Jun192013

THE MEDICINE OF IMMORTALITY

By Catechism of the Catholic Church on June 19, 2013 in Sacraments

VII. The Eucharist — “Pledge of the Glory to Come” 1402 In an ancient prayer the Church acclaims the mystery of the Eucharist: “O sacred banquet in which Christ is received as food, the memory of his Passion is renewed, the soul is...

Jun182013

FAITH IN TRANSIT

By My Year of Faith on June 18, 2013 in The Faith in Action

Summer. Also known as vacation season! Families across the country are making plans, packing bags, and getting ready to head out on some kind of grand adventure. We hope that your family is getting ready for an adventure of its own. As...

Jun172013

PRACTICING AND CELEBRATING THE FAITH IN SUMMER

By Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur on June 17, 2013 in Faith at Home

Ah, Summer – that glorious season when we get to take life a little bit slower and hopefully engage in some rest and relaxation. While children are out of school and we adults need a mental break from our own work, it is important to realize...

Jun162013

FAITH AND FATHERHOOD

By Sean McBride on June 16, 2013 in Faith at Home

When I was asked to contribute this piece to the My Year of Faith Blog, I wasn't suffering from writer's block. And now that the Holy Spirit is taking His sweet time with the inspiration, I find it funny, that in typical fashion, I'm...

Jun152013

A BRIGHTER FUTURE

By My Year of Faith on June 15, 2013 in Sunday Readings

Today, we are excited to share with you another stellar Gospel reflection from the Bible Geek himself, Mark Hart. Sit back and listen to Mark's insights about this week’s Gospel. Take some time to really reflect on this week's...

Jun142013

GO TEAM! – THE CATHOLIC FAMILY

By Tom & Mary Jo Pratt on June 14, 2013 in Faith at Home

“Go team!” is a common cheer among teammates to root for the success of each team member and the entire team. As a Christian family, we form a kind of a team, a team hand-picked by God to help us in our journey to heaven. It is within the...

Jun132013

RECEIVING THE MYSTERY

By My Year of Faith on June 13, 2013 in Sacraments

Editor's Note: At every Mass, we are blessed with the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It is truly a gift from God for each one of us; a gift that each of us experiences differently. Today, we are happy to share four communion...

Jun122013

THE EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE OF BOLSENA-ORVIETO

By Royce Gregerson on June 12, 2013 in Prayer and Devotion

What ought a Catholic do when he or she finds it difficult to believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist? This problem was confronted in the year 1263 by a pious priest called Peter of Prague. According to a local...

Jun112013

MARY’S EUCHARISTIC LESSONS AT NAZARETH

By Sr. Amata Veritas on June 11, 2013 in Prayer and Devotion

In the Gospels, the world is first introduced to the Blessed Virgin Mary and her role in salvation history through the Annunciation. Gabriel, sent by God, appeared to Mary; the archangel asked her if she would be the mother of God’s Son. Mary,...

Jun102013

WE ADORE YOU, OH CHRIST

By My Year of Faith on June 10, 2013 in Prayer and Devotion

Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament The Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith. We begin each week with the Sunday Eucharistic celebration. In Holy Communion we are united so intimately with Jesus Christ. It makes us holy. But...

Jun092013

THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT

By Catechism of the Catholic Church on June 09, 2013 in Sacraments

1322 The holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by Confirmation participate with the whole community in the Lord's...

Jun082013

A HEART ON FIRE

By Deacon Zak Barry on June 08, 2013 in Feasts and the Liturgical Calendar

Yesterday we celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, worshiping the God made man who poured Himself out in love for us. But today we venerate the mother of God, taking time to meditate on her virtuous life and striving to imitate...

Jun072013

A HEART VISIBLE AND VULNERABLE

By Fr. James Kubicki, SJ on June 07, 2013 in Feasts and the Liturgical Calendar

The Year of Faith and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis have said that this special year of grace involves an encounter with Jesus Christ. This encounter is no passing, superficial meeting, like encountering a stranger...

