In this e-weekly:
-BEST PARISH PRACTICE is a section of the e-weekly (see below)
-Funniest Headlines (A bit of humor…)
- Living Simply ("Helpful Hints of Life")
New Bell Calls Faithful to Prayer at Dominican House of Studies in Washington (News)
-BEST PARISH PRACTICE is a section of the e-weekly (see below)
-Funniest Headlines (A bit of humor…)
- Living Simply ("Helpful Hints of Life")
New Bell Calls Faithful to Prayer at Dominican House of Studies in Washington (News)
Catholic Good News
Receiving the Gospel, Serving God and Neighbor
SILENCE-Inside and Outside
"When he broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven
for about half an hour." Revelation 8:1
Receiving the Gospel, Serving God and Neighbor
SILENCE-Inside and Outside
"When he broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven
for about half an hour." Revelation 8:1
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
On the subject of Lent, the Pope indicated that "it should also be a time to abstain from words and images, because we have need of a little silence. We need to create a space free from the constant bombardment of images, ... a silent space for ourselves, without images, in order to open our hearts to the true image, the true Word".
We live in such a noisy world: car radio; music while on hold; talking here and there; our own minds racing with worries, deadlines, and more…it is no wonder people wonder where God is or even if He exists at all.
"In the eternal silences of the Holy Trinity, God spoke one Word, and He had nothing more to say."
The one Word is JESUS CHRIST! Yet God still communicates with us through the silence. Yet, we must bring about silence inside and outside ourselves that we might be able to listen. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta offers:
"If we really want to pray, we must first learn to listen, for in the silence of the heart, God speaks. Jesus spent thirty years out of thirty-three in silence, began His public life by spending forty days in silence, and often retired alone to spend the night on a mountain in silence. He who spoke with authority, now spends His earthly life in silence. Let us adore Jesus in His Eucharistic silence!
Yes, Jesus is always waiting for us in silence. In that silence He will listen to us, there He will speak to our soul, and there we will hear His voice. Interior silence is very difficult, but we must make the effort. In silence we will find new energy and true unity. The energy of God will be ours to do all things well. We will find the true unity of our thoughts with His thoughts, the unity of our prayers with His prayers, the unity of our actions with His actions, and the unity of our life with His life."
Why wait until the next time you go to Adoration, enter the inner silence of prayer now to find true unity with HIM!
Peace and prayers in Jesus through Mary, loved by Saint Joseph,
Father Robert
P.S. This coming Sunday is the Presentation of the Lord. The readings can be found at: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm
P.S.S. Please look to the end of the e-weekly for Reflections and Questions on the Sunday Readings.
On the subject of Lent, the Pope indicated that "it should also be a time to abstain from words and images, because we have need of a little silence. We need to create a space free from the constant bombardment of images, ... a silent space for ourselves, without images, in order to open our hearts to the true image, the true Word".
We live in such a noisy world: car radio; music while on hold; talking here and there; our own minds racing with worries, deadlines, and more…it is no wonder people wonder where God is or even if He exists at all.
"In the eternal silences of the Holy Trinity, God spoke one Word, and He had nothing more to say."
The one Word is JESUS CHRIST! Yet God still communicates with us through the silence. Yet, we must bring about silence inside and outside ourselves that we might be able to listen. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta offers:
"If we really want to pray, we must first learn to listen, for in the silence of the heart, God speaks. Jesus spent thirty years out of thirty-three in silence, began His public life by spending forty days in silence, and often retired alone to spend the night on a mountain in silence. He who spoke with authority, now spends His earthly life in silence. Let us adore Jesus in His Eucharistic silence!
Yes, Jesus is always waiting for us in silence. In that silence He will listen to us, there He will speak to our soul, and there we will hear His voice. Interior silence is very difficult, but we must make the effort. In silence we will find new energy and true unity. The energy of God will be ours to do all things well. We will find the true unity of our thoughts with His thoughts, the unity of our prayers with His prayers, the unity of our actions with His actions, and the unity of our life with His life."
Why wait until the next time you go to Adoration, enter the inner silence of prayer now to find true unity with HIM!
Peace and prayers in Jesus through Mary, loved by Saint Joseph,
Father Robert
P.S. This coming Sunday is the Presentation of the Lord. The readings can be found at: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm
P.S.S. Please look to the end of the e-weekly for Reflections and Questions on the Sunday Readings.
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
265. What place does Confirmation have in the divine plan of salvation? (Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 1285-1288, 1315)
a) there is nothing connected with it in the Old Testament
b) Old Testament prophets announced the Spirit on the Messiah
c) the Holy Spirit was just for the Apostles
d) none of the above
266. Why is this sacrament called Chrismation or Confirmation? (CCC 1289)
a) because it is an anointing with chrism
b) because it is the confirming of baptismal grace
c) because it is strengthens baptismal grace
d) all of the above
267. What is the essential rite of Confirmation? (CCC 1290-1301, 1318, 1320-1321)
a) choosing a Confirmation name
b) having the perfect sponsor
c) “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”
d) speaking in tongues while being prayed over
265. What place does Confirmation have in the divine plan of salvation? (Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 1285-1288, 1315)
a) there is nothing connected with it in the Old Testament
b) Old Testament prophets announced the Spirit on the Messiah
c) the Holy Spirit was just for the Apostles
d) none of the above
266. Why is this sacrament called Chrismation or Confirmation? (CCC 1289)
a) because it is an anointing with chrism
b) because it is the confirming of baptismal grace
c) because it is strengthens baptismal grace
d) all of the above
267. What is the essential rite of Confirmation? (CCC 1290-1301, 1318, 1320-1321)
a) choosing a Confirmation name
b) having the perfect sponsor
c) “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”
d) speaking in tongues while being prayed over
I once was visiting a beautiful home, finely furnished with exquisite furniture, lovely artwork and impeccable décor. However, the heavy draperies around the windows blocked most of the natural light in the rooms, and left an atmosphere of heaviness and, quite frankly, suffocation. Although the home was beautiful I couldn't wait to leave and enjoy the freshness and plainness of the light and air outside.
I can't help but think, as we enter into this season of Lent, about the "heaviness," the complications of everyday life, that have the potential to snuff out the fresh light and air of Christ in our lives.
What am I talking about? I'm talking about living simply. Obviously Lent is a time for penance, reflection, renewal. It's a time for introspection and consideration of things eternal. What I'm proposing this Lent is paring down life, getting rid of the 'heavy draperies' so that things eternal can shine into our daily thoughts and lives.
How can simplicity of life be accomplished? I'm going to offer a formula set forth by philosopher and professor Peter Kreeft in his classic 1990 book, Making Choices: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Moral Decisions. (It's rated a full five stars on Amazon.com. Buy it there or at your local Catholic bookstore. I promise you won't be disappointed.)
First, attain mastery over time. The clock should not be our god. It is true we need to watch the clock to make it to work, keep our dentist appointments, and get to Mass on time. However, American society is too focused on schedules. Take time to get at eye level with your child and really listen. Make time for 'date night' with your mate. Do one thing at a time. Do not worry about work when you are home with your family or your home projects when you are at work. Think about the one thing you are currently doing and do it well. (Kreeft bluntly tells his readers to stop "octopussing" — trying to do eight things at once. I might add that some of us are likely even "jellyfishing." Did you know some jellyfish have hundreds of tentacles?) Slow down and here's the biggie: pray... without watching a clock. God is the creator of time, reminds Kreeft. God can multiply time, but first we must offer our time to Him. And it is good to remember that God cannot be outdone in generosity. He will take our sacrifice and bless us a thousand fold. A good place to start this Lent is going to Confession and attending other Catholic devotions such as Eucharistic Adoration or Stations of the Cross. Like the Nike commercial advocates, "Just do it."
