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 Penance Service and Adoration this Sunday,

December 17th, at 6 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…)

On Tuesday, December 12th, we will celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. She is the patroness of the United States, Mexico, and all of the Americas, as well as the protector of the unborn. She is a religious as well as a cultural figure to the people of Mexico. In 1531, she appeared in a vision to a humble peasant farmer named Juan Diego near Mexico City. The appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe helped generate the conversion of Mexico and Latin America to Catholicism. (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.  (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…)

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…)

On November 11th, we celebrate Veterans’ Day – a time when we pause to reflect and pray for all the dedicated men and women who served our country – especially those who have died. This weekend at all Masses we will be observing Veterans’ Day through special Prayers of the Faithful and a special blessing for our Veterans.

During this time of continued unrest in our world, we think of those who have left family to protect the freedom we have.  (Read more…)