Parish Schedule: Christmas and New Year's Weekends

 There can be some confusion when Christmas falls on a Saturday - the Mass schedule indicate which are for the Sunday and which are for the Solemnities.

Friday, December 24th -- 

Christmas Eve Mass (with incense), 5:30pm

Saturday, December 25th -- 

Christmas Midnight Mass (with incense), 12am midnight

Christmas morning Mass (no incesne), 9am

Confessions 4:30-5:30pm

Saturday evening vigil Mass for Sunday, 5:30pm

Sunday, December 26th --

Sunday Solemn Mass, 9am

Sunday Low Mass, 11:30am

Monday, December 27th --

Special Mass for St John the Evangelist, 5:30pm  (with wine blessing)

[weekday schedule as normal Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday]

Friday, December 31st -- 

*No 7am Mass

Confessions, 4:30-5:30pm

Daily Mass with prayers of thanksgiving for the year 2021, 5:30pm

(Note, the Solemnity of Mary is not a holy day of obligation this year)

Saturday, January 1st --

Morning Mass for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, 7am

(Note, the Solemnity of Mary is not a holy day of obligation this year)

Confessions, 4:30-5:30pm

Saturday evening vigil Mass for Sunday, 5:30pm

Sunday, January 2nd --

Solemn Mass, 9am

Low Mass, 11:30am

Sunday Sermon, December 5th -- The Necessary Means of Salvation: Prayer and the Sacraments

 St John the Baptists tells us that every valley will be exalted and every hill and mountain made low. God rejects the proud but gives his grace to the humble.

To prepare the way of the Lord this Advent, we must have a profound distrust of ourselves (recognizing our own sinfulness and nothingness) but also a great confidence in God (who is a loving God).

The necessary means of salvation are 15 minutes a day of mental prayer - meditating upon the love shown us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus (the Rosary is so good for this!). And also frequent participation in the sacraments of confession and communion!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, November 28th -- Our Lady of Kibeho and the Call to Repentance

We celebrate a very important 40th Anniversary this Sunday: Our Lady of Kibeho! From 1981 to 1989, Our Lady appeared to at least three high school age girls in the city of Kibeho, Rwanda. She gave them a message of a call to repentance, to prayer, to penance - and especially of devotion to the Rosary and the Chaplet Rosary of the Seven Sorrows.

These apparitions and the visionaries were studied not only by theologians but also by modern scientists and doctors - and it is quite certain that they come from God. St John Paul II approved of the apparitions in 2001.

Color videos of the girls experiencing these visions is readily  available online, and an excellent documentary was made by EWTN. See this here ---  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEkY6vwZc3U 

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, November 23rd -- Carmelite Spirituality, Session 6 -- Carmelite Saints, Devotions and Other Resources

 In this final session on Carmelite Spirituality, we discuss a number of other famous Carmelite Saints. Including Sr Lucia of Fatima, St Elizabeth of the Trinity, and St Simon Stock. We also discuss various Carmelite Devotions (the brown scapular and the Infant of Prague, etc), as well as some good modern resources for Carmelite Spirituality - especially "Divine Intimacy" by Fr Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen.

Sunday Sermon, November 21st - Why the Church Celebrates Christ the King

 Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of Christ the King to assert that Jesus must be King over our hearts and homes. However, he is king not only of believers but of every nation and of all people (even of those who do not believe in him).

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, November 16th -- Carmelite Spirituality, Session 5 -- St Therese and the Little Way

 In this session, we discuss the way of Spiritual Childhood as an example of the Unitive Way of the Perfect. We also give an overview of the life of St Therese of Lisieux as well as some points to consider when reading her autobiography, the Story of a Soul.

Sunday Sermon, November 14th -- The Book of Daniel and the Final Judgment

In the final weeks of the Liturgical Year, we read from the book of Daniel. One of the four major prophets, Daniel writes in the apocalyptic style.  We discuss the terrible trials which the Church will face in the last days, and give an overview of the book of Daniel as support and encouragement for the difficult times in which we find ourselves.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, November 9th -- Session 4 -- St John of the Cross and the Dark Nights

 In this session, we discuss the dark night of the sense and the dark night of the soul. We focus especially on the illuminate way of the proficients - the way of infused contemplation.  Additionally, we discuss the poetry of St John of the Cross.

December 8th -- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holy day of obligation and the principle feast of the United States of America. 

Masses are:

Tuesday, December 7th -- 5:30 pm   (Simple Chant)

Wednesday, December 8th -- 7 am (Spoken Mass, by candlelight)

Wednesday, December 8th -- 5:30 pm  (Solemn Chant with Incense)

Additionally, we will have a special holy hour for the victory of the culture of life:  Wednesday, December 8th, 7 to 8 pm.

Parish Schedule over Thanksgiving

 Changes to schedule during Thanksgiving 2021:

No Confessions Wednesday through Friday, Nov 24-26.

No daily Masses Thursday through Saturday morning, Nov 25-27.

Sunday Sermon, November 11th -- Why Continue to Pray for the Dead?

Although St Paul, in his Letter to the Hebrews, states that there is no need for the repetition of sacrificial offerings in the New Covenant established by Christ, we know that the Sacrifice of the Mass is not a repetitious offering of sacrifices but the representation of the one single offering which Christ made upon the Cross for the salvation of all. 

We further discuss why Catholics continue to have Masses said and offer indulgences for those who have died. Even though one Mass or one plenary indulgence is sufficient in itself to bring a soul through purgatory to the glory of heaven - each is only as open to receiving the graces as they were at the moment of their death. Therefore, even many Masses and many indulgences offered for one who has died is not repetitious or without effect, but is most beneficial for their purification so that they can quickly attain to heaven.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, October 31st - Friendship with the Saints (All Saints Day Sermon)

The month of November is dedicated to praying for the Poor Souls in Purgatory. Some key ways to avoid being a poor forgotten soul in purgatory: Pray for the Holy Souls regularly; let your funeral be a true funeral and not a mere celebration of life (black vestments helps!); be a member of Corpus Christi Parish or another traditional parish (because the people of this parish offer hundreds of Masses for our members who die, as well as many indulgences).

