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  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 23, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Morning Prayer (Lauds) If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm. INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son   and to the Holy...

  • Saint of the Day

    Posted December 23, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day St. Victoria St. Victoria (d. 250 A.D.) was a Christian noblewoman from Rome. She, together with her sister, St. Anatolia, were forced into arranged marriages with two pagan noblemen. Both Victoria and Anatolia desired to devote themse...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted December 23, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8  

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted December 23, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Sunday 4th (C) of Advent View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Lc 1,39-45): Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled wit...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted December 23, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   December 23, 2018   « December 22  |  December 24 » Fourth Sunday of AdventLectionary: 12 Reading 1 Mi 5:1-4a Thus says the LORD:You, Bethlehem-...

  • On ULCM's Open Ordination

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Mark E. DeFillo

    I find myself thinking about ways that ministers could support this church, and indeed similar churches with the same or similar ideals and methods, in the face of disdain and/or official non-recognition from certain quarters.  The primary reason for such feelings from others is the ease of en...

  • A Little Effort

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Tony Villari

    I made a conscious decision, a short while ago, to cut back on the distribution of my blog and let my readers make the effort to visit the site.  I am still enjoying a worldwide readership, even though most of my posts have lost around fifty percent of page views.  If I were egotistic...

  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Daily Scripture & Reflection Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. Psalm 95:6 NIV A Time to Think All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence ...

  • Daily Prayers

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Dear Father God, I thank You for Your presence. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your Holy Son so that I can enter Your presence and spend time with You as I read my Bible, as I pray and as I worship. I ask that today You will help me to do what is good... He has shown you, O man, what...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Compline (Night Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Vespers (Evening Prayer) (First Vespers of tomorrow, 4th Sunday of Advent) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son   and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,   i...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    None (Afternoon Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Sext (Midday Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 en...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Terce (Mid-Morning Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 with...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Morning Prayer (Lauds) If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm. INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son   and to the Holy...

  • Saint of the Day

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day St. Zeno of Nicomedia St. Zeno of Nicomedia (d. 303 A.D.) was a Roman soldier and commander living in Nicomedia (modern-day Turkey) during the reign of Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. During their fierce persecution of the Church...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective." James 5:16  

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Weekdays of Advent: December 22nd View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Lc 1,46-56): Mary said: «My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit exults in God my savior! He has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, and people forever will call me blessed. The...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   December 22, 2018   « December 21  |  December 23 » Saturday of the Third Week of AdventLectionary: 198 Reading 1 1 Sm 1:24-28 In those days,Han...

  • Meditations

    Posted December 22, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Meditation of the Day "Mary remained with the donkey at the very entrance of the street while Joseph sought a lodging in the nearest houses—in vain, for Bethlehem was full of strangers, all running from place to place. Joseph returned to Mary, saying that as no shelter was to be...

  • Saying "YES TO GOD"

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    December 20, 2018 Saying “Yes” to God Thomas Ziolkowski Upon reflecting on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, I recalled a homily I heard at Mass which I thought was particularly relevant especially to those men that are going to be participating in upcoming Exodus 90 to ...

  • The Gentleness of Advent

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    December 20, 2018 The Gentleness Of Advent Anthony Lilles As the Christmas mystery draws near, we are tested by Divine Gentleness to a greater love. Our meanness of spirit is revealed in flashes of anger over something trivial or in a bitter judgment of heart that we want to forget, but find ...

  • The Last Sunday of Advent

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    December 21, 2018 The Last Sunday of Advent: Receive the Lord Gayle Somers On this last Sunday in Advent, we have a living example of how to best receive the Lord when He comes. Gospel (Read Lk 1:39-45) Our Sunday Gospel readings in Advent have given us much instruction about how to prepare...

  • Mary The Model of Faith

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    December 21, 2018 Mary, The Model of Faith Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. The Beatitudes rank high on the list of all-time favorite Bible passages.  But what is beatitude, anyway?   In the Bible, a “blessed” person is someone who has received gifts of the greatest val...

  • Venite, Adoremus

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    December 21, 2018 Venite, Adoremus: Christmas Comes But Once a Year Fr. James V. Schall, S.J. The famous Christmas carol begins: Adeste fideles, laeti triumphantes. Few refrains are more haunting. The translation reads, “O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.” The Latin i...

  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Daily Scripture & Reflection And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38 ESV   A Time to Think To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.&mdash...

  • Sapphries

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    The Pagan Resurrections Vs The Real Friday, December 21, 2018   In the ancient world, there were strange foreshadows and substitutes of the resurrection – the myths of the dying and rising gods. It was linked to the death and rebirth of nature every year. So they commemor...

