November 30 - Monday of the First Week of Advent

Today is not only the first Monday of Advent, it is also the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle.

Beautiful Feet

Today's Readings

As a person without a car for the last two years, the line “How beautiful are the feet that bring the good news!” took aim, fired, blew up my mopey pity party and set me on a new mission.  Driving might give you time to think, but walking everywhere and riding public transportation provides more opportunity for interaction with people outside our circles.  When you are out on the street, it becomes apparent that our culture has become ruder and cruder and is in desperate need of hearing the Good News.  Instead of shrinking from those who disturb my peace or offend with their vulgar speech, should I be trying to find a way to reach out to them in a Christian way that might help change their hearts and launch them on their own path to Christ?  We are all called to introduce the Lord to those who do not know Him, yet I am often afraid.  But Andrew did it.  So can I.  So can you.

Imagine how far Andrew and the other apostles were sent outside of their comfort zones to bring Jesus to the world.  To what new and needy place can your beautiful feet take you?  

Reflection by Barb R.

November 29 - First Sunday of Advent

Today we begin our Advent reflections written by parishioners. Some are leaders on commissions, some participate in liturgical ministry roles, and some are individuals going through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) who will be baptized and confirmed at the Easter Vigil.

We hope these brief reflections give you the space to enter a bit more fully into the Advent season, to prepare a bit more on a spiritual level to welcome Christ anew into your life. You can follow the link to the Mass readings for the day.

Preparing for the Coming of Christ

Today's Readings

Today, the First Sunday of Advent, marks the beginning of the Church’s Liturgical Year. The word advent comes from the Latin adventus meaning coming. So it is with this, the Season of Advent. The first three of this four-week season is a time for us to await and prepare for Christ’s second coming at the end of time as Luke alludes to in his Gospel passage today. His theme is to be “vigilant at all times and pray that we have the strength” to follow Christ and make an accounting before the Son of Man. The fourth week of Advent has as its focus the upcoming celebration of Christ’s birth.

1. How do we prepare for Christ’s coming and the celebration of Christmas?
2. Do we get caught up in the commercialism and forget the real reason we celebrate the season? 
3. Do we spend quiet time in reflection and prayer?

Reflection by Nick O'Hearn

Preparing for Christ

Advent is a time when we are reminded of the need to prepare for Christ’s coming. We actually prepare for Christ’s coming in three different times – sounds more like a Back to the Future movie than a liturgical season.

First, we are very familiar with the preparations to commemorate when Christ came to Earth in the historical context. Particularly this year, it is good to remember and honor where our Savior began his earthly journey. The Hispanic tradition of Las Posadas has all the more meaning as we watch news coverage of families seeking shelter, seeking home, seeking salvation.

Second, we prepare for Christ’s return. We do not know when that day or hour may be, so Advent is a time each year we remind ourselves to always be prepared. We are reminded to be aware of our relationship with God, with each other, and with the Church.

Finally, we prepare ourselves each day, every day to welcome Christ more fully into our hearts and lives. Looking to the past, when Jesus came to the world as an innocent child while looking to the future to the day when Christ our King will return, we are challenged to open ourselves more fully to God each and every day. In a world filled with so much fear, hatred, and violence, this call to invite the God of love, compassion, and strength into our hearts, minds, and souls becomes ever more necessary.

May your Advent be challenging and fruitful as you prepare for Christ’s coming in the past, future, and present

Welcome to Virtual Faith Formation

And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:18-20)

At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commissioned his disciples to a grand mission. We, as baptized Catholics and members of the Cathedral community, are commissioned and given this same task too! We share in this mission. It is for this reason that the Faith Formation Department thought of coming up with a site to invite people to recognize God’s presence in their lives and share this experience with others. Let this site be our simple way of propagating God’s kingdom. We pray that you will find it helpful in your spiritual journey.

We welcome all of you and we continue sharing Christ with everyone!