Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
August 1: Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Presentation by Redemptorist Provincial, Father Michael Brehl on St. Alphonsus Liguori, C.Ss.R. (1696-1787)
Catechesis: Significance of the Sign of the Cross
Bert Ghezzi on the Meaning Behind the Ancient Gesture
The simple gesture that Catholics make thousands of times in their lives has a deep meaning. The multifaceted significance of the sign of the cross has been investigated and explained by Bert Ghezzi, author of "Sign of the Cross: Recovering the Power of the Ancient Prayer" (Loyola Press).
Q: When did the sign of the cross originate?
Ghezzi: The sign of the cross is a very ancient practice and prayer. We don't have any indication of it in Scripture, but St. Basil in the fourth century said that we learned the sign from the time of the apostles and that it was administered in baptisms. Some scholars interpret St. Paul's saying that he bears the marks of Christ on his body, in Galatians 6:17, as his referring to the sign of the cross. In the book, I note that the sign originates close to Jesus' time and goes back to the ancient Church. Christians received it in baptism; the celebrant signed them and claimed them for Christ.
Q: How did it become such an important liturgical and devotional practice?
Ghezzi: I speculate that when adult Christians were baptized, they made the sign of the cross that claimed them for Christ on their forehead proudly. Tertullian said that Christians at all times should mark their foreheads with the sign of the cross. I can imagine that Christians would make a little sign of the cross with their thumb and forefinger on their foreheads, to remind themselves that they were living a life for Christ.
Q: Beyond the words themselves, what does the sign mean? Why is it a mark of discipleship?
Ghezzi: The sign means a lot of things. In the book, I describe six meanings, with and without words. The sign of the cross is:
a confession of faith;
a renewal of baptism;
a mark of discipleship;
an acceptance of suffering;
a defense against the devil;
and a victory over self-indulgence.
When you make the sign, you are professing a mini version of the creed — you are professing your belief in the Father, and in the Son and in the Holy Spirit.
When you say the words and pray in someone's name you are declaring their presence and coming into their presence — that's how a name is used in Scripture.
As a sacramental, it's a renewal of the sacrament of baptism; when you make it you say again, in effect, "I died with Christ and rose to new life." The sign links you to the body of Christ, and when you make it you remember your joining to the body with Christ as the head.
The sign of the cross is a mark of discipleship. Jesus says in Luke 9:23, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
The word that the Fathers of the Church used for the sign of the cross is a Greek word that is the same as what a slave owner put on a slave, a shepherd put on a sheep and a general put on a soldier — it's a declaration that I belong to Christ.
Self-denial is not just giving up little things; to be a disciple you are under Christ's leadership and you don't belong to yourself. By doing the sign of the cross, you're saying to the Lord, "I want to obey you; I belong to you. You direct all my decisions. I will always be obedient to God's law, Christ's teachings and the Church."
When suffering comes, the sign of the cross is a sign of acceptance. It's remembering that Jesus became a man and suffered for us and that we participate in Christ's suffering. The sign of the cross says, "I am willing to embrace suffering to share in Christ's suffering."
When you're suffering, when you're feeling like God is not there, the sign of the cross brings him there and declares his presence whether you feel it. It is a way of acknowledging him at that time of trial.
One of the main teachings of the early Church Fathers is that the sign of the cross is a declaration of defense against the devil. When you sign yourself, you are declaring to the devil, "Hands off. I belong to Christ; he is my protection." It's both an offensive and defensive tool.
I've found that the sign of the cross is a way to put to death self-indulgence — those big problems we have, the stubborn things we can't get rid of. The Church Fathers say if you are angry, full of lust, fearful, emotional or grappling with fleshly problems, make the sign when tempted and it will help dispel the problem. I began to make it to gain control with a problem with anger. Signing myself is a way of destroying the anger, putting on patient behavior, imitating Jesus' practice of virtue.
Q: Do non-Catholics use the sign of the cross?
