News - Reflections from Fr. Craig RSS Feed

12-25-2022--Merry Christmas! I give thanks to God for all of you! I give thanks for all the good that happens here at St. Anne’s

12-18-2022--On this fourth Sunday of Advent, the Prophet Isaiah is “pointing forward.” This weekend, we see the fulfillment of the words of the Psalm,

We can often feel parched, desolate, lifeless, and dark. Even though we still engage in the business and demands of life, we find ourselves somewhat detached, disengaged, and removed.

12-04-2022-- ​​​​​​​ We hear the preaching of John the Baptist (the forerunner) to our Lord Jesus. John’s preaching is NOT meant to be “fire-and-brimstone and brimstonelars remind us, that St. John the Baptist is helping all of us to recognize the One who is to come how, He will satisfy the longing of our hearts, the One who heals our souls. The One who is to come is our ultimate source of HOPE!

11-27-2022--We begin Advent and we begin a “new liturgical year.” Year A places a special emphasis on St. Matthew’s Gospel. (When, I was taught Sacred Scripture, our professor would call St. Matthew, “meticulous Matthew.”)

11-20-2022--As we prepare for the gift of the Holiday, Thanksgiving. We first conclude our Liturgical year, “year c” with the great Solemnity, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. How fitting, as we prepare to be with family, and friends and give thanks.

11-13-2022--A Peace that surpasses all understanding Many of us are aware that we are living in a time for many in our nation and even in our world who are lacking peace. Yet, we know in faith, we can receive a peace that surpasses all understanding.

10-30-2022--Remember to Vote No on Proposal 3 We have an obligation to accompany one another in life and especially those who feel as if they have limited options when it comes to procreation. As a Church, we have consistently supported life and those who are effected by awful human circumstances here in this world. Still, and above all, we have an obligation to God to respect His most precious gift of Life.

10-23-2022--Our Lord Jesus paints the picture of our need for mercy. The timeless words of our Lord, “whoever exalts themself will be humbled, and the one who humbles themself will be exalted.” Our Lord shows each of us the “challenge” the Pharisees took up the typical posture of standing to pray. His prayer, however, is less toward God and more toward himself. The Pharisee in his self-righteousness considers “everyone else” to be either dishonest, unrighteous, or both. Scholars teach us, the Pharisee’s religious practices would be considered “exemplary” accordingly he fasted twice each week (Mondays and Thursdays) and paid tithes on all of his income. (ref. Deuteronomy 14:22)

10-16-2022--This week, our Lord teaches us about the importance of persistent prayer. When we place ourselves in a “mode” of persistent prayer; we remind ourselves and those near us of our total dependence on God. And when we reach the “ah ha moment” where we see deep within ourselves our need for God, we are then driven by that dependence to call out to Him all the more.

10-09-2022--This week, our Lord teaches us about the importance of persistent prayer. When we place ourselves in a “mode” of persistent prayer; we remind ourselves and those near us of our total dependence on God. And when we reach the “ah ha moment” where we see deep within ourselves our need for God, we are then driven by that dependence to call out to Him all the more.

10-02-2022--27th Week in OT Jesus is teaching the Apostles of two millennia ago and us today, in order for our faith to be increased, we must be truly humble and acknowledge all that I have and all that I offer is a gift from God. Naturally then, Faith increases when we are willing to “bear our share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God.” Here is the mystery, faith of this intensity, even if its as tiny as that of a mustard seed can make a miracle happen!

9-25-2022--Dear Friends – we could be shocked in a way after reading the parable this weekend.  You may ask, shocked in what way?  As we read in the scriptures, the rich man, even in the afterlife, is still speaking to the poor man as a servant who is “supposed” carry out tasks for him.

We are called this weekend to consider our character.  (The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is always dishonest in great ones.) – Again – an examination of character. We hear the definition(s) of character often in our life. But how do we examine our character before the light of Jesus?

9-11-2022--We hear a timeless complaint this weekend, “This man [Jesus] welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Yet, showing mercy CHANGES us! Jesus came into the world precisely to show the power of mercy. Jesus emptied Himself and became one of us so that sinners can become saints!

9-04-2022--We reflect this weekend, that the Lord wants to give us a love that SO EXCEEDS even the “highest human love.” In order to receive and share the love that our Lord Jesus so desires to give us, we must set aside any “attachments of this world” that can cause us to stumble in growing closer to the Lord. (In other words, our path to growing in holiness.) Certainly, for some, it can be a cross “letting go” of our “attachments of this world” in order to grow in holiness. Yet St. Paul illuminates in his letter to Philemon one way in how this can be done; that is by treating individual(s) as a beloved family member(s).