posted on: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 by: renaebauer
Creative energy and peace of the Holy Spirit
is with each of us always
by Sister Jane Riha
This weekend we celebrate Pentecost, one of the great feasts of
the Liturgical Year. We pray, "Come, Holy Spirit, Come." The
Holy Spirit is with us always. We pray for openness to the Spirit's
indwelling, to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the outpouring
of the Spirit's gifts.
The images conveyed in today's readings are powerful -- wind, fire
and speaking in other languages. There is the conversion of
thousands in Jerusalem. The face of the earth experiences a renewed
vibrancy. In our day, that same power and vibrancy of the Holy
Spirit is present. Our experiences of the renewal and the creative
energy of the Spirit in our individual lives, in our families, in
the Church and in society are just as significant and just as
powerful.
Whatever our experience in life, the Holy Spirit brings us peace.
Just as Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, "peace be with
you," so does Jesus desire this for us. As we go about our mission
in the world, we trust that the gifts needed are present through
the power of the Holy Spirit and God's peace rests upon us.
Celebrating the
'Year of Faith'
The Sacraments - Eucharist: Source &
Summit of the Christian Life
chapter 17,
US Catholic Catechism for Adults
by Sister Laura Zelten
Through him, in him, with
him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit
all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, forever and
ever.
-- Final Doxology
We've reflected on Baptism and Confirmation, two of the three
Sacraments of Initiation and now we conclude with the third, the
Sacrament of Eucharist. As Catholics, we believe Eucharist is the
"source and summit of the Christian life" (
Lumen Gentium 11, Second Vatican Council) in that the
Eucharist continues God's saving actions in Jesus Christ in every
age of the Church.
In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present in the consecrated
species of bread and wine. This is known as "Real Presence" because
it is Jesus' presence in the fullest sense: "It is substantial
presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and
entirely present." (CCC, 1374)
At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and
wine offered as the "work of human hands." By the words of Christ
and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, the Eucharistic elements
become Christ's Body and Blood. In the Eucharist, Christ
gives us the very body he offered on the cross, the blood "poured
out for many for the forgiveness of sins." At every
Eucharist, Christ offers himself for our nourishment and strength,
to unite us with him and lead us to God in the power of the Holy
Spirit.
posted on: Thursday, May 09, 2013 by: renaebauer
Holy Spirit can assist you and me as we bear
witness to Jesus Christ
by Sister Margaret Mary Halbach
Forty days after the Feast of Easter, we in the Catholic Church
celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. This
year, the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is transferred
from Thursday, May 9, to Sunday, May 12, in many dioceses in
the United States.
In the Acts of the Apostles (1:1-11)
the story is told to many who had seen the Risen Body of
Jesus. He was alive to them, giving evidence of the wounds
and suffering He endured.
"You will be my witnesses ... to the ends of the earth'
On the day of the Ascension, Jesus gave parting words to
those who had gathered with Him. Even after many discussions
with Jesus, they asked Him, "Lord, are you at this time going to
restore the Kingdom to Israel?" He said, "It is not for you to know
the times or seasons that the Father has established by His own
authority." Then He says, "You will receive power when the
Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be MY WITNESSES in
Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth." The very last thing Jesus said to those gathered on the
hill (and to us) was that He expects us to be His witnesses of all
that He taught us until the end of the earth.
During His ministry, Jesus spent time with the Apostles telling
them of the Father, doing miracles, and preparing them for their
leadership in the Church through the direction of the Holy Spirit
who would come to them at Pentecost. This is a beautiful part of
the Acts of the Apostles that gives direction to our lives as well
... being witnesses to the world of the life of Jesus until the end
of the earth. May the Holy Spirit be with all of us as we give
witness to the command of Jesus, "Love one another as I have loved
you."
For Mother's Day
Besides the beautiful Feast of the Ascension, we also celebrate
Mother's Day in our country today. As we thank our
mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, godmothers and all women
who have taken on the role of mother in our lives, we congratulate
them with much gratitude. May Mary, our Blessed Mother,
continue to guide them as they journey with their children. May God
bless all mothers living and deceased.
