Today is traditionally known as ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’ as reflected in our readings this afternoon/morning. “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me….
A few moments ago we began our solemn liturgy of the Easter Vigil with the lucernarium a Latin word meaning the time of the lighting of the lamps and we lit the new fire and the great candle representing Christ risen among us. Our liturgy tonight is filled with the symbolism of light overcoming the darkness. In our opening prayer we asked that “the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.” As the Paschal candle was processed through the community its great light was shared and the church moved from darkness into the light of our faith, our belief that Jesus Christ is “the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega. All time belongs to him and all the ages.
Once upon a time, a small, oppressed people gathered together to share a meal. Called together by Moses and Aaron, they heard of God's plan to set them free from their slavery in the land of Egypt. Invited to leave behind the pain of their past, they re-embraced their true identity as God's Cho
Nothing can ever separate us from the love of Christ
Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, E.V.February 21, 2016
Have you ever had an experience in your life that was so wonderful, you didn’t want it to ever end? Often, they are very short-lived experiences – a beautiful sunset, the feeling of connection with a friend, the ecstasy of falling in love, an exceptionally fine glass of wine, a beautiful dream f
Lent begins – as it does each year – with the familiar story of the temptations of Jesus. Because we have heard it so often, we can easily dismiss it as “same old, same old.” We hear the words, but miss the meaning; we don’t allow them to really challenge us … and thereby, heal us.
Three mysteries mark this holy day: today the star leads the Magi to the infant Christ; today Christ wills to be baptized by John in the river Jordan to bring us salvation; today water is changed into wine for the wedding feast.
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany. Often referred to as “Little Christmas,” Epiphany is in fact just as important as Christmas, as our brothers and sisters in the Eastern Christian churches know only too well.
That's What Christmas Is All about, Charlie Brown!
Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, E.V.December 25, 2015
We have just listened to the story of the birth of Jesus: “The Greatest Story Ever Told”. Mary and Joseph, angels and shepherds, sheep and oxen, a miraculous birth: we know the story so well. Throughout history, in virtually every culture that the Gospel message has penetrated, people have been so moved by this story, that they can never only “tell” the story: they act it out, they paint it, they carve it, and most of all … they sing it, in a thousand different songs. Though the story is old, in every generation, we find new ways of singing the ancient mystery, new stories to give expression to “the greatest story ever told”.
St. Monica's Parish