This is what we hope and pray for every day; that Christ will return and establish that just and peaceful kingdom. Whether that kingdom will be on earth or in that state of existence we refer to as heaven, or if it will happen in our lifetime remains to be seen; but the justice and peace it represents is that which we pray for and what we are assured of through the scriptures and through the 2000-year history of the teachings of the church.
The Blessed Mother being referred to as the Mother of God is easy for us to understand as Catholic Christians and has been a staple of church teaching almost from the beginning of the Christian era.
The theme of our readings this week is certainly family, but above and beyond the family bond is the love that defines that bond and the Agape love that God requires of us in all our relationships.
The “golden thread” of our readings this week is, quite plainly, the birth of Christ and, specifically, the virgin birth of Christ to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14. And these readings are meant to prepare us for our two-fold Advent anticipation of the Incarnation of Christ at Christmas and his anticipated return in judgment at the end of time. Be prepared!!!
Individuals are conditioned by the society they live in and, therefore, the crimes of particular individuals disclose the corruption within society. In any society, only a few individuals are guilty of serious sin, but all of society is responsible because it is too often indifferent to that sin and fails to make it apparent that sinful behavior is unacceptable.
Christianity has been anticipating Jesus’ return for over 2000 years, which leads one to wonder how many no longer believe in His return, so they conduct their lives as in darkness rather than as in daylight. But Jesus assures us that He will return, and he will come like a “thief in the night,” when we least expect Him.
As St. Paul reminds us elsewhere: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Therefore, be prepared! “By your perseverance (and witness) you will secure your lives.”
So the message of our readings this week is the Resurrection and the afterlife in heaven we all pray for. But it’s not an automatic for us. We have to bear witness to our faith in Christ and defend it. Otherwise, we may hear what the last son said before he died: “But for you, there will be no resurrection to life.”
Humility before God means that we recognize ourselves as God’s creation; we are the clay, not the potter. Everything we have comes from God, even our next breath.
“But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Our world is full of dishonesty and sinfulness and we, as societies in both the United States and in nations around the world, have become complacent.
Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever! Praise be His holy name! Praise God who was, is, and ever will be! Praise Him alone for all that He is: holy, perfect, mighty, knowing, merciful, loving, good! Thank You, God, for all Thy benefits. Thank You, God, for the...
First Sunday of Lent Reading 1: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17 Reading 2: Rom 5:12-19 Gospel: Mt 4:1-11 As we are now in the Extraordinary Season of Lent, the overall message of our readings for the next few weeks will be the discernment...
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading 1: Sir 15:15-20 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34 Reading 2: 1 Cor 2:6-10 Gospel: Mt 5:17-37 The Book of Sirach is also known in our bible as the Book of Ecclesiasticus. “Ecclesiasticus” comes from the Greek...
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading 1: Is 58:7-10 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Reading 2: 1 Cor 2:1-5 Gospel: Mt 5:13-16 Most scholars seem to agree that the last 10 chapters of Isaiah (56-66), with the exception of a few passages here and there, were...
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading 1: Zep 2:3; 3:12-13 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 Reading 2: 1 Cor 1:26-31 Gospel: Mt 5:1-12a The theme that connects our first reading from Zephaniah this week with our gospel from Matthew (and therefore, the golden...
Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!. Praise be His most holy Name. Praise be to God, the most High. He is all-good, all-knowing, all-powerful. He is God! Thank You, Lord, for life. Thank You, Lord, for family and friends. Thank You, Lord, for all that You have...
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading 1: Is 8:23—9:3 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 Reading 2: 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17 Gospel: MT 4:12-23 Once again, there is a shorter form of the gospel that may be proclaimed this week, but I have eliminated it above to save space....
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading 1: Is 49:3, 5-6 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 Reading 2: 1 Cor 1:1-3 Gospel: Jn 1:29-34 We are now entering the Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time. But “Ordinary” does not imply; “Ho-Hum, Ordinary.” In Ordinary...
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Reading 1: IS 42:1-4, 6-7 Responsorial Psalm: PS 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 Reading 2: ACTS 10:34-38 Gospel: MT 3:13-17 This week we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is also the first Sunday in Ordinary Time....
The Epiphany of the Lord Reading 1: Is 60:1-6 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13. Reading 1: 1 Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 Gospel: Mt 2:1-12 A dictionary definition of the word “Epiphany” would be something like: “A usually sudden manifestation or perception of the...
Para el segundo año de preparación sacramental, los padres siguen siendo los primeros maestros de la fe (CCC n.º 2226). Este es un rol continuo tanto para los padres como para la vida de los estudiantes.
La preparación sacramental se llevará a cabo una vez al mes. Se pide a las familias que asistan semanalmente a la misa dominical, compartan el Evangelio en casa, participen en un retiro, recen el Rosario y que los padres asistan a una charla mensual con nuestro querido sacerdote.
Se ponen recursos a disposición de los padres, especialmente en lo relativo a la misa. Se pide a los estudiantes que traigan un misal para que lo firmen al finalizar la misa de su elección (sábado o domingo).
A continuación, se presentan las fechas de las charlas dirigidas a los padres. Los estudiantes asistirán a clases en un aula en la misma fecha y horario: de 6:30 p. m. a 8:00 p. m.
Se realizarán evaluaciones a los estudiantes; por favor, consulten las Pautas Sacramentales.
La preparación para la Primera Reconciliación y la Primera Comunión está abierta a todos los jóvenes bautizados - a partir del segundo grado escolar - que cumplan con los siguientes requisitos del programa:
El Párroco, el Coordinador de Preparación Sacramental y los padres determinarán conjuntamente la disposición del niño - tanto catequética como espiritual - para recibir los sacramentos.
For year 2, sacramental preparation, parents are still the first teachers of faith CCC#2226. This is an ongoing role for the parents and for the students' lives.
Sacramental preparation would be once a month. Families are asked to attend weekly Sunday mass, share the Gospel at home, participate in a retreat, pray the Rosary, and have parents attend a monthly talk with our beloved priest.
Resources are available to parents, especially for Mass. Students are asked to bring a Mass book to be signed by the end of the Mass of their choice (Saturday or Sunday).
Here are the dates for parent talks. The students will be in a classroom setting on the same date and time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Evaluations will be held for students, please refer to the Sacrament Guidelines.
First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation is open to all baptized youth, second grade or older, who meet the following program requirements:
The Pastor, Sacramental Preparation Coordinator, and the parents together determine the child’s readiness, both catechetical and spiritual, to receive the sacraments.
Last year, first-year families followed the new Faith at Home curriculum. Even though we have a lot to grow in, we are very happy that our families have completed the year and are now practicing their faith and following a new way of life.
Faith at Home is a new program where our families do not have to come in person weekly, but once a month. Families are asked to attend weekly Sunday mass, share the Gospel at home, participate in a retreat, pray the Rosary, and have parents attend a monthly talk with our beloved priest.
Resources are available to parents, especially for Mass. Students are asked to bring a Mass book with them to be signed by the end of any Mass of their choice (Saturday or Sunday).
Here are the dates for parent talks. The students will be in a classroom setting on the same date and time:
April 20th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