November is also dedicated to the Saints - beginning with All Saints Day.  In this sermon, we encourage devotion to the saints and emphasize how important it is that we develop a friendship with the saints. November 1st, the Feast of All Saints, will be our feast day when we finally make it to heaven! 

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, October 26th -- Carmelite Spirituality, Session 3 -- St Teresa of Avila and the Interior Castle

 Course Objectives:  In this session, we discuss the particular insights of St Teresa of Avila, and how her Seven Mansions shed light on the traditional Three Ages of the Interior Life. Discussing the Ages of the Beginners, the Proficients and the Perfect (with the two Dark Nights which set them apart), we look to practical indicators of the growth through these three Ages.  What are some of the key differences in the dispositions of the soul in each of these Ages of the Interior Life? And what is prayer like for these three classes of individuals?

Sunday Sermon, October 24 -- The Virtues Expected of Priests, and the Signs of a Priestly Vocation

 St Paul, in his Letter to the Hebrews, shows us the excellence of the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Inspire by this, we consider the virtues required of priests and answering the call of God to be a priest.

The hallmark virtues/characteristics of a good priest are:  Faith, piety/reverence in Mass, devotion to the saints, generosity with offering the sacraments, and sufficient knowledge of theology.  This is a cause of joy for the priest and a great consolation to the people.

Signs of a vocation are a healthy desire for marriage and family life, but a willingness to sacrifice this for the sake of worshipping God at Mass and saving souls through preaching and the sacraments. We strongly encourage all young men to consider the vocation to the priesthood!

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, October 19th -- Carmelite Spirituality, Session 2 -- Historical Notes on the Carmelites; Introduction to the Three Ages of the Interior Life

 Course objectives: In this session, we review the biographies of St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross as well as the reform of the Carmelite Order.

Sunday Sermon, October 17 - On Humility, and Suffering Persecutions

 James and John strive for the highest place of honor, and the other 10 Apostles are jealous. They are all yet beginners in the spiritual life. However, they will learn the virtue of humility - especially when they see it in our Savior.

We also discuss the Litany of Humility.

Listen online [here]!

Parish Dinner -- Feast of St Luke -- October 18th

Join us for a Solemn Mass on Monday, October 18th at 5:30pm -- Feast of St Luke, the patron of our church building!

Followed by Father Ryan's Famous Brisket parish dinner at 7pm!

Bring family and friends - all are welcome! (Father is cooking up about 90 pounds of brisket!)

[also note the following changes to the parish schedule these weeks (on account of the Diocesan Synod) --   no 7am Mass or afternoon confessions on Friday, Oct 15; added 5:30pm Mass on Friday, Oct 15; no afternoon confessions on Thursday, Oct 21; no 7am Mass or afternoon confessions on Friday, Oct 22; no 9am Mass on Saturday, Oct 23.]  

[Added 5:30pm Mass on Monday, Nov 1 (All Saints Day, not a holy day of obligation this year).  Three All Souls Day Masses at 5:30pm on Tuesday, Nov 2]

Adult Faith Formation, October 12th -- Carmelite Spirituality, Session 1 -- Introduction to Christian Prayer and Carmelite Spirituality

 Course objectives: In this class, the first of seven, we give an overview of the Catholic approach to the spiritual life. We see, especially from the writings of St Teresa of Avila, what are the common pitfalls to spiritual growth and why many modernist approaches to prayer (for example, eastern style mediations like yoga or centering prayer) will be most injurious to the soul.  We also give an outline of how to make a holy hour (or even to take thirty minutes in mental prayer).

Sunday Sermon, October 10th -- Gaining Eternal Life

The rich man asked our Lord, "What must I do to gain eternal life?"  The problem with this question is twofold. First, he underestimates the state of man after the fall: Without God's grace, there is nothing we can possibly to to attain salvation.  Second, he takes too narrow and legalistic a read of the Commandments - he does not understand that to "not kill" means not only not to murder but not even to have anger towards our neighbor, etc.

However, by God's grace, all is possible - even eternal life!  Furthermore, Our Lord tells St Peter that any sacrifice we make for God is really no sacrifice at all, since we receive an hundredfold in this life, and eternal salvation in the life to come.

Listen online [here]!

Changes to the Parish Schedule in October and early days of November

Please note a few changes to the parish schedule in the next couple weeks.


Wednesday, October 13th - No afternoon confessions. Pro-life 40 Days for Life Procession from Lourdes to PP and back, 5:30-6:30pm.

Friday, October 15th - No 7am Mass, No afternoon confessions. (Father Ryan is at Diocesan Synod). 
There will be a 5:30pm Mass.

Monday, October 18th - Feast of St Luke! Solemn Mass, 5:30pm. Parish brisket dinner, 7pm.


Thursday, October 21st - No afternoon confessions (Father Ryan is at the Diocesan Synod)

Friday, October 22nd - No 7am Mass. No afternoon confessions. (Father Ryan is at the Diocesan Synod)

Saturday, October 23rd - No 9am Mass. (Father Ryan is at Diocesan Synod)


Monday, November 1st - 5:30pm Mass for All Saints Day (Not a holy day of obligation this year).

Tuesday, November 2nd - 5:30pm Masses for All Souls Day

Sunday Sermon, October 3rd -- Holy Marriages and the Family Rosary

The institution of marriage has suffered three great assaults in our Nation: the proliferation of contraception, the permitting of no-fault divorce, and the recent re-definition of marriage between a man and a woman.

What can Catholics do to have a happy and holy marriage? Certainly the family Rosary is key!  This gains us the grace to sacrifice for the others in our family, and to be truly kind.

