Extraordinary Time

Sister of Mercy Barbara Giehl offers a reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent as we anticipate the celebration of Christmas.

Music heard in Sister Giehl's recording is "Creator of the Stars of Night" from Marty Haugen's 1987 album Nights of Silence, Music for Advent and Christmas.

For the readings and Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122125.cfm

For the Catholic Courier Advent calendar: https://catholiccourier.com/adventcalendar2025

Extraordinary Time is a podcast of the Catholic Courier, newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY. Like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Also consider leaving us a review!

Father Michael Merritt, parochial vicar at Church of the Holy Spirit in Webster and St. Joseph’s in Penfield, offers a reflection for the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday. This episode is sponsored by Jennings, Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home.

Extraordinary Time is a podcast of the Catholic Courier, newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY. Like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Also consider leaving us a review!

For the readings and Gospel for the Third Sunday of Advent: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121425.cfm

For the Catholic Courier Advent calendar: https://catholiccourier.com/adventcalendar2025

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In this episode, Sister Joan Sobala, SSJ, reflects on the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent. She notes that, following John the Baptist’s example presented in these readings, the season of Advent invites us to reform our thinking and transform our lives.

Extraordinary Time is a podcast of the Catholic Courier, newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY. Like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Also consider leaving us a review!

For the readings and Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120725.cfm

For the Catholic Courier Advent calendar: https://catholiccourier.com/adventcalendar2025

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Deacon Dennis Donahue reflects on the readings for the first Sunday in Advent and how these readings invite us to live intentionally, with purpose, as we await the birth of Christ.

Extraordinary Time is a podcast of the Catholic Courier, newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY. Like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Also consider leaving us a review!

For the readings and Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm

For the Catholic Courier Advent calendar: https://catholiccourier.com/adventcalendar2025

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Deacon Dennis Donahue reflects on the readings for the first Sunday in Advent and how these readings invite us to live intentionally, with purpose, as we await the birth of Christ.

Extraordinary Time is a podcast of the Catholic Courier, newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY. Like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Also consider leaving us a review!

For the readings and Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm

For the Catholic Courier Advent calendar: https://catholiccourier.com/adventcalendar2025

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Extraordinary Time is the Catholic Courier‘s seasonal podcast for the church’s liturgical seasons. The second season of the podcast — Advent 2025 — will accompany listeners through Advent with weekly Scriptural reflections.

Episodes will feature the insights of priests, deacons, women religious and others from around the Diocese of Rochester.

The first episode of Advent 2025 will launch Nov. 30 and episodes will be released each Sunday through Dec. 21.

To learn more about the Extraordinary Time podcast and other Catholic Courier podcasts:

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Celebrate the joy of Easter with this special message from Father Paul Bonacci, pastor of St. Pius X in Chili, as he reflects on the day the world changed forever when Jesus conquered death.

Extraordinary Time is a podcast from the Catholic Courier, the newspaper of the Diocese of Rochester. For more Extraordinary Time, visit https://catholiccourier.com/podcasts/ and stay up-to-date with Holy Week resources from the Catholic Courier at https://catholiccourier.com/special-s...

To learn more about the Catholic Courier's Jubilee 2025: Pilgrim of Hope podcast: https://catholiccourier.com/podcasts/

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Special Guest: Father Paul Bonacci.

Father Michael Costik, pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Canandaigua and Bloomfield, NY, breaks down the origins, customs and symbolism of the Easter Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Prepare to enter into the joy of Easter through deeper understanding of the Triduum.

For a list of Holy Week Masses and services, visit

Extraordinary Time is a podcast from the Catholic Courier, the newspaper of the Diocese of Rochester. For more Extraordinary Time, visit https://catholiccourier.com/podcasts/ and stay up-to-date with Holy Week resources from the Catholic Courier at https://catholiccourier.com/special-sections/lent-and-easter/

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Special Guest: Father Michael Costik.

Prepare for Palm Sunday with Sister Karen Dietz, SSJ, in episode 8 of Extraordinary Time. Sister Dietz reflects on the Gospel reading of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and how this passage reminds us to savor the moment of clarity regarding Jesus’ mission as we enter Holy Week.

For a list of Holy Week Masses and services, visit

Extraordinary Time is a podcast from the Catholic Courier, the newspaper of the Diocese of Rochester. For more Extraordinary Time, visit https://catholiccourier.com/podcasts/ and stay up-to-date with Holy Week resources from the Catholic Courier at https://catholiccourier.com/special-sections/lent-and-easter/

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Special Guest: Sister Karen Dietz, SSJ.

Father Steven Lewis, parochial vicar at St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Katharine Drexel parishes, reflects on the Gospel account of the woman caught in adultery who was brought before Jesus. Father Lewis shares how this and the other appointed readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent remind us of the meaning of Lent – to sow repentance and reap forgiveness.

For the text of the April 6 readings and Gospel, visit https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040625-YearC.cfm

Extraordinary Time is a podcast from the Catholic Courier, the newspaper of the Diocese of Rochester. For more Extraordinary Time, visit https://catholiccourier.com/podcasts/ and stay up-to-date with Lent and Easter resources from the Catholic Courier at https://catholiccourier.com/special-s...

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Special Guest: Father Steven Lewis.