Holy Day

Beauty is still one of the most - maybe the most - potent way we have of experiencing and encountering God. It retains this ability to disarm us, to lower our defenses, to capture and captivate us, to invoke a sense of the transcendent. God uses beauty to touch hearts, to lift people out of despair, to soften their cynicism, to lighten their darkness - and He wants to do that for you as well.
 
Readings at this Mass: Rv 11:19a; 12:1–6a, 10ab | 1 Cor 15:20–27 | Lk 1:39–56

Today we encounter the risen Lord in the Word, and our hearts burn within us. We encounter Him in the breaking of the bread. Christ is here among us, the deepest and most magical reality of all. We are not alone. We have been saved, and in Him we have been raised up. 
 
Readings at this Mass: Acts 10:34a, 37–43 | 1 Cor 5:6b–8 | Jn 20:1–9

As we move into 2026, let's make a resolution to increase our prayer life. Say 'yes' to having Mary in your "bucket of saints" that you go to for prayer and intercession, the closest and first disciple of Jesus.
 
Readings at this Mass: Nm 6:22–27 | Gal 4:4–7 | Lk 2:16–21 

Whatever darkness we carry, Christ wants to meet us there. He wants to transform our darkness into light, our despair into hope. He wants to enter our lives again and drive out that darkness with his grace and mercy. So how do we make room for him? That's your homework this Christmas season: give of yourselves. Not just material gifts. Give you. Offer small acts of forgiveness, generosity, patience, kindness, and compassion. Because in God’s hands, even the smallest gifts can change everything.
 
 

Because of Jesus, no day is wasted. In Jesus, every season of life — whether it be joyful or painful — can become an opportunity for meaning and transformation. When we unite our experiences to those of Christ, life itself takes on new perspectives and meaning.
 
Readings at this Mass: Acts 10:34a, 37–43 | 1 Cor 5:6b–8 | Jn 20:1–9

We honor Mary because she was given the gift to be the mother of Jesus - and he was the Son of God. It is right that we call Mary "the Mother of God", and we honor Jesus when we honor her. We don't confuse the honor we give her with the worship give to her Son. If we love Jesus, then we should honor all whom He loves. That includes Mary, his mother - the Mother of God.

In our world that’s often shrouded in darkness, remember that the incarnation of Christ was the match that changed everything. And despite our own struggles, God can quietly strike a spark in our hearts that ignites hope and light. And our mission is to carry His light into the world. So during this Christmas season, ask yourself: ‘Where can I bring Christ’s light?’ Be that person through whom God can strike a spark that will ignite hope and light to those in darkness.

Jesus invites us to reject worldly standards and take on Godly standards with the Beatitudes. They are a kind of roadmap to sainthood, God's standards for leading a joyful, fulfilling life that also prepares us for our reward in heaven. Sainthood is not far from us, but is happening here and now: when we mourn, when we experience tribulations that cause us hunger and thirst for righteousness, when we show mercy, when we are peacemakers, when we are mistreated for the sake of peace for others.
 
Readings at this Mass:  Rv 7:2-4, 9-14 | 1 Jn 3:1-3 | Mt 5:1-12a