Come Follow Me
Fr. Tom Sparacino reads from the Gospel of Matthew 11:28 ‘Come to me all you who labor and are burdened. And I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
The Lord calls us. He has called us from the moment of our baptism. He’s called us into these new waters to come to come and be with us. Come and be filled. Come and be strengthened. Come and have hope and how powerful a thought, all we need to simply do is to go, he says. Come and we go. The question is, do we go? Do we realize that our lives are not an option? That it’s a demand really of the Lord when he says, “Come, follow me.” It is a matter of life and death, heaven and hell, salvation, and damnation. When we feel that we are burdened, we need to come after him and he will make us disciples. He will strengthen us to live in his presence. We must try to form a habit, of always walking in his presence. We must live, eat, eat, literally Jesus. Love him with all your being. Then, and only then, will you be able to come and follow him.
Fr. Tom has been a priest of Jesus Christ for the Diocese of Pittsburgh since 1998. He has served as high school chaplain, and co-vocation director and is currently the Rector of St. Paul Seminary and the Director of Pre-ordination Formation. Fr. Tom has been the spiritual advisor to the Magnificat Pittsburgh Chapter since 2010. The Holy Spirit has poured His joy into Fr. Tom, and he gladly pours it out on all of us. His infectious laughter and lightheartedness and like a bright light in a dark world. We know you will be inspired as you listen to this joyful servant of the Lord.
Fr. Tom Sparacino’s teaching was given to the Pittsburgh Magnificat Chapter in August 2021.
To find out more about Magnificat, A Ministry to Catholic Women, visit us www.magnificat-ministry.org
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A Moment in Scripture- ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’ Matt. 13:44-46 by Deacon David Hockwalt
Spiritual Reflection on Mother Mary – Fr. Pat Crowley SS.CC MAS – North County San Diego Magnificat Chapter 5.21.22
A Moment in Scripture- ‘Feast of Dedication’ John 10:22-30 by Deacon David Hockwalt
A Moment in Scripture- ‘Nicodemus Seeks Answers John 3:7-15 by Deacon David Hockwalt
A Moment in Scripture- ‘Mary at the Tomb’ John 20:11-18 by Deacon David Hockwalt
Reflection on the Annunciation by Donna Ross
A Moment in Scripture- ‘Denunciation of the Pharisees Matt.23:1-12 by Deacon David Hockwalt
‘We have given up everything.’ Mark. 10:28-31 by Deacon David Hockwalt
Who Do You Say that I Am – Matthew 6:13-20 – Deacon David Hockwalt
‘Jarius and the Hemorrhagic Woman’ Mk. 5-21-43 by Deacon David Hockwalt
A Moment in Scripture- ‘Conversion of St. Paul’ Acts 22:3-16 by Deacon David Hockwalt
A reflection on Teaching with Authority Mk. 1:21-28 by Deacon David Hockwalt
A Moment in Scripture- ‘ Prepare Our Hearts’ Matt. 21: 28-32 by Deacon David Hockwalt
Seeds and Dirt by Mary Wilson – Thoughts and Pondering
A Moment in Scripture- ‘Come After Me Matt 4:18-22 by Deacon David Hockwalt
A Moment in Scripture-The Call of Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-10 by Deacon David Hockwalt
A reflection on ‘All Souls Day’ by Deacon David Hockwalt
A Moment in Scripture- ‘Choosing the 12 Apostles’ by Deacon David Hockwalt
Dangers of Wealth by Deacon David Hockwalt
A Moment in Scripture- ‘Doing God’s Will’ by Deacon David Hockwalt
A Moment in Scripture- ‘Peter Walking on the Water’ by Deacon David Hockwalt
A reflection on the Co-existence of Good and Evil by Deacon David Hockwalt
A reflection on Matthew 11:20-24 by Deacon David Hockwalt: Woe to you!
A Moment with Scripture: a Reflection on Matthew 5:13-16 by Deacon Dave.
Luke 2:19 tells us “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Some Bible versions say, “She pondered.” The original Greek word for ponder is sumballo which means to “throw together.” Think of these meditations as a throwing together of thoughts, ideas, and reflections related to a particular topic. They are not meant to be teachings, but rather invitations and perhaps helps to reflecting more deeply in your own heart.
