November 5, 2023

In the gospel last weekend, Jesus summarizes the commandments into just two; love God and love your neighbor. In the challenging world we live in, where often we can see no alternative to just melting into despair, what are we to do to live out these commands?

Here are some suggestions:

First, show you love God by praying passionately. Pray for those who are aliens and need acceptance. Pray for those who are poor and need sustenance. Pray for our neighbors in Lewiston, Maine. Pray for those innocents in harms way in the middle east, especially the children. Pray for the people of Ukraine. Pray passionately for peace.

Second, show you love your neighbor by passionately helping others. Accept them for who they are. Show your love of neighbor by helping to feed those who are hungry. Show you love your neighbor by reaching out to those who need that care. Put your love into action.

Third, and most important. Passionately live out your faith by being a person of hope. Show hope in the face of despair, show hope in the light of disappointment, show hope in spite of adversity. Our hope is based in the promise of the Resurrection, that death does not have the final word, but that our faith in Jesus can lead us to His promise of everlasting life.

Hope, shining forth from us, can be the beacon someone needs to endure in the face of depressing news and ongoing anxiety. You can be that beacon, we all can be that beacon, reflecting God’s love out to all. God’s radiant love, shining through us, can be the beacon to our community, our nation, and our world. If we are to become what we celebrate when we gather for Eucharist, as we are called to do, then we must strive to be the presence of the one who calls us to love.

May our passion lead us to love God and neighbor more, and may our love for God and neighbor lead others to want to do the same. This is the best antidote to despair.

October 22, 2023

At the doors of both our churches, you will find envelopes for All Souls Day, which is November 2. All Saints Day, November 1, is a Holy Day of Obligation, All Souls is the day when we remember all our dead. During the month of November, all the envelopes for All Souls are collected, and placed on the two altars, and special prayers are said for all our beloved dead. You can put your envelope in the basket on the weekend. Grief is hard, and is a process, and points us toward our faith in the resurrection. Jesus’ death and resurrection are His promise to us that death does not have the final word, that death is overcome, and we are all created for this life eternal by our loving God.

What is striking in the gospels, and all of scripture, is the enduring love God has for each one of us. Our command, in a nutshell, is to love the Lord with all our heart, our mind, and soul, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. As well as we might learn to love, we often fall short. God’s love never falls short, and God’s love is powerful. So powerful, it is not incorrect to say that God’s love is stronger than death. This is why we are a pro-life church because God’s love leads us to life.

We see this clearly each week when we worship together, and Jesus offers himself again and again for us. He does so because He loves us, not because any of us deserve His sacrifice. This should lead us to a posture of gratitude, and accompanying actions that express our gratitude. We need to reach out to those who are poor, those who are sick and suffering, those on the margins of society. Our prayer should include all those on the margins, and all those in desperate circumstances, like in parts of the middle east and Ukraine. When our prayer points us toward the sacrifice of our Savior, then we are better able to model the sacrifice we are each called to emulate.

As we are in October, a month dedicated to the Rosary, may our rosaries and all our prayers help us to honor our beloved dead, lead us to do more for those in need, and bring each of us to a greater appreciation of all God had done for us. God bless you all.

September 24, 2023

Some have asked me to publish the homework from this past week. All about forgiveness, so there is no easy homework to select. All about forgiveness, so selecting all would be the best choice. But try one or more of these, if you would.:

First: Make up your mind this week to look for opportunities to offer forgiveness, especially when you ordinarily would not. Forgive the one who cuts you off in traffic, forgive the one who puts themselves ahead of you, at whatever you are doing. Replace the curse you might shout with a quiet, “I forgive you”, even if no one else is there to hear it. Our sins are healed, because Jesus offers us forgiveness. We should do the same.

Second: Seek out the one in your family or circle of friends who has wronged you recently. Tell them they are forgiven, even if they do not know they have wronged you. They may have forgotten the cross word, the callous insult, the perceived slight. Forgiveness is to free you, not so much for them. Our sins are healed, because Jesus offers us forgiveness. We should do the same.

Third: Now, for the difficult homework. Find the one you know you have hurt, and ask them to forgive you. They may, they may not. But it is our seeking forgiveness that brings about the attitude God seeks in us. A repentant heart leads us to where God touches our hearts each day. Our sins are healed, because Jesus offers us forgiveness. We should do the same.

Forgiveness is not easy, but Jesus forgives us because we are loved, not because we deserve it. If you wait until you or the other deserve to be forgiven, it will never happen. God Bless you all.

