By Sister Ann Shields 1st Sunday of Advent: November 28 In this first week of Advent, let us focus on preparing our hearts and souls for the great feast of Christmas. We are, in a certain way, invited to the celebration of his birth-day as we attend Midnight Mass or the Mass on Christmas morning. [...]
By Michelle DiFranco It’s the official drink of the “Please join us for refreshments after Mass” Catholic fellowship hour. Its translucent color has earned a reputation for satisfying the eye in contrast to its environment – the pale yellow cinder block walls and brown tiles of the church basement. It’s the one “refreshment” that sits [...]
By Cynthia Kaan Are you and your group of friends just starting out and wondering if you can afford to do a gift exchange? Why not try this — do away with friend gifts altogether! Celebrate the true spirit of Christmas without material gifting. 1. Adopt a family together. Why not grab an angel or [...]
By Sister Ann Shield The word was made flesh. The very source of life, the creator of all things of us sent his son in the likeness of sinful man. The Father sent his Son in human flesh to dwell among us that we might draw near to God. Do we? Often, I hear people [...]
God loves us so much that he decided not just to save us, but to do it by becoming one of us. Although we know that Jesus — God among us — is the reason for the season, it’s easy to get caught up in parties, gifts, greeting cards and baking. Here are a few [...]
By Sister Ann Shields O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. (Psalm 30:13) We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks; we call on your name and recount your wondrous deeds. (Psalm 75:2) Are the thoughts reflected in these psalms common, rare or nonexistent in your everyday life? For [...]
“Traditionis Custodes” and the Liturgical Rites of the Roman Catholic Church Pope Francis issued a motu proprio on July 16 declaring that “the liturgical books promulgated by Saint Paul VI and Saint John Paul II, in conformity with the decrees of Vatican Council II, are the unique expression of the lex orandi(rule of prayer) of [...]
Story by Joe Pisani Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my obituary. Not that I’m worried I’ll need it anytime too soon, but you never know. Here today, gone tomorrow, as Proverbs says. What do you want people to remember about you when you pass on? Do you want them to know you got [...]
By Michelle DiFranco A year ago, I prepared a last minute Thanksgiving feast for my husband, kids and myself. In the end, it was a lot of food for just four people and sure enough, we had a lot of leftovers. While I was grateful for God’s bounty, I wasn’t exactly jumping up and down [...]
By Michelle Difranco La Fiesta De La Natividad De La Santísima Virgen María A todos nos ha pasado. Hemos olvidado el cumpleaños de un amigo o un ser querido en un momento u otro. Pero ¿qué pasa si esa persona en tu vida es un padre o un cónyuge? Un año estuve a punto de [...]