Two Turtle Doves...

Remember the old song? It accurately reflects the Liturgical Calendar. Christmas BEGAN yesterday with the Feat of the Nativity (the Feast of the Incarnation) and will not end until the Feast of the Epiphany, traditionally January 6, but moved to the nearest Sunday, this year January 8--so Christmas has 14 days this year!

The Season of Christmas has many other feasts embedded in it---today's is the Feast of St. Stephen, martyr. You have heard of it in the Carol of King Wenceslas. Read the story in Acts 6:8-8:1. Note, also that they coats of the mob were laid at the feet of Saul, later to be St. Paul...Paul himself will speak of this in his letters. St. Stephen was a deacon in the early Church, and he is the patron Saint of Deacons, stone masons, and coffin makers as well as against headaches (no doubt he got one from being stoned..) and for horses--go figure.... (and a bunch of towns--check this link_). And remember--doves were a traditional animal used for sacrifice in the Temple.....Stephen sacrificed his life for his faith in Christ.

It may seem odd that the first day after the Feast of the Nativity is a feast of a martyr, but the Church wants us to realize that the cross is always near us--that as Christ was persecuted, so will we be for no servant is greater than his Master (John 15:18-29)

Consider these words of St. Augustine:

Do not say that Christians are not persecuted. The Apostle's (Paul's) words are always true....all who desire to live a Godly life in Christ will be persecuted. (2 Tim 3:12). All, he says, with no one being excluded or exempted. If you want to test the truth of this saying, you have only to begin leading a pious life and you will see what good reason he had for saying this....In former times, Christians were incited to renounce Christ; now they are taught to deny Christ. Then they were forced, now they are taught. The violence was used, now it is deception. Then, one heard the shouts of the enemy, now he prowls around, gentle and insinuating; it is difficult to recognize him. Everyone nows how he tried to force Christians to deny Christ; he tried to attract them to himself so that they would renounce HIm but they confessed Christ and were crowned by HIm. Now they are taught to deny Christ by trickery because he doesn't want them to realize he is drawing them away from Christ....

These were in my morning meditation, and I read them with increasing realization that they are more true now than when he wrote them almost 1600 years ago. It caused me to reflect on the subtle ways society tries to draw me away from my love of Christ and my service to Him--in ways that seem innocuous, pleasant and completely ordinary. The presence of the Feast of St. Stephen in the great Season of Christmas reminds us that if Christ is born in our lives, so is the cross--and we must accept them both, together. Faith is not just an act of the intellect, it is an act of the will, a living out in daily life that which we have accepted in our hearts with th birth of the Christ Child in our world---and in our lives....

Happy New Year!

No, I am not an overachiever, looking more than a month ahead to the excesses of January 1. The Church begins her new year the Sunday following Thanksgiving, when the season of Advent Begins.

Before that, however, is the Feast of Christ the King, this Sunday--the Culmination of Ordinary Time and the last big feast of the Church year. As Ordinary Time has come to an end, the readings have focused us on Jesus' life and teachings and they will end with a flourish reminding us that He is our King, the ruler of our our hearts, to whom we owe quite simply ...everything.

Advent, the season which begins the new Church year, prepares us for the birth of Christ. Take time to meditate on what the Incarnation really means--God taking humanity to Himself, to live as one of us, among us, and to redeem us and reconcile us to Himself. The Advent readings will take us through the expectation of the Jewish people for the Messiah, which we see fully realized in Christ. But it is important to remember that we have experienced His first Advent, and now wait as expectantly as the ancient Jews ever did, not for His first coming, but for His Second Advent.

You will see the color of vestments change from green to purple and the decorations in the church become more subdued. Advent is a time of prayer and preparation, the lesser of the two penitential seasons, both in length and severity. I would encourage you to set aside time for prayer and meditation, take on a new devotional practice (maybe the Advent wreath, killing two birds with one stone...) and to find a way to add both penance and almsgiving to your routine. Purple is the color of royalty, and we use it to mark the preparation for the coming of the Infant King. But it is also the color of suffering and penance, and it reminds us that Jesus' birth cannot be separated from His death--that the Incarnation is intimately tied to the Crucifixion. Advent is rich in reflections.