Finally, we note that the massive energy, time, and money that the Church commits to youth ministry is largely wasted and shows almost no real benefit (though certainly helpful in particular cases, the general trend is toward the ever greater apostacy of our youth). However, if children come from intact, Catholic homes, they remain likely to continue the practice of the faith into adulthood. The answer is not more and more youth ministry (as important as that is), but primarily to promote marriage enrichment and strong Catholic family life.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, September 26th -- On Occasions of Sin and Our Emotions

 We know that we must avoid occasions of sin in order to grow in holiness. However, we often forget that giving into excessive emotions can itself be an occasion of sin.  While emotions are not sinful in themselves, many emotions are dangerous -- if we desire to advance in the spiritual life, we do well not to give into anger or sadness, or jealousy.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, September 19th -- What do you pray for most?

 What we pray for reveals the state of our soul.  So often, our prayer is directed by our passions rather than by the plan of God.  If we desire for our prayers to be answered, we must place salvation above all else - and only ask for other good things insofar as the good God knows that they will help us to be saved.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, September 12th -- Faith, Works, and Merit

 The primary disagreement between Protestants and Catholics regarding faith and works really boils down to the philosophical question of causality.  Because God is primary cause (the first cause) and man is only a secondary cause (though free and morally significant), grace does not destroy human cooperation but rather allows man to merit eternal life.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, September 5th -- The Messianic Secret and Medieval Biblical Scholarship

 Why does Jesus so often (especially in St Mark's Gospel) tell the disciples not to reveal to anyone that he is the Messiah?  

While modern biblical scholars (mostly heretics) have all sorts of banal theories, the great Catholic biblical scholars of the scholastic and counter-reformation periods shed true light upon this question!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, August 29th -- Catholic Practices are Not Mere Human Traditions

 Christ rebukes the Pharisees for teaching as doctrines human traditions. Some use this passage to criticize the traditions of the Church - especially those related to fasting and penance, as well as those related to the rubrics of the liturgy. However, these are not mere human traditions but rather are the greatest aids in keeping the divine commandments. Further, these traditions are rooted in apostolic practice and discipline, and have been handed down through the ages under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, August 22nd -- The "Hard Doctrine" of Marriage Reveals the Union of Christ and the Church

 The teachings of Christ and his Church on marriage (especially that it is permanent until death, and that it must be open to children and never using contraception) are considered "hard teachings" in the world today. However, this doctrine reveals that Christ will always remain united to his Church (even as a man and woman can never dissolve a ratified, consummated, sacramental marriage - Christ can never abandon the Church and the Church will never abandon Christ). Further, we see the missionary call of the Church reflected in the way that marriage is ordered toward children.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, August 15th -- The Assumption of St Joseph

 In this year of St Joseph, as we celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary, we consider the solid traditions related to the privileges of St Joseph.  To be prepared for his special role in the history of salvation, as spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and father guardian of the Savior, St Joseph received many graces:  born without original sin, preserved from mortal sin and perhaps even from all deliberate venial sin, the subduing of all adverse passions, a most holy death, and even bodily assumption into heaven.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, August 1st -- The Bread of Life Discourse, Not a Metaphor

 We discuss the place of the Bread of Life Discourse at the heart of St John's Gospel and how the Eucharist far exceeds the miracle of the manna in the wilderness.

Listen online [here]!

Father Ryan's Ultra Marathon Parish Fundraiser

Father Ryan is running a 50 Mile Ultra Marathon (the Le Grizz 50) on October 9 to raise funds for our parish endowment! These funds will be perpetually endowed and will support our parish for years to come.

Any and all donations support the future of our parish, as the monies are invested in perpetuity and the parish benefits off an annual distribution forever (or, really, until the second coming of Jesus). Donating to our parish endowment is a great way to ensure that our parish can continue the good working of preaching the Gospel, as the interest from the endowment funds is a stable and substantial source of income.  Truly, one of the best ways to support Corpus Christi Parish is to donate to our parish endowment through the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Montana.

Additionally, Father will offer the 10 hours of suffering he will endure during the 50 mile race for all the parishioners of our parish, as well as our families and friends. We can offer any good work and all our suffering to Christ, even if that suffering comes from running (there will be plenty!).

You can donate to this fundraiser either directly through the Foundation online direct donation website (and note that you either choose "ongoing gift" or "one time donation"). The official name of our endowment is "Corpus Christi Greatest Needs Endowment".  Follow this link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/ccpgf/

On the other hand, you can also donate by writing a check to the parish with a note in the memo like, "Ultra Marathon Endowment Fundraising".  

Father Ryan was inspired to make this fundraising opportunity available after Father Samuel in Lewistown started a similar fundraiser for his parish of St Leo's.  You can see more info about his fundraiser at https://www.stleoscatholicchurch.org/run-father-run

(Note: Planned donations over $1,000 to the endowment can have big additional tax benefits. Please contact the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Montana at 406-315-1765, info@catholicfoundationmt.org, or https://www.catholicfoundationmt.org for more information.)

Changes to Parish Schedule, September 21-24

Due to the annual priest assembly and a special Mass in Lewistown, there are no confessions or daily Masses from Tuesday, Sept 21 to Friday, Sept 24. Daily Masses resume with 9am Saturday Mass, Sept 25.

Looking further ahead:

No confessions on Friday, October 8.

No 9am morning Mass on Saturday, October 9.

No confessions Thursday, October 21.

No Mass or confessions Friday, October 22.

Adult Formation Series on St Joseph, July 20th -- Session 3, Devotion to St Joseph through the History of the Church, Miracles and Apparitions

In this 3rd session, we discuss the development of devotion to St Joseph through the various ages of Church history, as well as the saints most well known for this devotion.  Likewise, some of the apparitions and miracles attributed to St Joseph. 

