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: 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

Connecting Point: August 1, 2021

Posted on July 26, 2021

One of the best ways to spread the Good News and be joyful missionary disciples is to share “our own story.” We can learn from one another’s faith journeys and in turn grow in our own relationship with Christ. When Connecting Point: August 1, 2021

Connecting Point: July 25, 2021

Posted on July 19, 2021

Although I can never out-love God, I can strive to become the gift of love to others the Lord calls me to be. I must decide to love each and every day despite what the world “does to me.” I Connecting Point: July 25, 2021

Connecting Point: July 11, 2021

Posted on July 5, 2021

This week Jesus sends his disciples out two-by-two to spread the good news. When you hear the phrase two-by-two, you might have recalled this line in Noah and the great flood. Noah’s mission by God was to repopulate the Earth Connecting Point: July 11, 2021

Connecting Point: July 4, 2021

Posted on June 28, 2021

This past Thursday, July 1, we officially transitioned to Family of Parishes, joining with St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Maximilian Kolbe/St. Francis of Assisi parishes. One of the purposes for this transition is to help us all work together Connecting Point: July 4, 2021

Connecting Point: June 27, 2021

Posted on June 21, 2021

The juxtaposition of the two stories in this weekend’s Gospel is palatable. Jesus cared for the unnamed woman who had been suffering for 12 years, who had sought him out. He also cared for the well-known official; Jairus, by tending Connecting Point: June 27, 2021

Connecting Point: June 20, 2021

Posted on June 14, 2021

What can a storm reveal about my faith? I remember August 3, 2014 like it was yesterday. It was the day my Nana passed away. I knew her earthly time was coming to an end, but it didn’t make things Connecting Point: June 20, 2021

Connecting Point: June 13, 2021

Posted on June 7, 2021

We live in a time where everything is instant: streaming on demand shows & movies, digital downloads, Amazon Prime, DoorDash, etc. We don’t want to wait. Then, when our 2-day Amazon Prime or DoorDash delivery is late, we’re upset. Being Connecting Point: June 13, 2021

Connecting Point: June 6, 2021

Posted on June 1, 2021

We Catholics are supposed to be uniquely communitarian, a sacramental people. The Church itself is THE sacrament of Jesus Christ. The Eucharist (a.k.a., the Mass, the Lord’s Supper and the Sacred Liturgy) is our most important sacramental activity while earth-bound. Connecting Point: June 6, 2021

Connecting Point: May 30, 2021

Posted on May 24, 2021

One of the treasures of our Catholic faith is our belief that things of beauty are the very embodiment of God’s beauty. We stand in awe and fascination before beautiful pieces of art, music or the beauties of nature. Throughout Connecting Point: May 30, 2021

Connecting Point: May 23, 2021

Posted on May 17, 2021

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are unique skills and abilities given by the Spirit. They are given to faithful followers of Jesus, followers to serve God for the common benefit of his people. A list of spiritual gifts found Connecting Point: May 23, 2021

Connecting Point: May 16, 2021

Posted on May 10, 2021

As I write this, I contemplate the printed message on my tea bag as it steeps, sending effervescent, enticing aromas of cinnamon, orange and cloves into the air. “When the dreadful past calls, let it go to voicemail. It has Connecting Point: May 16, 2021

Connecting Point: May 9, 2021

Posted on May 3, 2021

Know God, Know Love. No God, No Love. This common phrase in today’s society is based on this week’s second reading from John who tells us “God Is Love.” It is that simple. We are challenged to share God’s love Connecting Point: May 9, 2021

Connecting Point: May 2, 2021

Posted on April 26, 2021

Our actions reveal ourselves to each other. How we act arises from our response to external events and how we internally interpret them. Sometimes our actions are fueled by our own negative thoughts and causes a response to others we Connecting Point: May 2, 2021

Connecting Point: April 25, 2021

Posted on April 19, 2021

This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday; a time where we celebrate the Lord’s immense care for us. Pastors, the head priests at a parish, dedicate their entire lives to shepherd us closer to God. The word pastor is actually rooted Connecting Point: April 25, 2021

Connecting Point: April 18, 2021

Posted on April 12, 2021

In this week’s Gospel from Luke, the two disciples discuss their encounter with Jesus. Jesus Christ stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” But the completely unexpected happened: something other than peace. In fact, the Apostles were Connecting Point: April 18, 2021

Connecting Point: April 11, 2021

Posted on April 5, 2021

Differences exist. We are all unique (and probably a little bit strange to others) and we have different viewpoints. However, what brings all of us Christians together is our love for and faith in Christ. When we come together for Connecting Point: April 11, 2021

Connecting Point: April 4, 2021

Posted on March 29, 2021

It is easy to get caught up in all the bad things we have experienced this past year. As we celebrate Easter, we are called to rise up and rise above it all. Before Jesus could rise above death, he Connecting Point: April 4, 2021

Connecting Point: March 28, 2021

Posted on March 22, 2021

Few would argue that we have been severely shaken in 2020. The Corona virus pandemic has turned lives upside down and inside out all over the world. Ironically, 2020 is also the designation for optimal clearness and sharpness of vision. Connecting Point: March 28, 2021

