The parable of the dishonest steward in an example of praising the manner in which an action is accomplished while yet blaming the sinfulness of the action. The steward in this parable (according to the unanimous interpretation of the Church Fathers) is acting dishonestly and stealing from his master by writing the new lower bank notes for the debtors - but he acts prudently insofar as he is preparing for the future.
Many people today spend more time preparing for retirement, than for heaven. Our Lord instructs us to act prudently now, using our money, our energy, our time and talents to prepare not so much for worldly happiness, but for eternal rest in heaven.
We note also that between this Sunday's Gospel and next (the story of the rich man and poor Lazarus), St Luke places the words of our Lord, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." We recognize that love of money has destroyed countless marriages. Additionally, love of money and an excessive anxiety about material comforts (whether money, travel, time, energy, or even physical health) has lead many Catholics to reject the gift of more children and instead commit mortal sin by practicing contraception. But marriage and family life lived generously helps to free us from a love of money and opens us to God's grace!
Listen online [here]!
Sep 25, 2019
September 2019, Retreat Talks on the Three Ages of the Interior Life and the Apostles
Talks given for a Secular Carmelite Retreat for lay people devoted to our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Carmelite spirituality, September 13 and 14.
Theme: The Three Ages of the Interior Life as modeled in the experience of the Apostles in following the Lord. God leads our soul through three phases or "ages" of the spiritual life: The purgative ways of the beginners, the illuminative way of the proficients, and the unitive way of the perfect. We see that the Apostles were also lead through these stages to spiritual maturity as they grew closer with the Lord.
Theme: The Three Ages of the Interior Life as modeled in the experience of the Apostles in following the Lord. God leads our soul through three phases or "ages" of the spiritual life: The purgative ways of the beginners, the illuminative way of the proficients, and the unitive way of the perfect. We see that the Apostles were also lead through these stages to spiritual maturity as they grew closer with the Lord.
September 10th, Adult Ed Series on the City of God, Session 7 of 16, Original Sin and Death
In this series, which will continue for about six months, we are discussing the City of God by St Augustine - one of the most influential books in human history, a book that formed Western Civilization.
In Session 7, we conclude our discussion of the creation and fall of the angels and more forward with the state of man before the Fall, the Fall itself and the reality of Sin, and the effects of the Fall.
In Session 7, we conclude our discussion of the creation and fall of the angels and more forward with the state of man before the Fall, the Fall itself and the reality of Sin, and the effects of the Fall.
Sep 12, 2019
Sunday Sermon, September 8 -- The Letter of St Paul to Philemon
The Letter to Philemon is St Paul's shortest letter, with only 25 verses. It is also among the most personal writings in the Bible, with St Paul pleading for clemency toward Onesimus, the run-away slave who stole from his master and fled to Rome where he was converted and baptized by St Paul.
We consider how the Christian life means making real sacrifices and setting right things in our life -- Onesimus had to set things right with Philemon, even though it meant risking not only being made a slave again but even the possible punishment of death. Philemon had to set aside worldly possessions and forgive Onesimus even though that meant a significant financial loss.
There are some in the Church, even in the Vatican, who want to set aside this call to conversion, but this is the demand of Christ -- Those who are in invalid marriages must set things right (even if this means separating) in order to be authentic Christians, those who have defrauded people or who have business practices that are immoral must change and repay those of whom they have taken advantage, couples need to accept the plan of God for marriage and family rejecting contraception, etc.
Listen online [here]!
We consider how the Christian life means making real sacrifices and setting right things in our life -- Onesimus had to set things right with Philemon, even though it meant risking not only being made a slave again but even the possible punishment of death. Philemon had to set aside worldly possessions and forgive Onesimus even though that meant a significant financial loss.
There are some in the Church, even in the Vatican, who want to set aside this call to conversion, but this is the demand of Christ -- Those who are in invalid marriages must set things right (even if this means separating) in order to be authentic Christians, those who have defrauded people or who have business practices that are immoral must change and repay those of whom they have taken advantage, couples need to accept the plan of God for marriage and family rejecting contraception, etc.
