“I AM THE VINE YOU ARE THE BRANCHES” says Jesus to His disciples at the Last Supper ( This Sunday’s Gospel John 15:5). This is one of the seven key “I AM “ statements by Jesus reported in John’s Gospel. It is closely related to another great Eucharistic statement “ I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE” ( John 6: The Bread of Life Discourse). One can link the I AM THE VINE statement to the EUCHARIST in several ways: 1. It takes place at the...

The question is not WHAT IS THE EUCHARIST? The Eucharist is not a thing. Is a person. The question is WHO IS THE EUCHARIST? For several of us, this was an “aha” moment last week. It was discussed in the small group I attended as part of the fifth “GOD IS WITH US” session of the “JESUS AND THE EUCHARIST” series last Thursday and Saturday. Then I mentioned it in my Sunday homily and got good feedback. Yes, JESUS IS THE EUCHARIST! It seems like a pretty simplistic statement. But it may shed new light on...

We are honored to welcome Bishop Olivier Leborgne from France in two weeks’ time. He has accepted the invitation of the Father Martin Society. He will be here April 26-29. He is expected to meet Cardinal Gregory in the context of the canonization process of Father Narcisse Martin. He will also pray at the tomb of Father Martin in Baltimore and celebrate Mass at the chapel of the old seminary St Mary’s on Paca Street where Father Martin used to teach. The old Seminary St Mary’s is located in downtown Baltimore adjacent to the Mother Seton House and close to the old Cathedral which is now designated as Co-Cathedral of Baltimore and Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will also welcome him at OLHOC he will celebrate with us at 11:30 AM Mass Sunday, April 28th followed by a reception in the Father Martin Hall. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Bishop Olivier Leborgne is currently...

Just before beginning the Easter Vigil Mass, Deacon Rich asked me in the Sacristy:Father are you at Peace? No, I am not at Peace Deacon...I am totally at Peace! The Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ changes everything, changes everyone. At Christmas we can say with St Augustine GOD BECAME MAN! At EASTER we can say MAN BECOMES GOD. At Easter the RISEN LORD opens for us the Way to Heaven, the Way to Eternal Life starting right here right now. The human and the divine are united. What a blessing!!! The Risen Lord gives us HOPE ! He calms the stormy battles in our hearts: He brings TOTAL PEACE! Today on this Second Sunday of Easter, DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY I invite you to immerse yourself in this First Encounter of the Risen Lord with His disciples. You are one of the disciples locked in the Upper Room for FEAR OF THE JEWS! Because of such Fear you have already...