A charming legend relates that at the birth of Jesus the shepherds hurried to the stable with different gifts. Each brought what he had; some brought the fruits of their labor, others some...
Reflection by St. Augustine on the mystery of the Incarnation: The Son of God becoming man. "You would have suffered eternal death, had he not been born in time. Never would you have...
The Gift of Christmas is a Person: God The Father so loved us that He gave us His Son. The Son so loved the Father and us that He became Man. The Spirit...
O Antiphon December 23 O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God. In the scriptures for the Fourth Sunday of...
O Antiphon December 20 O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell...
O Antiphon for December 19 O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship...
Homily Fourth Sunday of Advent Year A Reading 1: The Kingdom of Judea was being attacked by a foreign nation. The King and all the people were afraid. He is contemplating aligning himself...
O Antiphon in preparation for Christmas: December 18 O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come,...
Fourth Sunday of Advent Gospel A This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with...
Today, the Church begins the final preparation for the celebration of Christmas. "The Roman Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are a magnificent theology that...
Prayer for the lighting of the Third Candle on the Advent Wreath As we draw near to you, Lord God, keep us aware of your presence in all we do. Come with power...
St. Bernard of Clairvaux talks about three comings of Christ. In the first coming, the Word of God became man and dwelt among us. He came to redeem and reconcile us to God. ...
"Preparing ourselves to receive Christ requires first and foremost an attitude of intense and trusting prayer. Making room for him in our hearts demands a serious commitment to convert to his love." (St....
Homily: Third Sunday of Advent Year A Reading 1: To understand Isaiah we have to put ourselves back in his time. The people of Israel have been conquered by their enemies, because they...
"The time for promises was in the time of the prophets, until John the Baptist; from John until the end is the time of fulfillment....He promised eternal salvation, everlasting happiness with the angles,...
Third Sunday of Advent Gospel A When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who...
"At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God's own love and concern." St Teresa of Calcutta Love...
As we move into the second week of Advent, are we still in the spirit of Advent? Is our focus on the celebration of the coming of the Lord or on a family...
Prayer for lighting 2nd week of Advent wreath candle God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we...
"Each year, as the Church recalls this mystery, she urges us to renew the memory of the great love God has shown us. This holy season teaches us that Christ's coming was not...
Homily Second Sunday of Advent Year A Reading 1: Last Sunday, the prophet Isaiah invited us to come to the Lord to receive instructions so that we may able to walk in the...
"We do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, much more glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown...
Second Sunday of Advent Gospel Reflections A John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” · This call is consistent...
"In the first coming, the Word was seen on earth and mingled with mankind, when, as He Himself affirmed, they saw Him and hated Him. In the last coming every person shall see...
"All time, both history and in personal life, is expectation. Time itself is waiting, waiting not for another time, but for that which is eternal. (Paul Tillich) We have a hard time waiting....
Advent Week 1 The following are the Advent wreath prayers that change every week. They are prayed at the lighting of each candle every day during Advent.The first candle is lit, and the...
"To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us -- and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love,...
Homily: First Sunday of Advent Year A Reading 1: The people of Israel are experiencing both external threats and internal struggles. Externally, the surrounding nations are seeking to overcome them and subjugate them....
"To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us -- and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love,...
First Sunday of Advent Gospel Reflections A Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ·...
“To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge! To do the will of God is the greatest achievement!” (George W. Truett) Bobby Richardson, a former New York Yankee second baseman, at...
Thanksgiving Day Blessing ServiceLeader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.All: Amen.Leader: Let us glorify the Lord who fills us with his bounty. Blessed be...
An unknown author says: “It is not what men eat but what they digest that makes them strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we...
An unknown source comes up with an article entitled, “How to be Miserable.” It says: “Think about yourself. Talk about yourself. Use “I” as often as possible. Mirror yourself continually in the opinion...
Leo Tolstoy: “Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself.” Thomas a’Kempis: “Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make...
Homily: Solemnity of Christ the King Reading 1: Many times the plan of man and the plan of God are different. Though Saul was originally chosen by God to be the first king...
An unknown author said this about perfect love that it is: Slow to suspect quick to trust Slow to condemn quick to justify Slow to offend quick to defend...
Solemnity of the Feast of Christ the King C The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." ...
