There are three upcoming events which we need to be aware of.
Next week will be the annual bishop's appeal.
Next week will also be the start of Catholic School Week.
Monday is a day of prayer to be made for the sanctity of human life.
Christ invites us inside of the Gospel to come and follow after Him. This is precisely what we must do and thus this invitation leads us to trust in the Lord with the desire to share it with others.
The bishop's appeal is an invitation which invites us to assist in the various ministries of the diocese thus ensuring that Christ's invitation is made to all. For example; Saint Mary's Mobile Clinic goes to the poor areas of this diocese assisting within the healing ministry of Christ. Through this campaign we support Catholic Charities, Christian formation, young adult and campus ministries, Christian Formation, works of justice and peace, and the formation of clergy and seminarians.
As a parish we have the joy of having a Catholic school and thus next week we have the opportunity to celebrate Catholic schools. As we kick off Catholic School's Week there will be an open house of our school open to all of you. Please take advantage of this opportunity. It is my hope that all parishioners of this parish will come to support our school. The school is a ministry of our parish and it ensures the formation of our children in the faith. If you have a child who is not currently enrolled in our school please speak to our principle or pastor and enquire about getting your child registered in our school. The city of Oak Ridge may have good schools, but our school is able to form your child in the values of the Catholic faith. Studies show that those enrolled within Caholic schools are more likely to practice their faith as an adult opposed to those who do not.
Finally, we turn our attention towards the horrific decision of Roe vs. Wade which legalized abortion within this nation. Monday has been set aside as a day of prayer to be made in reparation for this great sin and thus too offered in hope that the sanctity of human life will always be held as sacred. As we approach this day I encourage you to fast, pray, and offer your sufferings for this intention on Monday.
And so may we come to follow after Christ's invitation to follow after Him. This invitation leads us outward from ourself and thus it leads us to follow after Christ, trust in Him, and share this same invitation with all those whom we encounter.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Sunday, January 15, 2017
2nd Sunday of OT Year A Homily
Saint John the Baptist had knowledge of Christ. At the approach of the Lord he exclaimed unto his disciples: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world."
We should desire to cultivate this same knowledge of Christ for ourself. We should not be content with hearing such an invitation and in return going no further what we have received. May we heed the words of John the Baptist and thus be willing to "behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world."
How do we cultivate such knowledge? In order to do this we must enter into the silence of prayer, we must study Sacred Scripture and other books which might assist us in our understanding of faith, and we must enter into the sacramental life of the Church. All of this assists us in coming to have this knowledge of Christ that Saint John the Baptist had extended unto his disciples.
The more that we come to know Christ the more that we will desire to emulate Him by the way in which we order our life. We will come to surrender ourself unto Him and thus be willing to always profess the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Not only will we come to profess this reality, but we will also be sent forth like John the Baptist extending this same invitation unto others.
We spend so much time cultivating other amusements within our life thus forgetting the important need of cultivating this knowledge of Christ for ourself. We are concerned with celebraties and television. We are concerned with excelling at our job in order that a promotion may be achieved. We are fixated upon health and how to fix it. We value the neccessity of relaxation, but we do so without giving thought to God. Today Saint John the Baptist invites us to something so much greater and that is an encounter with Jesus Christ and His abudant mercy which takes away the sins of the world.
Saint John the Baptist's life is given in compete testimony to the coming of Christ. He studied scripture and he knew that it pointed the way towards Christ. He entered into prayer which ordered his life towards the coming of Christ. He performed actions of penance which ordered his life towards Christ. He gave a message of repentance because He desired others to order their life after the coming of the Messiah.
Therefore, may we too be willing to accept this invitation of Saint John the Baptist into our life. May we come to use the time in which we are given to nurture our knowledge of Christ. May we be open to welcoming Him into our homes in order that His Most Holy Name may always come to be professed. In all things may God be glorified and thus may we accept the Lamb of God into our life and thus allow Him to pour His mercy upon us. Thus may we truly come to profess with Saint John the Baptist: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world."
We should desire to cultivate this same knowledge of Christ for ourself. We should not be content with hearing such an invitation and in return going no further what we have received. May we heed the words of John the Baptist and thus be willing to "behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world."
How do we cultivate such knowledge? In order to do this we must enter into the silence of prayer, we must study Sacred Scripture and other books which might assist us in our understanding of faith, and we must enter into the sacramental life of the Church. All of this assists us in coming to have this knowledge of Christ that Saint John the Baptist had extended unto his disciples.
The more that we come to know Christ the more that we will desire to emulate Him by the way in which we order our life. We will come to surrender ourself unto Him and thus be willing to always profess the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Not only will we come to profess this reality, but we will also be sent forth like John the Baptist extending this same invitation unto others.
