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Browsing the 2022 archive of Thoughts from Fr. Bob

Solemnity of Mary - January 1, 2023

Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/31/22

How appropriate that on the first day of every year we honor Mary, the Mother of God.  It was her willing obedience to God’s plan that brought about the Incarnation.  Today is also the World Day of Peace and so we look to Mary, the Queen of Peace, as ... Read More »

Christmas 2022

Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/19/22

For the last four weeks in the season of Advent we have been preparing our hearts and our homes for this day on which we celebrate the birth of our Messiah, Savior, and the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  We recall that glorious night when the Blessed Mother, Mary, ... Read More »

4th Sunday of Advent - December 18, 2022

Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/12/22

We are now only a week away from the day when we celebrate the Lord’s coming in the Incarnation, in Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us, as we are reminded in today’s reading.  For thousands of years, a waiting world yearned for this momentous event.  Now we know that ... Read More »

3rd Sunday of Advent - December 11, 2022

Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/06/22

Halfway through this season of Advent preparation   we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, this third Sunday of joy and gladness. With eager anticipation we prepare     our hearts for Christ as we prepare our homes for Christmas. Recalling that Mary and Joseph could not find a proper place for Mary to give ... Read More »

2nd Sunday of Advent - December 4, 2022

Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/30/22

Each weekend we begin our Mass by welcoming one another, especially those visiting us for the first time.  That’s exactly what St. Paul commands us to do in our second reading in his letter to the Romans.  “Welcome one another as Christ welcomed you.”  Moreover, as Paul welcomed Gentiles, ... Read More »

1st Sunday of Advent - November 27, 2022

Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/30/22

Already the radio, TV, and newspapers are hitting us with urgent reminders to get ready for Christmas.  But we gather this weekend to begin a different kind of preparation.  Over the next four weeks of Advent, we will recall how Jesus comes to us.  He has come as an ... Read More »

Feast of Christ the King - November 20, 2022

Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/14/22

Today we acknowledge that while leaders of nations in this world come and go, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is ruler over all people both now and forever.  The idea  to celebrate this feast was born out of a growing nationalism and secularism one hundred years ago.  The ... Read More »

33rd Sunday in OT - November 13, 2022

Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/09/22

Our readings today are truly frightening, for they look ahead to the end of the world and the second coming of our Lord, “The day is coming,”  Malachi prophesied.  “The days will come,” Jesus warned.  Sometimes it feels like the days they anticipated are right around the corner.  A ... Read More »

32nd Sunday in OT - November 6, 2022

Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/02/22

The days are growing shorter. The leaves are falling from the trees, and the last of the crops are harvested. It’s at this time the Church calls to mind those who have died, and Jesus’ promise of eternal life.  Earlier this week we honored the saints, men, and women ... Read More »

31st Sunday in OT - October 30, 2022

Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 10/26/22

If any of you are vertically challenged, you know what it means to not see over someone's head in church, at a theatre, or some athletic event.  In today’s Gospel, Zacchaeus, a short in stature tax collector, has to climb a tree in order to see Jesus.  We likely ... Read More »