Adult Formation Series on St Joseph, July 27th -- Session 4, Practical Devotion to St Joseph

 In our final session of this series on St Joseph, we consider the practice of devotion to St Joseph. First, why it is truly necessary to be devoted to St Joseph and how this devotion is qualitatively different from that given to the other saints. Practical advice about devotion to St Joseph and recommendations for various devotions. Cautions against certain superstitious practices: For example, it is objectively a sin to bury a Statue of St Joseph upside down in the yard with the intention of selling a home.

Sunday Sermon, July 25 -- St Christopher and the Holy Helpers

July 25th is the feast of St Christopher, who is one of the 14 Holy Helpers - the great intercessors of the middle ages.

Listen online [here]!

 

Adult Formation Series on St Joseph, July 13th -- St Joseph in the Theological Reflections of the Saints

 In this second of four sessions on St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, we discuss the theological reflections of the saints and great theologians on St Joseph.  How old was St Joseph? Had he ever been married before? Was he conceived without sin? Did he ever commit a sin in his whole life? Was he assumed body and soul into heaven?

We answer all these questions!

Sunday Sermon, July 11th -- St Benedict, Father of Europe

July 11th is the Feast of St Benedict in the Vatican II calendar. We discuss the details of the St Benedict Cross which is often used in prayers of exorcism and fulfills what was presented in the Gospel this Sunday, that Jesus gave his Apostles (and their successors, the bishops; as well as priests) authority over evil spirits and power to cast out Satan.

The life of St Benedict is an inspiration for all. His vision of monastic life, which is life in common, transformed the ideal of holiness. Holiness is not simply found in isolation, but in community living built upon a rule of charity.

St Benedict also transformed Europe, as his monasteries became centers of learning and culture which laid the foundation of modern civilization.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Formation Series on St Joseph, July 6th -- Session 1, St Joseph in Scripture

 In this first part of our four part series on St Joseph in honor of the Year of St Joseph, we discuss the biblical foundation of devotion to St Joseph.

We look at the Old Testament prefiguring of St Joseph, his place in the New Testament, and also the Apocryphal Texts of the Early Church. 

Sunday Sermon, July 4 -- The Prophet Ezekiel, and Fidelity in Time of Chastisement

 Ezekiel was sent as a prophet to the Jewish people during perhaps the darkest period of the Old Testament - when Judah had been taken way into exile by the Babylonians and the Temple had been destroyed.

We examine Ezekiel as a model of fidelity to the Lord during a time of chastisement in which God permits great evils as a means to call his people to conversion.  Certainly, we are living in such a time.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, June 27 -- Our Lady of Perpetual Help

 June 27th is the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We review the history of the miraculous icon which was stolen from Crete and brought to Rome where it was eventually given into the care of the Redemptorists and is venerated at the Church of St Alphonsus.

Every detail of this icon is filled with meaning -- from the eyes of each of the figures to the sandals on Jesus' feet.  

Further, we consider how Pope Blessed Pius IX promoted devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, June 20 -- The Book of Job, History and Theological Meaning

 An overview of the book of Job which is often attributed to Moses. This book can be difficult to interpret (in fact, only St Thomas Aquinas is universally recognized as having succeeded in producing a complete commentary of the book), especially because the majority of the book contains the arguments of Job's three friends which end up being shown to be false when God declares Job's innocence.

Listen online [here]!

 

Parish Schedule Change, July 9th and 10th

No Confessions, Friday, July 9th

No 9am Mass, Saturday, July 10th

No Confessions, Saturday, July 10th 

Sunday Sermon, June 13th -- The Merciful Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (External Solemnity of the Sacred Heart)

 Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a devotion to the Love of Jesus, and especially this Love as revealed to us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.

We emphasize the close union of devotion to the Eucharist and devotion to the Sacred Heart - and note that Jesus revealed this Feast of the Sacred Heart as an extension of the feast of Corpus Christi.

Further, we consider the merciful love of the Heart of Jesus: There is no sin too great for him to forgive, in fact, all our sins are as nothing at all to him! It is easy for him to forgive us! He loves us so much!

Listen online [here]!

Sermon on the occasion of homeschool graduation, May 30th -- Catholic Home Education and the Formation of our Youth

 A sermon on the nature of education and schooling. And why Catholic Homeschooling is the best option, all other things being equal.

The purpose of education isn't to "get a job" but to learn to love learning - Catholic Home Education can do just that!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, June 6th -- Worship of and Belief in the Holy Eucharist (External Solemnity of Corpus Christi)

Our belief in the Eucharist must be expressed in our reverence at Holy Mass. It is amazing and sad that some protestant pastors treat bread with greater respect than many Catholic priests treat the Eucharist! We must have a renewal in our worship, if we are to have a renewal in our belief.

We review the Doctrine of Christ's presence in the Holy Eucharist. Discussing also what makes the Mass to be a sacrifice, and the same sacrifice of the Cross.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, May 30th -- The Divinity of Christ and His Prayer (Trinity Sunday)

St Augustine writes, "It is one Saviour of His Body, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who both prays for us, and prays in us, and is prayed to by us. He prays for us, as our Priest; He prays in us, as our Head; He is prayed to by us, as our God. Let us therefore recognise in Him our words, and His words in us."

On Trinity Sunday, we emphasize the Divine Person of our Savior who has united our human nature to his divine nature, yet always remains true God.  Whatever Jesus did on earth, it was God who did it. Even now in heaven, it is God himself who as ascending with our human nature and who lives forever to intercede for us as our priest.

This emphasis on Jesus' divinity is part of what led the US Bishops and the Vatican to change the English translation of the closing portion of the collect for Mass from "...through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirt, one God, forever and ever." to "....in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever." Because we are not at that moment affirming that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are One God, but rather professing our faith that this Jesus who lives as our High Priest is truly God, forever and ever.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, May 23rd -- The Holy Spirit is a Person, Have a Relationship with Him (Pentecost Sunday)

On the feast of Pentecost, we emphasize that the Holy Spirit is a Person just as the Father and the Son. He is equal with the Father and the Son, and is fully God.  It is often easier for us to "picture" the Father and the Son, however, reflecting on the Holy Spirit reminds us that the Father and the Son are also invisible and beyond all our imagining and comprehension.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, May 16th - The Ascension and the Holy Mass (Transferred Solemnity of the Ascension)

 Ascending into heaven, our Lord remains just as really and truly present, but in a new sacramental way. This change is reflected in the Sacred Liturgy in which we reverence the divinity of our Savior and also his glorified humanity.  