We spend so much time cultivating other amusements within our life thus forgetting the important need of cultivating this knowledge of Christ for ourself. We are concerned with celebraties and television. We are concerned with excelling at our job in order that a promotion may be achieved. We are fixated upon health and how to fix it. We value the neccessity of relaxation, but we do so without giving thought to God. Today Saint John the Baptist invites us to something so much greater and that is an encounter with Jesus Christ and His abudant mercy which takes away the sins of the world.
Saint John the Baptist's life is given in compete testimony to the coming of Christ. He studied scripture and he knew that it pointed the way towards Christ. He entered into prayer which ordered his life towards the coming of Christ. He performed actions of penance which ordered his life towards Christ. He gave a message of repentance because He desired others to order their life after the coming of the Messiah.
Therefore, may we too be willing to accept this invitation of Saint John the Baptist into our life. May we come to use the time in which we are given to nurture our knowledge of Christ. May we be open to welcoming Him into our homes in order that His Most Holy Name may always come to be professed. In all things may God be glorified and thus may we accept the Lamb of God into our life and thus allow Him to pour His mercy upon us. Thus may we truly come to profess with Saint John the Baptist: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world."
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Epiphany Homily
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ephipany. With this celebration we call to mind the magi and their journey to encounter the Christ child. The journey which they undertook was long and it was not easy. Nevertheless, they successfully made it to the manger and it was there in which their life was forever changed.
We too find ourself upon this same journey to encounter Christ. Life takes many twists and turns, but despite all of this we are still called to encounter Christ in all things. Once we encounter Him our life is forever changed and thus despite the temptation to turn back which may arise we must continue to move forward with the confinedence of faith.
The magi looked upwards upon the star and it was here in which light was cast in order that they may accomplish their journey. We are not cast off to live out our daily life as if we have been left all alone. Rather, we must look upwards towards Heaven and thus trust that God continues to provide for us in this day and age.
God continues to provide for us through the gifts in which we call Sacraments. The Sacraments bestow grace upon us in order that we may come to know Christ and follow after Him. To order our life after the Sacraments such as the Eucharist and Confession we will be drawn towards Christ and His infinite mercy. We these Sacraments illuminate our life in order that we may journey forward towards Christ.
The light of the star brough the magi to the manger and it was here that they surrendered their life unto Him. From this encounter they came to know and understand the infinite mercy of our Lord. Our Gospel states that "they prostrated themselves and did him homage." To think that these three kings would lower their self to a little child. And yet the one whom they do homage to is God who has taken on our human flesh as a gift of love.
Do we truly understand and believe what we come to profess during this season of Christmas? How has our life been changed by our encounter with Jesus Christ? What are we still in need of surrendering at the manger of our Blessed Lord in order that we may truly come to do him homage by the way in which we order our life?
On this celebration of the Ephiphany may we allow our life to be inluminted in order that we may come to see Christ more clearly. May we thus allow ourself to gather around Him always and do Him homage.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ephipany. With this celebration we call to mind the magi and their journey to encounter the Christ child. The journey which they undertook was long and it was not easy. Nevertheless, they successfully made it to the manger and it was there in which their life was forever changed.
We too find ourself upon this same journey to encounter Christ. Life takes many twists and turns, but despite all of this we are still called to encounter Christ in all things. Once we encounter Him our life is forever changed and thus despite the temptation to turn back which may arise we must continue to move forward with the confinedence of faith.
The magi looked upwards upon the star and it was here in which light was cast in order that they may accomplish their journey. We are not cast off to live out our daily life as if we have been left all alone. Rather, we must look upwards towards Heaven and thus trust that God continues to provide for us in this day and age.
God continues to provide for us through the gifts in which we call Sacraments. The Sacraments bestow grace upon us in order that we may come to know Christ and follow after Him. To order our life after the Sacraments such as the Eucharist and Confession we will be drawn towards Christ and His infinite mercy. We these Sacraments illuminate our life in order that we may journey forward towards Christ.
The light of the star brough the magi to the manger and it was here that they surrendered their life unto Him. From this encounter they came to know and understand the infinite mercy of our Lord. Our Gospel states that "they prostrated themselves and did him homage." To think that these three kings would lower their self to a little child. And yet the one whom they do homage to is God who has taken on our human flesh as a gift of love.
Do we truly understand and believe what we come to profess during this season of Christmas? How has our life been changed by our encounter with Jesus Christ? What are we still in need of surrendering at the manger of our Blessed Lord in order that we may truly come to do him homage by the way in which we order our life?
On this celebration of the Ephiphany may we allow our life to be inluminted in order that we may come to see Christ more clearly. May we thus allow ourself to gather around Him always and do Him homage.
Epiphany Proclamation
Know, dear brethren,
that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,
so by leave of God’s mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection,
who is our Savior.
On the First day of March will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.