Jun062013

TURNING SORROW TO JOY

By Fr. Raphael Mary Salzillo, O.P. on June 06, 2013 in Sunday Readings

The story we hear in the gospel this weekend demonstrates Jesus' deep compassion for those who suffer. This woman has lost her husband already and now, she has even lost her only son. She is alone. She has no one left to support her, no...

Jun052013

YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER

By My Year of Faith on June 05, 2013 in Sacraments

This past Saturday, Bishop Kevin Rhoades ordained a new priest to the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Congratulations to Father Christopher Lapp, assigned to St. Matthew Co-Cathedral in South Bend as parochial vicar! Thanks to Kay Cozad...

Jun042013

REPRESENTING CHRIST

By Catechism of the Catholic Church on June 04, 2013 in Sacraments

874 Christ is himself the source of ministry in the Church. He instituted the Church. He gave her authority and mission, orientation and goal: In order to shepherd the People of God and to increase its numbers without cease, Christ the Lord...

Jun032013

FAITH IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST

By Bishop Kevin Rhoades on June 03, 2013 in Bishop Kevin Rhoades

At every Mass, after the words of consecration, the priest says or sings the words: The mystery of faith! The bread and wine have been substantially changed into the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus. This is truly a great mystery of faith. ...

Jun022013

A FAMILY UNITED

By My Year of Faith on June 02, 2013 in Feasts and the Liturgical Calendar

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). The last great feast before the church returns to Ordinary Time. But, did you know that today Catholics all over the world are invited to join together...

Jun012013

CELEBRATING SUNDAY FOR 2,000 YEARS

By My Year of Faith on June 01, 2013 in Feasts and the Liturgical Calendar

Today is the feast of St. Justin Martyr, the first great Christian apologist, who lived from 100-165 AD in Palestine and then Rome. A convert, St. Justin wrote one of the earliest apologies of the Christian faith; though many of his writings...

May312013

GIVING OURSELVES

By Sarah Reinhard on May 31, 2013 in Feasts and the Liturgical Calendar

Mary was in the early days of pregnancy when she made the long journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Was her trip punctuated with potty stops? Did she find herself wishing for her own bed during the days she spent getting there? However...

May302013

TAKEN, BLESSED, BROKEN AND SHARED

By My Year of Faith on May 30, 2013 in Sunday Readings

This week, we bring you another Beyond Words reflection on Sunday's upcoming readings from the Bible Geek (aka Mark Hart). Be sure to take some time to reflect on Mark's words on the Gospel reading, so that you can be prepared to be...

May292013

SPIRITUAL MOTHERHOOD: A TOTAL, FAITHFUL, FRUITFUL YES!

By Sr. Alicia Torres on May 29, 2013 in Theology of the Body

Even before a little girl is old enough to walk, she is given a baby doll. She cuddles, dresses and feeds the doll–it is her baby. Isn't it so natural for a girl to imagine herself as a mother, and even to “plan” her wedding...

May282013

VIRGIN MOST HOPEFUL

By Fr. Bob Lengerich on May 28, 2013 in The Church

“And behold! God's Temple in Heaven was opened, and within His Temple could be seen the Ark of the Covenant… A great sign appeared in the sky: a Woman, clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet, and upon her head, a crown of...

May272013

PAUSING TO HONOR

By My Year of Faith on May 27, 2013 in Prayer and Devotion

Ah, Memorial Day. Most of us look forward to this “unofficial” start to summer. A long weekend filled with relaxation, family, friends, and cookouts. It is certainly precious time to be enjoyed. But, as we go about our holiday weekend...

May262013

A COMMUNITY OF LOVE

By From the Writings of Pope Benedict XVI on May 26, 2013 in From the Writings of the Pope

Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love), an encyclical letter of Pope Benedict XVI to the Bishops, Priests and Deacons, Men and Women Religious and All the Lay Faithful on Christian Love. Given in Rome at St. Peter's on December 25, 2005. THE...