The Catholic Cafe

When we make a New Years Resolution, we usually resolve to clean out the garage, lose some weight, be kind to others, or some other good intention which seems to be in line with the spirit of season. Maybe this year should be different. Maybe this year we should resolve to spend more time with the revealed word of God, the Sacred Scriptures.

When we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family every year after Christmas, we are not just honoring the perfect family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. We are also understanding that we are called to live in our own families according to the model of the Holy Family, and that our Salvation in Jesus is tied directly to the family God gave us to live in.

While the Fourth Sunday of Advent is still Advent, we at The Catholic Cafe think it is certainly time to start thinking of, and watching, Christmas movies. Here we discuss our favorites.

Once we understand the true character of Advent...anticipation, judgment, and penitence...it opens up for us the opportunity to receive the great blessing of Joy that God intends for each of His faithful children.

When we view Advent as merely a time of waiting until Christmas, we can easily miss the spiritual benefits that the season has to offer us. We can best prepare to receive the Christ when we contemplate deeply the characteristics of anticipation, judgment, and penitence during Advent.

As we enter the Advent Season, it is common to wonder just how Christmas preparation is appropriate so that we do not ignore the spiritually valuable character of Advent. There must be a good balance between the secular and spiritual aspects of holiday seasons.

If you have ever wondered why the Church keeps an annual liturgical calendar of feasts and celebrations, you are not alone...Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Triduum, Easter, Ordinary Time. This cycle that seems to be on permanent repeat each and every year is actually a great gift that the Church bestows upon us.

It seems to be a common occurrence in families that one of the kids, or maybe even one of the spouses or other family members, has wandered away from Holy Communion with the Church. People seem desperate for answers about what do do and how to convince them to return. The answers are usually not that simple. But, there are some simple places to start, like prayer and personal witness.

Most of us are quite familiar with the biblical story of Jesus cleansing the Temple. No business allowed. Only worship. This is certainly true, but there is also another interesting perspective that relates to the prophesy of the Church found in the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel. The free flowing of grace from the Church is vital to the transmission and transformation of life.

We are very familiar with All Saints Day, and of course, its precursor All Hallows Eve, but many are less familiar with the history, meaning, and purpose of the following feast day, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, better known as All Souls Day.Let us remember all those faithful family and friends who have gone before us and are in need of our prayers.