Celebrating the
'Year of Faith'
The Sacraments - Confirmation: Consecrated
for Mission
chapter 16,
US Catholic Catechism for Adults
by Sister Lynne Marie Simonich
As we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, we are
reminded that Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit. In the
Gospel of Luke
24:49 Jesus tells his disciples "And behold I am sending the
promise of my Father upon you…" That "promise" is the gift of
the Holy Spirit -- the gift we receive at our baptism and at our
confirmation.
- Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, how does the Holy Spirit
guide and strengthen us in living out our Christian moral
life?
- What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit? How are they made
real in our daily lives?
We celebrate the great Feast of Pentecost on May 19. Consider
praying this prayer each day before that great feast arrives as a
reminder of the power of the Spirit given to us when we were
confirmed:
Come Holy Spirit, fill
the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your
love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You
shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the
hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may
be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our
Lord, Amen
(from Catholic
Online)
posted on: Thursday, May 02, 2013 by: renaebauer
Jesus' gift: A peace unlike anything of this
world
by Sister Lynne Marie Simonich
On this Sixth Sunday of Easter we hear Jesus say: "Peace I leave
with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give
it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27)
What exactly is this peace Jesus offers us? He tells us it's not
the peace the world gives. It is a peace that comes from within the
soul of each person. It is a calmness that comes from believing and
trusting that Jesus is with us every step in our journey through
life.
In this busy, noisy world it is not easy to find a quiet space
or time to be aware of that inner peace Jesus offers us. This peace
is a true gift and can seem hidden under the wrappings of
distractions, violence in the world, anger in our hearts, conflict
in our lives. Let Jesus' words in today's Gospel help remove those
wrappings and allow us to embrace his peace and share it in our
lives.
- Reflection
questions:
- Where do you find peace?
- What gives you peace?
And let the peace of Christ control
your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body!" --Colossians 3:15
Celebrating the
'Year of Faith'
The Sacraments - Confirmation: Consecrated
for Mission
chapter 16, US Catholic Catechism for Adults
by Sister Lynne Marie Simonich
"The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is the living
presence of God in our lives promised by Jesus. The sacrament of
Confirmation is a spiritual seal of the Holy Spirit that completes
the sacramental graces received in Baptism. Preparation for
Confirmation invites us to deeper union with Jesus Christ and a
greater reliance on the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit strengthens and guides us to live the Christian
moral life and take our part in the mission of the Church. The
essential rite of Confirmation consists of anointing with chrism on
the forehead, which is done by the laying on of hands and through
the words, "Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit." The
ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop." (CCC
#1299-1314)
posted on: Thursday, April 25, 2013 by: renaebauer
Jesus shows us how to live God's law
by Sister Madonna Swintkoske
"I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have
loved you, so you also should love one another." -- Sunday's
Gospel, John 13:34
When we need to learn something new, we appreciate if someone
shows us how to do it and just doesn't tell us what to do. We
learn better by having someone show us. One of the reasons we
are told rather than shown is that it's easier and faster.
Showing how to do something requires time and effort.
However, it is more effective.
For thousands of years, the Jewish people had the law telling
them what to do and what not to do. But then Jesus came and
he showed them how to live the life God had been telling them about
all along. Jesus didn't just say, "Forgive others." He
forgave us. He didn't just say, "Love God and your
neighbors." He demonstrated love by His actions.
Christ's perfect example of love shows how great God's love is for
us. It also shows how we are to show His love to others.
Celebrating the
'Year of Faith'
The Sacraments - Baptism: Becoming a
Christian
chapter 15, US Catholic Catechism for
Adults
by Sister Mary Kabat
Recall a baptism you have witnessed. Can you remember
seeing and hearing the eight elements of Baptism? They are:
the sign of the cross, reading from Scripture, exorcism and
anointing, blessing of the water, renunciation of sin and
profession of faith, pouring or immersion in water three times,
anointing with sacred chrism, and reception of the white garment
and candle.
