Dcn Josh McD

Living Water Homily for Sunday, March 8, 2026: Third Sunday of Lent

My homily for Sunday, March 8, 2026: Third Sunday of Lent
open.substack.com/pub/connecti...

The Light of the World Homily Sunday, February 8, 2026: Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

My homily for Sunday, February 8, 2026: Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time
open.substack.com/pub/connecti...

Gdi have to post Dorothy Day sign again

I do love that Eucharistic prayer now, but the first time I encountered it as a deacon standing by the priest's elbow trying to figure out when to do my thing, that prayer has so many fake-outs before getting around to the Epiclesis

Our latest Vermont Catholic Worker newsletter is an anticipation of an anticipation as we look forward to the start of Advent next week!

Cheese and/or chili are the only acceptable hot dog toppings

Issue #5 of the Vermont Catholic Worker Newsletter is now available online. Check it out!

I learned to appreciate Medea vicariously through a college friend who was a Classics major. Herenthusiasm was infectious, though I think it kinda freaked out her boyfriend.

One Church, One Family: Faith Communities Across the U.S. Unite to Stand with Migrants The Vermont Catholic Worker joins with Vermont Faith Communities for Immigration Justice, and other Catholic organizations across the country, to launch the One Church, One Family: Catholic Public …

One Church, One Family: Faith Communities Across the U.S. Unite to Stand with Migrants vtcatholicworker.org/2025/11/01/o...

The latest issue of the Vermont Catholic Worker Newsletter includes some initial reaction to Pope Leo's recent Apostolic Exhortation, "Dilexi Te"

Beggars and Choosers Homily for Sunday, October 12, 2025: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Earlier in the week was the third anniversary of my ordination. Which means this weekend represents a liturgical full-circle; in the Church's three-year liturgical cycle, this weekend's readings are the same as the first time I preached at Mass. So my homily this weekend is part new, part recycled.

The Vermont Catholic Worker newsletter #3 is now available online at the link:

I've made a few attempts over the years, but at some point I always get annoyed at the Narrator for being so rudely belittling of DQ. And I get why Cervantes is writing it that way but it still annoys me.
Maybe taking it more episodically is the way to get through it.

Saint Francis and the Wolf A Meditation for the Feast of Saint Francis

A meditation for the Feast of Saint Francis

Mind the Gap Homily for Sunday, September 28, 2025: Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homily for Sunday, September 28, 2025: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Check out Issue #2 of our Vermont Catholic Worker newsletter

And hopefully she realizes that when not in a barnyard, "Some Pig" is less frequently taken as a compliment

No to War! A Reflection for World Day of Peace: September 21, 2025

Reflection for World Day of Peace: September 21, 2025

Always meant to check that out but haven't yet

Crumbs of Humanity Homily for Sunday, September 14, 2025: Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

My homily for Sunday, September 14, 2025: Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

This Labor Day we, a small group of Vermont Catholics, are kicking off an exciting new venture! Check out our inaugural newsletter. drive.google.com/file/d/1YlmE...

I still maintain that if "America the Beautiful" is a liturgically appropriate song for Fourth of July weekend, our closing hymn for Labor Day weekend should be "Solidarity Forever"

Bishop John McDermott of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington in Vermont has put out a new pastoral letter on immigrants and migrants

President Trump says he want to enter heaven. As a Catholic priest, I take that seriously. “I want to try and get to heaven, if possible,” President Trump told Fox News. Here’s Father James Martin on how any of us get there.

President Trump says he want to enter heaven. As a Catholic priest, I take that seriously.
www.americamagazine.org/faithinfocus...

Remember, Francis said, "The Son of God came into this world as a homeless person. The Son of God knew what it was to start life without a roof over his head."

I think Day's use of the sentiment reflects her personalist philosophy more than any rigorous theological notion. Her point I think is that beauty, and the human ability to appreciate beauty in the world and in our lives, is ultimately what gives us the hope to engage in God's plan of salvation.

Dorothy Day often quoted Dostoevsky's "beauty will save the world" and the quote came into greater prominence recently when one of her granddaughters made it the title of a biography.

Redemption Booth

I mean I can't speak for anyone else but I'm ready

The Counterweight: Reclaiming Catholic Social Teaching As we confront the political, social, and spiritual challenges brought on by the second Trump administration, the moment seems right for a clear examination of Catholic social teaching.

The tradition of Catholic social teaching is vital, amid the rise of Christian nationalism in the Trump administration.

For that reason, we're launching 'The Counterpoint' — a new podcast series on Catholic social teaching in our current moment:
www.commonwealmagazine.org/podcast/coun...