Unlike the rest of the world, we will not be singing Christmas carols during Advent and you won't see decorations in the church until late in Advent. Traditionally, Christmas decorations don't go up until Christmas Eve--though that's usually not the case these days, even in my house. But do try to avoid the ever present Christmas carols until Christmas actually arrives on the evening of the 24th. You'll be surprised how much more they will mean if you do. (I refuse to go to the mall and limit my time in stores because I really do want to avoid Christmas carols....I've been known to walk through Bi-Lo with earphones in listening to my tunes rather than hear one more pa-rum-pa-pa-pum....it's turned out to be one way to limit the economic excesses of the season as well.)

Christmas carols commence in Catholic worship on the vigil of Christmas (Dec 24, evening) and we sing them for twelve days (just like in the song...) ...until Epiphany. So when everyone else is sick and tired of carols, we will just be starting on them. When everyone else is done with Christmas, we'll just be getting geared up....being Catholic is definitely counter-cultural in December! I have found great joy over the years in keeping to the traditional calendar, and would encourage you to give it a try. After all, the Incarnation is such an important Event, it needs more than a single day to honor it.

Try getting a selection of Advent music to listen to. Here's what's on my Advent playlist"

The O Antiphones

O Come Emmanuel

On Jordan's Banks

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Creator of the Stars of Night (Latin and English...)

Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent

The King Shall Come

People Look East

Magnificat

O Magnum Mysterium

Wake, O Wake

Patience People

Come Thou Almighty King

Of the Father's Love Begotten

Comfort, Comfort O My People

Saviour of the Nations Come

O Come Divine Messiah

There are several Advent collections on iTunes, and another great tradition is the service of Lessons and Carols, also available on CD from several sources--Check out Wyoming Catholic College for their version--magnificent, and buying from them helps keep a light of Catholic education burning....

Welcome 2011-2012 Catechumens

I will begin using this blog for links and posts and announcements. I'll add you to the list so that you will get automatic notifications--take some time to look at what has been posted in prior years--you might find it helpful. And please--COMMENT! It will be a good way to keep the conversations going in between meetings!

In His hands and service--BHG

Holy Week

The end of Holy Week is marked by three days' services, the Triduum of Easter. Please make every effort to be at all of these, which culminate in the Vigil on Saturday evening. They are really one long service and it's not only powerful but beautiful to be present for all of them.

Holy (Maundy) Thursday: 6 PM at OLM: We remember the first Eucharist at the Last Supper.
Good Friday at 3PM: At OLM, Stations of the Cross, at the time Christ died for us.
Good Friday 6 PM: Service of Reserved Sacrament at OLM. Good Friday is the only day on which mass is not celebrated.
Saturday, 6 PM :Easter Vigil.

ALSO REMEMBER

Saturday 11 AM at OLM: Rehearsal for Vigil. Please be present with sponsors.
Saturday 5:30 PM Please arrive early for the Vigil Mass, with your sponsors.

RECEPTION: After the Vigil Mass at Golders'.

Prayers and Devotions......

The Sign of the Cross...

In the Name of the Father; and of the Son; and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

The Lord's Prayer...

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Hail Mary...

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Glory Be...

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Apostles' Creed...

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose from the dead. He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

Grace Before Meals...

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord, Amen.

Grace After Meals...

We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who lives and reigns forever. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Act of Contrition...

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to do penance, sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, suffered and died for my sins. In His name, My God, have mercy. Amen.

Morning Offering...

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, thr reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our Bishops and of all the associates, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month. Amen.

Evening Prayer...

O my God, I adore You, and I love You with all my heart. I thank You for having created me and saved me by Your grace, and for having preserved me during this day. I pray that You will take for Yourself whatever good I might have done this day, and that You wil forgive me whatever evil I have done. Protect me this night, and may Your grace be with me always. Amen.

Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina)...

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy; our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God; That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel Prayer

Saint Michael the Archangel,
Defend us in battle
Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
And do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
By the power of God, cast into hell
Satan and all the evil spirits
Who prowl about the world
Seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

The Angelus...

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary...
Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary...
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. Hail Mary...
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

The Memorare...

