Reflections of a Simple Priest

As we celebrate Holy family Sunday today, I have to say, it was very nice for the last few days to go and visit my family.  It's good to see everyone, it's good to catch up on what's been going on and to spend time with those that I don't see very often.  On the other hand, I don't think I'll miss about 10 people sharing 2 bathrooms.  For better or for worse, families can be the people we love the most, even when sometimes we can't stand them.  I don't think it's any big secret in our world, that as a whole, families don't seem to be quite as stable as they used to be.  I remember even for myself growing up, we used to talk about the dangers of divorce and broken families, how those thing can be difficult for kids.  Sadly, I think the reality today is that there's hardly anywhere a family that hasn't been touched by the pain of divorce.  I know I've encountered younger folks today, who tell me that they're not...

Merry Christmas!  It's hard to believe, but it's here again.   I'd like to take a moment to sincerely welcome all of our visitors here with us.  The decorations are all set, the time of advent waiting is over, and now is the time to celebrate the fact that it's Christmas.  It's an incredible thing that we are all here to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, Jesus Christ.  Every year, I like to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas.  It's amazing how a classic cartoon from 1965 can still speak to us today.  It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas.  It's so easy to zero in on the shopping season, the presents, the decorations, and everything else that goes along.  Those aren't bad things.  Each of them really do have their place, but before all of it, is the miracle we celebrate today.  I love that little scene at the end where Linus walks into the middle and reads from memory, the very Gospel w...