Reflections | St. Albert's Priory

Friendship Lives on Curiosity

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:28:43 -0700

Last fall I drove to Stanford University for the football game against the University of Oregon. Crammed into a corner of the stadium with several thousand other Duck fans in an otherwise hostile environment, something happened that’s not unusual when you gather people who share a common interest. As the game progressed, with each great play or touchdown, the fans around me – strangers to me and each other - would exchange high fives, slap each other on the back, and even hug in their delirious joy. …

New Evangelization, New Paradigm

Fri, 04 May 2012 20:30:31 -0700

In October, the bishops of the world will meet to discuss the New Evangelization. Bl. John Paul II reminded us that evangelization cannot be “new” in the sense of content – it is always the same – the message of Paul to his listeners in the synagogue 2000 years ago: that Jesus is the climax and fulfillment of salvation history, not only for Jews but for Gentiles. …

Caught Up in the Drama of Easter

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:14:16 -0700

Two nights ago we listened as Moses gave the people of Israel elaborate instructions for preparing a solemn meal. “This day shall be for you a Memorial Day. You shall observe it as a festival to the Lord.” Jesus’ command that we eat and drink in his memory makes the meal that draws us here this evening a similar memorial.

But to understand the power of Jesus’ words, we must first rid ourselves of some unproductive notions about memory. …

Let's Hear It For Doubt!

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 11:56:23 -0700

Fr. Michael Fones, OP

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. …

Easter Homily

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:15:44 -0700

Fr. Bryan Kromholtz, OP

Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9
In the first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter proclaims that God raised Jesus on the third day and “granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”

Jesus did not show himself risen to the whole world. …

GOOD Friday

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:00:08 -0700

Fr. Bryan Kromholtz, OP

Why did He have to suffer and die?

Why do we have to suffer and die?

We have been asking this as long as we can remember.

We, in our first parents, Adam and Eve, took what did not belong to us; and so God kept us away from the Tree of Life. We were left to die.

We have tried to give back to God: the blood of goats, a sacrifice of praise, works of justice, even our entire lives… In all of them, we are only trying to repay what we have already been given; and so, we still die.

…

Confession - Your Personal Mt. Moriah

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:21:48 -0700

Fr. Michael Fones, OP

The following homily was given at a Reconciliation Service as part of a parish mission at St. Lawrence O'Toole/St. Cyril of Alexandria parish in Oakland, CA. The texts for liturgy were the near-sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham (Gen 22:1-19) and the appearance of Jesus on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

The story of Abraham is a story of the ever-deepening trust in God of one man. …

Priests - Facts & Figures

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:47:37 -0700

Here is some heartening news, provided by our Director of Vocations, Fr. Steven Maekawa, OP

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 12, 2012 (Zenit.org).- On Saturday, Benedict XVI's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, presented the Holy Father with the 2012 edition of the "Annuario Pontificio" or pontifical yearbook, and the "Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae".

A note concerning the presentation highlights some of the facts contained in the new edition. …

Prayer

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:14:21 -0700

Fr. Bryan Kromholtz, OP

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.”

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 13:36:16 -0700

Fr. Michael Fones, OP

2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Ephesians 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21

On September 29, 2006, 25 year-old Michael A. Monsoor was part of a security position watching over American and Iraqi soldiers conducting missions in eastern Ramadi, Iraq, an area with an aggressive insurgency. In the shelter with him were three other SEALs and eight Iraqi soldiers. …