Second, live more naturally. Go to bed earlier and get up earlier, following nature's cycle of darkness and light. Kreeft says this aids in simplicity because the things people do in the morning are usually simple things — walking, praying, and tidying up. And the things people do in the evening or more complicating (or time-wasting) — busywork, attending parties, watching television. Spend more time outdoors (yes, even in the winter!) Breathe in the fresh air. And take walks frequently. Kreeft writes, "[When you walk] you will begin to recapture the natural rhythms of the body...It attunes us with the earth and air...It is a symbol of life, the road to eternity... And it gives us an opportunity to think."
Third, recognize that often less is more. Don't just give up sweets this Lent. Take less food. Chew it slowly. Savor its flavor deliberately. Enjoy it more. We've all seen women who have overdone it in the jewelry and make-up departments. They have baubles and beads on every limb, and layers of gold or silver around their necks. Heavy eye shadow and lip color emphasizes their faces. Who can deny that this actually detracts from a woman's natural beauty? Contrast that image with simple cleanliness and light makeup, a plain cross necklace and a pair of simple earrings on a female. One young woman I knew in college gave up make-up for Lent. That's probably considered radical in our American culture, and I don't know very many women who would do that for forty whole days, but it is a good idea to eliminate extra things. Less truly is often more.
Fourth, decrease expenses. We don't need half of what we want anyway. Love of money is the root of all evil. See what you can do without.
Fifth, embrace silence. Kreeft calls silence "the unknown power source...the great untapped resource." He says that silence is more, not less than noise. Cultivate inner silence by eliminating outer noise. Turn off the television. Skip the radio in the car. Listen more. Talk less. God speaks to us all the time, but often with the cacophonic sounds intruding into our lives we just don't hear Him.
Simplifying life truly is like pulling back or even taking down thick draperies in a stuffy, dark room. In removing the fabric that blocks luminosity we will find more light, more freshness, and quite likely more room for God.
Theresa Thomas, a freelance writer and columnist for Today's Catholic resides in northern Indiana with her husband David and their nine children. She has been home schooling since 1994
"Contemplative prayer is silence, the "symbol of the world to come" or "silent love." Words in this kind of prayer are not speeches; they are like kindling that feeds the fire of love. In this silence, unbearable to the "outer" man, the Father speaks to us his incarnate Word, who suffered, died, and rose; in this silence the Spirit of adoption enables us to share in the prayer of Jesus." -Catechism of the Catholic Church #2717
I can't help but think, as we enter into this season of Lent, about the "heaviness," the complications of everyday life, that have the potential to snuff out the fresh light and air of Christ in our lives.
What am I talking about? I'm talking about living simply. Obviously Lent is a time for penance, reflection, renewal. It's a time for introspection and consideration of things eternal. What I'm proposing this Lent is paring down life, getting rid of the 'heavy draperies' so that things eternal can shine into our daily thoughts and lives.
How can simplicity of life be accomplished? I'm going to offer a formula set forth by philosopher and professor Peter Kreeft in his classic 1990 book, Making Choices: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Moral Decisions. (It's rated a full five stars on Amazon.com. Buy it there or at your local Catholic bookstore. I promise you won't be disappointed.)
First, attain mastery over time. The clock should not be our god. It is true we need to watch the clock to make it to work, keep our dentist appointments, and get to Mass on time. However, American society is too focused on schedules. Take time to get at eye level with your child and really listen. Make time for 'date night' with your mate. Do one thing at a time. Do not worry about work when you are home with your family or your home projects when you are at work. Think about the one thing you are currently doing and do it well. (Kreeft bluntly tells his readers to stop "octopussing" — trying to do eight things at once. I might add that some of us are likely even "jellyfishing." Did you know some jellyfish have hundreds of tentacles?) Slow down and here's the biggie: pray... without watching a clock. God is the creator of time, reminds Kreeft. God can multiply time, but first we must offer our time to Him. And it is good to remember that God cannot be outdone in generosity. He will take our sacrifice and bless us a thousand fold. A good place to start this Lent is going to Confession and attending other Catholic devotions such as Eucharistic Adoration or Stations of the Cross. Like the Nike commercial advocates, "Just do it."
Second, live more naturally. Go to bed earlier and get up earlier, following nature's cycle of darkness and light. Kreeft says this aids in simplicity because the things people do in the morning are usually simple things — walking, praying, and tidying up. And the things people do in the evening or more complicating (or time-wasting) — busywork, attending parties, watching television. Spend more time outdoors (yes, even in the winter!) Breathe in the fresh air. And take walks frequently. Kreeft writes, "[When you walk] you will begin to recapture the natural rhythms of the body...It attunes us with the earth and air...It is a symbol of life, the road to eternity... And it gives us an opportunity to think."
Third, recognize that often less is more. Don't just give up sweets this Lent. Take less food. Chew it slowly. Savor its flavor deliberately. Enjoy it more. We've all seen women who have overdone it in the jewelry and make-up departments. They have baubles and beads on every limb, and layers of gold or silver around their necks. Heavy eye shadow and lip color emphasizes their faces. Who can deny that this actually detracts from a woman's natural beauty? Contrast that image with simple cleanliness and light makeup, a plain cross necklace and a pair of simple earrings on a female. One young woman I knew in college gave up make-up for Lent. That's probably considered radical in our American culture, and I don't know very many women who would do that for forty whole days, but it is a good idea to eliminate extra things. Less truly is often more.
Fourth, decrease expenses. We don't need half of what we want anyway. Love of money is the root of all evil. See what you can do without.
Fifth, embrace silence. Kreeft calls silence "the unknown power source...the great untapped resource." He says that silence is more, not less than noise. Cultivate inner silence by eliminating outer noise. Turn off the television. Skip the radio in the car. Listen more. Talk less. God speaks to us all the time, but often with the cacophonic sounds intruding into our lives we just don't hear Him.
Simplifying life truly is like pulling back or even taking down thick draperies in a stuffy, dark room. In removing the fabric that blocks luminosity we will find more light, more freshness, and quite likely more room for God.
Theresa Thomas, a freelance writer and columnist for Today's Catholic resides in northern Indiana with her husband David and their nine children. She has been home schooling since 1994
"Contemplative prayer is silence, the "symbol of the world to come" or "silent love." Words in this kind of prayer are not speeches; they are like kindling that feeds the fire of love. In this silence, unbearable to the "outer" man, the Father speaks to us his incarnate Word, who suffered, died, and rose; in this silence the Spirit of adoption enables us to share in the prayer of Jesus." -Catechism of the Catholic Church #2717
Catholic Answers
https://www.catholic.com/
Catholic Answers is an apostolate dedicated to serving Christ by bringing the fullness of Catholic truth to the world. It helps Catholics and everyone better understand the Catholic Faith, and directly answers challenges and questions.
https://www.catholic.com/
Catholic Answers is an apostolate dedicated to serving Christ by bringing the fullness of Catholic truth to the world. It helps Catholics and everyone better understand the Catholic Faith, and directly answers challenges and questions.
