Lord we pray "Help me to continually increase parish vitality and reflect the presence of Christ in the world."

Browsing News Entries

Browsing News Entries

Leo XIV, Ecumenical Patriarch sign joint declaration; Pontiff calls for 2033 gathering in Jerusalem (CWN)

Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who holds a primacy of honor among the Orthodox churches, signed a joint declaration yesterday, the third day of the first international trip of Pope Leo’s pontificate.

Nov. 30 First Sunday of Advent, Sunday

For Catholics, the new Liturgical Year commences with the First Sunday of Advent, opening the Advent season. In this new Liturgical Year, the Church not only wishes to indicate the beginning of a period, but the beginning of a renewed commitment to the faith by all those who follow Christ, the Lord. This time of prayer and path of penance that is so powerful, rich and intense, endeavors to give us a renewed impetus to truly welcome the message of the One who was incarnated for us. In fact, the entire Liturgy of the Advent season, will spur us to an awakening in our Christian life and will put us in a ‘vigilant' disposition, to wait for Our Lord Jesus who is coming:

Pope, in Turkey, commemorates 1700th anniversary of Council of Nicaea, warns of 'new Arianism' (CWN)

On the second day of the first international trip of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV made a pilgrimage to İznik, Turkey (historically Nicaea), where he commemorated the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, the first of the 21 ecumenical councils in the Church’s history. Earlier in the day, in Istanbul, the Pope warned of “a ‘new Arianism,’ present in today’s culture and sometimes even among believers.”

Nov. 29 Saturday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Weekday

It is the Liturgical New Year's Eve: today is the last day of Ordinary Time and the current Liturgical Year. Evening marks the beginning of Advent and the New Liturgical Year..

Nov. 28 Friday of the Thirty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time, Weekday

The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. James of the Marches (1391-1476). St. James became a doctor of canon and civil law, and then decided to live austerely as a Franciscan friar. St. James studied theology with Saint John of Capistrano. He became a popular preacher, traveling all over Italy and through thirteen Central and Eastern European countries converting an estimated 250,000. He is considered one of the fathers of the modern day pawn shop.

Nov. 27 Thursday of the Thirty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time; Opt. Mem. of Thanksgiving Day (USA), Weekday

Today in the United States is the Optional Memorial of Thanksgiving Day in the dioceses of the United States. In 1621 colonists in New England gave communal thanks and praise to God for his abundant mercies and blessings. This became a tradition and in 1863 Thanksgiving Day was proclaimed a legal holiday. It is celebrated liturgical with a Mass asking that each person's gratitude to God may bear fruit in loving service to neighbor. --Daily Roman Missal

Nov. 26 Wednesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Weekday

The Roman Martyrology includes in commemoration:

Nov. 25 Tuesday of the Thirty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time; Opt Mem of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin & Martyr, Opt. Mem.

Today Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Catherine of Alexandria (d. 305). From time immemorial St. Catherine had been venerated at the monastery on Mount Sinai when, in the fifteenth century, the monks discovered her body. Legend has made of her a young Christian of Alexandria who rejected the advances of the Emperor Maximinus and routed a meeting of learned men gathered together to induce her to deny Christ. This feast was restored to the General Roman Calendar in 2002. St. Catherine is included in the list of Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Nov. 24 Memorial of St. Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs, Memorial

Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Andrew Dung-Lac (1735-1839), priest and martyr, and companions, martyrs. St. Andrew was one of 117 people who were martyred in Vietnam between 1820 and 1862. The last of the martyrs were 17 laypersons, one of them a 9-year-old, executed in 1862.

Nov. 23 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Solemnity

Gospel Excerpt, Cycle C, Mk 11:9, 10: The rulers sneered at Jesus and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God." Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." Above him there was an inscription that read, "This is the King of the Jews."