Father Chris Looby

I took this photo of Mick Jagger with a zoom lens from the nosebleed seats! This past summer I had the chance to see the Rolling Stones live in concert in Los Angeles. Now, I’ve been a fan of their music for years, so when I got the chance to see them in person, I jumped at it.  But here’s the thing—I had nosebleed seats. From where I was sitting, Mick Jagger was just a small speck on the stage, and even though I was in the same venue as one of the most famous rockstars in the world, there was no connection.  No matter how much I wanted to be closer, I was too far away. There were thousands of people between me and Mick Jagger, and despite the excitement of being there, I left the concert feeling a little distant and disconnected.  I enjoyed the music, but there was no personal interaction—no connection. I share this because it made me think about how often we might feel that way with God. Like we’re in the crowd, watching from the sidelines, wanting to be closer, but fee...

A few years ago, my brother Patrick, his wife Shannon, and their family felt a deep calling to leave behind their life here and move to Honduras, where they are working as missionaries in an orphanage.  They left behind the comforts of home, steady jobs, and a familiar life to serve children who have no one to care for them. I remember talking to Patrick about this decision. It wasn’t an easy one. They had to weigh the sacrifices it would take: the uncertainty of living in another country, the financial strain, and the emotional challenge of working with children who have experienced profound suffering.  But in the end, they said yes to God’s call, trusting that He would guide them, sustain them, and give them the strength to serve. Today, the Church celebrates World Mission Sunday , a day when we reflect on the mission of the Church to bring the Gospel to every corner of the world.  It’s a day when we are reminded that each of us, in our own way, is called to be a missio...

After my recent move to Morrisonville I was able to fit everything I own into one closet! Read about why and how I did it below! As many of you know, I recently moved here from Ticonderoga. Moving from one place to another always involves some challenges, but one thing that made it especially difficult for me in the past was the sheer amount of stuff I had accumulated.  I had boxes—boxes of books I hadn’t read in years, clothes I never wore, gadgets and trinkets that just sat there, gathering dust.  For years, I carried those boxes with me from assignment to assignment, from place to place! Every time I moved, I would lug them along, never opening them, never using any of the stuff inside. But when the Bishop called me to this new assignment, I decided that it was time for a change. I went through all of those boxes and realized I didn’t really need any of it.  So, I gave most of it away—to people, to thrift shops—and what I couldn’t give away, I threw in the dumpster. A...

  St. Augustine's Church in Peru, NY.  I would love to fill these pews with divorced Catholics who are looking for a spiritual home! We’ve all seen how difficult relationships can be, haven’t we?  Whether it’s in our own families or with close friends, we’ve experienced the pain and heartache that come when a marriage falls apart.  I’ve seen it in my own family too—my two brothers have gone through divorces, and it wasn’t easy for anyone involved.  It’s tough on the husband, the wife, the kids, and even friends who don’t know what to say or do. And I know many of you have similar stories. Today’s readings bring up the topic of marriage, and maybe when you hear them, they touch a sensitive spot. It’s not an easy subject to talk about, but it’s important because, whether we like it or not, divorce is part of our reality.  It affects so many of us, and sometimes we’re left wondering what the Church really thinks about it. When Jesus talks about marriage today,...

  The Sacred Heart statue that sits on the mantle above the fireplace in the conference room at St. Patrick's Church in Watertown, NY Jesus seems to be a little harsh today, doesn’t He? “If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out! If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off! If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off, too!” Ugh! Is He serious about this? Of course not. If He meant for us to take this literally, we would all be a funny-looking bunch, wouldn’t we? This church would look like an emergency room filled with folks missing eyes, feet, or hands! But we get the point, don’t we? Jesus is speaking about the consequences of sin for the whole community. One person might sin, but the entire community suffers. He’s calling us to take charge of our lives and make whatever changes are necessary to live His life. Sometimes, making these changes can feel like cutting off a part of ourselves when we try to: Break a harmful habit we’ve had for a long time. Simplify our lives so we can ...

  Have you ever heard the term “G.O.A.T.”? It stands for “Greatest of All Time.”  People usually use it to describe athletes—Tom Brady in football, Serena Williams in tennis, or Michael Jordan in basketball.  But today, we’re not here to talk about football or tennis or basketball. Instead, I want us to think about this: What does it mean to be the greatest of all time in God’s eyes?  In the Kingdom of God, who is the G.O.A.T.?  Spoiler alert: it’s not who you might expect! In today’s Gospel, we find the disciples having their own debate about who among them was the greatest. It’s almost like they were caught up in their own version of the G.O.A.T. conversation, asking: “Who is the most important? Who has the most status? Who will have the most influence in the Kingdom of God?” They had just heard Jesus predict His suffering and death, yet they were thinking about rank and status! It’s almost like us hearing about some great sacrifice someone made, but then imme...

  Who do you think you are? I’m sure many of you have seen the popular show Who Do You Think You Are? —the show where celebrities trace their family trees and discover incredible stories about their ancestors.  For some, it’s a journey of uncovering hidden connections, while for others, it’s a journey of discovering who they really are. Their roots reveal something deeper about their identity, shaping how they see themselves and their lives today. Take Conan O’Brien, for example. On the show, he explored his Irish heritage and uncovered stories of his ancestors living through famine and extreme hardship.  These stories didn’t just change how he viewed his ancestors—they changed how he viewed himself. He realized that the same strength and perseverance that carried his family through those difficult times are a part of him today. The premise of the show centers around a question that all of us, at one point or another, have probably asked ourselves:  Who am I? Where d...