Parish Schedule, New Year's Week, Octave of Christmas 2020

Tuesday, Dec 28 -- Mass, 5:30pm

Wednesday, Dec 29 -- Mass, 7am; Confession 4:30-7pm
Thursday, Dec 30 -- No 7am Mass; Confessions 4:30-5:30pm; Vigil Mass 5:30pm (No incense)
Friday, Jan 1 -- Mass with incense, 9am; Confessions 4:30-5:30pm; Mass with incense, 5:30pm
Saturday, Jan 2 - Morning Mass, 7am; Confession 4:30-5:30pm; Vigil Mass 5:30pm
Sunday, Jan 3 - Mass with incense, 9am; Mass without incense, 11:30am


For the Holy Day, Mary Mother of God and Octave of Christmas, January 1st -- Masses are:
New Year's Eve, vigil Mass at 5:30pm;
New Year's Day, Masses 9am and 5:30pm

Sunday Sermon, December 27th -- St Joseph and the Mystery of the Incarnation (Feast of the Holy Family)

 On the feast of the Holy Family and in this Year Of St Joseph, we consider the place of St Joseph in the mystery of the Incarnation. St Joseph is part of the hypostatic order - which means that we really cannot understand who Jesus is without consideration of the role of St Joseph.

We meditate on St Joseph's role in various moments in the infancy narratives, and consider why we should have strong devotion to this great patron!

Listen online [here]!

Christmas Sermon, December 25th -- God in the Cave

Of all the many details of our Lord's birth, one which is often overlooked is the fact that he was born in a cave.  Even more, we rarely reflect upon the reality that being born in a cave means that the Lord Jesus was born not only on the earth, but under the earth.

Being born in the cave shows his great humility, and embracing of poverty. Also, being born underground shows us that his Church begins as an underground Church (even as the early Christians began persecuted in the Catacombs, our Lord began his life under persecution from King Herod).  Although we are in a time in which the Church may well have to go "underground" again, we have faith that the light of God's glory shown in that cave under the hills.

Listen online [here]!

High School Youth Group, December 20th -- The Catholic Response to Atheism, Session 8 -- Evolution

 We discuss the Catholic teaching related to creation and the theory of evolution. While evolution would in no way undermine the Catholic faith or the belief in the existence of God, there are certain scientific and philosophical reasons to question the theory.

Sunday Sermon, December 20th -- The Annunciation and Dating Christ's Birth

 St Luke's account of the Annunciation of the angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary contains numerous mysteries:

1) "Hail, full of grace" indicates that our Lady was conceived without original sin.

2) "How can this be, since I do not know man?" indicates that our Lady had made a vow of virginity.

3) "It is now the sixth month for her who was called barren" allows us to date the birth of our Lord to late December - Jesus really was born on December 25th.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, Handel's Messiah, Advent and Christmas Meditations

 Handel's Messiah, perhaps the greatest achievement in music, is written in the musical style "oratorio" which began with St Philip Neri and his young student Palestrina.  The music brings out the meaning of the words of Scripture and draws us into the mystery of the Incarnation.

High School Youth Group, December 13th -- The Catholic Response to Atheism, Session 7 -- The Catholic Understanding of the Creation Account

While the most straight forward interpretation of Genesis 1 is that there were six twenty four hour days in which God created the heavens and the earth, St Augustine (through careful study of both Genesis 1 and 2) believed that we do not need to think that the world was literally created in six days. St Thomas Aquinas follows St Augustine in this theory - which, reflected against modern scientific investigation, would allow for an initial creation of matter with the gradual development of galaxies and planets, and even the gradual emergence of life and plant/animal species through billions of years.

There is nothing in Genesis or in the Catholic Understanding of Creation which is contradicted by modern scientific theories.

Sunday Sermon, December 13th -- St Lucy, Advent Patron

St Lucy Lucy, a Virgin of Syracuse, illustrious by birth and by the Christian faith, which she had professed from her infancy, went to Catania, with her mother Eutychia, who was suffering from a flux of blood, there to venerate the body of the blessed Agatha. Having prayed fervently at the tomb, she obtained her mother’s cure by the intercession of Agatha. Lucy then asked her mother that she would permit her to bestow upon the poor of Christ the fortune which she intended to leave her. No sooner, therefore, had she returned to Syracuse, than she sold all that was given to her, and distributed the money amongst the poor. When he to whom her parents had, against her will, promised her in marriage, came to know what Lucy had done, he went before the Governor, Paschasius, and accused her of being a Christian. Paschasius entreated and threatened, but could not induce her to worship the idols; nay, the more he strove to shake her faith, the more inflamed were the praises which she uttered in professing its excellence. Whereupon Paschasius being exceeding angry, ordered Lucy to be dragged to a place where her treasure might be violated; but, by the power of God, so firmly was she fixed to the place where she stood, that it was impossible to move her. Wherefore the Prefect ordered her to be covered over with pitch, resin, and boiling oil, and a fire to be kindled round her. But seeing that the flame was not permitted to hurt her, they tormented her in many cruel ways, and at length ran a sword through her neck. Thus wounded, Lucy foretold the peace of the Church, which would come after the deaths of Dioclesian and Maximian, and then died. It was the Ides of December (Dec. 13). Her body was buried at Syracuse, but was translated thence first to Constantinople, and afterwards to Venice.

Listen online [here]!

Holy Day Sermon, December 8th - Blessed Pius IX and the Immaculate Conception

 Explanation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception - that Mary was redeemed from the first moment by being preserved from original sin in her Immaculate Conception. Mary was saved by Christ and in no way is equal to God. But simply because of his great goodness and generosity, God gave us Mary as Immaculate Virgin Mother.

Since childhood, Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti suffered from epileptic seizures which prevented him from serving in the military and nearly kept him from the priesthood. However, he promised Mary that he would do all he could to promote her Immaculate Conception, if only she would help him become a priest.

Giovanni was ordained, and eventually became Pope Pius IX - and then defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, December 6th -- St Nicholas, Advent Patron

 The history of St Nicholas, bishop of Myra - certainly one of the most universally beloved saints.

From his infancy, St Nicholas practiced penance by fasting on Wednesday and Friday. He also had made a trip to the holy land as a young man. As a bishop, St Nicholas suffered for the faith in the persecution of Diocletian before Christianity was legalized by Constantine. Most importantly, St Nicholas defended the true faith in the council of Nicaea.  We also consider various miracles, including the continuous miraculous manna or oil which seeps from St Nicholas' bones even today.

Listen online [here]!

High School Youth Group, December 6th -- The Catholic Response to Atheism, Session 6 -- Did the Universe Have a Beginning? The Big Bang Theory

This week, we discuss why the proofs for God's existence do not require the universe to have had a beginning and also that the Big Bang Theory (or any other scientific theory about the origin of the universe) would not undermine St Thomas' proofs for God's existence.

