When requesting more than one Mass, keep in mind we can schedule only one weekend mass and two weekday masses per year.

The Lenten Fast and Abstinence Regulations are, as follows:

1. Fasting and abstinence from meat, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

2. Abstinence from meat on all Fridays of Lent. The law of abstinence from meat is required of all those fourteen years of age and older.
3. The law of the fast means only one full meal may be taken during the day. Two light meals are permitted, but are not to equal one full meal. The consumption of solid food between meals is prohibited, but liquids may be taken at any time.
4. The law of fast binds those who have completed their 18th year and have not yet reached their 60th year.
5. Those, who by reason of their young age, are not bound by the laws of fast and abstinence, should be taught the true meaning of penance.


It is a traditional doctrine of Christian spirituality that a constituent part of repentance, of which is turning away from sin and returning to God, includes some form of penance, in order for a Christian to remain on the narrow path and be saved. As our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has written: “Dear brothers and sisters, may this Lenten season find the whole Church ready to bear witness to all those who live in material, moral and spiritual destitution the Gospel message of the merciful love of God our Father, who is ready to embrace everyone in Christ. We can so this to the extent that we imitate Christ who became poor and enriched us by his poverty. Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt.”
Apart from the special Lenten activities of individuals and parishes, Lent also affords a special opportunity for families to grow deeper in their commitment to Christ. Within the family, penitential practices and devotions can be conducted, including the use of Scripture, the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and other forms of family prayer and devotion.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—October 20, 2019 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 18:1–8

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus exalts a widow who persistently petitions for her needs. The unjust judge’s softening of heart dramatizes God’s willingness to respond to our frequent prayers. Asking God for what we want and need will help us clarify what is really important. This week provides a good opportunity to review how your family lives and prays together.

FROM OUR EDITORS—October 6, 2019 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In Sunday’s Gospel, the apostles say to Jesus: “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). Who among us hasn’t felt as if his or her faith is too small—for trying times or for even the challenges of everyday life? Jesus assures them—and us—that even a little faith can be very powerful. One small act of kindness, one courageous voice saying no or yes, one baby step of trust in God—all of these small acts of faith can have significant impact on ourselves and others.

In the Second Reading, Saint Paul encourages us to “stir into flame the gift of God that you have. . . . For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord . . . ; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God” (2 Timothy 1:6–8).

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Month of the Most Holy Rosary, and Respect Life Month. Find a short video from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for Respect Life Month here. The Synod on the Amazon begins this Sunday and continues through 10/27. We have a lot of concerns to pray for. May our faith inspire us to witness to the dignity of all human life—whether that be the unborn, the elderly or infirm, those in abusive relationships, the indigenous people of the Amazon region, or the children we teach.

Let us pray… May our faith in God, who loves all of his Creation, be enough to effect change in a world that is so desperately in need of our Christian witness. Amen.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—October 6, 2019 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 17:5–10

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciples ask him to increase their faith. Jesus uses the example of a mustard seed to tell them that even a little bit of faith is powerful. Faith in Jesus gives the power to perform miracles and to recognize the miracles that we witness. In Jesus’ time, masters were masters and slaves were slaves. Masters didn’t sit down to eat with slaves or reward them for doing their jobs. Jesus used this reality to make a point. His parable is critical of disciples who want to become masters of their fate or to lord it over others. Service is the ordinary duty of all of Jesus’ followers.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—September 29, 2019 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 16:19–31

This Sunday’s Gospel challenges us to be selfless and to care for others who need help. Jesus tells a story of a poor beggar named Lazarus who lived outside the gates of a rich man’s house. Lazarus’s requests for help were ignored for years. Lazarus finally found comfort in Heaven once he died. The rich man passed away and went to Hell. The rich man begged Abraham for mercy, just as Lazarus had once begged the rich man. Abraham reprimanded the rich man for his actions during his lifetime and for not heeding the warnings in Scripture. Jesus reminds us that we have been provided with all of the resources in our lives to understand God’s desire for us to serve one another. Take time this week to reflect on steps your family can take to become more aware of the ways you can share God’s love with other people.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—September 22, 2019 – 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 16:1–13

This Sunday, we hear a challenging parable about a rich man who is cheated by his steward. After squandering his master’s property, the steward makes amends with his master’s debtors by lowering their debts. The steward hopes that this goodwill offering will help repair friendships with those in the community he has lied to. The master commends the steward for acting wisely. Jesus reiterates that we should strive to be trustworthy in both big ways and small so that we develop honest habits.

