As a youth minister, what is the one thing you hope your teens think of when they look at the crucifix? What is it about the cross of Christ that you hope they see, feel, or realize? During Holy Week, Catholics everywhere reflect upon the image of Christ crucified and
St. Francis of Assisi Born: 1181 or 1182 Died: October 3, 1226 Feast Day: October 4 Patron of animals, merchants, and ecology Background Few saints enjoy the kind of “rock star” status that St. Francis of Assisi has. Since his death in 1226, many souls have been challenged by his
“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” St. Thérèse of Lisieux Born: January 2, 1873 Died: September 30, 1897 Feast Day: October 1 Patron of missions, tuberculosis,
“A false interpretation of Scripture causes that the gospel of the Lord becomes the gospel of man, or, which is worse, of the devil.” St. Jerome Born: A.D. March 27, 347 Died: A.D. September 30, 420 Feast Day: September 30 Patron of archaeologists, biblical scholars, librarians, students, and translators Background
“Go to the poor: you will find God.” St. Vincent de Paul Born: 1581 Died: 1660 Feast Day: September 27 Patron of charities, horses, hospitals, leprosy, prisoners, spiritual help, St. Vincent de Paul Societies, and volunteers This great saint and lover of the poor began very poor, born in 1581
Did you know that the month of May is dedicated to Our Lady? It’s true! The Church gives special honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary during the month of May. And of course, there are many Marian feasts throughout the year, but how often do we actually pause to reflect upon these Catholic traditions of ours? Do we actually celebrate Our Lady in a way that honors and upholds her dignity as the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven? Here are several ways you can celebrate Our Lady’s patronage of the Church on any Marian feast of the year.
We have the best of both worlds! As Catholic Christians, we can imagine ourselves at the intersection of the Religious and Spiritual. That is, we hold that it is possible (and if fact necessary) to grow in a personal, intimate relationship with the Divine and that each person embarks on their own quest to wholeness (for the betterment of themselves and others) but that one can only find the fullness of Truth within the folds of the one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church.
Anti-racism is defined as the policy or practice of opposing racism and promoting racial tolerance. If this sounds like something that should have always been happening, that’s because it should have. But it hasn’t. And the Church and her members have failed to be the prominent voice in this work.
We must recognize that no matter how many virtual conferences or Instagram lives or Mass live-streams we attend, it will never be enough. But my friends. Do not grow complacent. Do not mistake this for the norm. We were made for more!
