There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. The Acts of the Apostles, 4:34-35
Brothers and sisters: Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough? Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 5:6b-8
Due to relaxing restrictions and an increased attendance at Mass, we have added back the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass and will no longer need to register and sign-in.
It could be said that, here and now, anyone who is neither a robber nor a passerby is either injured himself or bearing an injured person on his shoulders. Pope Francis on the parable of the Good Samaritan, Fratelli Tutti
Goodness, together with love, justice, and solidarity, are not achieved once and for all; they have to be realized each day. Pope Francis on St. Francis, Fratelli Tutti
Francis felt himself a brother to the sun, the sea, and the wind, yet he knew that he was even closer to those of his own flesh. Wherever he went, he sowed seeds of peace and walked alongside the poor, the abandoned, the infirm and the outcast, the least of his brothers and sisters. Pope Francis on St. Francis, Fratelli Tutti
Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians, 1:22b-24
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Mark 9:2-6
Stewardship Corner, February 28, 2021 “I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings.” God to Noah, Genesis 9:14-15
Jesus said to the cleansed leper, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. Mark 1:44-45a
The book of Jonah is extremely short, only 48 verses, but it is extremely dense, dealing with God’s call, God’s will, discerning God’s will, the response to the call, being angry at God, the nonbelief of both believers and non-believers, God’s love, our self-centeredness and undoubtedly a few things I’ve missed.
“I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercy of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and pleasing to God.” St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 12:1 Father O.J. McGowan died a few weeks ago. He was one of the priests who supported Patty Repikoff as our Pastoral Life Director and later Fr. Paul Magnano. I asked Kenya Léger to write in memoriam. – John Russell
Joseph and Mary are relaxing with their baby when suddenly there is a knock on the door and three exotic strangers enter bearing gold and frankincense and myrrh and announce that they have been following their baby’s star from the east and have come to worship him, the King of the Jews.
Forty days have passed since Mary, still but a teenager, gave birth to her first-born, a son, in a stable with shepherds coming in from the fields with a tale of a choir of angels singing about the newborn Messiah. She has come to the temple with Joseph and her baby to complete her purification by the poor’s ritual sacrifice of two turtledoves.
Full of grace! What kind of girl was Mary? Biblical scholars say she was quite young, maybe 14 or 15. She was promised in marriage to an older man, Joseph. According to St. Luke, her family was related to the priesthood in Jerusalem. So she is a devout Jew, keeping Torah the way it was meant to be kept. The Kingdom of God must have been already uniquely present in her. She was the perfect vessel for the Messiah
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 5:16