The word “advent” provides us with much material for reflection on the meaning of the season of the liturgical year we call “Advent”. The Latin word advenire means “to come to”, “to reach”, or “to arrive at”. Meditating on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, we may ponder the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ…
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Happy Thanksgiving!—¡Feliz Día de Grácias!
The Staff at Saint Mary Parish wishes all of our parishioners a Happy Thanksgiving. It is easy to forget that we have much to be thankful for, and the Thanksgiving Holiday is a good reminder for us that God does not need our thanks, but that we need to thank Him. As I have…
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Know Your Faith
Death/La Muerte: At the end of the liturgical year the Church traditionally reflects on the “last things”, i.e. death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Tradicionalmente, al terminar el Año Litúrgico, la Iglesia medita sobre Los Novísimos: Muerte, Juicio Final, Cielo e Infierno.
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Mass Confusion: My Space
One Saturday afternoon I went to the church well before I was to hear Confessions. With the exception of Our Lord and me, our rather large church was completely empty. Sitting in the silence in a pew near the confessional I heard the door open and footsteps approach me from behind. It sounded like more than…
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All Souls Day/Día de Todos los Fieles Difuntos
On November 2nd we celebrate the Feast of All Souls, taking the opportunity to pray in a special way for all the faithful departed who do not yet stand in the presence of God, but who are undergoing the state of final purification which we call Purgatory. While there is no explicit mention of “Purgatory”…
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All Saints Day/Día de Todos los Santos
On November 1st each year the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints, also known as All Saints Day, and a holy day of obligation. On this day, for several reasons, we turn our attention to the souls of all those who are in heaven.
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Learn Your Faith/Conoce Tu Fe: Why Go To Mass?
The question I most enjoy asking any Catholic is, “Why do Catholics go to Mass?” I love this question because I can be almost certain of the answer I’ll receive, and that answer gives me the chance to talk about my favorite subject... The Mass! Go ahead, test yourself. In one brief sentence answer the…
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Notes from Fr. Ringley
Please pick up your raffle tickets at the front of the church. It’ll save us postage costs! This weekend we welcome Fr. Paul Check, rector of the St. John Fisher Seminary Residence, who will offer the 9:30 Mass. He and some seminarians from the Fisher House will join us for the coffee hour after Mass.…
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Learn Your Faith: Names for the Mass
This week we will attempt to disperse the clouds of Mass Confusion swirling around the variety of names for the Mass. The Mass has been known by many names throughout history. The word “Mass” probably comes from the words used at the dismissal, “The Mass is ended, go in peace”. The Latin words are “Ite,…
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Learn Your Faith: Pro-Life Month and the Immaculate Conception
It is no coincidence that we are asked to pay special attention to Mary and to human life during this month...No es ninguna coincidencia que se nos pida prestar atención especial a María y la vida humana durante este mes.
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