Over 100 years ago Father Damien deVeuster, (St. Damien of Molokai) a Belgian priest, began working with lepers on Molokai, a small Hawaiian island. Father Damien found a source of fresh water in the mountains and developed a system to bring it down to the colony. He...

Tree lightings, decorated windows, advent wreaths, help to underline the physical reality of the Christmas season. The infancy narrative in Luke and the first reactions to the news of Jesus’ impending birth show similar literal physical reactions: Zechariah is...

Zechariah was full of fear and disbelief and was made mute for his lack of faith which will be contrasted with Mary’s “fiat”, her acceptance of God’s will. “Nothing is impossible for God.” Advent offers time to reflect on and pray with those negative thoughts and...

At this point in the middle of our Advent journey, we can pause to enjoy what this week is about. Each day, we can be asking for the grace to let Jesus into our hearts – to let him be closer to us and to let ourselves be closer to him.The promise made to Joseph was...

Twice a year, once during Lent and once during Advent, we wear these vestments and people routinely call them “pink.” Must to remind: it’s not pink! The color, in fact, is called “rose.” It’s a subtle difference, but it has a more subdued shade than pink. Liturgists...

Today’s readings continue to suggest the importance of preparation. Matthew’s Gospel recalls John the Baptist who gave his life preaching the good news of Jesus and our need to repent of our sins and prepare ourselves to receive Jesus’ presence, love, and forgiveness....

Today is the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The story of Juan Diego, a poor Aztec Indian, and the pregnant Mary requesting that a church be built on Tepeyac hill is today’s feast. The story of Mary asking Juan to relay the message to Bishop...

We are in the second week of Advent, that season of anticipation when we wait eagerly for the celebration of Jesus’ birth that occurred a couple thousand years ago. Although today’s reading of Isaiah is a beautiful reminder of God’s coming to his people, at the time...

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception. This Church feast recognizes that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin. Not being subject to original sin was determined to be part of the plan to bringing the Christ child into the...

In this season of Advent we read and meditate on the Biblical passages that exhort us to prepare for both the celebration of Christ's birth in Bethlehem and His return in glory at the end of time as the Judge of all. In today's gospel text, Matthew (3:1-12), we read...