The King's Corner

I’ve taken a few cruises in my time, and sometimes it gets very rough.  I recall being somewhere in South America – I don’t know which area – and we had a very severe storm.  All the dishes that were set for the next meal had gone on the floor, and they were sweeping them up.  That’s a large ship; I can’t imagine what it would be like for the Apostles in the Gospel today who were on a very small boat that was being tossed about by the waves. It’s an image that lots of spiritual writers use about being tossed about in the ship of life.  The key thing is to recognize that Jesus is still with us (in this case He was asleep), but he’s there.  He’s there to guard us and protect us.  Whatever storm you might be going through at this point in your life, know that the Lord is with us. Monsignor Daniel Hoye

Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 7:00 PM Father Austin Fleming “Finding and Sharing Jesus Online” Pope Benedict called us to evangelize the “digital continent,” the online universe where we communicate daily.  How best do we bring the person and message of Jesus to the digital world?  Does online spirituality satisfy too easily? How can the online presence of the Church draw people to our sanctuaries on Sunday mornings? Fr. Austin Fleming is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, ordained in 1973.  In addition to parish ministry, he served in campus ministry at the University of Notre Dame and at Northeastern University and Emerson College.  He was also on the formation staff of Moreau Seminary at Notre Dame.  He has served as a pastor for twenty-one years in Concord, Massachusetts, for ten years at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish and for the past eleven years at Holy Family Parish.  He is the author of Preparing for Liturgy: a theology and spirituality and two smaller titles:  

Today the Church invites us to honor Peter and Paul, both on the same day.  The two are quite different; Peter, apparently uneducated, but a strong leader – one who denied Christ and yet was reconciled.  On the other hand, we have Paul, a very well educated Pharisee, who in the early days would persecute the Church, but eventually became one of its prime movers with the Gentiles.  Peter with the Jews; Paul with the Gentiles. Some writers say that we should recognize that the two of them had different gifts.  They didn’t try to become like each other – they were unique and developed their own talents.  Maybe that’s what we need to do on their Feast, not looking at somebody else that we want to be like or to imitate, but to recognize the grace that God has given us to develop those talents and gifts in praise of the Lord. Monsignor Daniel Hoye

Homily for June, 28 2015 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings for today's Homily To watch Mass in its entirety click The Mass

The other day I was talking to a priest from Florida.  Towards the end of our conversation he said he hoped I would enjoy the peace and quiet of the summer months.  What, I exclaimed!  Don't forget we are ministering to all those Floridians who come to the Cape for the summer.  He laughed and said, I forgot our slow time is your busy time. When I was a pastor off cape, the summer  really was slow. The school was closed.  Folks went on vacation, parish activities slowed down....even the choir took the summer off.  Here on the cape, attendance at mass increases substantially, the choir continues to sing and even welcomes  back members who wintered elsewhere.  Organizations continue to meet and life goes on. Our snow birds will leave in "batches":  some after labor day, another batch after Columbus Day, a large group after the holidays and then in February and March another batch will leave us for warmer weather.  And after the harsh winter we had this ye

This week marks my ninth anniversary being pastor of Christ the King in Mashpee.Sometimes it seems as if I have been here forever, at other times it seems like I arrived yesterday.I must admit that I am very happy here.  The congregation is very supportive financially and otherwise.  We have so many dedicated folks involved in many ministries.  The parish helps feed the needy every week, provides affordable clothing through the thrift shop, educates its youth with the help of so many faith formation volunteers, ministers to the sick and home bound, etc. etc CTK has five great deacons, an excellent office staff and talented folks who keep the physical plant in great shape.  Check out our excellent web site to see a full listing of the ministries and services offered by the parish. So, on this anniversary I give thanks to God and the great folks of CTK. Monsignor Hoye Pastor