Baptism seals our soul with a permanent "spiritual mark" that
identifies us as belonging to Christ. That is why a person is
baptized only once. But Baptism is not something that happens
to us once and is done. Baptism is a call we must live out
every day of our lives. It is a call to holiness which we
live out through our life vocation and every circumstance of our
daily lives. Like the Apostles, Jesus commissions us to embrace the
call to transform the world with the light and power of the
Gospel. Today, give witness to Jesus in all you say and
do!
posted on: Thursday, April 18, 2013 by: renaebauer
Good Shepherd Sunday is a time to celebrate
Jesus and all creation
by Sister Sally Ann Brickner
Have you ever received good news that you couldn't wait to
share? The Acts of the Apostles recounts a similar event. Filled
with joy and the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas "spoke out boldly"
in Antioch about Jesus who had been raised up. When the Jews seemed
to be closed-hearted, Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles who
responded to their proclamation of good news in great numbers.
St. John describes his vision of the "great multitude" from
every nation, race, people and tongue whom the Lamb of God
"shepherds and leads to springs of living waters." God's gifts are
given to all people, not a select or chosen few. The Good Shepherd
says to everyone: "I know you and give you eternal life."
This week as we celebrate Earth Week, may each of us "speak out
boldly" the good news that Jesus is alive and continually renews
all creation. It is He who makes it possible for us to be Brother
and Sister to all God has created and to preserve its fruits for
all generations. "What have you done with the garden that was
entrusted to you?" the Good Shepherd may ask of us (The Wind, One
Brilliant Day by Antonio Machado). Like St. Francis of
Assisi may we join creation in its
song of praise to God.
Celebrating the
'Year of Faith'
The Sacraments - Baptism: Becoming a
Christian
chapter 15,
US Catholic Catechism for Adults
by Sister Mary Kabat
Baptism is the first Sacrament of three in the Sacraments of
Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. These three
Sacraments form the foundation of our Christian life.
Jesus himself submitted to the baptism of John the Baptist
before he began his public ministry. After his Resurrection,
Jesus commissioned the Apostles, "Go throughout the whole world and
preach the Gospel to all people. Whoever believes and is baptized
will be saved." (Mk
16:15)
In Baptism we "die" to sin - Original or actual - and "rise" to
a new life with God. Through Baptism we are freed from our
sins, receive the grace of divine adoption, become a member of
Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit, are initiated into the
Church and made a sharer in Christ's mission as priest, prophet and
king.
posted on: Thursday, April 11, 2013 by: renaebauer
Gospel shows that Jesus is in the ordinary
and extraordinary
by Sister Lynne Marie Simonich
Our Gospel
for this Third Sunday of Easter gives an account of the third
appearance of Jesus to his disciples. Peter and some of the
disciples are fishing and they see a charcoal fire on the shore
with fish and bread on it. Jesus is there and invites them to a
cookout! They join him for a meal that nourishes their bodies and
their souls. Jesus uses common things -- a fire, charcoal, fish and
bread -- to bring these friends together and to touch their souls
with his love and peace.
Reflection questions:
- How does Jesus speak to us in ordinary things? How does Jesus
touch us with his love and peace?
- We all meet Jesus in different ways -- in different people- -
each day. Do we recognize him?
Celebrating the
'Year of Faith'
The Sacraments - Celebration of the Paschal
Mystery of Christ
chapter 12,
US Catholic Catechism for Adults
by Sister Laura Zelten
The Paschal Mystery is the way our salvation is made known
through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus taught with authority and
performed powerful miracles through which he forgave sins and
healed the wounds of sin. In the Sacraments of the Church,
Christ offers the saving works he performed during his earthly
life. The Sacraments provide the saving power of God in Jesus
Christ by healing of our whole person -- mind, body, spirit and
soul -- as we journey in faith with the community of believers.
posted on: Thursday, April 04, 2013 by: renaebauer
Gifts of Easter continue to spring forth
by Sister Laura Zelten
The Risen Lord appears before His apostles on Easter night, the
first time since His arrest. He comes bearing gifts, the gifts
flowing from the Resurrection. Jesus wishes to share these gifts
with His disciples and with us.
