Aim Higher Catholic Podcast

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!

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#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."

In this episode, we discuss the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and how by following her example we too can learn to accept God's Will in both joy and sorrow.

The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

1) The Prophecy of Simeon 2) The Flight into Egypt3) The Loss of Jesus 4) The Meeting of Jesus & Mary on the way to Calvary5) The Crucifixion 6) Jesus is taken down from the Cross 7) The Burial of Jesus

The Prayer:

Grant, O Mother, Fountain of Love, that I may unite my grief to thine. Give me thy sorrows - sorrows which inflame my love, and unite me to God, that I may be pleasing to Him.

Come Holy Ghost! We continue our Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost series, focusing on the Gift of Piety and the distinction between the gift and the virtue.

Pax et Bonum! Peace and good to you all! In this episode, Father and Sister discuss the history of Gregorian Chant and share some of their experiences in learning to sing in the choir, along with their favorite chant hymns.

Here is a link to a playlist with several of our favorite hymns:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3hauoLkfnY7v-r4dMxuHNOIxEZ3rqv16&si=Ci3N897MQ-rvhPkE

In this episode, Father and Sister remember their long-time pastor and spiritual director, Father Bernard Colussy, OFM who passed away on July 24, 2024.

Requiescat in Pace.

Link to the Tribute on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Q1fS4paU4

Welcome back to the Aim Higher Podcast! After an unplanned break, Father and Sister are ready to dive into many discussions about our beautiful Catholic faith.

This Thursday, August 15th, we celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and it seems like the perfect time to discuss our love and devotion to the Mother of God.

Lyrics to Concordi Laetitia:

Concórdi lætítia

Propúlsa mæstítia

Maríæ præcónia

Récolat Ecclésia

Virgo María

Quæ felíci gáudio

Resurgénte Dómino

Flóruit ut lílium

Vivum cernens Fílium

Virgo María

Quam concéntu párili

Chori láudant cǽlici

Et nos cum cæléstibus

Novum melos pángimus

Virgo María

O Regína vírginum

Votis fave súpplicum

Et post mortis stádium

Vitæ confer prǽmium

Virgo María

Gloriósa Trínitas

Indivísa Únitas

Ob Maríæ mérita

Nos salva per sǽcula

Virgo María. Amen.

With harmonious joy, with sadness repelled, the Church recalls Mary's praise: O Virgin Mary!

Who, with happy joy – the Lord having risen flowered like a lily, beholding her Son alive. O Virgin Mary!

O how the celestial choruses sing praise with equal concert, and we, together with the dwellers in heaven, compose a new melody: O Virgin Mary!

O Queen of virgins, be favorable to the prayers of your suppliants, and after the circuit of death, confer the prize of life: O Virgin Mary!

O glorious Trinity, indivisible Unity, on account of Mary's merits, save us throughout the ages: O Virgin Mary! Amen.

Video Tribute for Father Bernard, OFM:

https://youtu.be/5_Q1fS4paU4

Come Holy Ghost! We continue our Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost series, focusing on the Gift of Knowledge and the distinction between the gift and the virtue.