Sacred Heart Cathedral’s Christmas and New Year’s Mass schedule

The meaning of the Advent wreath and candles. Darkness and Light The Advent candles readily demonstrate the strong contrast between darkness and light. In the Bible, Christ is referred to as the “Light of the World” contrasted with the darkness of sin. Human history spanned long ages before our prophesied Savior would finally make his …

Read moreFrom the Rector: The meaning of the Advent wreath and candles

Liturgical Colors by Father Block One of the most obvious differences in the Mass from season to season and feast to feast is the color of the vestments worn by the priest and the covering over the chalice. The colors were not chosen by the Church at random, nor are they simply decoration, rather, each …

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The Colors of Liturgical Vestments As we begin anew this Time after Pentecost, also known as Ordinary Time, it may be helpful to recall what the different liturgical colors mean throughout the year. The following is adapted from an article by Father William Saunders. The Church’s liturgical norms do prescribe specific vestment colors for various …

Read moreTwelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father’s Day, 6/20/21

Veiling of the Altar, the Chalice and the Tabernacle In the Old Testament the Holy of Holies was veiled.  This is where our tradition of veiling Holy things began. Hebrews 9:1-8 The former [Old Covenant] indeed had also justifications of divine service and a sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made the first, wherein were …

Read moreFrom the Rector: Veiling of the Altar, the Chalice and the Tabernacle

“Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Please find below the official statement from the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding today’s nationwide legalization of same-sex “marriage”. I stand in solidarity with my brother Bishops and the teaching of the Church on the true nature of marriage, that is – the unity of one man …

Read moreUSCCB statement regarding nationwide legalization of same-sex “marriage”

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph: The Holy Family at Nazareth From an address by Pope Saint Paul VI in Nazareth on January 5, 1964 Nazareth is a kind of school where we may begin to discover what Christ’s life was like and even to understand his Gospel. Here we can observe and ponder the simple appeal …

Read moreFrom the Rector, The Holy Family, December 27, 2020