Essays & Coursework

September 19, 2020
Published by Deacon Michael on September 19, 2020
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Reflection at Communion Service, 9/19/2020

Now that we’ve had our homiletics course, we’re preaching at various liturgies outside of Mass for practice, and we’re recording them and sharing them with our […]
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August 26, 2020
Published by Deacon Michael on August 26, 2020
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Institution as Acolytes

Last week, my brother formation classmates and I each received letters from our Bishop in response to our recent letters to him. Mine read, “I have […]
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March 10, 2019
Published by Deacon Michael on March 10, 2019
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Reflection: March 2019

Originally written for and delivered as a reflection at Holy Hour at our March 2019 diaconate formation weekend – March 8, 2019: A reading from the […]
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December 15, 2017
Published by Deacon Michael on December 15, 2017
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Personal Reflection on Chapter 1 of ‘Ministries: A Relational Approach’

I found Edward Hahnenberg’s analysis of the contrast and balance between clergy and laity in Chapter 1 of his Ministries: A Relational Approach to be fascinating […]
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December 15, 2017
Published by Deacon Michael on December 15, 2017
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Getting the Rite Right: The Intent and Results of the Vatican II Liturgical Reforms

Of the four Constitutions resulting from the Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, was the first discussed and approved, and it […]
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November 10, 2017
Published by Deacon Michael on November 10, 2017
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The Church, and the People

One might recall the childhood activity of folding one’s hands, fingers pointing inward through the knuckles, then rotating one’s hands open and waving the fingers around, […]
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October 14, 2017
Published by Deacon Michael on October 14, 2017
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Good, Evil, & God: Understanding the Old Testament’s “Dark Passages”

In the book of the prophet Isaiah, God teaches mankind, “my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways… For as the heavens […]
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June 3, 2016
Published by Deacon Michael on June 3, 2016
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The Problem of Evil, Augustine to Today

For centuries, “the problem of evil” has vexed those who believe in God and given those who do not believe a strong argument against God’s existence. […]
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