BEST PARISH PRACTICES
BULLETINS FROM SURROUNDING PARISHES
Post bulletins from surrounding parishes in your church vestibule or gathering space.
BENEFITS:
Making available bulletins from nearby parishes blesses your parish in many ways. It helps keep you informed of the prayer, work, and news of nearby Catholics. It offers their Mass times/Confession schedule, if parishioners cannot make your parish's. It gives a broader Church perspective to let parishioners see that Catholicism is bigger than 'my parish.' It can give good ideas to your parish and parishioners.
HOW?
Ask your Parish Priest if this is okay to do. The parish can then contact nearby parishes to send their bulletins via e-mail or direct one to them online. Then they can be printed out (or nearby parish may mail them to you) [even just one to read is enough] and placed in the church vestibule or gathering area and people can be made aware of their presence for reading and edification.
Post bulletins from surrounding parishes in your church vestibule or gathering space.
BENEFITS:
Making available bulletins from nearby parishes blesses your parish in many ways. It helps keep you informed of the prayer, work, and news of nearby Catholics. It offers their Mass times/Confession schedule, if parishioners cannot make your parish's. It gives a broader Church perspective to let parishioners see that Catholicism is bigger than 'my parish.' It can give good ideas to your parish and parishioners.
HOW?
Ask your Parish Priest if this is okay to do. The parish can then contact nearby parishes to send their bulletins via e-mail or direct one to them online. Then they can be printed out (or nearby parish may mail them to you) [even just one to read is enough] and placed in the church vestibule or gathering area and people can be made aware of their presence for reading and edification.
Matthew McDonald Interviews
January 25, 2025
Friars at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., have installed a bell in the tower of its chapel, which didn’t have one before.
The prior, Dominican Father Gregory Schnakenberg, blessed the bell with holy water and incensed it while the bell was on the ground on Jan. 12, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, as part of a bell-blessing liturgy from the Church’s Book of Blessings that includes Scripture readings. The bell was installed in the chapel tower on Jan. 16.
The friars have named the bell after St. Gabriel, who announced to Mary that she would conceive Jesus; the chapel, built in 1905, is called Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
The friars also added an inscription on the bell in Latin — in the first person, in keeping with a long-standing tradition concerning bells.
The inscription is seen on the bell. | Courtesy of Dominican Father Gregory Schnakenberg
The translated inscription in English says: “I sing to the honor of Saint Gabriel the Archangel, who announced to Mary, the Virgin Immaculate, the incarnation of the Word of God. I sound now in this Catholic church for, through the help of the Lyons and Smith families and other benefactors, the sons of Saint Dominic have brought me here and restored me A.D. 2024.”
The bell was made by the Meneely Bell Foundry in Waterlivet, New York, in 1929, for an Episcopalian church in Pennsylvania. After a period of disuse, the bell made its way to the McShane Bell Co., of Missouri, which makes new bells and restores old bells.
January 25, 2025
Friars at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., have installed a bell in the tower of its chapel, which didn’t have one before.
The prior, Dominican Father Gregory Schnakenberg, blessed the bell with holy water and incensed it while the bell was on the ground on Jan. 12, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, as part of a bell-blessing liturgy from the Church’s Book of Blessings that includes Scripture readings. The bell was installed in the chapel tower on Jan. 16.
The friars have named the bell after St. Gabriel, who announced to Mary that she would conceive Jesus; the chapel, built in 1905, is called Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
The friars also added an inscription on the bell in Latin — in the first person, in keeping with a long-standing tradition concerning bells.
The inscription is seen on the bell. | Courtesy of Dominican Father Gregory Schnakenberg
The translated inscription in English says: “I sing to the honor of Saint Gabriel the Archangel, who announced to Mary, the Virgin Immaculate, the incarnation of the Word of God. I sound now in this Catholic church for, through the help of the Lyons and Smith families and other benefactors, the sons of Saint Dominic have brought me here and restored me A.D. 2024.”
The bell was made by the Meneely Bell Foundry in Waterlivet, New York, in 1929, for an Episcopalian church in Pennsylvania. After a period of disuse, the bell made its way to the McShane Bell Co., of Missouri, which makes new bells and restores old bells.
The Dominican House of Studies is a seminary for Dominican brothers and priests. About 70 friars live in the priory currently. Father Schnakenberg said it’s not clear whether the friars who built the chapel tower 120 years ago envisioned putting a bell there, but now it has one.
“Sadly, more churches are probably closing and dispersing their bells than installing them. But we were very happy to be able to take a bell that had been in use and restore it and give it a new home,” Father Schnakenberg told the Register on Friday.
A transcript of the interview is below, edited for clarity and length.
Did you have a carillon system in place before the bell arrived?
No, no, we’ve never had any bells like that or electronic systems in the tower.
And why is it important to you to have a real bell?
Well, first of all, I don’t want to gainsay anyone who has an electronic system or anything like that. I think those can serve a useful purpose.
But I think that, for us, the authenticity and sacramental quality of having a real bell was important. There’s a physicality to a real bell that reflects how we can put the material world into the service of the worship of God.
And it is certainly a very traditional and long-standing practice in the Church to have bells that call people to prayer. And so this is in continuity with that. And it was a chance to restore a bell that already existed and put it back into service. And I think that’s a good and positive thing to do, as well.
How will the bell be used?
We are still finalizing some of the details, but we plan to ring it before our celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours, so as to call the community together for morning prayer and evening prayer, as well as when we ring it for the Angelus, before that prayer as well. And then we might use it at some other times, too, such as funerals or special occasions.
Have you looked into the history of bells because of this project?
A little bit. My own background is in medieval history. That’s what I teach here at the House of Studies. And I’ve looked a little bit into it.
Dominican churches often had bells like other Catholic churches, and, you know, it’s a common thing if you’re in Europe to hear lots of church bells going off at different times of the day. Here in the United States we don’t hear them as much, but I think it would certainly be a good thing to have more of that.
It was part of the kind of medieval soundscape to have church bells ringing. And it contributed, I think, to the sanctification of the day and reminding people of God in the midst of their day. So I think having this helps contribute to that and should be a good thing for the lives of the faithful and for evangelization more broadly.
People have been really excited about the bell, not just here at the priory, but others who found out about it; and, to be honest, I’ve been kind of surprised at the level of enthusiasm about the whole thing. It’s great to see, but it’s also been really kind of encouraging in all sorts of ways we didn’t expect — just the level of enthusiasm.
I think people are just excited to see something hopeful, something musical, something that shows the vitality in the Church, and this has proven to be that.
“Sadly, more churches are probably closing and dispersing their bells than installing them. But we were very happy to be able to take a bell that had been in use and restore it and give it a new home,” Father Schnakenberg told the Register on Friday.
A transcript of the interview is below, edited for clarity and length.
Did you have a carillon system in place before the bell arrived?
No, no, we’ve never had any bells like that or electronic systems in the tower.
And why is it important to you to have a real bell?
Well, first of all, I don’t want to gainsay anyone who has an electronic system or anything like that. I think those can serve a useful purpose.
But I think that, for us, the authenticity and sacramental quality of having a real bell was important. There’s a physicality to a real bell that reflects how we can put the material world into the service of the worship of God.
