Category: Archived
The Holy Family is an icon for our family
Each family is an icon or a reflection of the Holy Family. Often, we can identify some part of our lives with theirs. Other times they can serve as a model for us to imitate.
Joseph is righteous before God, he has a good work ethic that he passes on to his son, and he is a faithful loving husband, who brings stability to his home life and to the community in which he lives.
Mary is humble, nurturing, and directive. She treasures in her heart everything about her Son and worries.
Jesus is obedient, loyal to tradition, faithful and caring for his parents. He is a willing student so He may be a better Teacher.
Continue reading “The Holy Family is an icon for our family”
Christmas Mass Schedule
Regional Penance Service: Wednesday, December 20th at 7:00 PM
Confessions: Thursday and Friday, December 21st and 22nd at 7:00 PM
Mass for the 4th Sunday of Advent: 5:15 PM Vigil Mass, 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM & 11:30 AM Sunday
Masses for Christmas Eve:
4:00 PM Mass – Preceded by Carols (Children’s Choir) 3:15 PM
8:00 PM Mass – Preceded by Carols (Adult Choir) at 7:30 PM
11:35 PM – Office of Readings
12:00 AM – Midnight Mass – (Violin, Organ and Cantor)
Masses on Christmas Day: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM
When the Holidays Don’t Feel “Wonderful”
Some years the holidays are truly wonderful, and the child inside of us glows with wonder at the lights, the songs, and the gifts.
But there are other years, times when we are numb with grief over a loved one, or dealing with the fallout of a divorce, or trying to keep a brave face despite months-long unemployment. In years like this, the holidays can feel downright brutal… a far cry from “the most wonderful time of the year” that the songs jeer at us, mockingly.
When the holidays don’t feel wonderful, the miracle of Christmas is that God is WITH US, even in the darkest of times. We don’t have to “feel” the right way for God to come to us at Christmas. He comes down to join us in our pain and in our mess before we’re even sure if we know how to ask.
Don’t be fooled by “perfect” manger scenes. The first Christmas wasn’t “wonderful” in the glitzy-Santa sense. Mary and Joseph had traveled nearly 100 miles on foot, given birth in a stable that smelled like dirty sheep, and the whole time had to worry about maniacal political leaders who were actively hunting for their baby to kill him. Fear, grief, worry – that was all present at the First Christmas Season.
God didn’t wait for the “perfect holiday season” to send His Son the first time, and He doesn’t need your life to be perfect to bless you this Christmas, either. Continue reading “When the Holidays Don’t Feel “Wonderful””
Second Sunday of Advent – Silence of the heart
Last week I asked you to enter the advent season fully aware of your surroundings and appreciate the great silence that is around you; appreciate it for what it is, an avenue to hear the voice of God Who is Himself dwelling in the silence of eternity.
This consciousness of the earth very naturally draws us into the next quarter of our meditation; the heart. The Scriptures given to us today provide many clues as to how we can encounter Christ in the silence of our hearts. But for that, we have to become fearless and persistent in our walk with the prophet into the desert. “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.”
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First Sunday of Advent: “Rediscover Silence!”
“Silence is not the exile of speech. It is the love of the One Word. (SARAH, p80.)”
I have been reading a book recently called, The Power of Silence, Against the Dictatorship of Noise, by the Prefect for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Cardinal Robert Sarah. What I would like to do these next few weeks of Advent is reflect on some of the points brought up here with the hope that they might become a part of every person’s life who struggles heroically to become a saint.
There are four topics: Earth, Heart, Mary and God. I would like to conclude on Christmas Day with Silent Night: Silence in the Manger.
The Gospel this morning bids us to “be watchful! Be Alert…You do not know when the Lord of the House is coming.”
This is an introduction to Advent as a time of real waiting, not of idle waiting, but rather of an active waiting, a persistent watching. The act of waiting is essentially spiritual, but cannot be truly purposeful unless it becomes a waiting, without the use of our senses. Cleansing our hearts and minds of all distraction; leaving only a cave of holy darkness and silent bliss, is possible for those who try and work hard at it; persistent watching. The Logos of God or the Word made Flesh, Who is Jesus, makes it necessary for human beings to actively participate in the Divine Mystery which is purposeful and redeeming. God purposefully creates in order to fulfill His Divine Providence. Our redemption hinges not just on our desire to be holy like Him but on our willingness to surrender to that Providence, even though it may be unseen.