The Mass does not look like the Last Supper, and it better not! The Last Supper was before the Ascension and before our Lord's body was glorified!  The Mass should not look like the times the disciples had with the Lord during his earthly ministry - because all has been transformed through the Ascension.

Listen online [here]!

Changes to Parish Schedule, End of June beginning of July 2021

Please note the following changes to the parish schedule in the coming weeks:


Wednesday, June 23rd - No afternoon confessions 

Thursday, June 24th - No 7 am Mass, No confessions 

Friday, June 25th - No 7 am Mass 

(Please keep Deacon John Pankratz in your prayers, who will be ordained a priest in Billings on June 24th! Watch live stream at StPatrickcocathedral.org) 

Sat, June 26th - No 9 am Mass (wedding Mass 2:30 pm) 

Thursday, July 1st - No afternoon confessions 

Friday, July 2nd - No 7 am Mass, No confessions 

Saturday, July 3rd - No 9 am Mass 

Friday, July 9th - No afternoon confessions 

Saturday, July 10th - No 9 am Mass

Sunday Sermon, May 2nd -- The Role of the Conscience, and Bad Catholics the Media Loves

 St John tells us in the third chapter of his first letter, "If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God."  

Many bad Catholics often justify their dissent from Church teaching by claiming they are following their conscience. However, the conscience does not decide for or against absolute moral truths (the conscience cannot decide whether or not murder or lying or adultery etc is wrong), but only determines how those moral precepts apply in particular situations (i.e. the conscience determines that this or that particular act is or is not murder, etc). 

If a ship captain were to decide that a different star were the north star and navigated accordingly, he would lead the ship off course. Similarly, if a man invokes is "conscience" to reject objective moral truths, he will not attain salvation.

St John also reminds us, "let us love not in word or speech, but in deed and truth." Bad Catholics (that is, Catholics who actively reject Church teachings and obstinately persist in manifest grave sin) often insist "I am a good Catholic!" But we aren't good Catholics just because we say we are, or especially because the secular media says we are -- we must make sacrifices to live our faith and to conform our lives to God's law.  Even if he says he is a good Catholic and even if the Associated Press calls him a devout Catholic, President Joe Biden is a terribly bad Catholic.

Listen online [here]!

High School Youth Group, May 2 -- The Dogma of the Trinity, Session 17 - Dante and the Trinity, Last Class

 We conclude our year of High School Youth Group, discussing the final canto of the Divine Comedy in which Dante describes a vision of the Trinity.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, April 25th -- The Good Shepherd, First Communion and Confirmation

 On Good Shepherd Sunday, we often think of the shepherds of the Church - the Pope, the bishops and the priests. On the occasion of confirmation and first communion for the children of our parish, we consider how Christ shepherds souls through these two sacraments.  In Holy Communion he feeds his sheep, in Confirmation he defends the flock from the wolves.

Listen online [here]!

High School Youth Group, April 18th -- The Dogma of the Trinity, Session 16 - The Trinity and the Mass, and the Incarnation

 We discuss the how we pray to the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit in the Mass. Further, the relation of the Humanity of our Savior to the Trinity, and the threefold relationship of Mary to the Trinity.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, April 18th -- Meditating on the Resurrection

During Lent we were focused on penance, mortification, and self denial. Throughout the Easter Season, we should strive to grow in mental prayer.  What is mental prayer? Rather than simply reciting memorized vocal prayers (as good and important as that is), in mental prayer we picture the scenes of our Lord's life or consider some other mystery of our faith. Mental prayer focuses on the love God has revealed in these mysteries, and our response of love in return.

We discuss the historical details of the five Resurrection appearances of Jesus on Easter Sunday, as found in the Gospels - and offer points for meditation.

Listen online [here]!

Divine Mercy Sunday Sermon, April 11th -- St Thomas the Apostle, and Easter Graces

 [long pre-sermon note on Divine Mercy Sunday, the Theology of the Divine Mercy Image, and the specifics of the promise of Jesus to St Faustina for special graces on this day as well as of the indulgence offered by the Church]

St Thomas the Apostle is a central figure of the Gospel for this Sunday. We consider who he was, and how this encounter with the Risen Lord transformed him.  We also discuss why he was called "The Twin" and how his likeness to Christ moved him to preach the Gospel to the Far East.

Listen online [here]!

Easter Sunday Sermon, April 4th -- Proofs of the Resurrection, and What It Means for Us

 There are physical proofs of the Resurrection: The tomb was sealed, and the angel rolled back the stone to reveal that Christ had been raised and miraculously passed unnoticed through the sealed walls during the night just before dawn.

There are also moral proofs of the Resurrection: Consider how St Peter was totally transformed by his encounter with the risen Jesus. He who had been afraid of the questions of a servant girl on Good Friday, would be so bold as to proclaim Christ before courts and executioners!

Listen online [here]!

Good Friday Sermon, April 2nd -- Our Lady at the Foot of the Cross

 The greatest sorrow of our Lord was to see his mother weeping at the foot of the Cross. Her sorrow was greater than all other saints, for her heart was so intimately united with the heart of her Son.

Mary gave Jesus to the world as a beautiful baby boy. We gave him back to her, a bloody corpse.  What brought about this change? My sins.  Mary, pray for me - Lord Jesus, never let me offend you again!

Listen online [here]!

