In this episode with guests, John and Deb Wright, we discuss how the Catholic church teaches marriage as a Sacrament and not a temporary commitment until challenges arise. We discuss the many fruits marriage can bear including that of bearing and raising children.

Three to Get Married, by Archbishop Fulton Sheen

The Fourth Cup: Unveiling the Mystery of the Last Supper and the Cross, by Scott Hahn

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper, by Brant Pitre

In this episode of the Open Wide the Doors podcast, we explore the deeper meanings and components of the Mass. One of our parish Deacons, Deacon Bill discusses the importance of active participation, the structure of the Mass, and how each part contributes to the overall experience of encountering Christ. He shares insights on the Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist, the significance of altar servers, and the call to live out the mission of the Mass in daily life.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal)

The Veil Removed

Padre Pio's Prayer After Communion

In this episode of the Open Wide the Doors podcast, with the president of the PTO at Bishop Leibold School, we discusses the significance of Catholic Schools Week and the concept of the Domestic Church. We explore how families can live out their faith at home, the importance of community engagement, and the various traditions and activities that make Catholic Schools Week special.

Visit Bishop Leibold School's Social Media Pages to see what is happening during Catholic Schools Week!

Instagram

Facebook

In this next episode of the Open Wide the Doors podcast, we discusses the importance of discovering one's role within the parish community. Featuring our Director of Involvement and Engagement we discuss how we can use our personal gifts and interests to help our parish and our community.

There are many apostolates and ministries within our parish family. If you are interested in taking that first step of finding a new ministry to be a part of, visit our website for a list of several of our parish apostolates or contact one of our staff members or parish council members to learn more!

https://www.stjohnpaulii.org/

This past weekend, our pastor, Father Fox released an article on receiving Holy Communion. In this episode Father Chris goes into a little bit more detail on the Eucharist and this article. We discuss how the Eucharist is truly the greatest gift we have been given and how we can prepare ourselves and our hearts to receive this gift with true reverence.

To read the article click the link here:

https://www.stjohnpaulii.org/post/receiving-communion

If you are interested in bringing communion to the sick, the next training session will be on Saturday, January 31, 2026, To learn more and RSVP click here:

https://www.stjohnpaulii.org/volunteer

To view our parish family confession schedule, click here:

https://www.stjohnpaulii.org/mass-schedule

Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas Before Communion:

http://www.lightgarden.net/rick/PrayerOfSaintThomasAquinasBeforeCommunion.pdf

Today, we are joined by our Director of Faith Formation who facilitates our OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), as well as someone who has recently been received into the Catholic church through OCIA in our parish family! Join us as we discuss the process of becoming Catholic in our parish family, how to get started, and how to invite someone you know into starting this journey.

Learn more about becoming Catholic by clicking the link below!

https://www.stjohnpaulii.org/becoming-catholic

Christmas isn't over yet! Our Director of Worship helps to explain that Christmas isn't over on December 26th but continues well past Christmas Day. We discuss the value of living out the true meaning of Christmas when the rest of the world has stopped celebrating. We also discussing the role ushers have in helping us to fully celebrate Christmas.

In these final days leading up to Christmas, we are joined by one of our Communication Team members who is also a member of the Our Lady of Good Hope Altar Rosary Society! We discuss the history of some traditions we have in the Catholic Church as well as some ways we can connect with those traditions to help us focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Advent Resources in our parish family: https://www.stjohnpaulii.org/advent

Join us for Mass this Christmas! Click the link below to view Mass times in our parish family!

https://www.stjohnpaulii.org/christmas

As we continue to journey through Advent together, our Director of Care shares with us some ways we can spiritually prepare for Christmas. We discuss the importance of caring for others and making connections with those in need especially during this time of year.

Learn more about our Cookie Connection Program below!

https://www.stjohnpaulii.org/cookie-connection

As we prepare for the third Sunday in Advent, our Pastor, Father Fox shares with us what Gaudete Sunday really is and where it came from!

References:

Rorate Caeli- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZr-dAZl1uI&authuser=0

Learn more about our Box Lunch Wednesday ministry here: https://www.stjohnpaulii.org/box-lunch-wednesdays