Listen online [here]!
Sep 4, 2019
September 3rd, Adult Ed Series on the City of God, Session 6 of 16, The Fall, Sin and Death
In this series, which will continue for about six months, we are discussing the City of God by St Augustine - one of the most influential books in human history, a book that formed Western Civilization.
In Session 6, we conclude our discussion of the creation and fall of the angels and more forward with the state of man before the Fall, the Fall itself and the reality of Sin, and the effects of the Fall.
In Session 6, we conclude our discussion of the creation and fall of the angels and more forward with the state of man before the Fall, the Fall itself and the reality of Sin, and the effects of the Fall.
Sunday Sermon, September 1st -- The Letter of St Paul to the Hebrews
While all the letters of St Paul discuss the grace of Christ in the Church, the Letter to the Hebrews discusses grace in our Lord as the Head of the Church. Thus, this Letter is an extended theological reflection upon the Person of Jesus in his human nature.
Notice certain peculiarities about this Letter to the Hebrews: While all the other Letters of St Paul are named either by the city in which the addressees live (eg. Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, etc) or by the individual who received the Letter (eg. Timothy, Titus, Philemon), this Letter is named after the race of the people to whom it was addressed, Hebrews. In fact, this Letter was written to the Jewish converts to Christianity living in Jerusalem.
St Paul does not begin in his usual way, by setting forth his name and authority -- and the whole style of the Letter is very eloquent and much fancier than his other writings. This is likely because the Letter was originally written in Hebrew and then translated into Greek by St Luke.
Overview of the Letter to the Hebrews:
Part I (Chapters 1-10), Grace in the Person of Jesus Christ who is greater than the angels, than Moses, and than Aaron and the Old Testament Priests.
Part II (Chapters 11-13), Faith by which we are united to the grace of Christ
Listen online [here]!
Notice certain peculiarities about this Letter to the Hebrews: While all the other Letters of St Paul are named either by the city in which the addressees live (eg. Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, etc) or by the individual who received the Letter (eg. Timothy, Titus, Philemon), this Letter is named after the race of the people to whom it was addressed, Hebrews. In fact, this Letter was written to the Jewish converts to Christianity living in Jerusalem.
St Paul does not begin in his usual way, by setting forth his name and authority -- and the whole style of the Letter is very eloquent and much fancier than his other writings. This is likely because the Letter was originally written in Hebrew and then translated into Greek by St Luke.
Overview of the Letter to the Hebrews:
Part I (Chapters 1-10), Grace in the Person of Jesus Christ who is greater than the angels, than Moses, and than Aaron and the Old Testament Priests.
Part II (Chapters 11-13), Faith by which we are united to the grace of Christ
Listen online [here]!
Religious Education and High School Youth Group Calendar for Fall 2019
Religious Education begins Sunday, September 22nd for grades K-8. There is no cost to register, but all participants must attend Mass regularly at Corpus Christi.
Classes are between the Sunday Masses, 10:20 to 11:20am -- final Sunday of the month, Eucharistic Devotions are mandatory for the children and it is expected that at least one parent would also be present (parents of children preparing for first sacraments are required to attend).
High School Youth Group begins Wednesday, September 25th for grades 9-12. There is no cost to register, and all youth are welcome.
Classes are Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8:30pm -- dinner is 7 to 7:30pm (provided by the parish), with class 7:30-8:30pm concluding with fifteen minutes of adoration.
