As we know our Christmas Season continues, and today we celebrated the feast of the Holy Family, the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the family that makes this Season possible. Our Holy Father Pope Francis has a great love for the family unit. He has challenged us to strive for spiritual unity and for the strengthening of families by following the example of the Holy Family.

He stated, “Dear Families, you know very well that the true joy which we experience in the family is not superficial; it does not come from material objects, from the fact that everything seems to be going well. (Read more…)

Dear Parishioners,

The Christmas Gospel speaks to us of a family, rejoicing at a child’s birth, their lives uniquely affected by God’s presence in their midst, responding with faith and trust to their special role in the history of salvation.

The example of the Holy Family inspires us as we celebrate Christmas. As they rejoice at Jesus’ birth, so too do we, remembering the new divine life made possible by Jesus’ life on earth.

I want to encourage you, in as sincere a way as I can, to remember to keep Christ “first” in all you do and say while you are going through your Christmas activities.  By keeping Christ first, we can be sure to reach out to those around us (yes, even those who are rude) with the true message of Christmas, and that is, that Jesus Christ came to earth to seek and to save that which was lost. (Read more…)

As our Advent journey continues, we are reminded that John the Baptist was that voice crying in the wilderness challenging us to acknowledge our shortcomings, transform our hearts, and repent of our sins. In order to provide an additional opportunity for repentance, we will have an Advent Retreat, Penance Service, and Adoration this Sunday, December 15th, starting at 5:00 PM.

One of our leading Catholic scholars has stated that “sin clouds the mind in moral confusion and closes the heart to God’s love and truth.” But in God’s light, we see sin for what it really is. (Read more…)

Immaculate Conception

This week, on Monday, December 9th, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Not only is this a great feast of our Lady in its own right, but it is under the title of her Immaculate Conception that the United States is dedicated to our Lady as our patroness – it is our national feast day. Here are 7 things you need to know about the teaching and the way we celebrate it. (Read more…)

As we know, a new Church Year has commenced as we have entered the season of Advent.  Integral to the season of Advent is the Advent Wreath, which has a long Catholic tradition.  The Wreath is displayed prominently in front, on the left side of the Sanctuary.  It typically has four candles that are lit progressively during the Sundays of Advent.  The first candle is the Prophecy Candle or the Candle of Hope.  It reminds us that we can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us.  The second Candle is the Bethlehem Candle or the Candle of Preparation.  We remember the words of the Prophet Isaiah who said, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him.”  The third candle is the Shepherd Candle or the Candle of Joy.  We reflect on how we joyfully anticipate the coming of the Christ Child.  The fourth candle is the Angel Candle or the Candle of Love.  We reflect on how the angels announce the coming of the Savior, sent by God because He loves us. (Read more…)

Today is the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year and we gather to celebrate this great feast of Christ the King. The Church wants us to reflect upon what the whole of all creation is ultimately about. Our Faith tells us that Christ will return to establish the Kingdom of God and when that time comes, the world as we know it will be transformed. This is not something to be feared but rather something we long for because it means the complete fulfillment of God’s will. (Read more…)