Sunday Sermon, December 8th -- The Immaculate Conception and the Season of Advent

 Reflecting upon the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in relation to the season of Advent, we are able to appreciate each mystery more fully.  After discussing the theology of the dogma and what the Church really means in teaching us the Mary is conceived without original sin; we then consider three ways that this dogma relates to Advent season. First, Mary's Immaculate Conception is immediate preparation for the coming of the Messiah, it is like an Advent. Second, looking at the child conceived, we see how Mary was praying for the coming of the Christ even while in the womb - and we see that Jesus himself was looking forward to his birth and interceding for us from the womb of his Mother.  Lastly, we see that the Immaculate Conception was a prevenient grace given in advance before the Cross; and we in this season are joining the men and women of the Old Testament knowing that are prayers were known to God in advance.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, December 1st -- The History of the Advent Season

 In this educational sermon, we consider the historical development of the season of Advent in the life of the Church. The history of this liturgical season can help us understand and appreciate many of the practices and themes of Advent today!  We conclude by looking at St Thomas Aquinas' mystical understanding of the significance of the four Sundays of Advent.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, November 24th-- Christ the King -- Two Sermons: Advice for Advent, and Why We Need the General Judgment

 In our first sermon, we go over again points of advice on how to have a holy and fruitful Advent. We must remember that Advent is a penitential season to prepare us for a holy Christmas -- Let Advent be Advent! And practice some prayer, fasting, and almsgiving so as to be prepared to receive your newborn King!

In the second sermon, we explain why it is necessary that there be a General Judgment at the end of time, even after each of us has received our own particular judgement.

Listen online [here]!

Pre Advent Retreat Talks -- November 23rd, Second Talk -- St Thomas' Sermons and Spiritual Insights

 In our second talk for this morning of reflection, we look at some of St Thomas' spiritual reflections especially as found in his sermon on the Angelic Salutation (the Hail Mary) and his sermon for the First Sunday of Advent.

Pre Advent Retreat Talks -- November 23, First Talk -- St Thomas Aquinas, Spiritual Master

 We introduce the theme if this morning of reflection: St Thomas Aquinas as a Spiritual Master or Master of Spiritual Theology. 

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- November 23rd, St Thomas' Hymns -- Pange Lingua

 We conclude our study of the hymns of St Thomas Aquinas and our series of courses on Understanding St Thomas, with what is undoubtedly his greatest hymn: Pange Lingua. It is from this hymn that take the famous Tantum Ergo.

Sunday Sermon, November 17th -- Jesus Knows the Day of Judgment, We Must Look Forward to that Day

 "But of that day or hour no man knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

As we near the end of the Liturgical Year, we reflect upon the second coming of Christ. It is actually a heresy to claim that Jesus did not know the day and the hour of judgement - we consider the errors of agnoeticism and also why it is important to maintain that our Lord does know the day of judgment.

Finally, we consider how we should look forward to the second coming with hope!

Listen online [here]!

 

Adult Formation Series, Flanner O'Connor, Wildcat -- Session 5, Wildcat and A Good Man is Hard to Find

 In our final class before watching the film Wildcat, we discuss two of Flannery O'Connor's short stories: Wildcat and A Good Man is Hard to Find.

Sunday Sermon, November 10th -- The Sacrifice of the Mass is Not a Multiplication of Sacrifices

 St Paul says, in the Letter to the Hebrews, "So also Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of many."

Although the sacrifice of the Cross is once and for all, yet it is renewed daily on the altars throughout the world in the sacrifice of the Mass.

Listen online [here]!

All Saints Day Sermon, November 1st -- All Are Called To Be Saints

 Sermon for All Saint's Day. Words of encouragement that we must all believe that we can become saints!

Adult Faith Formation Series, Flannery O'Connor, Wildcat -- October 29th, Session 4 -- Good Country People and The Life You Save May Be Your Own

 We reflect on two stories of Flannery O'Connor which are highlighted in the film Wildcat: Good Country People and The Life You Save May Be Your Own.

Sunday Sermon, October 27th -- Sts Simon and Jude, Apostles

 As the feast of Sts Simon and Jude is Monday, October 28th - we preach about these two apostles in the Sunday Sermon. 

Simon is called the Zealot - because he was filled with much zeal for the Gospel. Simon was martyred by being sawn in half.

Jude is called Thaddeus - because he was "big of heart" and still has much compassion for those in hopeless cases. He is the brother of James the Less and a cousin of Jesus by way of St Joseph (his uncle).

(this sermon is part of a systematic effort to preach on all Apostles from July 2024 to January 2026. The sermons on other Apostles can be found [here]!)

Listen online [here]!

Adult Formation Series, Flannery O'Connor, Wildcat -- October 22nd, Session 3 -- The Enduring Chill and Everything that Rises Must Converge

 In our third session on the stories which are found in the film Wildcat about Flannery O'Connor, we reflect on the Enduring Chill and Everything that Rises Must Converge.

Sunday Sermon, October 20 -- St Luke the Evangelist, His Life and Ministry

 Our Lord told the Apostles that the greatest among them would be the servant of all. St Luke was the great servant of St Paul, his faithful friend and the steadfast worker in the service of the Gospel.

In this sermon, we consider the history of St Luke and his important role in the writing of the New Testament. We also reflect on other traditions related to St Luke, especially that he had painted holy images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, some of which are preserved even to our day.

(this sermon is part of an intention effort to preach on the Apostles and Evangelists from July 2024 to January 2026. The sermons on the other Apostles and Evangelists can be found [here]!)  