The Gospel reminds us that Easter offers unique gifts. The Risen
Lord brings these gifts when he appears to the disciples who are
hiding behind closed doors. The crippling fear they suffer is
released.
Jesus brings peace to them, peace that stands for all God's
blessings that can enrich human life. He breathes the Holy Spirit
on them so they can offer God's forgiveness to all who seek it.
Finally, Jesus gives the gift of faith, the ability to believe
without seeing, to read the signs God so generously scatters
throughout our world.
Reflection questions:
- Have any of the Easter gifts helped you to see with the eyes of
faith?
- Have you experienced the Easter's gifts of peace, forgiveness,
healing and hope?
Celebrating the
'Year of Faith'
The Creed -- Our Eternal Destiny
chapter 12, US Catholic Catechism for
Adults
by Sister Lynne Marie Simonich
We celebrated the great Feast of Easter with joy and "Alleluias"
knowing that Jesus rose from the dead and giving us certain hope
that we will one day be united in eternity with God! Sin has
no power over us.
The promise of the resurrection gives us much to reflect upon.
We know that our lives are not perfect and sin is present in our
world. Our Lenten theme encouraged all to receive the Sacrament of
Reconciliation and to continue to do so throughout our journey in
life. How will each of us carry out that theme?
Why is our belief in the resurrection of our bodies important? How
does that belief affect our lives? Read more about this topic in
the
US Catechism of the Catholic Church.
posted on: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 by: renaebauer
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
by Sister Charlene Hockers
As the season of spring begins, we eagerly await signs of new
life: birds singing in the trees and building their nests, patches
of grass turning green, daffodils and crocuses pushing their way up
from the ground.
As we celebrate the great feast of Easter we experience new life
to the fullest. We fix our eyes on what is above, knowing what the
empty tomb really points to. Christ is now risen from the dead and
in Him we share in the promise of eternal life. We need to stay
anchored in the joy of Easter. Resurrection is the core of our
faith. We will be raised up!
Mary Magdalene, Peter and John witness to the Resurrection. We,
too, need to witness the Risen Lord each day as we live out our
lives of prayer and service.
Jesus, you are alive! Alleluia! In you I live and move and have
my being. May the joy and peace granted by the Risen Lord bring
life-giving light into our lives. Amen.
How will we witness to the
Risen Lord in our life today?
Celebrating the
'Year of Faith'
The Creed -- Our Eternal Destiny
chapter 12,
US Catholic Catechism for Adults
by Sister Lynne Marie Simonich
"Based on our love of God and neighbor, we are granted
entrance to heaven into communion with God, to a period of
purification, or to eternal separation from God."
(Catholic Catechism 1021-1022)
"Those who die in God's grace and friendship enter into 'heaven'
... Heaven is perfect existence with the Holy Trinity; it is
communion of life and love with Christ and all those who believe in
him and remained faithful to him. All who died in God's friendship
but are still imperfect in their love for God are assured of
eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification ... or
cleansing of sins - purgatory ... If we reject God's love by
remaining in mortal sin (willful turning away from God), we
separate ourselves from God forever. The state of 'definitive
self-exclusion from communion with God and the community of the
blessed' is referred to as 'hell.'" (CC 1023-1033)
"It is our responsibility to make use of our freedom and to
pursue the path of daily conversion in view of our eternal life.
Our profession of faith in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit, culminates in the proclamation of the resurrection of the
dead on the last day and in life everlasting." (CC 988)
posted on: Thursday, March 21, 2013 by: renaebauer
This Holy Week, listen for these four
phrases
by Sister Francis Bangert
Palm Sunday ushers in Holy Week, a time held sacred by the
Christian world as it reflects on the incomprehensible,
extravagant, forgiving and enduring love of God for the human
family. This mystery of unconditional love is so awesome, the
Church gives us three days (Triduum) to prayerfully ponder this and
then 50 days (to Pentecost) to deepen the connection between Jesus'
life and our own. Today we will hear the crowd's accolades for
Jesus, teacher and healer. On Holy Thursday Jesus teaches us the
meaning of "washing another's feet." Today and again on Good
Friday, we will hear the narrative of Jesus' redeeming suffering
and death. On Easter Sunday, we are mystified by Jesus'
resurrection.
