Category Archives: Catholic Church

Feast Day for Saint Clare of Assisi

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Saint Clare of Assisi

Chiara (Clare) Offreduccio was born in Assisi, Italy, on July 16, 1194. She belonged to a wealthy Assisi clan, during the time of the High Middle Ages.

At some time in her life, she came in contact with Saint Francis of Assisi, a young man who had encountered Christ, and was moved to turn his life around. The son a wealthy cloth merchant, he gave up his life of wealth and privilege, and dedicated his life to really living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Francis wandered the streets of Assisi, proclaiming the Good News, and living a very simple life. He began to draw followers from among the young men of Assisi. And he drew the attention of Clare.

In conversations with Francis, she felt a fire being lit within her own soul. She gave up her life of wealth and privilege; dedicated herself to a life of strict poverty and intense prayer. Her life attracted other women and together they formed a community known as “The Order of Poor Ladies.” With help of Francis, Clare drew up their Rule. They would become a monastic Order, inspired by the example of Clare. They lived in simple quarters, next to one of the churches Francis repaired, San Damiano. And Francis, himself, would remain as a source of inspiration and guidance.

Clare lost her teacher and guide on the evening of October 3, 1226. She would live on until August 11, 1253. The community of sisters that survived her, became known as the ‘Poor Clares.”

HABEMUS PAPAM!!!

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Just finishing my lunch, half watching a tv report on some business matter. They had a split screen because the time was coming up for the vote for a new pope. There were a few seagulls examining the stovepipe coming out of the Sistine Chapel’s roof. I noticed that there were wisps of smoke, white smoke, coming out!! It grew into huge plume!! Still waiting for his appearance on the main balcony of Saint Peter’s!

WE HAVE AN AMERICAN POPE!!!!!!!!

Hello once again! Yes, I know I promised to be more regular with my postings. There have been some personal issues that required attention, but it is not quite time yet to discuss. But other than that…

I was able to rise early enough to watch the funeral Mass for Pope Francis. It was amazing to see the crowds of people, both clergy, religious and lay who came to pray for the repose of his soul. The new camera technology has added what we are able to see and experience. One sight that thrilled my heart was seeing so many vested deacons with the rest of the clergy. As I am typing this, I suddenly realized that some of them, maybe all of them, were transitional deacons, on their way to priestly ordination. Which is fine, but I really hope that some of them were my brothers in the permanent diaconate.

I have lived through many papacies, each one unique in their own way. I was a youngster when Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council. I am 71 years old now, as I witness the passing of Pope Francis. I have witnessed, joyfully, changes in the liturgical life of the Church. I witnessed debates among clergy and laity on how best to implement Vatican II, how involved should the laity be. ( A lot!). I have seen some of these debates done respectfully; others, not so much.

Because of the way my health is right now, and the changes in where we are living; I have not been as active as a deacon as I would like to be. We shall see what the future holds. Looking forward to seeing the white smoke!

Pax et Bonum to all!!

The Passing of Pope Francis.

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The Vatican

I have a bad habit of waking up very early in the morning; 5:00 AM, early in the morning! I usually cannot fall back asleep, so I looked at my IPhone, and saw the bulletins, announcing the passing of Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church. Now, I am a skeptic of such “news” that comes over the Web. So I turned on the TV, and sadly saw that it was true.

It was a bit of a shock, because earlier there were scenes of a weakened Pope Francis waving to the crowds. There was hope that he would have survived this bout of illness. It was not to be.

Pope Francis, in my mind, and it will be my hope; will be remembered as a unique and holy father of the Church. He will definitely be missed.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him! Through the mercy of God, may he rest in peace.

Homily for 30th Sunday In Ordinary Time

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“Jesus said to him in reply ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man replied to him, ‘Master, I want to see.’ “

In today’s Gospel of Mark, we see the encounter Jesus had with Bartimaeus, a blind man. Bartimaeus must have known something of who Jesus was, and the power of healing he seemed to possess. Bartimaeus decided to take a risk and began calling out loudly to Jesus, begging for help. Some in the crowd thought of him as a nuisance.

Jesus did not think so, he had Batimaeus brought over to him. When this was done, Jesus did not lay his hands on him, as some of the people would have expected. Instead, Jesus told Bartimaeus that he could leave, “..your faith has saved you.” His sight was restored to him.

Now most of us do not have to deal with blindness; at least, not physical blindness. But what about social blindness, spiritual blindness? Where and when have we turned a “blind eye” to others in need, to others who are in suffering; to our own personal suffering?

It is moments such these, that we need to open ourselves to the Presence of Christ, to enter into prayer, to pray that our eyes, our minds, our hearts, our souls; be opened to the needs of others. And to our own need for healing.


So, I invite all of us, to, at the best of our ability, be present to our Savior in the Eucharist. And let ourselves be transformed, our eyes opened, and our journey with Christ renewed.

Saint Peter’s Church, Plymouth MA.

Saint John’s Seminary, School of Theology, Boston, MA

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A looong time ago, I felt I had a calling to the Catholic priesthood. I spent four years in the Boston Archdiocesan College Seminary, then three years in their School of Theology. I finally came to the conclusion that was being called to another life path. Still, I never have regretted my time in the seminary.

The college seminary no longer exists, but the original seminary still stands and is training and forming men for the priesthood. The seminary is celebrating its 140th year of being in existence.

