Epiphany III
If you enjoyed the sermon above, join us in another warm weather destination: “The Catholic History of Florida, the Palm Sunday State.”
A purificator used by Fr. Damien of Molokai
Daily Sermons
January 20 – Fr. Lehtoranta – St. Henry, Harvester of White Country
January 21 – Fr. Lehtoranta – Martyrs Lose Their Body, Save Their Souls
January 22 – Fr. Lehtoranta – Chance for the Unborn
January 23 – Fr. Lehtoranta – St. Raymond, A Real Confessor
January 24 – Fr. Lehtoranta – St. Timothy, True Son of a True Father
✠ The Bishop’s Corner ✠
For the preacher, retreats are always busy affairs, so I think I’ll keep my corner brief this week. The cool sunny days here in Florida are a pleasant change from the world of the Vortex up north, and quite conducive to the hours of prayer, preaching and meditation. The eight seminarians and four priests making the retreat, based on the Desert Fathers, all seem to be doing well. “Flee, be silent and pray” is the theme of the retreat, and should in some sense be carried over into daily life as well. The well ordered days here, passed in the Lord’s service, go by all too quickly, and soon we will disperse and be about our ordinary busy lives again, but spiritually refreshed and strengthened for the combat.
Last Sunday Bishop Sanborn made one of his rare but welcome visits to Milwaukee. Here in Florida I preached on the Catholic History of the state, too little known, even in the Palm Sunday peninsula. Some of our lucky Gertrudians are spending the month near Naples, and came up for Holy Mass, as did Martha Gilliam and son Nathan. It was nice to see everyone, as well as the local faithful.
Bishop Sanborn’s handsome new church was full for both Masses, always a good sign. The seminarians handle the chant very well, and the Masses, as well as the Offices here are sung beautifully.
Fr. Cekada took some time from the retreat Thursday evening to speak on Restoration Radio with Bishop Sanborn about Bergoglio’s latest antics. It’s hard for them to keep up, but important for them to do so. Someone needs to cry – and regularly – that the emperor has no clothes. Please don’t suggest it to him though. It’s about the only thing he hasn’t tried! When oh when will eyes, so long closed, be opened?
Fr. McKenna made it up to Toledo between snowstorms the other week to see the prisoner Joseph Murphy. It took a lot of doing to arrange things, but at last he was able to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion. Father hopes to be able to make regular visits now, as also to our newest mission in Dickinson, North Dakota. Some former parishioners are in the area with whom we hope to be in touch.
I am grateful to Fr. Lehtoranta for covering things at home for us in our absence, especially Wednesday’s pro-life prayer and reparation. I hope he had a good St. Henry’s Day!
The next feast falls on Wednesday for St. Francis de Sales. Pray for no more snowstorms, surprise or other. May the coldest of our Winter days, coinciding not coincidentally with January 22nd, have now passed. I am sure that we are all longing for a little taste of Spring.
In the meantime, if you’re bored this Winter, join us for some board games this afternoon. If you’re really desperate, you could come to Vespers.
A blessed last week of January to you all. Remember the sweetness and power of His Holy Name.
With a blessing in His Name,
– Bishop Dolan