Putting the baby Jesus in his crib on their mantel has become a family tradition for Laura Holt’s family. The baby Jesus the priest gives the twins comes from a manger scene or crèche. During the Christmas season most parishes have the tradition of setting up a manager scene to help people remember the story […]
Stay awake to God’s call to pray. Make an Advent resolution to pray daily. Explore different types of prayer and find one that fits you and your schedule. What are ways we can stay awake to family and friends? * Make an Advent wreath and join with family or friends each day to pray. *
Amazingly, Sunday’s gospel tells us that even as the eleven disciples pay Jesus homage, some entertain doubts. Their faith and trust in him do not take their doubts away. But in this final, climactic scene of the gospel, Jesus charges both those who worship him and those who doubt: Go and make disciples of all
Jesus gives the Christian community a mission. Read More »
Each year the Church reflects on Jesus’ transfiguration on the 2nd Sunday of Lent. The vision challenges us to look toward Easter, to envision our hopes and prayers for transformation and renewal this Lent. Today we face polarized times when neighbors and family members aren’t always talking. Fake news thrives. Violence is so frequent that
Sharing Life Experience Read More »
Mark narrates a day and a half in Jesus’ ministry this Sunday. Jesus raises up Peter’s mother-in-law after he preaches on the Sabbath in the Capernaum synagogue and frees a man of an unclean spirit. After sunset, a new day begins. Sick and possessed people crowd his door. He heals and frees them, repeating for
Jesus raises up a woman disciple. Read More »
Mary, whose own womb and body become home to God, has least to say in the annunciation story. Three times Gabriel, God’s messenger, speaks to her. Each time she responds. To the angel’s greeting, she responds with wordless perplexity. To Gabriel’s invitation to give birth to God’s Son, Mary questions, “How can this be?” To
Nothing is impossible with God. Read More »
When I have asked people to identify the central message of Christianity, they will say loving God and neighbor, or following the ten commandments. Rarely does anyone’s first response refer to the beatitudes. The thou-shalts and shalt-nots of the commandments are familiar. We know what it means to keep the Sabbath holy, honor parents, refrain
Saint are beatitude people. Read More »
Hildegard was only five years old in 1098 when her parents brought her, their tenth child, to the monastery of St. Disibode. A holy woman named Jutta took the little girl in and taught her Latin and music so she could sing the psalms with the monks and nuns. Jutta also taught Hildegard everything she
Hildegard of Bingen: Patron saint of green and growing Read More »
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.“ Psalm 19:2 Read the following words as your prayer to Christ who extends into all the corners of your life and your world: You the Centre at which all things meet and which stretches out over all things so as to draw
Part 6: Pierre Teilhard De Chardin (1881-1955) Read More »
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more Social Justice updates. Catholic Social Teaching The Church’s social teaching shows us how to build a just society and live lives of holiness in the 21st century. • Each person is SACRED, made in God’s image, equal in dignity. • Each person is SOCIAL, called to participate in family and community.
Social Justice Resources and Websites Read More »