The memorial of St. Patrick and the Solemnity of St. Joseph always are celebrated during the season of Lent, and in the waning days of the winter season. This week we celebrate these two saints, Patrick today, Joseph on Tuesday. The Breastplate of St. Patrick is traditionally associated with him in the fifth century as he sought divine protection in… Read More »Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Our CYO program at Notre Dame de Lourdes celebrated their Sports Banquet last Sunday evening, 3 March. The banquet was a chance to celebrate all our student athletes, their coaches, and their achievements throughout this year. The players for each team were recognized and applauded while a standout player was honored for each team based on their leadership, service, and… Read More »Way of the Cross
The Episcopal Ordination of Bishops-elect Keith Chylinski, Christopher Cooke, and Efren Esmilla is this Thursday, 7 March. There are three levels of Holy Orders, the Diaconate, the Presbyterate, and the Episcopacy, which is the fullness of Holy Orders. The three Bishops-elect will serve our Archdiocese as Auxiliary Bishops. We wish them the best as we pray. We pray for the… Read More »Let us pray
“Did he not by his own power stop the sun, so that one day became two.” (Sirach 46:4) We will celebrate Leap Day this week. 29 February occurs every four years so that the calendar can catch up with the earth’s rotation around the sun. God is too quick for us, at least by six hours a year, so every… Read More »Leap Day
Our Lady of Peace Parish will host a Healing Service this Thursday, 22 February from 6-9 p.m. The evening will include Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praise and worship, testimony, prayer teams, as well as opportunities to receive the Sacraments of Penance and Anointing of the Sick. Please join us for a Night of Healing and Worship through the Sacraments. … Read More »Lent Season
Today, 11 February is the annual World Day of the Sick. This day of prayer was instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1992 to commemorate the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes and the healing that occurs at Lourdes. Pope Francis, in his message for the World Day of the Sick, reminds us that “since the beginning of creation,… Read More »World Day of the Sick
The memorial of St. Blaise is this weekend. Traditionally, the Catholic Church offers the blessing of throats on the memorial of St. Blaise. St. Blaise was a martyr in the early fourth century. St. Blaise lived as a hermit surrounded by wild animals as his companions – a St. Francis of Assisi a millennium early. The association with St. Blaise… Read More »The memorial of St. Blaise
Thank you all for your generosity and your kindness at my Installation Liturgy as your pastor celebrated last Saturday evening, 20 January. Thanks to Monsignor Matz who, as our regional dean, led the celebration. Thanks also to all who helped to adorn the church and to our lectors, altar servers, deacons, and our music ministry for adding their talents to… Read More »Catholic Schools Week
“It was winter.” This simple yet highly complex sentence is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. St. John uses this sentence, in verse twenty-two, as a transition within his tenth chapter – The Good Shepherd discourse. Prior to verse twenty-two we are treated to the tender description of shepherds. Post twenty-two is the revolt of those being shepherded.… Read More »“It was winter”
Monday, 15 January is the 95th anniversary of the birth of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Days of service, in recognition of the life of Dr. King, are a treasured legacy of this holiday. Girard College, in Philadelphia, is a central gathering for our region’s service activities. Locally, an Interfaith Prayer Service will be celebrated on Sunday, 14… Read More »MLK day