I Love You, I’m Proud of You

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Uncategorized

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The most encouraging, effective and result producing words kids can hear from their parents are: “I love you; I’m proud of you.”  In our Gospel today Jesus shares three parables, all portraying the illogical, unreasonable, over-the-top love that the Father has for each one of us.  No matter what we’ve done, no matter how far we’ve wandered away, the Father never stops seeking us out.  And when we finally let ourselves be found, He says to us, “I love you; I’m proud of you!”  Jesus heard His Father say those words to Him; can we hear our Father say those words to us?

Thankfulness & Generosity – CSA Appeal

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Uncategorized

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

It’s proven that generosity makes for a happier person; generosity springs from gratitude – to the degree that we’re thankful for the gifts we’ve been given in life, we have a desire to share these gifts with others.  Thankfulness and generosity, though, are two virtues that you will not be challenged to grow in by popular culture, but they are two virtues at the heart of what it means to be Christian – the more thankful and generous we are, the more we become like our Maker!

This weekend is the kickoff for our annual diocesan Catholic Services Appeal (CSA).  The CSA provides so many incredible opportunities to spread the faith of Jesus Christ in northwestern Wisconsin – for our seminarians, for our youth, for our schools, for our parishes – opportunities that I witness and see the fruits of firsthand!  I’m challenging you this year to stretch yourself in thankfulness and generosity (in all senses of those words) and I challenge you particularly this week to think what you might be able to sacrifice monetarily to support the CSA for your parish this coming year.

In the Palm of His Hand

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In order to live in this world, we have to trust all kinds of things we see, hear and experience.  On a daily basis we extend trust thousands of times – to people, situations, information…everything.  A generic definition of “faith” is: “confidence or trust in a person, thing or concept.”  By this definition, every single person lives their lives by faith each and every day.  Faith in God, then, means having confidence and trust in God – that He will do what He says, that what He promises to us humans He will do.  In our readings today we see how God comes through on His promises, that God IS trustworthy, that we CAN trust God!  The faith held up for us today is that whatever life may bring, no matter how bumpy the road, we know that God has us in the palm of His hand!

Persistent Prayer

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our Gospel this weekend the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray.  After giving a short version of the Our Father, Jesus tells a semi-humorous story (in my opinion) highlighting the importance of persistence – in the context of this passage of persistent prayer.  In our first reading  we see a model of this kind of persistence in the conversation Abraham has with God (also a rather humorous exchange, in my opinion). But both readings make the point that God seriously encourages persistent prayer. The question remains, though, “What or who does prayer actually change?  Does it change me or God?” Listen to find out!

The Voice of Conscience

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

After Moses gave the 10 Commandments to God’s chosen people, he said something very interesting: that these commands were already written in their hearts.  If, as Paul says in our second reading, all things are created in Christ, then it makes sense that the Maker would leave His mark deep within each of us, guiding us to what is best.  God has given each of us a conscience, His voice deep within our gut, leading us on the right way.  But then why do we need commandments or rules at all?  Why can’t we just each follow our own conscience?

Our conscience can sometimes be a burden and we don’t always want to listen to that voice.  So as we grow “smarter” and “wiser” we learn to rationalize away that voice of God deep within, until we hear only what we want to hear.  This week we’re challenged by Jesus to go back to the basics, to be reminded of what we already know deep within our hearts, and to listen for that simple and clear (but often difficult and inconvenient) voice of God which speaks to us from deep within – and to follow it!

Following the Small Calls

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Ordinary Time

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In our readings today, we hear a number of call stories: God calling others to follow Him in a particular way.  Whenever one of these calls happens in Scripture…that person is almost always busy!  They have other plans; something else is on the agenda for the day; other big things are already going on in life.  Sound familiar?!  When God calls it’s never convenient – it wasn’t before and it isn’t now.  But as disciples of Jesus Christ we are meant to listen for and answer God’s calls to us, no matter how big or small…or inconvenient.  The challenge this week: grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ by listening for and answering a few more of those calls!

Experiencing the Trinity

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Feasts

I have a favor to ask of you: this week I will be traveling to Rhinelander for the second week of our diocesan Extreme Faith Camp; if you could please keep me, all of our middle school and high school youth, our young adults and chaperones in your prayers – that hearts might be opened to experience Jesus Christ in a deeper and more profound way that will lead to a lifelong relationship with Him!  (Thank you in advance for your support.)

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

In the new parishes I am serving – St. Joseph in Hayward and St. Ann in Cable – we have three gifted deacons.  It is the custom in this cluster that the deacons preach every 1st and 3rd weekend of the month.  As a result, I will be preaching less often.  Lucky for you, I have homilies from previous years that I will continue to share ; ).  This is last year’s homily from Trinity Sunday: (Enjoy!)

Remember to Breathe

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Easter Season, Feasts

Pentecost Sunday

The coming of the Holy Spirit CHANGED the first followers of Jesus.  We received the Holy Spirit in baptism, we were sealed by the Holy Spirit in Confirmation, we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus at every Mass…but how much are we CHANGED by these experiences?  Do you ever long for more in your faith but just don’t know why you aren’t getting it?  If that’s ever been you, listen to this homily, and most importantly – remember to breathe (spiritually)!

Ascending

On By Fr. David NeuschwanderIn Easter Season

Ascension Sunday

In the new parishes I am serving – St. Joseph in Hayward and St. Ann in Cable – we have three gifted deacons.  It is the custom in this cluster that the deacons preach every 1st and 3rd weekend of the month.  As a result, I will be preaching less often.  Lucky for you, I have homilies from previous years that I will continue to share ; ).  This is last year’s homily from Ascension Sunday: (Enjoy!)