Why Pray?
Try the Jesus Prayer
Matt Fradd from 2018: Have you heard of the Jesus Prayer? This meditative prayer (like the Rosary) calls upon the name of the Lord in an act of repentance. In this video, Matt explains how it can help us "pray without ceasing" as St. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
The Focus
The Mass is the
Highest Form of Prayer...
The Sanctuary
In this video recorded at St John's Parish, the holy nature of the sanctuary is discussed. It is not just an ordinary space. Added gestures and rituals, done in a prayerful way, help to acknowledge the special nature of the sanctuary.
Click the image above any time of day to view the latest Mass from Catholic TV.
Faith and Culture
Living the Gospel of the Seed
Chris Stefanick reflects on this past Sunday's Gospel from a Benedictine cemetery where the monks buried there remind us that leaving the world behind isn't about the world being bad — it's about discovering something better. Drawing on Jesus' parable of the seed choked out by "the anxieties of this life," Chris breaks down the three classic sources of temptation — the world, the flesh, and the devil — and focuses on the trickiest one: the world, which we're actually meant to enjoy.
How to Pray
How to Pray When You Don't Feel Like It
How to pray when you don't feel like praying? Sometimes you know you SHOULD pray but you just don't have the spiritual energy to actually pray. How do you pray and still connect with God when nothing in you desires to pray? In this video Allen Parrs provide for you step-by-step practical tips on how to press through those difficult seasons when you don't feel like praying.
Please Pray for Vocations!
Below we list the latest seminarian roster (to be updated soon) and the diaconate formation rosters, as well as a full parish directories (with church locations) of both Vicariates in the Diocese.
Vocations
How To Discern Your Vocation
Unpack the concept of vocation and how it applies to your life, beyond just becoming a priest or nun.
Listening for God's Whisper: Learn practical ways to tune into your faith, values, and interests to discover where God might be leading you.
June 2025: Robert Koch, Patricia Buck, Joseph Ianotta, Charles Baer, Ralph Buzzelli
July 2025: Lucy Paulin, Clara Bayne
Aug 2025: Mary Bauer, Ronald Rademacher
Sept 2025: Mary Ann Skinger, Alison Wilson, George Brown
Oct 2025: Barbara Imhoff
Nov 2025: Mary Frances Lerch, Shirley Dickson, Richard Nolan
Dec 2025: Janice Steinhauser, Frank Lowe
Jan 2026: Allen Schomaker
Feb 2026: Virginia Briski, Laura DiCola
March 2026: Sister Celeste Hupert, Michael Van Leer, Barbara Davis
April 2026: Sr Carol Troesch, Marie Adams, Barbara Fuerst, Judith Scott, Jane Welka, Paul Walsh
May 2026: John Staudacher, Dennis McLean, Pauline Zelina, Joseph Kaib, Martha Foster
July 2026: Frank LoPresti
A bit of Greek will help us understand how to comfort and encourage others. Begin with the word used by Jesus to describe the Holy Spirit: parakaleo. Para means “alongside,” while kaleo means “to call.” So parakaleo means to come alongside another. That’s how Jesus described the ministry of the Holy Spirit (parakletos)—one who would come alongside believers after Jesus departed earth to be with the Father (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). By looking at the way various English versions translate parakletos we get an idea of the ministry of the Spirit: Helper (NKJV, NASB, ESV), Counselor (HCSB), Advocate (NIV, NLT), and Friend (MSG). It can also mean Comforter, Intercessor, Strengthener, or Standby (AMP).
That’s what the Holy Spirit does for us: He helps, counsels, advocates, befriends, comforts, intercedes, strengthens, and stands by us. That’s what it means to be an encourager in all its various forms. And we can do the same for others. We can give them courage the same way the Holy Spirit encourages us.
If you see someone who is discouraged, allow the Holy Spirit to use you to restore their courage and confidence in God. The Holy Spirit is a model of encouragement.
Step Back and Reflect - An Essay
Memory Lane!
Here we celebrate the life of Victor Boerio, who was one of the most consequential and beloved members of St Athanasius Parish over the last 30 years. Though his family and friends were the most important part of his life, here we remember just some of the ways that he impacted parish life at St Athanasius. He will be missed by us all!
If you are interested, here is the link to Victor's Funeral which took place on July 7. Fr Bob Norton's homily starts at 37:30:
Deacon Bill Homily Archive
Here are four recent homilies. Hover over the icons below to see the dates and topics.
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Thanks for visiting, and remember...
God loves you right where you are!
Deacon Bill Palamara 412-596-3370
