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READINGS:  Isa. 35: 1-6a.10; James 5: 7-10; Matthew 1:2-11 Patience and joy are two themes stressed in today’s readings and, for many, this may seem like a very unlikely combination. What does patience have to do with joy? And, perhaps more to the point, why should we be patient as there are just so many days

Today is the Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  So what does this have to do with Mission Doctor’s Association?  A lot, actually.  Let me tell you a brief story, if I may, a story over 2000 years in the making. The Immaculate Conception, the long-held belief that the Blessed Virgin

Readings: Isa.11. 1-10; Romans15: 4-9; Matthew 3:1-12 Congratulations we are on the Second Sunday of Advent. I know that in the hubbub of Christmas preparation our minds can sometimes be distracted, even at Sunday liturgy. So, for this reason, it would be good to focus on a few phrases from today’s readings that are beautiful

Saint Francis Xavier was born April 7, 1506 into a prosperous noble family. He lived in a castle, later passed on to the Jesuits. He planned a life of worldly pursuits, not the usual resume of your typical missionary, yet he is considered one of the greatest missionaries since Saint Paul.  After initially resisting efforts

“Globally, there are an estimated 38 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS-related illnesses, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.” 1 The numbers reported today, on World AIDS Day are truly staggering. While

Readings: Isa. 2:1-5; Romans 13: 11-14; Matthew 24: 37-44. Once again Advent is upon us- when the Church offers us a time to prepare for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord on December 25 (i.e. Christmas). While for many people this time of year seems frantic with many things to do, for others

When I was in medical training years ago, an older pediatrician told me that all an infant needs to thrive is food, warmth, and love.  It seemed a bit simplistic at the time, and while true for most of us in infancy, it is a bit more complicated when you are born prematurely.  In that

There are two November Holy Days that often become confused. On November 1st, All Saint’s Day we honor all those who have attained heaven, and our Church generally focuses on those who are recognized as saints by the Catholic Church. The color of the vestments are white – representing light, innocence, purity, joy, triumph, and

As we prepare for the annual celebration of World Mission Sunday it is good to remember it is about far more than only a collection. From the USCCB: In 1926, Pope Pius XI instituted Mission Sunday for the whole Church with the first worldwide Mission Sunday collection taking place in October 1927. The Mission Sunday

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (1873-1897), a French Discalced Carmelite nun, was canonized in 1925 and two years later, Pope Pius XI, named her co-patron of all foreign missions and missionaries with Saint Francis Xavier; and, in 1997 she was recognized, by Pope John Paul II as a Doctor of