We also point out some serious scientific problems with the Big Bang Theory.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Tuesday, December 8th -- Holy Day of Obligation!

(there is a dispensation from the obligation, but anyone who is not at high risk for COVID [or for some other serious reason is restricted from public gatherings] really is expected to attend for the Holy Day, just as they are expected to attend for Sundays and Christmas --- many will not be able to answer before God for skipping Masses out of laziness while still going to the store and partaking in all sorts of other public events)

Vigil Mass (English chant), Monday, December 7th - 5:30pm
Morning Candlelight Mass (Traditional Latin Low Mass), Tuesday, December 8th - 7am
Solemn Mass (Latin Chant with incense), Tuesday, December 8th - 5:30pm

Also, join in the National Night of Prayer for Life! 

December 8th at 9pm to December 9th at 1am -- Solemn Holy Hour, 9-10pm

Sunday Sermon, November 29th -- The Three Advents of Christ, Embrace the Graces of this Season

There are three "Advents" of Jesus - three "comings" of the Messiah.  He came first as a child born of Mary, and he will come as Judge in a final Advent at the end of time. Moreover, he comes by grace to our souls in a middle and hidden Advent each day.

Furthermore, in this Advent season, be awake to the signs of the times. In the midst of a pandemic, when many churches have been and will again soon be closed, take advantage of the graces of the sacraments while they are still available!  This Advent, make daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration a priority!

Listen online [here]!

High School Youth Group, November 22nd -- The Catholic Response the Atheism -- Session 5, That Than Which Nothing Greater Can Be Thought

 We discuss that Ontological Argument for God's existence as expressed by St Anselm. Further, we consider another metaphysical argument from St Thomas Aquinas which not only proves that there is a God, but also that there can be only one true God.

Sunday Sermon, November 22 -- The Day of Wrath is the Day of Our Salvation and Joy, Dies Irae

 The final Sunday of the Liturgical Year, we consider the end of time and the day of judgment.  In addition to the particular judgment that we each will face at the moment of death, there is will be a general judgment at the end of time in which all will be revealed.  This general judgment is the  manifestation of each one's particular judgment and also the final triumph of divine providence over all history.

We consider also the great hymn/sequence, Dies Irae.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, November 19th -- Flannery O'Connor, Session 10, Everything that Rises Must Converge

 We finish our series on the short stories of Flannery O'Connor with "Everything that Rises Must Converge."

High School Youth Group, November 15th -- The Catholic Response to Atheism -- Session 4, Proofs for God's Existence, From Order

 We discuss the Fifth Way of proving God's existence, from St Thomas Aquinas. We see a certain order in the natural world, in which even irrational things seem to act for an end. God' must be the divine governor who orders all these things. 

We explain how St Thomas' argument is different from the modern intelligent design theory and, even though St Thomas' way is more difficult to fully grasp and takes more reflection to understand than modern intelligent design theory, why St Thomas' proof from order is significantly more convincing and much more difficult to disprove. Specifically, we show that modern recourse to Darwin, evolution, natural selection or big bang really does not in any way hurt St Thomas' argument (even though, some would argue, these scientific theories could undermine aspects of the modern intelligent design theory).

Recommendations on Decorating the House During Advent, and Family Advent Devotions

                         Advent Preparations For Christmas

During Advent, we prepare for Jesus' birth at Christmas by joining the patriarchs and prophets in awaiting the coming of Jesus. Advent is a penitential season, as seen by the Church's use of violet vestments and more somber music and decorations. Our home should mimic what we are doing in our church - use purple to decorate the dining table and other places in the home, hold off on Christmas themes until it's Christmas and let Advent be Advent in your family! During this time, the Advent wreath is our primary symbol, not the Christmas tree - it is quite inappropriate to have a fully decorated Christmas Tree throughout the season of Advent.

On the other hand, Catholics celebrate Christmas with particular joy when it really is Christmas! Unlike the rest of the world, we continue to celebrate Christmas with much festivity through the whole Twelve Days, till January 6th. The Christmas spirit continues even until February 2nd, forty days after our Lord's birth, when Mary and Joseph first left Bethlehem to take the newborn King to the Temple. Let Advent be Advent, and let Christmas be Christmas!

Here are some simple ideas for decorating the home during the Advent and Christmas seasons. These are just suggestions and do not follow an hard and fast rule. We all can adapt practices to our particular needs - so long as we continue to respect the essential character of the season and both temptations of celebrating Christmas too soon (during Advent) or not long enough (ending before February 2nd, or even before January 6th).


First Sunday of Advent - Put out the purple tablecloth and use purple and dark colors in other places throughout the home. Place the Advent wreath on the dining table or in another prominent place in the home.

Second Sunday of Advent - Today we turn to St John the Baptist as the Herald of the Messiah. St John is often associated with a fire burning brightly for the Lord - this is a special day to put some moderate decoration around the fireplace and enjoy a winter fire.

December 6th, St Nicholas Day - Put out the stockings and write our Christmas wish-list.

December 8th, The Immaculate Conception - Today we use a white or gold table cloth with nice happy flowers, and we decorate a statue or image of Mary. But we switch back to the purple table cloth tomorrow.

Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday - Put garland up around the home, and a simple wreath on the door. This week is Ember Week, with special days of penance on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

December 13th, St Lucy Day - Place a few of the Christmas lights around the inside and outside of the house.

December 16th, Christmas Novena, 9 days till Christmas eve! - Put out the Nativity set, without any of the figures, just the stable and hay, etc.

December 17th to December 23rd - Each day, place more figures in the Nativity set: shepherds and sheep, ox and ass, and other livestock, the empty manger. Mary and Joseph go in on the last couple days before Christmas. Do not put in the Baby Jesus, or any of the Wise Men, or the Angel, or the Star.

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Put up the Christmas Tree, but without any lights or ornaments. Put up the rest of the greenery around the home, but again without any ornaments. Put up more lights on the outside of the house, but don't turn them on at night (only those that have been up since St Lucy Day).

December 24th, Christmas Eve - Put up the remaining lights on the outside of the home and all around the tree and throughout the house. These lights are finally all turned on tonight! Fully decorate the tree and garland around the home. In the early eve, replace the purple and other dark colors around the home with white and gold and happy colors!

December 25th, Christmas Day - At midnight, place the Baby Jesus in the Nativity Set and kneel for a moment as a family to worship the newborn King! The star and the angel are also placed in the Nativity set, but not the wise men or their camel. All other Christmas decoration are placed throughout the home!

December 25th to January 5th - The wise men begin to make their journey through our home, as they travel from Persia to Bethlehem. Additional small presents are given on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

January 1st, Octave Day of Christmas - Mary is the Mother of God, we decorate a picture or statue of her and celebrate with special flowers on the dinner table and throughout the home! Our Christmas lights are still burning brightly! Remember that we are celebrating Mary as Mother of God, this is much more important than New Year's or football - don't let our secular culture take over your Christmas!

