Jan. 30/31: Day by Day with Father Bill, Weekend Edition
Having just concluded our celebration of the Holy Season of Christmas, it may feel a bit jarring to start reflecting together on the Holy Season of Lent. Only six weeks separate the two. This year, Ash Wednesday is February 17. Easter Sunday will fall on April 4, which is almost the earliest that Easter can […]
Jan. 29: Day by Day with Father Bill
FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME -from Pope Francis’ editorial in the New York Times, “A Crisis Reveals What Is In Our Hearts,” November 26, 2020 II. We put on face masks to protect ourselves and others from a virus we can’t see. But what about all those unseen viruses we […]
Jan 31 Homily Connect: Do We Recognize Jesus
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time DT 18:15-20 1COR 7:32-35 MK 1:21-78 Scripture In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, […]
Jan. 28: Day by Day with Father Bill
MEMORIAL OF SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH -from Pope Francis’ editorial in the New York Times, “A Crisis Reveals What Is In Our Hearts,” November 26, 2020 I. The theme of helping others has stayed with me these past months. In lockdown I’ve often gone in prayer to those […]
Jan. 27: Day by Day with Father Bill
WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME -from an excerpt of the poem, The Hill We Climb, read by Amanda Gorman at the Inauguration, Wednesday, January 20, 2021 We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be: a country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and […]
Jan. 26: Day by Day with Father Bill
MEMORIAL OF SAINTS TIMOTHY AND TITUS, BISHOPS Here is the invocation prayer offered by Father Leo Donovan, SJ, and last Wednesday’s Inauguration Ceremony: Gracious and merciful God, at this sacred time we come before you in need – indeed on our knees. But we come still more with hope, and with our eyes […]
Jan. 25: Day by Day with Father Bill
FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF SAINT PAUL, APOSTLE Here is the prayer that the Archbishop of Washington, DC, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, shared at the COVID-19 Memorial Service at the Washington Mall Reflection Pool, January 18, 2021: At this twilight hour, our beloved nation reverently pauses in supplication to remember and to pray for […]
Jan 23/24: Day by Day with Father Bill – Weekend Edition
As Father Bill is on a “stay-cation,” there is no Weekend Edition of Day by Day this morning. Look for another edition next Saturday, January 30. Father Bill has often mentioned Fr. Austin Flannery’s website as a place to find much inspiration and consolation. Father Austin is a senior priest of the Archdiocese of Boston. […]
Jan. 22: Day by Day with Father Bill
FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE LEGAL PROTECTION OF UNBORN CHILDREN Let us pray: Heavenly Father, in Your love for us, protect against the snares of the devil, those helpless little ones to whom You have given the gift of life. Touch with pity the hearts of those […]
Jan. 21: Day by Day with Father Bil
MEMORIAL OF SAINT AGNES, VIRGIN AND MARTYR -from “Love Letters from God” by Father Dan Horan, OFM If prayer is relationship, the dynamic communication of one’s self to God, the Scripture might be something like love letters from God. Just as one person passes on, in an historical, tangible way, his or her feelings for […]