There is a lot going on this week: nation remembers Pearl Harbor, the church remembers St. Ambrose, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Season of Advent continues. We all are getting busy about many things and our list of things to do just gets a little longer. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, lectionary cycle A, and again John the Baptist features prominently in the gospel text. Previously we considered the question John sends along with his disciples: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Yesterday we looked at Jesus’ response. Today, we can ponder how Jesus understood John the Baptist’s role. Continue reading
The Washington Post recently published an article that is an informative and fascinating read. You should take 15-20 minutes to read: Their wealth was built on slavery. Now a new fortune lies underground by Julie Zauzmer Weil. In the picture above, people mentioned in the article include, clockwise from top left: Isaac Coles, Carole Coles Henry, Edward Coles, Walter Coles V
Image credit: Washington Post – Justin Ide for The Washington Post, Washington Post illustration with original sources from the New York Public Library, Library of Congress with photographs by Joshua Lott of the Washington Post
Original article: Editing by Lynda Robinson, photo editing by Mark Gail and Mark Miller, copy editing by Vanessa Larson, design by Michael Domine.
It’s important to understand what the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is and what it is not. Some people think the term refers to Christ’s conception in Mary’s womb without the intervention of a human father; but that is the Virgin Birth. Others think the Immaculate Conception means Mary was conceived “by the power of the Holy Spirit,” in the way Jesus was, but that, too, is incorrect. The Immaculate Conception means that Mary, whose conception was brought about the normal way, was conceived without original sin or its stain—that’s what “immaculate” means: without stain. The essence of original sin consists in the deprivation of sanctifying grace, and its stain is a corrupt nature. Mary was preserved from these defects by God’s grace; from the first instant of her existence she was in the state of sanctifying grace and was free from the corrupt nature original sin brings. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, lectionary cycle A, and again John the Baptist features prominently in the gospel text. Yesterday we considered the question John sends along with his disciples: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Today we will take a look at Jesus’ response. Continue reading
Today’s Merriam-Webster’s “Word of the Day” was a new one for me: lachrymose. If you know it already I suspect you are in linguistically rarefied company. If you don’t, join the crowd with me. Any guesses? Continue reading
Every generation has events that shape the psyche and memory of their time. Consider the terror attacks of September 11th, 2001. Do you remember where you were when you heard the news? 27 percent of our current citizenry does not because they were born after or were too young to remember the events of that day. It is not that they are not familiar with the events of that day and all the consequences of it, but the day does not have the same resonance for them as it does for we watched in shock as the towers were struck and then fell. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, lectionary cycle A, and again John the Baptist features prominently in the gospel text. Yesterday we considered the liturgical context of its use on Gaudete Sunday. Today we begin to look more deeply into the text itself, notably the question John sends along with his disciples: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Continue reading
Also part of the Advent Season are music concerts of holiday music. Our parish will hold its “Festival of Praise” on Friday evening, December 16th at 7:30 pm. Join us! Here is a sample of the musical offerings from a recent Saturday morning practice.
Here in the Advent Season, parishes are holding Reconciliation Services in addition to their regular availability for the Sacrament of Confession – a nice reminder as the words of John the Baptist still echo from our Sunday Gospel. Take advantage of the opportunities. As is popularly said, “God has promised forgiveness to your repentance; He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.”