January 6th, Epiphany - The Magi finally arrive and are placed in the Nativity Set! Any extra decorations are set up inside and outside the house today! This is the day that Christmas was revealed to the world! It is as great a feast as Christmas itself, and we should take pride in having our Tree up and our Christmas lights fully aglow! Throw your Christmas/Epiphany party today!

January 7th to January 13th, the Octave of Epiphany - We gradually reduce our Christmas decorations and begin to put then away. But our Christmas spirit continues till February 2nd, and we keep at least our Nativity Set in a prominent position until then.


May God grant us all a most prayerful Advent, so that we will be ready to receive Christ with true Christmas joy!

 

 

 

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Father Ryan’s Recommendations

(simply some ideas of how to enter more fully into Advent)

 

Let Advent be Advent, and don’t celebrate Christmas until it is Christmas.  Don’t decorate the home or put up the Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving, but slowly allow the Advent season to lead your family and home into the Christmas season. 

 

Attend daily Mass as often as possible, make it a priority to attend at least one daily Mass a week. Additionally, make frequent use of the sacrament of confession.

 

Consider adding some penitential practices to your Advent – perhaps some light fasting on Fridays and abstaining from meat (and maybe even from eggs and dairy products) on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. For those who are able, it would be especially good to practice extra fasting and abstinence during Ember week (the Third Week of Advent).

 

Finally, many devotions are especially helpful during Advent: The Rosary, Scripture Reading (especially Isaiah and Luke), and Eucharistic Adoration. I especially recommend dinner time family devotions around the Advent Wreath and perhaps incorporating the Jesse Tree tradition (much more can be found about the Jesse Tree through a simple online search) or the Advent Calendar. Advent hymns like “Creator of the Stars of Night,” “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” are great to sing, rather than Christmas carols (which are saved until Christmas season). It is always great to listen to the first half of Handel’s Messiah during Advent and Christmas seasons!

Sunday Sermon, November 15th -- Advice for a Happy Marriage

 The first reading from Proverbs speaks of the good wife  ---  and we take this opportunity to reflect upon what will make for a happy and holy marriage.

St Paul tells us, "Wife, obey your husband. Husband, love your wife." This is the key to a happy marriage: For the woman to obey her husband in everything, to respect him as head, and to inspire him through praise; for the man to love his wife selflessly, to lay down his life for her, and to show her appreciation especially through compliments.

We recommend an excellent book on marriage: The Catholic Marriage Manual, by Fr George Kelly.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, November 12th, Session 9, Parker's Back

 This week, we read "Parker's Back" which is a reflection on the heresy of iconoclasm, the rejection of holy images of God and the saints.

High School Youth Group, Sunday, November 8th -- The Catholic Response to Atheism -- Session 3, Proofs of God's Existence, From Contingency

 Discussing the Catholic Response to Atheism, we look today at the proofs of God's existence. In particular, the proof from Contingency - which is the reality that things exist when they don't HAVE to exist. The fact that things exist proves that there must be some creator who exists necessarily.

Sunday Sermon, November 8th -- The Catholic Funeral Mass

 In the month of November, we think of the Souls in Purgatory and the Last Things (Heaven, Hell, Death and Judgment).  In this sermon, we consider the best approach to the Catholic Funeral Mass.

The funeral is not meant to be a "celebration of life" or a "canonization" -- we are called first to worship God for the salvation he offers in Christ, then to pray for the soul of the deceased, and finally to bring peace to the friends and family.

A few quick points: Ask the priest to wear black vestments, use the traditional antiphons rather than modern hymns, and having full body burial rather than cremation.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, November 1st -- Checklist for Sanctity, You Can Be a Saint! (All Saints Day Sermon)

 As we celebrate All Saints Day, we must believe that we really can become saints!  It isn't too late for you to become a great saint.  November 1st will one day be our feast day in heaven.

Listen online [here]!

High School Youth Group, Sunday, November 1st -- The Catholic Response to Atheism -- Session 2, Why Do Atheists Reject God's Existence

Session 2 of our High School Youth Group -- The Catholic Response to Atheism

The two main objections to God's Existence: "The Problem of Evil" and "The God of the gaps"

Sunday Sermon, October 25th -- Catholic Teaching on Immigration

 "You shall not molest or oppress an alien."  Exodus 22:20

The readings cause us to reflect upon immigration which, although not as essential an issue as abortion or religious liberty, is still something to consider in our times.

There are two principles Catholics must hold:  1. People have a right to migrate in order to support themselves and their family.   2. Governments have a right and duty to secure their borders and require immigrants to fulfill certain duties to the State.

Far too many Catholic leaders (and most Catholic Bishops) only speak of the right to migrate and the compassion that ought to be show to immigrants, but almost completely ignore the duty of nations to secure the boarders and regulate immigration.

Listen online [here]!

 

Adult Faith Formation, October 22nd, Session 6, A View of the Woods and The River

 Discussing the short stories of Flannery O'Connor, we read this week the stories A View of the Woods and The River. The series will continue into November.

Adult Faith Formation, October 15th, Flannery O'Connor, Session 5 - A Good Man Is Hard To Find, and Essays

 In this series, we are reading various short stories of Flannery O'Connor. This week, we look at what is probably her most well known and praised story - "A Good Man is Hard to Find." We also consider her reflections on being a Catholic Novelist in the Protestant South.

Sunday Sermon, October 11th -- God is Inviting You to Mental Prayer

The parable of the king who held a great feast and invited many guests, ultimately bringing in the bad and the good alike, stands for the invitation that the Lord makes to each of us for a deeper spiritual life and even contemplative prayer.

 Let no one say, as the ungrateful townspeople of the parable who refused the invitation, that they are too busy for the Lord.  You are invited to a deeper life of prayer! God demands that you become a great saint!  It is by mental prayer, more than anything else, that we become good.

Outline of mental prayer: 1) Introduction, recognize the presence of God and decide on the mystery for mediation.  2) Considerations, consider the love God has shown for you in this mystery of Jesus' life and offer your love to him in return.   3) Conclusion, offer God your petitions and especially ask that you be saved.  Be sure to make a concrete resolution for how to grow in holiness this day.

Listen online [here]!

High School Youth Group, Sunday, October 4th - The Catholic Response to Atheism - Session, 1 - Introduction

 In this opening session, we review the class calendar for the year and discuss the theme of this year's youth group: The Catholic Response to Atheism.

Adult Faith Formation, October 1st, Flannery O'Connor, Session 3 - A Temple of the Holy Ghost and The Enduring Chill

 In this week's class, we discuss the two most Catholic stories of Flannery O'Connor: A Temple of the Holy Ghost, and The Enduring Chill.

Adult Faith Formation, September 24th, Flannery O'Connor, Session 2 - Revelation, and Why Do the Heathen Rage?

