Friday, January 30, 2009

Moving toward #600

24 posts from now, I'll post #600. I feel like I want to do something big like suggest a new and vibrant look and direction for the blog. Oh, don't get me wrong! I'm obviously going to keep the core of what my blog is about but I feel like I need to get re energized and find a direction that will help me know how to post more. So, I'll be working on that in the next 24 posts in the hopes that I can set a direction that will help to direct posts 600-1000...or something like that.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

St. Peter Claver

On my most recent trip to the Twin Cities, I attended mass at St. Peter Claver church, an African-American church in the Twin Cities. It was so odd because I ordinarily become very annoyed when a priest routinely ignores the rite and goes their own way instead. But, in this environment, it fit perfectly. The priest didn't stay still during the entire homily. He wandered all over church in an effort to make eye contact with every person there. It reminded me that I've become too accustomed to using notes for my homily. It's so much more effective if I don't. I need to work on that.

So, this weekend, I made an effort to write out my homily beforehand (though I still haven't put it here) and just look people in the eye while I was preaching. I haven't got that much reaction to a homily in a long time. I really need to make this a reality.

28 OT B : Give!

Friends Peace be with you.  Generally around this time of year, priests give a sacrificial giving homily. I haven’t done one since coming to...