A Warm & Welcoming Catholic Family of Faith, Love & Service
Adult Faith Formation
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"I want a laity… who know their religion and who enter into it, who know just where they stand, who know what they hold, and what they do not, who know their creed so well that they can give an account of it, who know so much of their history that they can defend it.” -Blessed John Henry Newman, 1851
Our goal is to provide the adult learners of the Parish opportunities to learn more about their Catholic Faith through Speakers Series, Retreats, and the offering of the Diocesan St. Cyril School of Jerusalem mini courses on the Creed, Sacraments, Christian Living, Prayer, and Scripture. -
FAITH FORMATION CORNER
The Virgin Mary’s Love for Humanity
As recounted in the Gospel of St. John, while upon the cross, Jesus gave his mother to “the disciple whom he loved” (John 19:26). While most scholars believe this was a reference to St. John the Apostle specifically, theologians also refer to this passage and explain how Jesus was giving his mother to all of humanity, especially Christian disciples.
This means that the Blessed Mother was destined not only to become the mother of Jesus, but also the Mother of All the Living, the new “Eve” in a spiritual sense. Mary was thus transformed into a spiritual mother who looks tenderly upon us all, desiring that we draw closer to her Son.
For those who want to draw closer to Jesus Christ, one of the most effective ways is to let the Virgin Mary guide you. She knows the Way better than anyone else and can provide us safe passage, protecting us as any loving mother would want to do.
Remember the immensity of the love she has for you and allow her to lead you to her Son, the source of all love. www.aleteia.com
Powerful Peace
Having an attitude of peace and calm is priceless. It’s an attitude that says, “I’m trusting God,” and it speaks powerfully to people. But it takes time, focus and the grace of God to be consistently peaceful. One way to develop consistent peace is to learn to live “in the now.” We can spend a lot of time thinking about the past or wondering what the future holds…but we can’t accomplish anything unless our mind is focused on today.
The Bible tells us that God gives us grace for each day that we live. Grace is the power, enablement or energy to do what we need to do—and He gives it generously, as we need it. We need to make a decision every morning to say, “God has given me today. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” If you can learn to trust God “in the now,” and receive His grace as you need it, you can become a truly peaceful person. Now that’s powerful! Joycemeyer.com
No ExcusesIf only I had more money, more time, more assistance, more talent. We all have a pretty impressive laundry list of why we can’t be of more service to God and to others. Even Saint Paul had his “thorn in the flesh,” some private difficulty that seemed to hold him back from being the apostle he sought to be. Paul kept praying for its removal so he could be free of this impediment. Finally he reinterpreted the thorn: not an impediment, but an opportunity to let God be God. Maybe it’s time to stop protesting and start serving!
Mark 6:1. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
Mindfulness
Is there a method for cultivating mindfulness? Yes, there are many methods. The one I have chosen is gratefulness. Gratefulness can be practiced, cultivated, and learned. And as we grow in gratefulness, we grow in mindfulness. Before I open my eyes in the morning, I remind myself that I have eyes to see, while millions of my brothers and sisters are blind—most of them on account of conditions that could be improved if our human family would spend its resources reasonably, equitably. If I open my eyes with this thought, chances are that I will be more grateful for the gift of sight and more alert to the needs of those who lack that gift. — The Way of Silence: Engaging the Sacred in Daily Life ; www.franciscanmedia.org
Our Blessed Mother
We Catholics worship God alone. We venerate Mary in a special way, honoring her with great reverence and devotion because she is the Mother of God.
Mary is the model of perfect love and obedience to Christ. God preserved Mary from sin. She conceived our Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit, bringing Christ into our world. Catholics can’t help but honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is full of grace, the Mother of God and our Mother, for her “yes” to God that made the Incarnation possible.
Mary is the most beautiful model of total submission to the will of God. Catholics do not view Mary as equal to Christ, but rather venerate Mary because of her relationship to Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it” (CCC 964).
As Catholics, we pray that we can respond to God’s call to holiness in the way that Mary did.
www.catholicscomehome.o
Reach Beyond Patience
In the confessional recently, a friend admitted she lacked gratitude. “I hate my life!” she told the priest. To her surprise he accepted her frank admission. “Some people suffer from poor health, others from a poverty of peace in their circumstances,” he observed. Then he advised her: “Pray for peace. Not for patience to simply bear your life, but peace to fully live it.” Many of us endure seasons when our days feel unfertile, our efforts seem purposeless. We lower the nets, again and again, and come up empty. In these hours, pray not for patience but for an enlivening peace. – Take 5 for Faith
Luke 5:1-11 (434). “We have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”
5 Ways to Build a Christ-Centered Family
Making Jesus the foundation of your family ensured that you have a successful, joyous and satisfying home.
-- Make Jesus the Goal of Everything you Do. To make Jesus the center of your life not only calls for us to make him the foundation but also to make him the end goal. Enjoying and experiencing Jesus is the ultimate prize. As a family, we are to pursue Christ and his presence and make that a plan for our home.
-- Teach Children to Trust God
In their early years, children are born and raised dependent on their parents. However, as they grow, our job is to redirect their dependence on God instead of us. Jesus is the answer to all our needs and we should instruct our children to turn to him for everything.
-- Acknowledge Jesus as Your Source
Anything that takes the place of Christ as the main source of satisfaction, security and significance is an idol and God calls for idols in the home to be abandoned. A home free of idols is one with Jesus at the center.
-- Make Jesus Your Model for Everything
As we learn to walk as Christ did, we learned to love as he did. Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
--Pursue Christ’s Call for your Life
When we pursue Christ’s established purpose for our lives, we will walk with him in the center. Being in God’s will allows us to walk with and in him. That’s why it’s important to pursue God’s will for our lives and our family over our own plan.
Building the kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven starts with building it at the home. The family is the basic unit of society and thus also the basic unit of the church. When the church is comprised of heathy, Christ-centered people, the church will be healthy and Christ-centered as well. www.gracevine.com
Saint Quotes about Mary Mother of God
"Men do not fear a powerful hostile army as the powers of hell fear the name and protection of Mary."
--St. Bonaventure
“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”
--Saint Maximilian Kolbe
"Before, by yourself, you couldn't. Now, you've turned to our Lady, and with her, how easy!"
--St. Josemaria Escriva
We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek - Jesus, her Son."
--Saint Louis Marie de Montfort
“The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most Blessed Virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them.”
--Saint Louis Marie de Montfort
Needed PrayerIt always surprises me how often the Gospels say that Jesus needed to “withdraw” from the crowds, and even the disciples, to pray. Like all of us, Jesus needed prayer, in his case, with the Father. And while the Gospels don’t afford us much access to Jesus’ inner life, we know that his prayer was real; that is, he truly sought help from the Father.
We also know that Jesus was really tempted. After his baptism, the Gospels describe Jesus as being “driven” or “led” into the desert for a period of testing. In Matthew and Luke we read the familiar incidents of Satan tempting Jesus in three ways; to turn stone into bread (to feed himself), to throw himself from a high tower (to prove God’s loving care), and to worship Satan (in exchange for power and glory).
