Leif Kehrwald
December 27, 2020

​I read the short version of today’s Gospel because we heard the long version on the Feast of the Presentation last February. You remember, of course, yes? It’s the story of Mary and Joseph bringing the baby Jesus to the Temple for the Jewish ritual of Presentation. There, they encounter both Simeon and Anna who prophesy great things for this child.
 
It’s a terrific story, and I encourage you to read it from the second chapter of Luke. But right now I want to focus on the fact that today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, and the crucial importance of family in the human journey of faith. Without our family relationships, most of us would not be here today.

Leif Kehrwald
December 13, 2020

​It is believed that Mary was a mere teenager when the Angel Gabriel appeared and told her that she would be the mother of Jesus, our Savior. No longer a child, but certainly not yet fully adult.
 
Did she really know what she was saying, or was it pure youthful idealism, when she responded “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Sr. Phyllis Jaszkowiak
December 6, 2020

Today we celebrate two people – Mary the Mother of Jesus and John the Baptist.  Both heard God calling them to proclaim a God of love, of forgiveness, of mercy, of justice.  Both faced hardships, ridicule, and rejection in their lives.  Yet without either of them, their yes and their faith, we would not have the faith we have today.
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Leif Kehrwald
November 22, 2020

On Thursday, I read today’s Gospel passage, and then I did a review of my activities for the week. Let me summarize for you:
 
Starting with Monday morning, I . . .
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Sr. Phyllis Jaszkowiak
November 8, 2020

Sr. Bridget Hasse, OSU, tells a story: “My lamp’s lit,” shouted my Appalachian neighbor, Irma Louise, “I’m waiting for his return!”  Concerned for her health, I hurried up her porch steps and asked if she was seriously ill.  “Mercy, no,” she laughed, “every day the Master comes, but you just never know when.  So I’m ready.” 
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The question is: am I ready, are you ready?