And it is certainly a very traditional and long-standing practice in the Church to have bells that call people to prayer. And so this is in continuity with that. And it was a chance to restore a bell that already existed and put it back into service. And I think that’s a good and positive thing to do, as well.
How will the bell be used?
We are still finalizing some of the details, but we plan to ring it before our celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours, so as to call the community together for morning prayer and evening prayer, as well as when we ring it for the Angelus, before that prayer as well. And then we might use it at some other times, too, such as funerals or special occasions.
Have you looked into the history of bells because of this project?
A little bit. My own background is in medieval history. That’s what I teach here at the House of Studies. And I’ve looked a little bit into it.
Dominican churches often had bells like other Catholic churches, and, you know, it’s a common thing if you’re in Europe to hear lots of church bells going off at different times of the day. Here in the United States we don’t hear them as much, but I think it would certainly be a good thing to have more of that.
It was part of the kind of medieval soundscape to have church bells ringing. And it contributed, I think, to the sanctification of the day and reminding people of God in the midst of their day. So I think having this helps contribute to that and should be a good thing for the lives of the faithful and for evangelization more broadly.
People have been really excited about the bell, not just here at the priory, but others who found out about it; and, to be honest, I’ve been kind of surprised at the level of enthusiasm about the whole thing. It’s great to see, but it’s also been really kind of encouraging in all sorts of ways we didn’t expect — just the level of enthusiasm.
I think people are just excited to see something hopeful, something musical, something that shows the vitality in the Church, and this has proven to be that.
Monta Monaco Hernon \ Education
February 3
For the last 10 years, in the western suburbs of Chicago, home-schoolers have been learning what is good, true and beautiful as part of the Riverside Club for Adventure and Imagination.
My four children have all attended Riverside’s programs, and I have always volunteered to work on Riverside’s many creative projects; within the last year, I have started working as a promotions manager to help get the word out about the public events: plays, etc.
Why?
Because of its educational mission.
Boys ages 8-14 attend the flagship program, “Tutorial,” for one day a week, where they are steeped in the creative arts, outdoor adventure, faith and friendship. The boys spend six hours, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Riverside began as the vision of Peter Searby, a former teacher who was dissatisfied with the trend in modern education of relying on content conveyance and consumption instead of curiosity and wonder.
“It became clear to me that there was something missing in education, particularly for boys. The campuses, the curricula, the schedules, the activities are often not what young people need,” Searby told the Register. “I felt the desire to rectify what I disliked in school and what I saw was still lacking in the system.”
Now, after a decade of running Riverside, Searby has written Casting Fire: A Guide to the Adventure and Imagination of Boyhood, which I had the honor of editing, in order to share what he has learned with a broader audience.
“This book is for anyone who is interested in creative education, imaginative learning, and the connection between education, culture and the spirit,” Searby said. The hope is that others will feel called to incorporate some of the ideas into their own programs, home school or even classrooms.
The Core of the ApproachIn a culture where masculinity is often frowned upon and boys are languishing behind desks, Riverside offers a refreshing approach where they are encouraged to become both warriors and poets. Their “wildness” is not repressed but redirected.
The concepts of adventure and imagination have deep meaning and relevance to the landscape of action and storytelling that awaits the boys at Riverside.
“We do all we can to cultivate an environment that is both consonant with the nature of boys and at the same time challenges them to live self-control, diligence, focus and deep work,” Searby explained.
Imagination is tied to the notion of seeing beyond, and the boys are asked to consider whether material things are all there is in this life or whether there is more to the world than meets the eye.
“The imagination has the unique power to see the greater narrative we are in,” Searby said. “If we believe we are actually living a fantastic adventure story, albeit true, then our approach to life’s journey will take on ultimate meaning that reveals to us our true self and our calling.”
Tutorial is filled with storytelling, singing, acting, writing, venturing out into nature, building a brotherhood, and enjoying the fruits of a creative fellowship. In an annual project called “Legend Box,” the boys envision an entire fantasy world and create a time capsule with journals, maps and drawings.
“This and really all of our many story projects are geared towards opening up the imaginations of the young to see beyond by means of symbol, myth and metaphor,” Searby said.
At Riverside, the creative arts are manly, said Christine Gomez, mom of eight. Last spring, her hockey-playing 13-year-old painted five landscapes based on The Lord of the Rings for the annual “Museum Project,” where the boys research, create and display items as if they were curating an exhibit.
“Art is such an individual thing; it is quiet. Not like theater or [sport]. … For the boys to be able to share those things that they wouldn’t have been able to share otherwise with friends and community is such a blessing,” Gomez said. The Legend Box and the Museum project are repeated every year but with a different theme.
Tutorial participants attend events other than the one day at Tutorial. Every year, for instance, there is a Bilbo Baggins birthday party, a festive occasion when the boys perform scenes from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. This complements the theater program.
During the school year, Riverside’s programs are only easily accessible for home-schoolers because activities take place during school hours, but during the summer, Riverside offers various camps: Creative Arts, Ranger (actual camping), and a summer theater, open to all, not just the home-schooled.
The Riverside adventurous and imaginative approach augments a home-school curriculum in diverse ways. It encourages hesitant readers to pick up and enjoy great stories; those who dislike writing find enjoyment in telling adventurous tales; and boys who may not otherwise sketch or act realize they love drawing or being on the stage.
An Adventurous Spirit
If imagination inspires with a vision of the hero a boy is meant to be and the journey he could take, adventure is the spirit of courage required to step out on the pilgrim path. In adventure stories, the protagonist usually is living an ordinary, but restless, life when he senses there is a path, often dangerous, he must take.
And yet, adventure at Riverside takes on a more traditional, physical connotation as well. The 2023-24 theme of survival already has led to skills in knot tying, navigation, fire starting and cooking over an open flame. Searby also has been known to lead Huck Finn-inspired camping trips, for fathers and sons that involve paddling Wisconsin rivers in search of lost islands to explore.
February 3
For the last 10 years, in the western suburbs of Chicago, home-schoolers have been learning what is good, true and beautiful as part of the Riverside Club for Adventure and Imagination.
My four children have all attended Riverside’s programs, and I have always volunteered to work on Riverside’s many creative projects; within the last year, I have started working as a promotions manager to help get the word out about the public events: plays, etc.
Why?
Because of its educational mission.
Boys ages 8-14 attend the flagship program, “Tutorial,” for one day a week, where they are steeped in the creative arts, outdoor adventure, faith and friendship. The boys spend six hours, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Riverside began as the vision of Peter Searby, a former teacher who was dissatisfied with the trend in modern education of relying on content conveyance and consumption instead of curiosity and wonder.
“It became clear to me that there was something missing in education, particularly for boys. The campuses, the curricula, the schedules, the activities are often not what young people need,” Searby told the Register. “I felt the desire to rectify what I disliked in school and what I saw was still lacking in the system.”
Now, after a decade of running Riverside, Searby has written Casting Fire: A Guide to the Adventure and Imagination of Boyhood, which I had the honor of editing, in order to share what he has learned with a broader audience.
“This book is for anyone who is interested in creative education, imaginative learning, and the connection between education, culture and the spirit,” Searby said. The hope is that others will feel called to incorporate some of the ideas into their own programs, home school or even classrooms.
The Core of the ApproachIn a culture where masculinity is often frowned upon and boys are languishing behind desks, Riverside offers a refreshing approach where they are encouraged to become both warriors and poets. Their “wildness” is not repressed but redirected.