Like the most difficult temptations in our own lives, Jesus’ temptations were cloaked in apparent goodness. Why wouldn’t we you want to feed yourself? Why not let God show you love? Why not acquire some wealth and power? The most tempting temptations rarely appear 100 percent evil, for then they would be easy to identify and reject. After much prayer, Jesus realized that giving into these lures would prevent him from becoming the person he was meant to be.
In the desert of our temptations, our lives can seem dry indeed. But if we follow the voice of conscience, and remember that God is always with us, we can, like Jesus, reject anything that leads us away from becoming the flourishing person God wants us to be.
–In All Seasons for All Reasons, J. Martin, SJ
Lost & FoundWho hasn’t been lost at some point in life? Everyone can identify with the frustration, fear, and loneliness that come with being lost…which means everyone can also identify with being found! What a wonderful feeling it is to finally see the familiar landmark or to make the right turn to see the main road or to have someone help you get your life back on track.
If you identify with that lone sheep who strayed from the flock (Lk 15: 1-7), remember that God never stops looking for you. Maybe all you need to do is stop and listen for God’s call so God can embrace you and celebrate your return.
Talk to God now about the recent experiences that have led you astray and have made you feel lost. Let God hold you tight and lift you high as the divine shepherd celebrates your return.
The Catholic Youth Bible, The Gospel of Luke
Have a Little Faith!
When we read all through the Gospels we see how Jesus loved and always responded to anyone that had faith. He loved it. He loved it when those placed their full trust in Him. (Matthew 8:5-13*; Matthew 15:21-28*; Mark 5:21-24*; Luke 19:1-10*).
Also, what’s so amazing is that Jesus said you don’t even need a lot of faith. Jesus in fact said that just a little amount can move mountains. In other words, just a little faith can do amazing things in your life and in the lives of those around you. (Matthew 17:20*; 1 Corinthians 13:2*).
Jesus said our faith could be compared to a mustard seed. What’s interesting is that a mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. But it also is a seed. A seed is worth more when it continues to grow. You water and feed the seed of your faith by giving it nourishment. We get nourishment by reading Gods Word; worshipping; praying. All those things feed the seed of faith in your life. (Matthew 17:20*).
Hebrews 4:16 *says that we should have confidence; which actually means faith—to approach God’s throne of grace. Saying you believe is one thing. Walking that out, day in & day out is another. www.cbn.comRELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Pray
That we would work to build a culture that recognizes and respects the dignity of all people.
Reflect
Religious freedom is for everyone. Religious freedom is rooted in human nature, and therefore it is a fundamental human right. When we speak up for religious freedom, we do so not only for ourselves, but because we are called to defend the dignity of every individual and community that seeks the truth about God, including Muslims, Jews, and others who do not share our Catholic Christian faith. – USCCB
COURAGE TO BEAR WITNESS
Pray
That the Holy Spirit would give us the courage to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel,
even in the face of social and legal pressure.
Reflect
All baptized Christians are called to share the joy of the Gospel with others. When most of our co-workers, neighbors, and even family members don’t share our Catholic faith and perhaps do not practice any faith at all, we might be timid or afraid to talk about our faith. But in a culture filled with so much junk, people are hungry for solid food. When we encounter Jesus Christ, we come to know the Bread of Life, the truth in which the restless hearts of our age can rest. We love our neighbors by helping them to encounter Jesus.
May the Holy Spirit give us the courage to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel.
Multiply Love“Love is like five loaves and two fish, always too little until you start giving it away.”
The Eucharist is more than the True Presence of Jesus. It’s more than a communion with the Body of Christ which is the whole Church community. It’s a miracle of multiplication. Whatever we lack, through the Eucharistic celebration of Mass, we can ask Jesus to multiply our insufficiencies into abundance. We can trust he will give us what we need, at the perfect time in whatever way we’re able to receive it, albeit through a growth process.The Eucharist is one of the principal ways we connect to the perfect love of God. It is love given in sacrifice for the sake of others. If you’re not receiving enough love, give more love – be the love you want to receive. Take your needs to the Eucharist; ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to give more love instead of focusing on getting more, then ask Jesus to multiply the love that you give so it’s more than enough for your needs as well as the needs of others.
THE COMMITTED CATHOLIC FATHER
The Committed Catholic Father is the model of Catholic fatherhood, attempting to fully live out the truth and mercy of Christ in a balanced way. He not only is highly devout in his commitment to know Jesus Christ, but he enthusiastically leads (with his wife) the family in prayer, scripture, the sacraments, catechesis of the faith and in acts of mercy to serve those in need. He has a rich Catholic faith life and has built strong bonds of brotherhood with other Catholic fathers in his parish, men of faith who help build his faith, as “Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another” (Prov 27:17).
The Committed Catholic Father ensures that his children know the fullness of the truth of the Catholic faith, ensuring that his children come to have a deep knowledge, love and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who is Truth itself. He personally engages in the catechesis of his children at home and may help mentor and teach the Catholic faith to other young people in the parish. The Committed Catholic Father seeks to demonstrate Christ’s mercy in overt ways to his children by actively loving their mother and them.
Most importantly, the Committed Catholic Father relies on the supernatural power from the graces of the Sacraments and his own diligent efforts in the never-ending ascent towards living the perfect balance of Christ’s truth and mercy in all his dealings with his family.See the full article, This Father’s Day: Vow to be a Committed Catholic Father, at www.catholicworldreport.com.
Giving to the Poor – The Final JudgementMatthew 25:31-46 (ESV)
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, [ a ] you did it to me.’
Feast of Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is a profound, prophetic and powerful Feast in the liturgical year of the Catholic Church. On this day, we are reminded that Jesus Christ still gives Himself to us, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity under the appearances of bread and wine.
There is also an ancient and beautiful custom in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church called the Corpus Christi procession. The consecrated Host, the Body and Blood of the Lord, is reposed in what is called a monstrance. The faithful process with the Body and Blood of the Lord through the streets surrounding their church buildings. This Eucharistic procession can be a powerful witness to an age which has lost its sense of the sacred. We proclaim by our action that the Lord is truly present, giving Himself to all who call upon him. Jesus Christ is not dead, He is alive. He has been raised from the dead.
Parishes which practice the procession have experienced tremendous grace. In one inner city parish I served, I remember the beauty of witnessing the people come out of their homes as we marched through the streets. Many knelt on their porches, as the Lord passed by. It was an amazing moment of encountering the living witness of the Risen Jesus Christ. How much the world of this hour needs to encounter Him! –Dn. Keith Fournier, Catholic.org
Book RecommendationImmaculee Ilibagiza grew up in a country she loved, surrounded by a Catholic family she cherished. But in 1994 her idyllic world was ripped apart as Rwanda descended into a bloody genocide. Immaculee's family was brutally murdered during a killing spree that lasted three months and claimed the lives of nearly a million Rwandans. Incredibly, Immaculee survived the slaughter. For 91 days, she and seven other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them. It was during those endless hours of unspeakable terror that Immaculee discovered the power of prayer, eventually shedding her fear of death and forging a profound and lasting relationship with God. She emerged from her bathroom hideout having discovered the meaning of truly unconditional love--a love so strong she was able seek out and forgive her family's killers. The triumphant story of this remarkable young woman's journey through darkness will inspire
Baptism
Pope Francis spoke about the Sacrament of Baptism at a recent Papal Audience, emphasizing the importance of the Catholic practice of baptizing infants, since the grace of the Holy Spirit helps them to grow in virtue.