The Influence of Francis of Assisi

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Statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Carver MA

Saint Francis of Assisi


“I have done what was mine to do. May Christ teach you what is yours.” Saint Francis of Assisi

Every October 4th, people around the world, Catholics, Protestants, persons with no declared religion; celebrate the memory of Saint Francis of Assisi. Born in the year of 1182, Francis was an energetic young man, talented, had a gift for drawing other young men of Assisi to himself for parties. He would soon felt the desire to become a knight, a heroic defender of Assisi. Being a commoner, that only way he could achieve this goal, was on the battlefield. He joined his fellow citizens in a military campaign against a rival Italian city state. The battle went terribly wrong for Assisi, Francis and others who survived the battle were captured and held in dungeons. There they waited for their families to ransom them. For some, like Francis, it was a long wait as families and friends tried to gather enough ransom money. Francis returned to Assisi as a broken man.


During his recovery, he would ride out into the countryside. On one such ride, he come across a beggar, who was also suffering from leprosy. Out of fear, Francis turned his horse around, ready to flee. But something made him stop, turn his horse around to face the leper. Getting off his horse, he went to the leper, took his money pouch and put it into the hands of the beggar. And then he kissed them. It was a moment of transformation, a moment of conversion.


Later, Francis found himself walking by a dilapidated chapel. He felt a strong desire to go into the chapel to pray. K in Before a wooden cross, with the image of the Crucified Christ, he knelt. Deep in prayer, Francis heard the Lord speak to him from the cross, “Francis, rebuild my church, which, as you see, is falling down.” And the rest, as they say, is history!

His life of prayer, voluntary poverty, and caring for the poor; has inspired thousands of men and women around the world. Men have joined the Order of Friars Minors, in it’s various formations, to work amongst the poor, to help the ill and disabled. Francis’ lifestyle inspired a young noblewoman, by the name of Clare, to take up a life of poverty and prayer. Drawn by her example, other women joined together to form like communities. Today, these communities bear her name, now called the Poor Clares. And still, the influence of Saint Francis continued to grow, indeed, continues to grow. Lay men and women also found inspiration from Francis’ example. The more they heard about the lives of Francis and his followers, the more they wished to imitate the Franciscan lifestyle. These lay followers soon formed their own groups, to pray together, to help the poor, to serve their families as well.


The Franciscan Family continues, it may experience times of growth, and times of loss; but it continues. Pace e Bene!!

Homily – Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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A long, loooong time ago, my father and uncle bought a motor boat. Back then these boats were all wood, not fiberglass, with wooden benches, instead of cushioned seats. Our families used it for water skiing, and for fishing, fresh water or ocean. One Saturday, my father and uncle took me, my brother and a cousin out into the sea, off of Lynn Harbor, for some fishing.

We were having an enjoyable day, when suddenly a storm came down on us. The waves were huge, the boat was bouncing up and down. The bench we were seating on suddenly collapsed; to say we were scared would be an understatement. We did finally reach the safety of Nahant harbor; but that was an experience.


Needless to say, I think I can empathize with what the disciples were going through, on their own boat. Still, these were veteran fishermen, who should have known how to sail through rough seas. One can understand Jesus being peeved with them.


Still there is a lesson to be learned. I think that all of us need to reflect on our own responses might be, when the world tosses challenges at us, especially challenges to our faith, to what we believe; to what actions we are being asked to take, in the name of the Gospel; which we are called to proclaim by word and deed.
In the world, out there, we see new challenges; challenges to world peace, challenges to peace and harmony in our nation, in our communities; some would say even in our Church. There are storms a brewing out there, storms that threaten to swamp us.

How do we respond? By first of all, by having faith. To believe firmly that God is with us. Yes, it is a challenge, and there may be times when we may not meet that challenge. Yet, Christ is with us, encouraging us to strive to live the Gospel, to proclaim the Good News. The Holy Spirit is with us, to calm our fears, to inspire us to push on, in living the Gospel. And Father is there to embrace us all, to be a comfort to us all, no matter what trials we face.


“So whoever is in Christ is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Happy Easter to All!!

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Saint Peter’s Church, Mary, Queen of Martyrs Parish, Plymouth MA

“Christ is Risen!!”

“He is Risen indeed!!!”

The traditional Easter Sunday greeting, shared among Eastern Rite Christians around the world.

May this be a blessed day for all!!

New Auxiliary Bishop for Boston

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Yesterday, February 3, 2024, Reverend Cristiano Barbosa, native of Brazil, was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Boston, MA. In that capacity, he will be assisting the Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFMCap.

I was able to attend the ceremony as a Deacon. The day of ordination, I made it into Boston, in what I thought was plenty of time to vest and take up a position for the procession. Only I had the schedule mixed up, and I was just made into the deacon’s procession line by the skin of my teeth.

Now I have attended several ordinations in the Cathedral in my life as a Deacon. All were orderly, all liturgically beautiful. Yesterday was a new experience for me. As we processed into the Cathedral, we saw a congregation that was large, loud and joyful. People were crowded in the benches, the aisles, and any open spaces in the wings of the sanctuary. Brazilian Portuguese filled the air!

Now among some of my Anglo brethren, this may have been too much, not respecting the solemnity of the ceremony. The crowds did quiet down as Mass began, and when the ordination ceremony began. The energy, the excitement picked up again as the newly ordained Bishop walked around the cathedral, blessing the people.

Yes, these was a new experience for me, but I accepted it. I joined in the celebration in the way I knew, rejoicing in their celebration.

Ad Multos Annos, Bishop Cristiano Barbosa!