Prayers & Reflections
Lent Reflection: Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
March 29, 2023
One beautiful attribute of the Catholic tradition is the thoughtful way Church readings connect. The first reading, from Deuteronomy, shares …
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Lent Reflection: Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
March 28, 2023
“For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:24 Each and …
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Lent Reflection: Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
March 27, 2023
As I prayed with today’s readings — the disturbing story of Susanna in the Book of Daniel, the all-too-familiar words …
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Lent Reflection: Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 26, 2023
Jesus cried out in loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, tied hand and foot with burial …
Lent Reflection: Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
March 25, 2023
Today we celebrate the Annunciation of the Lord, a day which changed the course of human history, and a day …
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Lent Reflection: Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
March 24, 2023
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34) Those of us who have the privilege of serving in the …
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Lent Reflection: Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
March 23, 2023
How many times have you asked for a sign from God? I know I have on occasion. “God, if you …
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Lent Reflection: Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
March 22, 2023
For the past 5+ years, I have served in the Office of Living Justice with Catholic Charities of the Diocese …
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Lent Reflection: Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
March 21, 2023
And it will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live… …
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Lent Reflection: Solemnity of Saint Joseph
March 20, 2023
Over the centuries, Saint Joseph has been known by many names and titles: Patron Saint of the Universal Church, of …
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Lent Reflection: Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 19, 2023
Not as man sees does God see…but the Lord looks into the heart. 1 Sam 16:7 The readings this weekend …
Lent Reflection: Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
March 18, 2023
“What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah?” And we might as well add …
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Lent Reflection: Friday of the Third Week of Lent
March 17, 2023
When the scribe asks Jesus, “which is the first of all the commandments?” he poses a real challenge: there are …
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Lent Reflection: Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
March 16, 2023
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Today’s readings and response are centered around turning towards God …
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Lent Reflection: Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
March 15, 2023
“Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I …
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Lent Reflection: Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
March 14, 2023
Jesus talks about forgiveness a lot for someone who, being a perfect person, presumably never needed to be forgiven himself. …
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Lent Reflection: Monday of the Third Week of Lent
March 13, 2023
Two thoughts jump quickly to my mind from today’s gospel. The first is how hard it is to tell someone …
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Lent Reflection: Third Sunday of Lent
March 12, 2023
“Is God in our midst or not?” What a provocative question in today’s first reading! Especially when confronted by the …
Lent Reflection: Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
March 11, 2023
Today’s readings remind us of God’s infinite mercy, His incredible forgiveness, and His desire to welcome us back into relationship …
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Lent Reflection: Friday of the Second Week of Lent
March 10, 2023
Joseph, Jesus, and Jealousy Jealousy is an interesting emotion to sit with during Lent’s middle dredges. Jealousy hopefully sits on …
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Lent Reflection: Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
March 9, 2023
Today’s readings illustrate our need to put all our trust in God’s gifts and not of things of this world. …
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Lent Reflection: Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
March 8, 2023
Part of my job is responding to wage theft cases, helping people connect with lawyers, and pushing for more robust …
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Lent Reflection: Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
March 7, 2023
Today’s Gospel is the source for the very familiar saying, “Practice what you preach.” We hear Jesus admonish the Scribes …
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Lent Reflection: Monday of the Second Week of Lent
March 6, 2023
Today’s Gospel reading is a hard one to swallow and digest. Jesus challenges his disciples to be merciful, to stop …
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Lent Reflection: Second Sunday of Lent
March 5, 2023
The theme of the cross bookends the Transfiguration. Just prior to the Transfiguration Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to come after …
Lent Reflection: Saturday of the First Week of Lent
March 4, 2023
“Behold, now is a very good time, behold, now is the day of salvation.” This verse, read before today’s Gospel …
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Lent Reflection: Friday of the First Week of Lent
March 3, 2023
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave …
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Lent Reflection: Thursday of the First Week of Lent
March 2, 2023
At last week’s Ash Wednesday liturgy, the celebrant proposed a different approach to Lent which caught my attention. He spoke …
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Lent Reflection: Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
March 1, 2023
The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Set out for the great city of Nineveh and …
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Lent Reflection: Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
February 28, 2023
