Monthly Archives: December 2009

Mary, the Mother of God

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Father Pat

Today’s readings My mother has a lot of stories about me as I was growing up.  Some of them are funny or interesting, others are just a little painful or embarrassing.  I suspect your mother has or had stories like … Continue reading →

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Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Father Pat

Today’s readings What did you get for Christmas?  Was it everything you’d hoped for?  Perhaps you, like me, are at the stage where the gifts are nice, but being together at Christmas is the real gift.  Today’s first reading is … Continue reading →

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The Holy Innocents

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Father Pat

Today’s readings Right here in the middle of the joy of the Christmas Octave, we have the feast of what seems to be an incredibly horrible event. All of the male children in the vicinity of Bethlehem two years old … Continue reading →

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The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Posted on December 27, 2009 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. Stephen, Deacon & Martyr

Posted on December 26, 2009 by Father Pat

Today’s readings St. Stephen was one of the first deacons of the Church, chosen to aid in the distribution of food to those in need, so that the Apostles could continue their work.  He was a man who was filled … Continue reading →

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The Nativity of the Lord: Mass During the Day

Posted on December 25, 2009 by Father Pat

Today’s readings All during Advent, we have been yearning for the light.  Advent reminds us that the world can sometimes be a very dark place, that war and terrorism and crime and disease and sin and death can really give … Continue reading →

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The Nativity of the Lord (Vigil Mass): Joseph’s Story

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Father Pat

Today’s readings Once, a very long time ago, there was a man named Joseph.  He was a well-respected and hard-working man, from the family of the great king David.  But since Israel hadn’t been a great nation in a long … Continue reading →

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Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent: O Emmanuel

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Father Pat

Today’s readings Today’s Liturgy has us on the edge of our seats.  As tomorrow’s night turns to day, our salvation will be closer at hand than ever.  Our Savior Jesus Christ, the promise of the ages, will be born to … Continue reading →

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Advent Penance Service

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Father Pat

I know a lot of people who get depressed this time of year.  Probably you do too.  Many people are missing loved ones who are far away from home, or who have passed away.  Some of my friends have a … Continue reading →

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Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent: Come, O King of all the Nations

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Father Pat

Today’s readings We hear a similar song from Hannah and Mary today. In fact, many Biblical scholars suggest that the song of Mary we heard in today’s Gospel is a restatement of the song of Hannah that we have in … Continue reading →

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