No one among us is perfect. It is neither unusual nor wrong to feel that something is missing, that we are somehow lost. Yet, that sense of inadequacy is actually God’s invitation to trust in His love. It is his call for us to bleat, shine or turn back knowing that, even when we cannot see it happening, a loving God is waiting and searching.

by Msgr. Joseph P. Calise recting a Matt Talbot retreat for men at the Cormaria Retreat House in Sag Harbor, L.I. The retreat is for men recovering from alcoholism and trying to live according to the spiritual principles of the Twelve Steps. These steps, which serve as guideposts to recovery from addiction, are based indirectly […]

by Msgr. Joseph P. Caliseng or banquet that involved assigned seating understands the dynamic at work in today’s Gospel. As invited guests, we all know that we are welcome. The seating arrangement, however, puts that welcome into a different perspective. The presumption, of course, is that the closer one sits to the guest of honor, the more important his or her presence is.

by Father Patrick LongalongAside from prayer, I often turn to play the piano to let out stress and frustration and clear my mind so I can see the issue objectively. My hands will just go up and down the keys effortlessly and subconsciously while releasing the tension out of my heart and mind. After a few minutes, I can think of the issue at hand and figure out ways to solve the problem that would be best for everyone involved.

by Father Patrick LongalongWhen I was at my first parish assignment as a priest, I became friends with many families, especially at the parish’s academy. One child of Indian descent deeply expressed to his mother about his desire to be a Catholic. She gave it much reflection and thought, which led to her decision to also become a Catholic along with her son on Easter Vigil.

by Father Patrick LongalongOnce in a while, we are reminded that our life is heavily conditioned by expectations. Parents expect their children to apply themselves and study properly. We expect our friends to support us unconditionally.

by Father Patrick Longalong“For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun?”

by Msgr. Joseph P. Calise Several years ago, I was asked to visit a parishioner on one of the upper floors at Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital. It was clear that he was near the end of his life, and so I certainly wanted to seize the opportunity to spend some time with him and his family.

As part of a “Sunday Scriptures” reflection a few weeks ago, I referenced the book “The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity” by Matthew Kelly. I wrote, “The book challenges us to ask ourselves four questions: Who am I? What am I here for? What matters most? What matters least?” That understanding of what is important, what matters, certainly has a central role in this Sunday’s Gospel.

Wikipedia describes Fred Rogers as “an American television personality, musician, puppeteer, writer, producer, and Presbyterian minister.” It goes on to explain that his dissatisfaction with the way television addressed young children led him to create the TV show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”