Browsing Fr. Jasper's Homily
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 »
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Blinded by the Light
Back in early January of this year, actor Gary Sinese – of Forrest Gump film fame (among other accomplishments) – lost his 33-year-old son Mac to a rare form of bone cancer.
It’s only been more recently that Gary’s words at his son’s funeral ... Read More »
Third Sunday in Lent
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Turning the Tables
I was 15-years-old when I was caught with something I clearly shouldn’t have had. I will leave it to your imagination … for we all do stupid and sinful things when we are 15. Sometimes we do many stupid and sinful things …
My Mom ... Read More »
Second Sunday in Lent
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Mountain Retreat
I recently spent a weekend in the mountains near Clarks Summit, Pa., with nearly 80 Catholic college students and their campus ministers, celebrating Mass for them, offering times of Adoration, and hearing Confessions. Lots of Confessions.
Having the opportunity to come away and separate oneself from ... Read More »
First Sunday of Lent
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
The Push of Love
I love St. Mark: he says so much by saying so little.
Unlike his evangelist counterparts, Mark gives us very little detail about Christ’s time in the desert: there are no vivid descriptions of Jesus being tempted to turn stones to bread or jump ... Read More »
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
The 4th Grade Leper
Cathy was the fourth grade leper of St. Charles Borromeo School. These many decades later, I can’t recall the reasons why we made her so. Perhaps she wasn’t willing to play the game of “fitting-in;” it certainly didn’t help she had an obsession with cats.
Nonetheless, we ostracized her. Called her names to her face and behind her back. “Meowed” as she walked by. The girls ignored her completely and most of the boys mocked her unmercifully. Nine years old, she had no one to call her a friend. By the end of that school year, Cathy had a meltdown and never returned to St. Charles again. We chased away the leper. We ... Read More »
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
The Power of Love
“Don’t you get tired being around sick and sad people all the time?”
The question came from the back of the auditorium where middle school students at a local Wilmington Catholic school gathered to participate in a discussion on vocations this past Thursday.
Now ... Read More »