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CATHOLIC FAITH AT HOME RESOURCES
For Our Family of Parishes
St. Thomas More, St. Bernadette, St. Mary's, St. Peter's
January 8
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ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO POPE BENEDICT XVI!!!
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI—Joseph Alois Ratzinger—has died at age 95.
Benedict last spoke at about 3 A.M. on December 31, about six hours before he died.
He was not yet in his final agony, with his aides taking turns accompanying him;
that shift's nurse didn't speak German.
According to Pope Emeritus’ secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, “Benedict XVI, in a soft but clearly distinguishable voice, said in Italian, ‘Signore ti amo!’ (‘Lord I love you!).
I was not there at the time, but the nurse told me shortly afterwards. Those were his last comprehensible words, because thereafter he was no longer able to express himself.”
Benedict wanted to give us the courage to have faith
And for this, we thank him!
His desire, his mission was accomplished.
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He described his mission as Pope in his book-interview with Peter Seewald, in The Last Testament:
I was conscious that my task was of another kind:
that I must try above all else to show
what faith means in the contemporary world,
and further, to highlight
the centrality of faith in God, and
give people the courage to have faith,
courage to live concretely in the world with faith.
Faith, reason,
these were all things I recognized as central to my mission, and
for these things it was not important to have a long pontificate."
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For St. Benedict we pray:
May the angels lead you into paradise;
may the martyrs greet you at your arrival
and lead you into the holy City of Jerusalem.
May the choir of Angels greet you
and like Lazarus, who once was a poor man,
may you have eternal rest.
Click below for a brief video :
REFLECTION OF POPE BENEDICT'S LIFE
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A MAN OF MANY TALENTS
Pope Benedict
left behind a legacy of deep Catholic thought
that gave rise to a multitude of influential
religious writings and monastic musings.
A man of many talents, he was
- Fluent in German, English, Spanish, Italian, and French
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Proficient in Portuguese, Greek, Hebrew and Latin.
- Life-long student and lover of the universal language of music
- A pianist who rarely performed in public,
preferring to play for his own enjoyment.
Click below to hear:
POPE BENEDICT PLAYING HIS PIANO
Click below to view a:
PLAYLIST OF POPE BENEDICT'S FAVORITE MUSIC
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The Key Papal Writings of Pope Benedict XVI
Anyone reading Pope Benedict XVI's works
will be introduced to Jesus,
who, for the pope, is
not some historical figure to study
but the living Lord.
Pope Benedict encourages us to listen to
the Gospels, through which Jesus continues
to speak to us.
Jesus may be encountered by us in the sacraments
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We may enjoy a relationship with him in prayer.
As we honor his legacy and mourn his death,
the link below is a sample of Pope Benedict XVI’s writings during his papacy. His writings include apostolic exhortations (four) and encyclicals (three).
They represent the pope’s effort to share Jesus
with all who will listen or read.
“To all for whom it is difficult to believe in God,
I say again today: 'God is love.'
Dear friends, be witnesses to this truth.
You will surely be so if you place yourselves in the school of Mary.
Beside her you will experience for yourselves that God is love,
and you will transmit this message to the world
with the richness and the variety that the Holy Spirit
will know how to enkindle.”
Pope Benedict XVI, May 26, 2006.
Click below for a list of some of Pope Benedict's key writings:
KEY PAPAL WRITINGS
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The Theology of Pope Benedict
in
12 Simple Quotes
Throughout his service to the Church
— as a young priest, cardinal and pope —
Pope Benedict’s wisdom shone brightly,
focused on bringing the Person of Jesus Christ
to the forefront of the Church’s teachings.
Click below for:
12 SIMPLE QUOTES FROM POPE BENEDICT
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HIS REIGN AS POPE
Over the course of his nearly
8-year pontificate,
Pope Benedict XVI achieved
a great deal for the Church
and the world.
Click below to look at his reign as pope, focusing on:
NUMBERS AND KEY FACTS
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POPE BENEDICT BIOGRAPHER SHARES HIS THOUGHTS
Accompanying Pope Benedict as his journalist
for over a quarter of a century,
Peter Seewald observed:
"He was a genius, loved and hated."
“Benedict XVI is a saint. I will miss him terribly.”
During an interview, Seewald highlights Pope Emeritus’ courage
in defending the faith without regard for popularity
and without compromise.
Click for:
INTERVIEW WITH THE POPE'S BIOGRAPHER
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Men of St. Joseph
Men’s Retreat
JANUARY 28, 2023
ST. MARY IN BETHEL
One of our parish family churches!
Real Presence of
Jesus in the Eucharist
Led by nationally renowned speaker, Father Bill Casey, CPM U.S. Army Officer,
he was called to the priesthood following his military service.
This age is seeing the greatest loss of faith in the 2000-year
history of the Catholic Church.
Discover how faith in the Real Presence of Jesus can remedy this.
