Part 1 of 3:  THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Christian initiation is accomplished by 3 sacraments – Baptism, which is the beginning of new life in Christ, Confirmation which strengthens us in the Holy Spirit and Eucharist which nourishes us with the Body and blood of Christ.  In the Catholic Catechism we are told that “Baptism is birth into the new life of Christ.  In accordance with the Lord’s will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.”  By Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ and becomes a child of God and member of the Catholic Church!  It is this sacrament which opens us to all the graces that are ours through the other Sacraments.  In the Sacrament of Baptism, we have been claimed for Christ, our Savior.  Next week we will learn about why Baptism should be celebrated during the Sunday Liturgy.  This update is part of a series on Baptism being celebrated during Mass.  This will be an option for our parish children to be be baptized at the 11:30 A.M. liturgy on the first Sunday of each month, beginning in December.

We are excited to announce that, beginning on the first Sunday in December (December 7), our parish will be offering a new opportunity for infant Baptisms! In addition to our usually scheduled baptisms after the 11:30 A.M. Mass on the third Sunday of the month, we will now be offering a new baptism time during Mass at the 11:30 A.M. liturgy on the first Sunday of every month.  The first date for this new type of celebration will be December 7th.  There will be a brief catechesis — a time of learning and explanation – in our bulletin and here on our web-site over the next three weeks.  It is our hope that this catechesis will help our entire parish community understand the importance of this new endeavor.  Next week we will learn about the importance of the Sacrament of Baptism.

For over two thousands years the Fathers of the Church have been answering questions for the disciples in hopes of clarifying the mind of Jesus. The readings today are filled the ‘vineyard’ images. What is the ‘vineyard of the Lord?’ The psalmist tells us surely that the ‘vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.’ What is the ‘house of Israel?’ Jesus defines the house as not what but rather whom. We are the house of Israel; our homes, our neighborhoods and our communities.

This is where we labor to bring about a good harvest for the Lord. The next logical question for true disciples is how do we ‘work’ in vineyard of the Lord?

Continue reading “If we do not continue to exercise our faith, we risk losing it. – Matthew 21: 33-43” →

The purpose of the parable today isn’t to highlight an unjust action, but to illustrate God’s generosity. It is a reminder for us to see with the eyes of faith, and to narrow that view which excludes a life with Christ.

This can be difficult for us, especially if we are persons of routine. While routine helps us in many ways to deal with the busy-ness of our lives it can still hinder our participation in the greater Church.

Saint Paul laments in his letter to the Philippians: that he is strongly attracted by both productive work and by the glory of life with Christ. In this struggle, we all encounter both temptation and victory over sin.

Finally, St. Paul says “Conduct yourselves, in a way worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” Conform your vision to that of the Scriptures and of the Great Apostolic Tradition that is the Church. This is the vision laid out for us by Christ- it is an embrace of the Cross, which we cannot refuse- “For to me, life means Christ, hence dying is so much gain.”

While we recognize in our journey to the Cross, ‘that his ways are not our ways, we will seek Him who seeks us we will imitate Him who is near.

Today we commemorate the Assumption of Mary, who was presumed dead yet assumed into heaven. The Eastern Church describes it as awakening from sleep.

The Catechism says: “Mary was preserved free from all stain of original sin, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son.”

And so the Church solemnizes this historical event that recalls for us the power and the glory of the Risen Life. “For the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in the Resurrection and the anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians.”

Continue reading “In her humility, Mary always points to Jesus – Luke 1:39-56” →