How does Catholic identity inform political conviction? Since the Catholic vote could very well swing the upcoming national election, this is a good question. Without belaboring the obvious, not everyone who claims to be a Catholic has thoroughly embraced the Catholic faith. So, what shape does Catholic identity take? Nominal Catholics. The Catholic tradition…
THE CATHOLIC VOTE. The old adage goes “one should not talk about politics or religion in polite company.” Well, I’m going to do both! To begin with, Catholics shouldn’t be too comfortable laying their head on either the Democratic or Republican pillow as neither one fully conveys our Catholic Social Justice tradition. The Magisterium’s…
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time; July 24, 2016 Gn 18:20-32; Ps 138:1-3,6-8; Col 2:12-14; Lk 11:1-13 Deacon Jim McFadden Thirteen years ago I was facilitating a catechist class at Folsom Prison (Minimum Security), preparing some for Confirmation. One of the men, named ‘Juan’ was telling his story. He narrated that his…
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time; 7-3-16 Is 66:10-14 Ps 66 Gal 6:14-18 Lk 10:1-12, 17-20 Deacon Jim McFadden; (New) Folsom Prison Brothers, quick question: how many of you are missionary disciples? Hmmm, another question: how many of you are baptized. O.K., if you’re baptized, you’re meant to be a missionary disciple. Why? By virtue…
The Sacrament of Ongoing Christian Life The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Cycle C; May 29, 2016 Gen 14:18-20 Ps 110 1 Cor 11:23-26 Lk 9:11-17 Deacon Jim McFadden During the Easter season, a major concern in the Sunday Scripture readings was how the movement begun by Jesus of Nazareth would continue…
The Most Holy Trinity (C); May 22, 2016 Prv 8:22-31 Ps8:4-9 Rom 5:1-5 Jn 16:12-15 Deacon Jim McFadden; St. John the Baptist C.C. It’s difficult enough to believe in a single God, but have you ever tried to explain the Trinity to a non-believer? It’s not easy. Believing in three persons who is…
Solemnity of the Feast of Pentecost; May 15, 2016 Acts 2:1-11 Ps 104 1 Cor 12:3-7,12-13 Jn 14:15-16,23-26 Deacon Jim McFadden; (New) Folsom Prison Today, we reflect and re-live the liturgy of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit sent by the Risen Christ upon the Church. I say “re-live” this event because when we…
The Feast of the Ascension; May 8, 2016 Acts 1:1-11 Ps 47 Eph 1:17-23 Lk 24:46-53 Deacon Jim McFadden; (New) Folsom Prison Today we are celebrating the great Feast of the Ascension, which is the culmination of the Easter season in which Jesus is “lifted up” to full participation in the…
6th Sunday of Easter (C); May 1, 2016 Acts 15:1-2,22-29 Ps 67 Rv 21:10-14 Jn 14:23-29 Deacon Jim McFadden; (New) Folsom Prison In today’s Gospel, we heard a passage from Jesus’ farewell discourses. Our Lord is giving his last thoughts as a spiritual guide to the apostles before he enters his Passion and…
Farewell Mass; April 27, 2016 Acts 15:1-6 Ps 57 John 15:1-8 Deacon Jim McFadden; St. Francis High School Soon the St. Francis community will temporarily disband as we venture into summer vacation. We say Farewell to several of our teachers and staff, who are being sent to other ways of serving the Lord…
Good Shepherd Sunday (A); April 26, 2026 Acts 2:14,36-41. Ps 23. 1 Pt 2:20-25. Jn 10:1-10 Deacon Jim McFadden Today is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday, which presents us one of the most beautiful images that has portrayed our…
3rd Sunday of Easter (A); April 19, 2026 Acts 2:14,22-33. Ps 16. 1 Pt 1:17-21. Lk 24:13-35 Deacon Jim McFadden Why was it so difficult for the two disciples to recognize the Risen Lord? Jesus’ death scattered his disciples and…
Divine Mercy Sunday (A); April 12, 2026 Acts 2:42-47. Ps 118. 1 Pt 1:3-9. Jn 20:19-31 Deacon Jim McFadden During the ‘90s, a popular, albeit off-beat television show was the X-Files, featuring agent Fox Mulder, an investigator of the…
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