$20 for Adults - $10 for Students - Clergy Free
Lunch Included
To register, call St. Mary at 513-734-4041
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There's still time to join!
Study the Mass with
Archbishop Schnurr
Using the Word on Fire Ministries’ video series: The Mass
featuring Bishop Robert Barron.
1. Receive weekly emails from Jan. 8 - Feb. 12
2. Enjoy the 25-minute episode
3. Be inspired by Archbishop Schnurr's insights
"I don’t get anything out of Mass!"
A common statement from many current and former churchgoers,
our Archbishop hopes to lead his flock to
experience the Mass in a new way.
FREE! Sign up in seconds - invite everyone!
Click HERE to sign up!
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WHAT IS THE FULLNESS OF WHAT WE BELIEVE
AS CATHOLICS?
It is in the Catechism of the Catholic Church!
Written to communicate the Church’s wisdom to believers—
yet, many Catholics have never heard of or read it.
INTRODUCING A NEW RESOURCE
TO HELP READ THE CATECHISM:
The Foundations of Faith Edition of
the Catechism of the Catholic Church, by Ascension Press
is a new publication of the Catechism
that highlights the truth and beauty of the Catholic Faith
by making it easier to read and understand.
It provides resources to make the
wisdom of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
clear and accessible
to help transform individual Catholics and the whole Church
by coming to better understand the God's teachings
and draw closer to their heavenly Father.
What is the Foundations of Faith approach?
- The Catechism's 4 main parts are color coded to helps readers connect key teachings with God’s divine plan.
- Summary section that are color-coded
- Additional appendices
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List of each chapter’s sources from Scripture and the Church highlights important teachings and where their foundations lie.
Click the link below to learn more:
FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH APPROACH
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Speaking of the Catechism...
JOIN FR. MIKE SCHMITZ as he leads the
Catechism in a Year podcast.
Beginning January 1, 2023,
Fr. Schmitz will read through the Catholic Catechism,
and provide insights, explanations, and encouragement
in his typical dynamic manner.
Click the link below to watch him introduce and
speak passionately about this new project:
FR SCHMITZ'S ANNOUNCEMENT
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And Click the link below to:
REGISTER FOR FR. SCHMITZ'S READING PLAN FOR THE CCC
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PRAYERS FOR SPECIAL DAYS IN JANUARY | |
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JANUARY 8
THE EPIPHANY
Dear Jesus, as You led the Three Kings to You by the light of a star, please draw us ever closer to You by the light of Faith.
Help us to desire You as ardently as they did.
Give us the grace to overcome all the obstacles
that keep us far from You.
May we, like them, have something to give You
when we appear before You.
Amen
JANUARY 9
BAPTISM OF THE LORD
O Lord Jesus Christ,
in order to fulfill all righteousness,
you were baptized by John in the Jordan.
Clothe us with this same righteousness,
that as your baptized people,
we, too, may be called beloved children of your Father,
and because of you, know He is well pleased with us;
through your mercy, O our God,
you are blessed,
and live and govern all things,
now and forever.
Amen.
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NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL INFO | |
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SEEING JESUS
The saints are not there solely for us to admire:
the Church raises up saints to inspire our own call to holiness.
Read this reflection about how growing to see
Jesus in the Eucharist enables us to see him
in those around us — especially the poor and vulnerable.
Click the link below to read more:
SEEING JESUS
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NIGHT OF INTERCESSION
Thank you to all who joined us live for our inaugural
Prayer Partner Night of Intercession!
It is important that the Prayer Partners continue to intercede together
as one body,
so these sessions are vital to the mission of the Revival!
Because so much happened at our first meeting,
we recorded it so you can re-watch and continue
to discern what God has planned for his Church
during this season of Revival.
Use the pass code N1SZLH*w for access!
Click the link below to watch the full recording of the:
PRAYER PARTNER NIGHT OF INTERCESSION
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DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME:
A Step-by-Step Walk Through the Mass
In this week’s column, Father Luke explains
the purpose of the greeting at Mass —
which goes much deeper than you may think!
THE GREETING
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QUIZ! FOR THE WEEK
What is the “Epiphany blessing” and how is it given?
Scroll down to find the answer!
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HUMOR CORNER
Marriage
A little boy was attending his first wedding.
After the service, his cousin asked him,
“How many women can a man marry?”
“Sixteen,” the boy responded.
His cousin was amazed that he had an answer so quickly. “How do you know that?”
“Easy,” the little boy said.
“All you have to do is add it up,
like the Bishop said: 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, 4 poorer.”
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GOSPEL READING REFLECTION
For January 8, 2023
THE EPIPHANY
Year A - Mt 2:1-12
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Christian Unity
"And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother."
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The word epiphany means appearance or manifestation. Literally it means showing to.
- We tend to think of the feast of the Epiphany as the sudden appearance of the gift-giving pagan Magi to Christ but the revelation is really the other way around. The Epiphany is the manifestation that Christ is not just the savior of God’s Chosen People, the Jews, but that he is the redeemer of the whole world; that is, he is the salvation of the Gentiles, too.