Ghezzi: Yes, the sign of the cross is used by Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians, particularly in baptisms. In his small catechism, Martin Luther recommends making the sign of the cross at bedtime and first thing in the morning. It's a shame that many non-Catholics see it as something they shouldn't be doing; it comes from an ancient Church that we all share. One of my hopes in writing this book is that non-Catholics will read it and share in the sign of the cross.
Q: Why do Catholics use the sign of the cross with holy water upon entering and exiting a church?
Ghezzi: In order to participate in the great sacrifice of the Mass, you need to be baptized. Using holy water to sign yourself is saying "I am a baptized Christian and I am authorized to participate in this sacrifice." When you make the sign of the cross when you leave, you say that the Mass never ends — your whole life is participating in Christ's sacrifice.
Q: Why should Christians learn more about this prayer?
Ghezzi: I think that it's not something to be taken casually. The sign of the cross has enormous power as a sacramental; it does not cause the spiritual thing it signifies but draws on the prayer of the Church to affect us in our lives. The sign of the cross is the supreme sacramental. When I see professional athletes make the sign of the cross during games, I'm not critical of them. It says that everything I do, I do in the name of Christ — even games can be played in the presence of God. When people make the sign of the cross casually, I pray that they will recognize how serious it is — that they are declaring that they belong to Christ, they want to obey him and accept suffering. It's not a good-luck charm.
Q: Why is the sign of the cross significant today, especially in areas where laws are becoming less tolerant of public displays of faith?
Ghezzi: They can tell us that we can't have the Ten Commandments in a public building, but they can't stop us from making the sign of the cross publicly. We need to remember what Jesus said: If we are ashamed of him, he'll be ashamed of us. We should feel confident in letting people know that we are Christians and that we belong to Christ.
Source: www.zenit.org
The simple gesture that Catholics make thousands of times in their lives has a deep meaning. The multifaceted significance of the sign of the cross has been investigated and explained by Bert Ghezzi, author of "Sign of the Cross: Recovering the Power of the Ancient Prayer" (Loyola Press).
Q: When did the sign of the cross originate?
Ghezzi: The sign of the cross is a very ancient practice and prayer. We don't have any indication of it in Scripture, but St. Basil in the fourth century said that we learned the sign from the time of the apostles and that it was administered in baptisms. Some scholars interpret St. Paul's saying that he bears the marks of Christ on his body, in Galatians 6:17, as his referring to the sign of the cross. In the book, I note that the sign originates close to Jesus' time and goes back to the ancient Church. Christians received it in baptism; the celebrant signed them and claimed them for Christ.
Q: How did it become such an important liturgical and devotional practice?
Ghezzi: I speculate that when adult Christians were baptized, they made the sign of the cross that claimed them for Christ on their forehead proudly. Tertullian said that Christians at all times should mark their foreheads with the sign of the cross. I can imagine that Christians would make a little sign of the cross with their thumb and forefinger on their foreheads, to remind themselves that they were living a life for Christ.
Q: Beyond the words themselves, what does the sign mean? Why is it a mark of discipleship?
Ghezzi: The sign means a lot of things. In the book, I describe six meanings, with and without words. The sign of the cross is:
a confession of faith;
a renewal of baptism;
a mark of discipleship;
an acceptance of suffering;
a defense against the devil;
and a victory over self-indulgence.
When you make the sign, you are professing a mini version of the creed — you are professing your belief in the Father, and in the Son and in the Holy Spirit.
When you say the words and pray in someone's name you are declaring their presence and coming into their presence — that's how a name is used in Scripture.
As a sacramental, it's a renewal of the sacrament of baptism; when you make it you say again, in effect, "I died with Christ and rose to new life." The sign links you to the body of Christ, and when you make it you remember your joining to the body with Christ as the head.
The sign of the cross is a mark of discipleship. Jesus says in Luke 9:23, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
The word that the Fathers of the Church used for the sign of the cross is a Greek word that is the same as what a slave owner put on a slave, a shepherd put on a sheep and a general put on a soldier — it's a declaration that I belong to Christ.