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother. To thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in Thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

The Seven Sacraments...

Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony.

For Poor Souls...

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

For Courage...

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous; Teach me to serve You as You deserve. To give and not count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds. To toil and not to seek rewarded, except that of knowing that I do Your will. Amen.

My Gift...

Lord, I freely yield all my freedom to You. Take my memory, my intellect and my entire will. You have given me everything I am or have; I give it all back to You to stand uner Your will alone. Your love and your grace are enough for me; I shall ask for nothing more. Amen.

Day by Day...

Thank you Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits and blessings Thou hast given me. For all the pains and insults Thou hast borne for me. Merciful Friend, Brother and Redeemer, may I know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly and follow Thee more nearly, day by day. Amen.

Guardian Angel...

Angel of God, who are my Guardian, to whom Merciful God entrusted me, guard and lead me this day, enlighten and keep me. Amen.

Prayer for Peace...

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, guide that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Holy Days of Obligation

Solemnity of Mary (January 1), Ascension Thursday (40 days after Easter), Assumption of Mary (August 15), All Saints Day (Nov. 1), Immaculate Conception (December 8), Christmas (December 25). And every Sunday......

The Beatitudes...

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Stations of the Cross...

1. Jesus is condemned to die.
2. Jesus carries his cross.
3. Jesus falls the first time.
4. Jesus meets his Mother.
5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry His cross.
6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
7. Jesus falls the second time.
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
9. Jesus falls the third time.
10. Jesus is stripped of his garment.
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross.
12. Jesus dies on the cross.
13. Jesus is taken down from the cross.
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb.


The Ten Commandments...

1. I am the Lord thy God: thou shall not have strange gods before me.
2. Thou shall not take the name of Thy Lord Thy God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day.
4. Honor thy father and mother.
5. Thou shall not kill.
6. Thou shall not commit adultery.
7. Thou shall not steal.
8. Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
9. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife.
10. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's goods.


The Spritual Works of Mercy...

Admonish the sinner. Instruct the ignorant. Counsel the doubtful. Comfort the sorrowful. Bear wrongs patiently. Forgive all injuries. Pray for the living and the dead.

The Corporal Works of Mercy...

Feed the hungry. Give drink to the thirsty. Shelter the homeless. Clothe the naked. Care for the sick. Visit the imprisoned. Bury the dead.

The Laws of the Church

1. Celebrate Christ's resurrection every Sunday and on holy days of obligation by taking part in the Mass and avoiding unnecessary work.
2. Lead a sacramental life. Receive Holy Communion frequently and the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly.
3. Study Catholic teaching throughout life, especially in preparation for the sacraments.
4. Observe the marriage laws of the Catholic Church and give religious training to one's children.
5. Strengthen and support the Church; one's own parish, the worldwide Church and the Holy Father.
6. Do penance, including not eating meat and fasting from food on certain dates.
7. Join in the missionary work of the Church.




The Rosary...

A rosary has a cross, followed by one large bead, three small beads and another large one. Then there is a circle with five "decades." Each decade consists of one large bead followed by ten smaller beads. Begin the Rosary with the Sign of the Cross. Recite the Apostles' Creed. Then pray one Our Father, three Hail Mary's, and one Glory Be. To recite each decade, say one Our Father on the large bead and ten Hail Mary's on ths smaller beads. After each decade pray the Glory Be. As you pray each decade, think of the appropriate Joyful, Sorrowful or Glorious Mystery, or a special event in the life of Jesus and Mary.

The Five Joyful Mysteries...
1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Nativity
4. The Presentation in the Temple
5. The Finding in the Temple

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries
1. The Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. The Crowning with Thorns
4. The Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion and Death

The Five Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection
2. The Ascension
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption
5. The Coronation of Mary

The Five Luminous Mysteries
1. The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
3. Jesus' Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration
5. The Institution of the Eucharist as a Sacrament

And these questions......

Who are the following people—what are their stories—and what do they teach us as Catholics?

