The Pastor's Pen

Test Your Knowledge: The Christian Prayer

Fr. Robert McKeon — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:30:00 -0500

What is the fundamental Christian prayer?
True or false. We could say that the Our Father is the summary of the whole gospel.
The Lord's Prayer is unique among all prayers. Why?
In which of the following sacraments and sacramentals is the Lord's Prayer a part? Choose any combination of the following.
1. Baptism
2. Confirmation
3. Eucharist
4. Reconciliation
5. Liturgy of the Hours

What Does the Church Teach About the Environment?

Fr. Robert McKeon — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:30:00 -0500

In 1991, Pope John Paul II in his Encyclical Centesimus Annus, celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of Pope Leo XIII Encyclical, Rerum Novarum. In this Encyclical, Pope John Paul wrote of our need to see in visible things, the message of the invisible God Who created them.

New Church Update

Fr. Robert McKeon — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 16:30:00 -0500

Before we all head off for summer vacations and long needed rest filled with family time and barbeques, I wanted to give you a brief update on the progress of our new church building project. We have settled on a site plan for the new church property which includes planning for a future catechetical center and gym as directed by the Archdiocese of NY. We will submit the site plan for a ten year approval from the town of Southeast so we have plenty of leeway for future building plans.

The Precious Gift of Human Life

Fr. Robert McKeon — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 16:30:00 -0500

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states “The Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.”

The Wisdom of Two Religious Sisters

Fr. Robert McKeon — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:30:00 -0500

I want to share with you two true stories of two well known women who embraced consecrated life as religious. The wisdom they have gained in their years of prayer and consecrated life has helped them reflect the presence of Christ to the world. I offer these two stories for reflection knowing that each of us can strive for the same goals and spiritual maturity in our Christian lives.

Evangelization – BOLD or quiet?

Fr. Robert McKeon — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 16:30:00 -0500

Recently I shared with the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, some thoughts on letting the light of Christ shine forth from us. Pondering this fundamental Christian call, I share some thoughts with the whole parish on Catholic evangelization.

Corpus Christi

Fr. Robert McKeon — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:30:00 -0500

On this feast of Corpus Christi, the Body Christ, we honor our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament by a solemn Eucharistic Procession. As a parish, we also express our love and devotion for the Eucharist by celebrating the Forty Hours Devotion. Since we are showing our love for Christ, I want to share with you an excerpt from the Letter “On the Mystery and Worship of the Eucharist” by Pope John Paul II.

Reflecting the Blessed Trinity

Fr. Robert McKeon — Sat, 29 May 2010 16:30:00 -0500

On this Sunday when the universal Church celebrates the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, I thought it beneficial to reflect with you on how we are call to model the Blessed Trinity in our lives, especially in the area of relationships and the family. For this reflection, I borrow the wisdom of Pope John Paul II who teaches about this in his “Theology of the Body.”

The Seven Capital Virtues: Diligence

Fr. Robert McKeon — Sat, 22 May 2010 16:30:00 -0500

Today we reach that last of the seven capital virtues which is called diligence, or persistence. This is the virtue which acts as a counter to the sin of sloth. Sloth, as a capital sin, refers to laziness in matters of faith and morals. Diligence, as a virtue to counteract sloth in our spiritual lives, combats laziness and manifests appropriately zealous attitudes toward living and sharing the Faith.

The Seven Capital Virtues: Kindness

Fr. Robert McKeon — Sat, 15 May 2010 16:30:00 -0500

We reach today the sixth of the seven capital virtues. Kindness, or brotherly love or love for one's neighbor, is the virtue which counters the sin of envy. Envy, in contradiction to God's law of love, is manifest in a person's sorrow and distress over the good fortune of another person. Conversely, kindness and brotherly love is manifest in the unprejudiced, compassionate and charitable concern for others. It expresses a caring heart that truly rejoices in the wellbeing of others and a disposition that shows concern for others, their feelings and their peace of mind.