http://dspt.edu/site/Default.aspx?PageID=490Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:05:01 GMTTue, 18 Jun 2013 18:05:01 GMThttp://dspt.edu/site/Default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=70&PageID=490&ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&FlexDataID=283 Once again we hear the story of the disciple misnamed “doubting” Thomas. You may have noticed that Jesus doesn’t call him that. Thomas is not chided by the Risen Lord for doubting. Jesus, appearing before Thomas with pierced limbs and side, says “do not be unbelieving, but believe.” I’d propose that what our society needs today is a lot more doubt. That is, if we understand doubt as described by St. Thomas Aquinas. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:02:45 GMThttp://dspt.edu/site/Default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=70&PageID=490&ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&FlexDataID=284 It was the first day of the week, the Sabbath was over, that time of resting from labor. In the garden, like that first garden, the first hint of the new day brightened the eastern sky. It was dark, but “the light that shines in the darkness, the light the darkness cannot overcome”, was about to meet three of his most beloved friends. Mary of Magdala, who stood silent at the foot of his cross, now braves the darkness that threatens to swallow her life, her hope, picks her way through the garden to grieve before her Lord’s sepulcher. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:42:08 GMThttp://dspt.edu/site/Default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=70&PageID=490&ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&FlexDataID=285 While the lineamenta for the Synod of Bishops necessarily addresses the worldwide Church, my six brief observations are limited by my distinctly American perspective. Chapter II of the lineamenta states that, “Transmitting the faith means to create in every place and time the conditions for [a] personal encounter of individuals with Jesus Christ.” This is incredibly important, absolutely true, and, for many American Catholics, I’m afraid, incomprehensible. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:31:12 GMThttp://dspt.edu/site/Default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=70&PageID=490&ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&FlexDataID=286 In the Apostolic Letter “At the Dawn of the New Millennium,” Pope John Paul noted: "The ways of holiness are many, according to the vocation of each individual. I thank the Lord that in these years he has enabled me to beatify and canonize a large number of Christians, and among them many lay people who attained holiness in the most ordinary circumstances of life" (n. 31). It should be noted in this context that the Beatitudes in the Gospel today are given to the disciples and the crowds. They’re meant to be lived by us all. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:52:04 GMThttp://dspt.edu/site/Default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=70&PageID=490&ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&FlexDataID=287 After nineteen years in pastoral ministry across the west – and across the country these last seven years with the Catherine of Siena Institute – it's a treat to be back in the Bay area and associated with the DSPT. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:21:54 GMT