“Why baptize a child who does not understand?” the pope asked. “When we baptize a child, the Holy Spirit enters that child, and the Holy Spirit makes... the Christian virtues grow in that child, who will then flourish.”
Though we hope that when a child grows up he or she will understand and desire Baptism for themselves, to withhold the Sacrament from a child “means not trusting in the Holy Spirit,” he said.
“We must always give this opportunity to everyone, to all children, to have inside of them the Holy Spirit that will guide them throughout their lives. Do not forget to baptize children!”
Lord Increase Our Faith!
What is faith? Where does it come from? How does it grow within us? Faith is first and foremost a gift of God. We cannot acquire it on our own, through our own efforts or through any human power. "Faith is a gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused by him" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 153).
Faith is also a human act, in that it requires a response on our part. "In faith, the human intellect and will cooperate with divine grace" (CCC, no. 155). The apostles, who had already been given the gift of faith, recognized its limit within themselves and asked the Lord for the grace to respond more generously to His invitation to believe.
We must take care to distinguish faith as a supernatural virtue from religious feelings or sentiment arising from devotion. Faith is not the equivalent of religious ardor, although it may contribute to it.
Faith is a virtue, a habit of the soul, which disposes the person to surrender their mind and heart to God. St. Paul calls this free submission of intellect and will "the obedience of faith" (Romans 1:5; see CCC, no. 143).
Although self-surrender may go against our instincts, it is the path to true freedom and the source of liberation for our mind and will. God is the source of all truth, goodness and beauty. To be rooted in him through the obedience of faith opens the mind to what is true, the will to what is good, and the whole person to what is delightful.
-- Fr. Stephen B. Reynolds , Catholic.org
April – A Month of CelebrationAfter our solemn commemoration of the last days and death of Our Lord we will spend the month of April celebrating. As Spring breaks forth even nature will join us as buds and blooms begin to surface, and we spend this month basking in the joy of the Resurrection. We continue throughout the entire month to cry out, "Christ is risen, Christ is truly risen." Easter offers us the opportunity to begin again as though we were newly baptized. The unfathomable mercy of God is made manifest today if we but accept God’s most gracious offer. Easter is the feast of feasts, the unalloyed joy and gladness of all Christians. This truly is "the day that the Lord has made." From Sunday to Sunday, from year to year, the Easters of our lives will lead us to that blessed day on which Christ has promised that He will come again with glory to take us with Him into the kingdom of His Father. Catholicculture
Do You Want to Fast This Lent?Fast from hurting words – say kind things
Fast from sadness – be filled with gratitude
Fast from anger – be filled with patience
Fast from pessimism – be filled with hope
Fast from worries and have trust in God
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity
Fast from pressures and be prayerful
Fat from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy
Fast from selfishness – be compassionate to others
Fast from grudges and be reconciled
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen
-- Pope Francis
Praying the Station of the Cross
In the Holy Land, pilgrims walk the “Via Dolorosa” or “Way of the Cross,” which traces the steps of Jesus from his condemnation by Pontius Pilate to his crucifixion. The locations of some of the stations are nearly certain (such as the location of Calvary, the hill on which Jesus was crucified). Others are less historical (such as the spot where Jesus fell).
In the 15 th Century, Christians in Europe began promoting the practice of praying with the stations in their local parishes since few could make the trip to the Holy Land. So what might this ancient tradition say to you? To begin with, it’s not so important that every station is historical. (Veronica’s wiping of Jesus’ face is not even in the New Testament). More important is the invitation to meditate on each of the stations, understanding that in their totality they are true—that is, Jesus was indeed condemned and tortured, suffered and was crucified. As you meditate, you might ask what each station means for you. For example: What does it mean to have someone help you carry your cross, as Simon of Cyrene did for Jesus? Are you open to letting someone share your suffering?
Each of these stations can open us a window into Jesus’ life, and each can be a means for Jesus to enter your life, making holy any land you are in.
In All Seasons For All Reasons, J. Martin, SJ
Prayer & TemptationHow often the Gospels say that Jesus needed to “withdraw” from the crowds, and even the disciples, to pray. Like all of us, Jesus needed prayer, in his case, with the Father. And while the Gospels don’t afford us much access to Jesus’ inner life, we know that his prayer was real: that is, he truly sought help from the Father.
We also know that Jesus was really tempted. After his baptism, the Gospels describe Jesus as being “driven” or “led” into the desert for a period of testing. In Matthew and Luke we read incidents of Satan tempting Jesus in three ways: to turn stones into bread (to feed himself), to throw himself from a high tower (to prove God’s loving care), and to worship Satan (in exchange for power and glory).
Like most temptations in our own lives, Jesus’ temptations were cloaked in apparent goodness. Why wouldn’t you want to feed yourself? Why not let God show you love? Why not acquire some wealth and power? The most tempting temptations rarely appear 100 percent evil, for then they would be easy to identify and reject. After much prayer, Jesus realized that giving into these lures would prevent him from being the person he was meant to be.
In the desert of our temptations, our lives can seem dry indeed. But if we follow the voice of conscience, and remember that God is always with us, we can, like Jesus, reject anything that leads us from becoming the flourishing person God wants us to be.
In All Seasons For All Reasons, J. Martin, SJ
Kindness as PrayerEvery year when Ash Wednesday rolls around, Catholics usually ask one another what they’re giving up. This Lent, rather than giving up chocolate, why not do this: be kind. Let me suggest three ways to be kind:
First, don’t be a jerk. You may be sick, tired, or upset about some minor catastrophe that happened at work or at home. That doesn’t mean you have to pass along you anger or frustration to others.
Second, honor the absent. Stop talking about people behind their backs. Few things are as damaging to our spiritual lives as denigrating other people. It’s a serious lack of charity, and needless to say, it makes the other person feel terrible if they discover what you said—which they usually do.
Third, give people the benefit of the doubt about what someone said or did, give him or her the “plus sign.”
Being kind may be harder to do than giving up chocolate, but it’s a lot more helpful for your spiritual life—and for everyone else’s. In All Seasons For All Reasons, J. Martin, SJ
Truly Present in the
Holy Eucharist
We believe that Jesus Christ is really present in the Holy Eucharist—body, blood, soul and divinity. Jesus tells us “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:48-56).