  • Daily Prayers

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Dear Lord God,   I pray that You will put people in my path today that I can encourage and care for.   Let me be as one who offers the water of Your Holy Spirit to those who are thirsty. Isaiah 44:3   I pray that Your Holy Spirit will fill me now and th...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Compline (Night Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Vespers (Evening Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 withou...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    None (Afternoon Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Sext (Midday Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 en...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Terce (Mid-Morning Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 with...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Morning Prayer (Lauds) If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm. INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son   and to the Holy...

  • Saint of the Day

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day St. Peter Canisius St. Peter Canisius (1521–1597) was born in Holland to a wealthy family. He was sent to the University of Cologne and met St. Peter Faber who influenced him to join the Jesuits. St. Peter Canisius became famous fo...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven y...

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Weekdays of Advent: December 21st View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Lc 1,39-45): Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was f...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   December 21, 2018   « December 20  |  December 22 » Friday of the Third Week of AdventLectionary: 197 Reading 1 Sg 2:8-14 Hark! my lover–h...

  • Meditations

    Posted December 21, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Meditation of the Day "An excellent method of preserving interior silence is to keep exterior silence. . . even in the world, each one of us can make his own solitude, a boundary beyond which nothing can force its way unperceived. It is not noise in itself that is the ...

  • Q: "Are My Feelings Unreasonable?"

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Mark E. DeFillo

    I was recently approached (via a messager service) by a friend for some counsel, since she was troubled by a possibility that her feelings after a significant other had a late-night conversation with a platonic friend might have been unfair or unreasonable to the others involved. She found my respon...

  • Quote of the Day.

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Quote of the Day “How happy we are when we want to love our Lord! Let us then love him, and let us not stop to reckon how little we do for his love, provided that we know that we will never wish to do anything except for his love.” -St Francis de Sales,

  • Homily of the Day

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    December 20, 2018   In Luke’s first chapter is the announcement to Mary that she would conceive and bear a son to be called Jesus. “Let what you have said be done to me.” Mary’s answer is free consent. Her strong faith in the Word of God enables her to say “Y...

  • His Name Will Be Emmaniel

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    December 20, 2018 His Name Will Be Emmanuel: God With Us Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet His name will be Emmanuel: God with us (cf. Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23). If we understand the significance of this name Emmanuel, we will find it includes the notion of Savior. For what is a Savior unless one ...

  • When Advent Feels More Like Lent

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    December 20, 2018 When Advent Feels More Like Lent Constance T. Hull This time of year can present challenges to all of us as we approach the Christmas season. More and more Catholics are trying to slow down and enter into the period of waiting and preparation in the Advent season. As the sec...

  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Daily Scripture & Reflection But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 NIV   A Time to Think...

  • Sapphries

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    The Interruption Of Heaven Thursday, December 20, 2018   Few people like commotion, trouble, or change. We seek peace, situations of no commotion. But if you really want a place where there’s no commotion, go to a cemetery. That which is dead does not cause any commotion....

  • Daily Prayers

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Dear Lord God,   I ask that You will be near to those who feel far from You this Christmas.   I ask that You will show me ways to welcome those around me who need Your hope and Your comfort during this Christmas season.   Thank You that You call me to ...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Compline (Night Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Vespers (Evening Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 withou...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    None (Afternoon Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Sext (Midday Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 en...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Terce (Mid-Morning Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 with...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Morning Prayer (Lauds) If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm. INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son   and to the Holy...

  • Saint of the Day

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day St. Dominic of Silos St. Dominic of Silos (1000–1073 A.D.) was born in Navarre, Spain, to a peasant family. He grew up herding his father's sheep in the Pyrenees mountains. This work endeared in him a love of solitude, leading him ...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall...

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Weekdays of Advent: December 20th View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Lc 1,26-38): In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; an...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted December 20, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   December 20, 2018   « December 19  |  December 21 » Thursday of the Third Week of AdventLectionary: 196 Reading 1 Is 7:10-14 The LORD spoke to A...

  • Gita Jayanti

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Mark E. DeFillo

    The Hindu holiday of Gita Jayanti has just passed, it being the commemoration of the original speaking of the Bhagavad-Gita. This book is not only a sacred scripture for Hindus, but respected by people of many religions. So let us consider what it is, and why it is so highly regarded. To begin with...

  • Was Christ really Born on Christmas Day?