August 27, 2023

Some reminders of things sacramental:

• The sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) is scheduled here in our parish twice a week. Monday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at Saint Mary, and Saturday afternoon from 3:30 to 4:30 PM at Saint Agnes. One can always call for an appointment for confession.

• The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and Dying includes the opportunity for confession if the person is awake and alert. If someone in your family is diagnosed with a serious illness, or hospitalized, it is better to call the parish sooner to arrange for this sacrament. Waiting until the moment of death runs the risk that no priest is available immediately. Anointing of the Sick and Dying can be received more than once, but if someone has been recently anointed (within the last two or three months) there is no need to be anointed again right before death.

• For those seeking to be married in the church, please contact us at least six months in advance. Once you meet with the pastor, and are determined to be free to marry, then we can book a date. If you are civilly married (justice of the peace, etc.) and want to have your marriage convalidated (recognized as a sacramental in the church) please contact the parish and set up an appointment to see if this is possible. Most times it is and can bring a couple closer to their faith.

• For those wishing to become Catholic, or who want to be confirmed as an adult, please contact Deacon John for information on upcoming programs in the Fall.

August 20, 2023

The gospel from Matthew this weekend is a challenging one. Jesus withdraws to the area of Tyre and Sidon, two villages on the seashore. Exhausted from his ministry of preaching, teaching, and especially healing the hundreds and thousands who are constantly coming to him, Jesus is looking for a break, a vacation. His presence is discovered by a Canaanite woman, who is well aware of his reputation. Her daughter is sick, an illness they could not explain, so in the culture of the time, the daughter is described as tormented by a demon. Jesus reacts with impatience, he’s tired. Jesus reacts with an insult, he is human like us. Jesus says his mission is to the children of Israel, not to the Canaanites. The woman persists, maybe like so many of us she has nothing to lose, and Jesus heals her daughter. The healing power of Jesus is for all people, the message is inescapable.

Don’t react in anger to every perceived insult. Maybe someone is desperate like the Canaanite woman, or young and a dreamer like Billy, and don’t even know they have insulted you. Life unfolding is not an insult to any of us.

Don’t look for reasons to exclude someone or some group. God’s message is for all. Jesus demonstrates this in the gospel today. Look for ways to include more people, different people.

Don’t make your needs the center of attention. Tend to the needs of others, the poor, the sick, those without hope. This is the effort God wants us to make. At this time, especially those without hope.

Don’t focus on the insignificant, focus on what is essential. Every effort of the Canaanite woman was to have her daughter healed, she cared about nothing else. Our every effort should be to further the Kingdom of God, to make the message of Jesus real and resounding.

August 13, 2023

his coming Tuesday, August 15, is the Feast of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please note the Mass schedule in the bulletin for when Mass is held at each of our churches. There is no envelope for the Feast Day, but there will be a collection, with baskets at the doors.

This past weekend, missionaries from the Archdiocese of Tororo in Uganda preached at all our Masses. Thank you to those who were generous with your contributions. If you were not prepared, or would like to still contribute, please submit an envelope marked with Uganda. Put Uganda in the memo section of the check. Thank you all for your support.

Altar server training classes will begin on Monday, August 21, at 4:00 PM at Saint Mary Church, and again the following week, Monday, August 28, at 4:00 PM. Some who have already signed up will be notified. Altar servers need to be children who have made their First Holy Communion. If you are interested, please let Deacon John know at harold.john.hoffman@gmail.com.

Registration for Fall Religious Education classes will begin September 1. Watch the website, social media, and this space for further information.

July 9, 2023

The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, Bishop of the diocese of Burlington, Vermont, has been named Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford. Archbishop Coyne will be welcomed at a Mass at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Hartford on October 9, 2023, and then will take up residence in the Archdiocese following the welcome Mass.

A coadjutor Archbishop holds the right of succession, and so Archbishop Coyne will succeed Archbishop Leonard Blair upon his retirement in 2024. Being appointed coadjutor allows Archbishop Coyne time to get to know the diocese, and what plans are in place and in process. Archbishop Coyne has stated that he looks forward to meeting the people of the Archdiocese of Hartford and will look for opportunities to do so as he becomes familiar with our Archdiocese. “I hope over the next seven or eight months to spend less time in the office and more time on the road,” he said in an article in the Hartford Courant.

Archbishop Coyne is a native of the Boston area and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston in 1986. He served many roles in the Archdiocese of Boston and was named an auxiliary bishop of Indianapolis in January of 2011, and in December of 2014 was named Bishop of the Diocese of Burlington, VT. Archbishop Coyne is a skilled communicator, and was the first bishop to have a blog. He likes social media and plans to be present there when he cannot be in person.

