings a few weeks ago, today’s focus is on our love of God and what that means. Both in the first reading Connecting Point: October 31, 2021

Connecting Point: October 24, 2021

Posted on October 18, 2021

The Gospel reading for this Thirtieth Sunday of ordinary time is the episode of Bartimaeus, the blind man. In the Gospel, Bartimaeus cries out for Jesus and Jesus responds: “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus asks Connecting Point: October 24, 2021

Connecting Point: October 17, 2021

Posted on October 11, 2021

The spiritual writer, Ronald Rolheiser, claims that one mark of a saint is that the saint makes their life a gift to others. In today’s gospel Jesus instructs his disciples that putting others first, or making our life a gift Connecting Point: October 17, 2021

Connecting Point: October 10, 2021

Posted on October 4, 2021

Our spending habits say a lot about our priorities. Most of us don’t think twice about spending money on a nice home, a nice car, vacations, purchasing clothing, or any of several financial priorities that our children demand with travel Connecting Point: October 10, 2021

Connecting Point: October 3, 2021

Posted on September 27, 2021

Jesus had a knack for relationships. He knew relationships were not 50/50, they were 100/100, but that did not necessarily mean enabling certain destructive behaviors. Inter-personal conflicts frequently result from an imbalance of self-focus. There are two sides to every Connecting Point: October 3, 2021

Connecting Point: September 26, 2021

Posted on September 20, 2021

In this week’s gospel, John runs to Jesus to tell him about someone who is “driving out demons” in Jesus’ name. In today’s language we might say that John is tattling on this person. Jesus responds by telling John not Connecting Point: September 26, 2021

Connecting Point: September 19, 2021

Posted on September 13, 2021

Jesus makes time to spend alone with his disciples, so he can prepare them for what is to come. The band of disciples heard him but did not understand. They went about discussing who among them was greater. It is Connecting Point: September 19, 2021

Connecting Point: September 12, 2021

Posted on September 6, 2021

This week we share a revealing Gospel from Mark in which the disciples learn that Jesus is “the Christ.” The disciples also learn that this has a different meaning with the human mindset than it does with God. The human Connecting Point: September 12, 2021

Connecting Point: September 5, 2021

Posted on August 30, 2021

Biases, they take all different shapes and sizes in today’s world. Some common ways to think of a bias are: an inclination, a prejudice or a leaning of the mind. How do we become biased? Are we aware of our Connecting Point: September 5, 2021

Connecting Point: August 29, 2021

Posted on August 23, 2021

This week’s Connecting Point reminds me of the children’s book and film “The Wizard of Oz.” As you’ll recall, in the story the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow go to the Wizard so he can give them Connecting Point: August 29, 2021

Connecting Point: August 22, 2021

Posted on August 16, 2021

Our Sacred Scripture readings for this weekend can be said to challenge us under the title: “It’s Make Up Your Mind Time.” Or, at least recommit yourselves to serving the Lord God! In the book of his name, Joshua lays Connecting Point: August 22, 2021

Connecting Point: August 15, 2021

Posted on August 9, 2021

The Hail Mary is one of the first prayers most of us learn. The beauty of this simple prayer echoes the praise we hear from Elizabeth to her cousin, Mary, in today’s Gospel. Although prevalent in both liturgy and prayer, Connecting Point: August 15, 2021

Connecting Point: August 8, 2021

Posted on August 2, 2021

I find myself becoming bothered when I see and hear people not doing the right thing. Most of the time, not doing the right thing is just showing a lack of kindness while preserving a sense of self-interest. Yet, in Connecting Point: August 8, 2021