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  • Max Lucado

    Posted February 15, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    A Hope-Filled Heartby Max Lucado You and I live in a trashy world. Unwanted garbage comes our way on a regular basis. Haven’t you been handed a trash sack of mishaps and heartaches? Sure you have. May I ask, what are you going to do with it? You could hide it. Pretend it isn’t there. Bu...

  • Sapphries

    Posted February 15, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    The Mute Button TestFriday, February 15, 2019If you press the mute button on your remote control, the sound is removed. You would think that this would hide what’s happening – but it can actually be revealing. If you’re watching a video of a liar, and you press mute, you won’...

  • Daily Prayers

    Posted February 15, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Dear Lord God,   Thank You for this new day.   Thank You for the little things that I often take for granted.   I’m blessed because You are a forgiving and understanding God.   You have done so much for me.   I have w...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 15, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    The Peace of Christ be with you always.     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,  &n...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 15, 2019 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 February 15, 2019 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 February 15, 2019 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 February 15, 2019 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 February 15, 2019 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 February 15, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day St. Claude de la Colombiere St. Claude de la Colombiere (1641-1682) was born to a noble family in France and became a Jesuit priest. He was known for his solid and serious sermons and his dedication to observing the rule of his order wit...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted February 15, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, ke...

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted February 15, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Friday 5th in Ordinary Time View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Mk 7,31-37): Again Jesus set out; from the country of Tyre, passed through Sidon and, skirting the sea of Galilee, he came to the territory of Decapolis. There a deaf man who also had difficulty in speaking was...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted February 15, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   February 15 2019   « February 14  |  February 16 » Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary TimeLectionary: 333 Reading 1 Gn 3:1-8 Now the serpent w...

  • Don't Wait for Emergencies to Call Upon the Lord

    Posted February 14, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Don’t Wait for Emergencies to Call Upon the Lord Michelle Schroeder We all face a variety of problems on any given day and many of those problems are trivial and are easily overcome. A spilled drink can be cleaned up. An appointment that is late is a frustration but usually not the end...

  • Respond In Love to the Mystery of Suffering

    Posted February 14, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    February 14, 2019 Respond In Love to the Mystery of Suffering Constance T. Hull There is nothing in this life that has taught me more about human nature, myself, and the mystery of suffering than the Cross. It is through meditating on and enduring my own Crosses and the Crosses of those aroun...

  • Max Lucado

    Posted February 14, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Let's Major in Godby Max Lucado David just showed up this morning. He clocked out of sheep watching to deliver bread and cheese to his brothers on the battle-front. That’s where David hears Goliath defying God... Read the first words he spoke, not just in the battle, but in the Bible: “...

  • Sapphries

    Posted February 14, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    The Season Of HidingThursday, February 14, 2019In the Song of Solomon, the Groom says to his Bride: “Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one, and come away. For behold, the winter is gone.” As believers, God is our Bridegroom, and we are His bride. Thus, these are His words to us. So what do...

  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Posted February 14, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Daily Scripture & ReflectionGod has poured out his love into our hearts. Romans 5:5 A Time to ThinkOpen your hearts to the love God instills . . . God loves you tenderly. What He gives you is not to be kept under lock and key, but to be shared. –Mother Teresa A Time to ActReach out and help ...

  • Daily Prayers

    Posted February 14, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Dear Father God,   Your love is everlasting and far-reaching...   Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 14, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    May the Peace of the Lord be with you always.   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,  &nb...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 14, 2019 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 February 14, 2019 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 February 14, 2019 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 February 14, 2019 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 February 14, 2019 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 February 14, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day St. Valentine St. Valentine of Rome (c. 270) was a priest who lived in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Little is known of his life with certainty, except that he ministered to Christians who were persecuted and imprisoned...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted February 14, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom." James 3:13  

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted February 14, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Thursday 5th in Ordinary Time Saints February 14th: Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop, patron saints of Europe View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Mk 7,24-30): Jesus went to the border of the Tyrian country. There He entered a house and did not want any­one to know He...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted February 14, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   February 14 2019   « February 13  |  February 15 » Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, BishopLectionary: 332 Reading 1 Gn 2:18-25 Th...

  • Meditations

    Posted February 14, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    February 14, 2019 "A man who governs his passions is master of his world. We must either command them or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil." — St. Dominic  

  • Is Humor a productive tool for Calmness?

    Posted February 13, 2019 by Gary V.

    I HAVE HEARD MANY TIMES HOW USING HUMOR CAN BE THERAPEUTIC IF YOU ARE HAVING A BAD DAY.... SOME HUMOR HOWEVER CAN HURT SOMEONE- SO BE THOUGHTFUL AND THINK THRICE BEFORE WRITING YOUR JOKE OR SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT ANOTHER PERSON... WATCH A COMEDY IF YOU ARE DOWN AND OUT.... GO SEE A COMEDIAN O...