The concepts of adventure and imagination have deep meaning and relevance to the landscape of action and storytelling that awaits the boys at Riverside.
“We do all we can to cultivate an environment that is both consonant with the nature of boys and at the same time challenges them to live self-control, diligence, focus and deep work,” Searby explained.
Imagination is tied to the notion of seeing beyond, and the boys are asked to consider whether material things are all there is in this life or whether there is more to the world than meets the eye.
“The imagination has the unique power to see the greater narrative we are in,” Searby said. “If we believe we are actually living a fantastic adventure story, albeit true, then our approach to life’s journey will take on ultimate meaning that reveals to us our true self and our calling.”
Tutorial is filled with storytelling, singing, acting, writing, venturing out into nature, building a brotherhood, and enjoying the fruits of a creative fellowship. In an annual project called “Legend Box,” the boys envision an entire fantasy world and create a time capsule with journals, maps and drawings.
“This and really all of our many story projects are geared towards opening up the imaginations of the young to see beyond by means of symbol, myth and metaphor,” Searby said.
At Riverside, the creative arts are manly, said Christine Gomez, mom of eight. Last spring, her hockey-playing 13-year-old painted five landscapes based on The Lord of the Rings for the annual “Museum Project,” where the boys research, create and display items as if they were curating an exhibit.
“Art is such an individual thing; it is quiet. Not like theater or [sport]. … For the boys to be able to share those things that they wouldn’t have been able to share otherwise with friends and community is such a blessing,” Gomez said. The Legend Box and the Museum project are repeated every year but with a different theme.
Tutorial participants attend events other than the one day at Tutorial. Every year, for instance, there is a Bilbo Baggins birthday party, a festive occasion when the boys perform scenes from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. This complements the theater program.
During the school year, Riverside’s programs are only easily accessible for home-schoolers because activities take place during school hours, but during the summer, Riverside offers various camps: Creative Arts, Ranger (actual camping), and a summer theater, open to all, not just the home-schooled.
The Riverside adventurous and imaginative approach augments a home-school curriculum in diverse ways. It encourages hesitant readers to pick up and enjoy great stories; those who dislike writing find enjoyment in telling adventurous tales; and boys who may not otherwise sketch or act realize they love drawing or being on the stage.
An Adventurous Spirit
If imagination inspires with a vision of the hero a boy is meant to be and the journey he could take, adventure is the spirit of courage required to step out on the pilgrim path. In adventure stories, the protagonist usually is living an ordinary, but restless, life when he senses there is a path, often dangerous, he must take.
And yet, adventure at Riverside takes on a more traditional, physical connotation as well. The 2023-24 theme of survival already has led to skills in knot tying, navigation, fire starting and cooking over an open flame. Searby also has been known to lead Huck Finn-inspired camping trips, for fathers and sons that involve paddling Wisconsin rivers in search of lost islands to explore.
Creative Endeavor
Riverside aims to build a brotherhood in a way that incorporates everyone’s gifts and talents while working towards a common meaningful goal. The idea of a fellowship of creative endeavor, however, extends beyond the boys to the adults in the community.
Jocelyn Jansen, mom of 10, began costuming for Riverside back in 2014 for the summer theater performance of Robin Hood.
“I have always loved crafting but was so limited with time because of all our children and the demands of home schooling. God is so good to have given me this opportunity. My entire family saw this new joy in me and loved seeing me so happy,” Jansen said.
She still does costumes for Riverside’s theater productions, but also recently took over as director of the nascent program for girls, the Riverside Studio. Her goal is to adapt and live out the Riverside mission for them and with them: “We learn so much from both literature and the arts about how to express ourselves in a way that reflects true beauty. … Through Riverside tasks, the girls have more opportunities to learn how to work together, encourage each other, and enter into a greater story on this pilgrimage to heaven.”
And filling the boys’ imaginations will continue apace, according to Searby: “My hope is that, at Riverside, we are giving the boys a taste of an inspired life, and that we can help lead them out of the cave of passive acceptance, into an understanding of life as an epic cosmic drama.”
Monta Monaco Hernon is a freelance writer and editor in the Chicago suburbs. Her children have attended Riverside programs, and she has served as a volunteer, including to get the word out about the various programs.
LEARN MORE
Find out more about the Riverside Club and Peter Searby at RSide.org and PeterSearby.com. Casting Fire, which was edited by Monta Hernon, is available now on Amazon.
Riverside aims to build a brotherhood in a way that incorporates everyone’s gifts and talents while working towards a common meaningful goal. The idea of a fellowship of creative endeavor, however, extends beyond the boys to the adults in the community.
Jocelyn Jansen, mom of 10, began costuming for Riverside back in 2014 for the summer theater performance of Robin Hood.
“I have always loved crafting but was so limited with time because of all our children and the demands of home schooling. God is so good to have given me this opportunity. My entire family saw this new joy in me and loved seeing me so happy,” Jansen said.
She still does costumes for Riverside’s theater productions, but also recently took over as director of the nascent program for girls, the Riverside Studio. Her goal is to adapt and live out the Riverside mission for them and with them: “We learn so much from both literature and the arts about how to express ourselves in a way that reflects true beauty. … Through Riverside tasks, the girls have more opportunities to learn how to work together, encourage each other, and enter into a greater story on this pilgrimage to heaven.”
And filling the boys’ imaginations will continue apace, according to Searby: “My hope is that, at Riverside, we are giving the boys a taste of an inspired life, and that we can help lead them out of the cave of passive acceptance, into an understanding of life as an epic cosmic drama.”
Monta Monaco Hernon is a freelance writer and editor in the Chicago suburbs. Her children have attended Riverside programs, and she has served as a volunteer, including to get the word out about the various programs.
LEARN MORE
Find out more about the Riverside Club and Peter Searby at RSide.org and PeterSearby.com. Casting Fire, which was edited by Monta Hernon, is available now on Amazon.
By Francesca Pollio
Denver, Colo., Feb 3
Seventh graders CeCe and Abby start off each month by waking up early to say the rosary with their fellow classmates.
“We think it is important to be part of Lions for Life to pray for mothers who are thinking about aborting their babies,” they told CNA. “We hope our prayers will help them decide to choose life."
They, along with more than 300 other students, attend St. Thomas More Catholic School in Centennial, Colorado, a Denver suburb. The mission of the grade school is to “bring the whole person to Jesus Christ” and “prepare students to serve the Church and community now and in the future” through a quality education. It also offers students the opportunity to take part in several groups, programs, and extracurricular activities.
One of these groups is the Lions for Life. Open to students from all grades, the prayer group meets once a month before school starts to pray the rosary for the protection of babies in the womb and for an end to abortion. Kira Weiland, a sixth and seventh grade social studies teacher, runs the group.
Weiland explained that she inherited the group in 2015 from a former teacher who started the program more than 10 years ago.
The students meet on the first Thursday of the month at 7:10 a.m., before classes begin. The students say it’s time well spent.
Jonathan, a seventh grader in the group, told CNA that “Getting up extra early to join prayer at Lions for Life is a worthy cause because we honor God with our prayers."
Weiland expressed that this is part of what makes running the group so rewarding.
“The fact that they are willing to get up early, come in and pray for babies in the world and that they care deeply about that enough to come early. It's really that the rewarding part — is seeing them living out their faith,” she said.
Weiland explained how they prayed the special rosary.