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation Series, Flannery O'Connor, Wildcat -- October 15th, Session 2 -- Revelation and Parker's Back

In this second session in which we read the stories which are presented also in the new film Wildcat, we now look to Revelation and Parker's Back.

Adult Formation Series, Flannery O'Connor, Wildcat -- October 8th, The Biography of Flannery O'Connor

 In our first session on Flannery O'Connor in preparation for watching the movie Wildcat, we discuss the life of this fascinating Catholic writer. 

Sunday Sermon, October 13 -- The History and Message of Fatima

 In the Month of the Rosary and on the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun of Fatima (October 13, 1917), we consider the events and history of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima. The message of Fatima is prayer and penance!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, October 6th -- Practical Advice for a Happy Marriage

 In this sermon, we offer practical advice for a happy and holy marriage. One point which cannot be emphasize enough, we must always exercise the virtue of hope! Have true and certain hope that your marriage and family life can be better and even great - in nearly every case, it is not too late to have a happy marriage. And, in even the most difficult cases, you can find holiness through your married life.

We especially encourage reading "The Catholic Marriage Manual" by Fr George Kelly - which can be purchased through Amazon [here].

Listen online [here]!

 

Sunday Sermon, September 29th -- Practical Devotion to Your Guardian Angel

 In preparation for the feast of the Guardian Angels and the month of October which (among other things) is a time to honor the Holy Angels - we offer various points of consideration on the nature and dignity of the guardian angels and specific advice on practical devotion to your angel guardian.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- September 29, St Thomas' Hymns -- Sacris Solemniis

 At the conclusion of our monthly Eucharistic Procession, we preach a short sermon on St Thomas' hymn "Sacris Solemniis" which concludes with the famous "Panis Angelicus."

Sunday Sermon, September 22nd -- That For Which We Ought To Pray, and A Guide for Mental Prayer

 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, that you may consume it on your passions."

We often pray for things which are not proper or at least we pray for things not in the proper order. In this sermon we consider that for which we must pray for most, our salvation! Further, we give a guide for mental prayer.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, September 8th -- St James the Less, His Life and Letter

As we read from the Letter of St James in second reading of the Sunday Lectionary, we consider the history of this great apostle who is called the "brother of the Lord."

James the Lesser was shorter than the other James call the Greater, but he was actually his uncle! This James the Less is the son of Alpheus (called Cleophas), the "brother of the Lord" (meaning the cousin of Jesus and the nephew of St Joseph), the brother of St Jude and St Salome the wife of Zebedee, and the first bishop of Jerusalem. St James the Less was called "James the Just" and was most highly respected even by the Jews.

(This sermon is part of an intentional effort to preach on all the Apostles at Sunday Masses from July 2024 to January 2026. The sermons on the other Apostles can be found [here].)

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- September 8th, Session 13 -- The Creation and the Angels

 We conclude our study of the Summa Theologica of St Thomas Aquinas! We now look at the last portions of the Prima Pars, which discusses the creation of the world and also different ways of understanding the "six days" in the book of Genesis. We also briefly discuss the angels and the governance of the world.

We cover ST I, qq. 44-119.  [here]!

Parish Schedule Change, October 19

 A reminder that there is no 9am Mass tmrw (Saturday) nor 4:30pm confessions. And the Saturday evening Mass tomorrow (October 19) is moved to 6pm at Corpus Christi. 

Schedule Change, September 12 and 13

 No confessions at Corpus Christi this Thursday and Friday (Sept 12 & 13). There will still be the usual daily Masses, and adoration continues until Saturday at 4:30pm.

Sunday Sermon, September 1 -- Almsgiving as Part of Charity

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To care for orphans and windows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world."  (James 1:27)

Considering the great work of almsgiving, we look to how this act relates to the virtue of charity.  Charity's primary act is to love. The act of love has three internal effects: joy, peace, and mercy. And three external effects: beneficence, almsgiving, and fraternal correction. 

Listen online [here]!

 

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- September 1, Session 12 -- The Trinity

 Continuing our study of the Summa Theologica of St Thomas, we now look to the treatise on the Trinity. This is the penultimate course!

We discuss an analogy for understanding the Trinity -- God knows himself, and the Father begets the Son; God loves himself, and the Father and Son breathe forth the Holy Spirit.

We also look to the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 explanation of the Trinity:  5 notions, 4 relations, 3 real relations (Persons), 2 processions, 1 God.

We cover ST I, qq. 27-43.  [here]!

Sunday Sermon, August 25 -- St Thomas on the Eucharist, The Last Supper, The Priest and the Rite of the Mass, Part 4 of 4

 We discuss St Thomas' treatise on the Eucharist in the Summa Theologica, in honor of the Bread of Life Discourse and the Vatican's declaration of the Jubilee Celebrations of St Thomas Aquinas.

In this sermon, we look to ST III, qq. 81-83. We discuss the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood. We then look to the priest who celebrates Mass and various questions related to Masses said by bad priests or excommunicated priests. Finally, we consider briefly the rituals of the Mass and, specifically, what makes the Mass to be a sacrifice.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- August 25, St Thomas' Hymns -- Adoro Te Devote

 At the conclusion of our monthly Eucharistic procession, we preach a short sermon on St Thomas' hymn "Adoro Te Devote".

