2020 Christmas will most likely be different from any Christmas we have celebrated. There will be fewer family gatherings, fewer large events, and for some, the only Mass that they will attend will be virtual. It can be easy to feel sad about these changes, I know my husband and I are sad that we

READINGS I Sam. 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 “For nothing is impossible for God.” A short and pithy phrase at the end of today’s Gospel reading from Luke. A phrase which may roll smoothly off our tongues and sound very proper, Christian, and fitting but for us today is it only a

READINGS Isa. 61:1-2a, 10-11 I Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 Today is Gaudete Sunday (Joy) because two of the reading remind us of the importance of joy in our spiritual life. In particular, the reading from First Thessalonians tells us to “ Rejoice always’. But it does not tell us what joy is so how

In 1858, appearing to Saint Bernadette at Lourdes, Mary stated her name saying: I am the Immaculate Conception! The beginning of Mary’s role in our redemption is her conception as the daughter of St Joachim and St. Anne. Conceived without original sin Mary received this special grace, a gift of the Holy Spirit. Mary was

Readings Isa. 40: 1-5, 9-11; 2 Peter 3: 8-14; Mark 1:1-8 Hope seems to be in short supply nowadays. Corporate Media is constantly bombarding us with messages of fear, hate, and imminent destruction whether from war, totalitarianism, or a virus. Some political leaders are even telling people not to celebrate Christmas.  And we, as humans,

In reflecting on the life of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Mission, this year something different stood out for me. Perhaps it is the result of it being 2020, knowing this year is unlike any other we’ve experienced, the twists and turns finding new ways to support our partners. St. Francis’ success in

READINGS: ISA. 63: 16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7. I COR. 1:3-9; MARK 13: 33-37. “LORD, MAKE US TURN TO YOU; LET US SEE YOUR FACE AND WE SHALL BE SAVED.” Today is the beginning of Advent, a time which the Church offers us to reflect and prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ; a celebration

November 1st, the Feast of All Saints is a celebration of the communion of saints, those people we believe are in heaven, through good works and God’s grace.  Among the saints are the ones who are recognized by the Church as Saints and the many who have worked in their lives, although unrecognized, are also counted

In 1919, at the end of World War I, Pope Benedict XV wrote an Apostolic Letter, Maximum Illud1, which included notation of the destruction of schools, hospitals, and hostels by that terrible war. Eight years later, in the middle of the lull between the great world wars, the first annual Mission Sunday collection was taken

Did you know that St. Therese of Lisieux, the Patroness of the Missions was never a missionary?