Growing up in North Minneapolis, I spent a lot of time riding my bike along trail known as “Victory Memorial Drive.” Situated between Robinsdale and Minneapolis, it’s a very scenic stretch in the city where one finds paved trails, lots of trees, and plenty of space for playing a game of catch. But, if you …
It was about a month ago when Patty, our Director of First Impressions and Jill of All Trades, asked me about my anniversary of ordination. She wanted to have a little reception for me as she knew it was coming up. I hadn’t intended to mention it to anyone. Maybe when I hit 25 years, …
Padre Paul's Ponderings: Reflections on 10 Years of Ministry Continue »
Most every Catholic is familiar with the Blessed Mother, Mary. So much can be said about her, but if I had to summarize her in just a sentence, it would be to express how she brings us closer to Jesus. We do not believe Mary is the fourth member of the Trinity. We also do …
Padre Paul's Ponderings: Mothers Reveal God in a Million Ways Continue »
This weekend we’ll be celebrating the first Communions of a number of our young parishioners. A lot goes into preparing for the day as we try to talk to kids about how Jesus is present in a special way. What I try to stress to the kids (and indeed to all people) is how much …
Padre Paul's Ponderings: The Eucharist: Food for the Journey Continue »
A seasoned pastor once told me when I first became a pastor to “be wary of those who meet you at the train station.” The point was that once you start at a parish, there typically will be those who greet you (many of whom are nice) but also those who quickly want to have …
Padre Paul's Ponderings: Commissions: How we Live out “We Are Saint Joe’s” Continue »
God’s love is something I’ve preached upon on more than one occasion, and this week, the Second Sunday of Easter, is also known as Divine Mercy Sunday. The feast was proclaimed by Saint John Paul II, and has it’s origins in revelations to Helena Kowalska, who became Sr. Faustina. She was born in Poland in …
Easter, along with Christmas, is a very challenging day to preach. The challenge for anyone delivering a homily on the day though is you have people from all walks of life present at Masses, which are fuller than normal, and you want to make the story relevant to their lives. Much like at Christmas where …
Padre Paul's Ponderings: Easter is a Beginning, not an End Continue »
Sometimes people will ask me “when did you know that you wanted to become a priest?” There wasn’t a specific time really, it just kind of gradually grew as a call in me as I finished up college at the U of M, where it reached a point where I had to say “OK God, …
Padre Paul's Ponderings: Holy Week: A Time to Grow in Our Faith Continue »
Last weekend at Mass, you may have noticed that I was wearing rose vestments (or if you prefer pink). There are two days a year that these vestments are worn, the third Sunday of Advent, and the fourth Sunday of Lent. Last weekend was known as “Latare Sunday,” or “rejoice,” taken from “Isaiah 66:10, “O …
Padre Paul's Ponderings: Rediscovering the Meaning of the Cross Continue »
At Mass recently, you may have noticed at the 10:30 liturgy, the first few pews have been reserved. We also had a special blessing during the first Sunday of Lent, and then dismissals right after the homily for those who are involved in preparing for full reception into the Catholic Church at Easter going through …