On the Sixteenth day of April you will celebrate with Joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the Twenty-Eighth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the Fourth day of June the feast of Pentecost.
On the Eighteenth day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
On the Third day of December, the First Sunday of Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,
so by leave of God’s mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection,
who is our Savior.
On the First day of March will fall Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.
On the Sixteenth day of April you will celebrate with Joy Easter Day, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the Twenty-Eighth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. On the Fourth day of June the feast of Pentecost.
On the Eighteenth day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
On the Third day of December, the First Sunday of Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Mary, Mother of God Homily
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Today we bring about the conclusion of our celebration of the Octave of Christmas with our celebration of this Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.
Calling Mary the Mother of God is a proclamation to who Jesus Christ really is. It is a proclamation that Christ is the second person of the Holy Trinity and thus Mary is the very vessel which brings forth the Christ child.
This title has been rejected by many Protestants, but to reject this title would reject the fact that Christ is fully human as well as fully divine. This is not a statement to say that Mary brought God into existence, but rather it is a statement that her Son is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity and thus is God made Flesh.
Thus today we have the opportunity to turn our attention towards our Blessed Mother in order to glance upon her Son through the use of her eyes. So often we get caught up in the ways of the world and thus fail to see Christ as we ought. Nevertheless, Mary never fell into the stain of sin and thus she assists us in our ability to see her Son more clearly.
We must fashion for ourself and within our home devotion to the Blessed Mother. If we allow ourself to push devotion to her to the side we in return will be pushing Christ to the side. We need the loving, tender assistance of our Blessed Mother in order that our home may truly become a dwelling place of God's love.
Saint John's Gospel instructs: "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The dwelling place of this love was within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. God fashioned her before time to be this perfect dwelling place where God's love would come and dwell. Her family had assisted her in her upbringing in order that she may be found receptive of God's great gift. For this reason she was fully aware and prepared for this gift which she would undertake.
Devotion to Mary leads us to love of Christ. It leads us towards stripping away our sinfulness and allowing our heart and soul to become a dwelling place of God's love. How sad is it to fathom that so many have stripped away their devotion to our Blessed Mother. That the home and family is not a place to foster such devotion. That so many fail to pray the Most Holy Rosary and thus fail to build up a crown of roses to be placed upon her blessed head.
Pray the rosary, make a consecration to our Blessed Mother, wear her Brown Scapular, and thus begin to foster within yourself her humility and love for her Son. In the season of Christmas we celebrate that God's great love was so great that He came to dwell among us. May we truly desire for Him to dwell among us by the way in which we come to order our life. May the Blessed Mother intercede on our behalf that we may grow in our love and devotion for our Blessed Lord and thus we may better be able to serve Him by our life.
Today we bring about the conclusion of our celebration of the Octave of Christmas with our celebration of this Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.
Calling Mary the Mother of God is a proclamation to who Jesus Christ really is. It is a proclamation that Christ is the second person of the Holy Trinity and thus Mary is the very vessel which brings forth the Christ child.
This title has been rejected by many Protestants, but to reject this title would reject the fact that Christ is fully human as well as fully divine. This is not a statement to say that Mary brought God into existence, but rather it is a statement that her Son is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity and thus is God made Flesh.
Thus today we have the opportunity to turn our attention towards our Blessed Mother in order to glance upon her Son through the use of her eyes. So often we get caught up in the ways of the world and thus fail to see Christ as we ought. Nevertheless, Mary never fell into the stain of sin and thus she assists us in our ability to see her Son more clearly.
We must fashion for ourself and within our home devotion to the Blessed Mother. If we allow ourself to push devotion to her to the side we in return will be pushing Christ to the side. We need the loving, tender assistance of our Blessed Mother in order that our home may truly become a dwelling place of God's love.
Saint John's Gospel instructs: "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The dwelling place of this love was within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. God fashioned her before time to be this perfect dwelling place where God's love would come and dwell. Her family had assisted her in her upbringing in order that she may be found receptive of God's great gift. For this reason she was fully aware and prepared for this gift which she would undertake.
Devotion to Mary leads us to love of Christ. It leads us towards stripping away our sinfulness and allowing our heart and soul to become a dwelling place of God's love. How sad is it to fathom that so many have stripped away their devotion to our Blessed Mother. That the home and family is not a place to foster such devotion. That so many fail to pray the Most Holy Rosary and thus fail to build up a crown of roses to be placed upon her blessed head.
Pray the rosary, make a consecration to our Blessed Mother, wear her Brown Scapular, and thus begin to foster within yourself her humility and love for her Son. In the season of Christmas we celebrate that God's great love was so great that He came to dwell among us. May we truly desire for Him to dwell among us by the way in which we come to order our life. May the Blessed Mother intercede on our behalf that we may grow in our love and devotion for our Blessed Lord and thus we may better be able to serve Him by our life.
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