Vocation Sunday

Deacon Greg Kandra has an excellent Vocation Sunday homily posted on his blog.  Here is a quote:

"The fact is that everyone in this church today has a vocation. Every one of us is called. How we choose to answer that call – or choose not to – defines us not only for this life, but also for the next. For a lot of us, it may be marriage and raising a family. It may be living in the world as single man or woman. But for some of us, it may even involve a religious vocation – and it just might sneak up on you and alter your life in amazing ways."

Check out the full homily here: Homily for April 29th

Cardinal Dolan - Good Friday Homily

We covered the theological implications of the passion and death of Jesus in History of Salvation II this week and within two or three weeks will will be covering the crucifixion of Christ in History of Salvation I.

Here is a excellent homily about these events from Cardinal Dolan.  It is only 4 minutes long check - it out.


Cardinal Timothy Dolan -- Good Friday Homily from Rocco Palmo on Vimeo.

Update: Down to the Wire - A Great Success (now with video)

Wednesday night (4/18), about 400 freshmen and 40 faculty members attended Down to the Wire.

The atmosphere, spirit, and energy were outstanding.  For many in attendance the highlight was 400+ people quietly and reverently adoring the Eucharist…pretty inspiring.

Here is a 3 minute highlight video from the event:


Here is a short photo slide show from the event (I think it only works on computers and iPads):

Here is the best picture from the event (Thanks Al Ferrante '14):

10 Days until Down to the Wire

Do you have your bracelet??

If not get yours on the Monday we return in room 119.

Information for the event can be found here.

Great Interview with Cardinal Dolan

This is a great interview with Cardinal Dolan on the state of religion in the United States.

How Do You Celebrate the Easter Season?

"But it seems to me that far too often the approach that some take to the Easter season is that of a “return to the way things were.” What I mean by this is that Lent brings about significant changes for the daily life of the Christian community in noticeable ways. No saying or singing Alleluia, no praying the Gloria, no eating meat on Fridays, perhaps the giving up of something or taking on of some disciple as a penance throughout Lent — all of this amounts to a palpable experience of change and difference."

Click Here for the rest

A Non-threating Jesus?

"But God raised him." The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the clearest affirmation possible that God is more powerful than the corrupt and violent authorities that govern the world -- which is precisely why the tyrants have always been terrified of it.

Click Here for the rest

Great Easter Homily - Part II

"We do well to approach His altar today with this in mind.  Were it not for his Resurrection, were it not for His sacraments, the goodness of our lives would remain in doubt.  But Christ has risen.  We have communion with Him.  And so we keep this feast of feasts.  “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.”

For the Rest Click Here

A Great Easter Homily

"That means we share in the beauty, the wonder, and the illumination of this wondrous night.  We share in the joyous news that Christ is risen.  And it means that we need to share that good news, that light, with others."

Check out the rest of this awesome Easter Homily: Click Here

Easter Changes Everything

James Martin, SJ provides an excellent reflection on the importance of Easter: Click Here

What is the Triduum?

Have you been asking yourself what the Triduum is or wondering why you have to go to Church 3 times in 4 days, well if you have, click here for your answer.

Good Friday - Even on the Web

Need to find some Good Friday online materials... try here

Good Friday Reflection

Good Friday

reposted from 2011


Meaning
Good Friday is the Friday within Holy Week, and is traditionally a time of fasting and penance, commemorating the anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion and death. For Christians, Good Friday commemorates not just a historical event, but the sacrificial death of Christ, which with the resurrection, comprises the heart of the Christian faith. The Catholic Catechism states this succinctly:

Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men (CCC 1992).

This is based on the words of St. Paul: “[Believers] are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his blood… (Romans 3:24-25, NAB).

Pratices

The customs and prayers associated with Good Friday typically focus on the theme of Christ’s sacrificial death for our sins.

Good Friday is the second day of the Paschal Triduum. The major Good Friday worship services begin in the afternoon at 3:00 (the time Jesus likely died). Various traditions and customs are associated with the celebration of Good Friday.

The singing (or preaching) of the Passion of St. John’s gospel consists of reading or singing parts of John’s gospel.  The Veneration of the Cross is also common. This is when Christians approach a wooden cross and venerate it, often by kneeling before it, or kissing part of it.

In addition to these traditions, Holy Communion with the reserved host is practiced. In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, no Masses are said on Good Friday, therefore the reserved host from the Holy Thursday Mass is used.

Many Churches also offer the Stations of the Cross, also called the “Way of the Cross,” on Good Friday. This is a devotion in which fourteen events surrounding the death of Jesus are commemorated. Most Catholic Churches have fourteen images of Jesus’ final days displayed throughout the parish, for use in public Stations of the Cross services.

above text adapted from ucatholic.com

Passing Over to Renewed Life

Here are some very inspirational words from Cardinal Dolan for Holy Week and the fast approaching Triduum

Passing Over to Renewed Life

A Palm Sunday Movie Short

This video depicts two young men and their mother listening to the long Palm Sunday Gospel reading. One of the two young men, though he is bored at first (we have all been there), experiences a profound vision of Christ’s Passion and Death. Suddenly, he realizes how personal the Paschal Mystery really is. The video culminates in a powerful appreciation for the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Reconciliation Monday

On Monday, April 2, all Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of New York, the Diocese of Brooklyn, and Diocese of Rockville Centre, will be observing Reconciliation Monday. The Sacrament of Reconciliation – or, if you prefer, Confession or Penance – will be available from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. You can stop in any church, and find a priest waiting and eager to celebrate the sacrament with you. 

Here are two 1-minute commercials that promote Reconciliation Monday.

Palm Sunday