Browsing Fr. Norm's Homilies
Third Sunday of Easter, May 1, 2022
Posted by Debbie Faith Formation on 5/02/22
Many years ago, way back in the 1800’s, there was a certain circuit-riding pastor who trained his horse to go when he said “Praise the Lord” and to stop when he said “Amen.” The preacher mounted his horse, said “Praise the Lord,” and went for a ride in the ... Read More »
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (02/20/22)
Posted by Debbie Faith Formation on 2/20/22
There is an old Chinese curse that goes, “May you live in interesting times.’ A strange kind of left-handed phrase, it seems to imply a blessing, not a curse at first glance. “May you live in interesting times.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m sensing that we are ... Read More »
Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Posted by Debbie Faith Formation on 2/07/22
Maybe it’s just the way my mind works, but I saw something a bit strange, a bit ‘off’ in today’s Gospel reading. It’s a very familiar Gospel: “from now on you will be fishers of men (and women).” The calling of the apostles, and their subsequent call to call ... Read More »
Third Sunday of Ordinary Time
Posted by Debbie Faith Formation on 1/24/22
So somebody comes up to you doing a survey. First question: “what’s your name?” Second question: “what’s your religion?” My guess is that you’d probably get both of these questions right the first time, unless, of course, you’re in the Witness Protection program, then I guess “John Smith” ... Read More »
Epiphany
Posted by Debbie Faith Formation on 1/03/22
The other day, I happened upon the PBS show Nova, which deals with scientific progress presented in a very accessible way to an average layman like me. Though I wasn’t particularly good in science as a high school student, and maybe not even particularly interested, I now often find ... Read More »
Christmas Eve
Posted by Debbie Faith Formation on 12/24/21
“She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.” And I doubt Scripture was talking about the Holiday Inn complete with internet and HBO. I suspect, that, with all the very sad trouble going on in the Middle ... Read More »
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Debbie Faith Formation on 11/30/21
Most of us remember Charleston Heston playing Ben Hur in the movie of the same name. His full name was Judah Ben Hur, and his family were rich, prosperous, and prestigious. Though the family was Jewish, they commanded the respect of even the Romans. As you may remember, a ... Read More »
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Debbie Faith Formation on 11/30/21
After God created Adam and Eve, and they had been in the Garden of Eden for some time, Adam asked God: “God, why did you make Eve so beautiful, so attractive and so desirable? God answered, “So you would love her, Adam.” Then Adam said, “But why did ... Read More »
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Debbie Faith Formation on 11/30/21
The great Ella Fitzgerald, Lady Ella, was once quoted as saying, “I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor, but I prefer rich!” Of course she was being a bit catty, and certainly commenting on her impoverished upbringing in Harlem, but let’s take a look ... Read More »
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Debbie Faith Formation on 11/08/21
Have you ever been in a situation where you knew that in say three days hence, something very unpleasant had to be done? I had a tooth pulled several years ago, and when the doctor on a Friday made the appointment for the following Monday, all I could think ... Read More »