September 15, 2019 – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son offer two important lessons: (1) Every one of us matters, and (2) God rejoices when we repent and turn back to him.

As the school and program year begins, keep in mind and apply the first lesson in your classroom: Every child matters—to God and to us. Greet each child by name and give each of them your attention as they share responses or experiences. Make an effort to draw out the shy or quiet children without putting them on the spot or making them uncomfortable. When a child is needy or challenging, pray for help to see them with God’s eyes and to love them with God’s love. Regularly pray for each child by name.

The second lesson is about turning back to God with a repentant heart. This lesson encourages us to keep our relationships with God current. We do this through regular prayer and mindfulness. As we grow in our prayer lives, we become more mindful of those times when we have been unloving or selfish in word, thought, or action. Repenting and confessing our sins in prayer and the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation will help us keep our hearts turned to God. When we do this, we reap many blessings!

September 8, 2019 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 14:25–33

“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” –Luke 14:27

Some people shoulder light loads that are easily carried, while others bear bigger burdens. The diagnosis at the doctor’s office that changes the very metric of our lives: that’s a sobering hour that’s hard to live past. If the roof really is falling in and there’s no money to fix it, we’re paralyzed as to how to proceed. The addictions of adult children, the unemployment of a spouse, the persistent memories of old injuries that echo into the present are real obstacles to happiness. We all carry crosses even if others can’t see them.

Still we follow after Jesus. The Way of the Cross is among the most popular devotions for a reason, as we stagger and fall and get up and continue. We’re judged and betrayed, stripped and abandoned, then offered unexpected kindnesses along the way. Death is at the end of this path, and more. We journey forward together, believing in that “more.”

Reflect on your personal crosses. Who or what makes it possible to carry them?

LET US PRAY… God of majesty and glory, we bow down and confess our smallness before you. Humility may feel uncomfortable to wear, but it’s an accurate fit for our place in your Creation. Guide us in a life of praise that, little by little, makes the virtue of humility a joyful exercise of truth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Sunday’s Gospel—September 1, 2019 – 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 14:1, 7–14

“Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place.” –Luke 14:10

It may be easy for us to give up the larger portion of cake to a friend or the place of honor at the table to an aging parent. We may surrender the remote to our spouse and offer deference to the boss, pastor, or team leader. It’s a little more challenging to make the humble choice our first choice in every circumstance, especially in those situations in which we, frankly, might feel we deserve a little respect and appreciation. Or when the person taking the seat of honor is not someone we honor very much at all. Fact is, humility doesn’t serve us well in our society. You have to be aggressive, self-promoting, and tooting your own horn maniacally to get ahead. You have to be the president of your own fan club to be elected or admired. Humility is only useful if the goal is wisdom and spiritual growth. Where are we headed: to the top or to the bottom?

Imagine your life like a spiritual Monopoly board. What properties would you need to acquire to “win”?

LET US PRAY… God of majesty and glory, we bow down and confess our smallness before you. Humility may feel uncomfortable to wear, but it’s an accurate fit for our place in your Creation. Guide us in a life of praise that, little by little, makes the virtue of humility a joyful exercise of truth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday’s Gospel—August 18, 2019 – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 12:49–53

“Do you think I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” –Luke 12:51

Many of us are fans of Jesus the peacenik. A generation ago, every Catholic I know used to have a plastic plaque on the wall that read: “Peace to all who enter here.” Indeed, we’d prefer to have our guests experience peace in our homes. We like to envision our personal space as a sanctuary of tranquility.

Yet when Jesus was brought to the Temple as a baby, the holy man Simeon warned he would be a sign of contradiction. Jesus wasn’t forecast to be a bridge-builder but a troublemaker who would draw lines in the sand that would be painful for some to cross. Those who embraced the way of Jesus would find those lines drawn across their own homes. That peacenik Jesus wasn’t evident in his own generation. Everywhere he went, some folks loved him, and others wanted him dead.

If you’ve ever lost a friend because of your faith, if you’ve been dismissed or put down or deserted in Jesus’ name, that’s all part of the territory. Peace is coming, but maybe not today.

