Author: wpadmin

TV Mass Homily 11/24/2019

TV Mass Homily
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus, King of the Universe, known most familiarly as Christ the King. This feast day was added to the Church calendar only in 1925 to counter the atheism, nationalism, materialism and anti-Catholicism when communism and fascism were on the rise, all of which are not known for mercy but for oppression. Things have not changed much since 1925, with god-less secularism, religious fundamentalism and moral-less relativism shrouded in incivility now added to the list. In the midst of turmoil, division and fear in our day, it is important that we raise up Christ as King of the Universe. Today we affirm what is core to our faith, that Jesus on the Cross triumphed over evil and all those negative forces; He continues…
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TV Mass Homily 11/17/2019

TV Mass Homily
As we await the appointment of the ninth bishop of Sioux Falls, we have undertaken an upgrade of infrastructure of the Bishops House built in 1878. As a result, I have become a commuter which means I am spending more time driving. As I do so one thought has come to me: how much we rely on car brakes. Stops and starts are frequent and we expect to be protected by them from cars in front and behind to get to our destination, taking them often for granted. That thought led me to ponder whether we take for granted moral brakes, which includes the mercy our Lord offers to us in order for us to safely get to our ultimate desired designation which is oneness with Christ forever. Our readings…
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Joint Statement Regarding the Execution of Charles Rhines

Statements and Documents
Bishop Paul J. Swain, Bishop of Sioux Falls, and the Very Reverend Michel Mulloy, Diocesan Administrator of Rapid City. Pursuant to a Warrant of Execution, today the state of South Dakota intends to execute inmate Charles Rhines. On this occasion, as the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux Falls and the Diocesan Administrator of the Diocese of Rapid City, we repeat once more the Church’s perennial call for a culture of life, founded upon a firm insistence that the life of every human person is of inestimable value, whether young or old, ill or well, rich or poor, prisoner or free. Consequently, in light of the legion attacks on human life in the modern era, the Church’s awareness of the urgent need to proclaim the full truth of…
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TV Mass Homily 11/03/2019

TV Mass Homily
Those of us who are short, or as it is said these days, vertically challenged, can relate to Zacchaeus. Sometimes our vision is blocked and we can’t see. I spent many years in the pew, often hidden behind others. Now as a bishop I have a better vantage point. (That is not always an advantage.) Zacchaeus was not only short. He was different from others. He was a tax collector and therefore despised by many for both the sin of extortion and for colluding with the Roman occupiers. He was different also in how he sought to see Jesus. Most of us would not have made a spectacle of ourselves by climbing a tree to see better, we just accept the blocked vision. And Zacchaeus was different in how he…
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TV Mass Homily 10/27/2019

TV Mass Homily
Our readings today offer us a caution and a promise. The caution is about the sin of pride; which is an equal opportunity threat, nourished by the devil. The sin of pride is most often reflected in how we relate to one another. The promise is about God’s mercy for those who come to him with true humility. The virtue of humility is most often reflected in how we relate to God, whether we acknowledge our need for God. Pride leads to anxiety, it can never be satisfied, and true humility leads to peace. During the month of October we reflect in a special way on respect for life, recognizing that all life is sacred from conception to natural death, a free gift by the creator. As someone said, “life…
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TV Mass Homily 10/20/2019

TV Mass Homily
Last week our readings encouraged us to always be grateful for God’s love and continuing presence especially in times of challenge. This week we are encouraged to pray without ceasing and also with persistence. Gratitude and persistent prayer are faith sustaining. First though we need to reflect on what we pray for. Prayers of petition are healthy and good but ultimately it must be God’s will we seek. When we lift up our hearts to God the Father who gave us life, to God the Son who died and rose for us and who offers himself to us in the Holy Eucharist, and to God the Holy Spirit who guides and guards us, our perspective is changed. When we lift our sight above the immediate to the eternal we discover…
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TV Mass Homily 10/13/2019

TV Mass Homily
There is a legend about two angels who were sent from heaven each with a basket. They went from place to place, to homes, churches, businesses, schools, anywhere people were active. Then they returned to heaven with their baskets. One was heavy with its bounty and the other was light. “What do you have in your basket,” one asked the other. “I was sent to collect the prayers of all the people who said, I want or please give me,” answered the one with the heavy basket. “What of yours?” the angel with the light basket was asked: “Oh I was sent to collect the thank you-s of all the people to whom God had sent a blessing. See how few remembered to offer thanks.” My life and I am…
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Blessing and Dedication of Avera on Louise, a specialty hospital and clinic

Statements and Documents
May I first say how sad I was to learn of the destruction caused by the recent tornadoes. But also how impressed I am with the sacrificial efforts of so many to assure continued and new patient care despite the destruction from the September 10 storms. It reflects the resiliency with which Avera staff have gone the extra mile to fulfill your mission to carry on the healing ministry of Christ. Thank you for that sacrifice and that witness. Be assured of my continued prayers in this time of restoration and diocesan availability to assist in any way. [icon name="file-pdf-o" class="" unprefixed_class=""]Read Full Statement
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TV Mass Homily 10/6/2019

TV Mass Homily
‘How long, O Lord. I cry for help but you do not listen. I cry out to you. Violence, but you do not intervene.’ Those words from the prophet Habakkuk resonate with us as we look at the chaotic world in which we must live. They are pleading words offered in anxiety even in fear by someone seemingly overwhelmed. In the Gospel reading the disciples cry out, ‘increase our faith’. In anguish perhaps, declaring we can’t live as you want us to with what little faith we have right now. Help us. We can be fearful; we are tempted to anguish about so much. We fear growing older, contending with sickness, facing inadequate financial resources, being lonely, enshrouded in the uncertainty of the unknown future. We anguish for those who…
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TV Mass Homily 9/29/2019

TV Mass Homily
Do you ever feel compassion fatigue? With all the destructive happenings in the world as a result of natural causes, political infighting and human sinfulness we can get worn down by it all. Compassion fatigue is an inoculation against weariness from the enormity of the pain and suffering around us. Our readings suggest we ought not to let the immensity of human hurt prevent us from acknowledging poverty, injustice, racism, corruption, disease and loneliness and all their unpredictability to distract us from reaching out to others with personal and spiritual support in the name of Jesus Christ. Saint John Paul II wrote that: “the parable of the rich man and Lazarus must always be present in our memory; it must form our conscience. We cannot stand idly by, enjoying our…
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