- The Church’s claim that she is the sacrament of human unity is the assertion that she is both (a) an image or picture or symbol of the unity that ought to exist among all human beings and (b) the means by which that unity will come about. Now, let’s look at what the Catechism of the Catholic Church specifically teaches.
- The Church is the means by which God gathers all his children together. The Church’s “root” is the people descended from Abraham onto which are grafted the Gentiles who believe. (CCC 60)
- “The Church is a cultivated field, the tillage of God. On that land the ancient olive tree grows whose holy roots were the prophets and in which the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles has been brought about and will be brought about again. That land, like a choice vineyard, has been planted by the heavenly cultivator. Yet the true vine is Christ who gives life and fruitfulness to the branches, that is, to us, who through the Church remain in Christ, without whom we can do nothing.” (LG 6, CCC 755)
- “At all times and in every race, anyone who fears God and does what is right has been acceptable to him. He has, however, willed to make men holy and save them, not as individuals without any bond or link between them, but rather to make them into a people who might acknowledge him and serve him in holiness. He therefore chose the Israelite race to be his own people and established a covenant with it. He gradually instructed this people. . . . All these things, however, happened as a preparation for and figure of that new and perfect covenant which was to be ratified in Christ . . . the New Covenant in his blood; he called together a race made up of Jews and Gentiles which would be one, not according to the flesh, but in the Spirit.” (LG 9, CCC 781)
- The foundation of the Church is none other than the Son of the living God (CCC 442).
- The Church will not be all God means it to be until the Jews are fully incorporated into it so that “God may be all in all” (CCC 674).
- The Church is “the ‘convocation’ of all men for salvation.” Thus, “the Church in her very nature is missionary, sent by Christ to all the nations to make disciples of them” (CCC 767).
- The Church is called a sacrament by analogy because she “both contains and communicates the invisible grace she signifies” (CCC 774).
- “The seven sacraments are the signs and instruments by which the Holy Spirit spreads the grace of Christ the head throughout the Church which is his Body” (CCC 774).
- “Christ himself is the mystery of salvation: ‘For there is no other mystery of God, except Christ.’ The saving work of his holy and sanctifying humanity is the sacrament of salvation, which is revealed and active in the Church’s sacraments.” (CCC 774)
- The Church, then, “is like a sacrament—a sign and instrument, that is, of communion with God and of unity among all men” (CCC 775).
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ANSWER TO QUIZ
The Epiphany Blessing is performed
near the feast of the Epiphany, which commemorates
the Three Wise Men's visit.
You may have seen the blessing over the doorway of a Catholic friend: 20+C+M+B+23 chalked on the lintel.
The very special, very old custom echoes the Passover,
wherein the Jewish people sprinkled lamb’s blood
over their doorways seeking
God’s blessing for their household.
It’s a tradition that began in Eastern Europe.
After Epiphany, the village priest went to every home
in his parish with specially-blessed Epiphany water and chalk.
Upon entering the home, he prayed special prayers
and blessed every room in the house.
"Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home,
that in it there may be health, purity,
the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy,
the fulfillment of Thy law."
After this is written
the numbers of the year,
enclosing the initials of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar)
with the blessed chalk over the door.
The Magi’s initials also stand for a Latin house blessing:
"Christus mansionem benedicat" (May Christ bless this house).
As parishes grew priests could no longer visit every home,
so the head of the household is permitted
to perform a basic Epiphany house blessing.
Click below for a free:
Epiphany House Blessing Ebook
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BOOK
RECOMMENDATION
We need to be armed for battle!
At all times, and especially during these crazy times in this vale of tears,
we need to lay our foundation in Christ Jesus.
Spiritual reading helps us build and strengthen that foundation.
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This week's recommendation is:
Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration
(Volume 1)
by Pope Benedict XVI
In this bold, momentous work, in his first book written as Pope,
he seeks to salvage the Person of Jesus
from recent “popular” depictions and
restore Jesus’ true identity as discovered in the Gospels.
This is the first of three volumes!!
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From Jesus of Nazareth:
“The great question that will be with us throughout this entire book:
What did Jesus actually bring, if not world peace,
universal prosperity, and a better world?
What has he brought?
The answer is very simple: God.
He has brought God!
He has brought the God who formerly unveiled his countenance
gradually first to Abraham, then to Moses and the Prophets,
and then in the Wisdom Literature—the God who revealed his face only in Israel,
even though he was also honored among the pagans in various shadowy guises.
It is this God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
the true God, whom he has brought to the peoples of the earth.
He has brought God, and now we know his face,
now we can call upon him.
Now we know the path that we human beings
have to take in this world.
Jesus has brought God and with God the truth
about where we are going and where we come from: faith, hope, and love.”
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We pray you will be excited to embark on purposeful
spiritual reading as a way to build a more prayer-filled,
Christ centered life.
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