How can you answer the call to be a peacemaker but accept that personal serenity may not be part of the package?

LET US PRAY… Lord, our generation seeks easy answers, shallow understanding, and quick fixes. Help us to discover in the sacred stories of our faith deep truths that require the greater investment of our whole lives. Inspire us with the example of holy people in this season of our lives, so that we catch a glimpse of what’s possible for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

August 18, 2019 – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Lord, come to my aid!” These are the words from Sunday’s Responsorial Psalm. How many times have I said these words in the middle of my suffering? How many times have I felt like Jeremiah at the bottom of the cistern as we hear in Sunday’s First Reading? Dozens? Hundreds?

Without a doubt, all of us have felt that we have reached rock bottom, that there is no hope, that there is no way to solve that particular difficulty, that problem that keeps us up at night, that illness that afflicts us.

Nonetheless, God has proven to me, time and time again, that he always “stoops toward me and hears my cry,” that he “makes firm my steps.” Perhaps he hasn’t done it as quickly as I would have liked, but he has always rescued me when the time is perfect, according to his divine plan.

Let us pray… We ask the Lord to help us trust in him so we can be assured that everything is in his hands, and to grant us the patience we need to wait for the perfect moment when his merciful response will come. Amen.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—August 11, 2019 – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 12:32–48

“Amen, I say to you, [the master] will gird himself, have [his servants] recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.” –Luke 12:37

In what fantasy scenario does the CEO wait on his aides? Does a prime minister ever serve in a soup kitchen, or an estate owner set the table for her grounds crew? It sounds fantastic to imagine the scene that Jesus describes—a master waiting table on his house staff. Yet this is how Jesus himself will act when he washes the feet of his followers at the Last Supper.

This reversal of roles in servant leadership is not entirely rare, of course. Don’t parents put themselves and their resources at the service of their children—not for an hour but for a lifetime? Don’t teachers labor painstakingly through the years to bring their students along with ABCs and 1-2-3s? Missionary medical crews put their expertise to use for the sake of those who can never repay them. When those with resources serve those in need, wonderful things are possible. Set the table for someone soon.

Who has served you with their wisdom, example, encouragement, or material help?
Whom do you serve?

LET US PRAY… Illusions of wealth and entertainment lure us with their pleasing promises if only we invest our time in them. Lord, call us from the tomb of empty hours spent acquiring what can’t give us life. Lead us to quiet moments of contemplation, the warmth of genuine relationships, and the thrill of hope. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

FROM OUR EDITORS—August 11, 2019 – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Thursday, August 15, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. What a wonderful moment this must have been for Mary as she was swept into Heaven to be reunited with her beloved son and Savior! All the earthly trials and pains that resulted from her fiat, her “Let it be” at the Annunciation, were released as she was taken body and soul into Heaven.

Mary’s Assumption is a promise for all of us who follow in her footsteps as disciples of Jesus. Because of Mary’s unique relationship with Jesus as his mother and first and most faithful follower, she was taken to Heaven—body and soul—upon her death. We hope to have our bodies reunited with our souls in Heaven at our Lord’s Second Coming.

Let us pray… Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

August 4, 2019 – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Tuesday, August 6, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Luke narrates this event in which Jesus went to a mountain to pray and brought along three of his disciples: Peter, James, and John.

When he was praying and after he had announced his Passion and Death to his disciples, Jesus’ face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appeared right beside him, to talk about the suffering that was waiting for him in Jerusalem.

What an extraordinary experience for Peter, James, and John! Just a few days earlier, Jesus told them about his Passion and Death and now, they are witnessing a glimpse of the glory of his Resurrection. This must have filled them with hope. Jesus knew that his friends had to preview, even for a few moments, the promise of Resurrection, not only his, but each one of theirs. Without this, the disciples could not withstand the suffering that was to come.

Let’s pray that we too can remember that the battle is already won and that suffering and death have no authority over our lives. Let’s live with the hope that one day, we also will be sitting next to Jesus in his glory. Amen.

August 4, 2019 – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 12:13–21

“One’s life does not consist of possessions.” –Luke 12:15

Two of my sisters have survived house fires. They and their families were unharmed, but both of them lost everything they owned. It’s a harrowing situation to face for a lot of reasons, but each of my sisters admits that for the most part, stuff can be replaced.