Self-denial is not just giving up little things; to be a disciple you are under Christ's leadership and you don't belong to yourself. By doing the sign of the cross, you're saying to the Lord, "I want to obey you; I belong to you. You direct all my decisions. I will always be obedient to God's law, Christ's teachings and the Church."
When suffering comes, the sign of the cross is a sign of acceptance. It's remembering that Jesus became a man and suffered for us and that we participate in Christ's suffering. The sign of the cross says, "I am willing to embrace suffering to share in Christ's suffering."
When you're suffering, when you're feeling like God is not there, the sign of the cross brings him there and declares his presence whether you feel it. It is a way of acknowledging him at that time of trial.
One of the main teachings of the early Church Fathers is that the sign of the cross is a declaration of defense against the devil. When you sign yourself, you are declaring to the devil, "Hands off. I belong to Christ; he is my protection." It's both an offensive and defensive tool.
I've found that the sign of the cross is a way to put to death self-indulgence — those big problems we have, the stubborn things we can't get rid of. The Church Fathers say if you are angry, full of lust, fearful, emotional or grappling with fleshly problems, make the sign when tempted and it will help dispel the problem. I began to make it to gain control with a problem with anger. Signing myself is a way of destroying the anger, putting on patient behavior, imitating Jesus' practice of virtue.
Q: Do non-Catholics use the sign of the cross?
Ghezzi: Yes, the sign of the cross is used by Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians, particularly in baptisms. In his small catechism, Martin Luther recommends making the sign of the cross at bedtime and first thing in the morning. It's a shame that many non-Catholics see it as something they shouldn't be doing; it comes from an ancient Church that we all share. One of my hopes in writing this book is that non-Catholics will read it and share in the sign of the cross.
Q: Why do Catholics use the sign of the cross with holy water upon entering and exiting a church?
Ghezzi: In order to participate in the great sacrifice of the Mass, you need to be baptized. Using holy water to sign yourself is saying "I am a baptized Christian and I am authorized to participate in this sacrifice." When you make the sign of the cross when you leave, you say that the Mass never ends — your whole life is participating in Christ's sacrifice.
Q: Why should Christians learn more about this prayer?
Ghezzi: I think that it's not something to be taken casually. The sign of the cross has enormous power as a sacramental; it does not cause the spiritual thing it signifies but draws on the prayer of the Church to affect us in our lives. The sign of the cross is the supreme sacramental. When I see professional athletes make the sign of the cross during games, I'm not critical of them. It says that everything I do, I do in the name of Christ — even games can be played in the presence of God. When people make the sign of the cross casually, I pray that they will recognize how serious it is — that they are declaring that they belong to Christ, they want to obey him and accept suffering. It's not a good-luck charm.
Q: Why is the sign of the cross significant today, especially in areas where laws are becoming less tolerant of public displays of faith?
Ghezzi: They can tell us that we can't have the Ten Commandments in a public building, but they can't stop us from making the sign of the cross publicly. We need to remember what Jesus said: If we are ashamed of him, he'll be ashamed of us. We should feel confident in letting people know that we are Christians and that we belong to Christ.
Source: www.zenit.org
Sacrament of Reconciliation: The Prayer of Sorrow
My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart,
in choosing to do wrong
and failing to do good.
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.
Amen.
PRAYER: The Hail Mary in Latin
AVE MARIA,
gratia plena,
Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc,
et in hora mortis nostrae.
Amen.
PRAYER: The Hail Mary
Hail Mary,
full of grace,
the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit
of your womb Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners, now,
and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
PRAYER: The Lord's prayer
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
PRAYERS: Glory be...
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
PRAYERS: Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Since we make the Sign of the Cross before and after our prayers, many Catholics don't realize that the Sign of the Cross is a prayer itself. It should be said with reverence; we shouldn't rush through it on the way to the next prayer.