Holy Thursday Sermon, April 1st -- The Logic of the Triduum, and Christ's Presence in the Church

 During the Triduum, the Church commemorates the mysteries of salvation not only in the manner of a sacrament, but after the manner in which they historically occurred. Thus, on Holy Thursday we commemorate the foot washing, the Last Supper, and the Agony in the Garden.  On Good Friday, the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus. At Easter Vigil, the anointing of his sacred body, and his Resurrection on the third day.

Further, we consider the presence of Christ in the Church until the end of time:  He is present in the charity of believers (the mandatum, or example of charity, the foot washing); he is present in the priests (whom he ordained at the Last Supper); and he is present in the Blessed Sacrament (which he first consecrated on this night).

Listen online [here]!

Palm Sunday Sermon, March 28th -- Hosanna to Christ Our King

 "Hosanna to the Son of David, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest."

We consider the meaning of the word "hosanna" and how the children of the Hebrews and the crowds of Jerusalem declared that Christ is King.

Listen online [here]!

Triduum and Easter Week Schedule 2021

[note, there are no morning Masses or confessions during the Triduum]

Holy Thursday, April 1st

Mass of the Lord's Supper  5:30pm

Followed by Adoration in the Garden Chapel (church basement) until midnight

Good Friday, April 2nd

Commemoration of the Lord's Passion  5:30pm

Followed by Stations of the Cross at about 7pm

Holy Saturday, April 3rd

Church decorating following devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Noon

Easter Vigil   9pm to midnight

Easter Sunday, April 4th

9am Solemn Mass with incense

11:30am Mass (no incese)

Easter Tuesday, April 6th

Mass 5:30pm

Easter Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,  April 7-9th

Mass 7am

Confessions 4:30-7pm

Easter Saturday, April 10th

Mass 9am  [note, Mass time moves back to 9am through until next Advent]

Confessions 4:30-5:30pm

Saturday Evening Mass, 5:30pm

Divine Mercy Sunday, April 11th

Mass with incense 9am

Confessions 10:45-11:15am

Spoken Mass, 11:30am

Divine Mercy Devotions 3pm

High School Youth Group, March 21st -- The Dogma of the Trinity, Session 15 -- Poems about the Trinity

 We discuss various poems and creeds about the dogma of the Trinity.

Sunday Sermon, March 21st -- Adoration of the Cross and Carrying our Cross Daily

 "When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself."

By the sign of the Cross, all men will be judged. We worship the Cross, and the sign of the Cross is not only everywhere in our Liturgy but is even the sign by which the priest bestows blessing upon the world.

If we truly love and adore the Cross, then we must carry our own crosses daily.

Listen online [here]!

High School Youth Group, March 14th -- The Dogma of the Trinity, Session 15 -- A "Proof" of the Trinity

 We discuss the philosophical and theological reasonings about the greatest mystery of our Faith, The Holy Trinity.

Sunday Sermon, March 14th -- Perfect Joy and Immense Sorrow in Our Lord's Passion

 Throughout his Passion as in every moment of his life, our Lord enjoyed the beatific vision. He always remained perfectly united with his heavenly Father and his human soul experienced beatitude. However, likewise, he suffered intensely during the Passion, even to the point of experiencing feelings of abandonment. 

If we look honestly at the Seven Last Words of Jesus from the Cross, we see a man in immense suffering but also perfectly at peace.  This is a model for us, to maintain peace and even joy in the midst of suffering.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, March 7th -- Encouragement for Making Confession

 Many people are fearful of confession because they are unsure about the mechanics of how to confess their sins. The faithful really do not need to worry about this, the priest should be able to help! What we need to work on when confessing our sins is being truly sorry for sin and firmly resolved to avoid sin in the future.

Don't worry about how long your confession is (the priest can help with that), and know that confession most certainly is a good time for some basic spiritual direction.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, February 28th -- The Transfiguration Strengthens Us To Conversion

Our Lord revealed his glory on Mount Tabor to strengthen his disciples (Peter, James, and John) before his Passion. The Church brings this mystery before us early on in Lent to strengthen us to complete our Lenten penances. Furthermore, the thought of heaven inspires us to conversion!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, February 21st -- Our Lenten Fast, and Our Lord's Temptations in the Desert

[Pre-sermon Note regarding the Lenten Fast as well as Prayer and Almsgiving. Fasting opens the soul to true prayer. Fasting also brings Catholics into solidarity with the poor.]

The temptation of our Lord in the desert presents us with a violent entrance into the Lenten Season. Our Lord is crushed under his forty days fast in the wilderness, and so the devil comes to tempt him. However, perfect man and perfect God, he fully resists all temptation and completely overcomes evil. 

In Christ we have been tempted, and in Christ we have already won the victory!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, February 14th -- The Message of Our Lady of Lourdes

 Last Thursday, February 11th, was the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. As Jesus heals the leper in today's Gospel, we consider the message of Our Lady of Lourdes which has been the source of so many thousands of miraculous healings.

The essential message of Lourdes is penance and prayer (especially the Rosary) for the conversion of sinners.  The 18 apparitions from February 11th to July 16th, 1858 center around the Rosary and penance.  St Bernadette is a saint most dear and inspiring.

Listen online [here]!

High School Youth Group, February 14th -- Session 13 -- The Dogma of the Trinity, Introduction and History

 We begin the second portion of High School Youth Group for 2020-2021, the Dogma of the Trinity. We review the early development of the dogma and the heresies which forced the early Church to clarify our belief in God.

High School Youth Group, February 7th, Catholic Response to Atheism - Session 12 - Review

 We conclude the first portion of High School Youth Group for 2020-2021. Review of the Catholic Response to Atheism.

Sunday Sermon, February 6th -- Physical Health, Mental Health, Spiritual Health, and COVID

 When we place physical health first, not only do we lose mental and spiritual health, we even lose physical health.  In the past year, the American people have experienced roughly a 25% decline in mental health, with one in four teens contemplating suicide. However, devout people who attend Mass at least once a week have not only not declined but have even improved in mental health generally. Furthermore, devout traditional Catholic parishes have flourished in the midst of the crisis.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, February 16th -- Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton, Session 6 -- Chapters 7, 8, and 9

 Note, Session 5 was cancelled due to extreme cold temperatures. Session 6 covers the material from session 5 as well as the final chapter and review.