In this course, we are reading and discussing some of Fr Ryan's favorite stories from Flannery O'Connor.

This week, we consider "Revelation" and "Why do the Heathen Rage?" -- we prepare also for next week's stories, "Temple of the Holy Ghost" and "The Enduring Chill"

Sunday Sermon, September 20th -- Choosing Heaven, With God's Mercy

 We hear the parable of the vineyard workers - those that worked only one hour receive the same full day's wage as those who worked since dawn.  This parable, in the literal sense, speaks of the conversion of the gentiles who are incorporated into the covenant originally given to the Jewish people. The New Covenant given in Christ offers salvation even to all the nations.

This parable also gives us hope that it is never to late to become a saint. We realize that, by God's grace, every sin and vice can be overcome - we must prefer heaven to the vanities of the world!

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, September 17th, Flannery O'Connor, Session 1 - Introduction and Biographical Notes

 In this series, which will go through October and possibly into November, we will read and discuss some of Father Ryan's favorite Flannery O'Connor short stories.  

Course objectives: To appreciate Flannery O’Connor as a Catholic and as a grotesque writer of the American South. To recognize her unique contribution to Catholic thought in the United States. Finally, to learn to enjoy the writings of this exquisite and strange young woman.

Sunday Sermon, September 13th -- Forgive, That You May Gain Every Virtue And Grace

 "Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight."  Sirach 27:30

Having preached in early July about the virtue of meekness by which we overcome anger, today we look at forgiveness and setting aside anger as a means of opening ourselves to every grace and virtue.

If you desire any particular virtue or grace, forgive those who have offended you and love your enemies, and God will show you great mercy and will forgive you your faults and grant you every grace needed to grow in holiness.

Sometimes, when there are deep wounds and hurts, forgiveness can be particularly difficult. Often, even when we want to forgive, we find that emotionally we are not yet able to let go of the pain we have suffered.  There is a meditation upon Christ Crucified which can help open our hearts to forgive.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, August 30th -- St Bartholomew, A True Israelite Without Guile

 "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."

Monday (August 24th) was the feast of St Bartholomew, who followed the Lord to the point of enduring the most horrific death of all the Apostles - being flayed alive.

We discuss the history of St Bartholomew, who is actually Nathaniel from St John's Gospel. The Lord praised him as "A true Israelite, in whom there is not guile." Guile means a certain two-facedness. The be without guile is for his yes to mean yes and his no to mean no. St Bartholomew, once strengthened by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and having preached the Gospel as far as India, would be yes for Christ to the end, even enduring a most violent death.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, August 23rd -- The Story of St Leo's Defense of Christ, True God and True Man

 From the years 449 to 451, there was great debate in the Church over who Christ really is - is he truly God and Man, or only Divine? Pope St Leo the Great defended the true doctrine that Jesus is God and Man, two natures in a single divine person. 

The Letter of Pope St Leo was received by the Church as the Catholic Bishops declared, "Peter has spoken through Leo!"

The miraculous history of the Council of Chalcedon and the famous Tome of Leo.

Listen online [here]!

 

Sunday Sermon, August 16th -- The Woman of Revelation 12, Mary Assumed into Heaven

 "And the temple of God was opened in heaven: and the are of his testament was seen in the temple ... And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars."

St John the Evangelist sees the Ark of the New Covenant in Heaven, who is the Woman - the Virgin Mary. This passage of Revelation speaks of numerous individual people: The Dragon is Satan, the Child is Jesus, Michael is St Michael the Archangel. And so we recognize that the Woman is also a real individual: The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, August 9th -- Saints of the Holocaust: Edith Stein, Maximilian Kolbe, Titus Brandsma

 "They are Israelites, theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the worship and the promises; theirs the patriarchs and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen."

These words from St Paul's Letter to the Romans show the love the Apostle to Gentiles had for his own people, the Jews. We think of another Jewish convert to Christianity, and her continued love for the Jewish people -- St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Edith Stein.  Today is the feast of St Edith Stein, and we consider two other saints of the Holocaust, St Maximilian Kolbe and Blessed Titus Brandsma.

Blessed Titus died by lethal injection for refusing to promote pro-Nazi and anti-Semitic propaganda. He gave his Rosary to the nurse who killed him, and won her conversion.

St Maximilian Kolbe is very famous and well known. As a boy, he told our Lady that he desired perfect purity and the gift of martyrdom. He gave his life in Auschwitz in the place of a man with a wife and children.

St Edith Stein was raised in a devout Jewish home, but became an atheist when she was thirteen. She was extremely intelligent and went on to become one of the greatest philosophers of her time. She was converted to Catholicism by reading the autobiography of St Teresa of Avila, and later joined the Carmelite order, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She gave her life to be united with her people, dying in Auschwitz.

Listen online [here]!

 

Adult Ed, July 30th -- Catholic Commentary on the Apocalypse, Session 9, The Final Battle, The Thousand Years, The New Heavens and New Earth, Chapters 18-22 (part 9 of 9)

Outline of Session 9:  Commentary on Revelation chapters 18-22. The Final Battle and the victory of Christ. The Thousand Year Reign as occurring now during the life of the Church.  The First Resurrections as the conversion of the soul and forgiveness of sins through baptism. The Second Resurrection as the resurrection on the Last Day. The First Death as physical death, the Second as spiritual death. The New Heavens and the New Earth as the transformation and glorification of this world.

Sunday Sermon, July 26th -- The Glorious St Ann, the Grandmother of God

"Those he foreknew he also predestined"

If it is true that God prepares the way for his grace in each of our lives and in the history of salvation, how much more true is this of the circumstances immediately tied to his Incarnation.  Although St Ann and Joachim (the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary) are not part of the very mystery of the Incarnation itself, the way that St Joseph and Mary are, they are tied to that great fulfillment of the birth of the Messiah in a unique way from among all the saints.

We consider the history of St Ann, who was childless for some 20 years before conceiving the Immaculate Conception and becoming the mother of the Mother of God. St Ann and St Joachim are special patrons for those married couples who are childless or who suffer difficult pregnancies or miscarriage, they are also great patrons for all parents and likewise for grandparents.

Special acts of devotion to St Ann are a mini-novena of Hail Mary's said nine times in honor of the nine months between Mary's conception and her birth, as well as dedicating Tuesdays to St Ann. St Ann is the best of all grandmothers, and Jesus was the best of all grandsons. Imagine the tender devotion, reverence and love which our Lord has for St Ann! Surely, she will be a most powerful intercessor in all our needs!


Listen online [here]!

Adult Ed, July 23rd -- Catholic Commentary on the Apocalypse, Session 8, The Seven Plagues and The Whore of Babylon, Chapters 15-18

Outline of Session 8:  Commentary on Revelation chapters 15-18. The return to the sets of seven. Who is the whore of Babylon and what does she symbolize for the early Church, for today, and for the end of time? What is the city of Babylon on the Seven Hills? How do Catholics respond to Protestant accusations based on these chapters of Revelation.