  • Understanding the Pharisee & the Publican

    Posted February 13, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    February 13, 2019 Understanding the Pharisee & the Publican Fr. John R.P. Russell One Sunday morning, two men came to our parish church to pray and attend liturgy. One was a pious and learned Byzantine Catholic gentleman. He had studied and knew our faith well. He rigorously observed the tra...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 13, 2019 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 February 13, 2019 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 February 13, 2019 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 February 13, 2019 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 February 13, 2019 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 February 13, 2019 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 February 13, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day St. Catherine del Ricci St. Catherine del Ricci (1522-1590) was born with the name Alessandra in Florence, Italy, to a respectable merchant family. Her mother died while she was very young, so that from her childhood Alessandra took the ...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted February 13, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firm...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 13, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Wednesday 5th in Ordinary Time View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Mk 7,14-23): Jesus then called the people to him again and said to them, «Listen to me, all of you, and try to understand. Nothing that enters one from out­side can make that person unclean. It is ...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted February 13, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   February 13 2019   « February 12  |  February 14 » Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary TimeLectionary: 331 Reading 1 Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17 At th...

  • Max Lucado

    Posted February 12, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Find Your True Homeby Max Lucado The journey home is nice, but the journey is not the goal. I prepared part of this message on an airplane. As I looked around at fellow passengers, I saw content people. Thanks to books, pillows, and crossword puzzles, they passed the time quite nicely. But suppose ...

  • Sapphries

    Posted February 12, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    The Tallit FlagTuesday, February 12, 2019The flag of Israel consists of the Star of David and two stripes, all in blue on a white cloth. Why is that? It’s because the flag of Israel is modeled after the Jewish prayer cloth – the tallit. The tallit is white with stripes on each side in bl...

  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Posted February 12, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Daily Scripture & ReflectionFor God is not the author of confusion but of peace ... 1 Corinthians 14:33 A Time to ThinkWorry is a thin stream of fear that trickles through the mind, which, if encouraged, will cut a channel so wide that all other thoughts will be drained out. –Author Unknown ...

  • Daily Prayers

    Posted February 12, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Dear Heavenly Father,I often ask You for help with my plans. Please teach me to wait upon You my Lord and to seek Your plans for my life. You know my deepest needs and I trust that You will answer my prayers in Your perfect timing and in Your divine way. Help me to ask, seek and knock as Jesus ta...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 12, 2019 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 February 12, 2019 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 February 12, 2019 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 February 12, 2019 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 February 12, 2019 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 February 12, 2019 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 February 12, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day St. Julian the Hospitaller St. Julian the Hospitaller (4th c.) came from a wealthy noble family in Europe. Little of his life is known with certainty. According to legend he married a noble widow, and was put under a curse at some point ...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted February 12, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-8  

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted February 12, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Tuesday 5th in Ordinary Time View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Mk 7,1-13): One day the Pharisees gathered around Jesus and with them were some teachers of the Law who had just come from Jerusalem. They noticed that some of his dis­ciples were eating their meal with un...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted February 12, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   February 12 2019   « February 11  |  February 13 » Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary TimeLectionary: 330 Reading 1 Gn 1:20—2:4a God sa...

  • Mary's Example for Men Taking The Risk of Faith

    Posted February 11, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Mary’s Example for Men Taking the Risk of Faith Those Catholic Men By: Peter Strickland Anyone who has asked God to help them make big decisions in their life knows that there is a risk involved, because, many times, God does not explicitly direct us down a path. We pray and pray and ...

  • An Unexpected Miralce at Lourdes

    Posted February 11, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    February 11, 2019 An Unexpected Miracle at Lourdes Sheila Beirne Our daughter died in my arms as we lay together in the emergency room bed.  In my grief, while holding her lifeless body, I was taken back to the baths at Lourdes, where we had visited just over a month before. My brothers...

  • The Most Interesting Man in History

    Posted February 11, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    February 11, 2019 The Most Interesting Man in History Stephen Beale Outside of strictly orthodox circles, Christ is often thought of as a moral teacher, a healer and a miracle-worker, a misunderstood preacher, and a crucified prophet. But there is one more way the world should look anew at C...

  • The Good We Do

    Posted February 11, 2019 by Tony Villari

    People who know me will tell you how happy I am, virtually all the time.  One can tell this just by looking at me.  It is that obvious.  I have been humbled many times by people telling me how much they either appreciate what I write, how much I have guided them and, to my embarrassin...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 11, 2019 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 February 11, 2019 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 February 11, 2019 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 February 11, 2019 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 February 11, 2019 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 February 11, 2019 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 February 11, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day Bl. Bartholomew of Olmedo Blessed Bartholomew of Olmedo (1485-1524) was a Spanish Mercedarian priest, and the first priest to arrive on Mexican soil in 1516 at the age of 31. He was chaplain for the expedition of Spanish Conquistado...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted February 11, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.'" Isai...

  • Feast Day

    Posted February 11, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Today’s Feast Day Our Lady of Lourdes On February 11, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to fourteen-year-old Bernadette Soubiroux in the hollow rock of Massabielle in southern France. That year Bernadette would report a total of 18 apparitions...