GK Chesterton shows that any true reform or revolution requires a fixed ideal and objective truth. Furthermore, Christian Orthodoxy provides this ideal and truth which can reform the world. Chesterton's apologetic or proof or Christianity is that it alone makes man truly joyful!

Confessions and Devotions During Lent 2021

Confessions are:

Wednesdays, 4:30 - 7 pm

Thursdays, 4:30 - 7 pm

Fridays, 4:30 - 5:30 pm and again after Stations of the Cross until 7 pm

Saturdays, 4:30 - 5:30 pm

Devotions during Lent:

Holy Rosary:  Tuesdays after 5:30 pm Mass; Wednesdays and Thursdays 5:30 pm; Saturdays 8 am

Stations of the Cross: Fridays 5:30 pm

Mass Schedule

Tuesdays, 5:30 pm

Wednesdays through Saturday mornings, 7 am 

               *Daily Masses are the Traditional Latin Mass

Saturday vigil Mass, 5:30 pm

Sunday Masses, 9 am (solemn Mass) and 11:30 am

[Holy Triduum and Easter Schedule, April 1-4:  Holy Thursday, 5:30 pm; Good Friday, 5:30 pm; Easter Vigil, 9 pm; Easter Sunday 9 am and 11:30 am]

Adult Faith Formation, February 2nd -- Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton, Session 4 - Chapters 5 and 6

 We discuss Chesterton's classic Orthodoxy.  Chapters 5 and 6: The Flag of the World and The Paradoxes of Christianity.

Chesterton points out that we all owe a loyalty to the world which is best characterized as a sort of patriotism. We must hate the world enough to want to reform it, but love it enough to believe it is worth reforming.

In chapter 6, Chesterton presents the paradoxes of Christianity -- this one religion is criticized on every side and from every angle. At one too pompous and too humble, too obsessed with sex and too repressive of sex, too rich and too poor, too womanly and too much a woman's religion, too pacifist and too violent, etc.  And suddenly, it occurred to Chesterton that the Church is either miraculously wrong or miraculously right, either straight from heaven or straight from hell.  Either way, Christianity is nothing like any other religion.   And, as it turns out, the extremes of Christianity happen to fit perfectly the extremes of real life - like a lock to a key, Christianity is the religion of the Creator.

Adult Faith Formation, January 27th - Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton, Session 3 - Chapters 3 and 4

 We discuss chapters 3 and 4 of Chesterton's classic Orthodoxy: The Suicide of Thought and The Ethics of Elfland.  

In these chapters, Chesterton speaks first of the crisis of thought which is prevalent also in our day - not so much to reject what has come before, but to pretend like the genius of previous ages never existed. If a man does not love the Medieval Theologians, he should at least hate them - but modern man commits the suicide of thought by pretending there were no theologians in the middle ages, and that no one until our modern day has anything to contribute to philosophy, theology, or reason.

In The Ethics of Elfland, Chesterton puts forward his own apologetic for morality. This is a most compelling chapter -- Why should we be good? Because the world is beautiful, and being good is a way of expressing our gratitude to the Creator.

Sunday Sermon, January 31st -- St Thomas Aquinas, Model of Purity and Eucharistic Devotion

 St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) is without question the greatest theologian in the history of the Church as well as the brightest intellect in human history (excepting only Our Lord, his Mother, and St Joseph). He is called the Angelic Doctor both for his superior intellectual insight and for his perfect purity. And the crowning jewel of his theological teaching is his doctrine on the Holy Eucharist.

In this sermon, we consider this great Dominican Priest as a model of what St Paul praises in the second reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians, "An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord." St Thomas loved God with an undivided heart, and was favored with the highest graces.  He is a spiritual father to us all, and especially to Corpus Christi Parish - because he wrote the Liturgical Office for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Listen online [here]!

For more information on the Angelic Warfare Confraternity, look here:  https://www.angelicwarfareconfraternity.org/

The two prayers to be said every day, together with 15 Hail Mary's in honor of the original mysteries of the Rosary:

Dear Jesus, I know that every perfect gift, and especially that of chastity, depends on the power of Your providence. Without You a mere creature can do nothing. Therefore, I beg You to defend by Your grace the chastity and purity of my body and soul. And if I have ever imagined or sensed anything  that could stain my chastity and purity, blot it out, Supreme Lord of my powers, that I may advance with a pure heart in Your love and service, offering myself on the most pure altar of Your divinity all the days of my life. Amen.

Chosen lily of innocence, pure St. Thomas, who kept chaste the robe of baptism and became an angel in the flesh after being girded by two angels, I implore you to commend me to Jesus, the Spotless Lamb, and to Mary, the Queen of Virgins. Gentle protector of my purity, ask them that I, who wear the holy sign of your victory over the flesh, may also share your purity, and after imitating you on earth may at last come to be crowned with you among the angels. Amen.

Sunday Sermon, January 24th -- Jonah, Foreshadowing Prophet of Jesus Christ

 An overview of the book of Jonah in the historical context of the history of salvation.  Also, the many ways in which Jonah foreshadows our Lord both in his resurrection and also in the preaching of the Gospel of Salvation to the Gentiles.

Listen online [here]!

High School Youth Group, January 24th -- Catholic Response to Atheism, Session 11, Why Be Catholic?

 We consider the philosophical arguments which show Christianity to be the most reasonable religion, and Catholicism to be the most reasonable and original version of Christianity.

Adult Faith Formation, January 19th -- Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton, Session 2, Chapters 1 and 2

 We discuss the first two chapters of GK Chesterton's apologetical classic "Orthodoxy."   In Defense of Everything Else, and The Maniac -- in which Chesterton lays out the scope of his work, and begins his survey of what is wrong with modern thought.

