Browsing Reflections from Fr. Jasper
Love in Aisle Four …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
5/5/2024
The noise of crashing glass was deafening. From seven aisles away, I could hear a sob and people running. By the time I reached the scene of the accident, I found a woman in her late eighties on the floor surrounded by a shelf of drinking glasses ... Read More »
Pruning the Branches …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
4/28/24
The world needs more Sheila’s.
I don’t know her last name, but I do know that I wasdeeply touched by her presence at the hotel where I wasstaying last week to lead the annual Diocesan Retreat forour Catholic School principals and administrators.
Sheila was our waitress during ... Read More »
The Parish that Prays Together …
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
4/21/2024
I recently attended a talk offered by Fr. Dennis Billy, a Redemptorist priest known for his work of teaching Christian moral formation and spiritual direction to both laity and clergy. One particular comment Fr. Billy shared made a lasting impression on me: “If one pray daily, the seeker ... Read More »
Saying ‘Yes’ to More than the Dress
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
April 14, 2024
Most of us, I believe, have the Baltimore Catechism definition of ‘sacrament’ stored somewhere in our memory: “A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.”
I’m happy to report there will be a lot of grace spilling all over the ... Read More »
Mercy Calling
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
April 7, 2024
The call came in around 10:00 pm from an unknown number, the area code indicating either the Lancaster or Harrisburg-area. The voicemail message was hard to hear, and the voice frail: “(Name that was mumbled), it’s Mom. I fell (something unclear) … I’m scared. Please ... Read More »
Resurrection Always Comes
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
March 31, 2024
I nearly ruined Easter Sunday when I was 14-years-old. I don’t recall what the circumstances were, but I am sure I either started a fight with my brother or copped an attitude with my parents about attending Mass. Thus, we Jaspers all went to Church ... Read More »
Keeping Vigil
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
March 24, 2024
I was dragged kicking and screaming to an Easter Vigil Mass when I was 10 years old. My Mom knew someone coming into the Church that year and thought it would be nice for us to celebrate this sacred moment on her faith journey. There ... Read More »
The Grade School Cross Walk
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
March 17, 2024
When I began my first teaching assignment back in 2001,I was tasked with resurrecting (pardon the pun) the parishgrade school’s Passion Play. Now, I must point out,Cecile B. DeMille I am not. And when I inquired if therewere other ‘Living Stations’ performances I could attendin ... Read More »
The Greatest Generation
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
March 10, 2024
I recently had the privilege of presenting a talk on the Stations of the Cross to a group of life-long Catholics, many of whom were in their 80s and early 90s. In fact, the woman who met me at the Church doors and introduced ... Read More »
Not So Fast
Posted by Peg O'Donnell
March 3, 2024
Flannery O’Connor, the great American writer, and faithful Catholic from Georgia once wrote a friend about starting a new novel: “I have 50 or 60 pages written but I still expect to be a long time at it. It’s a theme that requires prayer and ... Read More »