Fr. John Bayer

A Word to Enkindle, September 18, 2020

Ready for election season? As we discern our candidates, I suggest reading the USCCB’s document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. In the meantime, here I try to promote unity in the Church and in our country by offering a meditation that, I hope, will humble us all and thereby draw us closer together.

A Word to Enkindle, August 11, 2020

I just read a fantastic book about faith and science: Christopher Baglow, Faith, Science and Reason: Theology on the Cutting Edge. I highly recommend it to every teacher and catechist, or to anyone interested in the topic.

A Word to Enkindle, June 21, 2020

Let us pray to God to send his Spirit into our hearts, so that we can love with Jesus’ very own strength.

A Word to Enkindle, May 14, 2020

“Healing by Contrition” by Fr. John for The Texas Catholic. As the diocese develops its response to the pandemic, I think we’re all very excited to get back to celebrating the sacraments! On the diocesan website, there is a decree published by Bishop Burns on April 30 outlining his plan to open churches incrementally. Right […]

A Word to Enkindle, May 05, 2020

“Unanswered prayers” by Fr. John for The Texas Catholic. In these trying times of a pandemic, many people are expressing a beautiful desire to pray — to pray for protection from the coronavirus, for fast and full recoveries, for economic stability, for fruitful occupation in isolation, for peace at home and in our nation, for […]

A Word to Enkindle, April 19, 2020

As we move further into this global program of “social distancing” because of COVID-19, millions around the world are trying to figure out what to do with all the time they must now spend in isolation at home.

A Word to Enkindle, April 07, 2020

What lessons can we learn at this time of distance learning?

A Word to Enkindle, March 21, 2020

Love fasting. Discern it well. Share it with those you can trust to tell you want they really think. And see you at Easter!

A Word to Enkindle, February 22, 2020

I recently finished a fascinating book by Norman Doidge on neuroplasticity, “The Brain that Changes Itself.”

A Word to Enkindle, January 22, 2020

The history of Bl. Jägerstätter is the story of someone who followed his conscience against all the currents in his society.