Fr. Cappy’s Corner: Recent Episodes
Father Allain Caparas
Having the eternal perspective, as St. Paul often reminded us in his writings, can help us live peacefully in this life and recognize its transitory value.
Anything that usurps God as our primary focus becomes an idol. Trinity Sunday is a timely reminder that there the Lord is God and that there is not other.
Although Jesus’ words about love is the most often quoted in the Bible, it is often misunderstood. The true interpretation of love is that it endures and it is decision, rather than dependent on our emotions.
Those of us who are called to shepherd others — whether we’re parents, teachers, or priests are called to protect and defend the flock in our midst, and if necessary, admonish.
The message of the Cross each and every day is forgiveness, compassion, and mercy. Let that message speak to you.
There are four spiritual lessons we can take away from the Gospel reading at the beginning of the Palm Sunday liturgy.
The legacy of the Miracle of Lourdes is more than the physical healing that has and continues to take place there — it’s profound supplication, that because we are all “spiritual lepers”, we are all in need of healing in body, mind, and spirit.
The story of Three Wise Men offers us two important lessons concerning the spiritual life.
St Paul’s teachings about the call of husbands and wives is often misunderstood because it is hated. Hate blinds us to the truth. Love opens us to it.
Whenever we come to Mass, we hold, receive, and nourished by the True Presence of Christ”
Jesus desires to fulfill more than our dreams and fantasies for us. He desires to give to us the gift of himself.
The confusion on today’s society has been the result of the lack of the “Fear of the Lord”
Christians unknowingly substitute innovations and gimmicks in Christian worship, rather than focusing on the sound doctrine and proper worship — especially the Eucharist — and which is the Body and Blood of Christ.
The key to a vibrant church is not gimmicks and more programs — it’s preaching the truth and witnessing holiness.
Christian fundamentalists have criticized Catholics about praying to the saints. But Catholic beliefs are actually Scriptural and Historical.
Both Scriptures and Tradition are clear as to how we are called to respond to social issues and how we should treat the other.
Christ’s command to give to God what belongs to God is synonymous with His command to offer the Mass. At Mass we offer the most perfect and adequate sacrifice, and by joining ourselves with that sacrifice, we offer ourselves.
The LORD who is our shepherd is a formidable God, who not only guides us, but challenges us.
St Paul in his epistles offers us insights on how to deal with our anxieties through prayer.
Isaiah reminds us that “God’s ways are not our ways.” To God, generosity is more important that fairness, because generosity is an attribute of Love.
Despite the confusion and division in the Church and society, we must pray for the Pope and avoid disunity. Attacking the Pope weakens the Church and it’s credibility.
It is not merciful to allow people to drown. Are we willing to take Jesus’ hands of mercy and friendship?
The Feast of the Transfiguration reminds us that we live in two realms — they go hand in hand. Our experience of God’s glory on top must be shared with others at the bottom.
The possess and retain the Pearl of Great Price involves a deep commitment in faith, response to God’s grace, self-denial, and acceptance of sacrifice and suffering.
The overwhelming witness of Scriptures, the teachings of Christ and the Apostles, the multitude of saints throughout history, and the official teachings of the Church warn us of the dangers of presumption and unbelief.
Christ used the donkey to announce his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and to begin the most important task in human history.
Christian persecution in the West might not be overt or physical, but it is definitely social, intellectual, and cultural persecution. While it is worse, it will never last. Truth always wins out in the end our job is to remain faithful to the present.
The Holy Spirit revealed to us that just as our bodies were created body and soul, the Church is both visible and invisible. We are therefore called to worship with our bodies and with our souls.
The Ascension reminds us that one day we will Jesus again. Therefore, let’s prepare our hearts and souls.
Our Lady of Fatima warns us today of two realities — the existence of hell and the reality of evil. The antidote to these is “keeping the commandments of God” and remaining in His love.
When we feel that God is not listening or not care, God has something better that awaits us.
God demands our hearts and souls. And although his demands might be extreme, his merciful generosity is also extreme.
Zephaniah speaks of a “remnant” people who will be called to witness to the Faith. St Paul speaks of it in his epistle, and our Lord called them “blessed.” Christians must be part of that remnant.
Divisions are tragic. Working towards unity means being faithful to Gods call in our lives.
We all have those moments when we experience a heightened sense or awareness of Gods presence. We need to savor and rest in those moments.
Christmas is a reminder to us to be grateful to our ancestors in faith and to give our lives to Jesus
Jesus’ response to John the Baptist offers us hope and encouragement even in the midst of doubt and uncertainty.
Jesus tells us that no matter how terrible things could get, there are still reasons to hope.
The story of the seven brothers and their mother demonstrates to us not just their courage, but the grace of God working through them.
Zacchaeus was a seemingly corrupt and bad man. Like the crowd, are we passing judgment rather too quickly?”
True worship of God entails that we live out our faith through actions, carrying our daily Crosses, and acknowledging humbly that we are sinners.
Scriptures today remind us of the two roads before us — one that leads to destruction and one that leads to life!