Parish Schedule Update - Saturday Funeral Mass, 1pm, July 25th

Funeral Mass, Saturday, July 25th at 1pm for Brian Bexell.
No 9am Saturday morning Mass.


[also, as announced before,
no 5:30pm Mass on Tuesday, July 28th,
no 7am Mass on Wednesday, July 29th,
no daily Masses or confessions Tues-Sat morning, August 4-8,
*First Friday Mass at 5:30pm, August 7th*,
No first Saturday morning Mass,
schedule resumes with 4:30pm confessions on Saturday, August 8th]

Sunday Sermon, July 19th -- Moving into the Second Age of the Spiritual Life, Infused Contemplation

"The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings."

St Paul refers to the transition from the first age of the spiritual life (the age of beginners) to the second age (the age of the proficients). We are all called to reach the age of the perfect, but in today's sermon we will consider only this transition from the first to the second age.

In the first age, we are very active in our prayer and when making our meditations. In this time, we might benefit from focusing on whether I am physically attentive to prayer with my body (sitting upright or kneeling or standing etc, in a place that is conducive to meditation, etc), whether I am mentally attentive to prayer (thinking about what I'm saying, focusing the mind on the mysteries, etc), and whether my heart is dedicated to the prayer through love (and this is the deeper goal of prayer - not to accomplish anything else or be productive, but simply to love God more).

Learning to humbly accept distractions in prayer, not seeking to uproot them but simply bearing with them patiently, is a great means of moving into the second age of the spiritual life.  In this age of the proficients, the Spirit comes to our aid and he prays within us. Prayer will no longer be so much our active work, but rather the soul is more passive as God pours his grace into our soul.

We follow the doctrine of St Teresa of Avila.


Listen online [here]!

Adult Ed, July 16th -- Catholic Commentary on the Apocalypse, Session 7, The Sea and Land Beasts, 666, and the Antichrist, Chapters 13-14 (Part 7 of 9)

Outline of Session 7:  Commentary on Revelation chapters 13-14. Who or what do the Sea Beast and Land Beast represent? The mysterious number 666 and it’s meaning in the first century as well as for the end times. Discussion of the Antichrist from Revelation and other books of Scripture.

Change to Parish Schedule, July 17&18, 2020

No afternoon confessions, Friday, July 17 (also, no benediction or Sacred Heart Devotions)

No 9am morning Mass, Saturday, July 18
No afternoon confessions, Saturday, July 18



[looking further ahead, changes during Eucharistic Conference in Lewistown: No 5:30pm Mass, Tuesday, July 28; no 7am Mass, Wednesday, July 29. No Mass or confessions Tuesday-Friday, August 4-7. *First Friday Mass will be at 5:30pm on Friday, August 7*; no Saturday, 9am Mass, August 8th.]

Sunday Sermon, July 12th -- Why Did Jesus Speak in Parables?

The Disciples asked Jesus, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"

Flannery O'Connor was famous for her reply when someone asked her, "Can you just tell me in one or two sentences what each of your short stories means?" "If I could have said it any more clearly, I would have!" 
So also with the parables of Jesus - We often are tempted to seek the simple "moral" of the story or the simple "meaning" of the metaphor, but the purpose of the parable is to bring us to meditate on the deep truths contained therein.
Further, parables often bring an opportunity for conversion even for those who are most hard of heart.

Lastly, we consider how Jesus established the hierarchical Church by speaking in parables to the crowds, but explaining the faith more fully to his Apostles who would then teach the people after our Lord's Ascension. Further, notice that Jesus didn't write any book of the Bible, which indicates that he did not intend to teach "sola scriptura" or the "Bible alone" - the Bible itself comes from the teaching authority of the Church (and the New Testament was written by the first Bishops, the Apostles).

Listen online [here]!

Adult Ed, July 9th -- Catholic Commentary on the Apocalypse, Session 6, The Woman, Chapter 12 (part 6 of 9)

Outline of Session 6:  Commentary on Revelation chapters 12-14. These chapters are the heart of the book of Revelation. The Woman who stands for Israel, the Church, and Mary. The Dragon who is Satan as well as the Sea Beast and Land Beast. The mysterious number 666 and it’s meaning in the first century as well as for the end times. 
[In fact, we only covered chapter 12, the Woman and the Dragon]

Sunday Sermon, July 5th -- How to Become Meek

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart."

Of all the virtues which Jesus desires we should learn from him, meekness and humility stand out as being especially set before us.  We all desire all the virtues, but meekness and humility are the most necessary, especially for establishing the foundation of our spiritual life.

Humility is primarily in our relation to God, meekness to our neighbor. Meekness restrains anger, even as clemency makes us gentle in correcting faults. We recognize that no one will ever be too meek, and there is never a situation in which is was good for our soul to become angry. Never be angry, but always be meek.

We discuss the advice of St Francis de Sales in how to become meek - especially through learning to be gentle with ourselves so as to become gentle with others. If we conquer the passion of anger and become truly meek, we will quickly progress in the pursuit of holiness.


Listen online [here]!

Adult Ed, July 2nd -- Catholic Commentary on the Apocalypse, Session 5, The Seven Trumpets, the Two Witnesses, Chapters 8-11

Outline of Session 5:  Commentary on Revelation chapters 8-11. The punishments upon the earth in the seven trumpets as bringing about the victory of the Lamb. The two witnesses, Enoch and Elijah. 

Sunday Sermon, June 28th -- What Does Religious Freedom Really Mean?

We are in the midst of the week of religious liberty, called for by the US Bishops from the vigil of the feast of Sts John Fisher and Thomas More to the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul (June 21-29).

Religious Liberty has been a hot topic over the past decade -- the Obama Administration (and Joe Biden, in particular) was notorious for threatening the freedom of the Church, but President Trump has been a real champion of religious liberty both in our nation and throughout the world.

But what does the Church really mean by "religious liberty"? And did the Catholic Church violate freedom of religion with the Crusades or the punishment of heretics in the Middle Ages. We answer both these objections (the Crusades were not religious wars for us, but were defensive wars trying to stop Islamic terrorism and extensive slavery; the punishment of heretics also was not limiting religious freedom but only insisting that those who claim to be Catholic Christians could not teach doctrines contrary to the Catholic Church).

Further, we discuss true and false notions of "freedom" in relation to following one's conscience, and why the Church insists that we can never use force to convert someone to our beliefs.  Finally, we look to how we can preserve religious liberty in our nation: By voting for political candidates who defend religious liberty, and by remaining united in prayer.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Ed, June 25th -- Catholic Commentary on the Apocalypse, Session 4, The Four Living Creatures and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Revelation 4-7

Outline of Session 4:  Commentary on Revelation chapters 4-7. The Heavenly Liturgy is opened before St John, the meaning of the Four Living Creatures and what the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse symbolize.  The Scroll with Seven Seals. 

