Many of us know the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas." While it's a catchy tune, it also has a deeper meaning. In this episode, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine delve into the song's origins, accompanied by a coloring book created by two of our parishioners.

If you would like to obtain a copy of the coloring book, please contact Sister Catherine at [email protected].

Links to the episodes mentioned in this podcast:

The Christmas Carol: A Catholic Perspective

https://youtu.be/7IBxeJuPKq0

The Angels & US

https://youtu.be/Pf4HfeeW1Oc

In this episode, Father Anthony explores the book "Religious Customs in the Family" by Fr. Francis Weiser. He discusses the significance of customs within the Church and how specific traditions have influenced Catholic prayer and belief. Father Weiser begins with a section titled "General Customs," which addresses practices applicable to the entire Church. The third chapter focuses on Family Prayer.

#aimhigherpodcast

#deogratias

This episode was first released on December 7, 2022.

To read the article from The Seraph:

http://www.franciscanfathers.com/popular_articles

In this episode, Sister Catherine interviews His Excellency Most Reverend Giles Butler, O.F.M. about his article for the December 2022 issue of the Seraph titled "The Vigils & Eves of the Church."

In this episode, His Excellency gives some guides on how to practice the Season of Advent while still living in the world.

Link to the article from His Excellency featured in The Seraph in December 2019:

http://www.franciscanfathers.com/popular_articles

In this episode, Father Anthony delves into the book "Religious Customs in the Family" by Fr. Francis Weiser. He explains the importance of customs within the Church, and how certain customs shaped the way we as Catholics pray and how we believe. Father Weiser begins with the section titled "General Customs," i.e., those that apply to the entire Church. The second chapter deals with the Sacraments.

In this episode, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine share their experiences from their recent mission trips. They discuss how spending time with fellow Catholics helps deepen our connection to the Catholic Faith, enhances our love for our neighbors, and ultimately brings us closer to Almighty God.

In this episode Father Anthony delves into the book "Religious Customs in the Family" by Fr. Francis Weiser. He explains the importance of customs within the Church, and how certain customs shaped the way we as Catholics pray and how we believe. Father Weiser begins with the section titled "General Customs," i.e., those that apply to the entire Church. He starts with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Eucharist.

Pax et Bonum!

"Stories Jesus Told" is one of our favorite series, and we're back with the Parable of the Mustard Seed from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 13, verses 31-35.

In this episode, Father Anthony guides us to understand that even the smallest action done out of love for God is significant in His eyes.

"Another parable he proposed unto them, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Which is the least indeed of all seeds; but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come, and dwell in the branches thereof. Another parable he spoke to them: The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. All these things Jesus spoke in parables to the multitudes: and without parables he did not speak to them. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world."

If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at [email protected]

Deo Gratias!

#aimhigherpodcast

#parablesofjesus

**Celebrating Hallowtide**

The Liturgical Year is soon coming to an end, but like the mythical phoenix, it will rise anew with the season of Advent. Before the Church reaches this climactic conclusion with the Gospel account of the end of the world and the General Judgment, it celebrates one of the most sacred parts of the fall season—Hallowtide. Hallowtide refers to the triduum of All-Hallows Eve, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day.

Even though Pope Pius XII suppressed the vigil of All Saints in the 1950s, we can still observe this day as a time of spiritual preparation, thereby preserving the essence of Hallowtide. This celebration and commemoration embody the dogma of the Communion of Saints, an article of our faith explicitly stated in the Apostles' Creed: "I believe… in the Communion of Saints."

**All-Hallows Eve Program (Evening)**

1. Renew the Baptismal Vows (the promises made to God at Baptism, located in the Missal at the end of the Holy Saturday services). 2. Pray a Rosary (dedicate this Rosary to the entire Communion of Saints). 3. Sing "O Come, Holy Ghost" (praying to the Holy Ghost to grant us the grace to become saints).

**All Saints' Day Program (Anytime during the day)**

1. Attend Mass (if possible). 2. Pray a Rosary (in honor of all the Saints and Angels). 3. Read from the "Lives of the Saints." A family may choose their patron saint for the year and read about his or her life. If this is your first year doing this devotion, consider starting with St. Joseph, the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin, since every family should have a devotion to this great saint. Afterwards, sing "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name."

**All Souls' Day Program (Anytime during the day)**

1. Attend Mass (if possible, and perform the devotion described in the "Announcements and Reminders" section). 2. Prepare your Poor Souls list a few days in advance so the priest can place it on the altar during Mass, as is customary. 3. Pray a Rosary (for the faithfully departed). 4. Visit a cemetery (if possible; at a Catholic cemetery, you can choose anyone and pray for their soul. You may pray an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be. Follow those prayers with: "Eternal rest grant unto (him, her, them) O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. May the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.")

**Suggestions:**

One way that a family or individual can make the most of this holy time is by preparing meals that align with the nature of the feast. While the Church does not mandate fasting and abstaining on All-Hallows Eve or All Souls' Day, choosing to do so can enhance our appreciation for the importance of preparation and prayer. Traditionally, beans or lentils are served on All Souls' Day. Additionally, on the Feast of All Saints, consider preparing a special meal to reflect the celebratory nature of the feast.

To read Father Anthony's article, "The Last Great Feast":

http://www.franciscanfathers.com/popular_articles

If you would like to have your dearly departed remembered at Mass on All Souls' Day, you may contact Father Anthony:

[email protected]

Come Holy Ghost! We are now on the last gift for our Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost series, focusing on the Gift of the Fear of the Lord and the distinction between the gift and the virtue.

Father Tanquerey in the book, The Spiritual Life: "The gift of fear perfects the virtues of hope and temperance. It perfects the former by inspiring us with a fear of displeasing God and of being separated from Him. It perfects the latter by detaching us from the pleasures that could bring about that separation.

Hence, it may be defined as a gift which inclines our will to a filial respect for God, removes us from sin, displeasing to Him, and give us hope in the power of His help."