2021 archive of Deacon's Blog
Outstretched Arms
Posted by Richard Moore on 7/29/21
Sometimes a scripture reading will really speak to you and stay with you. For me, it has been last week’s Tuesday (7/20) reading from Exodus that recalled God’s providence in dividing the Red Sea for the escaping Israelites. Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD ... Read More »
Jesus Calling
Posted by Richard Moore on 7/08/21
Usually, I like to do a single winter reading recommendation for spiritual books, but I recently came across a wonderful book of daily reflections entitled “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. I found this book via Facebook. A high school friend who has struggled with addiction and who is many ... Read More »
Withholding the Eucharist
Posted by Richard Moore on 6/23/21
The recent vote by the United States Bishops to move forward on writing a document on “The Meaning of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church” was a bit disturbing. It seems that now is bad timing and politically fueled, to say the least. I feel that I ... Read More »
Two Deacons
Posted by Richard Moore on 6/09/21
For the next year, St Pascal’s will have two Deacons. Our seminarian, Nate Pacer, was ordained a Transitional Deacon May 15 in his home Diocese of Rockport Illinois. If you have not had a chance to watch his ordination you can still view it on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/JLkjD57mcs4
I found ... Read More »
RCIA During a Pandemic
Posted by Richard Moore on 5/26/21
Last weekend on Pentecost Sunday we had two adult confirmations (Mary Kay O’Brien and Chrissy Borgstrom) during the Sunday Masses. Both Mary Kay and Chrissy had been baptized Catholic and received their first communion, but had not been confirmed. It was a powerful celebration of Pentecost as they both ... Read More »
Removing “One”
Posted by Richard Moore on 5/06/21
Just before Lent this year, I received an email from the Archdiocese’s Office of Worship informing us of the removal of the word “One” in english collects (opening prayer of Mass). “The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (CDWDS) has decreed that as of February ... Read More »
Guilty
Posted by Richard Moore on 4/22/21
I am sure many of you were like me during the trial and when the verdict was read in the Derek Chauvin trial for the murder of George Floyd. We were in Missouri as the testimony was ongoing and the bits and pieces I could see had me concerned ... Read More »
God’s Love Cannot be Constrained
Posted by Richard Moore on 4/06/21
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” John 20:2
During the distribution of the Eucharist, I have been sitting behind the altar in the prayer area by the tabernacle. It is a nice area to sit and pray, especially after ... Read More »
Disappointed, Embarrassed, and Frustrated
Posted by Richard Moore on 3/24/21
That would describe some of my reactions to the “Responsum of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to a dubium regarding the blessing of the unions of persons of the same sex” issued on March 15, 2021[1]. As I had written in an earlier blog post there ... Read More »
Gazing With Love
Posted by Richard Moore on 3/03/21
Fr. John’s homily from the first Sunday of Lent has provided me with a beautiful mantra for this Lenten season. The comments by Bishop DeGrood on prayer that profoundly struck Fr. John also really hit home with me. “Looking at the Lord in prayer and letting the Lord look ... Read More »