Father's Notes

With Fall beginning and the holidays on the horizon, I want to discuss an important subject–alcohol. We all have our favorite beer, wine,...

I’m looking forward to our first session of the Search (Thu, Sept 25th at 6:30pm – St. Philomena Parish Hall). As I mentioned at Masses...

A few years ago, when I was in the Cathedral in Milan, I noticed a young lady wearing an odd article of clothing, over her ‘regular’...

This weekend, two young men, both of whom lived in the modern age, will be formally canonized as saints: Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo...

Many of us are returning to school or preparing for end of summer and beginning of Fall events. With this increase in activity, it’s...

As I begin, I want to acknowledge that disproportionately, more things have recently been scheduled at St. Philomena than at St. Thomas....

As you likely know, I am presenting a seven-part series on marriage (Beloved). So far, we’ve discussed how the salvation story of God and...

I must confess, I tend to bristle when I hear people in public say the all too common ‘expressions’, “ Oh my G*d! ” or “ Jesus Christ! ”....

This Tuesday, August 5th, we celebrate the Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major. As a convert to Catholicism,...

At the heart of our Catholic faith is a profound belief in the dignity and sacredness of every human life—from conception to natural...

Occasionally, I am asked: “If I don’t arrive when Mass starts, at what point in the Mass am I considered too late to receive the...

Not long ago, a parishioner lamented to me, wishing that there was more going on at our parishes (opportunities to learn about our faith,...

I want to thank you for a good start to the Annual Catholic Appeal. The following is an update (as of Friday, June 27th): St. Thomas :...

In my column for this weekend, I would like to speak about the connection between the Holy Spirit and the Eucharist. Why? Because as...

As I write this, I’m away for a few days with a couple friends, Fr. Jerry Burns and Father Chad Green, tent-camping at Deception Pass...

I remind you, there are 5 Holy Days of Obligation which we uphold in the dioceses of the United States: Mary Mother of God (Jan1);...

This past Sunday (June 1st) marked the feast day of an important saint: Justin the Martyr. Born around the year 100 A.D., about 30 miles...

As I write this, I realize how blessed I am, to be a guest of a family I know, sitting on the patio of a home in Kona, Hawaii, where the...