Happy New Year, everyone. In the Gospel reading for today’s feast, a feature that strikes me is the how the shepherds were motivated to go to Bethlehem. We remember from Christmas how the shepherds heard some Good News from a choir of angels. With very little discussion after the experience, this group of witnesses drop...

I don’t know if this is really true or not, but I like to think that our Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family right after Christmas because over the last week, many have spent some time with family and for those who didn’t, their minds were probably filled with thoughts of their family....

Maybe there’s some here who have been facing some conflicts during these days leading up to Christmas. The stress of preparing for the feast can be a real test of patience leaving behind some irritability. Or maybe your children have had a little too much sugar; that’s a real threat to peace. Or maybe the...

Do you think someone can be commanded to rejoice? Our Church calls this weekend, the third week of Advent, ‘Gaudete Sunday’. It is a prompt to reflect on joy, but there’s more to the weekend than just a call to reflect. ‘Gaudete’ is a command to rejoice, to be joyful. Now, for the youngest among...

I know many are already starting to plan out those days leading up to Christmas and considering which Christmas Mass to attend and because Christmas is on a Monday, there is some confusion. Some have asked if Christmas Eve Mass, on the Sunday evening also counts for the Sunday obligation. In short, it does not....

I know there’s some here who love getting the adrenaline flowing by holding off their Christmas shopping till at least December 23rd. Those more on the thrifty side might be waiting for those Black Friday deals. But the most serious gift givers among us might have gift lists made or maybe have already bought all...