Sunday Sermon, August 18 -- St Thomas on the Eucharist, The Effects and the Recipient, Part 3 of 4

 We discuss St Thomas' treatise on the Eucharist in the Summa Theologica, in honor of the Bread of Life Discourse and the Vatican's declaration of Jubilee Celebrations of St Thomas Aquinas.

In this sermon, we look to ST III, qq.78-81.  What is the significance of the words of consecration? What are the effects of receiving communion? The graces the Eucharist bestows, and how it both forgives sin and strengthens against future sin. Who is able to receive communion fruitfully.  Why receiving communion in the state of mortal sin is such a disaster for the soul.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- August 18, Session 11 -- The One God

 We finally begin reading from the First Part of the Summa Theologica of St Thomas!  We discuss the treatise on the One True God. We look at the five proofs for God's existence, and then continue with St Thomas' discussion of the divine attributes as well as his treatment of providence and predestination.

Find the First Part of the Summa [here]!

We discuss, ST I, qq. 2-26.

Pro Life Luncheon, next Saturday!

 Join for a pro-life luncheon next Saturday, September 7th from noon to 2pm! At the Knights of Columbus Hall, 906 Central Ave W, Great Falls, MT.  We will discuss the upcoming 40 Days For Life campaign (which runs thru October), and also learn about the important pro life issues for Montana to be voted on in the November Election. Lunch is free!

Schedule Change, August 28-30

A reminder that there are no afternoon confessions at Corpus Christi this week until Saturday at 4:30pm!

Sunday Sermon, August 11 -- St Thomas on the Eucharist, How Christ is Present in this Sacrament, Part 2 of 4

 We discuss St Thomas' treatise on the Eucharist in the Summa Theologica, in honor of the Bread of Life Discourse and the Vatican's declaration of Jubilee Celebrations of St Thomas Aquinas.

In this sermon, we look to ST III, qq.75-77.  Why it is that the Eucharist cannot merely be a symbol, and how it is that the whole Jesus is present in this Sacrament.  Also, we discuss the accidental properties of bread and wine which remain, even though the substance has changed to the Body and Blood of Christ.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- August 11, Session 10 -- The Cardinal Virtues and States in Life

 We conclude our study of the Second Part of the Second Part of the Summa Theologica of St Thomas, focusing on the the cardinal virtues and which virtues are connected to each other together with the beatitudes and gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as the opposing vices.

Find the ST II-II [here]!   Questions 47-187.

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas -- August 4, Session 9 -- Faith, Hope, and Love

 We begin looking at the Second Part of the the Second Part of the Summa of St Thomas Aquinas. This portion of the Summa deals with particular morals, the study of virtues and vices.

Find the ST II-II [here]!   We discuss questions 1-46.

Sunday Sermon, August 4 -- St Thomas on the Eucharist, The Eucharist as a Sacrament, Part 1 of 4

 We discuss the Eucharist as a Sacrament in the life of the Church, to begin a four part series on St Thomas' treatise on the Eucharist in the Summa Theologica.  We are preaching on St Thomas' Eucharistic theology in honor both of the Bread of Life Discourse (which we read for these four weeks in the Sunday Gospel) and also in honor of the Jubilee Celebrations of St Thomas Aquinas.

We discuss ST III, qq.73-75.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, July 28 -- St Thomas' Hymns and Devotion to the Eucharist

 We discuss St Thomas' devotion to the Holy Eucharist and his great love for Jesus in the Sacrament.  In the coming weeks, we will preach extensively on the Summa Theologica and St Thomas' treatise on the Eucharist - but first we look to his more mystical writings, especially his Eucharistic Hymns.  Finally, we comment in detail on the Lauda Sion, which is the sequence for Corpus Christi.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- July 28, St Thomas' Hymns -- Verbum Supernum Prodiens

 At the conclusion of our monthly Eucharistic Procession, we preach a short sermon on St Thomas' Hymn "Verbum Supernum Prodiens" which concludes with the famouse "O Salutaris Hostia."

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- July 21, Session 8 -- Law and Grace

 Consideration of the final portion of the Prima Secundae of St Thomas' Summa -- on the Law and Grace.

Sunday Sermon, July 21 -- Practical Advice on How to Read the Bible Daily

 Advice for Bible reading, both how to systematically read through the entire Bible and how to pray daily with the Scriputres.

Listen online [here]!

Parish Schedule, August 13-18, Holy Day Schedule

No Mass, Tuesday, Aug 13

No 7am Mass, Wednesday, Aug 14

Holy Day of Obligation! Assumption of Mary

Wednesday, Aug 14 - Adoration begins at noon, confessions 4:30-5:30pm, and Mass 5:30pm

Thursday, Aug 15 - 7am Mass, confessions 4:30-5:30pm, 5:30pm Solemn Mass

Friday, Aug 16 - 7am Mass, confessions 4:30-5:30pm, devotions and conclusion of adoration 5:30-6:30pm

Saturday, Aug 17 - 9am Mass, confessions 4:30-5:30pm, 5:30pm Mass

Sunday, Aug 18 - 9am Solemn Mass and 11:30am Mass

No confessions this week!

 A reminder that there are no confessions from July 24 to July 26. There will be confessions at 4:30pm on Saturday, July 27.  

The daily Mass schedule and adoration schedule is as usual.

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- July 14, Session 7 -- Habits, Virtue and Vice

 Consideration of habits and what makes a habit to be either a virtue or a vice, as well as sin and its punishment.  ST I-II, qq.49-89.

