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Category: Church Street
Reflections for Sunday, January 6, 2013
by Maurice Blumberg
The Epiphany of the Lord Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2,7-8,10-13; Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6; Matthew 2:1-12) Being Beacons of Christ’s Light in a Darkened World You shall see and be radiant. (Isaiah 60:5) We’ve all had epiphanies—those times when a sudden insight allows us to grasp something we couldn’t understand […]
This Is The Stuff of Which Martyrs Are Made!
by Bishop Robert C. Evans
Homily for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God A new year invites us to think of goals we would like to achieve and resolutions we want to make. In short, it seems to be the ideal time for renewal and commitment. However, in all honesty, do we really expect 2013 to be different than […]
Homily for the Feast of Mary, Mother of God
by Pope Benedict XVI
Dear Brothers and Sisters, “May God bless us and make his face to shine upon us.” We proclaimed these words from Psalm 66 after hearing in the first reading the ancient priestly blessing upon the people of the covenant. It is especially significant that at the start of every new year God sheds upon us, […]
Reflections for Sunday, December 30, 2012
by Maurice Blumberg
The Holy Family Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Sirach 3:2-6,12-14; Psalm 128:1-5; Colossians 3:12-21; Luke 2:41-52) The Holy Family, Our Model of Love and Unity “Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” (Luke 2:48) Great anxiety indeed! Jesus had been missing for three whole days. Jerusalem was […]
The First Believer
by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.
by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. on Dec 23, 2012 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Sunday Reflections 
4th Sunday of Advent (Cycle C) The Beatitudes rank high on the list of all-time favorite Bible passages. But what is “beatitude,” anyway? In the bible, a “blessed” person is someone who has received gifts of the greatest value, gifts that lead to true fulfillment and lasting happiness. If I were to ask you […]
Pope Benedict XVI Christmas Address to the Roman Curia
by Pope Benedict XVI
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI ON THE OCCASION OF CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO THE ROMAN CURIA Clementine Hall Friday, 21 December 2012 Dear Cardinals, Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Brothers and Sisters, It is with great joy that I meet you today, dear Members of the College of Cardinals, Representatives of the Roman Curia and the Governorate, for this […]
Consider the Faith of Mary
by Pope Benedict XVI
As part of our catechesis for this Year of Faith, it is fitting, during these last days of Advent, to consider the faith of Mary, the Virgin Mother of Christ. At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel greets Mary with an invitation to rejoice because the Lord is with her. This joy is that of the […]
Reflections for Sunday, December 23, 2012
by Maurice Blumberg
Fourth Sunday of Advent Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Zephaniah 3:14-18; (Psalm) Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18) Mary and Elizabeth, Our Model for Responding to the Holy Spirit “Blessed are you who believed!” (Luke 1:45) When something exciting happens, you can’t contain yourself; you simply have to share the news with […]
The Baptist: Joyful Humility
by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.
by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. on Dec 16, 2012 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Sunday Reflections
3rd Sunday of Advent (Year C) On the third Sunday of Advent, the penitential purple of the season changes to rose and we celebrate “Gaudete” or “Rejoice!” Sunday. “Shout for joy, daughter of Sion” says Zephaniah. “Draw water joyfully from the font of salvation,” says Isaiah. “Rejoice in the Lord always,” says St. Paul. “Do […]
Reflections for Sunday, December 16, 2012
by Maurice Blumberg
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Zephaniah 3:14-18; (Psalm) Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18) Advent, A Time of Thanksgiving and Rejoicing “The peace of God … will guard your hearts.” (Philippians 4:7) There was once a little town that was being harassed and pillaged by marauders. Good families were not able to […]
Advent: A Season of Hope
by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.
by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. on Dec 09, 2012 in Catechesis, Columnists, Featured, Sunday Reflections
Second Sunday of Advent Faith, hope, and love. St. Paul, in I Corinthians 13:13, say these three are the bottom line. They are called the theological virtues, the qualities that make us most like God. We hear plenty about faith and love. But when is the last time you heard a rousing homily on hope? […]
Reflections for Sunday, December 9, 2012
by Maurice Blumberg
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126:1-6 ; Philippians 1:4-6,8-11; Luke 3:1-6) Advent, A Time to Allow God’s Word to Transform You “A voice of one crying out in the desert.” (Luke 3:4) Tiberius. Pilate. Herod. Philip. Lysanias. Annas. Caiaphas. These men ruled the secular and religious worlds at the […]
St. Barbara, virgin and martyr
by Catholic Lane Editor
ST. BARBARA was brought up a heathen. A tyrannical father, Dioscorus, had kept her jealously secluded in a lonely tower which he had built for the purpose. Here in her forced solitude, she gave herself to prayer and study, and contrived to receive instruction and Baptism by stealth from a Christian priest. Upon discovering his […]
Homily at Creation of New Cardinals
by Pope Benedict XVI
Your Eminences, Dear Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today’s Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe, the crowning of the liturgical year, is enriched by our reception into the College of Cardinals of six new members whom, following tradition, I have invited to celebrate the Eucharist with me this morning. I greet […]
Reflections for Sunday, December 2, 2012
by Maurice Blumberg
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,141; 1 Thessalonians 3:12–4:2; Luke 21:25-28,34-36) Advent, A Time to Prepare for His Coming “They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud.” (Luke 21:27) Don’t you find it strange that today’s Gospel reading would focus on the end times and not […]
Reflections for Sunday, November 25, 2012
by Maurice Blumberg
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion (Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93:1-2,5; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33-37) Jesus Christ, King Over All Creation and Our King “Are you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33) In honor of this great feast, let’s take some time to dwell on what it means that Jesus is King of […]
