Catholic Cardinal Reflections

January 12, 2014: the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - We welcome the newest baptized members of the CCaS with great joy: Lionel Adriano James, Cienna Angus, Owen Biggerstaff, Emrys Robert Michael Carrasco, Shain Tiberius Carrasco, Nova Dorsey, Logan Sprague, Lucas Thach Nguyen.

Presider: Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, OP, Parochial Vicar and Associate Director of the CCAS

January 5, 2014 - Are you satisfied with your relationship to God? Let this period be a time for you to experience a true epiphany: A rebirth of your faith through the Spirit. When we say "Come Lord Jesus", we are asserting that Christ trumps over possessions, family, stock market and ritualistic adherence to religious laws. Like the Magi, we must pay homage to God.

Preacher: Reverend John Kerrigan, Deacon of Catholic Community at Stanford

December 25, 2013 - The Christmas message is simple: Be open to true change; don't just observe life. Like Pope Francis, we are all sinners; we fail to live up to Christ's example. But we must acknowledge our faults and make a change in our hearts; then announce the Good News to the world.

Preacher: Fr. Nathan Castle, OP, Pastor and Director of the CCAS

December 22, 2013 - Joseph faced humiliation and shame by the news that Mary was pregnant and he wasn't the father. Nevertheless, he did the honorable thing and planned to divorce Mary quietly to spare her being branded an adulteress. The lesson for us is to alter our life as needed to walk the nobler road, so that we can act as agents to change the world by our love.

Preacher: Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, OP, Parochial Vicar/Associate Director of the CCAS

December 15, 2013 - John the Baptist was disappointed in Jesus, because He was quiet, forgiving, gentle and associated with society's outcasts. Father Xavier calls us today to look with new meaning at the good news, to bring our intellect to bear on the true message of Advent and dwell on the 4 S's: Scripture, Saints, Sacraments, and Service.

Preacher: Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, OP, Parochial Vicar and Associate Director of the CCAS

December 7, 2013 - Sign over the entrance to a small church near Stanford: "Enter at your own risk". When we open our hearts to the needs of others, we will be changed, through the power of Jesus' birth working in our hearts. The message of advent is Slow dow!- Breathe more gently, make room for change through love of our brothers and sisters, as we prepare for the celebration of Jesus coming into our hearts more fully.

Preacher: Reverend John Kerrigan, Deacon of the Catholic Community

December 1, 2013 - Today is the first day of the new liturgical year, and unlike the new calendar year that is celebrated by joyous noisemaking, it is a time for quiet reflection on how we "put Christ on", as the readings for today exhort. The first reading describes the place where God lives, while in the gospel we are reminded that the Son of Man will come at a time we do not know. Let us greet each new day by wrapping ourselves in Christ, as we enter Advent.

Preacher: Fr. Nathan Castle, OP, Pastor Director of the Catholic Community at Stanford

November 24, 2013 - Christ is the head of the church, the ruler of all. Are you prepared to give all your trust and allegiance to Him?

Preacher: Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, OP, Parochial Viacar/Associate Director

November 19, 2013 -

What brings women to consider religious life, and what makes them stay? Sister Gloria Marie Jones, O.P., Congregational Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Mission San José, and Sister Ramona Bascom, O.P., both of whom have strong connections to the Catholic Community @ Stanford, share their own lived experience in the light of the history of religious life for women.

November 17, 2013 - We are sometimes put in circumstances we don't understand, such as war and typhoons . Today we are reminded that, "by your endurance you will gain your soul". We must continue to trust in God, especially when we don't understand.

Preacher: Teresa Pleins, Chaplain of the CCAS.