Put briefly, there are four phrases that capture the essence of
this week and our life-journey with Jesus. They are:
- Hosanna in the highest -- An echo repeated
even now when we praise God for the felt presence of the Holy
One.
- Washing feet -- A lesson to serve our brothers
and sisters who live on the margin with compassion and
nonjudgment.
- Crucify him -- A lack of awareness of the
times we reject others because they don't fit our
expectations.
- He is risen -- A deep abiding joy when new
life springs up from the ashes of our lives.
We are always and everywhere immersed in the love of the Holy
One, no matter where we are on the human journey ... at our best or
our worst or in between.
Where are you on the journey? What do you need to learn from
Jesus? Talk with Him about this. May you be graced with a change of
heart during these holy days.
Celebrating the
'Year of Faith'
The Creed -- Mary: The Church's First &
Most Perfect Member
chapter 12, US Catholic Catechism for
Adults
by Sister Mary Kabat
Let us take time in this Year of Faith to reflect on Mary and
her role and place in our Catholic faith and life. As the
Church presents to us exemplary models of faith and discipleship
throughout history in the "communion of saints," Mary is first as a
person whose faith, hope and love are worthy of our imitation as we
continue our journey of faith.
Many Catholics have a great devotion to the Blessed Mother and
find comfort and help in her role as mother and missionary.
We know Mary's greatest desire is that we love God and have a deep
friendship with her Son, Jesus.
May the Year of Faith be a
time to renew our love for Christ and the Church
and to enter into a deeper devotion to the Virgin
Mary.
posted on: Thursday, March 14, 2013 by: renaebauer
Through Christ, we are invited to a new,
everlasting life
by Sister Sally Ann Brickner
"See, I am doing something new!
... Do you not perceive it?" -- Isaiah 43
Who among us doesn't treasure something new? As a child we may
have received a new toy, entered a new grade, or made a new friend.
When older we might have invested in a new home, purchased a new
car, or started a more challenging job with higher pay. The
experience of newness engendered a burst of energy and fresh
life.
Today we hear Isaiah reassure the Chosen People that God is
forming them into a new people. In the wastelands of their lives,
God, Who is the "Fountain Fullness," promises them new sources of
living water.
All are called to discipleship
In the Gospel, John describes Jesus' encounter with the
adulterous woman. She must have been terrified as the men accused
her of transgressing the law. Jesus did not join in their judgment
of her but asked instead who among the men was without sin. As each
one slipped away, Jesus invited the woman to turn from her old way
of life to a new life of discipleship.
In this Lenten season Jesus also calls us to discipleship. We,
too, will be made new if we allow Jesus Christ to take possession
of us. Then we can join the Psalmist and proclaim: "The Lord has
done great things for us; we are filled with joy!"
Celebrating the
'Year of Faith'
The Creed -- Mary: The Church's First &
Most Perfect Member
chapter 12,
US Catholic Catechism for Adults
by Sister Mary Kabat
Mary is the first and greatest of all the disciples of Christ.
The Second Vatican Council reminds us that Mary "occupies a place
in the Church which is the highest after Christ and also closest to
us." (
Lumen Gentium, no.54) Closest to Christ and closest to us
- is it any wonder that Mary has appeared to so many and why we are
drawn to her in times of need and in our desire to be closer to her
Son?
Mary, in God's plan, was conceived without original sin (the
Immaculate Conception) in her "yes" to become the mother of
Jesus. She lovingly lived out her daily, human life dedicated
to God, to her Son and to Jesus' mission. After her death,
Mary experienced a bodily resurrection (the Assumption) and is now
and forever exalted as Queen of all things in heaven and on
earth.
Hail Mary, full of
grace!