“But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold,” words taken from today’s Gospel direct us to the importance of understanding the Word of God and allowing it to bear fruit in our life. One of the primary ways in which the Word bears fruit in our life is by the work we do—particularly the work we do for God. The Catholic Church is no stranger to hard work. I am reminded of one of the prayers for…
St. Paul says, “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die,
but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” And as Jesus says the night of the Last Supper, “The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” St. Paul elaborates this notion further in his Letter to the Galatians, saying, “For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by…
It is a joy to be here as your new priest and am looking forward to getting to know you. Every year, Bishop O’Connell petitions the priests of the diocese if they would like to remain where they are or be transferred. After 5 years in my previous assignment of St. Aloysius Church in Jackson, I told the bishop I would one day like to be considered for a pastorate. I honestly did not expect him to respond so quickly to my request, but when he called to inform me that Fr. Pfleger was retiring and…
Hailing just a few miles away from the famous Trenton Makes the World Takes bridge, Fr. Jim is a native Trentonian and priest of the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey. After completing his seminary formation at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD, Fr. Jim was ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ on June 2, 2018.