Sunday Sermon, July 14th -- On Anointing of the Sick

 Consideration of the sacrament of anointing of the sick -- the name (also extreme unction and last rites), the minister, the effects, the recipient.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, July 7 -- St Paul's Life and Ministry

 Over the next three years, we will preach once again on each of the Apostles and the Evangelists, beginning now with St Paul the Apostle.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- July 7, Session 6 -- Happiness and Human Acts

On St Thomas' Summa Theologica, ST I-II, qq 1-48.

Having completed our study of the Third Part, we now turn to the First Part of the Second Part of the Summa (prima secundae) which considers general morals.  We look to man's last end, which is happiness, and what makes an act to be voluntary and either good or evil.

Daily Meditations from St Alphonsus for weeks 5 through 8 after Pentecost

 For those using St Alphonsus' daily meditations - the last volume will be available for about $10 in two weeks at the parish - in the meantime, you can find the daily meditations for the next weeks here!

June 23-29, 2024  -  5th week after Pentecost  (here)

June 30 - July 6 - 6th week after Pentecost (here)

July 7-13 - 7th week after Pentecost (here)

July 14-20 - 8th week after Pentecost (here)

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- June 23rd, Session 5 -- The Sacraments

 In our final class discussing the Third Part of the Summa, we look to St Thomas' treatise on the Sacraments. First we consider the nature of the Sacraments in general, and then we look to some of the sacraments in particular.  ST III, qq. 60-90.

Sunday Sermon, June 23 -- Christ, Sleeping Peacefully Amidst the Storm (15th Anniversary of Ordination)

 As this is the 15th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood, we discuss some of the points I most love about being a priest -- offering Mass daily, hearing confessions, and promoting devotion to Mary and the saints.

We then look to the story of today's Gospel - when the disciples are with Jesus in the boat in the midst of the storm.  Christ is in the boat and he is in the Church. Furthermore, Christ is in our souls - and he is at peace even amidst the worst trials and storms.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- June 16th, Session 4 -- The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus

 In this class, we look at St Thomas' commentary on the Transfiguration, and then on the sufferings Christ endured in his passion and death. Finally, we consider his resurrection, and briefly look at the final judgement.  ST III, qq 45-59 and Supplement qq 69-99.

Sunday Sermon, June 16 -- St Lutgarde and the Sacred Heart; and the Mustard Seed

 St Lutgarde (feast is June 16) was born in 1182 and died in 1246. She is the first saint known to have had an explicit devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She also is the first to have received the Stigmata (over a decade before St Francis of Assisi).

We consider how her life inspires us to devotion.

Finally, we give a brief commentary on how the Church is the mustard seed - though she will become very small in the modern world, she will grow again to a mighty tree.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- June 9th, Session 3 -- The Birth and Public Ministry of Jesus

 We discuss the early portion of the Life of Christ through to the Transfiguration -- ST III, qq 35-45.

We consider St Thomas' commentary on the details of Jesus' birth, his presentation in the Temple, and his public ministry and teaching. Especially considering the perfection of Jesus' teaching, and why it is that he chose not to write any portion of the Bible.

Sunday Sermon, June 9 -- Theology of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (external solemnity of the Sacred Heart)

 We discuss the doctrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, especially focusing on the humanity of Christ and the insights given by St Thomas Aquinas.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- May 26th, Session 2 -- The Incarnation and the Annunciation

We discuss the structure of the Third Part of the Summa Theologica, which focuses on Christ and the Sacraments he instituted.

We give a quick overview of the general series of questions which are discussed in the "Treatise on the Incarnation" - why it is that the Second Person of the Trinity became Man and whether it could have been otherwise, as well as the humanity of the Savior.

We then look more carefully at the conception of Christ and the perfection of the Child conceived.

Sunday Sermon, June 2nd -- Eucharistic Miracles and the Real Presence

 There are over 100 Eucharistic Miracles which have been approved by the Church after careful study.  While our faith in the Eucharist is based upon Jesus' words ("faith comes from hearing"), these miracles help confirm our faith and also can help non-believers to be more open to the gift of faith.

Blessed (soon to be Saint) Carlo Acutis built a website to catalogue those Eucharistic Miracles which have been approved by the Church.  The website is found at http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/liste/list.html  [here]!

After discussing the miracles of Cascia, Bolsena/Orvieto, and Lanciano; we then look to St Thomas' teaching about Eucharistic miracles. In particular, we emphasize that these miraculous realities still remain the Eucharist - namely, even as Jesus is present under the appearance of bread and wine; in the case of these miraculous transformations, Jesus is present under the appearance of flesh and blood.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, May 26 -- Proof of God's Existence and an Analogy for the Trinity

 We discuss St Thomas' "proof from contingency" for God's existence. Many things exist which do not have to exist (they are "contingent"), and these must be caused to exist. Ultimately, this lead us to conclude that God must exist not as contingent being but as necessary existence. And this good God hold all things in existence, at all times.

An analogy for the Trinity is found in the human soul which can both know and love. God knows himself, and the Father begets the Son; God loves himself, and the Father and Son breathe forth the Holy Spirit.

Listen online [here]!

Parish Schedule Changes for June 11, 12, and 13!

 Parish schedule changes for next week! June 11, 12, and 13.  No Mass on Tuesday or Wednesday, and no confessions Wednesday. No 7am Mass on Thursday, but there will be 4:30pm confessions followed by 5:30pm Mass.  The Friday schedule is as usual.

Adoration remains from Tuesday at 7pm to Friday at 6pm.

