EASTER GREETINGS
Alleluia! This Easter proclamation that we repeat over and over again during the joyful Easter Season has a powerful meaning, one that we should all know and embrace. It is a combination of two Hebrew words: “hallelu” (the plural imperative of “hallel”) which means “praise” and “jah,” the first half of the Hebrew word for God, Yahweh. So, it literally means “everyone praise God!” We should praise God always because of all the good he does for us every moment of our lives. But Easter is the time for us [...]
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion and Holy Week
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest.” (Mk 11:9-10). On Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, we are called to join with our Lord, Jesus Christ, as he makes a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and then suffers derision and mockery, scourging and finally crucifixion because he claims to be who he truly is – the Son of God – and comes to offer a new way of life. This [...]
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
“God has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Last week, 78 of our parishioners received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. On Wednesday of this week, everyone in the parish is encouraged to attend our Lenten Penance Service, which begins at 7:00pm; several priests will be available to hear your confession. During this Season of Lent, when we are all invited to recognize our sinfulness that put Jesus on the cross, we are also encouraged by Jesus’ clear [...]
CHILDREN, GIFTS FROM GOD
I imagine you have learned that the Alabama Supreme Court recently ruled that embryos are to be recognized as human beings. As a result, several fertility clinics in the state have informed their clients that they will no longer be able to continue their in vitro treatments for fear of possible lawsuits. This has caused an uproar in the media. Allow me to offer you a summary of the Catholic Church’s very clear teaching in this regard; you will find it in our Catechism of the Catholic Church. It begins [...]
THIRD SUNDAY LENT (Year B)
Exodus 20:1 - 17 Last Sunday, we heard of God’s test for Abraham after he had made a covenant with him. This follows the reading from the First Sunday of Lent, in which we heard about the covenant that God made with Noah and his descendents. This week, we hear the commandments that God gives to his people at Mt. Sinai as part of that covenant. We read about the ratification of the covenant and Moses going up Mt. Sinai in chapter 24; let’s read that first to prepare us [...]
Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa was founded on the basic principles of Saint John Paul II’s call to action in Ecclesia in Africa and the adoption of the statement A Call to Solidarity with Africa from the Bishops of the United States. Nations throughout Africa continually face the economic and social hurdles of enormous debt, epidemics, severe poverty and political unrest. Despite these harsh challenges, Catholicism is flourishing throughout Africa. Your support of the Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa [...]