Using your right hand, you should touch your forehead at the mention of the Father; the lower middle of your chest at the mention of the Son; and the left shoulder on the word "Holy" and the right shoulder on the word "Spirit."
Friday, July 27, 2012
MUSIC MINISTRY/ Solemnities, Feasts, Special Masses
January:
New Years Day - Manny Chavez
February:
Ash Wednesday - Benita Martinez and Hermanos Penitentes
March:
Parish Mission - Sun/Mon: Manny Chavez
Tue/Wed: Benita Martinez
April:
Holy Thursday - Benita Martinez
Good Friday - Manny Chavez
Holy Saturday - Manny Chavez
May:
Ascension - Benita Martinez
July:
Parish Fiesta - Manny Chavez
November:
All Saints Day - Manny Chavez
Thanksgiving - Benita Martinez
December:
Immaculate Conception - Benita Martinez
Christmas Eve - Manny Chavez
Christmas Day - Benita Martinez
New Year 2013 - Benita Martinez
New Years Day - Manny Chavez
February:
Ash Wednesday - Benita Martinez and Hermanos Penitentes
March:
Parish Mission - Sun/Mon: Manny Chavez
Tue/Wed: Benita Martinez
April:
Holy Thursday - Benita Martinez
Good Friday - Manny Chavez
Holy Saturday - Manny Chavez
May:
Ascension - Benita Martinez
July:
Parish Fiesta - Manny Chavez
November:
All Saints Day - Manny Chavez
Thanksgiving - Benita Martinez
December:
Immaculate Conception - Benita Martinez
Christmas Eve - Manny Chavez
Christmas Day - Benita Martinez
New Year 2013 - Benita Martinez
Archdiocese of Santa Fe/ Important dates for 2013
2013
Sat/ Jan 5/ 11:00 am - ACA Kick Off, Santa Fe
Wed/ Jan 9/ 6:00 pm - ACA Kick Off Catholic Center
Fri/ Jan 11/ 6:00 pm - ACA Kick Off, Las Vegas
Sat/ Jan 12/ 11:00 am - ACA Kick Off, Fort Summer
Wed/ Jan 30/ 10:00 am - Annual Catholic Schools Mass, Cathedral Basilica
Fri-Sun/ Feb 1-3 - Vocations Discernment Weekend, IHM
Fri/ Feb 15/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Sun/ Feb 17/ 2:30 pm - Rite of Election, Cathedral Basilica, Santa Fe
Fri/ Feb 22/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Sat/ Feb 23/ 11:00 am - Rite of Election, Place TDB
Sun/ Feb 24/ 2:30 pm - Rite of Election, Place TDB
Fri/ Mar 1/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Fri/ Mar 8/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Fri/ Mar 15/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Thu/ Mar 21/ 10:30 am - Day of Sanctification, IHM Retreat Center
5: 30 pm - Chrism Mass, Cathedral Basilica
Fri/ Mar 22/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Sat/ May 18/ 10:00 pm - Priesthood Ordination, Cathedral Basilica
Fri-Sun/ Sep 20-22 - Deacon Retreat, Albuquerque
Fri/ Oct 4/ 5:30 pm - St. Francis of Assisi Awards, Cathedra Basilica
Sat/ Oct 5 - Year of Faith Session for Deacons, Parish Life Coordinators, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Parish Staffs, Catholic Schools Staffs, Laity and Catholic Center Staff with Fr. Al McBride O.Praem.
Mon-Thu/ Oct 7-10 - Priest Convocation, Ranchos de Taos with Fr. Al McBride O.Praem.