Sunday Sermon, June 21st -- Meditations on the Image of the Sacred Heart

June is the month of the Sacred Heart. In addition to the 5 first Friday devotion (receiving holy Communion in the state of grace as an act of reparation on the first Friday of 5 consecutive months), we encourage that Home Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - placing an image of the Sacred Heart in a prominent public place in the home (like the living room or entry way).

There are five specific characteristics of the image of the Sacred Heart that are a source for meditation on the meaning of this devotion and the love of God revealed in Christ Jesus.  1) The Heart, as a symbol of Love.  2) The Wound in the side.  3) The Crown of Thorns.  4) The Cross behind/above the Heart.   5) The Fire around the Heart.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Ed, June 18th -- Catholic Commentary on the Apocalypse, Session 3, Letters to the Seven Churches, Chapters 1-3 (Session 3 of 9)

Outline of Session 3:  Commentary on the opening address of Revelation, Letters to the Seven Churches. Understanding the historical context of the letters, but also seeing the historical interpretation of the Seven Churches as representing salvation history or Church history. 

Adult Ed, June 11th -- Catholic Commentary on the Apocalypse, Session 2, Overview and Structure of Revelation (Part 2 of 9)

Outline of Session 2:  Recognizing the place of Revelation in Sacred Scripture, we consider and overview of the basic flow of the book. The structure of Revelation is not at all clear, but certain themes seem to present themselves in a recurring fashion.  Our hermeneutic (i.e. basic method of interpretation) will be very important for understanding the many themes brought forward in this book.

Sunday Sermon, June 14 -- The Eucharist, Not Protests and Riots (Feast of Corpus Christi)

The people of God have been deprived of Mass and the Eucharist (and in some places even of adoration and confession). Without Catholics offering proper public worship to God, there can be no peace in the world.

Meanwhile, secular forces attempt to cause upheaval in society and undermine core human values. Even some bishops are fooled by this and begin to believe that the wrongs of society (and especially the evil of racism) can be corrected through public secular protests and without recourse to God in prayer -- note that some bishops and many leftist politicians advocate the protests of thousands without any regard for social distancing, but continue to suppress Mass and even refuse to allow small numbers of people to gather in prayer.

On Corpus Christi, and remembering the solemn Eucharistic Processions we will be making on Sunday, we know that the only solution to racism can come from frequent confession, worthy communions, and many hours of Eucharistic Adoration! Our Eucharistic Lord will answer all our needs!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, June 7 -- The Love of the Trinity for Us

The Apostles preached not only the doctrine of the Trinity, but also that the Most Holy Trinity loves each of us and desires our salvation.  "For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Consider the love of God the Father in creating you. He made you not because of any merits of your own, but simply because of his love for you. He does not love you because you are good, but his love makes you to be good.  And the Father's love is seen throughout the Old Testament.

Consider the love of God the Son in redeeming you. He desired to live among us and to be one of us so that we might know how much he loves each of us. While he was on earth, Jesus was nothing but merciful, gentle and loving with us.

Consider the love of God the Holy Spirit in sanctifying us. He lives within us and is active in us. We do not know how to prayer, so he prays in and through us. We do not know how to speak up for the faith, so he speaks in and through us. He guides the Church and keeps her true throughout all time.

Finally, the love of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit is shown in the three sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.


Listen online [here]!

Adult Ed, June 4th -- Catholic Commentary on the Apocalypse, Introduction: St John and the History of the Writing of Revelation (Part 1 of 9)

In this series, through June and July, we are discussing the Book of Revelation.

Outline of Session 1:  Introduction, St John and the history of the writing of Revelation, Revelation as New Testament “prophecy”, why called Revelation or Apocalypse, Revelation as part of the Bible, and debates in the early Church about the book of Revelation.

Pentecost Sunday Sermon, May 31st -- Desiring God's Will with the Holy Spirit's Aid

Pentecost is often seen as a healing of the Old Testament event of the confusing of languages at the Tower of Babel, and this is certainly correct.

Another aspect to Pentecost is to recognize that, according to a Jewish Tradition (which seems to be from about the time of Jesus, or perhaps just after the destruction of the Temple in AD 70 - but still was influential on the early Christians and Fathers of the Church), the Jewish feast of Pentecost was not merely an agricultural feast but also a commemoration of the giving of the Law (the 10 Commandments) to Moses on Mount Sinai.

In this respect, we see a parallel insofar as the Holy Spirit rights the commandments of God upon our hearts. If we love God, we will fulfill his commandments - and the Law will not be something seen as restrictions placed on us from without, but as fulfilling our true desires.  The key to salvation, and the key to happiness in this life as well is to desire what God desires, to love what he loves - to say always, "Lord, thy will be done."   The Holy Spirit moves our hearts to be united with God's will.


Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, May 24 -- The Theological and Historical Foundations of the Rosary

After the Lord's Ascension, St Luke (who wrote Acts of the Apostles) tells us that the Apostles gathered around the Blessed Virgin Mary in prayer as they awaited the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  This image, the Church gathered around Mary, meditating upon the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, is the theological and historical foundation for the Holy Rosary.

The Rosary itself was revealed by Our Lady to St Dominic in the early 1200s, but it is based on much older traditions.  In the early Church, Christians would recite all 150 psalms every day - and this eventually developed into reciting 150 Our Fathers or Hail Mary's daily.  This is where the 15 decades (150 Hail Mary prayers) comes from, and why many of the saints recommend attempting to recite not just 5 decades of the Rosary, but even 15 decades daily.


Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, May 17th -- On Confirmation

St Luke tells us in Acts 8 that Philip had baptized the converts of Samaria but that they had not received the Holy Spirit until Peter and John came and prayed over them.  What can this mean?

This was Philip the Deacon (not the Apostle), and the converts did receive the Holy Spirit and his Seven Gifts in Baptism, but they did not receive the full outpouring or perfection of the Gifts until the sacrament of Confirmation was given them by Peter and John.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is to Baptism what growth and maturing are to birth - Confirmation completes Baptism and brings to perfection the graces of Baptism.  Confirmation is not absolutely necessary for salvation, but it is very difficult to make it to heaven without these graces.

Confirmation gives the Christian the sacramental strength to preach the Gospel and to endure persecution for the truth -- in this way, the Christian is united to the work of the Bishop, whose primary duties are to preach the Faith and to be willing to suffer martyrdom for the Gospel.


Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, May 10th -- The Priesthood of the Baptized and of the Ordained

"Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

By virtue of baptism, all the faithful are true priests in Jesus Christ. The baptized Christian offers the spiritual sacrifice of his life - most especially in the Mass, but also throughout his whole life in obedience to the commandments.