Adult Faith Formation, Understanding St Thomas Aquinas -- May 19th -- Session 1, Introduction to the Summa Theologica

 We quickly review the various parts of the Summa Theologica of St Thomas, and recognize both the internal logic of the work and also the basic insights of St Thomas in his structure of the work.

Sunday Sermon, May 19th -- The Sacrament of Confirmation (Pentecost Sunday)

 The Catechism of the Council of Trent instructs priests to preach about the sacrament of Confirmation each year, especially on the feast of Pentecost.  We discuss the meaning of the name (that God confirms the graces he first gave to us in Baptism), the importance of confirmation, the proper age for receiving confirmation, and the significance that the Bishop is the proper minister of this sacrament.  Finally, we point out that this sacrament of confirmation enables us to spread the Gospel and even to suffer for the Faith.

Listen online [here]!

 

Sunday Sermon, May 12th -- The Ascension and Our Faith (Transferred Feast of Ascension)

 Although it is contrary to human and worldly calculation, it is better for us that our Lord has ascended into heaven. While it would seem (in human terms) that things would be easier if Jesus had remained on earth and was currently living in the Vatican, history shows us that it is better for us and for the spread of the Gospel that Jesus ascended into heaven.

However, it is necessary that we live in this time after the Ascension - our Lord is no longer present among us in the same way he had been with his disciples during his earthly ministry. This changes the way we participate in Mass, and the way we pray.

Listen online [here]

 

Parish Schedule Changes in May

 On account of the Diocesan Priest Retreat, there will be no Masses or confessions from Tuesday, May 14 through Thursday, May 16. Masses and confession schedule resumes on Friday, May 17 with 7am Mass.

No 9am Mass on Saturday, May 25; instead, confirmation and first communion Mass with Bishop Fleming at 1pm. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend!

Finally, no 7am Mass on Thursday, May 30 - instead, sung Mass at 5:30pm in honor of the feast of Corpus Christi. Mass is followed by a Eucharist procession.

There will be 40 Hours Solemn Eucharistic Devotions from 5:30pm Mass on Thursday, May 30 to 9am Mass on Saturday, June 1. 

Parish picnic is Saturday, June 1 from 11am to 1pm.

Sunday Sermon, May 5th -- Marian Devotions, The Little Crown

 We discuss the importance of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially in the month of May and in preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation Series, Canterbury Tales -- Resources for Further Study

 A final post on the Canterbury Tales.  Various resources can be found online - links are provided below.

Adult Faith Formation Series, Canterbury Tales -- Overview and Brief Notes of All the Tales

 Overview of the individual tales from the Canterbury Tales, taken largely from the Harvard University Canterbury Tales site [here].

Sunday Sermon, April 28th -- St Louis Marie de Montfort, Apostolic Preacher

Confessor, Marian devotee, and founder of the Sisters of Divine Wisdom, Louis Marie Grignion was born in Montfort, France, in 1673. Educated at Rennes, he was ordained there in 1700, becoming a chaplain in a hospital in Poitiers. His congregation, also called the Daughters of Divine Wisdom, started there. As his missions and sermons raised complaints, St Louis-Marie went to Rome, where Pope Clement XI appointed him as a missionary apostolic. St Louis-Marie is famous for fostering devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary. In 1715, he also founded the Missionaries of the Company of Mary. His "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin" remains popular. Only 43 years old, St Louis-Marie died in 1716 at Saint-Laurent-sur-Sevre, while preaching a parish mission there. He was canonized in 1947.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, April 21st -- Salvation Through Christ Alone

 "Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved."

Because the "gods" of pagan religions are either nothing but imagined or perhaps are actually demons, it is clear that there is no salvation through these false gods and demons. Rather, salvation is only from the Most Holy Trinity and through Jesus Christ. This also means that salvation comes into the world through the Catholic Church, the body of Christ.

We consider how all who are saved (from various religions) are indeed saved by Christ and through the Church.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, April 14th -- Proofs of the Resurrection

 "Handle and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have."

We consider the five apparitions of Jesus on Easter Sunday, recorded in the Gospels (recognizing that he also appeared to his holy Mother, first of all): To Mary Magdalene, to the women, to Cleopas and the other, to St Peter, and to the disciples (not Thomas) in the upper room.

Why did Jesus sometimes appear looking in a different form? Why did he vanish from the sight of the disciples at Emmaus? What is the significance of him choosing to eat? We consider these "proofs" he gave of the truth of his resurrection -- and the greatest proof is that he has fulfilled all that was written in Moses and the Psalms and the Prophets!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, April 7th (Divine Mercy Sunday) -- Keeping the Commandments by Mental Prayer

"The love of God is this, that we keep his commandments."

If indeed we cannot claim to love God unless we keep his commandments and the laws of the Church, as well as practice virtue and self sacrifice for love of our neighbor - how do we gain the grace of total conversion so as to love God truly, not in word only but in deed?

The clear answer is: The sacraments and mental prayer. In this sermon, we encourage mental prayer as the great grace of the Easter Season.

Listen online [here]!

Easter Sunday Sermon, March 31st -- The Power of Christ's Resurrection

 All the saints of the Church through all ages have been sanctified by the Resurrection of Jesus. The feast of his Resurrection (Easter) gives life to the Liturgical Year, even as the mystery of his rising from the dead gives spiritual life to all men.   It is this alone which makes any man or any society to be good - the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Listen online [here]!

Good Friday Sermon, March 29th -- The Seven Last Words of Christ

We consider the seven last words of Jesus.