Our prayers at Precious Blood Parish are for Archbishop Blair as he approaches his retirement, and for Archbishop Coyne as we welcome him to be our new shepherd for the Archdiocese of Hartford. Should the opportunity arise that Archbishop Coyne can come and visit our parish, we will apprise all our parishioners of the particulars.

July 18, 2023

Father, We praise You for the opportunity to be fathers. You craft each life with importance. Every one equally loved by You, our faithful and loving Father. We know that You have a purpose for each and every life; and praise You that we get to be a part of that purpose.

God, there is a reason You tell us to have faith like that of a child. They are bursting with curiosity and full of love. Protect their innocence and preserve the spark in their eyes from the darkness of the world. Let them be little lights to their parents and teachers. Allow them to grow and have a fair opportunity to learn.

Father, we confess our worry and our fear to You today. You tell us not to worry, but it is so hard not to cry when we think of what other parents have had to suffer. Comfort their hearts in a special way.

Bless our children and keep them safe from physical harm. Protect them from abuse and addiction. Guard their hearts from evil, and protect their minds from things that are not appropriate for their eyes to see and their ears to hear. Bless them with hearts of compassion.

Godly friends are important, and we pray today that You bless our children with those friends. May their friendships be innocent and light, and may they be filled with kindness, understanding, and compassionate consideration for one another.

Help all fathers to be models of the Father that you are to each one of us.

June 11, 2023

This past weekend, our parishioner, Louis Santiago, was ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Hartford. We congratulate him and offer our continued prayers for him, his family, and the success of his ministry. Louis is assigned to Holy Infant parish in Orange and we wish him well in this assignment.

We find ourselves today in the feast of Corpus Christi, the body and blood of Christ. Eucharist is a meal that nourishes us so that we can be poured out for others. It is God’s invitation, it is our challenge. Welcome the nourishment and strength of Eucharist into your life; accept the invitation to be poured out for others. It need not be grandiose or world changing, look for the simple, everyday opportunities to be the heart and hands of Christ for all those you meet.

If you think none of this is about you, I would like to leave you with this story: A great sailing ship was tossed about in a violent storm. The crew had to abandon the ship as it was breaking up. Retreating to a life boat, they survived, and drifted for days. Consumed by thirst for lack of fresh water, they were near despair. They awakened one day, in sight of land, and could call to those on the shore. “Water, they cried, we need water.” From the shore came the reply, “Dip your buckets in the water where you are, the water will save you.” They did not know that they had drifted into a fresh water cove, and were in the midst of the very nourishment they needed.

We are in the midst of the nourishment we need when we celebrate Eucharist together, and share in the body of the Risen Lord. Our challenge is to now make those choices that show we are Eucharistic people, doing the work of Christ. May His presence lead us to know we are where we need to be, and may we be lead to go from here doing His work in all the ways that we can.

May 7, 2023

In the gospel for this weekend’s Masses, we hear Jesus make a remarkable promise to his disciples, and to all of us. He tells us, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places, if there were not, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” And Jesus goes further: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again, and take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be.”

The message of Jesus is that we are created to be with God, and the plan of Jesus is to get all of us to be with God, living forever in the Father’s House. It is not a random happening that we were created, we were created to be part of God’s family. We are created to live out the message of Jesus, to love God and one another, and in this way make our path to the Father’s House one that makes sense.

In this Easter season, may we appreciate even more the opportunity we have in celebrating Eucharist to join all those who have gone before us, in what the Church calls the “Communion of Saints”. When we celebrate Eucharist, we are closest to Jesus, our Risen Savior, and so closest to all who are with Him forever. All those who have been welcomed into the Father’s House join with us when we celebrate Jesus offering Himself again each time we celebrate Eucharist together. There is a reason you may feel closer to those in your life who have gone before us when we are here in church, celebrating Eucharist. They are truly here as well, living still in the Father’s House, living here in our glimpse of the heavenly banquet.

May we all continue to rejoice in the Easter truth that death is not the end, but death is overcome, and it is Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, who will welcome each of us into life forever with Him.

April 30, 2023

As we are now along in this Easter Season, some thanks are in order. Thanks to all who decorated our churches for the season. The glory of the resurrection was well reflected in your decorating efforts. Thanks to all who read at Masses, served in other ways, and a special thanks to the ushers who do an often thankless job.

