“Light of Life” © Thoughts on the 1st Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com Thomas Merton’s final manuscript which he sent to the publisher just prior to his trip to Asia in February, 1968 was published this year with a foreward by Sarah Coakley. It has been given the title,…
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“In Good Standing……….With Whom?”© by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com A pastor at a Catholic Parish in the archdiocese of Milwaukee recently informed some of his parishioners that Jim Ryan is not a priest “in good standing.” He arrived at that charge after researching me by consulting with the chancery office. So, my question is, “good…
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Thoughts on the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 28, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com Jean and I visited the city of Nuremberg on our trip through Germany this August. This city has to live with the history that it was the center of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party. It still contains the Party Headquarters…
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“Bound & Belonging” © Thoughts on the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 21, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com Yes, James and John have a lot of nerve. As today’s Gospel passage relates (Mark 10:35-45) these two brothers have the nerve to ask Jesus to reserve the highest places at his right and his…
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“Appropriated” © Thoughts on the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 14, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com Parents are happy when their children’s behavior is appropriate to the occasion, when they respond to persons and social settings in an appropriate manner. It shows that their children can exercise a control that is self-regulated and…
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“What do you mean?” © Thoughts on the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 7, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com My first inclination after reading the Lectionary passages for this Sunday was to discard the lot. The first reading from Genesis is taken from what is often referred to as the “second” creation story…
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“A Secret hidden in plain sight” © Thoughts on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 23, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com As I mentioned last Sunday we are at a place in the continuous reading of the Gospel of Mark where Jesus announces his awareness that he will be handed over to authorities…
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“Our Brother, Jack Watson, RIP” © Thoughts on the 24st Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 16, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com Jack Watson, husband of Sue, father of Emily, Elizabeth, and Victoria, father-in-law and grandfather, and member of our Mary of Magdala, Apostle to the Apostles Community died on Sunday, September 9 at 1:52…
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“Communities Choose – Peter Speaks” © Thoughts on the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 26, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com “From this time on, many of the disciples broke away and would not remain in the company of Jesus.” (John 6:60) So here’s the situation we find ourselves in as we hear the…
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“Voyager 1 looks over its shoulder” © Thoughts on the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 29, 2018 by Rev. Jim Ryan, jimryan6885@gmail.com This summer’s post-sundown evening skies have been a delight! If you are fortunate enough, as we are, to have a clear and open view to the southern sky then you know what…
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