"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

"To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."
"Woman, behold, thy son! Behold, thy mother!"
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
"I thirst."
"It is finished."
"Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."

Listen online [here]!

Holy Thursday Sermon, March 28th -- The Theology of Jesus Washing the Apostle's Feet

 We consider the significance of Jesus washing the Apostle's feet at the Last Supper, when he both instituted the Eucharist and also ordained these Twelve as priests.

Listen online [here]!

Palm Sunday Sermon, March 24th -- The Act of Perfect Contrition

The narrative of our Lord's Passion inspires us to perfect contrition. We consider the doctrine of contrition for sin, comparing perfect contrition to imperfect contrition and even to attrition. 

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, March 17th -- Jesus, A Man of Prayer

"[Christ] in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence."  Hebrews 5:7

We consider the interior life and prayer of Jesus Christ. Especially reflecting on how he prayed the psalms, as well as the example he gives us of persevering in prayer.

Listen online [here]!

Confessions Prior to Divine Mercy Sunday

 Confessions prior to Divine Mercy Sunday -- in order to gain the special graces which Jesus promised (renewal of baptismal grace), we make confession with two weeks of Divine Mercy Sunday and then receive communion on that Sunday!

Confessions this week at Corpus Christi in Great Falls are extended this week to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4:30 to 7pm and Saturday 4:30 to 5:30pm.

Parish Schedule for Holy Week and Easter

 Corpus Christi parish schedule for Holy Week and Easter!

No Mass on Tuesday or Wednesday of Holy Week (March 26 and 27).

There will be confessions on Wednesday, March 27 from 5:30 to 7 or 8pm. 

No 7am Mass on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, or Holy Saturday; and no 5:30pm Mass on Holy Saturday. No confessions on those days either.  (March 28, 29, and 30).

Holy Thursday Mass is 5:30-7:30pm.

Good Friday service is 5:30-7:30pm.

Easter Vigil Mass is 9pm to midnight.

Easter Sunday Masses are 9am and 11:30am.

Church decorating for Easter is Holy Saturday with rosary at noon and decorating till about 1:30pm.

Sunday Sermon, March 10th -- The History of St Nicodemus

 Although our Lord's words to Nicodemus in John 3:16 are probably the most famous in all of Scripture, most people know little about who Nicodemus was or what happened to him later in life.  In this sermon, we discuss the Gospel account of St Nichodemus as well as the tradition of his friendship with St Gamaliel and St Stephen the Deacon!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, March 3rd - The First Cleansing of the Temple, and the Danger of Anger

 St John tells us of many events which occurred during the first year and a half of Jesus' public ministry - from the time of the fasting in the desert up to the arrest of John the Baptist. These events are not contained in the other three Gospels.

We discuss the first time in which Jesus cleansed the Temple, and point out how different this was from the second cleansing of the Temple at the very end of Jesus' life. 

We also speak of why we should not give in to the passion of anger - even though Jesus was angry in a perfectly virtuous way, we are not so perfect and the emotion of anger is too dangerous for us!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, February 25th -- The Testing of Abraham, and Isaac the Willing Victim

 St Paul tells us what Abraham was thinking when he was willing to offer up Isaac. In the eleventh chapter of the Letter of St Paul to the Hebrews, we are told that Abraham had explicit faith in the resurrection! In this sermon, we discuss the history of the promise of God to Abraham and how this was fulfilled in Isaac, as well as the role of Isaac as a willing victim in this testing of his father Abraham. Finally, this foreshadows the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, February 18th -- The Historical Development of Lent

 We discuss Lent from the perspective of the history of the Church, from the earliest days to modern times. 

The name "Lent" comes from the Old English word for "lengthen" - indicating the lengthening of the days in the spring season. Easter moves between March 22 and April 25, but is always during spring because the celebration is set on the Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox - which is to say, the Sunday after the first full moon of spring. 

Easter is set for this time according to the calculation of the Jewish Passover (which is at the first full moon of spring) - as the Church desires to show how Jesus' death and resurrection perfectly fulfills the Old Testament prophecies.

From this, we can come to a much more profound understanding of many aspects of Lent and Easter.

Listen online [here]!

Lenten Men's Group

 Lenten Men's Group at Corpus Christi - meeting Tuesdays of Lent from 7 to 8pm.  The parish Mass is at 5:30pm followed by devotions and Rosary.

For the men's group, we will be watching a series about the Eucharist from Formed, called Presence.

Adult Faith Formation, February 13th -- Session 11, The Conclusion of the Canterbury Tales

 In our final class on the Canterbury Tales, we finish our discussion of the Nun's Priest's Tale of Chaunticleer the Rooster. We then turn to the final Tales and especially the Parson's meditation on how all can be saved if only we repent. Finally, we look at the Retractions of Chaucer.

Sunday Sermon, February 11th -- Lourdes and the Miracles There

 After considering the short outline of the history of Our Lady's apparitions at Lourdes, we discuss a few of the many thousands of miracles that have been wrought there.  These miracles prove the truth of the Catholic Church!

Listen online [here]!

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The miraculous healings discussed are those of Catharine Latapie (whose right hand was badly injured) and of Loius Bouriette (who was paralyzed after a train wreck),  both at the time of the original apparitions - March 1858.  Also the most recently approved miracle - that of Sister Bernadette Moriau in 2008. Finally, the wonderful miracle witnessed by Dr Alexis Carrel in which Marie Bailey was cured of a terrible stomach/intestinal disease in 1902!

