Today’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord brings to a close the Church’s Christmas Season. It is a day I would like to offer a few observations on our celebration of baptism. Do you know your baptismal date? The parish in which you were baptized? Your sponsor(s)? The priest or deacon who baptized you?

Pope Benedict has said that if we were to take fully in account the gift of baptism, “our lives would become a continual “thank you,” it is a gift, a joy, but also a responsibility. (Read more…)

Today we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. This is one of the Feasts of the Manifestations of Christ to others after His birth. But the manifestations were accepted by those who were witnesses. And those witnesses would give witness to others. Our world today is in great need of people who will witness for their faith in Christ.

When we leave Church on Sundays we are called to go home and “make known” what we have heard, seen, and received. (Read more…)

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.  (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.” (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…)