This week, on Monday, December 8th, 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.  (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…)

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away…never to return.  So…  while we have it… it’s best we love it.…  And care for it….  And fix it when it’s broken….  And heal it when it’s sick.

This is true.  For marriage….  And old cars….  And children with bad report cards….  And dogs with bad hips….  And aging parents….  And grandparents.  We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. (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…)

The second full month of autumn begins with the Solemnity in honor of All Saints: those we know through the church’s official process of canonization, and those who may be known only to God who lived lives of great faith, hope, and love. 

The earliest saints were more or less universally acclaimed, particularly those who were martyred. The formal process that is observed today goes back only to about the 10th century.  Since the Church formally recognizes only a fraction of those who are truly saints in eternity, All Saints’ Day gives us the opportunity to honor those who do not have an official day on the Church’s calendar. (Read more…)