What can’t be replaced are the pre-computer photo albums, scrapbooks, love letters, special gifts, and heirlooms. It hurts in a deeper way to lose those bits of the past that tell us where we’ve been and who we’ve loved. But even after the fires, life did go on. Even such intimate losses are absorbed by the healing passage of time.

Around the world each day, people lose valuable things that are irreplaceable. Home, livelihood, independence, health, mobility, eyesight, hearing, citizenship, culture, and respect are all vulnerable items we never possess as surely as we imagine. We can’t hold on to our loved ones, not even with both hands clutching tightly. Jesus urges us to be rich in what matters to God. Paul even gives us the short list: faith, hope, and love.

What has grieved you most in the losing?
Where does your treasure lie now?

LET US PRAY… Illusions of wealth and entertainment lure us with their pleasing promises if only we invest our time in them. Lord, call us from the tomb of empty hours spent acquiring what can’t give us life. Lead us to quiet moments of contemplation, the warmth of genuine relationships, and the thrill of hope. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

July 28, 2019 – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 11:1–13

“Do not bother me; the door has already been locked. . . . I cannot . . . give you anything.” –Luke 11:7

Sensible people lock their doors at the end of the day, if not well before. This formally closes our responsibility to the outside world. Once the door is locked, don’t bother to knock. Come back tomorrow after the sun is up and the coffee’s on.

Yet Jesus compares the generosity of God with the person who gets up and out of bed after the locking of the door to assist a friend in need. If you and I would do this when the persistent banging of the midnight visitor gets too bothersome, how much sooner—and in a better mood—will God answer our needs?

We all lock our doors at certain points in every relationship: when the demands get too frequent, when we’re tired or worn down, when our own cares command our attention, when resources run low and our hearts seem to run dry. Sometimes the limits are thoughtfully set and the door must remain locked. But once in a while, we should check our door policy. Are we, perhaps, selling the demands of hospitality a little short?

Who has opened a door for you that might have otherwise remained locked?
How do you know when it’s time to unlock a door for someone else?

LET US PRAY… Generous God, your Son teaches us to ask for what we need with confidence. Jesus promises that if we seek fervently, we will find, if we knock persistently the door will open. Give courage and strength to those who are most in need of your consoling help and dry the tears of those who weep with your tender mercy. Amen.

July 28, 2019 – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Natural disasters have been in the US news once again—earthquakes in California and flooding rains in southern and midwestern states due to Tropical Storm Barry. These events, while unwelcome, do help us put our priorities in order and gain better perspective. Those most immediately affected may rush to get family members and pets to safety. Others whose homes are damaged or destroyed express thanks that their lives were spared. They comment that things can be replaced.

The rest of us can also gain better perspective as a result of these natural disasters. While our lives and homes may remain intact, we all have challenges that can overwhelm us. Some of us allow small frustrations, relative molehills, to become mountains. Trying to control situations or worrying too much about material possessions or security may show a lack of trust in God’s care. Even when truly mountainous challenges arise, God promises to be with us.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus says: “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9–10). We ask, seek, and knock through prayer. The summer months are a good time to begin or strengthen regular habits of prayer, so that God doesn’t only hear from us when times get tough.

FROM OUR EDITORS—July 21, 2019 – 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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I can’t believe we are halfway through the summer already! At my house, we started getting back-to-school coupons in the mail and began packing my son’s belongings so he can move away to start college at the end of August.

This Sunday’s Gospel, however, makes me think that I still have time to do a few things that are so hard to accomplish during the school year when I go back to my regular routine. I can be a little bit more like Mary and make the most of the longer summer days, sitting at Jesus’ feet and allowing him to talk to me. I can let my inner-Martha rest a little bit and find ways to spend more time with “the friend” that is always there, waiting for my company.

What could we do to spend more time with Jesus during this summer break? How could we strengthen our faith during these weeks so we can share it with the children under our care during the school year? Please share with us your suggestions on the comments section.

Dear Lord, bless our time of rest and help us to find moments to sit at your feet and, like Mary, enjoy your glorious company. Amen.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—July 21, 2019 – 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Luke 10:38–42

Martha had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet. –Luke 10:39

Most of us refuse to pit Mary against Martha anymore. That’s one of the oldest games in Christianity, and it doesn’t serve either woman’s honor very well. Mary is the contemplative disciple, Martha the busy server.