Connecting Point: March 21, 2021

Posted on March 15, 2021

How can you and I create a prayer out of our pain? And even more, surrender it to God? We know Jesus surrendered Himself to God for forgiveness of our sins. But we are not Jesus. No, we are people Connecting Point: March 21, 2021

Connecting Point: March 14, 2021

Posted on March 8, 2021

I think one of the most difficult things to do as a disciple of Christ is to look at ourselves and admit our shortcomings. It’s a second type of conversion almost in a person’s life; when we begin to accept Connecting Point: March 14, 2021

Connecting Point: March 7, 2021

Posted on March 1, 2021

Today’s gospel takes us with Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus sees God’s house turned into a marketplace before the upcoming Passover. The Temple, a beloved holy place, has been turned from a sacred place Connecting Point: March 7, 2021

Connecting Point: February 28, 2021

Posted on February 22, 2021

As followers of Christ, tests of our faith come to challenge us from all around. They come from family members, friends, politicians, community leaders and from our workplaces. These influences can challenge our faith. We see an extreme example in Connecting Point: February 28, 2021

Connecting Point: February 21, 2021

Posted on February 15, 2021

Besides God and humans, wood and water are big players in our Biblical salvation narratives. Water and trees are most usually our friends. “Tree-hugging” people are correct when reminding us that without trees and other plants which convert carbon dioxide Connecting Point: February 21, 2021

Connecting Point: February 14, 2021

Posted on February 8, 2021

I have had the honor of meeting many faith-filled people over the years, it is one of the many blessings of being a long tenured Church employee. Each week hundreds of people (pre-COVID, it used to be thousands) enter our Connecting Point: February 14, 2021

Connecting Point: February 7, 2021

Posted on February 1, 2021

While celebrating the sacrament of Reconciliation, sometimes the penitent confesses “being angry with God” as though “being angry with God” and expressing that anger is a sin. I often get angry with God myself. As we see in Sunday’s reading Connecting Point: February 7, 2021

Connecting Point: January 31, 2021

Posted on January 25, 2021

How can we not help but feel anxious in our current environment? We have been living in a pandemic for nearly a year now which has claimed the life of over 400,000 people in our country. We are living at Connecting Point: January 31, 2021

Connecting Point: January 24, 2021

Posted on January 18, 2021

Freshman year of undergrad at O.U., I was planning to major in Communications/Pre-Law curriculum, but God had other plans for me. Although music had always been a part of my life, I did not consider music work (or even remotely Connecting Point: January 24, 2021

Connecting Point: January 17, 2021

Posted on January 11, 2021

Sometimes you find your inspiration for a homily in the strangest of places. Like the 80’s music on satellite radio. Singing along with Lionel Richie, the lyrics to “Hello, it’s me” became the basis for this reflection. Jesus goes into Connecting Point: January 17, 2021

Connecting Point: January 10, 2021

Posted on January 4, 2021

Today’s readings draw us, as witnesses, into the baptism of Jesus and the promise of God’s kingdom. It is interesting that this gospel is on the last Sunday of the Christmas liturgical season. Next week we will move to Ordinary Connecting Point: January 10, 2021

Connecting Point: January 3, 2021

Posted on December 28, 2020

This week’s Gospel from Matthew reveals the birth of the Messiah and the Feast of the Epiphany. The magi have arrived in Jerusalem, and after seeing the prophesized star, wonder where the newborn king lay. King Herod, troubled by the Connecting Point: January 3, 2021

Connecting Point: December 27, 2020

Posted on December 26, 2020

Sometimes we treat others in our family with less respect than we know that we should. This could be due to stress and busyness, having a bad day, or because of something we feel they did to us. Regardless of Connecting Point: December 27, 2020

Connecting Point: December 25, 2020

Posted on December 20, 2020

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown Isaiah 9:1 This verse is the beginning of our First Scripture Reading at our Christmas Mass, at Connecting Point: December 25, 2020

Connecting Point: December 20, 2020

Posted on December 14, 2020

In the Gospel this weekend, Mary responds with an emphatic “Yes!” when the angel Gabriel alerts her of God’s plan. She was clearly well prepared to say yes when called upon. How can we be so well prepared to say Connecting Point: December 20, 2020

Connecting Point: December 13, 2020

Posted on December 7, 2020

The third weekend of Advent is upon us and is known as Gaudete Sunday. It signals the approach of Joy for the Christmas Season, the birth of our Lord, and awaiting his return. Watch at the beginning of mass and Connecting Point: December 13, 2020

Connecting Point: December 6, 2020

Posted on November 30, 2020

Advent is a season of preparation. We deck the halls of our homes and prepare festive meals for celebrations of Christmas. As Catholics, our Advent scriptures call us into a deeper internal spiritual preparation for the time or revelation when Connecting Point: December 6, 2020

Connecting Point: November 29, 2020

Posted on November 23, 2020

As we enter this new liturgical year, we cannot help but become reluctantly excited for Christmas that is now just four weeks away. However, during this season of preparation, we are reminded that we aren’t just preparing to meet Jesus Connecting Point: November 29, 2020