The Baptism of the Lord

Our Christmas Time concludes as we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Jesus gives us a beautiful example to follow because we know that he did not need to be baptized. He is the Son of God and is free of all sin but he chose to be baptized by John in the Jordan River. At our Lord's baptism we hear the voice of the Father say, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased" (Mark 1:11). As one commentary states, "Jesus listened with an open ear and an open heart to the voice of his Father. Listening, he obeyed. Let us, who have been baptized in him, listen to the voice that calls us beloved children and gives us a work to do, the work of the Gospel proclaimed and lived in love for God and neighbor" (Magnificat, 119). This is a beautiful day to renew our baptismal promises and renew our efforts to live the baptismal call that we have all received. Our baptismal call is to continue the mission of the Church by proclaiming the Good News and being active members. Let us pray for the grace to live our baptism, follow in the footsteps of our Lord, and be an example to others! Have a blessed day!!!

The Epiphany of the Lord

On Friday, two friends and myself, took a tour of churches in the area to see how they decorated for this Christmas Time and see if there is any ideas that we might try for Christmas of 2012. One of the things that we noticed in those parishes is that the Magi were making their way to the manger. Of course, the Magi will arrive at the manger as we gather this weekend for the Masses celebrating the Epiphany of the Lord. As Pope Benedict XVI said, "The Magi set out because of a deep desire which prompted them to leave everything and begin a journey. It was as though they had always been waiting for that star" (Magnificat, 109). The Epiphany is about the manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God, the light coming into the world. It is also about the journey of the Magi and the gifts that they brought to the newborn King. Saint Odilo of Cluny states, "To offer gold is to proclaim Christ's kingship, to offer incense is to adore his Godhead, and to offer myrrh is to acknowledge his mortality" (109). We come this weekend as God's people to witness to the great joy of the Savior's birth and to bring our own gifts to him. Each one of us is called to live a stewardship way of life, the giving of our time, talent, and treasure. These are the gifts we bring, not just on the Epiphany, but everyday of our lives as we live as Jesus' disciples in the world and in our respective communities. We pray that the star, the light, which guided the Magi will guide us in our journey of life and faith and bring us safely to the joys of God's Heavenly Kingdom. Have a blessed weekend!!!

Saint Andre Bessette

The beauty of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal is that we have the prayers for our recent saints in the Church. Today is a wonderful example as we keep the memorial of Saint Andre Bessette. Saint Andre is a North American Saint and a saint of our own time period. "In 1982, Blessed John Paul II beatified Andre Alfred Bessette of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Canada. A man of prayer to whom people came for counsel, the humble 'Brother Andre' was the moving spirit behind the construction of the imposing basilica of Saint Joseph in Montreal. He was notable for his great devotion to Saint Joseph. He was canonized by Benedict XVI in 2010" (Magnificat, 84-85). Even in the Collect for Mass we hear, "Lord our God, friend of the lowly, who gave your servant, Saint Andre Bessette, a great devotion to Saint Joseph and a special commitment to the poor and afflicted, help us through his intercession to follow his example of prayer and love and so come to share with him in your glory" (85). We make that prayer our own as we strive to follow the example of the holy men and women who have gone before us. We pray that our devotion to Saint Joseph will also grow because that divine assistance is there for us at all times. Saint Andre Bessette, pray for us!!!

Saint John Neumann

This week, we are celebrating a series of saints for the United States. Yesterday we kept the memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and today we remember Saint John Neumann. He was born in Bohemia but had a desire to work and minister in the American Missions. Saint John came to the United States and was ordained in New York in 1836. In 1840, he joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) and ministered in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. He was consecrated the bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. Saint John established Catholic Schools and parishes that ministered to immigrants. He died on January 5, 1860; was beatified in 1963; and canonized a saint in 1977 (Magnificat, 69). Saint John is truly a saint for America and a saint for this Christmas Time. He gave of himself to minister to those brothers and sisters who came to America from other countries, just as he did. As one commentary states, "Saint John Neumann lived in poverty in order to preach the Gospel without hindrance. His concern was not for his own comfort but fo the religious and educational needs of those he had left his homeland to serve, especially those who, like himself, were immigrants to the United States" (Magnificat, 66). Like Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Saint John Neumann followed not his will, but the will of God. He came to America to minister and preach. We are called to do the same, to reach out to our brothers and sisters, to preach the Good News to them, and share with them God's great love. May Saint John Neumann intercede for us so that we may be faithful disciples of our Lord and evangelizers of the gospel! Blessings to you!!!