The Church can’t do without either personality. Let’s not pretend Martha’s service is an inferior gift, or that Mary’s attention to Jesus is more sincere. The best parishes have truckloads of Marys and busloads of Marthas. We’d miss either one if there were a sudden shortage.

Still, we have to deal with Jesus’ reply to Martha that Mary has chosen the better part. Jesus reacts to Martha’s criticism of Mary’s apparent carelessness. Jesus points out Martha’s anxiety about “many things”—not the wrong things, mind you, but multiple distractions. Martha’s worrying makes her uncharitable toward her sister and distracts her from her beloved guest. The better part, we can imagine, would be for all of us to keep our focus on Jesus at the center, not on each other’s behavior.

Is your heart more “Mary” or “Martha”? How might you make more room for the “other sister” to shine?

LET US PRAY… Generous God, your Son teaches us to ask with confidence for what we need. Jesus promises that if we fervently seek, we will find and if we knock persistently, the door will open. Give courage and strength to those who are most in need of your consoling help. With your tender mercy, dry the tears of those who weep. Amen.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—July 14, 2019 – 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Luke 10:25–37

“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” –Luke 10:25

Even though I’m a practicing Catholic, I admit whole weeks go by without my giving a thought to eternal life. Present life is so compelling: who has time or room to contemplate the what-ifs of the infinite? The practical displaces the metaphysical every time. The need to fix lunch seems more imperative than prepping for the life of the world to come.

Yet along comes this professional religionist, testing Jesus with a pious question about everlasting life. They trade textbooks responses and are in apparent agreement that love is the key. Then Jesus throws the textbook out the window, launching into a story that changes the elements of the argument altogether. Forget classical expressions of loyalty to God and neighbor. Do mercy to your enemy instead!

Jaws drop whenever Jesus teaches. He confounds our easy piety and self-promoting righteousness. Jesus asks us to love as God does: beyond the nice boundaries of our comfort zone. Follow Jesus for an adventure in extreme loving!

Draw a picture of your heart. Include who’s in and who’s out. Draw God’s heart around the whole. Contemplate this image.

LET US PRAY… Generous God, your Son teaches us to ask with confidence for what we need. Jesus promises that if we fervently seek, we will find and if we knock persistently, the door will open. Give courage and strength to those who are most in need of your consoling help. With your tender mercy, dry the tears of those who weep. Amen.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—July 7, 2019 – 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 10:1–12, 17–20

“Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” –Luke 10:20

The final week of Jesus’ life is so compelling in its details that we spend a full week of every year reflecting on it. Only the first day of that week, Palm Sunday, is a happy experience. The rest is a quicksand rushing toward tragedy.

So we may be pardoned for overthinking the dire parts of the Gospel story. Yet no one originally followed Jesus because of the way he died. The first disciples were drawn in by the way he lived. Jesus taught with authority (not like other religious leaders). He backed up soothing words with healing actions. He spoke of justice and then treated the poor and the unwelcome with dignity and tenderness. He denounced evil and then bounced demons out on their ears. The day-to-day story of Jesus was a litany of joy for those who followed after him. We can’t afford to forget joy as we follow him today.

Let’s make room for joy in the practice of our faith. Attend Mass like you’re really celebrating. Dare to smile in church. Let them know you are Christian by your laugh. Bring joy to others daily too.

Who or what brought me joy recently?
How can I bring joy where I go today?

LET US PRAY… Generous God, your Son teaches us to ask with confidence for what we need. Jesus promises that if we fervently seek, we will find and if we knock persistently, the door will open. Give courage and strength to those who are most in need of your consoling help. With your tender mercy, dry the tears of those who weep. Amen.

FROM OUR EDITORS—June 30, 2019 – 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.” These words of Jesus from Sunday’s Gospel are ones that I’ve recalled frequently over the years. When planting a garden or a field, we want our rows to be straight. But looking back—with regret or because of lingering attachments—can cause the row we’re plowing to become crooked. (Think of how looking out the side window while driving can cause you to swerve in your lane.)

An old hand plow was one of the many “gifts” the previous owners of our property left for us. My husband has found a use for this plow when planting his vegetable garden. To keep his furrow straight, he follows the line of a length of twine stretched across the garden.