The miracle of God’s real presence under the appearance of bread and wine at every Mass is another confirmation of Christ’s love for us and His desire for each of us to have a personal relationship with Him.Praying with the Saints
The saints help us in two main ways: as companions and as patrons. As companions, they offer us examples of how to lead Christian lives. But they do so in particular ways. St. Peter was different from St. Francis of Assisi, who was in turn different from St. Therese of Lisieux. Each saint was holy in his or her own way, and their individual lives show us that we can be holy in our own ways. Being a saint means being yourself—nothing more, but more important, nothing less. The saints are also our patrons, the ones who pray for us. Some people misunderstand this aspect of Catholicism, believing that Catholics “worship” the saints, as if they were God. Of course the saints are not God—and they would be the first to tell you this! Some people also mistakenly think Catholics believe saints “answer” prayers. No, God does this. Saints simply pray for us in heaven, much as a friend on earth would pray for us. We also pray with the saints by reading their writings, meditating on their lives and finally, by following their examples–helping the poor, living a prayerful life, and exercising charity. In this way, their roles as patron and companion are joined, and we find ourselves slowly becoming saints in our own lives. In All Seasons For All Reasons –J. Martin, SJ
Spend Time Reading & Meditating on God’s Word
In Ephesians 6:17, the apostle, Paul, writes “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” If we hope to understand God’s teachings and let them guide us, spending quality time with the Bible will help us accomplish this goal. By exploring our faith in new ways, we can find many treasures. Inspiration, peace of mind, wisdom, compassion, fellowship and the saving love of Jesus can be found along the path. If we resolve to refresh our faith through any of these opportunities, our journey as Catholics can be revitalized in ways we never imagined. Beliefnet.com
Gratitude to God
Your thanksgiving opens up new treasure of graces (1489). Be grateful for the smallest of my graces, because your gratitude compels Me to grant you new graces (1701).
– Jesus’ message to Sister Faustina, Diary of St. Faustina
The Epiphany of Our Lord
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord is observed this Sunday, January 7. The traditional date of the Epiphany is January 6 th, but in the United States it is celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 nd and January 8 th. The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek epiphainen, a verb that means "to shine upon," "to manifest," or “to make known.” Thus, the Epiphany celebrates the many ways that Christ has made Himself known to our world, especially through the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12). Of course Jesus also manifested himself in his baptism in the Jordan which is celebrated on the following day this year, Monday, January 8.
A SEASON OF WAITINGAdvent can serve as a reminder of the holiness of waiting. Faithful hope is a virtue, a grace, even a joy. Many expectant moms have shared that while they eagerly look forward to the birth of their child, the pregnancy itself is filled with joy. Paradoxically, Christian waiting also encourages us to find God in our present—not simply in our future. God is not only coming; God is already here. So while we anticipate the future with hope, we know that living mindfully in the present is a key way to encounter God. Remember that God does not say to Moses in Exodus, “I was” or “I will be.” God says, “I am.” Here and now. One of the great joys of Christianity, however, is that God always has something good prepared for our future. For the people of Israel is was a messiah. For us now it is greater intimacy with Christ, who is alive in the Spirit. And for us at the end of our earthly lives, it is eternal life. Find God today—but wait in hope for a beautiful future. –In All Seasons for All Reasons, J. Martin, SJ
God Became Flesh
Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. It celebrates the Incarnation, God becoming flesh (the Latin "in carne" means "enfleshment"). It is a uniquely Christian teaching, the Divine choosing to become one of us. Because of this belief, God is not only Transcendent, but also wholly Immanent, Emmanuel (God-with-us). While remaining Transcendent (meaning we must rise above our present condition to reach Him), God is at the same time Immanent (meaning He is with us as we rise toward Him). Every Eucharist can be likened to Christmas where the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of the Lord, and, in a sense, He is born anew on the altar. www.usccb.com
Be Ready & Watchful
“Prepare the way of the Lord" serves as the main theme of this Advent season. As we get ready for Christmas, we should not neglect to prepare our lives for the celebration of our Lord’s Birth. Jesus came as "the light of the world." His light penetrated a dark world with the strength of hope.
And our Catholic faith teaches us that Christ will return again at some point in the future.
Be ready and watchful, for the light of the world has come and will surely come again. www.cbn.com
Be Ready & Watchful
“Prepare the way of the Lord" serves as the main theme of this Advent season. As we get ready for Christmas, we should not neglect to prepare our lives for the celebration of our Lord’s Birth. Jesus came as "the light of the world." His light penetrated a dark world with the strength of hope.
And our Catholic faith teaches us that Christ will return again at some point in the future.
Be ready and watchful, for the light of the world has come and will surely come again. www.cbn.com
Advent
Advent is the Season of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. The word, Advent, means 'coming' in Latin, the coming of Jesus into our world. We Catholics use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the Lord’s Birth.
There are three meanings of 'coming' that Advent describes. The first happened about 2000 years ago when Jesus came into the world as a baby to live out his life as a man and die and rise again for our salvation. The second happens now as Jesus walks with us on our life’s journey. The third will take place in the future when Jesus comes back to the world as King and Judge.
Give Thanks as a Family
One meaning of Eucharist is to ‘give thanks’.
Catholic families can highlight the true meaning of Thanksgiving by making a special effort to go to Mass on Thanksgiving Day. Encourage each member of the family to remember something they are truly thankful for and tell Jesus ‘thank you’ at Communion time or at some other quiet time during or after the Mass.
Pray an “Our Father” together or add a communal prayer of thanksgiving to your traditional grace before Thanksgiving dinner. Use the prayers of intercession at Mass as an example. Have each family member make a petition of thankfulness and have everyone respond to it ‘Thank you, Jesus,’ or something to that effect. Families need not go to great lengths or perform elaborate rituals in order to have a meaningful Thanksgiving gathering and shared prayer time. Recognize that you and your loved ones have been abundantly blessed and welcome the opportunity to give thanks for God’s gifts as a family.
www.christianliferesources.com
God Loves You!
We know how much God loves us because
we have felt his love . —1 John 4:16
God loves you right here, right now, just the way you are. He is never going to love you more than he does right now. You don’t have to do anything to get God to love you. You don’t have to be anything more. He just loves you, perfectly and completely. Never question God’s great love, for it is as unchangeable a part of God as is His holiness. God is love! And His love for us is everlasting.
The promise of God’s love and forgiveness is as real, as sure, as positive, as human words can make it. But, like describing the ocean, its total beauty cannot be understood until it is actually experienced.
The Fatima Message
Fatima is a call from the Mother of God for a renewed fidelity to penance and prayer, which basically is the message of the Gospel. It brings out the desire of Our Lord that His Mother be better known, loved and venerated through devotion to her Immaculate Heart.
Besides a call to penance Fatima is in a special way a call for the Rosary. So central is the Rosary to the Fatima message that Our Lady chose to identify herself as "The Lady of the Rosary." In each of the six apparitions she asked for the daily Rosary, and especially as an instrument of world peace. As she revealed in the third apparition: "You must recite the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war for only she can obtain this." In this Our Lady renewed her request for the prayer she gave to the Church centuries before, a prayer that has proven a powerful weapon against the enemies of Christianity as history testifies.
Our Blessed MotherWe Catholics worship God alone. We venerate Mary, honoring her with great reverence and devotion because she is the Mother of God.
