Browsing Reflections from Fr. Jasper
The Mom “Just In Case” File
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
My Mom -- God love her -- will often find something in a local newspaper or her home parish bulletin which she’ll send to me and tell me to “tuck away for a future column when you might need it.” After the whirlwind of Holy Week and Easter ... Read More »
Finding Easter
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
From conversations I have had with many parishioners these past few weeks, it is clear that there are quite a few challenges and moments of incredible sadness being carried by our loved ones and our neighbors. Even the world seems to be in a great state of turmoil ... Read More »
Palm Springs
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
There was a woman who sat in front of my family every Sunday at Mass when I was quite young – Mrs. Dellasomething-or-other. My Mom always made me say hello, even though Mrs. D. wasn’t always the friendliest of parishioners. As the decades have passed and I moved ... Read More »
High Hopes for Lent
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Believe it or not, we are now a week away from Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week. I don’t know about you, but I feel like we just stood in line to receive ashes on our foreheads. They often say that time moves more quickly as ... Read More »
Meet You Half-Way…
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Believe it or not, we’re halfway through the season of Lent already, with two weeks to go before Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week. Now might be a good time to ask: How’s my Lent been so far?
Has it been a time of grace and ... Read More »
Lenten Advice from Second Grade …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Occasionally I am asked to celebrate a Mass or give a talk at my cousin’s children’s Catholic school in suburban Philadelphia. A few days after having begun Lent, I was able to Zoom with the second grade class who were about to make their First Reconciliation. As expected, ... Read More »
Can You Dig It? …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
I read recently that the number one Catholic item being sold these past few years (with the exception of rosaries) is the St. Joseph “sell-your-house” kit. If you haven’t yet heard of this practice, here’s how it works, according to the packaging: a homeowner looking to unload some ... Read More »
Fish Stick Traditions …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Nothing says “Lent” like fish sticks and macaroni-and-cheese, at least for me.
Nearly every Friday night leading up to Easter, that was the dinner menu in the Jasper home. Now that’s not to say that Mom wouldn’t surprise us every now and then with an Ellio’s Pizza or ... Read More »
The Next 40 Days …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
When I was younger, I both loved and loathed the season of Lent. I’m sure you know exactly what I mean:
I loved Lent for its traditions and rituals: the ashes on our foreheads; the Stations of the Cross; the Rice Bowl collections in grade school; the solemnity ... Read More »
Freshman Theology Lessons
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
The very first thing my high school theology teacher did on the first day of freshman year was read the Gospel passage from Luke that we hear this weekend.
“Gentlemen, after hearing this, if you don’t think that Jesus Christ is radical or revolutionary, get out of my ... Read More »