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: 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

Connecting Point: November 22, 2020

Posted on November 16, 2020

Many of us have watched an episode of “Undercover Boss.” The show has the CEO or owner of the company disguise themselves as a new employee assigned to learn different aspects of someone’s job. After a few weeks on the Connecting Point: November 22, 2020

Connecting Point: November 15, 2020

Posted on November 9, 2020

During pre-marriage counseling, engaged couples, when discussing their plan for children, sometimes say: “We want to have just one or two children. We do not want to have to spread our love out over many children.” However, these couples have Connecting Point: November 15, 2020

Connecting Point: November 8, 2020

Posted on November 2, 2020

Actually my first thought for this question is, for what? Am I ready for what? These past few months have really challenged us to prepare ourselves to be ready. We need to be ready for the kids to go back to Connecting Point: November 8, 2020

Connecting Point: November 1, 2020

Posted on October 26, 2020

When is the last time you realized that sainthood was your destiny? Read that again, sainthood is your destiny! The Lord wants each and every one of us to live holy lives, lives of saints. In the early 20th Connecting Point: November 1, 2020

Connecting Point: October 18, 2020

Posted on October 12, 2020

Everyday we are faced with decisions. Some may be easy, like what to eat for dinner or where am I going today? They may cause us some difficulty like how we respond to another’s negative actions. There are times we will have to Connecting Point: October 18, 2020

Connecting Point: October 11, 2020

Posted on October 5, 2020

I know it, but I don’t always live it like I know it. In The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis writes, “While painfully aware of our own frailties, we have to march on without giving in.” Recent times have Connecting Point: October 11, 2020

Connecting Point: October 4, 2020

Posted on September 28, 2020

It’s hard not to feel anxious right now given the state of the world. It can be anxiety about the health of loved ones, the status of our jobs, the political climate, racial tensions, virtual and in-person schooling, and so Connecting Point: October 4, 2020

Connecting Point: September 27, 2020

Posted on September 22, 2020

This Sunday’s gospel reading wraps us up in the parable given by Jesus of the “Two Sons.” This parable is meant to make us stop and think about our words and our actions. The second reading by Paul to the Connecting Point: September 27, 2020

Connecting Point: September 20, 2020

Posted on September 14, 2020

Growing up with 5 boys in our family, we wore plenty of “hand me down” clothes. We saw a pattern in the way the oldest were treated. Jim, number 4, seemed to get preferential treatment. The oldest 3 would wear Connecting Point: September 20, 2020

Connecting Point: September 13, 2020

Posted on September 7, 2020

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Peter asks Jesus: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” He is really asking: “When does forgiveness end, and retaliation begin,” or “When can I start paying Connecting Point: September 13, 2020

Connecting Point: September 6, 2020

Posted on August 31, 2020

If you are like me, you have noticed that disagreements rarely if ever, get settled on Facebook or other social media platforms. Likewise, pundits rarely if ever, reach agreement when featured on discussion panels. I think one could argue that many, if Connecting Point: September 6, 2020