Pondering Jesus Carrying the Cross
Pondering the Crowning With Thorns

What could the “Fullness of Charity” be? What does this fullness “look like” in our lives?
We are delighted that you have chosen to join us today! This podcast features an article written for our Magnificat Newsletter and is provided for you by Magnificat, A Ministry to Catholic Women.
Today’s podcast was recorded October 31, 2020 at the Slidell Chapter Magnificat Breakfast. The speaker, Fr. Beau Charbonnet, is the Spiritual Advisor for the Metairie Chapter, the Mother Chapter of Magnificat, and the pastor of St. Angela Merci Parish in Metairie, Louisiana.
A new liturgical season is upon us. We call it “Advent” from a Latin word which means “coming.” Advent has a mood all its own. Have we got our priorities straight? We cry out “Marana tha! Come, Lord, Jesus!
Evangelization – 3 Minute Meditations
Today’s topic is “Pouting”. Feelings can get the best of us. We may think of them as childish at times, and they may well be. What do we do with them? Even after our best efforts to be strong and mature about it, sometimes we have to “pout” them out.
Today’s topic is “Obedience”. Obedience is not a word you hear much anymore especially in the secular world. It has greater significance to those of us who fear God and want to walk in His ways, but do we still see it as burdensome? What are we missing?
Change me, O God
Holiness – why is it so hard? part 2… Who is the enemy? St. Paul tells us that it may well be us! Where do we stand – in the flesh we don’t have a chance but with Jesus, all things are possible. How do we surrender? How do we commit totally? Don’t forget we are each called to be holy!
Who’s been around since the Garden Of Eden? That accuser and he is still with us today! Jesus is the way for us to be reconciled with God. Don’t let the accuser distort reality! Stand on Scripture, crucify yourself with Christ!
Holiness – why is it so hard? Why is it such a struggle? Is it just for the saints? Can I really “be holy”?
Faith. In what? In who? How do I get it? How do I strengthen it? What happens when I feel like I’ve lost faith? Can I move mountains? Do I expect that to happen?
Truth or Consequences is an excerpt from the book: Fr. Kevin’s Korner. His words of wit and wisdom were originally shared as articles written for the Magnificat Newsletter during the 16 years he served as Magnificat’s Spiritual Advisor. Fr. Kevin went home to the Lord in 2018. His meditation is read for us today by Tom Green.
Be The One … “Lord, I can’t do that! Me??? I’m not worthy….” Sound familiar? Well, if this is how you feel, you have plenty of company. Scripture is full of folks who believed they could not do what they were being called to do or felt they were not worthy of doing what they had been called to do by God. Let’s look at few examples today of “Lord, I can’t” and how God turns that around. He simply calls us to be the one who says “yes” and to trust Him to do the rest.
Accidentals – 3 Minute Meditations
Who’s the real enemy? How is the enemy working to destroy us? What are the enemy’s tactics? In a reflection given July 1, 2020, Deacon Dave Hockwalt guides us to the answer.
Pentecost – that’s something that happened a long time ago? Right? Something about the Holy Spirit and tongues of fire and some other stuff… Nothing for today’s world. Right?
What we say makes a difference!
The Paradox of the Holy Cross – what has been a source of pain, suffering, and death has become a source of healing, health, and restoration. What is the antidote for the venom of original sin?
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This is the “talk” everywhere…this is the latest and hottest topic…what can we do about the coronavirus? Pray, pray, pray, and wash your hands!
Periodically during Lent, we pause and reflect. How is our Lent going? Have we got our priorities straight? Are we keeping our eyes on Jesus? What does God want us to do or not do? How does He call us to change? We pray that you experience the presence of Jesus Christ this Lent. We trust that this reflection will help each of us come to better understand that we are truly children of God, made in His image and likeness.
40 days… 40 days of Lent… 40 days to change…
Today, on the feast of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Judy Zelden shares with us the background of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of “Our Lady of Prompt Succor”.
The Christmas story, as told in Luke 2:1-14, is timeless. We celebrate with great joy the birth of Jesus. He comes as the least among us – a child, born in a stable.


