Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 13, 2015 On the third Sunday of Advent, the penitential purple of the season changes to rose and we celebrate “Gaudete” or “Rejoice!” Sunday. “Shout for joy, daughter of Sion” says Zephaniah….
What the Baptist can teach us about Joy
Sanctum Sanctorum
Here’s a fun bit of drawing and reading from Catechism class about the Holy of Holies* in Solomon’s temple: “The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high; and he overlaid it with pure gold. In the…
Preparing the Way of the Lord in our Lives
Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus: a time for us to “be watchful”, to “stay awake, to “prepare the way of the Lord” and “make straight his paths”. But what does this mean for us?…
Why Rituals are Important
Editor’s Note: Join me in welcoming Peter Serzo to the New Evangelizers blog. Recently I attended a service at a non-denominational church and I sat next to a former Catholic (her words, not mine). A warm welcoming lady, she was lamenting…
Response to Prayer-Shaming
I have no idea if this is a growing trend or only the reaction of a few sad individuals, but in the last few days there have been more and more examples of prayer shaming. In the wake of the…
Advent: The Season of Hope
Readings for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Dec 6, 2015 Faith, hope, and love. St. Paul, in I Corinthians 13:13, say these three are the bottom line. They are called the theological virtues, the qualities that make us most like…
Should Catholics Use Centering Prayer?
In her book, Is Centering Prayer Catholic?, author Connie Rossini takes a deeper look at the controversy surrounding a prayer technique commonly called Centering Prayer. The controversy flows from what the definition of true contemplative prayer is, and what the…
Mary Just Loves Being Our Mother
The Blessed Virgin is like a good mother who, not content with looking after all her children in general, watches over each one separately. —St. John Vianney As I think about my relationship with my children, I recognize how I…
Advent Opportunity
Most of us are familiar with the story of the Good Samaritan and his extraordinary generosity. He is greatly touted because of the service he offers to a foreigner who has been ignored by high church officials. The story mentions…
How Mary shared her story
“Faith is an encounter with Jesus Christ, with God, from which faith is born, and from there it brings you to witness,” Pope Francis tweeted. That’s what happened to the Virgin Mary. Mary’s encounter with God’s messenger changed her life….