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