Special Opportunities
Second Week of Advent: The Week of Peace
The theme for the second week of Advent is peace. Too often our understanding of the word “peace” is limited to worldly peace – the absence of war. But the word peace – as proclaimed by the angels to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus – has a much more spiritual significance. “Glory to…
Read MoreAuthor Book Reading: Bread of Heaven in Jesus Christ: An Imaginative Venture
It’s time for another book reading! Mike Aquilina is one of my favorite modern Catholic scholars. He has done a lot to introduce us to the Early Church fathers. He is reading the chapter, “Bread of Heaven in Jesus Christ: An Imaginative Venture” from his book The Mass of the Early Christians.…
Read MoreWhy Should We Give Alms?
We’re all familiar with the 3-fold discipline of Advent: prayer, sacrifice and alms giving. Prayer and sacrifice prepare our hearts to receive Jesus. They have the power to truly change our hearts. But what about alms giving? Obviously we know that giving food and money to the poor us a good thing to do. But…
Read MoreOur Hearts Are Ready, Lord . . .
Back in June, Pope Francis gave a homily based on St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. He taught that, while grace is freely given, we need to prepare our hearts to receive God’s grace so that we do not “receive the grace of God in vain.” This means to be attentive to God in…
Read MoreWhat Are We Really Celebrating Tomorrow?
Welcome to the last day of Advent! Tomorrow we shift our celebration from joyful anticipation to full-out celebration. To maximize our joy this Christmas season, let’s reflect on what we’re celebrating. If your parish is stuck in “Jesus birthday” mode, you’re going to love reflecting on the full meaning of Christmas. During Christmas, God enters…
Read MoreThe World Pines for a Savior
Oh, Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining! It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth. My favorite Christmas hymn is “Oh Holy Night.” The lyrics speak of the emptiness in the heart of the world after Original Sin. The world is pining for a savior. Long lay the world In sin and error…
Read MoreAuthor Book Reading Timeless: A History of the Catholic Church
Author Steve Weidenkopf reads from chapter 6 in his book, Timeless: A History of the Catholic Church. This chapter, called “The Family Weakens,” explores Church history in the fourteenth century, a time in the Church that saw much worldly selfishness and scandal in the Church hierarchy. This period of history includes the…
Read MoreAuthor Book Reading – Thus Sayeth the Lord: A Fresh Take on the Prophets
Author Julie Davis reads the chapter “Deborah – Kicking Ass and Taking Names,” from her book, Thus Sayeth the Lord: A Fresh Take on the Prophets. Julie offers a very contemporary and entertaining retelling of Deborah the prophetess and judge. She then offers a personal reflection to help you apply the Biblical story…
Read More2 Ways a Christian Can Deepen His or Her Faith
Religious faith is an important part of our lives. In fact, more than 80 percent of individuals around the world claim to adhere to some sort of spirituality, religion, or doctrine. Most identify as Christians, and that is certainly the case in the United States. There are approximately 240 million Americans practicing the faith, representing…
Read MoreWhat Are You Going to Give Up . . . for Advent?
We’re used to the question. We’ve probably been asked it by our parents, catechists and priests since we were children. What are you giving up for Lent this year? We’re used to thinking about Lent as a time of sacrifice and penance in preparation for Easter. And it makes sense to us (I hope). We…
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