Religious Education - Children
Catechist BlogThe Immaculate Conception
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...
Thy Will Be Done
Whenever we pray the Our Father, we say the following words: “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done” (Matthew 6:10). God’s Kingdom is present whenever we do God’s will. Jesus teaches in today’s Gospel that we must “do” what we pray: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord,...
Feeding So Many with So Little
A scripture scholar in reflecting on this passage points out that in three successive stages of ministry Jesus ended each stage with a meal. First there was the feeding of the five thousand that came at the end of His ministry in Galilee. Second was the feeding of...
Masks
The news of these last few days has unfortunately, reminded us that COVID is still very much a part of our lives. As of this week, COVID cases are up by 30% in our area. The diocese has not made mask wearing mandatory, but in light of this recent news it would seem...
But how can they?
Today is the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. St. Andrew is the patron saint of several countries, notably Scotland and Russia - as well as patron of many other activities, including the Russian Navy. The brother of Simon Peter, he was called as an apostle and sent on...
The Parade of Nations
In our modern times there is perhaps no “parade of nations” more famous than the ceremony that begins the modern Olympic Games. All the nations of the world, national flags at the fore, people dressed for the occasion, with a destination in mind. A reminder of what...
The Kingdom of God is Near
Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God two thousand years ago, but it is still maturing, and it has not yet reached its fullness. He has entrusted this to us, to his Church which is always animated by the Spirit. As the tree has internal sap, and receives its...
A Time for Rediscovering
So, what is Thanksgiving? It is a time for rediscovering the meaning of giving thanks. To rediscover the gifts, the good things that we have been given, and not take them for granted. We live in a society that in which we have so many material things, that we can...
The Memorial of Andrew-Dung-Lac and Companions
“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans” (Mt 10:17-18) Today’s readings celebrate the martyrdom of Fr. Andrew-Dung-Lac...
The End
How will it all end? It is natural human curiosity to want to know how things will end. We hate TV shows that end the season with “cliffhangers” since we have to wait to see if all the main characters died. Of course, we know they probably didn’t but we are never...