The ministerial priesthood of the ordained is different not merely in degree but in kind - it is not a matter of more or less, but the ordained ministry is at the service of the baptismal priesthood.  This is why there is no inequality or unfairness in that Jesus restricted ordination to the priesthood to men.

The three degrees of Holy Orders are bishop, priest and deacon - the deacon assists in the Mass, the priest celebrates the Mass, but the bishop has the power to ordain men as priests to give them the power to celebrate the Mass.


Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, May 3rd -- Meditation in Prayer, and Hearing the Good Shepherd

We hear the voice of the Good Shepherd in the official teachings of the Church and in the Revelation God has given through Scripture and Tradition.  Further, we recognize the voice of Christ through regular mental prayer and meditation.

Outline of an holy hour, or period of mental prayer:
1) Recognize the presence of God - looking down on you from heaven, present throughout the world but most especially in your soul. Choose the mystery upon which you will meditate - most especially focusing on the life of Christ.
2) Make your meditation, staying focused on the love that God has revealed through this mystery. Offer acts of love in return.
3) Make a simple resolution for how to grow in holiness today and tomorrow, and thank God for the graces given in this meditation.


Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, April 26 -- Jesus is with us even in our sorrows (Sermon at Return to Public Masses)

Pre sermon note on the great grace it is to be living in Montana and in our Diocese where confessions and prayer in the churches continued throughout the time of the lock-down and where public Masses are resuming.  Let us keep the Bishop and all bishops in our prayers.


Jesus appears to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, comforting them in their sorrow. We realize that Jesus always remains with us - no matter how difficult circumstances may be, he always joins us on the way.


Listen online [here]!

Masses resume Sunday morning, April 26th!

Wonderful news! Masses resume starting this Sunday, April 26th! (not Saturday evening tho). Likewise, the daily Masses resume next week, as well as adoration!
We will also have the distribution of Holy Communion!

There will be more details coming, but the Bishop and all parishes will be observing careful social distancing and taking all necessary precautions to care for public health -- these include things like, sitting with 6 feet distance between families, frequent and careful sanitation of the pews and door handles etc, not shaking hands before/during/after Mass, etc.

The dispensation from the Sunday Obligation remains, and anyone who is fearful of the pandemic or who falls under the governor's directive as a "vulnerable individual" who might be more susceptible to serious health injury due to the virus, are encouraged to stay home. Nobody has to come to Mass (you are all dispensed), but those who would like to are able to attend and receive Communion!



All of this was just established by a memo from the Bishop this evening, and is fully in accord with the recent directive issued by the Governor.

Sunday Sermon, April 19 -- St Thomas the Apostle (Sermons during Coronavirus Pandemic)

[Pre-sermon note on the Divine Mercy Sunday promise and indulgence.]

Thomas is often thought of as the “doubter” – but there is so much more to him!  Indeed, as the Church Father’s remind us, we have gained more from the doubts of Thomas than from the faith of the other Apostles!

When Lazarus had died – Thomas was ready to go back with Jesus to Bethany, even tho it was close to Jerusalem and likely that the Jewish rulers would try to kill our Lord.  “Let us go to die with him also”

Thomas is called Didymus, which means “The Twin”. Didymus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name “Thomas”.  Perhaps he had a twin brother?  Maybe.  But perhaps a deeper meaning—He became like a “Twin” of Christ Jesus, mirroring so closely our Lord as to be a sort of “Twin” or “Second Christ” in is work as an apostle.  

But he is most known for his doubts regarding our Lord’s resurrection – the Gospel we hear on Divine Mercy Sunday.  He did doubt, but by his doubt we gained a greater proof of the resurrection.  His finger touched our Lord’s wounds – and proved to us the Jesus is Risen!

Thomas is also a great patron for Eucharistic Devotion. For we often say “My Lord and My God” at the elevation of the Eucharist.

Listen online [here]!

Schedule for Triduum and Easter Week, through April

Due to the pandemic, public Mass and devotions are suspended at least through the end of April. However, per the order of the Bishop, the church remains unlocked and open for private prayer, and confessions will continue according to the normal schedule. Please keep social distancing while in the church (maintaining a 6 foot safe zone), and not more than 10 people in any one area of the church (eg. the main body, gathering area, cry room, etc).


Holy Thursday, April 9th
Church open for private prayer 10am to midnight (except 5:30-7pm)
Private Mass of the Lord's Supper 5:30-7pm [church locked during the Triduum Liturgies]
You are encouraged to pray before the Eucharistic Lord reserved in the tabernacle in the church after the Mass of the Lord's Supper - "Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?"

Good Friday, April 10th
Church open for private prayer 10am to midnight (except 5:30-7pm)
Private Commemoration of the Lord's Passion 5:30-7pm [church locked during the Triduum Liturgies]
You are encouraged to make the Stations of the Cross any time during the day before 5:30pm and to adore the Holy Cross in the church after the Commemoration of the Passion.

Holy Saturday, April 11th
Church open for private prayer 10am to 9pm
Private Easter Vigil Mass 9pm-midnight [church locked during the Triduum Liturgies]
You are encouraged to pray in the church throughout the day, prayerfully awaiting the Lord's Resurrection.

Easter Sunday, April 12th
Church open for private prayer 10am to noon.
The church will be decorated for Easter and you are welcome to come and pray on Easter Morning.


Easter Wednesday to Easter Saturday, April 15th to April 18th
Church open for private prayer 8am to 7pm
Confessions 4:30-7pm

Divine Mercy Sunday, April 19th
Church open for private prayer 9am to 1pm
Confessions 9am to 1pm
*You are encouraged to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet in your homes at 3pm

Schedule through the rest of April
Church will be open at all the usual times
Wednesday confessions, 4:30-7pm
Thursday to Saturday confessions, 4:30-5:30pm
Sunday confessions, 10:45-11:15am

Palm Sunday, March 5 -- An Act of Contrition

This is a re-post of a sermon from a few years ago, which nevertheless should be fitting and helpful today.



Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, March 29 -- Veiling the Cross, Joining the Penitents (Sermon during Coronavirus Pandemic)

In the last two weeks of Lent, we enter the season of Our Lord's Passion, Passiontide.  We focus all the more intensely on our Savior's suffering and death as we prepare for the Easter mysteries.

The primary visual characteristic of these last days of Lent is the covering of the Cross and other images in the church with the purple veil.  Why do we veil the Cross? The veil symbolizes how our Lord began to hide himself from the crowds in the last months of his public ministry. Further, it symbolizes the wounds which covered and veiled his whole body during his Passion.  Finally, it represents the order of Penitents from the early Church - those who were not permitted to participate in or view the Sacred Liturgy during Lent as they made public penance until the time of being reconciled to God and the Church.

We are called to embrace penance in our own days - we are called to join these Penitents, and be reconciled to God.


Listen online [here]!

