Rituals form around actions, symbols, and stories that are so sacred and so important people want to repeat them and take strength and meaning from them. However, many Christians may grow up taking part in rituals whose full meaning they don’t understand. They may participate with their families in rituals without knowing the stories that […]
As we move into the second week of Advent and light a second purple candle on our Advent wreaths, it can be so easy to slip into the chaos of the Christmas season. This song offers a chance to set aside some time to contemplate the world around us. We can reflect on how we
Music and the Gospel: “Below My Feet,” Mumford & Sons; Second Sunday of Advent Read More »
Whether a friend moves away or the open field down the street becomes a housing development, we often don’t realize how special the friend or the open space was until we no longer have them. We grow so used to God’s wondrous creation surrounding us that we easily take it for granted. It is important
God asks each of us to love our neighbors — this includes those who live next door and those that live half way around the world. When those we love are in need of our attention and help, we give to them without hesitation. People all over the world are asking for help, for “someone
Music and the Gospel: “Use Somebody,” Kings of Leon; Feast of Christ the King Read More »
St. Ignatius of Loyola, whom we read about last week, told those who trained with him, “Go forth and set the world on fire.” By this he meant: share your gifts and passions in an unrelenting, larger-than-life way. Let your gifts spark life within you and ignite the light in others, helping our world to
Music and the Gospel: “Girl on Fire,” Alicia Keys Read More »
Through prayer and reflection we are able to witness God at work in our lives. By taking time to be still and know God, we gain clarity on what stirs our heart. When we are suddenly able to see and feel our gifts and passions, we are able to share our lives zealously with the
Music and the Gospel: “Suddenly I See,” KT Tunstall; Dedication of St. John Lateran Read More »
All Souls Day is a time to remember and pray for our lost loved ones. As followers of Jesus, we each bring God’s love to life in our own ways. In our Church we live in communion with all who walked this earth and showed Jesus’ teaching to others through their lives. We can keep
Music and the Gospel: “See You Again,” Carrie Underwood; All Souls day Read More »
“One cannot honor another person without blessing God who created the person. One cannot adore God without loving all God’s creatures.” Catechism of the Catholic Church #2069 Loving our neighbors as ourselves is another way of expressing the golden rule — “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The golden rule
Loving God and Neighbor Read More »
We all have times where we don’t feel like the “cool kid,” when our peers exclude us and hurt us. Some of us experience this more intensely than others. We each have the power to share the love we receive from God with those around us. Taking time to remember the pain we felt when
Music and the Gospel: “Cool Kids,” Echosmith Read More »
“For I was hungry and you gave me food.” – Matthew 25.35 World Food Day is today. World farmers produce enough food for Earth’s more than six billion people, but nearly 870 million people struggle to survive on less than a $1.25 a day with little access to Earth’s abundance. Check out Bread for the