We are most grateful for the beautiful music for the Triduum celebration, beginning with Tenebrae on Wednesday of Holy Week, The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday, The Service of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday. All the musicians and guest musicians did a wonderful job, and enhanced our worship so we could better celebrate the Easter Joy of the Resurrection.

A gentle reminder that the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal is winding down for this year. If you have not yet made your contribution, please consider doing so soon. As a parish, we are close to meeting our goal. The Appeal supports our Deacon John Rigely Food Pantry and the Beth El Center here locally.

As we move through this Easter season, may we walk together, supporting one another, celebrating the joy of the Resurrection each day.

March 12, 2023

The gospel this weekend, Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, is the story of the healing of the man born blind. This is a sign, a miracle, performed by Jesus to show clearly that he is the promised Messiah, and that following Him will lead us all to walk in the light. Unlike the blind man, we cannot look directly into the face of Jesus, but we can recognize Jesus in the face of others. If we use the eyes of faith we can recognize Jesus embodied in: the teacher who sees potential in every student; in the parent who looks at their child with sheer delight; in the child who watches out for others, not just their friends. However, there is another way to notice and a more challenging reality to grapple with. That is, our responsibility for the homeless person, the troubled or troublesome child, the old person who has outlived family and friends. It is on us, as Christians, to be the embodiment of Christ, the ‘light of the world’, for them.

How will we challenge ourselves to be the ones who lift others up, who serve as their light in the darkness? May we all let the healing light of Christ come to our hearts during this Lenten season, so that we can assist in the work of building His kingdom, letting our light join with our fellow parishioners to build His kingdom together. May our preparation for Easter lead us all to appreciate the light of our Risen Lord in our lives.

Thank you all so much for beginning Lent so well. Our Ash Wednesday collection allowed us to send $8,883.00 to Beth El Shelter. Our parishioners’ generosity is so commendable.

February 26, 2023

In light of the Gospel for this Sunday, aren’t we tempted to try and have economic power, all the wealth we need, or think we need, so we can be “comfortable”? Aren’t we tempted at times to stray from the path of the gospel so our financial situations will be enhanced? Society says the fittest, the strongest, the boldest advance and survive. How about our care for the frailest, the weakest, the meekest? Are we called to care for them? Aren’t we tempted to think that because we do not get what we want, that God is not taking care of us, and God is unconcerned about us, and we are better off without God at all? How often do we blame God for whatever bad happens to us?

We are called, each one of us, to follow Jesus. We can begin to embrace the call for fasting by taking up charitable habits that are directed at caring for others, lifting up our brothers and sisters by giving alms, and praying for all those in need. Pope Francis tells us, “ In the poor and outcast we see Christ’s face; by loving and helping the poor, we love and serve Christ.” May your Lent be prayerful and lead to conversion.

January 1, 2023

It is there, in the middle of the gospel, in the very first words that are spoken. In this New year of 2023, let us remember:

“Do not be afraid.”

And then it gets even better.

“Behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

“A savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”

These are the words we have been longing for. With this moment, the course of human history changes forever. God has become one of us. The savior’s very name proclaims the incredible truth that no one ever thought possible: “Emmanuel.” God is with us. It is a stunning thought, almost overwhelming.

And yet we are told: “Do not be afraid.”

Across two thousand years, those words reach out to us in joy and hope and consolation. No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter what your circumstances, this what matters:

Do not be afraid.

To the people of Uvalde, To those who lost someone they love in any tragedy this year. To the father without a job, or the children pulled apart by divorce or separation:

Do not be afraid.

To the sick and the suffering, the lonely and the lost ... to all those who feel that maybe God has forgotten you. To those who feel, as even Mother Teresa did, abandoned to the dark night:

Do not be afraid.

Because even in this darkest of nights, there is light. A savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. Here is our hope.

He didn’t come in grandeur or majesty, to intimidate us. He came as the most helpless and dependent creature of all: a baby, in a manger, in Bethlehem. He loves us so much, God came to us as someone we could not help but love.

May this New Year be one of blessings for you and yours, and as we face this new year, let us all remember:

Do not be afraid.

December 11, 2022

Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday when we rejoice, that the coming of the Lord is near. Gaudete means rejoice, hence the name. The rose-colored vestments signal a change and augment our anticipation of the true joy to come. May the joy of this season be with each of you as we all anticipate the joyous coming again of our Lord and Savior.

Remember that Christmas is on Sunday this year, but it is not a regular Sunday Mass schedule. Please refer to the bulletin so you can make your plans to worship with us this Christmas. Be assured that all of you are in the prayers of the clergy of our parish, and our prayers for you all are that the Prince of Peace may bring peace to your heart, peace to your family, and peace to our world.

