From the Rector/Catechesis, Fourth Sunday of Lent, 3/19/2023

Sacred Heart Cathedral

Liturgy of ConfirmationParagraphs of the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1293 In treating the rite of Confirmation, it is fitting to consider the sign of anointing and what itsignifies and imprints: a spiritual seal. Anointing, in Biblical and other ancient symbolism, is rich inmeaning: oil is a sign of abundance and joy; it cleanses (anointing …

Read moreFrom the Rector/Catechesis, Fourth Sunday of Lent, 3/19/2023

From the Rector/Catechesis, Third Sunday of Lent, 3/12/2023

Theology of ConfirmationParagraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1315 “Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any …

Read moreFrom the Rector/Catechesis, Third Sunday of Lent, 3/12/2023

From the Rector/Catechesis, Second Sunday of Lent, 3/5/2023

Going to Confession What to do: – Examine your conscience, asking the help of the Holy Spirit to know your sins. – Begin “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Bless me Father, it has been [how long] since my last confession. I am [married/single/etc.] These …

Read moreFrom the Rector/Catechesis, Second Sunday of Lent, 3/5/2023

From the Rector/Catechesis, First Sunday of Lent, 2/26/2023

Theology of PenanceParagraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1485 “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week,” Jesus showed himself to his apostles. “He breathed on them, and said to them: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the …

Read moreFrom the Rector/Catechesis, First Sunday of Lent, 2/26/2023

From the Rector, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2/19/2023

Sacred Heart Cathedral

“Fasting and Abstinence” Adapted from D. D. Emmons at “Simply Catholic” Why fast and abstain? Pope Clement XIII in 1759 said that “penance also demands that we satisfy divine justice with fasting, almsgiving and prayer and other works of the spiritual.” The purpose of our fast is to not become physically weak or lose weight …

Read moreFrom the Rector, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2/19/2023

From the Rector/Catechesis, February 12, 2023, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

St Matthew Icon

Lectio Divina: Praying with Scripture (especially for Lent) From Pope Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini, 87 87. I would like here to review the basic steps of [lectio divina]. It opens with the reading (lectio) of a text, which leads to a desire to understand its true content: what does the biblical text say in itself? …

Read moreFrom the Rector/Catechesis, February 12, 2023, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the Rector/Catechesis, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2/5/2023, Cycle A

Sacred Heart Shield

Liturgy of Baptism Paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1235 The sign of the cross, on the threshold of the celebration, marks with the imprint of Christ the one who is going to belong to him and signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross. 1236 The proclamation …

Read moreFrom the Rector/Catechesis, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2/5/2023, Cycle A

From the Rector/Catechesis, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1/29/2023

Sacred Heart Cathedral

Theology of Baptism Paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1275 Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ’s Body and Blood for his transformation in Christ. 1276 “Go therefore and make …

Read moreFrom the Rector/Catechesis, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1/29/2023

From the Rector/Catechesis, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1/22/2023, Cycle A

Sacred Heart Cathedral

Introduction to the Sacred Liturgy Paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1110 In the liturgy of the Church, God the Father is blessed and adored as the source of all the blessings of creation and salvation with which he has blessed us in his Son, in order to give us the Spirit of …

Read moreFrom the Rector/Catechesis, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1/22/2023, Cycle A