We now have available the “Oplatki” or “Christmas Wafers” for your use.  This is millennia old tradition that began in Poland, Slovakia and Lithuania.

At the Christmas Eve Meal one of the wafers or, a part of one, are placed on each person’s plate.  Before the meal a prayer is said and then beginning with the father and mother of the house, a Sign of Peace is exchanged in the same manner and the wish of a Happy Christmas.  (Read more…)

In the midst of this season of Advent, we celebrate on Tuesday, December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception which is a Holy Day of Obligation.  Catholics believe that from the moment of her conception, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was preserved from original sin.  It is most appropriate that this feast falls during the Advent season.  During this season, we are called to have a generosity of spirit. Mary had this spirit as she generously accepted the call from the Angel Gabriel to bring the Christ Child into this world. (Read more…)

From the Pastor’s Desk

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.  (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…)

Eucharistic Adoration has a significant impact on the spiritual vitality of a parish, and provides parishioners with a great opportunity for prayer. “Our Sunday Visitor”, a Catholic publication, described Eucharistic Adoration as “the act of worshiping God as He is present in the consecrated Eucharist.” It stated, “Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, in prayer and devotion, is exactly the same as spending time before the living God.”

Among the many ways we can participate in Eucharistic Adoration, the publication recommends the following:

· Meditate using Scripture: Choose a passage from the Bible, and let the passage speak to you. (Read more…)

In addition to “transitional deacons” who are in formation for the priesthood, the Catholic Church provides an     opportunity for men to serve as Permanent Deacons.  Those men who are called to the Permanent Deaconate can be married, and they are ordained usually after a period of five years of training and formation.  Many permanent deacons have secular jobs to support their families, and strive to balance family, Church, work and other responsibilities.

Deacons can: Preside at baptisms and marriages. (Read more…)