Homily: 10.10.10

Fr. Dan Ruff, S.J. – Pastor Old St. Joseph’s Church, Philadelphia 28th OT-C – October 10, 2010 – 11:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. How many people know the story of Naaman the Syrian?  Well, let me fill you in, since we got only the end of that story in this morning’s/evening’s first reading from the 2nd Book of Kings.  Naaman was the right arm of the king of Syria – a heroic general in the Syrian army who had made his military reputation, at least in part, by defeating and humiliating Israel in battle.  But when this story in 2nd Kings begins, Naaman has a...

From the Pastor: 10.10.10

FROM THE PASTOR: Oct. 10, 2010 I spent most of this last week meeting with about twenty other Jesuit pastors.  While I never relish abandoning my office for four days in a row, the gathering proved to be extremely helpful and worthwhile.  First off, the company of my brothers made me prouder than I already was to be the pastor of a Jesuit parish.  By God’s grace, and with the help of amazing, generous lay partners (all of you!), we are doing outstanding work in the 25 Jesuit parishes of the New England, New York, and Maryland Provinces.  My fellow pastors and I seem...

Presentation by John Allen, Senior Corre...

October 5 at 7 PM in the Church. Mr. Allen will discuss his recent book, The Future Church: How Ten Trends Are Revolutionizing the Catholic Church. In addition, John Trumbore will lead a discussion group both before and after the presentation.

From the Pastor: 10.3.10

FROM THE PASTOR: October 3, 2010 One of my priest colleagues recently told the somewhat alarming story of a parish Mass (not here!) on Ash Wednesday.  Apparently, a woman got into the communion procession and came forward; but when the minister of communion showed her the sacred host and said, “The Body of Christ,” the woman wrinkled up her nose and said, “Oh, no, I don’t want THAT!  I’m here for ashes!”  Perhaps the poor woman wasn’t even Catholic.  Or perhaps she wasn’t playing with a full deck – who knows?  We can only hope so.  Otherwise, the...

Homily: 10.2.10

Fr. Dan Ruff, S.J. – Pastor Old St. Joseph’s Church, Philadelphia 27th OT-C – October 2, 2010 – 5:30 p.m. Vigil There is a Native American folktale about a great river filled with many fish and such sweet water that all the animals came to its bank to drink.  One day, a giant moose came to the river to drink.  The moose was so big and he drank so much that the water began to dry up.  The beavers were the first to worry that their lodges would collapse without the river.  The muskrats were anxious that, were the river to disappear, they would have to seek...