High School Youth Group, January 17th, Catholic Response to Atheism, Session 10, Can Atheists Go to Heaven?

 We discuss whether non Catholics, non Christians, and even atheists can go to heaven.  Salvation only comes through our Lord Jesus Christ, but he alone knows the heart of each person -- perhaps there is some hope of salvation even for those who have not come outwardly to full communion with the Catholic Church

Sunday Sermon, January 17th -- Gaining the Virtue of Purity

 St John Vianney gives three works for gaining purity, with a preparation and a follow up.

Preparation: Penance and mortification

Three works: Practice the presence of God, daily mental prayer, and frequenting the sacraments.

Follow up: Spiritual reading.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, January 12th -- Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton, Session 1: Introduction

 Introduction to GK Chesterton and the book Orthodoxy.

Sunday Sermon, January 10th -- What is Required for a Valid Baptism?

 The feast of the Baptism of the Lord gives us the opportunity to consider the sacrament of baptism and what is required for a valid baptism: the minister, the recipient, the water, the words, and the manner of baptizing.

Listen online [here]!

High School Youth Group, January 10th -- The Catholic Response to Atheism, Session 9 -- The Problem of Evil or the Problem of Good

One of the common objections to the existence of God is that, if there were a good God then he would not allow so much evil in the world.  The Catholic response is that God only allows evil to bring good out of it. Indeed, the real question is not "why is there evil in the world?" but "why is there so much good?" - and the answer is, God.

Sunday Sermon, January 3rd -- Epiphany: How to Make Christ Manifest to the World

 Bishop Warfel visited the parish for the Saturday evening Mass and preached on Epiphany as our manifestation of Christ to the world.  My own sermon followed his theme.

The three Magi offered gifts: Gold, to symbolize our life of virtue. Frankincense, to symbolize our practice of divine worship (and here we note that it is quite unthinkable in our own day that any serious Catholic would not attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days as well as at least some daily Masses, if his health permits and in those areas where daily and Sunday Masses are easily attended). Myrrh, to symbolize self denial.

Further, we manifest Christ to the world through the Catholic Family. Our Diocese will be having a synod on the family later this year.

Listen online [here]!

 

Holy Days of Obligation, Days of Penance and Movable Feasts of 2021

 

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION – 2021

Friday, January 1^st – Mary, Mother of God

Wednesday, December 8^th – The Immaculate Conception

Saturday, December 25^th -- Christmas

 

Epiphany (Wednesday, January 6^th), Ascension of the Lord (Thursday, May 5^th), and Corpus Christi (Thursday, May 26^th) are all transferred to Sundays. St Joseph, Husband of Mary (Friday, March 19^th) and Sts Peter and Paul (Tuesday, June 29^th) are not obligation days in the USA.

The Assumption of Mary (August 15^th) falls on a Sunday.

All Saints’ Day (November 1^st) is not a day of obligation this year, because it falls on a Monday. Mary, Mother of God (January 1^st) will not be a day of obligation in 2022, because it falls on a Saturday.

 

DAYS OF PENANCE and EMBER DAYS – 2021

Every Friday throughout the year (abstinence or some penance)

Friday, January 22^nd – Anniversary of Roe v Wade (recommended fasting and abstinence)

Every Day of Lent – February 17^th to April 3^rd (Sundays and Solemnities are generally less penitential)

Wednesday, February 17^th – Ash Wednesday (fasting and abstinence)

Fridays, February 19^th, 26^th, March 5^th, 12^th, (not 19^th), 26^th – Fridays of Lent (abstinence)

Friday, April 2^nd – Good Friday (fasting and abstinence)

Saturday, April 3^rd  – Holy Saturday (recommended fasting and abstinence)

 

EMBER DAYS and ROGATION DAYS (recommended fasting and abstinence)

February 24^th, 26^th, 27^th – Ember Days of Lent (February 24^th is the feast of St Matthew)

April 25^th – Major Rogation day (this year falls on a Sunday, no penance)

May 10^th, 11^th, 12^th – Minor Rogation Days; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before the Ascension

May 26^th, 28^th, 29^th – Ember Days of Pentecost (penance is commonly moved to the following week, on             account of the Octave celebration of Pentecost)

September 22^nd, 24^th, 25^th – Ember Days of September

December 15^th, 17^th, 18^th – Ember Days of Advent

 

Penance is not required on the following Fridays: January 1^st (Mother of God), March 19^th (St Joseph),

            April 9^th (Octave of Easter), June 11^th (Sacred Heart).

* Abstinence means abstaining from meat, and binds from 14 years until death. Abstaining from eggs and dairy    as well as from meat is a laudable tradition.

** Fasting means one regular meal and two small snacks, and binds from 18 until 60.

 

MOVABALE FEASTS – 2021

Ash Wednesday, February 17^th; Palm Sunday, March 28^th; Easter Triduum, April 1^st-3^rd

Easter Sunday, April 4^th; Ascension Thursday, May 13^th; Pentecost, May 23^rd

Corpus Christi Thursday, June 3^rd; Corpus Christi Sunday, June 6^th; Sacred Heart, June 11^th

First Sunday of Advent, November 28^th

 

 

 

 

Holy Day Sermon, January 1st -- The Octave of Christmas, the Motherhood of Mary, and the Circumcision of Jesus

 This feast commemorates three realities.  The Octave day of Christmas is a second celebration of the mystery of our Lord's Nativity. We come to this mystery in a new perspective, still considering the newborn King but now more in relation to his Virgin Mother. 

Mary was a virgin before, during, and after giving birth to Jesus. She conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, gave birth without any pain or labor, and remains a virgin forever.

Finally, this eighth day is the day of our Lord's circumcision. This is the first shedding of his precious blood for our salvation. Also, on this day, the Child is given the Holy Name of Jesus.

Listen online [here]!