Saint Augustine - Bowdle SD

08/28/2023

07/03/2023

Do we actually change our course when the Word of God convicts us

convicts us of the sins, the failings, the imbalances and excesses of our lives

or do we leave Mass, week after week, unchanged, unconverted, untouched and unaffected by the Word of God?

Homily, Ordinary Sunday 13A From time to time, I wonder whether I’ve made much of a difference, working as a priest. Priests don’t often get to see the fruits of our labor, which can be fairly inta…

06/28/2023

Even as the new pastorates will see more priests working together in parishes, and as Jesus sent His disciples two by two,

our religious education programs can benefit from having more than one teacher per class. Please consider helping this fall.

Bulletin Letter, Ordinary Sunday 13A One of the more noticeable changes coinciding with the new priest assignments this July involves having more than one priest in each pastorate. Jesus Himself se…

06/25/2023

As we should have learned from Mr. McCarrick & his enablers,

those who do not fear God and strive to serve Him faithfully above all

will make all sorts of compromises and allowances,
to stay in the good favor of men, even of the most despicable men.

Homily, Ordinary Sunday 12A “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” There were many in Je…

06/21/2023

This week, I prepare to celebrate 8 years of priesthood & 35 years as a Catholic Christian

and give thanks for my brother Damian returning to his own home after grave complications with his pancreas.

Bulletin Letter, Ordinary Sunday 12A I am grateful to all those who remembered me, prayed for me, sent cards or others gifts for my birthday a couple weeks ago. Really, it’s my mom who should get m…

06/18/2023

After 8 years as a priest, I still believe that holiness & virtue are possible for every last one of us.

I often wonder, though, how many other priests and bishops still believe that God can really transform us and set us free.

Homily, Ordinary Sunday 11A Recently, lots of people have been asking me whether I’m excited about my new assignment in Tyndall and the Yankton Pastorate. I often respond by saying that, while I’m …

06/14/2023

As I write my last few bulletin letters to these parishes, I’m grateful for the opportunity they have afforded to share something of my life & of the rich tradition of the Church.

Please pray for 32 newly confirmed & for three couples soon to marry.

Bulletin Letter, Ordinary Sunday 11A Hard to believe I’ll just have a few more of these bulletin letters to write to you. Whether very many read them or not—and as much as it is a scramble sometime…

06/12/2023

At a Catholic youth conference, a speaker went on about the seriousness of standing & reciting a pledge & commitment to Christ

but much more serious is to eat His very Body & Blood, to stand & recite the Creed consecrated by the blood of countless martyrs

Homily, Corpus Christi A When was it that you gave your life to God? When were you saved? As Catholics, we don’t often ask these questions. They’re much more common among other Christians, but it’s…

06/07/2023

This week I’ll be headed to the Abbey of the Hills for a retreat.

As we pray for rain, don’t forget to do some other fasting and penance as well. May God be gracious and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us.

Bulletin Letter, Corpus Christi Sunday A “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). This week I’ll be away on retreat at the Abbey of the Hills near Marvin, SD. All…

06/04/2023

Often not thought of as a prayer at all, the Sign of the Cross is among the most powerful prayers.

And striving to do everything “in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” is the height of the spiritual life, to live in God’s will.

Homily, Trinity Sunday A One single prayer has probably been said more often than any other, in the history of the world. This prayer is also so powerful, that it has been the occasion of countless…