Mary is the model of perfect love and obedience to Christ. God preserved Mary from sin, and she conceived our Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit, bringing Christ into our world. Catholics can’t help but honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is full of grace, the Mother of God and our Mother, for her “yes” to God that made the Incarnation possible.
Mary is the most beautiful model of total submission to the will of God. Catholics do not view Mary as equal to Christ, but rather venerate Mary because of her relationship to Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it” (CCC 964).
As Catholics, we pray that we can respond to God’s call to holiness in the way that Mary did. Mother Theresa prayed to emulate Mary’s devotion to Christ:
“Mary, Mother of Jesus, give me your heart so beautiful, so pure, so immaculate, so full of love and humility that I may be able to receive Jesus in the Bread of Life, love Him as You loved Him, and serve Him as You served Him….” www.catholicscomehome.org
Autumn Prayer
God of Creation, you have blessed us with the changing of the seasons. As we embrace these autumn months…
May the earlier setting of the sun remind us to take time to rest.
May the crunch of the leaves beneath our feet remind us of the brevity of this earthly life.
May the steam of our breath in the cool air remind us that it is you who give us your breath of life.
May the scurrying of the squirrels and the migration of the birds remind us that you call us to follow your will
We praise you for your goodness forever and ever. Amen. Catholicfamilyfaith.com
The RosaryThe Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium. It is an echo of the prayer of Mary, her perennial Magnificat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb. With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer. —On the Most Holy Rosary (Rosarium Virginis Mariae)
Read Books for the Soul
Reading the Word of God is an essential part of our spiritual journey, and thankfully it is the most widely available book in the world. But for many of us, we treat the Bible more as a paperweight than as the inspired Word of God, and it sits on a counter or bookshelf, untouched, unread, and unused. Make this the summer that changes that. Find an approach that works best for you: find an app/website that gives you the Bible verse of the day, set a time or place daily where you commit yourself to reading a chapter of one of the Gospels, or meditate, pray and then open the Bible wherever you are led. Wherever you open will inspire you. Consistent reading of the Word will lead you closer to God and change your life.
Spend Time Reading and
Meditating and on God’s Word
In Ephesians 6:17, the apostle, Paul, writes “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” If we hope to understand God’s teachings and let them guide us, spending quality time with the Bible will help us accomplish this goal. By exploring our faith in new ways, we can find inspiration, peace of mind, and wisdom, all leading us toward greater compassion and a deeper relationship with our Lord. Refreshing our faith with the help of God’s Word can revitalize our Catholic faith journey in ways we could never imagine. Beliefnet.com
Pray Every DayWe love people. We want God's best for them. We so quickly say, "I'll pray for you" to those going through tough times — a family member, neighbor, grocery store clerk, pastor or friend from church. But do we? Here's a helpful way to have a “place” for every prayer request so you can be sure to pray. Think of it as a way to pray every day.
Monday: Pray for Your Family
Tuesday: Pray for God's Family
Pray for the church, starting with your local church. Pray for your priests, ministry leaders and their families.
Wednesday: Pray for Your Community
Pray for your town and the people you see regularly.
Thursday: Pray for the Nation
Pray for the revival of God's people and those in authority. Pray about national issues and challenges, such as the economy and healthcare and its impact on everyday families.
Friday: Pray for the World
Pray for peace and that God will use His people to help others to know Christ and to make Him known.
Saturday: Pray for the Hopeless, Hurting and Lost
Pray for the down-and-out in the world, our nation, your state and community. List the names of and pray for the physically and spiritually afflicted. Pray specifically for ministries that are reaching out to the helpless, hopeless, hurting and lost.
Plant Seeds for the Future
“Faith is born of an encounter with the living God, who calls us and reveals his love, a love which precedes us and upon which we can lean for security and for building our lives.” Lumen Fidei 4
These words of Pope Francis are a reminder of the importance of the gift of faith in guiding our lives on a path of love and fulfillment as the people God created each of us to be. We do so much to help our children develop their gifts and talents so that they will be successful in life. Do we invest the same time and energy in their faith? And what of our own faith? Have we stopped learning and growing in our relationship with God just because the sacraments are behind us? Take time in prayer and silence this week to connect with our loving God. He alone knows what you need and the steps you need to take to plant your own seeds of faith and those of your children.Have a Little Faith!
When we read all through the Gospels we see how Jesus loved and always responded to anyone that had faith. He loved it. He loved it when those placed their full trust in Him. (Matthew 8:5-13*; Matthew 15:21-28*; Mark 5:21-24*; Luke 19:1-10*).
Also, what’s so amazing is that Jesus said you don’t even need a lot of faith. Jesus in fact said that just a little amount can move mountains. In other words, just a little faith can do amazing things in your life and in the lives of those around you. (Matthew 17:20*; 1 Corinthians 13:2*).
Jesus said our faith could be compared to a mustard seed. What’s interesting is that a mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds. But it also is a seed. A seed is worth more when it continues to grow. You water and feed the seed of your faith by giving it nourishment. We get nourishment by reading Gods Word; worshipping; praying. All those things feed the seed of faith in your life. (Matthew 17:20*).
Hebrews 4:16 *says that we should have confidence; which actually means faith—to approach God’s throne of grace. Saying you believe is one thing. Walking that out, day in & day out is another. www.cbn.com
Become Fishers of Men
"Jesus said to them, 'Come after Me; I will make you fishers of men.' " –Mark 1:17
Have you gone fishing yet this year? The Lord wants you to fish for men and women every day. Fishing as Jesus knew it was more a matter of repeated effort than skill. Fishers needed skill to know where and when to fish, but mostly it took just plain hard work. Fishing in Jesus' day had nothing to do with bait, reels, or poles. Fishing was simply throwing a heavy net into the sea and dragging it back. The more times they cast the net and the longer they worked, the better their chances were of catching fish. Fishing was basically long hours of hard manual labor (e.g. see Lk 5:5).
Fishing for men and women (evangelizing) is similar. We don't need to be smart or articulate. We just need to work daily, frequently, and repeatedly to lead others to Christ. If you keep throwing the net, Jesus will provide the fish (see Jn 21:6ff; Lk 5:5-6). Those who fish a lot catch a lot of fish. www.mycatholic.com
Serving as a Family
Families that learn how to serve others grow in many ways: more empathy, more awareness, more concern and more closeness as a family. In St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus warns his disciples about the crucial nature of serving others. When we serve others, we are serving Christ and consequently will be welcomed into the kingdom of the Father.
Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25
The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Kids
Research demonstrates that a family’s religious involvement directly benefits children, teens, and adults in a variety of very significant ways:
• Divorce rates are lower and marital satisfaction and quality scores highest among religiously involved couples.
• Religious practices are linked with family satisfaction, closer father-child relationships, and closer parent-child relationships.
• There is less domestic violence among more religious couples, and religious parents are less likely to abuse or yell at their children.
• Religious involvement promotes involved and responsible fathering and is associated with more involved mothering.
