Last night we had a fantastic presentation in our Winter Justice Series from Sr. Jean Okroi.
She referenced a resource we wanted to make available - a way to calculate the number of slaves your day to day life relies upon. Here's the link:
You might be surprised, spend some time and learn more about the issues and what you can do.
Join us on February 6 for Br. Joseph Schenk from Catholic Charities who will speak on Finding Home: Refugee resettlement and our Catholic Social Teaching.
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Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Monday, January 9, 2017
January 9 - Baptism of the Lord
Humility and Obedience
John the Baptist asked Jesus, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?" Jesus answered, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Today’s gospel reading reflects the humility and obedience exhibited by both the messenger and the Messiah. Jesus, the son of God identified himself among sinners by joining other penitents and asking to be baptized by John. He humbled himself to fulfill His father’s divine plan.
Unlike Jesus, conducting ourselves with humility and obedience can be easier said than done. Sometimes it is difficult identifying ourselves, the way Jesus did with others who do not share our opinions or principles. How many of us have disregarded rules and refused to conform because we thought we were right? Christ-like humility and obedience can sometimes be challenging in our ever evolving society. How do we emerge like Jesus amongst secularism and unorthodox ideals? How do we carry out God’s mission with humility and obedience?
As I reflect on today’s gospel I ask myself, what does Jesus’ baptism reveal in my life now? The answer unfolds through contemplation of my own baptism. Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of His ministry; my baptism was also a beginning, the foundation of my early Christian life. I have received the grace of God and I belong to Jesus. Interestingly, further introspection led me back to the man who baptized me, the Servant of God Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, whom I now pray for his beatification. I remember a man who embodied Christ-like humility. His life and legacy was built on love, benevolence, dedication and obedience to God, our Father. Consequently, I am seeing in a new light my commitment to serve God. I pray and with the intercession of the selfless man who marked me with the seal of the Lord, I am able to fulfill my duties and obligations to God’s mission. Guided by my faith and love for Jesus Christ, I will persevere and continue building on the grace I have received through baptism, faithfully and obediently.
What about you, what does Jesus’ baptism reveal in your life now?
Toreend Enecio
Parish Pastoral Council
Sunday, January 8, 2017
January 8 - The Epiphany of the Lord
The Light of God's Love
The star in the heavens points to God's gift to his people on earth. God is love and his gift to us is love; he loved us so much that he gave us his Son.
God's love is so prevalent that it radiates brightening all that it touches. We reflect his shining glory - "radiant at what [we] see." He waits for all of us and welcomes all who seek him.
The awe that this love inspires unites everyone in a common purpose which takes precedence above all else. Everyone journeys together towards this immense goodness, this source of hope. In gratitude, they bring the best they have to offer.
This unity generates peace which brings contentment.
We gather together in church to worship God. As we leave mass, we may hear “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” We go wherever we are called to be during the week ahead - home, the office, or school - and we can bring the gift of love with us.
In what ways may I share the love and warmth of God- brightening someone's day with? With a smile? With a "Hello?"
Wishing you a year of peace and contentment,
Laura Ross
Faith Formation Commission,
lector, EMHC, and altar server
Saturday, January 7, 2017
January 7
Beginnings
My best friend just got married in November. It was just a beautiful day/evening. The music was good, the food was fantastic and the bar was open all night. It would have been pandemonium if they ran out of alcohol.
Perhaps that is what Jesus was trying to avoid by turning water into wine at the wedding he, his mother and the apostles attended in Cana. Maybe he was just relaxing having some wine himself with good conversation then Mary comes to him wanting him to solve the problem that wasn’t his or her business. But after snapping at his mother’s request “Woman, how does your concern affect me?” He did as he was told eventually (he really didn’t have a choice since Mary already involved the wait staff).
Weddings are joyous occasions and I find it interesting that Jesus chose his first miracle on such a day. He knew what his fate was going to be. Maybe he wanted to start with something joyful because he knew it wouldn’t always be that way. I’d like to think that it was a happy fun day for all of them because the time will go by quickly and before we know it He will be gone in the flesh.
I guess that can be my take away from this gospel. Love life, enjoy it because it goes by quickly, drink the good wine first and always listen to your mother (whether you want to or not).
Michelle Peltier
Holy Name Cathedral
Liturgy and Ministries Associate
Friday, January 6, 2017
January 6 - Christmas Weekday
Eye Witness
I don’t know about you, but I’m a person who needs to find things out for myself and I’m usually not satisfied until I have the facts. I’m comfortable taking someone else’s word about a good restaurant, but not for something as important as eternal life.
Reflecting on the Apostle John’s message, I am reminded that as we begin Year 2017 A.D., these words he wrote in 85-90 A.D. contain some of the most powerful and poignant testimonies of our faith. That’s because John was there – an eyewitness to the teaching, healing, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
However, John wasn’t the only one. The risen Christ appeared to over 500 people over 40 days before He ascended into heaven. Can you imagine how that changed their lives? That experience was so profound that these eyewitnesses were willing to die and suffer persecution for what they had seen: proof of a resurrected (not resuscitated) body, and guarantee of eternal life. I believe I can take their word for what they saw.
