On the Cross one of the criminals hanging beside Jesus saves himself by reaching out to Jesus. For all of us, in Paradise ... in the Kingdom of God .... we will live forever with Jesus, united with our compassionate King.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on November 23, 2013.

Jesus predicts the impending destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem. Even more, he moves into a discourse about end of times events for which nobody can prepare. His followers will be saved by their perseverance which will secure their lives with Him. 

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on November 16, 2013.

The Saducees try to trap Jesus with a question about seven brothers and their marriage status at the resurrection.  He deflects their trap by discounting marriage status in this world being important during the resurrection. We believe in the living God and all will rise to stand before Him at the resurrection. 

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on November 9, 2013.

The crowds grumble because Jesus goes to eat at the home of whom whom they believe to be a sinner, a tax collector.  Zacchaeus commits to a new life because he has found Jesus.  The Son of Man who sought him saved him. 

Recording is of the 12:00 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on November 3, 2013.

A Samaritan is part of a group of 10 lepers whom Jesus cleansed. While all were happy at their cure, only one ... a foreigner, a Samaritan ... fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.  Jesus again shows his love by declaring his salvation.  The Samaritan goes on his way knowing that his faith brings him salvations's wholeness.  Neither religious nor ethnic backgrounds pose obstacles to salvation. 

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on October 12, 2013.

God's grace is freely given; there is nothing we can do to earn it. The disciple's obligation in response to God's free gift entails living out one's call to discipleship responsibly.

Recording is of the 12:00 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on October 6, 2013.

God's grace is freely given; there is nothing we can do to earn it. The disciple's obligation in response to God's free gift entails living out one's call to discipleship responsibly.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on October 5, 2013.

The rich man suffered in death as he allowed Lazarus to suffer in life. In death while pleading for himself and his family, Abraham notes that they need to listen to Moses ad the prophets in life. 

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on September 28, 2013.

Disciple must dedicate themselves solely to God.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on September 21, 2013.

As in the parable, God's love for us is unconditional, compassionate, forgiving, merciful, constant, personal, relational, participatory, and giving. This love we call grace, and that feast that celebrates this love is the Eucharist.  In this love and in this meal, we rejoice, for God finds us in Christ Jesus and nourishes us to welcome others home.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on September 14, 2013.

Loyalty to Jesus cannot be half hearted, even when our own material and human resources are running thin.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on September 7, 2013.

The acceptance Jesus desires contrasts with the rejection that he faced, especially from Jewish leaders. The consequence Jesus says they face is surprising.

*** This is a polka style Mass.

Recording is of the 12:00 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on August 25, 2013.

The parable in today's Gospel underscores the importance of serving faithfully and they distinguish between levels of expectation.  In the end, however, we all follow Jesus the Servant.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on August 10, 2013.

Although a disciple might be reasonably concerned about how practical needs will be met,  utter dependencce on God should ease this worry. It allows us who are disciples to be rich in and with God, so that we can live for God in the world.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on August 3, 2013.

Listening to the Word of the Lord leads to acts of service, but when the Lord speaks, we must first, like Mary, open ourselves to hear.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on July 20, 2013.

Jesus sent out 72 people to offer peace and warning.  Most importantly they were to heal the sick and warn them that the Kingdom of God was at hand.  They returned rejoicing in their success. Jesus, however, told them their joy should not be directed at their success over demons, they should rejoice because of their salvation.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on July 6, 2013.

After a dead so is brought back to life, the son is turned over to his mother. She now has a choice to make ... believe or not.

Recording is of the 10:30 am Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on June 9, 2013

The disciples were given the food to feed the crowd ... and they were fed.  We know that the miracle occured because of the summary lines at the end of the Gospel.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on June 1, 2013

Jesus identifies the Spirit as the Spirit of truth.  He is telling the disciples that it is his own Spirit which will come.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on May 25, 2013

Scripture talks of "living water". The living water to which Jesus refers is Baptism. On this, the Vigil of Pentecost, Jesus is refering to the coming reception of the Spirit as opposed to the its existence.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on May 18, 2013

Those that believe in Jesus will receive eternal life.  Jesus then explains his relationship to the Father. He and the Father are one.  Jesus is God.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on April 20, 2013

Jesus did many signs in the presence of his disciples. He wanted them to believe that he was the Christ and that we have life in his name.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on April 6, 2013

The Easter Vigil Service.

Recording is of the 7:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on March 30, 2013

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ 

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on March 23, 2013

When Jesus is alone with the adulterous woman, he refuses to condemn her and he instructs her to sin no more.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on March 16, 2013

Remember when hearing today's story of the prodigal son, God loves and forgives us.  Also, we must love and forgive each other.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on March 9, 2013

Today's Gospel could be misunderstood to be teaching that God is mean and punishing. Jesus came to reveal that God is love.  Still, sin does have consequences.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on March 2, 2013

Peter, John. and James withdraw for prayer with Jesus. His divinity starts to transform his appearance. A voice from heaven tells them that Jesus is the one to whom they should listen. After that, Jesus is there alone.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on February 23, 2013

The human Jesus was tempted by the devil and he will be tempted again.  Jesus uses his time of temptation to teach the Word of God, even to the devil.

Recording is of the 10:30 am Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on February 17, 2013

Jesus' miracle filling of the fishing nets convinced his followers of his powers and divinity.  Jesus had fished for them and they had been caught.  Now they would labor together to catch people to follow Jesus and become part of the community of disciples. These disciples, partners in faith, detached themselves completely from everything they knew and possessed.  No longer in need of material possessions they, like the One they followed, would be filled and anointed with the Spirit.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on February 10, 2013

The ritual of Jesus rolling up the scroll, the reaction of all the people in the synagogue, and Jesus' concluding words all elevate this scene from an anecdote to Jesus' own declaration of his identity and mission. They prepare us for the coming events of Jesus' life that we will hear in the coming weeks of Ordinary Time. 

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on January 26, 2013

Jesus starts to reveal signs in his ministry.  A sign reveals the abundant power and glory that Jesus brings to the world.   This sign, turning water into "good wine" has obvious connections to the sacrificial meal of abundant feeding we know as the Eucharist.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on January 19, 2013

John knows his place and capabilities. Also, John baptizes with water.  Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire as a cleansing medium. Jesus' baptism would be greater than John's.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on January 12, 2013

Just as the Magi, we too are born as Christians in our act of giving homage to Christ and in bringing his presence to the world.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on January 5, 2013

This Christmas, many in the assembly will be at a crossroads in their life journeys.  Allow your own faith and trust in God to ring in your proclamation of your faith. Hear the trust of Mary and Joseph that God is with us as we live Christmas in the ordinariness, messiness, and beauty of human life.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on December 24, 2012

Mary truly had faith and believed that the words of the Lord would be fulfilled.  We also need to believe in Jesus' divinity.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on December 22, 2012

John discourages speculation that he is the Messiah. The one who is to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John claims he is not worthy to loosen the thongs on the sandals of the one who is to come.

Recording is of the 4:30 pm Mass at 14 Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, NY on December 15, 2012