Author: olacatholic416

Posted on

Saint of the Day – December 26 – Saint Stephen, The First Martyr

Saint Stephen: Born: 5; Died: 33–36

“Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and miracles among the people … And they, crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one accord rushed violently upon him. And casting him out of the city, they stoned him and the witness laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord”

Patronage: Altar Servers; Bricklayers; casket makers; deacons; headaches; horses; masons;

Posted on

The Catechism in a Year – Day 363 – Forgive Us Our Trespasses

Forgiving those who have hurt us is a challenging call. Fr. Mike explains what it means to “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We learn that forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same thing and that we can transform our hurt into intercession with God’s grace. We ask the Lord to soften our hearts so that they may remain open to loving and forgiving others. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2838-2845.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/yvdC1ZEL7JM?si=JtrNqBE1MrIgSzpU

Posted on

The Catechism in a Year – Day 362 – Our Daily Bread

Asking God for our “daily bread” is a petition for him to fill our physical and spiritual hunger. Fr. Mike breaks down this simple yet profound petition that reminds us of our reliance on God for all our needs. In this part of the Lord’s prayer, we turn to God with childlike hearts, trusting that he will nourish us with all the appropriate material goods and, above all, with the Eucharist. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2828-2837.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/pPQIorBCULc?si=URYl6v5DOfnW2byH

Posted on

The Catechism in a Year – Day 361 – The Kingdom and Will of God

When we pray for God’s Kingdom to come and God’s will to be done, we are asking for the final coming of the reign of God and for his plan of salvation to come to fruition. This petition is most powerfully expressed in the Mass. Fr. Mike reminds us that anticipating Christ’s return should inflame our hearts to continue our mission here on earth and to carry out God’s will with perseverance. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2816-2827.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/Mf6Os0mQjjM?si=K_a_UCyTXjSYFfJ8

Posted on

The Catechism in a Year – Day 360 – Hallowing God’s Name

What does it mean to hallow God’s name? We are not the source or cause of God’s holiness. As the Catechism says, we hallow God’s name so it may be glorified, loved, and known. Jesus instructs us in the Our Father to petition and desire that we be drawn into God’s plan of loving kindness. In time, God’s name is hallowed in how we live and how we pray. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2807-2815.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/RNu4X89KYCY?si=iyF_o-Qs_62xcI9z

Posted on

The Catechism in a Year – Day 359 – The Seven Petitions

In the Lord’s Prayer, we make seven different petitions to our Father in heaven. Together, we examine what makes each set of these seven petitions different. Fr. Mike unpacks how the first three petitions emphasize love of the Father, the next two concern us in the present world, and the final two concern the battle of prayer. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2803-2806.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/sXGUnxvMbI0?si=zvY5LX3-9eGZ3Xvt

Posted on

The Catechism in a Year – Day 358 – Who Art in Heaven

As we reach the conclusion of the article on the opening words of the Our Father, we take a closer look at the phrase, “Who Art in Heaven.” Fr. Mike emphasizes that God is not distant, but is imminently present all around us. He also emphasizes that while sin has exiled us from heaven, conversion of heart allows us to return to the Father in heaven. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2794-2802.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/82xkYK59Nbg?si=plYGeppdiCU18R4A