Super Bowl Surprise
by Bishop Ronald A. Hicks | 03/17/2024 | A Message from Our PastorOn a Sunday in February, I gathered with my family and friends to watch the Super Bowl. It was entertaining hearing everyone’s reasons for gathering around the game that day.
Some were cheering on a particular team or player. Others couldn’t wait to view the halftime show or catch a glimpse of Taylor Swift. A few just relished being in the company of friends and family and indulging in the abundance of food and drink. Regardless of each person’s motivation, the Super Bowl provided us with an opportunity to come together in the spirit of fun and camaraderie.
ContinueThe Easter Basket is a Christian Tradition
by Rev. Gabriel Baltes, O.S.B. | 03/10/2024 | A Message from Our PastorThe precise origin of coloring eggs is not known, but it can be traced back to early Greek Christians who colored their eggs red to symbolize the blood of the sacrificed Christ. They also used green in honor of the new foliage emerging after the long “dead” time of winter.
From the time of the early Christians, the tradition Easter basket took its deepest roots in Eastern Europe where it included foods that were rich in symbolism. The basket included those foods which Catholics abstained from during Lent such as meat, eggs, and butter. To this day, the tradition of preparing, blessing, and eating from the basket on Easter Sunday morning flourishes throughout the Catholic Faith.
ContinuePeace in the Holy Land
by Bishop Ronald A. Hicks | 02/25/2024 | A Message from Our PastorWhat do we do when we do not know what to do?
Throughout the journey of our lives, we all experience moments of uncertainty, ambiguity, or indecision. We can feel small, inadequate, and almost paralyzed as we face looming problems ranging from our own personal issues to worldwide crises.
Grounded in faith, Saint Francis of Assisi wisely taught that when we do not know what to do, we should “pray, obey, and love.” Our Catholic tradition reflects his wise counsel.
ContinueCollection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe
by Bishop Ronald A. Hicks | 02/11/2024 | A Message from Our PastorDear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Throughout his pontificate, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has often spoken of the need for Christians to evangelize others through accompaniment. Through listening patiently, building trust, and being mindful of others’ dignity, we can help one another encounter Christ’s merciful love, especially those who suffer from emotional wounds, loneliness, and doubt. For Central and Eastern Europeans living in countries that experienced 70 years of communist oppression, the Church especially needs to accompany people to an encounter with Christ that is patient, understanding, and filled with hope instead of fear, anger, and anxiety.
ContinueParish Mission
by Rev. Gabriel Baltes, O.S.B. | 02/04/2024 | A Message from Our PastorDear Parishioners,
I am writing to encourage all our parishioners to be a part of our annual Parish Mission scheduled for Monday, February 19th thru Wed, Feb 20 at 7:00pm. Each of these three evenings we will gather in the church for a Scripture service followed by a reflective presentation from the mission director. The overall theme of the Mission is expressed in its title, Let Us Dream The Path To A Better Future. Each of the evenings will have a specific focus that supports this general theme:
ContinueWinter
by Rev. Gabriel Baltes, O.S.B. | 01/28/2024 | A Message from Our PastorThe past two weeks we have witnessed the coming of winter a bit later than we may have wanted. I suspect most people, even those who dislike (or abhor) the winter season, would welcome, or at least tolerate, it more readily if it decorated the days of Christmas with a blanket of beautiful snow. That was not the case this past year of 2023 which hosted one of the mildest winters on record.
ContinueBenefits of a Paper Calendar in the Digital Age
by Bishop Ronald A. Hicks | 01/21/2024 | A Message from Our PastorIn an era dominated by smartphones and digital technology, the traditional paper calendar may seem like an antiquated relic from a bygone era. In 2011, I officially switched from my five-year calendar/planner, which sat with heavy prominence on my desk, to a digital calendar that automatically syncs with my phone. Admittedly, the digital calendar is much more convenient and efficient, and once I made the move, I had no regrets. Yet, I still miss some of the nuances of using a paper calendar.
ContinueEpiphany of the Lord
by Rev. Gabriel Baltes, O.S.B. | 01/07/2024 | A Message from Our PastorDear Parishioners,
Greetings to all in this holy time of Christmas. Today’s feast of Epiphany is one of several solemnities that is woven throughout the Christmas season. In the Eastern Church, this feast was celebrated even before December 25th was observed as the Lord’s Nativity. If we step back and view the entire Advent/Christmas cycle (which includes Epiphany) from beginning to end, we see that it possesses a dynamic movement that unifies those unique biblical events that we read about in the liturgies of this season. This movement can be summarized in four phrases.
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