If we think of that line of twine as the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and the post at the other end of the garden as Heaven, we’ll have little need to look to “what was left behind.” The row of our life will be straighter as a result. Those who follow us will also benefit. Plow on!

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—June 30, 2019 – 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 9:51–62

“Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom.” –Luke 9:60

Leave malicious talk to those who carry malice in their hearts. Abandon gossip to folks with empty minds and hours to occupy with trivia. Surrender violent speech to the violent. If you seek the way of life, move in the direction of vitality and hope.

In other words, if you seek the Kingdom of God, don’t linger in the graveyards of culture, fashion, and trends. The ways of stagnation and death are legion. We can amuse ourselves to death, as Neil Postman used to say, or we can live purposefully and sincerely. Do you want to make a difference? The world can use you. Do you want to be part of the solution and not add to the problem? Become a disciple of truth. Are you brave enough to love? Jesus says, “Follow me.” Don’t hesitate too long to choose which side you’re on. If you wait too long, the choice will be made for you.

Name five ways you can choose life over death today. Try to make it ten tomorrow.

LET US PRAY… Spirit of Holiness, you bring the fire of your seven-fold gifts to enflame our hearts with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, courage, reverence, and awe in the presence of what’s sacred. Pour these gifts upon your Church today that we may be beacons of light in the world’s darkness. Amen.

June 23, 2019 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

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Luke 9:11b–17

Jesus said to them, “Give them some food yourselves.” –Luke 9:13

When Jesus sets the table and serves himself as the main course, the rest of us are not off the hook. I’m not just talking about washing the dishes, either. Jesus gives himself to the world as food. Then he asks and expects his disciples to do the same.

How do we do this? In a hungry world, we don’t have to go far to make an offering of ourselves. Every time a charitable organization solicits our help, we have an opportunity to write a check, serve a meal, extend our concern and compassion. We can also resolve to share a meal with folks closer to home: a relative who’s shut in, a lonely friend, a coworker struggling with family issues who needs to talk. We can send a care package to a college student, handwrite a letter to a favorite aunt, sincerely thank the service people who assist us every day. A word of praise to a spouse or child can restore the soul.

How many ways can you think of to feed the hungry, near and far, this week?

LET US PRAY… Lord, through Scripture’s revelation we know you as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Come boldly into our times once more and heal the divisions of wealth and power that wound the heart of the world. Bring your justice and peace to all who cry for help. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

What Do You Know About Ordinary Time?

Ordinary Time falls in two major sections during the Liturgical Year. The first stretches from the Baptism of the Lord to Ash Wednesday; the second begins Pentecost Sunday and runs until Advent begins. But what happens during this “ordinary” time in the Catholic Church? Plenty, including many saint days, Marian feast days, solemnities, and memorials. 

June 16, 2019 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

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John 16:12–15

“When he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” –John 16:13

In certain seasons of our lives, we feel quite blindsided by events and stumble around, trying to regain our footing. Someone we depended on deserts us. Finances go south abruptly. An injury or illness robs us of ability. Circumstances change too rapidly for us to adjust. The grand plan we’ve counted on all along turns out to be a pipedream. The institutions we believed in fail us.

When our inner compass is spinning madly, we reach out for a steadying force. That may be the hand of a friend, the counsel of a therapist, spiritual direction from a wise person, or direct guidance from God in prayer. The Spirit of truth isn’t only found in a prayer book or the Sunday Homily. It could be awaiting you in what the Japanese call “nature bathing”: refreshing your wounded soul in the beauty of natural surroundings. If truth is one, then truth is all around us.

How much are you willing to invest in the quest for truth?

When does the need for answers grow most urgent in you?

LET US PRAY… Lord, through Scripture’s revelation we know you as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Come boldly into our times once more and heal the divisions of wealth and power that wound the heart of the world. Bring your justice and peace to all who cry for help. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

June 9, 2019 – Pentecost Sunday

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This Sunday, the Easter season comes to an end. It has been fifty days since we celebrated the Resurrection of Our Lord. On Pentecost, we celebrate that Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to renew and strengthen our hearts.

The Holy Spirit grants different gifts upon each one of us. During his homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost in 2017, Pope Francis declared that the Holy Spirit “creates diversity and unity, and in this way forms a new, diverse and unified people: the universal Church.”