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

A beautiful memorial that the United States celebrates during this Christmas Time, remembering Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. As I told our Catholic School students and teachers, she is a wonderful example for us and the ministry we carry out because she established Catholic Schools and a religious community of teaching sisters. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is also a Christmas Time saint because of how she gave herself to the will of God. We think about our Blessed Mother during this time because she said "Yes" to being the mother of God's only Son. We also think about those holy men and women who said "Yes," like St. Elizabeth Seton. One commentary states, "Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton's path took many unexpected turnings because she followed God's will rather than her own. What matters most is that the path God chose took her to him. In her obedience lay the source of the wisdom with which she taught others to follow in God's way" (Magnificat, 55-56). That statement should also matter to us because it is a way of life. We need to follow God's will in our lives for He knows what is best for us. Like our Lord said, "I have come to do, not my will, but the will of the One who sent me." The will of God is very important and it continues to unfold as we live our lives of faith, holiness, and prayer. We pray that Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton will intercede for us, help us in our faith and ministries, and guide us to always be open to the will of God in our lives. Have a blessed day!!!

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

The beautiful feast that we celebrate goes back to apostolic times where Saint Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, "At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (2:10-11). The Church's veneration of the name of Jesus flourished through the teaching of the Franciscan Saint Bernadine of Siena. It was in 1721 that the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus was mandated for the universal Church, and has now been restored by Blessed Pope John Paul II (Magnificat, 49). This feast was originally associated with the Mary, the Holy Mother of God. In the General Roman Calendar given to the church by Pope Paul VI in 1969, following the Second Vatican Council, reads, "1 January, the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord, is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, and also the commemoration of the conferral of the Most Holy Name of Jesus" (No. 35, The Priest, Dec. 2011). That came from Sunday's gospel, Luke 2:16-21, where at the time of his circumcision, the name given to the child was Jesus, which was the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb of the Blessed Mother. As we read, this feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus has been restored and it is a great feast to celebrate because we know the power that comes in Jesus' name. We thank God for the gift of His Son and that his name will praised at all times! Have a blessed day!!!

Early Beginnings!

As a young boy, I always enjoyed building things out of wood. I had buildings, factories, and whatever else I could think of. One day, I thought it would be neat to build a church. That was my early interest in the Catholic faith and the thought of being a priest. The first church that I built was small and not furnished. Eventually, I would build larger churches and have them furnished with all the items you would find in a Catholic Church. Of course, there had to be a name. The first church that I built was named, "Mary, Mother of God!" I found that name by looking at a church calendar and since it was on January 1, how appropriate. Now, I would have to change that name to, "Mary, the Holy Mother of God." Those churches no longer exist but the memories are there forever of that early beginning in learning and living the faith. The title, "Mother of God" comes from the word, "Theotokos," meaning God-bearer. As one source says, "This established her not only as the mother of Jesus, but affirmed Jesus as the Son of God" (Today's Liturgy, 2012). There is also a prayer that establishes the title, "Holy Mother of God." This prayer is from the 11th Century Latin: "Under thy protection we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our needs, but from all dangers deliver us always, Virgin Glorious and Blessed" (Today's Liturgy, 2012). We thank God for the gift of Mary, our Blessed Mother. Even though the 1st of January is past, we can still rejoice in the gift of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, because her presence and intercession are with us each day! God Bless You!!!