Living in the drought-stricken West, whenever we receive rain (and snow in the mountains) we rejoice despite the challenges of …
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Lent Reflection: Monday of the First Week of Lent
February 27, 2023
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and …
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Lent Reflection: First Sunday of Lent
February 26, 2023
We who have been “around” for a while know that on the first Sunday of Lent we get the two …
Lent Reflection: Saturday after Ash Wednesday
February 25, 2023
In his message for Lent, Lenten Penance and the Synodal Journey, Pope Francis calls us to “journey together” (synod). He …
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Lent Reflection: Friday After Ash Wednesday
February 24, 2023
American history is replete with examples of bigotry against Catholic immigrants. Whether it was the Know Nothing Party in the …
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Lent Reflection: Thursday After Ash Wednesday
February 23, 2023
Have you washed the ashes off your face yet? Has the dust reminding us of our most important life-journey left …
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Lent Reflection: Ash Wednesday
February 22, 2023
“Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned,” says the psalmist. Today we begin the holy season of Lent, the …
Christmas Reflection: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
January 1, 2023
We often begin the New Year by making resolutions and promises. We commit ourselves to make changes for our own …
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Christmas Reflection: Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
December 31, 2022
On this last day of the calendar year, the beginning of the Gospel of John reminds us that “What came …
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Christmas Reflection: Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
December 30, 2022
When I reflect on the celebration of today’s feast, what often comes to mind is how fitting it is that …
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Christmas Reflection: Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
December 29, 2022
Today’s first reading from John feels like a late Christmas gift for anyone looking for the Cliff Notes version to …
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Christmas Reflection: Feast of the Holy Innocents
December 28, 2022
In the first reading, St. John is reminding us that Jesus wants us to walk in the light with Him …
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Christmas Reflection: Feast of Saint John
December 27, 2022
The womb is a dark place. So is the tomb. And between these two mysterious spaces is the Incarnation, God …
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Christmas Reflection: Feast of Saint Stephen
December 26, 2022
This is the Feast Day of St. Stephen, one of the first seven deacons appointed by the apostles to serve …
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Christmas Reflection: Christmas Day
December 25, 2022
In much of Latin America, this is the time for posada—a custom whereby the people in a village re-enact the …
Advent Reflection: Saturday of the Fourth Week of Advent
December 24, 2022
Today’s gospel from Luke 1:67-79, known as “The Canticle of Zechariah,” is a hymn of praise to God. Zechariah was …
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Advent Reflection: Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent
December 23, 2022
The celebration of Christmas is almost upon us, and in today’s scriptures we’re given lots of hints about what we …
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Advent Reflection: Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent
December 22, 2022
Many people come to Catholic Charities seeking a reversal of their lives’ realities. What hungry person wouldn’t want a full …
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Advent Reflection: Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
December 21, 2022
“Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” We realize that …
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Advent Reflection: Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
December 20, 2022
I was going to write a somewhat lighthearted reflection entitled, “So, Gabriel Stopped by Today” but apparently that was not …
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Advent Reflection: Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent
December 19, 2022
How might you have walked with them in their time of barrenness? I wrote a whole reflection before this one. …
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Advent Reflection: Sunday of the Fourth Week of Advent
December 18, 2022
His name is Jesus, but all His friends know Him as Emmanuel! This section of Matthew’s gospel is rich in …
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Advent Reflection: Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
December 17, 2022
As a child, I remember how long Advent felt as I anticipated presents on Christmas morning and a week off …
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Advent Reflection: Friday of the Third Week of Advent
December 16, 2022
For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord GOD, who gathers …
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Advent Reflection: Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
December 15, 2022
Today’s first reading ends with a promise from God: “Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, …
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Advent Reflection: Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
December 14, 2022
Depending on which Mass one attends today, you will hear either the readings for Wednesday of the Third Week of …
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Advent Reflection: Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
December 13, 2022
Today, Jesus gives the chief priests and elders another parable. Two sons — one that says “yes” to his father …
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Advent Reflection: Monday of the Third Week of Advent
December 12, 2022
Working in social service is hard. There are days when someone comes for help, and we’re unable to help them. …
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Advent Reflection: Sunday of the Third Week of Advent
December 11, 2022
Today is Gaudete Sunday, a day to rejoice! We are midway through Advent and Christ is near! Today’s readings offer …
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Advent Reflection: Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
December 10, 2022
As we continue on our Advent journey, we seem to be racing toward Christmas and the gifts of newborn hope, …