Sunday Sermon, February 3rd -- The Book of Job and the Problem of Evil

 We discuss the book of Job, why it is rather difficult to interpret, certain historical and textual notes, and finally the problem of evil.  Why is it that bad things happen to good people?

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, January 30th -- Canterbury Tales, Session 10 -- Chaunticleer, The Nun's Priest's Tale, part 1 of 2

 We discuss briefly the Monks tale and then, in great depth, the Nun's Priest's Tale of Chaunticleer the rooster.  This tale is a masterpiece of Chaucer and ties together most everything that has come before!

Ash Wednesday Masses and Lenten Schedule Notes

 Ash Wednesday Masses at Corpus Christi -- February 14th -- 7am (concluding by 7:45am) and solemn Mass is 5:30-7pm

Additional Confessions during Lent!

Wednesday and Thursday, 4:30-7pm

Friday, 4:30-5:30 and 6-7pm

Saturday, 4:30-5:30pm

Lenten Stations of the Cross -- Fridays at 5:30pm followed by soup supper

Sunday Sermon, January 28th -- St Thomas Aquinas, Jubilee Celebrations

 The Church is in the midst of a multi year jubilee celebration of the life and legacy of St Thomas Aquinas. 

2023 is the 700th Anniversary of St Thomas' canonization on July 18th, 1223

2024 is the 750th Anniversary of St Thomas' death on March 7th, 1274

2025 is the 800th Anniversary of St Thomas' birth in 1225.

Pope Francis has declared jubilee celebrations in honor of St Thomas Aquinas, with a special plenary indulgence available from July 18th, 2023 to January 28th, 2025. In this time, a plenary indulgence can be gained under the usual conditions by visiting a church, shrine or chapel entrusted to the the Dominican Order with a prayerful reflection on the life and legacy of St Thomas, praying an Our Father and a Cree, as well as a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to St Thomas Aquinas.

In this sermon, we consider a brief overview of the life of St Thomas and some of the reasons why I love the Angelic Doctor.  His is so clear and succinct, he is honest in his argumentation, he has a reverence for the Truth, he shows the union of faith and reason, he manifests the Dominican love of creation and the Creator, his writings are comprehensive and cover nearly every topic and every question in philosophy and theology, and he is universally recommended by the Popes and the saints.

Listen online [here]!

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Listen to an excellent sermon from three years ago, which gives a detailed study of St Thomas' life [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, January 23rd -- Canterbury Tales, Session 9 -- Chaucer's Tales of Sir Thopas and Melibee, and Why Canterbury Tales is the first novel

 We discuss Chaucer's own two tales, and the irony and humor in that he is the only pilgrim unable to tell a good story.  There is something more here than a playful mockery of overly romantic and sentimental styles which were popular in Chaucer's day -- GK Chesterton points out that Chaucer is the creator of this whole world of Canterbury Tales; and, when the creator came unto his own creation, his own did not receive him.

We then also consider why the Canterbury Tales is the first novel - and why earlier works (like the Iliad or the Aeneid) are not novels.

(below, find a number of great quotes from GK Chesterton's book on Chaucer, which is available online at the Gutenberg Project)

Sunday Sermon, January 21st -- St Agnes, and the female saints of the Roman Canon

 Today is the feast of St Agnes, virgin and martyr of the early Roman Church. Together with Sts Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Cecilia, and Anastasia, St Agnes is one of the seven female saints of the Roman Canon (in addition to the Blessed Virgin Mary). Each of these women were martyrs of the early Church.

We consider the importance of the thirty one saints listed in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I), and especially the heroic witness of these seven female martyrs. After a brief overview of the lives of each of these women, we then focus on the inspiring martyrdom of St Agnes.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, January 16th -- Canterbury Tales, Session 8 -- The Prioress' Tale

 We briefly review the Shipman's Tale, and then consider at length the Prioress' Tale. While modern commentary on this tale focuses on the anti-Semitic tones present, this certainly would not have been the primary impression of those who first read the Canterbury Tales.  Therefore, we consider the Prioress' Tale, first on it's own terms, and only later do we consider modern criticism and commentary. 

Furthermore, we note the genius of Chaucer who is able to write in such different styles and from such diverse perspectives. It is striking to note how different the Shipman's Tale is from some of the other more raunchy tales (even thought the Shipman's Tale is equally immoral), and then see Chaucer turn from these themes to such pious reflections on child martyrs and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

It is a work of true literary brilliance that Chaucer is able to adopt these varied styles and themes, and keep them together in one masterpiece.

Sunday Sermon, January 14th -- Meditation on the call of the first disciples

Notice that St John's Gospel speaks of the call of Andrew, John, and Peter (as well as Philip and Nathaniel/Bartholomew) as happening when John the Baptist is preaching near the river Jordan - but Sts Matthew, Mark and Luke all speak of the call of Peter and Andrew as well as James and John occurring at the sea of Galilee when they were fishing. We point out that St John the Evangelist tells us a great bit about the first year and half of Jesus' public ministry which is not told in the other three gospels.

Further, meditating upon this first call of these first disciples will serve to remind us of the ways in which the Lord has called us to holiness throughout our lives.

Listen online [here]!

