Not sure about the relationship between Advent and Christmas? You thought they were the same thing? Check out Busted Halo’s® two-minute video that describes why we celebrate Advent and wait to celebrate Christmas. And starting November 27 (the First Sunday of Advent), visit Busted Halo’s® Advent Surprise Calendar for a Daily Jolt and microChallenge that …
Category Archive: The Church Year
Nov 22
Advent Wreathe
The Advent Wreath is a popular religious symbol this time of year. Fr. Greg Friedman, O.F.M., explains: How did it orginate? What does it have to do with the birth of Christ? What is the meaning of the wreath and candles?
Nov 04
Advent Faith-Sharing
Many of us have Facebook accounts. But the question is – How are we using them? Most of us are using them in a wonderful casual way to stay connected to our family and friends. That’s great! That is one of the key reasons we have a Facebook account. However, once you have a FB …
Oct 02
The Unfaithful Tenant
Read Sunday’s gospel, Matthew 21:33-43. Gospel Summary Using a parable, Jesus got the Jewish leaders to admit their error. He described a vineyard owner (God) who sent slaves (prophets) to collect his share of the harvest from the tenants (Jewish leaders). But the tenants killed the slaves. The landowner sent more slaves, but the tenants …
Sep 04
Welcoming the New Roman Missal
On the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27, 2011, all Catholic churches in the United States will begin using a revised translation of the book of prayers for Mass (formerly referred to as the Sacramentary). This new Roman Missal will be the third edition since Vatican II. It was promulgated by Pope John Paul II …
Aug 07
A Teen’s View on the New Roman Missal – Why the Changes?
Mark Hart helps high school teens understand HOW and WHY the words of the Mass are changing. Mark compares the “dynamic equivalent” and the “formal equivalent” of how we translate words from Latin to English, and then explains the elaborate process used to create the new Roman Missal. Finally, Mark challenges teenagers to rediscover the …
Jun 19
Celebrating Trinity Sunday As a Family
Trinity Sunday is a feast celebrating God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Trinity Sunday concepts and scripture readings may be abstract for children. Ways to help children understand the Trinity: A classic example of the Trinity is by using a three-leaf clover to show how the individual leaves are unique parts of a whole. …
Jun 06
Prayer for Pentecost
The Holy Spirit embodies the life force of the universe, the power of God, the animating energy present in all things and captured by none. On this great feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Spirit of God, I invite you to pray Sister Joan Chittister OSB: May the Gifts of the Holy Spirit bring …
Apr 18
Holy Week In Two Minutes
Want to know why Catholics wave palms on Palm Sunday; wash each other’s feet on Holy Thursday; or kiss the cross on Good Friday? Look no further…
Apr 10
The Paschal Triduum – The Sacred Three Days
The Paschal Triduum is a three-fold liturgy beginning with the Holy Thursday Liturgy, continuing through the Good Friday Liturgy and culminating at the Easter Vigil. Through our celebration of these three days, we move with Christ from his last meal with his disciples to his cross and death to his rising from the grave, inviting …