On May 19, I had the opportunity to participate in the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership in Los Angeles and witness the diversity and unity that the Holy Father refers to. Each person brought unique gifts and talents that, along with all the other participants, created a tremendous force whose mission is to bring the Gospel to every corner of our world.

May the Holy Spirit fill us with strength and courage to continue our mission as catechists. Amen.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—June 9, 2019 – Pentecost

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John 20:19–23

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” –John 20:21

A lot of “sending” goes on in the story of Jesus. First, Jesus is sent by his Father to become part of the world. Then Jesus sends his disciples (the word apostlesliterally means “the sent”) to bring Good News to every corner of the earth. Finally, as Jesus returns to his Father, he sends the Holy Spirit to remain with his Church until the end of time. One thing is clear: no one is standing around in the Gospel with nothing to do.

We, too, are among the sent. We’re sent to bring consolation to those who are sad, material assistance to those in need, justice to the oppressed, healing to the sick, knowledge to the ignorant, and hope to the despairing. The Holy Spirit remains our guiding light, leading us on our mission to promote the common good. Since the time of Jesus, divine help always arrives with a human face. Let it be yours.

Who has been sent into your life to bring good tidings over the years?
To whom have you been especially sent?

LET US PRAY… Spirit of Holiness, you bring the fire of your seven-fold gifts to enflame our hearts with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, courage, reverence, and awe in the presence of what’s sacred. Pour these gifts upon your Church today that we may be beacons of light in the world’s darkness. Amen.

SUNDAY'S GOSPEL - May 26, 2019 – 6th Sunday of Easter

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This Friday, May 31st, we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When Pope Francis meditated on this mystery in 2013, he stated that there are three words that sum up Mary´s attitude: listening, decision, and action. These three words also apply to our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Mary listened to the Angel´s words as he announced to her that Elizabeth was expecting a child, even in her old age. Do we listen to God´s messengers? Pope Francis reflects, “The Lord is at the door of our life and knocks in many ways, he puts signs on our path; he gives us the ability to see them.”

Mary´s second attitude is probably very hard for us to imitate: Decision. “At times we know what we ought to do,” says Pope Francis, “but we do not have the courage to do it or it seems to us too difficult because it means swimming against the tide.” Mary not only decides to accept God´s invitation to be the mother of his Son, but she also decides to go to the place where she is needed at that moment.

But, what good does it do for us to take a decision if we don´t act upon it? Mary set out on a journey and “went with haste” (Luke 1:39). “We sometimes stop at listening, at thinking about what we must do, we may even be clear about the decision we have to make, but we do not move on to action.”

Let´s ask our Heavenly Mother to open our ears to listen to her Son´s will, to give us courage to take the right decisions, and to strengthen our spirits to move “with haste” to help those who need us the most. Amen. 

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—May 19, 2019 – 5th Sunday of Easter

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 John 13:31–33a, 34–34

“As I have loved you, so also should you love one another.” –John 13:34

Here’s a tiny detail to notice in this story from the Last Supper. Jesus issues the love commandment after Judas leaves the room. The spirit of self-interest must depart before the command of love can be heard and take root in the community of faith. So long as we’re concerned with defending our wealth, saving our skins, having our way, love has nowhere to go in us. We can say we love our families, our Church, our country, but if self-interest is in the room, we’re possessed by that spirit and nothing more.

Is self-interest really such a bad thing? Why not seek to be Number One and to love ourselves before anything else? Certainly, self-loathing is unproductive, and self-regard is healthy and necessary. But a world of self-interested people looks like—honestly, it looks like the world we have right now, full of grasping, greedy people seeking dominance over others. It’s a world where fear is institutionalized, injustice inevitable, and violence a virtue. The love command is not a suggestion. It’s the only way to the Kingdom coming.

When you love someone, what happens to self-interest?

LET US PRAY… Lord God, we seek the arrival from ahead of us, the Kingdom coming, the satisfaction of our heart’s desire. Help us to remember that our hearts will be restless until they rest in you. Amen.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—May 12, 2019 – 4th Sunday of Easter

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John 10:27–30

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus portrays himself as the Good Shepherd. This metaphor demonstrates the warm and loving care a shepherd has for the sheep and also shows that it is this warm loving care that Jesus has for us all. The image of the Good Shepherd is one of the central images of Jesus Christ, who keeps us from danger and seeks us out when we are lost.