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Advent Reflection: Friday of the Second Week of Advent
December 9, 2022
“I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should …
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Advent Reflection: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 8, 2022
As a young girl growing up, I struggled with Mary’s example of perfection. As a child who was continually navigating …
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Advent Reflection: Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
December 7, 2022
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” The end of a …
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Advent Reflection: Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
December 6, 2022
Give comfort to my people! Recently at the multi-cultured parish where I serve as Pastoral Administrator, one of our young …
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Advent Reflection: Monday of the Second Week of Advent
December 5, 2022
In today’s gospel, Jesus focuses on healing the whole person from what paralyzes them. On the reading’s surface, Jesus restores …
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Advent Reflection: Sunday of the Second Week of Advent
December 4, 2022
It has been an odd winter in Northern Nevada. Climate change scientists tell us that many of our winters going …
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Advent Reflection: Saturday of the First Week of Advent
December 3, 2022
Go and set the world on fire! Today is the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, a 16th century Jesuit …
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Advent Reflection: Friday of the First Week of Advent
December 2, 2022
The Mass readings Advent have always been favorites of mine for the themes they frequently address, particularly God’s great reversals …
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Advent Reflection: Thursday of the First Week of Advent
December 1, 2022
Isaiah 26: 1-6 is a song mixed with grief, lament, praise and ultimately trust in our Father’s offered peace. It …
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Advent Reflection: Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
November 30, 2022
We visited our grandchildren last week to celebrate Thanksgiving. While walking back from a restaurant after a delightful meal of …
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Advent Reflection: Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
November 29, 2022
We are in the first week of the New Year! We have in a very real way a chance to …
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Advent Reflection: Monday of the First Week of Advent
November 28, 2022
The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the …
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Advent Reflection: First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2022
So, Advent is with us again. Not nearly enough days — even with the longest possible calendaring of the season …
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Catholic Charities Spiritual Reflection: Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion
April 13, 2022
Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion Readings of the Day “All is gift.” St. Ignatius of Loyola is known for …
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Reflection: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
April 10, 2022
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Readings of the Day One technique of the practice of Lectio Divina is to …
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Spiritual Reflection: Replace Despair with Hope
April 7, 2022
“…with their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses” (Num 21:4). Who doesn’t have …
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Lent Reflection: Lectionary: 232
March 24, 2022
Yikes! Today’s readings are really tough ones. In the first reading, Jeremiah has warned the leaders and the people of …
Lent Reflection: Second Sunday of Lent
March 14, 2022
The Lord God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. …
Lent Reflection: March 12th, 2022
March 12, 2022
Just when you thought the Lenten practices of praying, fasting, and almsgiving were not challenging enough, the gospel today has …
Catholic Charities USA Lent Reflection: Ash Wednesday
March 2, 2022
“Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.” This phrase will be prayed over many who gather today …
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A prayer for holocaust memorial day
January 27, 2022
Lord God and Father, We remember before you all those who bear the inner and outer scars of the …
Prayer for Racial Healing
May 13, 2021
Opening Prayer God of justice, In your wisdom you create all people in your image, without exception. Through your goodness, …
Prayer for Peace in our Communities
August 18, 2020
Opening Prayer God of mercy and peace, you created us in your image, forming one human family. You love all …
Prayer for Disaster Relief
December 13, 2017
Opening Prayer God of hope and mercy, we lift up to you all victims of natural disasters and those responding …
Prayer for the Care of the Poor
November 8, 2017
Opening Prayer Generous God, we lift up to your mercy that poverty which is a moral and social wound upon …
Prayer for the Care of Creation
March 30, 2017
OPENING PRAYER God of all creation, your goodness and glory shine forth through everything you have made. Through the light …
Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking
February 7, 2017
OPENING PRAYER Living God, you freed the people of Israel from cruel slavery in Egypt and led them to a …
Reflections on the Joy of the Gospel
December 13, 2016
Introduction Pope Francis might have written The Joy of the Gospel specifically for the Catholic Charities network. No other papal …
Prayer to Honor the Gift of Life
December 13, 2016
OPENING PRAYER O God, source of all life and goodness, you fashion human lives in your image and likeness, and …
Opening Prayer Bury the Dead
December 8, 2016
Opening Prayer Almighty ever-living God, you rule both the living and the dead and are merciful to all. We humbly …
Prayer For Refugees And Migrants
December 7, 2016
Opening Prayer Merciful God, we pray for families and individuals who have left or fled their homes, seeker safer and …
Prayer to Honor the Gift of Life
March 21, 2016
O God, source of all life and goodness, you fashion human lives in your image and likeness, and through your …
Feast of St Louise de Marillac
March 21, 2016
Leader: O God, come to my assistance. All: O Lord, make haste to help me. Leader: Glory be to the …
Prayer for the Needs of the Sick
March 21, 2016
OPENING PRAYER God of all goodness, Look with mercy on all who suffer any kind of infirmity, sickness or injury, …