Aren’t we a fact-checking culture based on scientific evidence? We can trust that our Gospel writings are based on truth, supported by manuscript and archaeological evidence and not hearsay. We can trust that Christ’s church has denounced heresies in thoughtful deliberation and discernment throughout the centuries, carefully tending the pillar of salvation we hold dear – that God so loved the world He sent His son to die for us.
Have you ever wanted to explain what you believe to someone of another faith, an atheist or agnostic? Where would you begin?
What do you think John means when he says “This is the one who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ?”
What do you think John means when he refers to Jesus as the one who overcomes the world?
Ellen H. Burleigh
RCIA Candidate
Thursday, January 5, 2017
January 5
Follow Me
The first reading begins with John telling us “This is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another…” Indeed, we have heard that from the beginning. In fact, we find the Golden Rule in the Old Testament. Leviticus 19:18. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” So we don’t actually need to be Christian to believe that… The Jews and most religions of the world have a similar rule. But wait - John goes on to say, “we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” That is a way higher standard! About 10 years ago, I discovered John 13:34-35 which in my Bible is labeled “The New Commandment.” It says, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” Loving someone as Christ loved requires more. It is unconditional and sacrificial. Armed with this new commandment, whenever I pass one of those stands on the sidewalk where people are proselytizing and handing out religious literature, I stop and with a big smile ask them if they know the New Commandment Jesus gave us. RARELY do they come up with the right answer! (I do it because I enjoy talking to them, not because I want to trick them…It’s hard to find people on the street who want to talk about Jesus!) What implications does this “new commandment” have for you? What one thing can you do to love more like Christ?
Linda Weaver
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
January 4 - Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Come and You Will See
I love seeing the odd ways that incredible things come to be. If it wasn't for the question, "Where are you staying?" we may not have had Peter as our first Pope. Through the curiosity of his brother, Andrew, Simon (soon to be renamed Peter), came to hear of Jesus. Then with his own curiosity he went to see this Messiah. The rest, as they say, is history.
God uses our natural curiosity, our preferences, our comfort zones to reach us. He uses these comfortable and familiar things to pull us out of those comfortable ruts into the new encounters, new requests, new adventures.
The danger is that as we sit in our comfortable places, it is easy to ignore the Andrews in our lives, calling us to encounter. Even when we stir from those places, it takes still more to encounter Christ and change our lives.
- Where are you a bit too comfortable?
- Who is someone inviting you to encounter Christ? How can you invite others to that encounter?
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
January 3 - Christmas Weekday
Now and Then
Today's first reading tells us that " we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed." I have trouble most days wrapping my head around what it means to be God's child and here we are told there is something greater, something more incredible to come.
Being a child of God is a gift and a charge. It is a gift to be adopted into the love, strength, grace, and mercy of God. It is a gift that God gave his Son so that we might have eternal life.
It is a charge to us to live according to that gift. To live so as to share the love, strength, grace, and mercy with others. To share the Good News of God's salvation for us with others. To draw others into closer relationship with God.
As we do not know what we shall be in the future, let us be the active, vibrant, dynamic Children of God we are called to be at this moment.
Monday, January 2, 2017
January 2 - Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church
Testimony
What do you say? What do you do?
Our words and actions give witness to what we actually believe. Today we have the example of John the Baptist challenging us to ensure our words and our actions testify to Jesus - his love, his compassion, his challenge to change the world around us.
- How can you help guide people to God through your words and actions?
- Sts. Basil and Gregory are Doctors of the Church, individuals that particularly added to our understanding of God and the Church. How can you grow more in understanding and knowledge of God this year?
Sunday, January 1, 2017
January 1 - Solemnity of Mary, The Mother of God
Pause, Welcome, Hope
As a woman named Mary, I have always found today's readings to have particular resonance. Whether keeping a shrine in my room or lighting a candle at the Cathedral, the idea that the Blessed Mother "kept all these things reflecting on them in her heart" serves as a model for me to do the same. It is a hard hearted person who is not emotionally stirred by the tender innocence of a sleeping baby. Thus, the idea that her son was and is a special blessing to all, sent by a merciful God, should give us pause.
Today, I hear a call to reflect in our hearts a gratitude for the salvation offered by the great gift of Jesus, as well as, reflect that gift with empathy toward those who are lonely, depressed or in need. I think we are called to pray with all, especially with those we feel uncomfortable this day. With Mary's model of welcome to the shepherds, we can reflect God's grace and peace in a world full of violence and mistrust as we journey together toward stronger community. It is with special joy and amazement that we hear the Christmas message of hope, love and peace through the heart of a Mother named Mary.
Mary Piantek
Women's Spirituality Group Member
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