This time before Lent is a time to reflect on what it means to be a disciple of the Lord. Each must examine his or her own heart in the light of the Gospel and the teachings of the Church. Perhaps you noticed how the liturgy today moves us away from our limited view into the generous unlimited view of the Lord. Jesus works to lift us from the merely human to the divinely human. That is why we love Him and follow.

It is often said these days that we live in a divided nation. Even sometimes these divisions are expressed in negative, hateful, even tragic ways. Regardless of where we stand, those of various points of view need to respect civil discourse. The late Archbishop Niederauer often said that it is one thing to disagree but another to be disagreeable.

In the tradition of the Church there are actually three epiphanies (a triptych as it were): the coming of the three Kings, the Baptism of the Lord, and finally the Lord’s first miracle at Cana in Galilee. The word “epiphany” means to “make manifest.” Liturgically, the celebration of the Lord’s Nativity soon gives way to the celebration of the Lord’s public ministry at the age of thirty. Remember, Jesus spent thirty years obeying, three years teaching, and three hours redeeming (Fulton Sheen).

This feast was for centuries fixed on January 6th. Whereas in the 1970 reformed calendar the bishops’ conferences were given the option of moving this feast to the Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Family or the Sunday after the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, as it is this year.

These prayers are adapted for home use with the head of the family (V.) leading the prayers and other family members (R.) giving the responses. The family may gather together in the principal room of the house.

To you and all your loved ones, I extend my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. If you are visiting us during this holy season, I offer you a cordial welcome and hope that you will return soon. For those who are looking for a church home I assure you that our doors and hearts are always open.

As Christmas approaches, we realize more and more that LOVE is key. God so loved us that He sent His only begotten Son. Such love is only possible by the grace of God.

In Advent, this Sunday has been traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. “Gaudete” comes from the Latin verb, which means, “to rejoice.” We are reminded that it is Jesus who alone brings lasting joy.

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – December 8, 2022 From its earliest days, our bishops have placed our nation in the loving embrace of Immaculate Mary, Mother of God. During these difficult times, let us renew our consecration to Jesus through Mary. The Immaculate Conception is always a holyday of obligation.

On the first Sunday of Advent the Church begins a new Church year. The Advent season is clearly derived from the Latin word advenire, which is a dynamic, active coming

In the reform of the Church calendar in 1970 the Feast of Christ the King was moved from the last Sunday of October to the last Sunday of the Church year, right before the first Sunday of Advent. This feast has a rather recent history.

In many ways the liturgical year corresponds with the seasons. As we come to the end of the growing season and the advent of winter in many parts of the world, it should not surprise us that the Church points our spiritual thoughts and sentiments toward what we call the Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell

As we celebrate Veterans’ Day this coming week let us give thanks for all the men and women, who have faithfully served our country since its beginning. My grandfather, father, and uncles were all veterans

On Tuesday, November 1s, the Church celebrates the saints in heaven, those men and women, even boys and girls, who now see God face to face in the Beatific vision. They have triumphed over sin and death and now are at peace eternally, thus they are called the Church Triumphant. Where they are, we hope to be. Daily we should examine ourselves in the light of eternity

The Gospel always stands in direct contrast with the way of the world. The world embraces what some might call the will to power. The Sacred Scripture points us in an entirely different direction.

Dear Parishioners and Friends, I remember hearing Saint John Paul II boldly proclaim: “Semper Fidelis; Always Faithful.” Some will recognize this as the motto of the Marine Corps, which is appropriate; whereas the pope used it in a wider sense to remind the Poles and the entire Catholic world of our heritage of a tenacious and lively Faith: The Faith of the martyrs, the Faith of Our Fathers. No ordinary Faith this.

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Today, Saturday, October 8, is a joyful and prayerful day as we come together with Archbishop Cordileone to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Parish in the afternoon concluding with Mass and dinner.