In addition to receiving the gift of Jesus in Holy Communion, we are also expressing our identity: We are the body of Christ. St. Paul (1 Cor 12:27) affirms this along with the great tradition of our church: We become what we celebrate. I remember, from my earliest days in Catholic school when we first learned…
The Humility Paradox
Waiting in Darkness
As winter draws near, our days grow ever shorter. The alarm rings in the morning, and instead of awaking to the glow of sunrise, we must begin our day in the shadows. As we exit our schools and workplaces, we enter into the quickly fading glow of sunset. Our 21st century American society has found a way to continue our…
A Pilgrim and a Pope
This week's reflection is written by Fr. Jim Greenfield, OSFS, provincial.
Advent has begun, and I’d like to suggest some good reading or offer an idea for a Christmas gift, for those who desire to know as much as they can about our pope: Mark Shriver’s recently released Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis. It is no surprise that Shriver employs the motif of pilgrimage as he comes to discover the real Pope Francis. Beginning the evening of…
Heaven and Thanksgiving
Make America Not Hate Again
The FBI released a report on Monday that mars the beauty of our country. The federal agency announced that last year hate crimes increased by 6.7 percent overall. What’s more painful is the massive increase by 67 percent in crimes against Muslims here in our country. Violence against blacks, Jews, and the…
Election Aftermath
In Flanders Fields
Ninety-eight years ago tomorrow, the guns fell silent on the Western Front, marking the conclusion of the most horrific war humanity had yet seen. On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, the signing of the Armistice at last brought some semblance of peace across lands ravaged by…
THANK YOU!!! Black Tie for White Collars: Great Success!
Last year, more than 400 guests enjoyed the festive party that is know throughout our province as Black Tie for White Collars. Please be sure to purchase your tickets for the November 5 gala at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, DE. Cocktails are served at 7 PM. Dinner, dancing, and casino games follow. All proceeds from the night go to advance the mission of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Please register here for tickets.
A Parish Closes But Never Dies
Seeing Jesus Up in a Tree and Under our Roof
We will hear this Sunday at Mass that we are in the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time. As those numbers get higher, we get closer to the end of the liturgical year that concludes on the Solemnity of Christ the King. This year, it will also mark the end to the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which Pope Francis inaugurated at…
Live Jesus as Men and Women for Others
No worries if you're welcome
My friends had the good fortune to see their hard work grow a small accounting company into a firm with more than 400 employees. Their perspicacious business savvy is outmatched only by their work ethic, faith, and commitment to family and friends. These latter values prompt the husband of this couple to insist on…
The Sound of Silence
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence, which accompanied the classic movie, The Graduate, eventually became an anthem for their generation, rousing a spirit of reflection for most and a mood of melancholy for some. The song’s ironic title and evocative lyrics have made it legendary and brought it to many lists of greatest songs of all time, including Rolling Stone’s Top 500 where it ranks 157th, sandwiched between Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary and The Flamingo’s I Only Have Eyes for You.
Post-Olympic Spiritual Disorder
With the excitement of the Olympics now behind us, the athletes who medaled can still bask in their moments of glory. Yet, the competitors and countries who took the gold seem to glitter more greatly. This makes sense: They came in first, defeated all competitors, and are the best in the world in their sport.
Out to the Ballgame
Stepping out onto a ballfield during the height of summer can sometimes be an idyllic experience for the senses. The blades of freshly cut grass whisper in the wind, the smell of freshly graded earth unmistakable as plumes of dust rise beneath the bright midday sun. By October, however, the grass has been roughly trod, the earth is dampened and the sun begins to fade. Yet, for the pros, this is when the greatest drama is about to begin.
Fr. Dick DeLillio, OSFS, Honored
Oblate Father Dick DeLillio is the 2016 Honoree at the 20th Annual Columbus Day Communion Breakfast at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington, DE. He will preach at the Mass on Monday, October 10, followed by the breakfast and award ceremony.
Fr. Dick joins a number of Oblates who have been given this honor, including Fathers Roberto Balducelli and Angelo Maraldo, and Brother Mike Rosenello.
SAVE THE DATE: Philadelphia Dinner Dance: Jan. 14, 2017
The historic Philadelphia Union League in the Center City neighborhood of the City of Brotherly Love will once again serve as the elegant venue for the Rev. William A. Guerin, OSFS, Annual Dinner Dance on Saturday, January 14, 2017.
Invitations will be mailed soon, and on-line registration will be available shortly. Please mark your calendars for this grand affair!