(A storytime for young children ages 3-8) Saturday, September 23, 6 p.m. in Russell Hall This year, youth ministry has started a new program to have our teens engage with the younger children in our parish. Our youth ministry teens are great role models for our younger children, and the children in our parish look up to them. Once a month through December, youth ministry is piloting a program called Once Upon A Book. Our first program is Saturday, September 23, immediately following the 5 pm Mass.

Our gospel today has a powerful message, which our world certainly needs to hear today. We could simply interpret this gospel to say, in our current national climate, that we may not all agree on something, but we do not have to become enemies. The goal of “communal living” and the goal of the Christian faith is to respect one another in the midst of differing opinions.

We will be reintroducing the Precious Blood to our Holy Communion Ritual during the weekend Masses beginning at the end of September, when the next schedule for Eucharistic Ministers is rolled out. The schedule takes effect on September 30th.

Pity, condemnation, or just persevering petitions. Could you imagine Jesus saying these words in 21st century USA: "It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs." Cancel culture would be on Him ‘like white-on-rice’! Now while I am not much of an animal person, this statement is not about humans versus animals.

The gospel today speaks to us about a parable of a garden, the sower of good seeds and weeds in and amongst his crops. An invasion of “weeds,” those things that I had not intended to plant nor want in my garden. I am sure we all have planted things—flowers and vegetables—that have been invaded by the weeds of the garden. It is a part of life.

To “evangelize” means to bring the love, purpose and meaning of God to someone’s existence. Now, some of us may say, “How can I do that? I don’t have the knowledge to speak eloquently about the Church and our faith?” Well, to be clear and to the point, St. Francis of Assisi said it best, “Speak often and sometimes use words!” Briefly, the way we live our faith in-and-through our daily lives is the best teaching tool.

Fr. Tad, as he is known, spoke here at St Catherine of Siena during the second term of the Obama Administration on the issue of universal healthcare. He was part of a 3-person panel. Fr. Tad is a well respected Catholic educator and I found the article interesting in that ‘blame’ is not heaped on the parents or the children, but on society, which used to hold to traditions and accountability—all seeking the excellence of the common good. Enjoy the common sense, which Mark Twain noted was “…very uncommon.” —Fr. Michael

In the midst of all the business of everyday life—jobs, volunteerism, sports and the rush of the modern world—it is wonderfully relaxing to participate in God’s Love for His creation. That we are His, that He Loves us, and that He has plans for us to be One with Him for all Eternity. God’s Love is unconditional. Even when we fail, He still loves us and that Love is meant to see the excellence of our lives—Eternal Joy. That truly makes one wonder why there are people who choose not to know Him and not to follow Him.

In the news of late, locally and across the nation, there has been reports of miracles in the Catholic Church. This is nothing new to be honest. Throughout our Church’s history, the Lord has performed miracles of all types and in many parts of the world. And, yes it is certain to say that miracles happen all the time—and I am not talking about raising people from the dead or turning water into wine. I am talking about the miracles of people caring and sharing with those in need. In addition, if you do not think that that is a miracle in this world, which can be all too selfish and self-centered

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity occurs on the second Sunday after Pentecost. The feast day celebrates the central mystery of our faith, the three persons in one God - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

If you would like to learn more about Christ, deepen your own spiritual life and pave the way for a more fulfilling spiritual journey toward God, then investigate the New England Catholic Biblical School, considered one of the best in America, fully accredited, and open to all. Feel free to reach out to Judy Kostelni, director of the New England Catholic Biblical School at 860 242 5573, or email at newenglandcatholicbiblicalschool.com

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life. A Eucharistic procession, therefore, is a public witness of the veneration toward the most holy Eucharist, conducted through public streets. It takes place in this way: A consecrated host – that is, the real and substantial presence of Jesus Christ: body, blood, soul and divinity – is placed within a monstrance, which is then lifted and carried by a priest who leads the faithful in procession

Fifth Sunday of Easter “What’s Love got to do with it?” Everything. It is the source, the summit and the font of Life in Christ. Love is the Commandment of Christ. "Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him." (John 21) God’s Divine Love created us. God’s Divine Love has redeemed us by Christ’s Blood on the Cross.

The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal (AAA) was created in 1981 with a goal of $1.6 million yet raised $2,466,310. Since 1981, the AAA has funded Catholic charities and built up the common good to the tune of more than $277,329,662. Since 2006, the Appeal has raised some $9-$10 million per year for the benefit of those in need. Take a moment and consider the noble good the Catholic Church has accomplished.

This Sunday, known as Good Shepherd Sunday, Jesus uses the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep to illustrate his relationship with all His followers. Moreover, He notes that He is the gate for the sheep, laying down His life for them. This is in opposition to those who are thieves and robbers, the fraudulent “saviors” of the world who are out for themselves—they come to steal and take—there is no noble good in their words or actions.

The Second Sunday of Easter: Choice and Free Will At the Vigil Mass of Easter, which we celebrated on Holy Saturday night, we welcomed a new catechumen—a 18-year old man to be Baptized—and 6 candidates, those already baptized and now to be welcomed fully into the sacramental life of the Church through Confirmation and First Holy Communion. They came into the Church through a program called RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

This Sunday we celebrate Easter and the gift of Eternal Salvation for all who choose to follow Christ. As the Apostolic Church on earth, the Catholic faith avails to every believer the Sacramental Life of Jesus Christ. From our beginnings—Jesus and His twelve apostles—we have received every spiritual blessing from the God of the universe; and, we as His Apostolic Church, have been called to guard and transmit that Sacramental Life unto the world.

As we prepare to enter into Holy Week, the most Sacred time in our liturgical year, we shall celebrate God’s Love for us and His desire to suffer, die and be raised from the dead so that we—all of us—might live forever. This weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered triumphantly into Jerusalem. Shortly thereafter, the elders and the people turned on Him; they scourged and mocked Him, nailed Him to the Cross and then once dead, buried Him. However, God had a plan

On this Fifth Sunday of Lent we hear the gospel story of Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, being raised from the dead, and we also hear of the questions that Lazarus’s sisters, Martha and Mary, have to face in the midst of their brother’s death. These questions, for many folks, will be the obstacles to faith which the Sunday scrutinies speak—especially this fifth Sunday.