• Greater religiosity in parents and youth is associated with a variety of protective factors for adolescents. Adolescent religiosity is inversely related with many high-risk behaviors, all of which have potential to greatly influence the adolescents’ current and future family relationship.
“Since many studies now show the beneficial consequences of religious belief, practice, and community support on health, mental health, and relationships, it appears that one of the most important things parents can do for their children is spiritual and religious experience and community” (Research of Dollahite and Thatcher)Father’s Day Proclamation
Fathers play a unique and important role in the lives of their children. As mentor, protector, and provider, a father fundamentally influences the shape and direction of his child's character by giving love, care, discipline, and guidance. As we observe Father's Day, our nation honors fatherhood and urges fathers to commit themselves selflessly to the success and well-being of their children. And we reaffirm the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. Raising a child requires significant time, effort, and sacrifice; and it is one of the most hopeful and fulfilling experiences a man can ever know. A father can derive great joy from seeing his child grow from infancy to adulthood. As a child matures into independence and self-reliance, the value of a parent's hard work, love, and commitment comes to fruition.Responsible fatherhood is important to a healthy and civil society. Numerous studies confirm that children whose fathers are present and involved in their lives are more likely to develop into prosperous and healthy adults. Children learn by example; and they need their father's presence as examples of virtue in their daily lives. A child's sense of security can be greatly enhanced by seeing his parents in a loving and faithful marriage." --George W. Bush
President, USA
The Holy Trinity
The Holy Trinity - Three Persons in One God. How in the world can anyone explain that? The answer is that we in this world cannot. It is a mystery beyond our comprehension. How can there be three distinct persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - but yet each the same God? This is truly a question that we take on faith as Catholics, because our limited human brains simply cannot understand it. The word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible, but yet, Church teaching on the Trinity, which was formulated over time, does. Remember the words of Jesus in John 16:12-13: "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come." Catholic-link.org
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the foundation and common thread of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which in the 50 years of its existence, has touched the lives of over 120 million Catholics in more than 200 countries. Back in 2004, Pope John Paul II said, “Thanks to the Charismatic Movement, a multitude of Christians, men and women, young people and adults have rediscovered Pentecost as a living reality in their daily lives.”
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not a sacrament. It is a sovereign action of God, which usually occurs when someone with a disposition of surrender and docility, prays for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in his or her life.
Catholic-link.org
Prayer to Mary Mother of God for all MothersMary, on this day when we honor all mothers, we turn to you. We thank the Lord whom you serve for the great gift of motherhood. Never has it been known that anyone who sought your intercession was left unaided by grace. Dear Mother, thank you for your "Yes" to the invitation of the angel which brought heaven to earth and changed human history. You opened yourself to God's word and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Dear Mother, intercede for all of our mothers. Ask your Divine Son to give them the grace of surrendered love so that they could join with you in giving their own "Fiat." May they find daily strength to say yes to the call to the sacrificial love - the very heart of the vocation of motherhood. May their love and witness be a source of great inspiration for all of us called to follow your Son.
On this Mother’s Day, Mother of the Word Incarnate, pray for us who have recourse to thee. –www.Catholiconline
Virgin Mary’s Special Role in Helping Us
As the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary has a unique position among the saints, indeed, among all creatures. She is exalted, yet still one of us. Redeemed by reason of the merits of her Son and united to Him by a close and indissoluble tie, she is endowed with the high office and dignity of being the Mother of the Son of God, by which account she is also the beloved daughter of the Father and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Because of this gift of sublime grace she far surpasses all creatures, both in heaven and on earth. At the same time, however, because she belongs to the offspring of Adam she is one with all those who are to be saved.
Mary embraced God's will and freely chose to cooperate with God's grace, thereby fulfilling a crucial role in God's plan of salvation. Throughout the centuries, the Church has turned to the Blessed Virgin in order to come closer to Christ. Many forms of piety toward the Mother of God developed that help bring us closer to her Son. In these devotions to Mary, "while the Mother is honored, the Son, through whom all things have their being and in whom it has pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell, is rightly known, loved and glorified and . . . all His commands are observed."33 The Church honors her as the Mother of God, looks to her as a model of perfect discipleship, and asks for her prayers to God on our behalf. www.ussb.orgPope Francis at Easter Mass 2017
This Easter Pope Francis broke with tradition, giving an off-the-cuff homily during Mass about what he described as a nagging question for many faithful: Why are there so many tragedies and wars if Jesus has risen from the dead, a belief that Christians celebrate each Easter?
He gestured toward the potted hyacinths, tulips and daffodils, which came from the Netherlands, and which were arranged in neat rows on the steps leading to the imposing church.
Easter "isn't a party with lots of flowers. This is pretty, but it's not this, it's more than this," Francis said.
He said having faith on Easter gives sense in the middle of "so many calamities: the sense of looking beyond, the sense of saying, look, there isn't a wall, there's a horizon, there's life, there's joy."
A Lighter You!Possessions might seem like blessings but can end up being burdens. Many saints went to great lengths to empty their pockets in order to lighten their hearts. Case in point: Sixth-century Brigid of Kildare, who enraged her Druid dad by giving to the needy everything that was not nailed down. When a nobleman tried to stop her chariot, she charged his blockage, surviving but totally her chariot. Finally her father decided to sell her at market, but she entered the monastery instead.
Give in to the spirit of generosity—and you just might find that the new lighter you can’t get enough of less. Matthew 25:31-46 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink.
Take Five For Fatih
Making Quality Time for Family
In today’s fast-paced world, having quality time with others can be a real struggle, a real sacrifice. In light of this fact, Lent, a season of sacrifice and reflection, is the perfect time to circle the wagons and draw near to one another, to reconnect and to be renewed. Below are suggestions to get the most out of your family time this Lent:
Compare schedules, mark a time each day/week to gather as a family and commit to it!
Take turns reviewing the good, the bad, and the ugly of your day/week. In doing so, give thanks to God for the good moments, ask for God’s help and forgiveness for the bad ones and patience for when things get downright ugly.
Take stock of what you are thankful for. This is especially helpful for the times we find ourselves drifting through Mass on Sunday. Mass is a time of thanksgiving, a time when God and we express our gratitude to each other. Bring your list of “thanksgivings” to Mass, reflect on them, as a family, after communion. Don’t just sit together. Pray together.
Take turns praying from the heart. There is no better way to end your quality time together than with prayer. Prayer from the heart is exceptionally powerful, as we express faith in our own words which, in turn, confirms and strengthens us and those around us.
Activities for Busy Catholic Families
Ideas to enrich your celebration of Lent at home:
Lenten Family Mealtime: In addition to “Meatless Friday,” designate one evening a week to prepare a meal together. Assign a different dish or task to each family member. Before starting, discuss how each family member is giving to the others—giving time, effort, and care to nourish the entire family to go out and do God’s will. Begin with a prayer of thanks and petition.
Family Lenten Reading: Prominently display the Bible and other books that feature topics such as Lent, forgiveness, prayer, Scripture, generosity, social justice and service for others. Invite family members to choose books and discuss what you read.
