Today we hear from the Gospel of Matthew the Beatitudes. When you add up the weekday readings, Sunday readings and Scripture readings from weddings and funerals, the words of this Gospel are some of the most frequently heard by believers at Masses. And since we hear of the Beatitudes frequently, we might ask ourselves how are we to “keep these sacred words fresh” in our minds and actions? Like anything we hear—or do—often, it might become rote.
Save the Dates for Lenten Mission! Sunday, March 5th through Tuesday, March 7that 7 p.m. This year our topic of contemplation will be Catholic Identity—Renewing Our Appreciation! What’s “Catholic Identity,” you ask? It is the essence of what makes us Catholic. What comprises the unique identity of the Catholic Disciple—the call to be Christ to another—in this world.
Nearly a month ago we were celebrating Christmas! How time flies. Already, both in daily life as well as in the life of the Church, we are back to “regular life”. From the readings of the Mass of the Nativity to this weekend’s Ordinary Time readings—things have changed dramatically...
Some confusion arises when announcements are made about our ministries to feed those without sufficient food. Here is a little breakdown of Pantry Partners, Feed The Hungry Ministry and St. Elizabeth House...
Priests, as representatives of their Bishop in his diocese, are asked at times to speak during the homily on moral issues and how they impact our Christian lives lived out. Our English lexicon is a living language which often times may create confusion in the understood meanings (interpretations and usage) of words used in public discourse. In the profession of public speaking an old saying exists: Communications is less of what’s said and more of what’s heard. With that understanding, our chosen words are very important.
For the next 8 weeks we are celebrating Ordinary Time in the Church. We enter into this liturgical time between Christmas and Lent as we return to the liturgical color green. While we listen to gospels from Matthew, Mark and Luke mainly, there are many lessons from Mark particularly during the weekdays. Because the term ordinary in English most often means something that's not special or distinctive, many people think that Ordinary Time refers to parts of the calendar of the Catholic Church that are unimportant
A teaching Mass is a regular Mass at which the celebrant—the priest—describes the actions in the Mass and what the Church teaches is actually happening in-and-through such words and actions. For example, do we just come to Mass and say a few words or prayers at certain times? Do we have a real role in the Mass—as a parishioner? When we come to Mass do we fully understand the Catholic theological meaning of In Persona Christi?
Today’s first reading from Isaiah speaks to us of all the nations of the world coming with their gifts to honor God. He speaks of all peoples being co-heirs fo God. Matthew’s Gospel on this Sunday is a gospel that was written to a mixed community—people of different ethnicities and religions—particularly Gentiles and Jew, and as people looked around and saw different looking folks from themselves, Matthew wanted “them” to know they were included.
On Saturday, 14 January 2017 at 10 a.m., St. Catherine of Siena Parish will hold a training session for new Eucharistic Ministers. The training takes place in the church and will consist of liturgical, theological and practical/logistical understandings and roles of the Eucharistic Minister in service at Mass.
Our Catholic understanding is that we look to Mary as the most perfect human example of discipleship—one for us to imitate as we seek to align our wills to Christ’s Will and become his partners, albeit junior partners, in building up the Kingdom of God here on earth. Mary offers us an example of faith and trust to follow so that we are free and able to say “yes” to the Lord’s call
This entry is taken from article written by Deacon Keith Fournier; Catholic Online, 2016...Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God or “Theotokos.” From antiquity, Mary has been called "Theotokos" (Greek), or "God-Bearer" (Mother of God) and the term was used as part of the popular piety of the early first millennium church. It is used throughout the Eastern Church's Liturgy, both Orthodox and Catholic. It lies at the heart of the Latin Rite's deep Marian piety and devotion...