We are saddened by the death of our Holy Father, yet it is fitting that his passing from this life occurred in the Jubilee Year of Hope, which he inaugurated. For our hope in eternal life springs from our faith in the risen Lord. Pope Francis sought to break down barriers and draw people into an encounter with Christ in the Catholic Church. Like Jesus, he served those whom the world often considered outcasts. He challenged priests to be shepherds with the 'smell of the sheep,' and constantly reminded us of the dignity of the unborn, migrants, and refugees, and…

All are welcome to join Fr. Chuck Schwartz on Monday evenings during Lent in the Church Activity Center (lower level of the church) for a series of talks on prayer. Prayer is conversation is being with, is receiving from God, is worshipping God. (D) all of the above. And so, with plenty of ground to cover, over the weeks of Lent as we prepare for Easter to celebrate Christ’s conquering Resurrection, our Salvation, and renew our Promises of Baptism, we will begin the conversation with praying at Holy Mass, moving into personal prayer and praying with the Word of God.…

The daily examination of conscience is an ancient Catholic practice. It's very simple, and it's designed to help us identify our sins and weaknesses so that we can improve and grow stronger in the spiritual life. Basically, it consists in taking a few minutes at the end of the day to prayerfully review our actions in the light of God's commandments. The Act of Contrition is often said afterwards. The daily examination also serves as an excellent ongoing preparation for regular Confession. Reflect on the victories and losses actively reflecting on the high and low points of the day can…

The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord. With Simeon and Anna, all Israel awaits its encounter with the Savior – the name given to this event in the Byzantine tradition. Jesus is recognized as the long-expected Messiah, the “light to the nations” and the “glory of Israel,” but also “a sign that is spoken against.” The sword of sorrow predicted for Mary announces Christ’s perfect and unique oblation on the cross that will impart the salvation God had “prepared in the presence of all peoples.” - Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph…

O God, whose Only Begotten Sonhas appeared in our very flesh,grant, we pray, that we may be inwardly transformedthrough him whom we recognize as outwardly like us.The prayer’s meaning hinges on the effects of baptism.Through the words of the formula for baptism and the outward pouring of sensible, visible water, there is an invisible and inward effectof grace in the soul.By baptism we are inwardly conformed or “shaped” so that we can be a proper temple of the Holy Spirit and recipient of graces as holymember of the Body of Christ, the Church. By taking up our human nature, our…