Family Kindness and Sharing: On slips of paper, write random acts of kindness, such as give a compliment, say hi to an old friend, carry someone’s heavy load. Present each family member with a slip of paper as he or she leaves in the morning. Invite each family member to perform the kindness without seeking recognition. Afterward, talk together about what happened. Pray with one another that your kindnesses will be passed on throughout Lent and beyond.
Giving to Charities: Ask each family member to find three to five high-quality, useful items that would be appreciated by those who are less fortunate. Donate the items to a favorite charity. Pray together for those who will receive them.
A Prayer for the Nation
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
--Washington D.C., March 4, 1801Teaching your Children about Abortion
Abortion builds on the lie that the smallest and weakest among us have less value and can even be discarded. Teaching children about abortion is not as difficult as many think. Children are particularly receptive to the message of equality of all people, and to the truth that might does not make right. They have a keen sense of justice and fairness. They know what it means to need protection from dangers they can neither withstand nor understand. They know what a baby is, and they know it is wrong to kill a baby.
Furthermore, they have not been around long enough to practice the mental gymnastics of denial that are necessary for developing and maintaining a pro-choice position.
It is not necessary to teach children the details of reproduction before they learn that abortion is a bad thing. The basis for teaching about abortion is not the reproductive system, but the dignity and worth of every human person, whether that person is big or small, young or old, healthy or sick, wanted or unwanted, convenient or inconvenient.
The basis for teaching young people about abortion is the same basis on which we teach that the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” applies to any other category of people . –Father Frank Pavone; full article from Priests for Life on our website .
More New Year’s Resolutions
Why not tie your faith to some of your New Year’s resolutions/goals? Below are more ideas (continued from last week) to implement doing just that.
A Catholic Smartphone?
Surprisingly, you’ll find plenty of smartphone apps to help you become a better Catholic. Simply type “Catholic” in your phone’s app store search index, and you’ll find a long list of apps including prayers, Catholic radio stations, Confession guides, Bibles, etc. Instead of texting or checking email during idle time, make use of those apps to learn more about your faith.
Find a Patron Saint
If you don’t have a patron saint, it’s time to find one! Saints are our heroes in faith and are powerful intercessors for us in heaven. You might want to learn more about the saint you were named after, your Confirmation saint, the patron saint of your profession or hobby or any saint who interests you.
Attend Daily Mass
Most parishes, including ours, offer daily Mass during the week in the morning or during lunch. Most daily Masses take only about 30 minutes of your day. The Eucharist nourishes and strengthens our faith!NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS AND YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH
With the New Year 2017 comes new hope for a new beginning. A new beginning is a perfect time to decide to strengthen your Catholic faith life. Why not tie your faith to some of your New Year’s resolutions/goals? Below are some ideas to implement doing just that. Prayer – Add more prayer to your daily life. Faith Formation – No matter how old you are (children and adults alike), there are religious education programs designed to deepen your faith knowledge and formation. Find out what our Parish offers and join a program designed to deepen your faith or a Bible Study group. Be Active and Get Involved – Going to Mass on Sunday is only part of being a Catholic Christian. There are so many ministries within the Catholic Church and all of them need volunteers to keep them running. What ministries are offered within our Parish? What interests you? Do you see an unmet need within our Parish? Attend Mass – Try to attend daily Mass as often as your schedule will allow. What better way to start the day?
READING THE BIBLE
Today's Catholic is called to take an intelligent, spiritual approach to God’s Word in the Bible. Below are pointers for more fruitful Scripture reading:
Bible reading is for Catholics. The Church encourages Catholics to make reading the Bible part of their daily prayer lives. Reading these inspired words, people grow deeper in their relationship with God and come to understand their place in the community God has called them to in himself. --Prayer is the beginning and the end. Reading the Bible is not like reading a novel or a history book. It should begin with a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to the Word of God. Scripture reading should end with a prayer that this Word will bear fruit in our lives, helping us to become holier and more faithful people. (continued next week…)
Know what the Bible is – and what it isn't. The Bible is the story of God's relationship with the people he has called to himself. It is not intended to be read as history text, a science book, or a political manifesto. In the Bible, God teaches us the truths that we need for the sake of our salvation. The sum is greater than the parts. Read the Bible in context. What happens before and after – even in other books – helps us to understand the true meaning of the text. The old relates to the new. The Old Testament and the New Testament shed light on each other. While we read the Old Testament in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus, it has its own value as well. Together, these testaments help us to understand God's plan for human beings.
You do not read alone. By reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture, Catholics join those faithful men and women who have taken God's Word to heart and put it into practice in their lives. We read the Bible within the tradition of the Church to benefit from the holiness and wisdom of all the faithful. What is God saying to me? The Bible is not addressed only to long-dead people in a faraway land. It is addressed to each of us in our own unique situations. When we read, we need to understand what the text says and how the faithful have understood its meaning in the past. In light of this understanding, we then ask: What is God saying to me? Reading isn't enough. If Scripture remains just words on a page, our work is not done. We need to meditate on the message and put it into action in our lives. Only then can the word be "living and effective."(Hebrews 4:12). www.usccb.orgHow to Make Sunday Holy
Keeping Sundays holy does not mean that you have to completely change your lifestyle. If your job requires that you work on Sunday, you don’t have to quit. Instead, try to incorporate the holiness of the day into whatever you do; try to set aside some time during the day to reflect on God. If your family members are sports fans, turning off the TV or refusing tickets to a game would only create resentment and could actually turn people away from God. The key is to look at sports as a form of rest and recreation which allows you to appreciate God’s gift of athletic ability. If you’re invited to the theater or some special performance on Sunday, it’s not wrong to go. Be grateful to God and enjoy yourself. But, remember to do ALL things for the glory of God! To Him goes ALL the glory!FAITH-BUILDING DREAMS
When God wants to work in your life, God always gives you a dream — about yourself, about what God wants you to do, about how God will use your life to impact the world. How do you know when a dream is from God? If a dream comes from God, it will be so big that you can’t do it on your own. If you could do it on your own, you wouldn’t need faith. –R. Warren
Guidelines to Becoming Better Catholics (#1 of 4)
1. Pray
Prayer must be directed at developing an intimate relationship with Christ. There are many ways to pray, including the prayers of the Mass, the Rosary, the prayers we have memorized since childhood, and simply sitting down, imagining that Jesus is sitting next to you and speaking with him. St. Thérèse of Lisieux describes this sort of prayer as “a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” This prayer, as is all prayer, is a response to God’s love. It is most appropriate when we receive the Eucharist, our highest form of prayer. Use all forms of prayer.
2. Study
We need to know our faith. [Your] parish offers several ways of doing this through religious education classes, but I would also like to recommend getting a subscription to the National Catholic Register to learn from a faithful Catholic source just what is really going on in the Church worldwide. Find out where to find the answers to questions. An excellent Bible for this purpose is the Catholic Answers Bible. We must immerse ourselves in our faith. We should have religious symbols in our homes. I have several Jewish friends and when I go to their house the first thing I see is a mezuzah on their doorpost. They have Menorahs and Hebrew writings in their homes. They are fighting for the survival of their faith. Let’s be honest, in our families, we are, too!