Holy Days of Obligation and Days of Penance, 2024

 Each year, the Church proclaims the movable feasts on Epiphany! Following this tradition, we present the overview of Holy Days and Days of Penance for 2024

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION – 2024

Thursday, August 15^th – The Assumption of Mary

Friday, November 1^st – All Saints’ Day

Wednesday, December 25^th – Christmas

Wednesday, January 1^st, 2025 – Mary, Mother of God

 

Epiphany (Saturday, January 6^th), Ascension of the Lord (Thursday, May 9^th), and Corpus Christi (Thursday, May 30^th) are all transferred to Sundays. St Joseph, Husband of Mary (March 19^th) and Sts Peter and Paul

(June 29^th) are not obligation days in the USA.

Mary, Mother of God (Monday, January 1^st) is not an obligation day in 2024 because it falls on a Monday. The Immaculate Conception is transferred to Monday, December 9^th (because December 8^th is 2^nd Sunday of Advent) and is not an obligation day in 2024.

In 2025, Epiphany is transferred from Monday, January 6^th to Sunday, January 5^th.

 

DAYS OF PENANCE and EMBER DAYS – 2024

Every Friday throughout the year (abstinence or some penance)

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

Every Day of Lent – February 14^th to May 30^th (some penance, Sundays and Solemnities are less penitential)

Wednesday, February 14^th – Ash Wednesday (fasting and abstinence, even though it is Valentine’s Day)

Fridays, February 16^th, 23^rd, March 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd, 29^th – Fridays of Lent (abstinence)

Friday, March 29^th – Good Friday (fasting and abstinence)

Saturday, March 30^th  – Holy Saturday (recommended fasting and abstinence)

 

EMBER DAYS and ROGATION DAYS (recommended fasting and abstinence)

February 21^st, 23^rd, 24^th – Ember Days of Lent

Thursday, April 25^th – Major Rogation Day

May 6^th, 7^th, 8^th – Minor Rogation Days; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before the Ascension

May 22^nd, 24^th, 25^th – Ember Days of Pentecost (penance is commonly moved to the following week, on             account of the Octave celebration of Pentecost)

September 18^th, 20^th, 21^st – Ember Days of September

December 18^th, 20^th, 22^nd – Ember Days of Advent (Saturday, December 22^nd is the feast of St Thomas)

 

Penance is not required on the following Friday Solemnities: April 5^th (Friday in the Octave of Easter), June 7^th (Sacred Heart), November 1^st (All Saints). [Friday of the Octave of Christmas is not a solemnity, therefore penance is obliged.]

* 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 – 2024

Septuagesima, Jan 28^th; Ash Wednesday, Feb 14^th; Palm Sunday, March 24^th; Easter Triduum, March 28^th-30^th; Easter Sunday, March 31^st; Ascension Thursday, May 9^th; Pentecost, May 19^th; Corpus Christi Thursday,

May 30^th; Sacred Heart, June 7^th

First Sunday of Advent, December 1^st  

 

*2024 is a leap year, with February 29^th being Thursday in the 2^nd week of Lent.

 

Adult Faith Formation, January 9 -- Canterbury Tales, Session 7 -- The Pardoner's Tale

 We discuss the Physician's Tale and how it leads into the Pardoner's Tale - highlighting the way that the characters relate to each other and how the different stories are given in response to one another. This is the beginning of the literary style of the novel.

The Pardoner's Tale is interesting because he is a very wicked and greedy man, but preaches against the very vices he practices. Although he only preaches so as to get people's money, his preaching is quite convincing and does convert people.  We ponder the question: Can a bad man tell a good story?

Adult Faith Formation, January 9 -- Canterbury Tales -- Handout with Short Summaries of All of the Tales

 Below, find a handout with a short overview of each of the Tales as well the simple character traits of each of the pilgrims who tell tales.

Sunday Sermon, January 7th -- The Liturgical Significance of Epiphany

 The feast of Epiphany was, in the early Church, a bigger feast even than Christmas! We consider the great significance of this feast and how important it is that Catholics again restore the Christmas Culture by celebrating Epiphany.

We also consider a reflection from Pope Francis on the three Magi: They looked up to the Star in prayer, they journeyed across the earth without attachments, and they knelt in adoration of the Christ Child.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, December 31st -- The Timeline of Jesus' Infancy

 In order to assist our meditations during the Christmas season, and so that we can live day by day with the Holy Family in these days up until the flight to Egypt, we discuss in this sermon the historical timeline and chronology of the conception, birth, and infancy of Jesus. 

This Child will be the cause of the rise and fall of many -- the rise of the humble and the fall of the proud.  Spend this Christmas meditating on the love revealed in the early months and years of Jesus' life!

Listen online [here]!

Christmas Sermon, December 25th -- St Francis and the First Nativity Scene

 This year marks the 800th Anniversary of the first Nativity scene. The devotional practice of the Nativity scene was first invented by St Francis of Assisi in the year 1223 at Greccio in Italy as a means of bringing the graces of the Holy Land to the people of Europe and the whole world.

We discuss the history of the first Nativity scene as well as some points of the theological significance of this devotional practice.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, December 24th -- The Virginity of Mary, Vowed to God

 We discuss the biblical evidence for the fact of the perpetual virginity of the Mother of God, especially discussing how the question of our Lady - "How can this be, since I do not know man?" - shows that she must have made a vow of virginity to consecrate herself to the Lord.

listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, December 17 -- The O Antiphons, Advent Expectation

 In this sermon, we discuss the O Antiphons in which the Church cries out begging for the Messiah to come.  These antiphons are part of the Divine Office from December 17 to 23, and are some of the most famous and significant chants of the Church's Liturgy.

Listen online [here]!