Browsing Fr. Jasper's Homily
Three Dads and a Cell Phone
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
During my years of teaching middle school, I kept a small jar of tiny mustard seeds on my desk. On those occasions when I caught a student doing a small act of kindness toward one of his or her classmates, I would place the seed in a small ... Read More »
Out of His Mind
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
“He is out of his mind.”
So say the hosts of The View and Hoda and Jenna on Today. The NFL has indirectly said as much, too, in a public statement. Pop-singer Katy Perry went so far last week as to rewrite his speech to make it more ... Read More »
Hidden Burning
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
I often slip into church in the early hours of the morning, before much of Elkton wakes up, so that I have some time to pray and reflect on the Word. It’s my one-on-one time with the Lord, and I am so grateful for it.
On Memorial Day ... Read More »
The Shalom of God
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
It made very little news – only a few Catholic publications picked-up the story, as did the local media in Lafayette, Louisiana: A teen gunman walked into a Catholic church in the suburbs of this southern city halfway between Baton Rouge and Beaumont, Texas, as Mass was being ... Read More »
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 »