3. Be GenerousWe should be generous not only with our Parish but with our neighbors and friends and even those we don’t particularly like. Jesus tells us that our Father sends the rain on the good and the bad. (Matthew 5:45) and that we are to be perfect just as our heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48).
4. EvangelizeProclaim the kingdom of heaven. In the Gospel, Jesus sent out the twelve apostles as an example for us. (Mark 6:7). St. Peter tells us that we should “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do so with gentleness and reverence.” (1 Peter 3:15). We must evangelize with faith and humility. (Matthew 5:48).
Take Time to Focus on the Family
The Church faces several challenges with regard to engaging the family, including hectic schedules and divided attention. A recent study showed a shocking decrease in the amount of time devoted solely to family conversation, a 33 percent decrease in families eating dinner together, and a 28 percent drop in family vacations. In the same period, the time children spent in structured sports doubled, and passive spectator leisure time increased five-fold. Another study showed that 28 percent of Americans say they are spending less time with their families than in the previous year and this rise appears to be related to more time on digital media. Let’s be on guard and work at giving that precious time and attention back to the family—the domestic Church.
7 Ways to Strengthen Your Catholic Faith
1. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Although it’s a Sacrament that many of us shy away from, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a blessing. It’s a powerful way to ask God’s forgiveness for our sins and a powerful way to receive that mercy. It’s an invitation to start anew.
2. Help People in Need
We are all called to see the face of Christ in others. At the same time, we are all called to let the light of Christ shine within us. Volunteering to help those in need and joyfully giving what we can to assist them is a wonderful way to fulfill both callings. Praying for people on a prayer list and souls in Purgatory are also great ways to bless others.3. Join a Church Ministry
God gives us all unique gifts. Sharing them with our fellow Parishioners in service of God, the Church and our neighbors are excellent ways to show God our appreciation. Our parishes are also a great place to nurture our gifts, so we can share them with our communities and our world.
4. Go to Eucharistic Adoration
What better gift can we give Jesus (and ourselves) than to spend quiet time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament? Pope John Paul II used to spend hours there. Beliefnet.com Continued next week…
5. Participate in a Retreat or WorkshopChristian retreats, seminars and workshops can enrich our faith in various ways. They can reignite our passion for God’s Word and our love for Jesus. They can also inspire us by giving us new ways to pray to, praise and serve God. The blessings of fellowship and friendship also enhance our lives in amazing ways. 6. Pray the Rosary In St. John Paul II’s “Rosarium Virginis Mariae,” the beloved pope stated “With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of His love.” With information available on many Catholic websites, at religious bookstores, in churches and on Catholic cable channels, it is easy to learn how to pray the Mysteries of the Rosary. It’s a beautiful way to draw closer to Jesus. (We say it every Thursday night at 7pm in our Adoration Chapel! Join us!) Beliefnet.com Continued next week…
Spend Time Reading & Meditating on God’s Word
In Ephesians 6:17, the apostle, Paul, writes “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” If we hope to understand God’s teachings and let them guide us, spending quality time with The Bible will help us accomplish this goal. By exploring our faith in new ways, we can find many treasures. Inspiration, peace of mind, wisdom, compassion, fellowship and the saving love of Jesus can be found along the path. If we resolve to refresh our faith through any of these opportunities, our journey as Catholics can be revitalized in ways we never imagined. Beliefnet.com
Financial Freedom God’s Way
It is important to know why you want to become financially free. This may seem like a “no-brainer.” After all, why would you want to be in financial bondage because of debt? Freedom-from-debt looks like the logical choice. Nevertheless, your motivation for becoming debt free is important. Being released from the tension and anxiety of debt and being able to do what you want, when you want, might be high on a priority list. But for the Christian, learning God’s biblical principles of finances, and practicing them in order to become debt free, actually is a path to know Christ more intimately and be financially free to serve Him. This means, however, that you must trust God and be willing to submit to His will and direction. We say we trust God, but there’s a great difference between saying and trusting. Often we trust if it’s convenient or necessary as a last resort. God expects us to trust Him daily, in all things. If you’re serious about becoming financially free, take these action steps: Transfer ownership to God. Recognize that God really owns what you have and that includes your family as well as your time and things. Recognize this biblical principle or it will be impossible to free yourself financially. "The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it." (Psalm 24:1 NASB) www.focusonthefamily.com
Get Out of Debt
Break the habits that keep you in debt – like spending more than you earn and borrowing. Save so you don’t have to borrow. "Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it." (Proverbs 15:16 NASB) Accept God’s Provision for You. God is wiser than you are and He will provide for your needs just as He promised. "Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ " (Matthew 6:31 NASB). Refuse Temptations to Make Hasty Financial Decisions. Don’t buy into get-rich-quick schemes or be pressured to make quick decisions based on incomplete information. "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty." (Proverbs 21:5 NASB) www.focusonthefamily.com
Strive for excellence in all you do
Set high standards for yourself and your family. Humility doesn’t mean second best. "Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking the utterance of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever." (1 Peter 4:11 NASB) Seek contentment through your relationship with God. A discontented spirit produces greed and covetousness. Contentment results from a proper relationship with God based on accepting the lifestyle that He has made provision for in your life. "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need." (Philippians 4:11-12 NASB) www.focusonthefamily.com
Believe God’s Promise That Your Needs Will Be Met
Sometimes God will do this through the abundance of others. However, He never promises to provide equally for everyone. As a Christian, learn to accept God’s provision for you, because it is clear evidence of the role He has designed for you in His plan. Accept His provision without resentment because, "At this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality." (2 Corinthians 8:14 NASB)
Spiritual reading of Sacred Scripture
Spiritual reading of Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels, is an important form of meditation. This spiritual reading is traditionally called divine reading. The first element of this type of prayer is reading: take a short passage from the Bible, preferably a Gospel passage and read it carefully, perhaps three or more times. Let it really soak-in. The second element is meditation: By using your imagination enter into the Biblical scene in order to "see" the setting, the people, the unfolding action. It is through this meditation that you encounter the text and discover its meaning for your life. The next element is prayer or your personal response to the text: asking for graces, offering praise or thanksgiving, seeking healing or forgiveness. In this prayerful engagement with the text, you open yourself up to the possibility of contemplation. Contemplation is a gaze turned toward Christ and the things of God: By God's action of grace, you may be raised above meditation to a state of seeing or experiencing the text as mystery and reality. In contemplation, you come into an experiential contact with the One behind and beyond the text.
The Rosary
The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium. It is an echo of the prayer of Mary, her perennial Magnificat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb. With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer. —On the Most Holy Rosary (Rosarium Virginis Mariae)
Eucharistic Adoration
Eucharistic Adoration is an extension of the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which occurs in every Mass: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb." Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament flows from the sacrifice of the Mass and serves to deepen our hunger for Communion with Christ and the rest of the Church.