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Matthias Stomer (1600-1650), “Adoration of the Shepherds” Blogs |  Dec. 18, 2018 Was Christ Actually Born Dec. 25? A closer look at the historical evidence Dave Armstrong Fr. William Saunders, in one of his consistently excellent articles for The Arlington Catholic Her...

  • Sapphries

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Claiming Your Unclaimed BlessingsWednesday, December 19, 2018 Out of Jacob and Esau, which one was blessed? It was Jacob who received the blessing but the blessing he received belonged to Esau. One could say that Esau was blessed because the blessing was intended for him, but he never received it. ...

  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Daily Scripture & Reflection   And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 NIV   A Time to Think The light in a child's eyes is all it takes to make a Chr...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Compline (Night Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Vespers (Evening Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 withou...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    None (Afternoon Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Sext (Midday Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 en...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Terce (Mid-Morning Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 with...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Morning Prayer (Lauds) If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm. INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son   and to the Holy...

  • Saint of the Day

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day Pope St. Anastasius I Pope St. Anastasius I (d. 401 A.D.) was a 4th century Bishop of Rome. The writings of the Church Fathers tell us that he was a distinguished Roman Christian known for his charity and holiness. He was elevated to the...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complain...

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Weekdays of Advent: December 19th View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Lc 1,5-25): In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah, belonging to the priestly clan of Abiah. Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife, also belonged to a priestly family. Both of the...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted December 19, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   December 19, 2018   « December 18  |  December 20 » Wednesday of the Third Week of AdventLectionary: 195 Reading 1 Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a There was ...

  • Speak Up For What's Right

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Gail Dobson

    Always speak up for what's right. When we fail to do that, when we are too apathetic to take action to stand up for what we know is right, we allow our world to deteriorate. We've done this before in history.   Must we continue? NO. Write your representative, organize peaceful protests, ...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Compline (Night Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Vespers (Evening Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 withou...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    None (Afternoon Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Sext (Midday Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 en...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Terce (Mid-Morning Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 with...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Morning Prayer (Lauds) If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm. INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son   and to the Holy...

  • Saint of the Day

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day St. Winebald St. Winebald (701-761 A.D.) was a Saxon prince born into a holy and royal family in England. His father, St. Richard the King, and his mother, St. Wunna of Wessex, are both saints, as well as his brother, St. Willibald, his ...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "But no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sist...

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Weekdays of Advent: December 18th View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Mt 1,18-24): This is how Jesus Christ was born. Mary his mother had been given to Joseph in marriage but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph, her ...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   December 18, 2018   « December 17  |  December 19 » Tuesday of the Third Week of AdventLectionary: 194 Reading 1 Jer 23:5-8 Behold, the days are...

  • Meditations

    Posted December 18, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Meditation of the Day "It is, then, in following the will of God, in spite of all the difficulties that may arise both from within and from without, in the constant offering of ourselves to God as the creatures of His hand to do and to be what He would have us, in the ...

  • newly ordained

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Michele Stigers

    I have never been ordained before.  Did it because I want to marry people.  It is the happiest and scariest time of a couples life.  I want to be there and hopefully make it less scary for them  The photo is of me and my husband who passed 2012.

  • The Draama of Mt. Sinai

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    December 17, 2018 The Drama of Mt. Sinai Is Reenacted in the Annunciation Stephen Beale One detail from the account of the Annunciation reveals the deep drama that took place in the conception of Jesus. This is contained in the angel Gabriel’s promise to Mary in Luke 1:35, The Holy ...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Compline (Night Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Vespers (Evening Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 withou...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    None (Afternoon Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Sext (Midday Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 en...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Terce (Mid-Morning Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 with...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Morning Prayer (Lauds) If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm. INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son   and to the Holy...

  • Saint of the Day

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day St. John of Matha St. John of Matha (1154-1213) was born near Provence, France to noble and pious parents, and was dedicated to God from his birth. He learned the arts of a nobleman and advanced in Christian virtue, tending the sick and ...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.' So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?'&rdqu...

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Weekdays of Advent: December 17th View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Mt 1,1-17): This is the document of the origins of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted December 17, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   December 17, 2018   « December 16  |  December 18 » Monday of the Third Week in AdventLectionary: 193 Reading 1 Gn 49:2, 8-10 Jacob called his s...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 16, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Compline (Night Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 16, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Vespers (Evening Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 withou...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 16, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    None (Afternoon Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 16, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Sext (Midday Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 en...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted December 16, 2018 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Terce (Mid-Morning Prayer) INTRODUCTION   O God, come to our aid.   O Lord, make haste to help us. 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 with...