“Each mystery has a specific prayer for it that has to do with praying for respect for all life,” she described. “We'll go through and pray those specific prayers and then I have the kids lead it so it's really their ownership of it.”
“It’s really, really sweet to watch,” Weiland said. “We'll have the little kids and then all the big kids, and big kids lead the rosary … probably third through eighth will volunteer to lead the rosary.”
Other teachers emphasized their support for the group.
“The prayers of children through the intercession of Mary, the mother of all, are some of the most powerful weapons in the fight for the unborn,” expressed middle school teacher Katherine Abar.
With the life issue a debated topic, Weiland addressed the importance of instilling a respect for life from a young age.
“I think the earlier you start creating that love for neighbor, the longer lasting it is going to be and the more impactful they're going to be in going out into serving the world because they're going to say, ‘No, this is something that I know to be true from a young age,’” Weiland said.
She continued, “And when they're little, I think they get it the most — how precious the child is because they're children. And I think that's the beauty of the large range of our group now is because they get to see, ‘Oh, this little kindergartener is praying the rosary. We should be excited about that and pray with them.’”
Denver, Colo., Feb 3
Seventh graders CeCe and Abby start off each month by waking up early to say the rosary with their fellow classmates.
“We think it is important to be part of Lions for Life to pray for mothers who are thinking about aborting their babies,” they told CNA. “We hope our prayers will help them decide to choose life."
They, along with more than 300 other students, attend St. Thomas More Catholic School in Centennial, Colorado, a Denver suburb. The mission of the grade school is to “bring the whole person to Jesus Christ” and “prepare students to serve the Church and community now and in the future” through a quality education. It also offers students the opportunity to take part in several groups, programs, and extracurricular activities.
One of these groups is the Lions for Life. Open to students from all grades, the prayer group meets once a month before school starts to pray the rosary for the protection of babies in the womb and for an end to abortion. Kira Weiland, a sixth and seventh grade social studies teacher, runs the group.
Weiland explained that she inherited the group in 2015 from a former teacher who started the program more than 10 years ago.
The students meet on the first Thursday of the month at 7:10 a.m., before classes begin. The students say it’s time well spent.
Jonathan, a seventh grader in the group, told CNA that “Getting up extra early to join prayer at Lions for Life is a worthy cause because we honor God with our prayers."
Weiland expressed that this is part of what makes running the group so rewarding.
“The fact that they are willing to get up early, come in and pray for babies in the world and that they care deeply about that enough to come early. It's really that the rewarding part — is seeing them living out their faith,” she said.
Weiland explained how they prayed the special rosary.
“Each mystery has a specific prayer for it that has to do with praying for respect for all life,” she described. “We'll go through and pray those specific prayers and then I have the kids lead it so it's really their ownership of it.”
“It’s really, really sweet to watch,” Weiland said. “We'll have the little kids and then all the big kids, and big kids lead the rosary … probably third through eighth will volunteer to lead the rosary.”
Other teachers emphasized their support for the group.
“The prayers of children through the intercession of Mary, the mother of all, are some of the most powerful weapons in the fight for the unborn,” expressed middle school teacher Katherine Abar.
With the life issue a debated topic, Weiland addressed the importance of instilling a respect for life from a young age.
“I think the earlier you start creating that love for neighbor, the longer lasting it is going to be and the more impactful they're going to be in going out into serving the world because they're going to say, ‘No, this is something that I know to be true from a young age,’” Weiland said.
She continued, “And when they're little, I think they get it the most — how precious the child is because they're children. And I think that's the beauty of the large range of our group now is because they get to see, ‘Oh, this little kindergartener is praying the rosary. We should be excited about that and pray with them.’”
Daughter of Charity Sister André Randon just turned 116.
She is the oldest person in Europe and the second-oldest person in the world. 117-year-old Japanese woman Kane Tanaka is the only person to surpass her in age.
Born Lucile Randon on Feb. 11, 1904, Sr. André converted to Catholicism at age 19. At age 25, she began caring for elderly and orphans at a French hospital. She later entered the Daughters of Charity at age 40.
Although she joined the convent late in life, her vocation has lasted for 76 years!
Sr. André moved in 2009 to Sainte-Catherine Labouré retirement home in Toulon, France, where she spent her 116th birthday with family and friends.
Sister André Randon, Vatican NewsAdditionally, for her 115th birthday, Pope Francis sent her a personal letter, along with a blessed Rosary.
Sr. Andre’s SecretHer secret recipe for happiness?
“Pray and drink a cup of chocolate every day.”
She also said her “daily happiness is being able to go and pray.”
Although blind and in a wheelchair, Sr. André never loses her sense of humor and always asks for prayers, saying that she “hopes God won’t be too slow to let her wait any longer…”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
She is the oldest person in Europe and the second-oldest person in the world. 117-year-old Japanese woman Kane Tanaka is the only person to surpass her in age.
Born Lucile Randon on Feb. 11, 1904, Sr. André converted to Catholicism at age 19. At age 25, she began caring for elderly and orphans at a French hospital. She later entered the Daughters of Charity at age 40.
Although she joined the convent late in life, her vocation has lasted for 76 years!
Sr. André moved in 2009 to Sainte-Catherine Labouré retirement home in Toulon, France, where she spent her 116th birthday with family and friends.
Sister André Randon, Vatican NewsAdditionally, for her 115th birthday, Pope Francis sent her a personal letter, along with a blessed Rosary.
Sr. Andre’s SecretHer secret recipe for happiness?
“Pray and drink a cup of chocolate every day.”
She also said her “daily happiness is being able to go and pray.”
Although blind and in a wheelchair, Sr. André never loses her sense of humor and always asks for prayers, saying that she “hopes God won’t be too slow to let her wait any longer…”
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http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/despite-grave-problems-the-lord-will-never-abandon-his-church
Despite Grave Problems, the Lord Will Never Abandon His Church - ncregister.com
THE EDITORS What to Expect From the Vatican Summit? CARDINAL WILFRID NAPIER Love, Care and Justice Must Be Paramount: MARIE COLLINS Plea for Commitment and Transparency
www.ncregister.com
Despite Grave Problems, the Lord Will Never Abandon His Church - ncregister.com
THE EDITORS What to Expect From the Vatican Summit? CARDINAL WILFRID NAPIER Love, Care and Justice Must Be Paramount: MARIE COLLINS Plea for Commitment and Transparency
www.ncregister.com
--------------------
The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus - the school of the Gospel. First, then, a lesson of silence. May esteem for silence, that admirable and indispensable condition of mind, revive in us. . . A lesson on family life. -Catechism of the Catholic Church #533
The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus - the school of the Gospel. First, then, a lesson of silence. May esteem for silence, that admirable and indispensable condition of mind, revive in us. . . A lesson on family life. -Catechism of the Catholic Church #533
Some Thoughts:
-Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
-Don't trust atoms, they make up everything.
- We live in an age where mentioning you read a book seems a little bit like you're showing off.
- I just let my mind wander, and it didn't come back.
- If it ain't broke, I haven't borrowed it yet.
THE YEAR'S BEST [actual] HEADLINES
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
[No, really?]
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
[Now that's taking things a bit far!]
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
[No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so!]
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
[Well if nothing else works!]
War Dims Hope for Peace
[I can see where it might have that effect!]
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
[Tell me some more of your deep thoughts.]