I don't know about you but I was really amazed at the reaction of some of the relatives of the victims of the Charleston shootings.   When they "confronted" the shooter at the court hearing several of them said that they forgave the killer.   What a testimony to their commitment to the Gospel message.   As a pastor,  I was wondering if members of my parish would have done as well.  What happened in Charleston is a testimony to the preaching and teaching of the pastor and other leaders of the Church but more so to the faith of the people of Charleston. Maybe you and I can look at "hurts" inflicted on us by others and try to emulate the folks of Charleston and say "I forgive you". Monsignor Daniel F. Hoye

Living on Cape Cod we’re used to stormy seas with breaking waves tossing boats and moving beach sand far better than any bulldozer or dredge.  Relentless pounding waves generated by storms at sea with raging gale winds soon reach our beaches ripping open peninsulas of sand to create breaks and disruption – and flooding.  Just think of the breaks off Chatham and the one separating Martha’s Vineyard from Chappaquidick Island for about eight years.   This unruliness of the ocean beyond our control contrasts with our first reading from Job where we hear of God limiting the power of the sea and stilling the waves.  Then in the psalm we hear that God can raise up a storm wind creating high waves or can hush the storm to a gentle breeze, again stilling the waves.  Maybe that’s why we claim an act of God when there is storm damage.  I’ve never liked that term placing the blame on God for natural disasters.  How foolish. The difficult times of our lives are like storms with high crashing

Homily June, 14 2015  Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings for today's Homily To watch Mass in its entirety click The Mass

Today, I am heading to Quincy to work at a Conference for Catholic School Administrators.   Partners in Mission , a consulting firm providing Advancement and Enrollment Management services for Catholic Schools annually presents The National Advancement Summer Institute for Catholic Schools .  This year, roughly 350 people from all over the world are attending! Each night, there is something fun planned, such as a harbor cruise and a Red Sox game.  For years, my siblings and I would spend the night in Boston and go to the Red Sox with my Dad – who is a presenter at the Conference annually.  Over a year ago, I was asked by Partners in Mission to become part of the Conference Services Team as the “AV Coordinator.”  Basically, I’ll make sure that the conference runs smoothly from a technology standpoint, and assist presenters in setting up.  I also take care of the social media and serve as the official Conference Photographer.  At the end of the week, I sort through hundreds of photos

This past Wednesday, I took a road trip to Attleboro to see a friend of mine.  Since I had never been, we decided to check out LaSalette Shrine.  While it is known for beautiful and exquisite Christmas displays, they also have a nice Rosary Pond.  It was very prayerful, peaceful, and reflective. Around the pond, there are very large rosary beads and icons with the different Mysteries of the Rosary.  As I walked around, I thought to myself, I wish we had something like this on the Cape!  Truth is, it’s all around us. We all have to take a break from the busyness of life and enjoy some quiet prayer.  Whether that’s in church in front of the tabernacle, in Adoration, or walking outside, there’s a place for all.  A few years back, I recall receiving a penance that has stuck with me to this day.  The confessor told me to find time, sometime within the next month, to walk outside on the beach for ten minutes—no cell phone, no distractions—and let God speak to me. Where is your prayerfu

Bishop Edgar da Cunha was scheduled to be the first presenter at the Speakers Series on Thursday, June 25, 2015. The Bishop's father is critically ill and the Bishop has gone to Brazil to be with him. We have cancelled his presentation.

On Tuesday night, the ECHO Community gathered at Christ the King for our annual cookout.  It gives everybody a chance to get together before the busyness of summer begins.  ECHO has been a blessing in my life in so many ways, and it certainly has helped me to discern God’s will for my life.  Below is a reflection on how ECHO has impacted my life. This past April, I had the opportunity to be on team for ECHO 300.  ECHO, an acronym for Encountering Christ in Others, is a retreat program here on Cape Cod, celebrating its 45th year.  Over the past 45 years, there have been 300 weekends with over 12,000 people involved – truly amazing!

