RCIA candidates now examining spiritual weaknesses
On the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent, the Church celebrates three Scrutinies with the unbaptized. Scrutinies are examinations. Since Lent focuses more on interior reflection than catechetical instruction, those preparing for baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist are to examine...Read full story »
Monday, March 31, 2014
Renewing our entire community during Lent
Last time we showed how the season of Lent in the Roman Church was always connected with baptism as a period of preparation for new members for initiation into the Church during the Easter Vigil. We must always remember that the sacraments are never just for those who “receive...Read full story »
Monday, March 17, 2014
Looking at the historical dynamics of Lent and the RCIA
In Apostolic times, Lent was unknown in the Church. The Acts of the Apostles tells us that on Pentecost Day, 5,000 were baptized. The need for instructions was not necessary because the Jewish people understood the meaning of the Savior’s coming. So it was easy for them to a...Read full story »
Tuesday, March 04, 2014
Let's help new members of the Church feel more comfortable
In the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the Catechumenate has the same purpose as the Liturgy of the Word – to help new members grow as Christ’s disciples and eventually to lead them to full participation in the Church’s worship. However, the Catechumenate allows new...Read full story »
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Love God's word, and listen to it proclaimed during Mass
Church teaching challenges us to love God’s word and to listen more intently to it when proclaimed during the Sunday Liturgy. A story may emphasize one man’s love for God’s Word. Once there lived an aged Jewish rabbi. He had served his people for ma...Read full story »
Monday, February 03, 2014
Let's pray more than one hour a week
In the Jan. 10 issue of The Message, I wrote about the similarities between the Advent/Christmas Season and the initial RCIA Inquiry Stage. It is my belief that Catholics who celebrate the Church’s feasts with faith and active participation are spiritually renewed – just as our ne...Read full story »
Monday, January 20, 2014
RCIA represents more than just teaching Catholicism
A parishioner, who sponsored a member joining the Catholic Church, once mentioned how every Catholic should participate in the RCIA because he learned so much from joining the faith-sharing sessions each week. Although learning “about” the faith is important, the Bishops of Vatica...Read full story »
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
Devotion to Mary is also devotion to Christ and the Church
In his Apostolic Exhortation regarding devotion to the Virgin Mary, Venerable Pope Paul VI emphasized how the Advent Season lends itself liturgically to veneration of the Virgin Mary. She represents God’s People, who had waited for centuries for the coming of the Promised Savior,...Read full story »
Monday, December 16, 2013
Think of hell as a consequence of sin itself
A member of a Church congregation approached the pastor after his 1 ½ hour service one Sunday morning saying, “Reverend, I didn’t know what hell was like until you kept going on and on with your 45 minute sermon!” Now every preacher has his “on” days a...Read full story »
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Let go of 'childish' ways of contemplating heaven
As a child, thinking about heaven as going on “forever and ever” – and all we would do is sing “Alleluia!” – scared me to death! Now, my understanding of heaven has changed. St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:11, writes, “When I was a c...Read full story »
Monday, October 28, 2013
