Three young men share their stories as they are just days away from receiving an irreversible grace of being ordained priests. They speak about how they were influenced by others and how they could not avoid the call from God to be men who serve others. Click here to see their video.
Keeping the Light Burning
Your prayers, service and donations help us to keep the flame of Dominican Vocations bright in the Western United States. Please do consider making a regular contribution for future preachers for the salvation of souls.
Last Sunday the pastor told of three shepherds and a visitor who asked how the shepherd knew whose sheep were whose. The visitor saw one shepherd stand, call his sheep to follow and a group of them did. Then a second shepherd did the same with the same results. Then the visitor tried calling sheep to follow him but none moved. “Do they ever just follow anybody who calls them?” he asked. “Oh sure,” said the last shepherd. “When sheep are sick, they’ll follow anyone.”
The story has stuck with me, perhaps because I’ve always wondered how people can go off to follow the wrong person, such as charismatic leader Jim Jones who convinced so many people to commit suicide in Jonestown, Guyana. Or young people who go off to cults. Perhaps this is why reading the homily that Cardinal Seán O’Malley delivered last Sunday in Boston made so much sense. He spoke of the “wanton violence and destruction” inflicted at the Boston Marathon by two strangers.
(Vatican Radio) For the Christian, "making progress" means "lowering oneself" on the road of humility in order allow God’s love to emerge and be clearly seen. This was the central focus of Pope Francis’ homily on Monday morning at Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel. The liturgy was attended by some of the Sisters of Charity, who renewed their vows, the staff of the Vatican Television Center, the Brazilian Program of Vatican Radio, and the long-time Papal photographer, Arturo Mari.
The way of Christian humility rises up to God, as those who bear witness to it “stoop low” to make room for charity. The liturgical feast of the Annunciation occasioned this reflection from Pope Francis, as he celebrated the Annunciation Mass on Monday morning. The Pope said that the road taken by Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem for the imperial census was a road of humility. There was the humility of Mary, who “did not understand well,” but “[entrusted] her soul to the will of God.” Joseph was humble, as he “lowered himself” to take on the “great responsibility” of the bride who was with child.
Fr. John C. Flannery, OP Former Provincial Born 14 Mar 1932 Professed 15 Aug 1954 Ordained 10 Jun 1960 Died 24 Mar 2013
It is with saddness that we announce the death of our dear Fr. John C. Flannery, OP. A former Provincial, he had served the province faithfully in many capacities, including missionary physician, psychiatrist, pastor, and for many years the spiritual director of many priests and seminarians. His presence will be greatly missed, while we rejoice that this holy priest of God remained faithful to his calling and died with the sacraments freshly received and in the company of some of the brethren.
Vigil: Tuesday, April 2nd at 7:30pm at Saint Albert Priory Chapel
Funeral: Wednesday, April 3rd at 10:00am at Saint Albert Priory Chapel
General Norms and Various Observations concerning the Holy Triduum.
The National Conference of Catholic Bishops have provided a useful listing of resources and suggestions for the celebration of the Sacred Triduum. Please note that these resources are related to the Roman Rite and may not fit perfectly with others usages, but will provide rich ideas.
Thanks to the generosity of one of their dear friends the Dominican Nuns of Summit, NJ received a surprise gift of a new camcorder just in time for Sr. Mary Jacinta’s profession. This is a “first” for their community and they are enjoying learning how to use it and playing with all the cool features.
Below is a video of the profession rite within the Mass. If you raise your computer volume you should be able to hear Fr. Stan’s homily.