If you ever think that you’ve got this Christianity thing down, read the fifth chapter of Matthew.  Here it says, “love your enemies.”  Pretty challenging thing to do.  I know from talking with people at times, they’ll say, “You know, I just can’t forgive or be friends with…” usually a family member, but it could be somebody else as well. Life really is an ongoing conversion process.  We have to hear the challenge in the Gospel over and over again – and Matthew 5 gives us a difficult challenge to reach. Monsignor Daniel Hoye

If you are of a certain age, you may recall Groucho Marx and his show, You Bet Your Life .  There was always a special word of the day.  I looked it up on the internet and I couldn’t believe it – all you won was $100 if you got the word of the day! Well the word of the day in scripture might be now .  “Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation,” we heard in our first reading.  Perhaps we can hear that in our own mind saying, “Today.  Now is the day to follow through on the resolution that you have made over and over again.”  Maybe we could follow through on our personal resolutions to introduce something different in our life.  It may be taking something away or adding something on, but now is the time of salvation. Monsignor Daniel Hoye

Today, on June 14, we celebrate Flag Day.  When I was in elementary school, we had a special Flag Day Ceremony every year on this day.  In third grade, my classmates and I decorated special “flag” shirts – with red and white stripes and white stars on a blue background.  Every morning, we began our day with the Pledge of Allegiance, showing respect to the flag.  Flags were in every classroom, and as I drove through my neighborhood last night, I noticed every house has one too.  Just recently, I served a funeral for a veteran, and as the casket entered the church, the flag was draped over it – a very moving image! Flags can be found in the back of almost any church, too.  Along with the U.S. Flag, the Vatican Flag flies outside and/or is displayed inside the church.  It contains the keys of St. Peter and the Papal Crown. The U.S. Flag is a symbol of our country; it is a symbol of bravery, purity, and perseverance (so is the Crucifix!).  Here in our country, we are so blessed and f

Homily June, 14 2015 Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings for today's Homily To watch Mass in its entirety click The Mass

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, nineteen days after Pentecost.  The image of the Sacred Heart is found on many prayer cards, icons, and in many churches – because it is such a powerful image.  The heart is surrounded by a crown of thorns, connecting that His death on the Cross for us is a sign of love—a profound love indeed. This Solemnity is a great reminder of God’s unconditional love for us.  Love plays a big role in our everyday lives, but no love is as strong or inseparable than the love of God. Perhaps today we can thank God for the gift of His love, and make an attempt to allow the love of Christ—His Most Sacred Heart—shine through us.  We can be more kind, compassionate, forgiving, dedicating, and more Christ-like.  Maybe today we can see if God is calling us to serve our talents with others, particularly to the Food Pantry or those in need. The love of Christ will always be there for you.  How will you respond to His love? Chris Hug

Thursday, June 25, 2015  at 7:00 PM  Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.  Bishop of Fall River “The New Evangelization for the 21st Century” We will take a look at the development of the concept of Evangelization from the Second Vatican Council to the present. Examine the meaning of Evangelization and discuss why it is everybody’s business. Take a look at what Evangelization has to do with each of us personally, with the mission of our parishes and the mission of the whole Church. The Most Reverend Edgar Moreira da Cunha, S.D.V., was born and raised in Brazil. At the invitation of his religious superiors he arrived in the United States in 1978. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1982. On June 27, 2003, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Ucres and Auxiliary Bishop of Newark. He was ordained Bishop in Sacred Heart Cathedral Basilica, on September 3, 2003. He was appointed Bishop of Fall River on July 3, 2014 and installed on September 24, 2014. Nationally, he serve

Some scholars say that Harriet Beecher Stowe's work, Uncle Tom's Cabin , was a key factor in doing away with slavery.  But she always reflected in praise of her work, and basically said that it was God who wrote it; she was His instrument in bringing it to completion. In a sense, Paul is saying the same thing in our letter to the Corinthians.  "Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God." Perhaps today you and I can be a person of gratitude for the gifts that we have been given.  Not of anything that we have earned, but as free gifts from God - the gifts that enable us to give praise to Him. Monsignor Daniel Hoye

