Monthly Archives: December 2008

Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Posted on December 30, 2008 by Father Pat

Today’s readings What did you get for Christmas?  Was it everything you’d hoped for?  Or are you at that stage of life where gifts are nice, but you really don’t need anything special?  A lot of my family has come … Continue reading →

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The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Posted on December 28, 2008 by Father Pat

Today’s readings It’s certainly appropriate that we celebrate the Holy Family today, just a few days after Christmas.  This feast helps to underscore that Jesus came to live among us in a very ordinary way: by taking flesh and becoming … Continue reading →

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St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

Posted on December 27, 2008 by Father Pat

Today’s readings “He saw and believed.” The “other” disciple, often called the “beloved” disciple or the disciple “whom Jesus loved,” is St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, the one we celebrate today. St. John had a very special relationship with … Continue reading →

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The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

Posted on December 25, 2008 by Father Pat

You know, on paper, what we celebrate today is all clean and neat, and as the centuries have washed the story, it’s easy for us to swallow.  I think about Linus famously proclaiming the Christmas story in the well-loved Charlie … Continue reading →

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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent: O Emmanuel

Posted on December 23, 2008 by Father Pat

Today’s readings “Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.”  So says the psalmist today and all indications are that that psalmist is absolutely right!  Even the last-minute shoppers are starting to panic, there’s only one … Continue reading →

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Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Posted on December 19, 2008 by Father Pat

Today’s readings [Today's homily was for the school children on their last day of school before Christmas break.  UPDATE: Unfortunately, I didn't get to celebrate Mass with them because they had a snow day.  Rats.] I can’t believe it but … Continue reading →

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Thursday of the Third Week of Advent: O Adonai

Posted on December 18, 2008 by Father Pat

Today’s readings “Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is already close at hand.” Each day from the seventeenth through the twenty-third of December, a verse is assigned to each day that we call the “O Antiphons.”  We hear … Continue reading →

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Advent Penance Service

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Father Pat

Readings: Isaiah 61:1-3, Matthew 9:1-8 This afternoon I was thinking about the fact that people don’t experience things in the same way.  I was in downtown Naperville with my sister, my two nieces and my nephew.  We were out having … Continue reading →

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Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Father Pat

Today’s readings The chief priests and the elders of the people were always trying to decide who got into heaven. The criteria was strict adherence to the law, and any flaw in one’s obedience left them out of the picture. … Continue reading →

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Fourth Sunday of Advent: O Oriens

Posted on December 12, 2008 by Father Pat

Today’s readings I was with some friends the other night and we watched the Patrick Stewart version of “A Christmas Carol.”  When I watched it this time, I was really struck by the themes of light and darkness that Charles … Continue reading →

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