Religious Education Calendar, Fall 2019
Sept 22 -- First Class for children, and mandatory meeting for parents
Sept 29 -- Eucharistic Procession with class
Oct 6 -- Parish Rosary with children and parents
Oct 13 -- Class
Oct 20 -- Safe and Sacred Safe Environment Training
Oct 27 -- Eucharist Procession
Thursday, October 31st -- All Saints Party after 5:30pm Vigil Mass
Nov 3 -- Class
Nov 10 -- Class
Nov 17 -- Class
Nov 24 -- Eucharist Devotions
Dec 1 -- Thanksgiving Break
Dec 8 -- Class
Dec 15 -- Class with Las Posadas
Dec 22 -- Christmas Break
Dec 29 -- Christmas Break, Eucharistic Devotions
Jan 5 -- Religious Ed Classes Resume (concluding May 3rd)
Youth Group Calendar, Fall 2019 (Theme: The Scriptures)
Sept 25 -- First High School Youth Group
Oct 2 -- Class
Oct 9 -- Class
Oct 16 -- Class
Oct 23 -- Safe and Sacred Safe Environment Training
Oct 30 -- Class
Nov 6 -- Class
Nov 13 -- Class
Nov 20 -- Class
Nov 27 -- Class
Dec 4 -- Class
Dec 11 -- Class
Dec 18 -- Christmas Break
Classes resume January 15th (concluding February 19th)
Classes are between the Sunday Masses, 10:20 to 11:20am -- final Sunday of the month, Eucharistic Devotions are mandatory for the children and it is expected that at least one parent would also be present (parents of children preparing for first sacraments are required to attend).
High School Youth Group begins Wednesday, September 25th for grades 9-12. There is no cost to register, and all youth are welcome.
Classes are Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8:30pm -- dinner is 7 to 7:30pm (provided by the parish), with class 7:30-8:30pm concluding with fifteen minutes of adoration.
Religious Education Calendar, Fall 2019
Sept 22 -- First Class for children, and mandatory meeting for parents
Sept 29 -- Eucharistic Procession with class
Oct 6 -- Parish Rosary with children and parents
Oct 13 -- Class
Oct 20 -- Safe and Sacred Safe Environment Training
Oct 27 -- Eucharist Procession
Thursday, October 31st -- All Saints Party after 5:30pm Vigil Mass
Nov 3 -- Class
Nov 10 -- Class
Nov 17 -- Class
Nov 24 -- Eucharist Devotions
Dec 1 -- Thanksgiving Break
Dec 8 -- Class
Dec 15 -- Class with Las Posadas
Dec 22 -- Christmas Break
Dec 29 -- Christmas Break, Eucharistic Devotions
Jan 5 -- Religious Ed Classes Resume (concluding May 3rd)
Youth Group Calendar, Fall 2019 (Theme: The Scriptures)
Sept 25 -- First High School Youth Group
Oct 2 -- Class
Oct 9 -- Class
Oct 16 -- Class
Oct 23 -- Safe and Sacred Safe Environment Training
Oct 30 -- Class
Nov 6 -- Class
Nov 13 -- Class
Nov 20 -- Class
Nov 27 -- Class
Dec 4 -- Class
Dec 11 -- Class
Dec 18 -- Christmas Break
Classes resume January 15th (concluding February 19th)
Parish Schedule Changes September 2019
Saturday, September 7th --
No 9 AM Mass, Mass at Ursuline Center at 10:30am
Friday, September 13th--
No 4:30 PM confessions
Saturday, September 14th --
No 9 AM Mass, Mass at Ursuline Center at 11am
Tuesday, September 17th --
No 5:30 PM Mass
Wednesday, September 18th --
No 7 AM Mass
No 4:30-7 PM Confessions
Thursday, September 19th --
No 7 AM Mass
Saturday, September 21st --
Ember Saturday Devotions for Vocations!
9 AM Mass
10-11 AM Holy Hour For Vocations
11 AM - 1 PM Altar Boy Training, Fun Day, Lunch
No 9 AM Mass, Mass at Ursuline Center at 10:30am
Friday, September 13th--
No 4:30 PM confessions
Saturday, September 14th --
No 9 AM Mass, Mass at Ursuline Center at 11am
Tuesday, September 17th --
No 5:30 PM Mass
Wednesday, September 18th --
No 7 AM Mass
No 4:30-7 PM Confessions
Thursday, September 19th --
No 7 AM Mass
Saturday, September 21st --
Ember Saturday Devotions for Vocations!
9 AM Mass
10-11 AM Holy Hour For Vocations
11 AM - 1 PM Altar Boy Training, Fun Day, Lunch
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