Sacraments of Service to the Community

Mr. Foley's classes should watch the videos and take notes for a quiz.

Sacraments of Healing

Mr. Foley's Classes should watch the videos below and take notes for a quiz.

Sacraments of Initiation Videos

Mr. Foley's Classes should watch the videos below and take notes for a quiz.

Put St. Patrick Back in St. Patrick's Day!

Saturday, March 17^th, is Saint Patrick’s Day; one of two Catholic Saints whose feast day appear on all secular calendars (St. Valentine is the other).  In Ireland, celebrations of St. Patrick’s life date back over a thousand years.  The Church officially recognized March 17^th as St. Patrick’s feast day in the early 1600s.

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737, with the city of Boston hosting the first public celebration.  However, New York City claims that Boston’s celebration did not count because it lacked a parade; New York hosted the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1762 (have those two cities ever liked each other).

Over time, St. Patrick’s Day has become less about the man and more about a celebration of Irish culture with people wearing green, displaying shamrocks, and eating cornbeef.

This St. Patrick’s Day let’s stop for a minute and remember what we are celebrating on March 17^th – a man, a priest, a missionary – St. Patrick.

Here is a link to an article about why we should Put St. Patrick Back In St. Patrick's Day!

For Mr. Foley’s class, there is a short reflection at the end; it is due Tuesday, March 20th

Advent vs. Christmas Assignment

We are approximately half-way through the liturgical season of Advent.  Below is a link to an article written by Archbishop Timothy Dolan, about the old-school and new-school views of the Advent and Christmas Seasons. 

Click here for article entitled "Advent Must Be Preserved"  

After reading the article complete the following reflection.

Reflection Assignment

Write a two paragraph reflection that answers the following

Paragraph 1: Which side of the Advent debate are you on? Why?

Paragraph 2: What are some of your family's Advent/Christmas traditions? Are there any traditions you would like to start?

Requirements:

- Your assignment should be about one typed page

- You must use Times New Roman font size 12 - double spaced

St. Francis Reflection

Reflection Assignment

Pick one line/phrase from the above prayer and then do the following:
Paragraph 1: Describe how the line/phrase embodies an event from the life of St. Francis
Paragraph 2: Reflect and describe how that phrase should be more apparent in your life; use a specific example

Requirements:

- Your assignment should be about one typed page

- The phrase you have chosen should be centered on the page below your heading.

- You must use Times New Roman font size 12 - double spaced

St. Francis of Assisi

Directions: Watch the video and take notes for a quiz on Monday.  The link below is A Great Excerpt from "Between Heaven and Mirth" by James Martin, SJ on the humor of St. Francis, while note required, it is recommended. 


Who Cares About the Saints? (St. Francis) from Loyola Productions on Vimeo.

Link: A Great Excerpt from "Between Heaven and Mirth" by James Martin, SJ on the humor of St. Francis

Roman Missal, Third Edition

On November 27 (the First Sunday of Advent), the Roman Missal, Third Edition, a new translation of the prayers said at Mass will be implemented in all English speaking countries (this includes the United States) .

If you have been hearing the buzz but are not completely up to speed on the new Roman Missal, here 2 items to help you out:

Article put out by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Video put together by Lifeteen:

All History of Salvation II students should read the article, watch the video and take notes on them for a quiz the first time your class meets during the week of 11/14.

Is There a Connection Between Halloween and All Saints Day?

Mr. Foley's Classes should watch the video and take notes for a quiz.

Sacrament Assignment

Click the link below for an article about Baptism written by Archbishop Timothy Dolan.  The article was written last May and appeared on the Archbishop's blog ("The Gospel in the Digital Age"). 

There is a reflection assignment at the end of the article .

Article and Assignment

Put St. Patrick Back In St. Patrick's Day!

Thursday, March 17^th, is Saint Patrick’s Day; one of two Catholic Saints whose feast day appear on all secular calendars (St. Valentine is the other).  In Ireland, celebrations of St. Patrick’s life date back over a thousand years.  The Church officially recognized March 17^th as St. Patrick’s feast day in the early 1600s.

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737, with the city of Boston hosting the first public celebration.  However, New York City claims that Boston’s celebration did not count because it lacked a parade; New York hosted the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1762 (have those two cities ever liked each other).  

Over time, St. Patrick’s Day has become less about the man and more about a celebration of Irish culture with people wearing green, displaying shamrocks, and eating cornbeef.

This St. Patrick’s Day let’s stop for a minute and remember what we are celebrating on March 17^th – a man, a priest, a missionary – St. Patrick.

Here is a link to an article about why we should Put St. Patrick Back In St. Patrick's Day!

For Mr. Foley’s class, there is a short reflection at the end; it is due Wednesday, March 23rd (FYI: the Vatican Council II assignment is a couple blogposts down).

Archbishop Timothy Dolan on Lent

This short (1 min.) video was recorded for aol.com and it features Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York (President of the USCCB) giving a nice description of what the Lenten Season means for Catholics.

You’re watching You’ve Got Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

Vatican Council II Article

Below is an article that appeared on the Catholic News Service website (http://www.catholicnews.com/) on October 12, 2005.  The article was written in anticipation of the 40^th anniversary of Vatican Council II (which was December 8, 2005).  The article provides a really nice overview of the council and it’s affect on Catholic life. 

Also linked below are questions to be answered.

Vatican Council II Article

Vatican Council II Questions

Fasting - Gospel of Matthew Chapter 6

Ash Wednesday is upon us - - as we undertake our fast today lets us remember the words of Jesus in regards to fasting.  The following passage is from the Gosple of Matthew Chapter 6, it is towards the end of the Sermon on the Mount.

"When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."

For a summary of the who, when, and how of fasting see the blog post from March 3rd entitled "Why Do I Have to Fast?"

Why Do I Have to Fast During Lent?

Lent is less than a week away and it is time to start preparing ourselves for the Lenten traditions:

-          Meatless Fridays

-          Fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday

-          Giving up something

Every Lent I get asked the customary questions:

-          Why do I have to fast during Lent?

-          Why does Jesus care if I eat meat on Friday?  

-          Who even came up with the idea of fasting?

Let’s turn to some people smarter than us for the answers.

History of Fasting

“Fasting originated as a way of saving money on food, so that Christians could give it to the poor. It had a practical end: no meat for you meant more money for those who couldn't afford meat. Giving things up also reminds you that you don't always have to give into your appetites. It reminds you of your ability to exert self-control. And it reminds you of the poor, who go without every day.”

Father James Martin, S.J.

Catholic Author

Why We Fast

“Fasting is a powerful way to stand in solidarity with those who suffer … and to imitate the suffering of Jesus Christ. Fasting also provides an opportunity to seriously examine our own hearts and seek conversion.”

Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Denver

Who, When, and How do We Fast

Ash Wednesday (3/9) and Good Friday (4/22) are days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. According to Church law, Catholics older than the age of 14 are supposed to abstain from meat. In addition, those between the ages of 18 and 59, not including pregnant or nursing mothers, should eat only one full meal. Smaller amounts of food—not as much as a full meal—may be eaten in the morning and either at lunchtime or dinner, depending on when you eat your full meal.

Summary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

In-class Assignment for those absent on March 4th (I fixed the link on Sat. morning -- It should work now)