Ash Wednesday and Lent in 2 Minutes!

Check out this video for a two minute lesson about Ashes, Fasting, Praying, Almsgiving all in two minutes!  Too  Lent is 40 days...but I'm sure it wouldn't mean as much to us if it were shorter. 

The video is from the folks over at BustedHalo.com - a website that is packed with fun and informative information about the Catholic faith.

The Catholic Church and Social Justice Issues

"In our Catholic parishes, schools, charities, hospitals and other ministries, the poor, the underemployed and the unemployed are not issues, but people with names and faces. It is an essential part of our work as Catholics to build a more just society and economy."

~ Archbishop Timothy Dolan, "Letter to Bishops on Economic Situation," September 15, 2011

Visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's new webpage and learn more about this resource on poverty, option for the poor, the common good, labor, economic life and the deficit. You also can read about the Circle of Protection, Faith Advocates for Jobs, the latest U.S. Census Bureau reports on poverty, and more.  See the post "Unemployment and Poverty" below.

Unemployment and Poverty

Unemployment and Poverty

A lesson from the Mormons?

Interesting that in the light of our conversations about Mormonism during last night's RCIA class, we find this morning an article about one aspect of Mormon life that we should perhaps consider for ourselves!  Especially interesting today when the daily scripture reading is about Samuel who simply answered God's call with "Here I am, Lord...".  Read the article from Word on Fire here.

Catholic New Year’s resolutions

Catholic New Year’s resolutions

Mary's Fiat

...Not this one

But this one...

Fiat:  Latin for "yes".  Without her "yes" where would we be?  Take some time to read this excellent article by the Liguorians.  Mary's Fiat: All beginnings start with a yes.

Rejoice!

The third Sunday of Advent, so called from the first word of the Introit at Mass (Gaudete, i.e. Rejoice).   As Father Frank Bussmann, our pastor has put it, "There is joy in this advent - God has found you!"