Easter 1986 I was preparing to enter the Desert Retreat experience as a novice of the Society of the Divine Word. The retreat location was St Benedict Abbey in Covington Louisiana. The day before leaving was Easter morning and I rose early to serve a private Mass with Fr John Horseman, SVD. I knew Fr … Continue reading Be The Voice in the Desert, Prepare the Way of the Lord!

A New Season, A New Hope, We are awake, preparing and walking in the light of the Lord. This week we start a new Advent Season. We are reminded that we’ve got work to do for we are a people, a church that seeks to be actively and awaiting the Lord’s return. This reminds us … Continue reading Stay Awake, Be Prepared. Let us Walk in the Light of the Lord!

Each year as we draw to a close the liturgical time, we celebrate Christ as King. This year we are reminded of the roles of Kings as we saw a new King rise to throne over the United Kingdom, King Charles. Kingly rule may seem odd and antiquated for us as Americans. The notion of … Continue reading United In Christ Our King!

The year is drawing to a close and at this time we listen to Apocalyptic readings. Each year we listen to Scriptures that we often interpret as the end times, or the end of days. We see the effects of climate change as storms get bigger and more frequent, to the floods and droughts that … Continue reading Give Testimony to Christ’s Power in Your Life!

Hope has been the reoccurring theme over these past few weeks. When there is so much despair with anger, hatred and misinformation in the air our nation and world seems to be without hope. Wars, division, outright disregard for the truth becomes disheartening and frightening. As we see election day approaching we wonder if there … Continue reading Find Your Hope and Encouragement In God’s gift of Grace!

There is Hope for living as we turn to the scriptures this week. In times of great struggle and challenge we can encounter a glimmer of hope and possibility through a personal encounter with Christ. Too often our focus centers on the despair and struggle of living we loose sight of the hope that God … Continue reading Today Salvation has Come to this House!

World Mission Sunday THE WORLD IS OUR PARISHThis weekend we celebrate World Mission Sunday. As a Divine Word Missionary this is the very heart of our identity. We are sent to the world to proclaim the Divine Word. This was the vision of our founder St Arnold Janssen, SVD. “To preach to Gospel where it … Continue reading What Does our World Need Now? HOPE!

On a daily basis the concerns and fears of those who call St Joseph their spiritual home are troubling. The assurance of God’s ever faithfulness and care for His people is a constant message that is proclaimed to our people. This week God’s word encourages us that in the face of division and injustice we … Continue reading Don’t Grow Weary, Pray, God will Do Justice!

As we turn to God’s word this week we listen to accounts of healing both in Naaman the Syrian commander and the one of 10 lepers in the Gospel of Luke. At first glance we might find ourselves drawn the importance of having faith, but todays scriptures take us even deeper. We are being led … Continue reading God’s Power For All People

In the middle of all that has been happening around it was difficult to arrive at a central focus for us this weekend. The week began with the threat of a catastrophic hurricane headingo for a direct hit to St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay. Fear and anxiety struck us all. Are we to evacuate and … Continue reading Persons of Faith Live Empowered by the Holy Spirit.