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
[We need more evidence before you go jumping to conclusions!]
-Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
-Don't trust atoms, they make up everything.
- We live in an age where mentioning you read a book seems a little bit like you're showing off.
- I just let my mind wander, and it didn't come back.
- If it ain't broke, I haven't borrowed it yet.
THE YEAR'S BEST [actual] HEADLINES
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
[No, really?]
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
[Now that's taking things a bit far!]
Miners Refuse to Work after Death
[No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so!]
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
[Well if nothing else works!]
War Dims Hope for Peace
[I can see where it might have that effect!]
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
[Tell me some more of your deep thoughts.]
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
[We need more evidence before you go jumping to conclusions!]
Lady, Queen of Heaven,
pray me into solitude and silence and unity,
that all my ways may be immaculate in God.
Let me be content with whatever darkness surrounds me,
finding Him always by me, in His mercy.
Let me keep silence in this world,
except in so far as God wills and in the way he wills it.
Amen.
-Thomas Merton
pray me into solitude and silence and unity,
that all my ways may be immaculate in God.
Let me be content with whatever darkness surrounds me,
finding Him always by me, in His mercy.
Let me keep silence in this world,
except in so far as God wills and in the way he wills it.
Amen.
-Thomas Merton
Homily from Ash Wednesday
[SILENT PAUSE FOR ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS]
In the eternal silences of the Trinity God spoke one Word and He had nothing more to say.
Silence…it can be a scary place. Whether it's in an elevator with someone else you're wondering if you need to say something to break the silence, or you're at the stoplight and you have time before it changes, the silence of a car trip, or whether it's at Mass at some point before or after, there is silence in our lives.
However, most of us are uncomfortable with silence. We think we have to fill it say with some words, turn on the radio, or think of something to occupy the time as if it is wasted in silence. Even the short silence that I had before this I heard somebody whispering I saw people looking around. We don't know what to do with silence, but it is to the silence that we must go to during this Lenten season. We must find that which is to be found therein, more importantly Who is to be found in the silence.
In the silence in the eternal silences of the Trinity God spoke one Word and He had nothing more to say.
That one Word is Jesus…Jesus…Jesus. He who spends Himself in silence…The silence of the Eucharist…The silence of the 40 days in the desert. The silence of the one who does not speak in the Sacred Scriptures, who is silent until someone speaks them in a word of proclamation.
Silence is where you and I must go these 40 days. Silence must be the place that we strive to penetrate. It will take courage; it will take faith, but if we do, dear brothers and sisters, we will find Jesus; we will find conversion; we will leave our selfish selves to become the generous givers to God and neighbor and then we will no longer fear the silence, (or any one or anything.)
"Today a great silence reigns on earth, a great silence and a great stillness. A great silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. . . He has gone to search for Adam, our first father, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow Adam in his bonds and Eve, captive with him - He who is both their God and the son of Eve. . . "I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. . . I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead." -Catechism of the Catholic Church #635
+JMJ+
SUNDAY BIBLICAL MASS READINGS AND QUESTIONS
for Self-Reflection, Couples or Family Discussion
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – February 2nd, 2025
The First Reading- Malachi 3:1-4
Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.
Reflection
Our First Reading for this Feast Day is mysterious and intriguing. Malachi begins by saying, on behalf of God, “I will send my messenger to prepare the way before me.” The word “messenger” can also mean “angel,” so we could understand this as “I will send my angel before me ….” This idea of a preparatory angel recalls the experience of Israel in the Wilderness, where the Angel of the LORD lead them (Exod 14:19), or the conquest of the land, concerning which God promised his angel to precede the armies of Israel (Ex 23:20,23; 32:34). The return of the Presence of the LORD will be like those great events of salvation history, a kind of “invasion” by the LORD. In the context of the Gospel, this preparatory “angel” is John the Baptist, who has been dominating our thoughts during Advent, the Feast of the Baptism, and last week’s liturgy (2nd Week of Ordinary Time). John was the “angel” who prepared for Jesus’ “invasion” of the Holy Land.
Adults – John is also referred to as the “voice crying out in the wilderness.” We are also called to spread the Good News in the “wilderness” of the world. How do you do this? In what ways do you find it challenging?
Teens -How can you be a messenger in the Lord in your everyday life?
Kids - How do you spread God’s love in your daily life?
Responsorial- Psalm 24: 7, 8, 9,10
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Reflection
-Psalm 24 reflects an ancient procession ritual practiced in the Jerusalem Temple, the rubrics of which were never recorded. Possibly, very early in Israel’s history, the Ark of the Covenant was periodically removed from the Holy of Holies by the Levites and re-processed into the Holy City in a ceremony celebrating God’s kingship. Regardless, in the context of the Feast of the Presentation, we have both the New Ark (Mary) and the LORD Himself (Jesus) entering the Temple.
The next time you process up to receive our Lord in communion, take special care to meditate on whom you are receiving.
The Second Reading- Hebrews 2:14-18
Since the children share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Reflection
Amazingly, many of the themes from the First Reading and the Psalm continue into this reflection on Christ’s priesthood in the Epistle to the Hebrews. The concept of Christ-as-Warrior is present here when Paul speaks of Jesus “destroying the one who has the power of death” and freeing those he has enslaved. We also see Jesus “becoming like his brothers and sisters in every way,” as he, like any other male child born into an Israelite family, undergoes the ceremonial rituals that Moses prescribed for a sinful people—rituals from which he and his mother were should have been exempt, yet they humble themselves to submit to them. Yet the humility of Jesus’ life of obedience under the Law of Moses—a Law given to a people who were hard of heart—prepared him to be a fitting High Priest for the New Covenant people. He who submitted to animal sacrifices for his purification, would one day make his own body the ultimate sacrifice, purifying stains of sin no animal blood could expunge.
-Lent is fast approaching, and if it’s been awhile since you have been to Confession, start preparing now to receive this beautiful Sacrament of forgiveness during the Lenten season.
The Holy Gospel according to Luke 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted --and you yourself a sword will pierce-- so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Reflection - Luke is at pains to emphasize that the Holy Family was obedient to the law in humility, although they could have claimed special exemption from its demands. This sets an example for us. None of us, are ever “above the law” of God. Jesus also demonstrates here that he is a man of order and authority, not a rebel anarchist trying to destabilize the social or ecclesiastical order. Although Jesus’ teaching can and does destabilize illegitimate systems of authority, it is not for the sake of anarchy but for the establishment of the order of Christ’s kingdom, governed by the Apostles and those who have received the succession of the priesthood from them.
Adults – Why is it important to adhere to the rules and regulations that Christ has handed down through his Church?
Teens – What resources do you have in properly interpreting the Law of God?
Kids – What do you think Jesus was like as a baby?
LIVING THE WORD OF GOD THIS WEEK! - God is the light in our darkness, let us light the world with His!
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
265. What place does Confirmation have in the divine plan of salvation? b) Old Testament prophets announced the Spirit on the Messiah
In the Old Testament the prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the awaited Messiah and on the entire messianic people. The whole life and mission of Jesus were carried out in total communion with the Holy Spirit. The apostles received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and proclaimed “the great works of God” (Acts 2:11). They gave the gift of the same Spirit to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands. Down through the centuries, the Church has continued to live by the Spirit and to impart him to her children.