It's a good thing that we are not literalists when it comes to reading scripture.  How could we balance the scripture that says, "When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, for my Heavenly Father who sees in secret will reward you in secret."  Then we have today's Gospel that says, "If you light a lamp, you don't put it under a bushel basket; let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds." Not quite the same! Maybe it's a question of balance, but also of seeing in Matthew's Gospel - at the end of the passage - that they may see your good deeds so they may glorify your Heavenly Father.  In other words, the focus is not on what I do, but really what God does through me. How is it that we can let our light shine this day? Monsignor Daniel Hoye

If I counted correctly, Paul in this brief reading to the Corinthians, uses the word encourage or encouragement ten times.  Basically, the point that is made is God encourages us, and we in turn ought to encourage the other. As we go through this day, perhaps we can be attentive to the encouragement that God has given us, through circumstances and through other people, and then be open to the possibility of offering that encouragement to another. Monsignor Daniel Hoye

Homily June 7, 2015 ~ The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Readings for today's Homily To watch Mass in its entirety click The Mass

"He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” (Mt 12: 41-44) That is part of the reading from today’s Gospel (June 6). It brought to mind a mission trip I took to Honduras in 1997 with several members of the Corpus Christi Parish. It was always my dream when I was growing up to be a missionary, to help people in other countries, and hopefully to make a difference in poor countries. God had other plans for me so I never got to fulfill that dream, that is, until that trip to Mission Honduras. We had a carry-on bag that we fit all of our persona

"...Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.  Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, 'Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” This ending of Saturday's Gospel reading reminds me of an opinion piece in Friday’s Cape Cod Times written by one of my favorite teachers, Larry Brown.  Years ago, he taught both my sons at Cape Cod Academy.  It’s entitled “What does God want?  Larry talks about recent polls indicating that Americans are walking away from organized religion because they feel religion actually causes more suffering than it relieves.  He describes the conflict between different faiths with each believing th

We often think we have the truth.  We think others’ perspectives are foolish or in serious error.   Such is human nature and our tendency to be arrogant and full of pride when dealing with other people.  Can we yield to the other point of view including those of other faiths? Here’s a dog with a good question. Deacon David Pierce

Sunday evening we went to the 99 Restaurant with the Young Adult Choir from the 5:30 Mass. It was a Christmas present from a very special, supportive couple who regularly attends that Mass. After weeks of snow storms, unavailability of some of the participants, and various other excuses, we finally had our Christmas present in June. Actually it was May 31st, but Christmas in June sounds more distinctive. It was a fun time for everyone. It was a chance to get to know the person that sings next to you a little more and develop a closer community that cares about one another. One thing I always encourage the Confirmation class is to get involved in the Mass. If you sing, why not sing with the group. They have a lot of fun together. If you like speaking, become a lector. It can be very powerful and inspiring to the person who is doing the reading and if it is done well, the Spirit inspires the whole congregation. There is always a need for ushers. If you are someone who likes to hel

This week’s “The Anchor” informs us that Father Timothy Radcliffe is a new Vatican consultant.  He was recently appointed as a consultor of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.  As noted in the article, “Father Timothy Radcliffe, a Dominican priest who led his order for 10 years and has stirred controversy in the past for his stance on certain ecclesial issues…joins the Council with its goal ‘to promote justice and peace in the world in accordance with the Gospel and the social teaching of the Church…” Father Radcliffe gave a presentation to Christ the King a few years ago at our Summer Speaker Series.  As always, he impressed all who assembled to hear him speak.  His most recent book is “Take the Plunge: Living Baptism and Confirmation” (2012). Controversial?  I suppose he is, but that’s what makes him interesting and an important part of the Body of Christ.