Today represents so many things all rolled into one amazing evening. It is Christmas Eve. At midnight the heavens will open, and angels will sing. For on this night a Savior is born.
Continue reading “Christmas Eve and Advent Sunday”Category: Catholic Faith
Ember Days of Advent and Saturday Morning
We have gone through the darkest night of the year. We survived. We have counted down the days until the birth of Our Lord. It is nearly upon us!
Continue reading “Ember Days of Advent and Saturday Morning”Ember Days and Comfort Foods
Today is the second Ember Days of Advent. Once upon a time, Ember Days were days of fasting and penance. Today they are not. Why? Because the Church has reconsidered certain obligations imposed upon the faithful that might be too much, too ridged, too demanding.
Continue reading “Ember Days and Comfort Foods”First Ember Days of Advent
Just as the First Advent Sunday of the season marked the beginning of a new year within the church, this first Ember Days of Advent is the first Ember Days of that same new year. The whole of the Universal Church once acknowledged each set of Ember Days as an obligation. While much of Europe still does, the United States conference of Bishops did away with the observance.
Continue reading “First Ember Days of Advent”Joy to the World This 3rd Sunday of Advent
Today is the 3rd Sunday of Advent. This is the turning point of the season, and it is reflected in the change of color for the 3rd candle. Pink signifies joy. Not only the joy of that first Christmas in Bethlehem all those centuries ago, but the joy of His coming.
Continue reading “Joy to the World This 3rd Sunday of Advent”Welcome to My Special Day
On March 22, 2021 I shared a post with you. It was in celebration of West Virginia. From that moment forward, for the last 1,000 days, I have shared a post with you every day. Some have been short, some lacked a recipe, while others were bursting with good things to eat and too much to say.
Continue reading “Welcome to My Special Day”Feast of Saint Lucia and Saffron Buns
Today is the Feast Day of Saint Lucia. The feast is best known throughout Scandinavia And Italy. It is a part of the Oral Observations of the Catholic Church, honoring a young girl who was martyred under the Diocletianic Persecution early in the fourth century.
Continue reading “Feast of Saint Lucia and Saffron Buns”A Family Feast for Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe holds a special place in the religious life of Mexico. She is often referred to as the Patroness of the Americas. Many of the Catholic Churches throughout North and Central Americans display her image somewhere on the parish grounds.
Continue reading “A Family Feast for Our Lady of Guadalupe”Blessed Be the 2nd Sunday of Advent
Each Advent Season, our parish holds a Parish Mission. Last year, as part of the three-year Eucharist Revival, it was a four night event with guest speakers who brought to light the reason behind Catholic teachings that the Eucharist is not just a symbol.
Continue reading “Blessed Be the 2nd Sunday of Advent”Celebrating a Friday Feast of The Immaculate Conception
Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a Solemnity Feast; thus a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics throughout the world. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, in its original form, dates back to the seventh century.
Continue reading “Celebrating a Friday Feast of The Immaculate Conception”Feast of Saint Nicholas and Christmas Cookies
Most people of faith realize that the modern Santa Claus is actually a fictional character who evolved from a real person, Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. He was born during the 4th century, of Greek decent, in a fishing village in what is now Turkey.
Continue reading “Feast of Saint Nicholas and Christmas Cookies”Behold the 1st Sunday of Advent
How is the first Sunday of Advent decided? I had always been taught that you start with Christmas, December 25, and work backwards, counting off four Sundays. When Christmas is a Monday, such as it is this year, Christmas Eve is also the 4th Sunday of Advent.
Continue reading “Behold the 1st Sunday of Advent”Deck the Halls
When do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Some folks do it the day after Thanksgiving. Some folks wait until the first of December, while others wait until Christmas Eve. We’re the day after Thanksgiving type.
Continue reading “Deck the Halls”Feast of Saint Andrew
As He passed by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen, Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.” Mark 1:16-18
Continue reading “Feast of Saint Andrew”Our Lady of the Golden Heart
Did you know that there are at least 38 recorded Marian Apparitions? Of those, only 26 have received the full approval of the Church. The first recorded apparition was in the year 40, Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain. A Marian Apparition is an appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, come down from heaven, usually to communicate some sort of message or to make a request of the faithful.
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