Over the last couple of months, I have written about the document “The Pastoral Conversion of the Parish Community in the Service of the Evangelizing Mission of the Church.” The Congregation for the Clergy in Rome promulgated this document in 2020. I’d like to conclude my reflection on this document this week. Chapter 6 is…
Notes from Archbishop Perez (Part Two)
Last time I wrote about a gathering of priests who met with Archbishop Perez during a fall workshop. During the gathering, the Archbishop spoke on several topics. Let me continue with some of his words. The Independent Oversight Committee overseeing the Independent Reconciliation and Reparation Program (IRRP) announced the release of its final report earlier…
Notes from Archbishop Perez (Part One)
A few weeks ago, Archbishop Perez met with the priests in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It was during an annual fall workshop sponsored by the Archdiocese. The Archbishop spoke on a variety of topics. He first mentioned that a number of good things are happening in Philadelphia. For example, Young Catholic Professionals are meeting regularly….
Intentional Missionary Discipleship: A Reflection
Someone asked a question in a recent conversation. It had to do with three priorities Archbishop Nelson Perez has mentioned for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In descending order, his priorities are: 3. Move from crisis to hope. 2. Build up resources for the sake of the mission. 1. Develop and grow a culture of missionary…
Saint Francis de Sales: A Spirituality for the Imperfect – Part One
From a Saint Monica Sojourner This is part one of a two-part conclusion on the spirituality of Saint Francis de Sales. If you have not heard of his spirituality referred to as a Spirituality for the Imperfect or the Spirituality of Imperfection, neither had I until I looked a little deeper into the readings of…
Called for More and Parish Priorities
Recently the priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia met with Archbishop Perez for an annual Fall Workshop. The topic was “Called for More.” This is the multi-year, Archdiocesan initiative to implement the three top priorities of Archbishop Perez, namely: Move from crisis to hope. Build up resources for the sake of the mission. Develop a…
Bozeman and Missoula – Part 1
I’m writing this on the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi. That is appropriate since I spent the past several weeks deep in nature. I recently returned after several weeks of visiting my brother in Montana. He lives in the city of Missoula. Later I spent some days in Bozeman, which is down by…
Have Patience with Everyone, Including Yourself
Why is patience soooo hard??? Even people I know who are “the most patient people on earth” or “have the patience of Job” struggle with patience. Patience can be difficult because people don’t always do what we want them to do when we want them to do it. And while I might be more willing to extend…
Pope Francis: The Parish – A Community of Communities
Parishes need to become environments of living communion and participation that are mission-oriented.
Pray, Decide and Don’t Worry – Part 2: SEARCHING
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxieties upon Him, for he cares about you.”
The Church Celebrates the Feast of the Holy Rosary During October
The Story of Our Lady of the Rosary Saint Pius V established this feast in 1573. The purpose was to thank God for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto—a victory attributed to the praying of the Rosary. Clement XI extended the feast to the universal Church in 1716. The development of the…
St. Bernard, Confessions, and God’s Will
This week in the Gospel we hear the Parable of the Prodigal Son. It allows us to reflect on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Thus, let us look at The Stages of Contemplation. This is from a sermon from Saint Bernard, abbot. The abbot writes that availing ourselves of The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a good…
Fr. Charles Zlock 