TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (Year C)
2 Kings 5:14 - 17 This Sunday, we will hear from the Second Book of Kings. 1 and 2 Kings are among the Historical Books of the Bible. Along with 1 and 2 Samuel, they record the activities of Samuel, Saul, David and Solomon, as well as many of the kings of the divided kingdom after Solomon. Originally, 1 and 2 Samuel formed a single book. The LXX (the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament, traditionally said to have been translated by 70 or 72 Jewish scholars at the [...]
ANNUAL VISIT TO ST. MARTIN DE PORRES PARISH
Next Sunday, you are invited to join in the celebration of the Sunday Mass at our sister parish, St. Martin de Porres. It is always a pleasure to join in their lively celebration and I invite you to join us there! I’ve asked Msgr. Beach to celebrate the Mass since he has not yet been there; he’s looking forward to meeting members of our sister parish! For those of you who not familiar with St. Martin de Porres parish, it is faith-filled, predominantly African American community in North Philadelphia that [...]
ANNUAL EUCHARISTIC DEVOTION
As you know, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) initiated a three-year Eucharistic Revival this past 19 June, Corpus Christi Sunday to provide us all with a renewed encounter with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. During this, the first year of this revival, all parishes are encouraged to host events with a Eucharistic focus. After the celebration of the Eucharist itself, what better Eucharistic event is there than our annual Forty Hours Eucharistic Devotion? Msgr. Beach has graciously accepted my invitation to lead us in our 40 Hours [...]
RESPECT LIFE MONTH
It may be hard to believe, but October begins this week! Every October, we are called to consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death. While we are grateful for the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, we know that abortion still remains legal in most areas of the country. Yet, this is an historic step forward. As we continue to promote the protection of the infant in the womb, [...]
TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (Year C)
Amos 8:4 - 7 This Sunday, we will hear from the Book of the Prophet Amos. As usual, it prepares us for the Gospel. Let’s quickly review the who, what, when, where, why and to whom of this book. Let’s pull out our Biblical Timeline; let me know who needs one. Amos came from Tekoa in the southern kingdom of Juda, but prophesied in the northern kingdom, apparently around the temple of Bethel. The first verse of the book tells us the name of the prophet – Amos, his profession [...]
CATECHETICAL SUNDAY
“This is my body given for you,” we hear Jesus tell his apostles at the Last Supper; we hear similar words every time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist. As we celebrate Catechetical Sunday this weekend, with its theme this year of “This is my body given for you,” we recall our Lord giving himself to us for our spiritual nourishment. It is also the only worthy gift we can offer to our heavenly Father in thanksgiving for all that he has given us. What a precious gift we have [...]