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted February 11, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Monday 5th in Ordinary Time Saints February 11th: Our Lady of Lourdes View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Mk 6,53-56): Having crossed the lake, Jesus and his disciples came ashore at Gennesaret where they tied up the boat. As soon as they landed, people recognized Jesus an...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted February 11, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   February 11 2019   « February 10  |  February 12 » Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary TimeLectionary: 329 Reading 1 Gn1:1-19 In the beginning...

  • Meditations

    Posted February 11, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Meditation of the Day "Consider not only that God your benefactor is present but also that He acts continuously in all His creatures. And for whom is this continual action, this work of God in nature? For you. Thus, He lights you by the light of day; He nourishes you w...

  • Aspiration

    Posted February 10, 2019 by Tony Villari

    Aspiration was a discussion topic on the monastery site a few years back.  The introduction put forth by the discussion facilitator was this: This morning a young musician was being interviewed and she was asked, "What is your aspiration?" She replied, "To be happy."  Is it that ...

  • Max Lucado

    Posted February 10, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Do You Trust Him?by Max Lucado I know God knows what's best.I know I don't. I know he cares. Such words come easily when the water is calm. But when you're looking at a wrecked car or a suspicious-looking mole, when war breaks out or thieves break in, do you trust him? Scripture, from Old Testame...

  • Daily Scripture and Reflections

    Posted February 10, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Daily Scripture & ReflectionCall unto to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 A Time to ThinkIsn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet? –L.M. Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables A ...

  • Daily Prayers

    Posted February 10, 2019 by Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

    Dear Father God,   Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Revelation 5:12   Worthy is my Lord Jesus, the Lamb whose loving and obedient sacrifice redeemed me and gives me hope for today and every day.   My heart rejoices in the worship of my Savior, my ...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 10, 2019 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 February 10, 2019 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 February 10, 2019 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 February 10, 2019 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 February 10, 2019 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 February 10, 2019 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 February 10, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day St. Scholastica St. Scholastica (480–542 A.D.) was born in Nursia, Italy, to a noble Roman family, along with her twin brother, the famous St. Benedict of Nursia. Their mother died in childbirth. Scholastica was dedicated to God ...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted February 10, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18  

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted February 10, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Sunday 5th (C) in Ordinary Time View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Lk 5,1-11): One day, as Jesus stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, with a crowd gathered around him listening to the word of God, He caught sight of two boats left at the water's edge by the fishermen now washi...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted February 10, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   February 10 2019   « February 9  |  February 11 » Fifth Sunday in Ordinary TimeLectionary: 75 Reading 1 Is 6:1-2a, 3-8 In the year King Uzziah d...

  • Déjà vu at the Cusp of Infinity

    Posted February 9, 2019 by Tony Villari

    Past, present, and future are separated by the distance of time. But, wait.  I'm a proponent of the theory that time does not exist, that time is simply a human construct which gives structure to our lives on this plane of existence.  So, let's try to view time in this context, s...

  • Consequences Unintended

    Posted February 9, 2019 by Tony Villari

    Every decision has a risk of unforeseen consequences. Every action we take runs the risk of unforeseen damage. The ripples we cause, during just one day, have the possibility of causing untold destruction. As is usual in life, the good and the beauty we create can be taken in stride, barely noticed,...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 9, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    The Peace of the Lord be with you always.   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...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 9, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Vespers (Evening Prayer) (First Vespers of tomorrow, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time) 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,  ...

  • Liturgy of the Hours

    Posted February 9, 2019 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 February 9, 2019 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 February 9, 2019 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 February 9, 2019 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 February 9, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Saint of the Day Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) was born in Germany to a devout peasant family. From a young age she received divine knowledge imparted to her through extremely detailed visions of the lives of J...

  • Verse of the Day

    Posted February 9, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

      Verse of the Day "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, 'he sat down at the right hand of God,' and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.'  For by a single offering he has ...

  • Gospel/Homily

    Posted February 9, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    Liturgical day: Saturday 4th in Ordinary Time View 1st Reading and Psalm Gospel text (Mk 6,30-34): The apostles returned and reported to Jesus all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, «Go off by yourselves to a remote place and have some rest». For there were so many peo...

  • Lectionary Readings

    Posted February 9, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings   February 9 2019   « February 8  |  February 10 » Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary TimeLectionary: 328 Reading 1 Heb 13:15-17, 20-21 Broth...

  • ArchBishop Fulton J. Sheem

    Posted February 8, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    February 8, 2019 Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen – My Trusted Guide for Lent Al Smith As I prepare for Lent each year, I ask myself the same questions: what am I going to give up, what works of mercy will I perform, or what spiritual reading might I entertain this year? The older I get, the...

  • The Danger of Pride and the Power of Humility

    Posted February 8, 2019 by Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

    February 8, 2019 The Danger of Pride and the Power of Humility Fr. William Casey Let’s begin this reflection on humility as the foundation of virtue with a reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians: Though he was in the form of God, [Jesus] did not count equality with Go...