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RCIA candidates now examining spiritual weaknesses

RCIA candidates now examining spiritual weaknesses On the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent, the Church celebrates three Scrutinies with the unbaptized.  Scrutinies are examinations.  Since Lent focuses more on interior reflection than catechetical instruction, those preparing for baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist are to examine...
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Monday, March 31, 2014

Renewing our entire community during Lent

Renewing our entire community during Lent   Last time we showed how the season of Lent in the Roman Church was always connected with baptism as a period of preparation for new members for initiation into the Church during the Easter Vigil.  We must always remember that the sacraments are never just for those who “receive...
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Monday, March 17, 2014

Looking at the historical dynamics of Lent and the RCIA

Looking at the historical dynamics of Lent and the RCIA In Apostolic times, Lent was unknown in the Church.  The Acts of the Apostles tells us that on Pentecost Day, 5,000 were baptized.  The need for instructions was not necessary because the Jewish people understood the meaning of the Savior’s coming.  So it was easy for them to a...
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Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Let's help new members of the Church feel more comfortable

Let's help new members of the Church feel more comfortable In the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the Catechumenate has the same purpose as the Liturgy of the Word – to help new members grow as Christ’s disciples and eventually to lead them to full participation in the Church’s worship.  However, the Catechumenate allows new...
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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Love God's word, and listen to it proclaimed during Mass

Love God's word, and listen to it proclaimed during Mass   Church teaching challenges us to love God’s word and to listen more intently to it when proclaimed during the Sunday Liturgy.  A story may emphasize one man’s love for God’s Word.    Once there lived an aged Jewish rabbi.  He had served his people for ma...
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Monday, February 03, 2014

Let's pray more than one hour a week

Let's pray more than one hour a week In the Jan. 10 issue of The Message, I wrote about the similarities between the Advent/Christmas Season and the initial RCIA Inquiry Stage.  It is my belief that Catholics who celebrate the Church’s feasts with faith and active participation are spiritually renewed – just as our ne...
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Monday, January 20, 2014

RCIA represents more than just teaching Catholicism

RCIA represents more than just teaching Catholicism A parishioner, who sponsored a member joining the Catholic Church, once mentioned how every Catholic should participate in the RCIA because he learned so much from joining the faith-sharing sessions each week.  Although learning “about” the faith is important, the Bishops of Vatica...
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Tuesday, January 07, 2014

Devotion to Mary is also devotion to Christ and the Church

Devotion to Mary is also devotion to Christ and the Church   In his Apostolic Exhortation regarding devotion to the Virgin Mary, Venerable Pope Paul VI emphasized how the Advent Season lends itself liturgically to veneration of the Virgin Mary.  She represents God’s People, who had waited for centuries for the coming of the Promised Savior,...
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Monday, December 16, 2013

Think of hell as a consequence of sin itself

Think of hell as a consequence of sin itself A member of a Church congregation approached the pastor after his 1 ½ hour service one Sunday morning saying, “Reverend, I didn’t know what hell was like until you kept going on and on with your 45 minute sermon!”   Now every preacher has his “on” days a...
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Sunday, November 10, 2013

Let go of 'childish' ways of contemplating heaven

Let go of 'childish' ways of contemplating heaven   As a child, thinking about heaven as going on “forever and ever” – and all we would do is sing “Alleluia!” – scared me to death!    Now, my understanding of heaven has changed.  St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:11, writes, “When I was a c...
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Monday, October 28, 2013