FROM OUR EDITORS—May 5, 2019 – 3rd Sunday of Easter

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God is full of surprises! He does the unexpected—and wonderful—at every turn! From sending the Son to be born in a stable as a helpless baby to dying the cruel death of a criminal for our sins to rising from the dead to share with us the promise of eternal life, God acts in surprising and incredible ways to show us his great love for us.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus surprises seven of his disciples as they fishing. Jesus appears on the lakeshore at dawn after the men have been fishing all night and have not caught anything. As he did in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 5:1–11) when he called Simon Peter, James, and John to follow him, Jesus provides a catch of a great number of fish, so numerous that their nets and boats can barely handle them. Even though this was Jesus’ third appearance to Simon Peter after the Resurrection, Peter didn’t at first recognize Jesus.

Like Peter, we are sometimes slow to recognize the work of God in our lives. We can get caught up in the humdrum or stresses of every day and fail to look for the amazing and surprising ways that God is present in our lives and world. If we lift our eyes and look, we will find many reasons for Easter joy—all through the year!

Let us pray: Good and gracious God, thank you for the joy and promise of Easter. We want to be people of Christian joy and hope. Help us to train our minds and hearts to look for your presence—and surprises—at every turn. Amen.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—May 5, 2019 – 3rd Sunday of Easter

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John 21:1–14

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus appears to seven of his disciples at the seashore. They have been fishing without any luck. Jesus points out where to catch some fish, and they catch more than they can handle. When they arrive on shore, Jesus has prepared breakfast for them. Then they recognize Jesus and realize that he is truly alive.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Pope John Paul II wrote and spoke extensively about God’s divine mercy. His devotion to divine mercy began when he was growing up in Poland during World War II. He saw Jewish friends rounded up and sent to concentration camps where they were eventually killed. He clearly knew the need for God’s mercy and for people to show mercy to one another. In 2000, he canonized Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, the first saint of the new millennium. She was known for her devotion to divine mercy. At that time, the Pope also established the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. Share this Divine Mercy Sunday resource page with your families so they may better understand the significance of this devotion, Divine Mercy Sunday, and the Apostle of Mercy—Saint Faustina. It also includes instructions for praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

FROM OUR EDITORS—April 21 & 28, 2019 – Easter & 2nd Sunday of Easter

When I worked as a fourth-grade teacher at a Catholic school in Monterrey, Mexico, I was talking to my class about the importance of Easter for all Christians. I was explaining that thanks to Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, we can go to Heaven one day and live with him forever.

My eight- and nine-year-old students were very interested in what I was saying and, judging by their comments and expressions, I knew that they agreed with what I was teaching. Everything was going just fine until I mentioned that Jesus’ Death and Resurrection brought salvation to the world, therefore, Easter was the most important feast for Christians.

As soon as I finished saying those words, I could see the eyes of my twenty-seven students open as wide as plates. Immediately, twenty-seven little hands went up, asking for permission to talk. It was obvious that for my young class, Christmas was the most important feast in the Church Year. Even Pope Francis admits he was fifteen years old when he heard about the importance of Easter for the first time!

I explained to my class, using language that they could understand, that “if Christ had not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is [our] faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14). We discussed that if Jesus had not been risen from the dead and if he had not fulfilled his promises, we would doubt that he really is God. Finally, I told my students that Easter is important because it is the celebration of God’s infinite love for us.

I don’t know if my students were able to grasp what I taught them that day. I asked them to keep my words in their hearts and, together as a class, we asked God to grant us the grace of experiencing the joy of his Resurrection and the hope of eternal life.

Let us pray: We thank you, Lord, for your sacrifice of love on the Cross, for your glorious Resurrection, and your infinite mercy. Help us to recognize the magnitude of your love for us so we can share it with the children under our care. Amen.

SUNDAY’S GOSPEL—April 7, 2019 – 5th Sunday of Lent

John 8:1–11

In this Sunday’s Gospel, teachers of the Law try to trap Jesus into defending a woman caught in adultery thereby breaking the Law. The crowd was prepared to stone the woman. Jesus foils the attempt by suggesting that anyone without sin can cast the first stone. He then refuses to condemn the woman and encourages her to change and grow by not sinning.