Pastoral Reflections

Pastoral Reflections 4-20-25 - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Msgr. Don Fischer Download Acts 10:34a, 37-43 | Colossians 3:1-4 | John 20:1-9   Oh God who on this day, through your only begotten Son, have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity, grant, we pray, that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord’s resurrection may, through the renewal brought by your Spi...

Pastoral Reflections 4-13-25 - Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion Msgr. Don Fischer Download Luke 19:28-40 | Philippians 2:6-11 | Luke 22:14—23:56   Good morning.  Today we’re celebrating Palm Sunday.  It’s the celebration of the Passion of the Lord.  It’s the culmination of all these Sundays we’ve had during Lent that continue to awaken in us an understanding of who God is and...

Pastoral Reflections 4-6-25 - Fifth Sunday of Lent Msgr. Don Fischer Download Ezekiel 37:12-14 | Romans 8:8-11 | John 11:1-45   By your help we beseech you, Lord, our God.  May we walk eagerly in that same charity with which, out of love for the world, your Son handed himself over to death.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the unity...

Pastoral Reflections 3-30-25 - Fourth Sunday of Lent Msgr. Don Fischer Download 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a | Ephesians 5:8-14 | John 9:1-41   Oh God, who through your word reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant, we pray, that with prompt devotion and eager faith, the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come.  Through our L...

Pastoral Reflections 3-23-25 - Third Sunday of Lent Msgr. Don Fischer Download Exodus 17:3-7 | Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 | John 4:5-42   Oh God, author of every mercy and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving have shown us a remedy for sin, look graciously on this confession of our lowliness that we who are bowed down by our conscience may always be lifted up by your mercy....

Pastoral Reflections 3-16-25 - Second Sunday of Lent Msgr. Don Fischer Download Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 | Philippians 3:17 – 4:1 | Luke 9:28b-36   Oh God who have commanded us to listen to your Beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son wh...

Pastoral Reflections 3-9-25 - First Sunday of Lent Msgr. Don Fischer Download Deuteronomy 26:4-10 | Romans 10:8-13 | Luke 4:1-13   Grant, almighty God, through this yearly observance of Holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ, by worthy conduct pursue their effects.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the...

Pastoral Reflections 3-2-25 - Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Msgr. Don Fischer Download Sirach 27:4-7 | 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 | Luke 6:39-45   Grant us, oh Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule, that your church may rejoice untroubled in her devotion.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the...

Pastoral Reflections 2-23-25 - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Msgr. Don Fischer Download 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 | 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 | Luke 6:27-38   Grant, we pray, almighty God, that always pondering spiritual things, we may carry out in both word and deed that which is pleasing to you.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you...

Pastoral Reflections 2-16-25 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Msgr. Don Fischer Download Jeremiah 17:5-8 | 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 | Luke 6:17, 20-26   Oh God, who teach us that you abide in hearts that are just and true, grant that we may be so fashioned by your grace to become a dwelling pleasing to you.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns wit...

Pastoral Reflections 2-9-25 - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Msgr. Don Fischer Download Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8 | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 | Luke 5:1-11   Keep your family safe, oh, Lord, with unfailing care, that relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace they may be defended always through your protection.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you i...

Pastoral Reflections 2-2-25 - Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Msgr. Don Fischer Download Malachi 3:1-4 | Hebrews 2:14-18 | Luke 2:22-32 [33-40]   Almighty ever-living God, we humbly implore your majesty that, just as your Only Begotten Son was presented on this day in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so, by your grace, we may be presented to you with minds made pure....

Pastoral Reflections 1-26-25 - The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Msgr. Don Fischer Download Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 | 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 | Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21   Almighty, everliving God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure that in the name of your Beloved Son we may abound in good works.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns wi...

Pastoral Reflections 1-19-25 - The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Msgr. Don Fischer Download Isaiah 62:1-5 | 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 | John 2:1-11   Almighty, everliving God, who governs all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people.  Bestow your peace on our times.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with...

Pastoral Reflections 1-12-25 - The Baptism of the Lord Msgr. Don Fischer Download Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 | Acts 10:34-38 | Luke 3:15-16, 21-22   Almighty, everliving God who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan and as the Holy Spirit descended upon him solemnly declared him your Beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit may alwa...

Pastoral Reflections 1-5-25 - The Epiphany of the Lord Msgr. Don Fischer Download Isaiah 60:1-6 | Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 | Matthew 2:1-12   Oh, God, who on this day revealed your only Begotten Son to the nations by the guidance of a star, grant in your mercy that we, who know you already by faith, may be brought to behold the beauty of your sublime glory. Through our Lord Jesus Chris...

Pastoral Reflections 12-29-24 - Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Msgr. Don Fischer Download Sirach 3:2-6,12-14 | Colossians 3:12-21 | Luke 2:41-52     

Pastoral Reflections 12-22-24 - The Fourth Sunday of Advent Msgr. Don Fischer Download Micah 5:1-4a | Hebrews 10:5-10 | Luke 1:39-45    Pour forth, we beseech you, oh, Lord, your grace into our hearts that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by his passion and cross be brought to the glory of his resurrection w...

Pastoral Reflections 12-15-24 - The Third Sunday of Advent Msgr. Don Fischer Download Zephaniah 3:14-18a | Philippians 4:4-7 | Luke 3:10-18   Oh, God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ,...

Pastoral Reflections 12-8-24 - The Second Sunday of Advent Msgr. Don Fischer Download Baruch 5:1-9 | Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 | Luke 3:1-6   Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God fore...

Pastoral Reflections 12-1-24 - The First Sunday of Advent Msgr. Don Fischer Download Jeremiah 33:14-16| 1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2| Luke 21:25-28, 34-36   Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming so that gathered at his right hand they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom.  Through ou...

Pastoral Reflections 11-24-24 - The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Msgr. Don Fischer Download Daniel 7:13-14 | Revelation 1:5-8 | John 18:33b-37   Almighty, everliving God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the Universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majestic service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise.&...

Pastoral Reflections 11-17-24 - The 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Msgr. Don Fischer Download Daniel 12:1-3 | Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 | Mark 13:24-32   Grant us, we pray, O Lord, our God, the constant gladness of being devoted to you, for it is full and lasting happiness to serve with constancy the author of all that is good. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you in...

Pastoral Reflections 11-10-24 - The 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Msgr. Don Fischer Download 1 Kings 17:10-16 | Hebrews 9:24-28 | Mark 12:38-44 or 12:41-44   Almighty and merciful God, graciously keep from us all adversity so that unhindered in mind and body alike we may pursue in freedom of heart the things that are yours. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with...

Pastoral Reflections 11-3-24 - The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Msgr. Don Fischer Download Deuteronomy 6:2-6 | Hebrews 7:23-28 | Mark 12:28b-34   Almighty and merciful God, by whose gift your faithful offer you rigxht and praiseworthy service, grant, we pray, that we may hasten without stumbling to receive the things you have promised.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives a...