With Eyes of Faith

By Deacon John Degano

 I got a phone call today from a woman asking what the difference was between two different Marian days being celebrated in the church some three days apart. I explained, “one was her nativity, the second was her most holy name.”

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By Deacon John Degano

 Sitting at a packed Riverside City Council meeting last month, I couldn’t get over the similarity of the dialogue spewing from certain overtly vocal members in the audience to the Passion Sunday/Good Friday readings about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the sneering crowds shouting for his execution.

 “Seems like a good day for a crucifixion,” I thought.

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By Deacon John Degano

Lent is over. The season of Easter has begun. That’s what it says on our liturgical (church) calendar, but are we living Easter joy?

Too many of us seem to get stuck in a perpetual Lent, where we dwell on our sins and don’t believe that Jesus can actually forgive us of our trespasses or sins.

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By Deacon John Degano


 When I was in elementary school the public libraries used to have a summer reading program where everyone who signed up was given stickers for every five or so books they read over the summer. It was a great way to encourage reading and provided my parents a cheap form of entertainment for me until the time of our family vacation.

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By Deacon John Degano

 It’s officially cold and flu season in our home.

 We managed to survive two third year confirmation retreat weekends with nary a sniffle but now, two or three weeks later, I’m battling a stuffy head, sinus drip and a raspy (but not sexy) voice. 

 The good news is, I’m not ‘death warmed over’… not yet, at least.

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