Browsing Reflections from Fr. Jasper
Don‛t Miss Out…
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
There’s something about the season of Advent that always brings me joy: the wreath and candles (when they don’t catch on fire – see: Advent at Immaculate Conception parish 2023); the church bathed in royal purple hues; the signs of light and life amidst the darkness and ... Read More »
On Top of the World…
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
On Top of the World…
I grew-up in a town with “Hill” it its name, so needless to say there were many opportunities to find good places to go sledding with friends in the winter or challenge one another to “King of the Hill,” the childhood game in ... Read More »
My Favorite Date…
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
My Favorite Date…
One of the writing assignments I asked my middle school students to draft at the beginning of the academic year involved answering the question: Excluding your birthday and all major holidays, what is your favorite day of the year?
It was an exercise in creatively thinking ... Read More »
With a Grateful Heart …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
I don’t know about you, but it brings me such joy to see our parish so busy these days with various activities and events that indicate just how much Immaculate Conception and St. Jude mission church mean to so many of us. It wouldn’t be so, of course, ... Read More »
Called By Name …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
The conversation was brief, but its impact lasted long after it was finished. While sweeping the floors of my sixth-grade classroom one day during lunch recess (it was my turn that week), I was asked by Sister Marie Julia: “Mr. Jasper, have you ever thought about becoming a ... Read More »
Called to Be …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
As a child, I remember being mesmerized by the tales of the saints, and for a while I even “collected” holy cards like one would do for baseball or Pokémon. I loved St. Francis of Assisi’s willingness to walk away from wealth and dedicate his life to the ... Read More »
Power of Community …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
A little more than a week ago, a Catholic elementary school close to where I first began my teaching career caught fire, completely destroying the building. Thankfully, it happened during evening rush hour, so most of the students and staff were already gone for the day. No lives ... Read More »
A Note from Your “Now-Official” Pastor …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
October 13, 2024
Fr. Gallagher was the pastor of my home parish when I was growing up. I considered him “old” then, and yet in truth, he was only a few years older than I am now. Funny how these things happen …
What I remember most about ... Read More »
A Powerful Weapon …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
I recently had the privilege of visiting a woman who had just entered hospice care. She was surrounded by her adult children who were eager to share with me how much their Mom’s love meant to them for so many years. “She prayed her Rosary every day for ... Read More »
A Great Week …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
Ask a Catholic what his or her favorite time of the Church year is, and many will undoubtedly offer the following: Lent with its many devotions and focus on prayer and fasting; Advent in the excitement of the weeks leading to Christmas; the beautiful solemnity of Holy Week ... Read More »