Browsing Fr. Jasper's Homily
Your Love is Lifting Me Higher
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
The story is told of a beautiful baby boy, the first born son of a couple who prayed for years for a child. He was perfect in every way but one – at least as the world defines perfection: he was born without ears.
Fortunately, hearing was possible. ... Read More »
I Wanna Know What Love Is
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Father Emil Kaupan was ordained a priest in 1940 for the Diocese of Wichita, having grown up on a farm right outside the town of Pilsen, Kansas. By all accounts he was a hard-working son of Czech immigrants who wanted from an early age to give his ... Read More »
Branch Manager
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
The word “remain” is too weak a word.
We remain after class to speak with a teacher. I remain committed to getting a certain job done. It will remain cloudy most of the weekend.
Remain – it works, but it isn’t strong enough. Not when it comes to ... Read More »
An Appeal for Shepherds
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
The world needs priest heroes more than ever.
We cry out for the Maximillian Kolbes, Jean Vianneys, and Padre Pios whom the Church needs now to remind us of our call as disciples of Jesus Christ. We need priests who truly become fathers to us: men who ... Read More »
Applesauce and Resurrected Love
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
I worry. More than I should. I try not, too, of course – telling Jesus I trust in Him, and I do. But some days it’s hard. Real hard.
I can imagine the apostles were feeling the same thing in the days after the Crucifixion. What do they ... Read More »
The Communion of Community
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
As you are well aware, our Masses were packed last weekend for Easter Sunday. Entire families coming together before heading to brunch. Visitors from out-of-town. An opportunity for the “my pew” regulars to welcome the stranger.
As a priest, I love the opportunity to engage with those who ... Read More »
Where Do We Go From Here
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
I think we have all been haunted these past days by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore: the suddenness of the disaster; the fragility of life; the fears that such catastrophic events bring up in all of us.
How do we process such loss? ... Read More »
A God in Love at Wawa
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
If I ever compile a book of sermons, I may just title it: “In Line at Wawa.” Some of my best homily inspirations come from here.
Case in point: the convenience store on Route 40 in Elkton last week. Let’s just say it’s not your typical suburban Wawa. ... Read More »
The Jar
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
In the drama of Calvary – with its many players and plot lines woven throughout – Mark the evangelist is asking us not to overlook one very important “prop,” if you will: the alabaster jar.
It’s easy to forget. After all, there are so many other things upon ... Read More »
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Seeing Jesus
Nestled on a sizable plot of land in bucolic Chester County, Pa., sits a retirement home and nursing care facility for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a (mostly) teaching order of religious women who have dedicated their lives to the Church and the ... Read More »