Dear Fellow Parishioners, I would like to address a few matters regarding Catholic devotions in general, and the devotional life of our parish. Over the past week, I was contacted by a very nice couple, new to the parish, who expressed an interest in establishing First Saturday devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. It would […]
Dear Fellow Parishioners, After forty days of Lent, and the three-day Triduum, we have arrived at the culmination of the Passion of Jesus Christ, which is his Resurrection. There are two main names for the celebration of the Resurrection: “Easter” and “Pascha.” “Easter” is derived from the Saxon feast of Eostre, whereas “Pascha” is […]
Dear Fellow Parishioners, We are entering into the most eventful and intense week of the Christian year. Traditionally, Holy Week began with Palm Sunday and ended on Holy Saturday. The liturgical reforms of Pope Pius XII in 1955 highlighted the three-day Triduum – Holy Thursday to the Easter Vigil – as a distinct, though brief, […]
Dear Fellow Parishioners, This weekend we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Lent, commonly known as “Laetare Sunday.” It is a designation shared by Catholic and most Lutheran and Anglican parishes. To explain, I will begin nearer to the beginning. The two penitential seasons of the Church year, Advent and Lent, prepare us for the two […]
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Whenever we have a national 3-day weekend holiday, it leaves me a bit confused, because after a three-day weekend, the remaining 4-day work week is out of proportion. Tuesday feels like Monday, Wednesday feels like Tuesday, etc. Friday comes and – shebang! – the work week is over. Presidents’ Day is a […]
Dear Fellow Parishioners, The Gospels often mention that Jesus taught with authority, and not like the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus himself – with notable exceptions – was often non-directive and non-specific, with phrases like, “Go and sin no more.” The fullest yet most concise statement of Lenten regulations is found in the Ash Wednesday Gospel, […]
“The Lenten Season has a double character, namely to prepare both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. The catechumens, both with the Rite of Election and Scrutinies, and by catechesis, are prepared for the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation; the faithful, ever more attentive to the Word of God and prayer, […]
Dear Fellow Parishioners, I’d like to touch upon a few things happening in our parish community this past week, and the time leading up to Ash Wednesday. This past week – January 28 to February 3 – has been Catholic Schools Week, now celebrating its 50th year. Every year, our schools host what could be […]
Dear Fellow Parishioners, The best way to begin a New Year is with good news. As I mentioned at my Masses last weekend, Deacon Christopher Girolo from our parish has received his priestly ordination date: June 1, 2024. After his original vocational stirrings, followed by long years of study and formation, he is now […]