As inexcusable as it was that it took 18 centuries from the time of Christ for society to abolish slavery, it is even more excusable that other forms of slavery continue to flourish in our society today. Pornography is a form of human trafficking that has destroyed lives and relationships.
Heroic actions are not just the actions of an extraordinary few — but ordinary people like you and me.
Vanity of Vanities — everything is vanity compared to Christ. When we put the world in the context of Christ, everything is vanity.
Christian discipleship demands total commitment, loving one’s enemies, and readiness to suffer.
Christ gave His Church three gifts on Pentecost — the gift of His Presence, the gift of His peace, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Feast of the Ascension is a reminder that we are both spiritual and religious. The Catholic religion embodies this reality.
The Church’s identity as One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic implies a challenge and a call to action to live up to the vision of the Gospel.
The recent ordination in the the diocese, gives pause for reflection on what constitutes a vocation.
An interview with some of the seniors from Fr. Caparas’ Contemporary Moral Issues class at Gloucester Catholic
The story of the Prodigal Son is really the story of the Loving Father — whose heart really aches for us.
The virtue of the “Fear of the Lord” teaches us to that God is a personal God, and it teaches us to trust in God.
To be a member of the Body of Christ is to be a member of an organism not an organization.
The Wedding Feast of Cana offers three lessons for our mediation: 1) We need to trust Gods timing, 2) Mary is great intercessor, and 3) the Christian Faith can be summarized in Mary’s words — “Do whatever He tells you.”
The sacrament of Baptism has eternal consequences and this is why we must be careful in selecting good godparents and sponsors for our children
The Gospel teaches us two important lessons from the Christmas Story — Jesus is the Master of Events and God entering our human story makes us the centerpiece of God’s creation.
Christ is the true North Star that guides our way. Christmas is a time when we allow Christ to penetrate our hearts.
We need to be attentive and proactive in our faith if we are to “pass the test” at the end of life.
Advent is about waiting and trusting with joyful hope that our tears of sorrow will become tears of joy.
We delude ourselves in thinking that we can control everything. The only thing that is certain is Gods fidelity and providential care.
Father Caparas offers his Thanksgiving reflection at the annual ecumenical service in Pitman
The final part of the talk that Father Caparas gave to the elementary school principals.
Second part of the talks Fr. Caparas have to the elementary school principals and administrators.
Part one of three of the talks given by Fr. Caparas to Catholic elementary school principals on their retreat
Just like the Rich Young Man, we are called to a deeper commitment to Christ, beyond the superficiality.
Children play an indispensable role in teaching us the virtues of the Christian faith: humility, obedience, trust, and forgiveness.
There are many competing voices out there vying for our attention. We need to move away from the noise to be able to listen to God.
Our Lord accessed the Pharisees and Scribes of hypocrisy and substituting their elaborate rules for region, but in reality are far from God. God call us to an authentic Christian life. What kind of person do we really want to be?
Contentment and happiness comes when we can learn to trust and accept the role that God has given to us.
St. Louis was a great long because he ensured that his sense of Justice was borne from first prioritizing the justice of his soul before God.
St Bartholomew and apostles were all unqualified and uneducated to be given the mission to bring the gospels to the ends of the earth. We are in good company if we feel inadequate.
The Feast of St. Lawrence reminds us the beautiful gift of the diaconate, whose invaluable service inspires us to truly seek the real treasures of the Church.
Some of the disciples of Jesus could not accept the truth that Jesus is the Bread of Life, because they refuse to hear and learn from Jesus. We too can sometimes fall into this trap of denying the truth.
As Jesus invited Peter to trust in Him to walk on water in the midst of the storm, Jesus invites us to trust and believe that we share in His Power when we are in the midst of the storms of our own life.
Jesus reminds us to not be caught up in the trivialities of this world. The only thing that matters is seeking Him — the food that lasts to eternal life!
Sometimes we often mistaken being prophetic and truthful as synonymous with being rude. Many Christians often fall into this trap and gives Christianity a bad name.
The treasure buried in the field are the many blessings that God sends our way each day. How attentive are we to God’s surprises?
God often use the times when we are inconvenienced, attached, or misjudge as opportunities to grow in holiness.
A strong faith and a strong begins with a robust love and desire to receive the Eucharist in a worthy manner.
On this Feast of Justin the Martyr, Father speaks about the importance of reason, but also of the conversion of the heart, in arriving at faith.
To be a a friend of God means to be a person of joy, a person who loves, and person who bears fruit.
The crisis in vocation in the Priesthood and in the Church will never be resolved unless courageous men and women answer God’s call.
Why did Jesus come to the world? Out of pure love, but also to restore justice and peace in our hearts and in our world.
Like Our Lord in today’s Gospel who helped the disciples recognize Him in the breaking of the bread, and like St. Jean Baptiste DeLaSalle who exhorted his brothers to remember their ultimate vocation, we are called to influence and help others get to Heaven.
Fr. Caparas speaks about three characteristics in Judas — greed, jealousy, and pride — and how this contributed to his downfall and betrayal, and how this can also lead to our downfall and betrayal of Christ as well.