St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter, was a native of the town of Bethsaida in Galilee, and a fisherman by profession. Being first a disciple of St. John the Baptist, he later joined Jesus, and also brought to Him his brother Simon, with whom he became a member of the Apostolic College. After the dispersion of the Apostles, St. Andrew preached the Gospel in Scythia, as we learn from Origen; and, as Sophronius says, also in Sogdiana and Colchis.
READ MORELord, we thank you for the goodness of our people and for the spirit of justice that fills this nation. We thank you for the beauty and fullness of the land and the challenge of the cities.
We thank you for our work and our rest, for one another, and for our homes. We thank you, Lord: accept our thanksgiving on this day. We pray and give thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lately I’ve been enjoying the deep meaning of Eastern icons. I love how they express a tapestry of meaning in a way that can surpass the written or spoken word. Today’s parable of the ten virgins from Jesus is a good example. Try googling “wise and foolish virgins icon” and you’ll see an image of how our Christ meets our heart’s deepest needs if we attend to him with the proper attitude.
READ MORENational Vocation Awareness Week will be celebrated in our country November 5-11. Please ask Our Lord for more dedicated, holy priests, deacons, and consecrated men and women. May they be inspired by Jesus Christ, supported by our faith community, and respond generously to God’s gift of vocation.
READ MOREThe All Saints Day feast dates back to the 7th century, and the occasion of its introduction was the conversion of the ancient Pantheon at Rome into a Christian church. This famous temple, which possibly existed in the time of the Republic, is generally considered to have been built by Marcus Agrippa in his third consulate in the year 27 B.C., but it is not improbable that he merely restored and added to it. Historians do not agree as to the origin of its name, but Pliny tells us that Agrippa dedicated it to Jupiter the Avenger. It was afterward repaired by Septimus Severus and his son Caracalla.
READ MOREGood News! Trick or treating doesn't jeopardize our faith.
What was once thought to be a harmless holiday is now said by some to be a pagan rite dating back to Celtic (and pagan) Druids. What's more, it's claimed that modern pagans and witches continue to celebrate this ancient festival even today.
The truth is that the origins of Halloween are, in fact, very Christian, and rather American, too. Halloween actually falls on October 31 because of a Pope, and its observances are the result of medieval Catholic piety.
READ MORESt. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Patroness of Devotees of the Sacred Heart
Feast Day: October 16
One day, Jesus spoke to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque as she knelt before the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus said He had chosen her to reveal His Sacred Heart as a symbol of His love. During three more revelations, He explained how to practice the devotion.
READ MOREFifteen Promises of Mary to those who recite the Rosary:
Each October the Church in the U.S. celebrates Respect Life Month, and the first Sunday of October is observed as Respect Life Sunday. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and at every point in between. During the month of October, the Church asks us to reflect more deeply on the dignity of every human life.
READ MOREOnce I gave my three-year-old niece a certain toy for Christmas. When she opened it, she was happy. Shortly thereafter her five- year old sister opened another present from me: the same toy, along with some play jewelry. The three-year-old cried out: “That’s not fair! Why’d she get the jewelry, too?!”
READ MOREThe National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution would like to recognize “Constitution Week”, Sep 17-23. This year marks the 236th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
Almighty God, we pray for your blessings upon our nation and ask that it remains committed to the principles of freedom, justice, and brotherhood for all who contribute to its greatness.
READ MOREGod of mercy, in your word of Scripture, you instruct us to “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Give us today the courage to assist those around us who may need our assistance. Give us patience when we become impatient. Remind us to pray for all those who perished on United Airlines 93, American Airlines 11, United Airlines 175, American Airlines 77, and those in the Twin Towers and Pentagon. Give us a heart thankful for those who gave their lives as first responders, as did the men and women who ran into danger to be of aid. We ask all this in the name of the One who first responded to our need for a savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Isn’t it easy to relate to Peter? One moment Jesus announces Peter’s deep communion with God the Father. The very next, when he rejects the logic of Jesus’ suffering and death, Jesus calls Peter Satan. We Christians shouldn’t be too shocked when we experience both spiritual highs and lows, when we perceive breathtaking contradictions in our hearts.
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