Browsing the 2020 archive of Thoughts from Fr. Bob
April 5, 2020
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/30/20
In my nearly 47 years as a priest did I ever think we would not be celebrating Holy Week. Sunday the blessing of Palms and the reading of the Passion, Tuesday Mass of Chrism where the three oils used in the various sacraments are blessed and consecrated and then ... Read More »
March 29
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/24/20
Here we are at the second weekend we are unable to gather because of the Coronavirus. But nonetheless, we celebrate the Fifth Sunday of our Lenten journey of forty days. In the Gospels of the last two weeks Jesus gave water to those who thirsted and light to those ... Read More »
Update on virus impact on parish
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/18/20
By now you are well aware that we will not be celebrating Mass on the weekends, as well as on Tuesdays.
All meetings and other scheduled parish events are also canceled.
In the event there is a death in the family we still will be having funerals; although it ... Read More »
Lent 3
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/12/20
Our world is made up of 71% water. The human body is made up of 60%. As we explore space and if there is life on other planets, the first thing they look for is water. Some say if there is even another world war, it won’t be over ... Read More »
Lent 2
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/05/20
As we began the Lenten Season we enrolled as penitents with the mandate to Repent, that is, turn away from sin and be more faithful and believe in the Gospel.
Last Sunday we found ourselves in the desert with Jesus where he was tempted by the devil. Today Jesus ... Read More »
Today is the first Sunday of Lent
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/27/20
Today is the first Sunday of Lent. As we begin this annual observance, the focus of the first and Gospel readings are on temptation. Adam and Eve are tempted by the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Jesus in tempted in the desert by the devil. Though Adam and ... Read More »
“An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/20/20
Last week we heard Jesus tell his disciples, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” Indeed, we hear Jesus use the same words in today’s Gospel that the Torah uses in the first ... Read More »
...love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/12/20
Over the next two weeks we will hear an extended passage from Matthew’s gospel in which Jesus reinterprets the law, the ten commandments, for his disciples. He challenges his followers to take it one step further, to do more than just follow the letter of the law.
The law ... Read More »
As parish administrator for St. James Parish...
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/12/20
As parish administrator for St. James Parish, my primary responsibility is to help you grow as disciples of Jesus and to equip you to go and make disciples of others which is really the mission statement of our parish community. I am excited to share with you that our ... Read More »
Presentation of the Lord
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/31/20
Ordinarily this would be the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time of the church year. But, every now and then, February 2 falls on a Sunday. This Sunday is forty days after Jesus was born. In accordance with the Torah, Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple in Jerusalem ... Read More »