Bishop Tobin on Listening to God

"'If we knew how to listen to God, we would hear him speaking to us. For God does speak. He speaks in his Gospels. He also speaks through life - that new gospel to which we ourselves add a page each day.'

"When I was in the minor seminary in the 1960s, my spiritual director gave me a neat little book called 'Prayers,' written by French priest and theologian Michel Quoist. The quote listed above is taken from this well-known book which I've had on my bookshelf for well over fifty years now."

In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on the importance of trying to find God in the people and events we encounter each day.

To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit:

Without A Doubt: If We Knew How to Listen to God (21 JAN 16)

Reflection Starter from Thomas à Kempis

"Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God's sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God." - Thomas à Kempis

Holy Father's Prayer Intentions for February

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for February are:

Universal Intention (Care for Creation): “That we may take good care of creation - a gift freely given - cultivating and protecting it for future generations.”

Evangelization Intention (Asia): “That opportunities may increase for dialogue and encounter between the Christian faith and the peoples of Asia.”

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the graces You have planned for us in the upcoming holy season of Lent.

Randy Hain on Fighting Our Indifference

"One only has to watch the news or follow the events of the day online to feel completely overwhelmed. Some of the challenges facing the world include ever-increasing threats to our Catholic faith. The Church is being accosted on all sides and the culture wars are raging. Christians are being persecuted and even murdered around the world, especially in the Middle East. We are locked in an ongoing series of ongoing battles over abortion, euthanasia, marriage and immigration. The Church has battled the evil of satanic 'black masses' in Boston and Oklahoma City the last few years and there is a satanic monument recently erected in Detroit. There is a crisis in vocations to the priesthood and in some areas of our country, parishes are nearly empty. These are real issues which demand a response."

In a recent commentary, writer Randy Hain, Senior Editor for The Integrated Catholic Life, reflected on we can respond when facing challenges that seem overwhelming.

To access Mr. Hain's complete post, please visit:

Integrated Catholic Life: Fighting Our Own Indifference (4 FEB 16)

Reflection Starter from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the example You gave us during your public life.

Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP, on Dealing with Difficult People

"How should we deal with difficult people?

"Some people in our lives may be difficult simply because they challenge us. Or they may be difficult because they are different. Or they may be difficult because we live with them (and close proximity amplifies foibles). Or they may be difficult because we are difficult and something about us just rubs them the wrong way.

"Or they may just be difficult.

"Regardless, by growing in holiness we can learn to accept the inconvenient, the incongruent and the bothersome (people and events) in our life not just as necessary nuisances but as gifts."

In a recent commentary, Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, F.S.P., reflected on how we can follow the example of Jesus in dealing with difficult people in our lives.

To access her complete post, please visit:

Aleteia: 5 Ways Jesus Dealt With Difficult People (2 FEB 16)

Reflection Starter from St. Josephine Bakhita

"Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God!" - Saint Josephine Bakhita, whose memory the Church celebrates today (8 February)

"Praise To The Lord The Almighty"

As our Sunday celebration continues, I offer this version of the London Philharmonic Choir presenting "Praise To The Lord, The Almighty":

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; and Luke 5:1-11. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 138 (Psalm 138:1-5, 7-8).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 138 In the sight of the angels I will sing Your praises Lord

The Gospel reading is as follows:

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."

Simon said in reply,"Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets."

When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that the boats were in danger of sinking.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,who were partners of Simon.

Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."

When they brought their boats to the shore,they left everything and followed him.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (February 7, 2016)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (February 7, 2016)

Community in Mission: But at Your Command I Will Lower the Nets - A Homily for the 5th Sunday of the Year (6 FEB 16)

The Sacred Page:Awe and Apostolate: The Readings for the 5th Sunday in OT (2 FEB 16)

Be as One: Getting beyond "I'm not good enough" - this week’s Gospel reflection by Father Steven LaBaire (6 FEB 16)

Word on Fire: Duc In Altum! (Cycle C * Ordinary Time * Week 5)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: Into the Deep: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (1 FEB 16)

The Dispatch: We are called to be fishers of men (7 FEB 16)

Spirituality of the Readings: Am I Worthy? (5th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Getting Sent? (5th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

The Word Embodied: Open to Transcendence (5th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Historical Cultural Context: The "Call" of Disciples (5th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Augustine of Hippo (5th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the special blessings You bestow on each parish community.