Sunday Bulletin, March 29 and April 5th

With updates in response to the coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus Update -- March 27, 2020

The Bishop's just issued directives for Catholic Life in the Diocese of Great Falls - Billings, following the shelter-in-place mandate of the Governor.


Some of the key points:
"Parish churches will remain open for private prayer as long as no more than 10 people assemble in the church and social/physical distancing (a minimum of 6 feet) is maintained."
Thus, Corpus Christi Parish will remain unlocked for all our usual times.


"Confessions should continue to be made available under conditions that are deemed appropriate by the pastor of the parish while providing for social/physical distancing. No more than 10 people at a time should be allowed in the Church."
Thus, Corpus Christi Parish will remain unlocked and maintain the usual confession times in the confessional room in the church. Wednesday-Saturday 4:30-7pm and Sunday 9am-1pm [note, confession times will cease after Wednesday of Holy Week]


"Eucharistic Exposition is not allowed because it is a 'public action.' If parishioners come into the church (no more than 10) they may simply adore the Lord before the Blessed Sacrament in a Tabernacle."
Thus, Eucharistic Adoration will be suspended at Corpus Christi at least through Easter - but the faithful are still welcome to come to the church for prayer and to adore the Lord in the Tabernacle.


"There are to be no public celebration of the Liturgies of Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter."
Thus, public Masses remain suspended, at least through Easter Sunday. Father Ryan will continue to offer a private Mass daily, and will celebrate the Triduum Liturgies privately as well. Note, the church will be locked during the Triduum Liturgies themselves, but will be open for private prayer during other times throughout the Triduum [more details will follow].

Confessions

Saturday, March 28

4:30-7pm

Sunday, March 29

9am-1pm

Wednesday, April 1 to Saturday, April 4

4:30-7pm

Sunday, April 4  (Palm Sunday)

9am-1pm

Holy Week Confessions (April 8-11) will be significantly reduced hours and will be announced at a later date.

Plenary Indulgences More Available Than Ever, During Time of Pandemic

The Vatican has issued a new decree which allows us to gain a daily plenary indulgence even in this time in which most are not able to receive Holy Communion or (in some places) make confession! The Vatican has been so generous, and there are new (and very easy) ways of gaining a daily plenary indulgence!


You gain a plenary indulgence by any of the following:

1) Making a visit to the Blessed Sacrament or time in Adoration (no length is specified, generally understood to be 30 minutes)
2) Reading Scripture for 30 minutes (anywhere)
3) Praying 5 decades of the Rosary (anywhere)
4) The Way of the Cross (apparently even outside of a church, anywhere)
5) Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet (anywhere)

Offering this prayer for an end to the epidemic, relief for those afflicted, and eternal rest for those who have died.
With the intention of making confession and receiving communion when it is possible.

And praying for the intentions of the Holy Father (Our Father, Hail Mary).
Being in the state of grace (remember, a perfect act of contrition will suffice, even if you are in a place where confessions have been suspended), and having no attachment to sin.

Sunday Sermon, March 15th -- On Hiding Sins from Confession

"Come and see a man who told me everything I have done."

Jesus knew everything about the Samaritan woman at the well (St Photina, feast on March 20th and buried in the Basilica of St Paul outside the walls of Rome).  When she referred to her irregular marital situation, our Lord shows that he knows all of her sins - and desires to forgive her, giving her the living waters of repentance unto eternal life.

We discuss the importance of naming and numbering our serious/mortal sins when we go to confession. To intentionally hide a mortal sin (or to intentionally hide the number of times we have committed a mortal sin) would cause the confession to be invalid, and only add yet another mortal sin upon our soul - a sacrilegious confession.

Jesus already knows everything we have done! He knows everything we ever will do! And he still loves us! We do not need to fear! There is no need to be ashamed! The Lord Jesus will give us the living water of true repentance - because he loves us, he will bring us to eternal life.

Listen online [here]!

Suspension of all public Masses and devotions until the end of March 2020

Due to the spread of the coronavirus and the threat of this pandemic for our Nation and Diocese, Bishop Warfel has order the suspension of all public Masses and devotions until the end of March.

This means that there will be no Masses, Rosaries, Litanies, Eucharistic Procession etc at Corpus Christi until the end of March.  Neither will their be even Sunday Masses - all the faithful are, of course, dispensed from the Sunday obligation of attending Mass. Finally, there will be no Religious Education classes, nor will their be any other meetings held at the Parish.

These are very troubling and trying times, and I will strive to provide more information in the coming days with recommendations of how to profit in this moment of great suffering.

However, Bishop Warfel has asked that adoration continue and also that confession be made available for the faithful -- since these are moments for individual prayer and do not necessarily involve large groups coming together, confession and adoration is permitted at this time. We will be adding additional confession and adoration times on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, in place of weekend Masses.

Additionally, we will continue with our 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotions scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 to Thursday, March 19 -- however, without the public celebration of Masses, public recitation of the Rosary or the Litany of St Joseph, and without Eucharistic Processions.   Confessions will continue as scheduled.


Thus, for the days of Tuesday, March 17 to Sunday, March 22

Tuesday, March 17
No 5:30 PM Mass
5:30 PM Begin 40 Hours Solemn Eucharistic Adoration

Wednesday, March 18
Adoration continues throughout the day and night
No 7 AM Mass
4:30-7 PM Confessions, with Bishop Warfel joining to hear confessions

Thursday, March 19
Adoration continues throughout the day and night
No 7 AM Mass
4:30-7 PM Confessions
Solemn Adoration concludes at 7 PM, but regular adoration hours continue through Friday and Saturday.

Friday, March 20
Adoration continues
No 7 AM Mass
4:30-7 PM Confessions
No 5:30 PM Stations of the Cross or Soup Supper
Adoration is suspended at 5:30 PM

Saturday, March 21
No 7 AM Mass
Adoration begins at 8 AM and Continues throughout the day
4:30-7 PM Confessions
4:30- 7 PM Solemn Adoration
No 5:30 PM Mass
Adoration will conclude at 7 PM

Sunday, March 22
No 9 AM Mass
No 11:30 Am Mass
9 AM to 1 PM Solemn Adoration
9 AM to 1 PM Confessions


[the schedule for Tuesday, March 24 to Sunday, March 29 will be similar to this week's]

40 Hours Eucharistic Devotions before the Feast of St Joseph

40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion is especially suited for imploring God's mercy during a time of epidemic. Rather than panicking or giving into anxiety, let us turn to God in prayer! May he preserve us both from the coronavirus and from all the hysteria which is spreading throughout the world!

40 Hours Eucharistic Devotions -- Corpus Christi Parish, Great Falls, MT
Tuesday, March 17th at 5:30 PM to Thursday, March 19th at 6:30 PM. Concluding with St Joseph Table, dinner and celebration - all are welcome!

Imploring the aid of St Patrick and especially of St Joseph!