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Father Jeffrey Kirby

Priest

Speaking Well of God’s People

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A few years ago, I visited one of the monasteries of our country. While there, the abbot gave a talk on confession. In the talk, he recounted how, in his earlier days as a priest and monk, he taught at the university attached to the monastery. At the university, there was a faculty member there Read More
Lent

Priestly Renewal and the Call of Lent

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As priests, we sometimes hear from (or about) spouses who are so busy with work, family and children that they begin to forget themselves and their nuptial union. In trying to serve their families, they begin to lose their marriage. The hustle and bustle of important and pressing duties, responsibilities, commitments and expectations have overwhelmed Read More
scapular

Christian Discipleship and the Brown Scapular

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We live in a secular age. As believers, we are bombarded with messages and influences that tell us that God is not real, or — if real — that he is of no consequence to life. As such, we need as much help as we can get to persevere in faith and thrive in the Read More
Pentecost

Living and Breathing as Spirit-Filled Priests

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This month the Church throughout the world celebrates the solemnity of Pentecost, the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary. As we observe this high holy day, it’s worth asking ourselves whether we are living a life according to the Spirit. In our ministries, are we spirit-driven priests? Of Read More
sunset over mountains

‘Mount Tabor’ Experiences

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This month, as we liturgically celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration, we are reminded of the very first Mount Tabor experience. As Peter, James and John saw and felt the glory of the Lord Jesus, so each of us in our own ways has undergone such moments in our own walk with the Lord. Such Read More
Jesus prays

‘Lord, teach us to pray’

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The Lord’s Prayer, popularly called the Our Father, was given to us by Jesus Christ himself. In response to the petition of the apostles, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lk 11:1), the Lord endowed his Church with his short but powerful prayer. As such, it is the oldest prayer of the Christian faith, and — Read More
Holy Family

Retrieve Holiness in Ordinary Duties

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The liturgical homily is tasked with a prophetic mission. It must interpret the Scriptures in light of sacred Tradition and show how such truth can be lived in the midst of everyday struggles and responsibilities. In this duty, every homilist must draw from the old and the new. He must be completely imbued with the Read More

The Depth of the Beatitudes

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Early in my priestly ministry, an older priest told me, “The goal of every homily is to convince people why life is worth living.” Honestly, at the time, it seemed strange counsel to me. I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant. But years later, with more experience under my belt, I’ve been able to discern Read More