266. Why is this sacrament called Chrismation or Confirmation? d) all of the above
It is called Chrismation (in the Eastern Churches: Anointing with holy myron or chrism) because the essential rite of the sacrament is anointing with chrism. It is called Confirmation because it confirms and strengthens baptismal grace.
267. What is the essential rite of Confirmation? c) “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”
The essential rite of Confirmation is the anointing with Sacred Chrism (oil mixed with balsam and consecrated by the bishop), which is done by the laying on of the hand of the minister who pronounces the sacramental words proper to the rite. In the West this anointing is done on the forehead of the baptized with the words, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”. In the Eastern Churches of the Byzantine rite this anointing is also done on other parts of the body with the words, “The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit”.
[SILENT PAUSE FOR ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS]
In the eternal silences of the Trinity God spoke one Word and He had nothing more to say.
Silence…it can be a scary place. Whether it's in an elevator with someone else you're wondering if you need to say something to break the silence, or you're at the stoplight and you have time before it changes, the silence of a car trip, or whether it's at Mass at some point before or after, there is silence in our lives.
However, most of us are uncomfortable with silence. We think we have to fill it say with some words, turn on the radio, or think of something to occupy the time as if it is wasted in silence. Even the short silence that I had before this I heard somebody whispering I saw people looking around. We don't know what to do with silence, but it is to the silence that we must go to during this Lenten season. We must find that which is to be found therein, more importantly Who is to be found in the silence.
In the silence in the eternal silences of the Trinity God spoke one Word and He had nothing more to say.
That one Word is Jesus…Jesus…Jesus. He who spends Himself in silence…The silence of the Eucharist…The silence of the 40 days in the desert. The silence of the one who does not speak in the Sacred Scriptures, who is silent until someone speaks them in a word of proclamation.
Silence is where you and I must go these 40 days. Silence must be the place that we strive to penetrate. It will take courage; it will take faith, but if we do, dear brothers and sisters, we will find Jesus; we will find conversion; we will leave our selfish selves to become the generous givers to God and neighbor and then we will no longer fear the silence, (or any one or anything.)
"Today a great silence reigns on earth, a great silence and a great stillness. A great silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. . . He has gone to search for Adam, our first father, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow Adam in his bonds and Eve, captive with him - He who is both their God and the son of Eve. . . "I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. . . I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead." -Catechism of the Catholic Church #635
+JMJ+
SUNDAY BIBLICAL MASS READINGS AND QUESTIONS
for Self-Reflection, Couples or Family Discussion
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – February 2nd, 2025
The First Reading- Malachi 3:1-4
Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.
Reflection
Our First Reading for this Feast Day is mysterious and intriguing. Malachi begins by saying, on behalf of God, “I will send my messenger to prepare the way before me.” The word “messenger” can also mean “angel,” so we could understand this as “I will send my angel before me ….” This idea of a preparatory angel recalls the experience of Israel in the Wilderness, where the Angel of the LORD lead them (Exod 14:19), or the conquest of the land, concerning which God promised his angel to precede the armies of Israel (Ex 23:20,23; 32:34). The return of the Presence of the LORD will be like those great events of salvation history, a kind of “invasion” by the LORD. In the context of the Gospel, this preparatory “angel” is John the Baptist, who has been dominating our thoughts during Advent, the Feast of the Baptism, and last week’s liturgy (2nd Week of Ordinary Time). John was the “angel” who prepared for Jesus’ “invasion” of the Holy Land.
Adults – John is also referred to as the “voice crying out in the wilderness.” We are also called to spread the Good News in the “wilderness” of the world. How do you do this? In what ways do you find it challenging?
Teens -How can you be a messenger in the Lord in your everyday life?
Kids - How do you spread God’s love in your daily life?
Responsorial- Psalm 24: 7, 8, 9,10
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Reflection
-Psalm 24 reflects an ancient procession ritual practiced in the Jerusalem Temple, the rubrics of which were never recorded. Possibly, very early in Israel’s history, the Ark of the Covenant was periodically removed from the Holy of Holies by the Levites and re-processed into the Holy City in a ceremony celebrating God’s kingship. Regardless, in the context of the Feast of the Presentation, we have both the New Ark (Mary) and the LORD Himself (Jesus) entering the Temple.
The next time you process up to receive our Lord in communion, take special care to meditate on whom you are receiving.
The Second Reading- Hebrews 2:14-18
Since the children share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Reflection
Amazingly, many of the themes from the First Reading and the Psalm continue into this reflection on Christ’s priesthood in the Epistle to the Hebrews. The concept of Christ-as-Warrior is present here when Paul speaks of Jesus “destroying the one who has the power of death” and freeing those he has enslaved. We also see Jesus “becoming like his brothers and sisters in every way,” as he, like any other male child born into an Israelite family, undergoes the ceremonial rituals that Moses prescribed for a sinful people—rituals from which he and his mother were should have been exempt, yet they humble themselves to submit to them. Yet the humility of Jesus’ life of obedience under the Law of Moses—a Law given to a people who were hard of heart—prepared him to be a fitting High Priest for the New Covenant people. He who submitted to animal sacrifices for his purification, would one day make his own body the ultimate sacrifice, purifying stains of sin no animal blood could expunge.
-Lent is fast approaching, and if it’s been awhile since you have been to Confession, start preparing now to receive this beautiful Sacrament of forgiveness during the Lenten season.
The Holy Gospel according to Luke 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted --and you yourself a sword will pierce-- so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Reflection - Luke is at pains to emphasize that the Holy Family was obedient to the law in humility, although they could have claimed special exemption from its demands. This sets an example for us. None of us, are ever “above the law” of God. Jesus also demonstrates here that he is a man of order and authority, not a rebel anarchist trying to destabilize the social or ecclesiastical order. Although Jesus’ teaching can and does destabilize illegitimate systems of authority, it is not for the sake of anarchy but for the establishment of the order of Christ’s kingdom, governed by the Apostles and those who have received the succession of the priesthood from them.
Adults – Why is it important to adhere to the rules and regulations that Christ has handed down through his Church?
Teens – What resources do you have in properly interpreting the Law of God?
Kids – What do you think Jesus was like as a baby?
LIVING THE WORD OF GOD THIS WEEK! - God is the light in our darkness, let us light the world with His!
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
265. What place does Confirmation have in the divine plan of salvation? b) Old Testament prophets announced the Spirit on the Messiah
In the Old Testament the prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the awaited Messiah and on the entire messianic people. The whole life and mission of Jesus were carried out in total communion with the Holy Spirit. The apostles received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and proclaimed “the great works of God” (Acts 2:11). They gave the gift of the same Spirit to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands. Down through the centuries, the Church has continued to live by the Spirit and to impart him to her children.
266. Why is this sacrament called Chrismation or Confirmation? d) all of the above
It is called Chrismation (in the Eastern Churches: Anointing with holy myron or chrism) because the essential rite of the sacrament is anointing with chrism. It is called Confirmation because it confirms and strengthens baptismal grace.
267. What is the essential rite of Confirmation? c) “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”
The essential rite of Confirmation is the anointing with Sacred Chrism (oil mixed with balsam and consecrated by the bishop), which is done by the laying on of the hand of the minister who pronounces the sacramental words proper to the rite. In the West this anointing is done on the forehead of the baptized with the words, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”. In the Eastern Churches of the Byzantine rite this anointing is also done on other parts of the body with the words, “The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit”.