Continue reading “First Sunday of Advent: “Rediscover Silence!””
Christ is King!
On this last Sunday of the liturgical year, the Scripture pronounces a solemn truth: “I myself will look after and tend my sheep.” Today Christ takes possession of what the Father has given Him and thus He reigns as King over all creation.
We cannot look doubtfully upon what we do here this morning. We proclaim Him to be our Shepherd, our Lord and our Goodness. For He promises that when we find ourselves scattered, or cloudy or living in dark places- He Himself will pasture us; He himself will give us rest; He Himself will find us when we become lost, or injured or sick.
Jesus is a king who loves and because of His love, He shed His blood, and freed us from sin, because only in love is He capable of liberating us from the bondage of shadows and fear, thus making us part of His Very Kingdom which is good, loving and forgiving.
Happening @ MDP: Service Projects!
Our “Middle School Mercy Corps” spent this Saturday morning cheering for the athletes at the Special Olympics! This high-energy event is hosted at Villanova University and celebrates athletes who have overcome mental or physical handicaps to compete in various sporting events.
Our MSMC pre-teens were “fans in the stands” and cheered on the competition. A great time was had by all!
The “Middle School Mercy Corps” organizes service projects for 6th-8th graders and their parents in the parish and local community. To receive emails with service projects and events for your 6th – 8th grader, email LJoyce@MDPparish.com or call 610-337-2173.
Spiritual Short-Sightedness
Deacon Greg Maskarinec’s Homily – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Have you every found yourself driving out of your way to save 5 cents on a gallon of gas? The 50 cents that you save after pumping 10 gallons is less than the cost of the gas to drive there plus the wear and tear on your car. Not to mention the time spent driving that could hve been put to better use. Or maybe being so concerned about your grade in a class that you spend more time figuring out what score you need on the final exam to get a certain grade instead of using the time to study and actually learn the material. Or perhaps swinging by Starbucks after the gym to pick up a latte. They have more calories than you burned off at the gym! These are all examples of being “penny-wise and pound-foolish”, to use an outdated term. In other words, short-sighted…even foolishly short-sighted. Continue reading “Spiritual Short-Sightedness”
Some “November” FAQs about Purgatory, the Saints, and Prayers for the Dead
Each November, the Church asks us to remember in a special way those who have died, both the triumphant souls in Heaven (Nov 1, All Saints Day) and the souls still being purified in Purgatory (Nov 2, All Souls Day).
This usually raises some questions, like…
– Why do Catholics pray for the dead?
– Do Catholics worship the saints?
– Does the Church still believe in indulgences?
When we understand the “heart” of these holy days, we can see the beauty and the wisdom the Church is offering us here.
Nov 1: On All Saints Day, we honor with great joy all of those holy men and women who are up in Heaven. We look to their examples of living good Christian lives, and ask them to pray for us. Many families celebrate with cake and sharing the stories of their special patron saints in the family… after getting to Mass for the Holy Day, of course!
Nov 2: On All Souls Day, we pray for those who have died, especially those whom we love. As Catholics we believe that our prayers really matter, and can help these souls move from Purgatory to Heaven. The Church so firmly believes in the power of our prayers for the dead, in fact, that she tells us we can help a loved one move to Heaven by completing these prayers here. (As in all things, this is not “magic”… it is a tribute to the reality that we are all members of the one family of God, and death cannot separate those united in the Body of Christ. Just as we are commanded on earth to help and care for one another, this responsibility carries on after death, especially for those whom we love.)
Month of November: For the rest of November, our prayers for the dead continue. Many families include a special Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet for the dead in their prayers, as well as the “Eternal Rest” prayer. At MDP, you will see photos of our beloved deceased up on the side altar in November, and many of our clergy will pause for a moment of prayer before Mass. They are praying for the souls of all those who have died, especially those from MDP Parish.