Adam and Eve
Cain and Able
Noah
Moses
Aaron
Daniel
Melchizidek
Joseph
Joshua
Abram/Abraham
Isaac
David
Solomon
Uriah and Bathsheba
Nathan
Ezekiel
Elijah
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednigo
Rachael
Rebecca
Leah
Esther
Ruth
Lot (and his wife)
Job
Daniel
Isaiah
Elizabeth, cousin of Mary
Samuel
Absolom


What are the corporal acts of mercy?
What are the Spiritual acts of mercy?
What are the seven deadly sins?
What makes a mortal sin?
What are the ten commandments?

Who were the original 12 disciples?

When, how and why did Saul become Paul?

Who was the first Christian martyr (or martyrs)?

What is a martyr, anyway?

For that matter, what’s a saint? How do people become canonized saints? What’s a “blessed” person as opposed to a saint?

Who was Stephen? How did he die? Who held his coat when he was killed?

What are the types of Holy Orders?

Who wrote most of the psalms? What was their use?

What was the ark of the covenant?

What is Passover?

What was the Transfiguration? Who was there?

What is the Immaculate Conception?

What is the Assumption?

What is the Incarnation?

Where did Jesus get His name and what does it mean?

What Bible verse(s) show(s )that Christ gave us a pope?

What Bible verse indicates that priests have the power to forgive sins?

When did Jesus establish a priesthood?

What happens at Mass?

What is purgatory?

What is the temporal punishment of sin?

What is the eternal punishment of sin?

What is your purpose in life?

What is an indulgence? Is it true that if you earn an indulgence you can sin for free? Why or why not?

Do Catholics worship Mary and the saints? Why or why not?

Do Catholics worship idols? Why or why not?

What are the seven sacraments? Which ones did Jesus Himself institute?

How do you pray the rosary?

Why do we make the sign of the cross?

Why do we genuflect before entering the pew when the candle is lit by the tabernacle?

What is a tabernacle anyway?


Who was Saint Katherine Drexel and what did she do?

Why can women not be priests?

Why do we call priests “father” when Jesus said ‘Call no man father?”

Was is meant by the Real Presence?

What is penance?

What are the seasons of the church year in order? What colors are associated with their vestments?

What is a holy day of obligation? Name them.

What is a feast day?

On what days is a Catholic required by current discipline to abstain from meat? To fast? What is the difference between abstaining from meat and fasting? Where in the Bible does it say to do that?

What is the difference between discipline and doctrine?

What is Sacred Tradition?

What is the Magesterium?

Who is your favorite prophet?

What is your favorite quote from the gospels? From the letters of Paul? From the Old Testament?

When was the Bible created? By whom/what?

How many books in the Old Testament? New Testament?

How is the Protestant Bible different?

What is the difference between an angel and a person?

What does “epistle” mean?

How often must a Catholic make confession? Receive communion?

What is the Sunday obligation?

Recite the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Hail Holy Queen, Memorare

What are the stations of the cross? (Extra credit if you can name them) When is it traditional to make the stations of the cross?

What is a sacrament, anyway? What is form and what is substance for the Eucharist, Baptism and Confirmation

What sacraments have you experienced?

Who is your favorite saint?

Who (living person) has influenced your spiritual life?

Who was the first Pope? Who is the current Pope?

Consider these questions.....

Scripture
Why are Catholic and Protestant Bibles different?
Where does the Bible come from?
How do we know what's true in the Bible?
Jesus
Why is Jesus' crucifixion the centerpiece of the Gospels?
What does Jesus' second coming mean?
What do we know about Jesus' life?
Is Jesus really present in the Eucharist?
How do we know the Resurrection is true?

Sacraments
How does the Eucharist help us become the Body of Christ?
What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit received at Confirmation?
Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest?
What is a sacrament?
How many sacraments are there and what are they?
What happens when we are baptized?
Why are babies baptized? Aren't they too young to accept Jesus?
What's the difference between Confession and Reconciliation?
What does the Sacrament of Marriage reveal to us about God?
If lay people are now called to minister, why do we need an ordained priesthood?
When should someone receive the Anointing of the Sick?

Morality
Isn't abortion basically a question of personal freedom?

Doctrine
Why do we speak of God as Father, Son and Spirit?
How is God's love expressed?
What is Mary's relationship to Catholics living today?
What does the Holy Spirit do?