Fri/ Oct 11/ 6:00 pm - Archbishop's School Fund Dinner, Albuquerque
Sat/ Jan 5/ 11:00 am - ACA Kick Off, Santa Fe
Wed/ Jan 9/ 6:00 pm - ACA Kick Off Catholic Center
Fri/ Jan 11/ 6:00 pm - ACA Kick Off, Las Vegas
Sat/ Jan 12/ 11:00 am - ACA Kick Off, Fort Summer
Wed/ Jan 30/ 10:00 am - Annual Catholic Schools Mass, Cathedral Basilica
Fri-Sun/ Feb 1-3 - Vocations Discernment Weekend, IHM
Fri/ Feb 15/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Sun/ Feb 17/ 2:30 pm - Rite of Election, Cathedral Basilica, Santa Fe
Fri/ Feb 22/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Sat/ Feb 23/ 11:00 am - Rite of Election, Place TDB
Sun/ Feb 24/ 2:30 pm - Rite of Election, Place TDB
Fri/ Mar 1/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Fri/ Mar 8/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Fri/ Mar 15/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Thu/ Mar 21/ 10:30 am - Day of Sanctification, IHM Retreat Center
5: 30 pm - Chrism Mass, Cathedral Basilica
Fri/ Mar 22/ 6:30-8:00 pm - Confessions at all Parishes
Sat/ May 18/ 10:00 pm - Priesthood Ordination, Cathedral Basilica
Fri-Sun/ Sep 20-22 - Deacon Retreat, Albuquerque
Fri/ Oct 4/ 5:30 pm - St. Francis of Assisi Awards, Cathedra Basilica
Sat/ Oct 5 - Year of Faith Session for Deacons, Parish Life Coordinators, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Parish Staffs, Catholic Schools Staffs, Laity and Catholic Center Staff with Fr. Al McBride O.Praem.
Mon-Thu/ Oct 7-10 - Priest Convocation, Ranchos de Taos with Fr. Al McBride O.Praem.
Fri/ Oct 11/ 6:00 pm - Archbishop's School Fund Dinner, Albuquerque
Saturday, July 21, 2012
PRAYER OF THE ELDERLY
Lord God,
you are the one who grants us
the days of our lives
and fills them with your loving care.
We praise you for the many years
and countless blessings that you have given.
Yet Lord,
as the many days and years have passed,
we grow weary and long to be in your presence.
Strengthen us with the reminder that our days
are in your hands and our purpose in this life
comes from you.
When things seem tiring
help us focus our eyes on You,
to trust your timing and plans.
Fill our minds and hearts
with thankful thoughts,
pleasant memories and quiet contentment.
Your grace and the forgiveness of sins
are blessings that alone are enough to sustain us.
Let all that Jesus has done
be the first thought of the morning,
the foundation of the day
and the comfort each evening.
Thank you Lord,
for the privilege of laying our hearts
and concerns in your hands
and for your promises
that comfort and strengthen us each day.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
you are the one who grants us
the days of our lives
and fills them with your loving care.
We praise you for the many years
and countless blessings that you have given.
Yet Lord,
as the many days and years have passed,
we grow weary and long to be in your presence.
Strengthen us with the reminder that our days
are in your hands and our purpose in this life
comes from you.
When things seem tiring
help us focus our eyes on You,
to trust your timing and plans.
Fill our minds and hearts
with thankful thoughts,
pleasant memories and quiet contentment.
Your grace and the forgiveness of sins
are blessings that alone are enough to sustain us.
Let all that Jesus has done
be the first thought of the morning,
the foundation of the day
and the comfort each evening.
Thank you Lord,
for the privilege of laying our hearts
and concerns in your hands
and for your promises
that comfort and strengthen us each day.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Friday, July 20, 2012
PRAYER/ A prayer in time of suffering
Until my healing comes, Lord,
give me your grace
so that I may accept my suffering.
Give me your strength
so that I will not despair.
Give me your love
so that my suffering
may bring me closer to You,
the origin and source
of life and love.
Amen.
give me your grace
so that I may accept my suffering.
Give me your strength
so that I will not despair.
Give me your love
so that my suffering
may bring me closer to You,
the origin and source
of life and love.
Amen.
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