November 20, 2022

The Solemnity of Christ the King marks an end to Ordinary Time in the church calendar. The feast of Christ the King encourages us to publicly proclaim and live our faith. We should use our wills, our minds, our hearts, and all we are to promote that who we are is because of Christ and his love for us.

The thief on the cross recognizes Christ’s kingship. He notes that Jesus is not a criminal and asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his Kingdom. Pope Francis says this: “On that day at Calvary, many voices remained silent; others jeered. Only the thief’s voice rose to the defense of the innocent victim of suffering. His was a brave profession of faith. Each of us has the same possibility: we can choose to remain silent, to jeer or to boldly proclaim what we believe. What brought about this conversion in the thief? The gift of faith. Faith is not something we can simply summon for ourselves. Like hope, it is a gift from God.”

In this season of Thanksgiving, we here at Precious Blood parish are thankful for all of you, are parishioners, and all you do for your parish. May God’s blessing continue to come to each of you and may we all be grateful for the many blessings God gives us each day.

October 30, 2022

Among the devices on my car, is a function that beeps at me when ever I begin to drift out of my lane. And not just a little bit, any movement at all seems to have the car beeping at me. When my grandson is the backseat passenger, he notices the beeping as well. “What makes your car beep, Grandpa?” he asks. I explain that if I go a little off course, the car will beep and let me know. So now, in addition to the beeping, whenever he is the passenger, I get another reminder, “Drive straight, Grandpa!”.

In today’s gospel from Luke, we have the story of Zaccheus, a tax collector who may have sometimes gone down the wrong path. But Jesus says that He will eat at Zaccheus’ house this day, because the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost. May we all work on “driving straight” so we find our way to the Kingdom of God. And when we are lost, or veering off path, may we remember that Jesus has come to seek out and save those who are lost.

The mercy of God knows no bounds, and God’s forgiveness is for each one of us. Never despair that mercy is not for you, God has come to seek out and to save those who are lost, not the least of which is you. May we come in joy to worship this Lord who forgives us, and welcomes us back, time and time again.

October 9, 2022

Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. This is what the catechism of the Catholic Church tells us. Eucharist is what sets us apart from all other Christian denominations, we have the real presence of Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord, when we worship together, gathered in His name. As you may have noticed during the time of COVID, something may have seemed to be missing.

Jesus is still here, inviting you into His presence, waiting to encourage and strengthen you in your daily life. We are fed by His body and blood, come and be fed, come and worship together with us. If you feel there is a lack, it can be filled with the real presence of the Risen Lord. Jesus tells us, “Whoever eats my body and drinks my blood will have life eternal.” Come and participate in the gift He has given us. Come and gather at His table. He calls you today.

October 2, 2022

The month of October is traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Mother, Saint Mary. There is a particular emphasis on the rosary, and October is called the month of the rosary. As a parish, we are blessed by different groups that regularly recite the rosary together. Each Monday evening, we have the Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

This year we are especially pleased that the Legion of Mary is hosting Our Lady’s Fatima Statue here on October 6. There will be time for prayer, rosary, and meditation, culminating in a Mass at 7:30 PM in the evening. Beginning at 12:00 noon, the church will be open for you to join us for any and all the surrounding activities. Please check the parish website for details.

Our Blessed Mother reminds us always that her most important role is to bring Jesus to us, and to bring us to her Son. May we all follow her example by bringing the presence of Christ to all we meet, and by our example, to help lead others to Jesus, the Risen Lord.

September 18, 2022

First of all, a huge thank you to all who contributed to this past weekend’s drive for the Deacon John Rigely Food Pantry. Your generous donations have restocked the pantry for the Fall season, and your monetary donations amounted to over $5,000 in total. This allows our pantry to continue to feed our hungry neighbors, and to have the resources to meet those special need that arise. More and more of our clients are young families with young children. You are all truly doing God’s work by your efforts. A special thanks to all who staff our food pantry, who help those in need directly, and do so allowing them to keep their dignity intact. All of us should continue to pray for the success of their efforts, and for the families that are served, who allow us to serve Christ before us each and every week.

This weekend offered two family oriented activities, the touch a truck for children (and their families) on Saturday afternoon, and the parish picnic on Sunday afternoon. I hope many of you had an opportunity to gather together and socialize, as we should. We always continue to gather and worship together in our many weekend Masses, which is always the most important thing that we do. God bless you all for all the good you do.