Just Do It is a trademark of the shoe company Nike, and one of the core components of Nike's brand. It might also be something to keep in mind when you have a friend  or relative who is in trouble, hurting, facing a death in the family, a serious illness, unemployment or some other major life struggle.

How often have you heard or said the following words or some variation thereof - "If there is anything that I can do for you, don't hesitate to call?"  For the number of times this offer has been given or received, think about how many times someone has taken it up?

As someone who has been on the giving and receiving end of this offer numerous times,  I can probably count on one hand the number of times where the offer has actually been accepted?  Why?  Pride maybe.

This post is more of a rant. Our contemporary society has hijacked a number of words and terms to mean – well to mean whatever they want. Words that had specific meanings, now have different meanings, and are used as pejorative labels for people who disagree with my point of view.   If I don't agree with your position, I will come up with a label that puts you in a category in an attempt to make you look ignorant and wrong.
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This is am approximation of the homily delivered at the 6 PM Mass at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Slidell, LA. December 15th, 2013.  This is the third Sunday of Advent, Year A. The readings can be found by clicking this link.

Color is the most instantaneous means for delivering and communicating messages and meanings. Color has an incredible effect on you mood, your perception, and your likes and dislikes. 

For example, yellow is perceived as cheerful and energetic, yet mellow and soft.

Fox News reports that President Obama, under fire for the rocky debut of his signature health care program, shifted gears Wednesday to focus on the economy and reiterate his call for an increase in the minimum wage.

--> The Homily is based on the readings for Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C which can be read by clicking this link.

This homily was delivered at the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Slidell.

Rocky and Bullwinkle is one of my favorite TV shows of all time.  It originally ran from  1959 – 1964. For those not familiar with the show, the heroes of the series were Rocky J. Squirrel, a flying squirrel, and his friend, the dim-witted but good-natured Bullwinkle J.

As a Permanent Deacon and a faithful Catholic, I listen to what my Church says in matters of faith and morals.  However, there is one issue with which I am at odds with my Church and my national council of bishops.  They support Universal Healthcare as a right. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has long advocated health care for all.

America is in trouble. Economically, politically, socially, and morally.   So what's new?  These are not, as they might seem, unrelated issues.  Rather, these are threads of the same cloth that started to unravel when the Christian world began to slowly accept contraception as the norm in the late 1930's and then bought into the lie that a woman had a "right to choose"  and a "right to privacy" when it came to killing her unborn child in the the early 1970's.
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Well, I know that I have. Many times.  People ask me all the time to pray for them, a family member, or some special intention very frequently.  Perhaps they think I have some special connection with the almighty since I am an ordained member of the clergy.  I assure you that this is not the case.

I have felt like the lowest of lowlife when all of a sudden days later, I realize that I forgot to pray for whomever or whatever that I have promised.
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The following is an approximation of the homily I delivered at the 4:00 PM and 7:30 AM the weekend of August 11th at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Slidell.

Click here for the readings of August 11, 2013 - Nineteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time Year C

Most of you know that I have been battling cancer for 15 years. Late last year I was told that has moved to my lungs and is not curable.

Many of my friends, acquaintances, and parishioners are not going to like this post. Oh, well, I have never been very good at maintaining popularity, so here I go.

A Hooter’s opened this week in my hometown, Slidell LA. Let's be honest. The main attraction at Hooters are not the wings.  The owl on the logo gives the restaurant (im)plausible deniability concerning the name of the restaurant.
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A LIttle About Deacon Paul
A LIttle About Deacon Paul
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Slidell, Louisiana, United States
I am a Permanent Deacon of the Archdiocese of New Orleans with a ministry of charity to inner city youth at Cafe Reconcile.
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