Continue reading »]]> In early spring with several parishes at St Columba Cathedral, in accordance with the guidelines of the Diocese of Youngstown, Confirmation is ordinarily celebrated during the eighth grade.

Our Confirmation program provides a very significant role for parents as well as the sponsor. All public and parochial school students are invited to attend the program.

Our first meeting will be Sunday, 26 February 2012 at   
10 am in Vincentian Hall.

Please call Sister Therese Ann by 12 February to RSVP.

Registration Form-Confirmation 2012 ]]> http://saintedwardparish.org/sacrament-of-confirmation/feed/ 0 http://saintedwardparish.org/a-teens-view-on-the-new-roman-missal-why-the-changes/ http://saintedwardparish.org/a-teens-view-on-the-new-roman-missal-why-the-changes/#comments Sun, 07 Aug 2011 11:25:25 +0000 Sister Therese Ann http://saintedwardparish.org/?p=2481

Continue reading »]]> 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 meaning behind the words we pray at Mass each week.

Word for Word [Teens] from Life Teen on Vimeo.

Continue reading »]]> Join faithful youth from around the globe for World Youth Day 2011! Create an avatar below and then send it on a virtual journey to Madrid, Spain for the largest youth event in the world. Through this site you can gather with the thousands who will be taking this pilgrimage for a personal encounter with Christ.

Continue reading »]]> This past Friday (4-15-2011) The Youth Ministry of St. Edward Parish put on a portrayal of the Stations of the Cross.  Five youth participated in this years portrayal.  Tony Thomas Narrated, Ryan Cox was Jesus, Anna Marie Thomas, Halee Sepulveda, and Amanda Leone were the women of Jerusalem following Jesus through His passion.  Anna Marie also played Mary and Amanda played Veronica.

Thank you to these wonderful young people for their performance and to their parents and members of the congregation who attended the Stations.

Continue reading »]]> How often have you said “Peace be with You” during mass.  I just love that part of our worship.  It makes the worship of God seem closer, more human, to me.  It takes the mass from a series of verbal exchanges between us and the pastor to an action of recognizing the spirit of Christ in the people around me at church.  This is one strong aspect of mass that reminds me that my relationship with God is not just about me -and-God, but about me-God-and-others.

That is the real challenge of our faith, to be concerned with others.  Especially in the fast paced and isolated world that we live, where most communication is digital.  I want to remind you that each person around you needs to feel peace – to have peace to given to them and welcome that peace of Christ into their lives.

The sad fact is that outside of mass I often forget to wish “peace” to those I meet.  As you go through this season – especially on this most blessed Eve of Christmas, remember to greet people with “Merry Christmas” and say goodbye by giving the blessing of “Peace of Christ be with you“.

Continue reading »]]> Don’t the plants of Christmas just bring such a wonderfully bright and natural feel to Christmas scenery?  They do for me.  The live Christmas tree, the fresh pine wreathes, the poinsettia and the Christmas Rose.

While you and I might by merry during this season, that is not true for everyone.  Aside from the perpetual “ba’hum buggers” out there, many people feel sad or lonely at Christmas.  Maybe they grieve the loss of a loved one, or are stationed away from family.  Some are in prison, some are in hospitals and some may be an elderly neighbor.  What ever the reason for thier darkness we, as Christians believe that there is a light for them and that “light” is Jesus Christ.

The Christmas Rose is a symbol of the Light of Christ.  This evergreen perennial plant blooms during the darkest time of year with bright petals.  The natural beauty of the Christmas Rose can be an encouraging symbol of birth and light for those who feel sadness or disappointment.  This flower can help those people, and all of us, remember to look to Jesus, the light of the world, to brighten even our darkest seasons.

As Christmas approaches, maybe you can remember to say “Merry Christmas!” to those you meet, and maybe…just maybe…you could give the gift of Christmas light to someone who is feeling sadness at this time.

(Credit to ‘Gather Round the Christmas Tree’ by Dr. Mary Manz Simon)

Continue reading »]]> Can candy really help us think of the meaning of Jesus?  Why not?

One of the most used and well known symbols of Christmas is the Candy Cane.  This simple hard sugar, read and white candy, shaped like a shepherd’s hook is full of Christian meaning.  As we enter the Christmas season I see candy canes present everywhere; from milkshake or latte flavors to large plastic decorations on street lights.  Maybe you even have some on your tree at home.

While the legend of the candy cane is varied and uncertain, the message of the symbol is certain.  Jesus Christ, who was born pure and sinless suffered and died of his own free will for his love of God and love of us, that we may have a new and eternal relationship with God.

So, enjoy this red and white, peperminty sweet treat as you celebrate the joy of the victory of eternal life that Jesus won for us.

Continue reading »]]>

What a wonderful week of the year.  It seems like the whole world is aglow with the Joy and excitement of Christmas.  I have lights on the outside of my house, on my tree and see  them as I drive around town.  The fancy ornaments sit all over the house to remind of the great celebration of the King about to arrive.  Kids through young adult are off from school and even working adults seem less attentive to actual “job” functions as people bring treats to work and have parties.  It is the time of year that most everyone is nice to one-another and social with all.

Not to be a “debbie downer” but…Just a reminder that even in this time of great excitement and joy the devil is still at work, tempting us to loose sight of the meaning for our excitement.  The devil is sneaky and is working to confuse you and lead you away from God.

Tradition says that Eve was tempted by an apple.  One way to remind yourself of the lurking sneaky devil of temptation is to include an ornament of a red or green apple on your tree.  This warning reminder is not a kill-joy, but a timely reminder to “resist the devil and stay strong in your faith” (1 Peter 5:9).

Continue reading »]]> As I write this I am looking out the window as fresh snow falls gently towards the ground.  This December has sure been a “white” one, but that is how we all think of Christmas, isn’t it?  Soft and lovely and sparkely.  A real White Christmas Wonderland.  It is so heart-warming to watch the snow from our warm homes with the glow of fireplaces, lighted trees and animated LCD TV’s.  But is this anything like Mary and Joseph’s Christmas?  Hardly!

Imagine, instead of driving across town in a heated car full of presents, singing carols (fa la la) as you go, you are riding on the back of a donkey, 9 months pregnant and expecting the baby any minute. As you get close to the town your  water breaks and contractions begin.  Your fiancée searches frantically for a warm room amid the towns-people (thank God for the light from that bright star) and a mid-wife to help you deliver, but no one will help him.  At last, a kind gentleman allows you to use his animal stable – with the animals still in it.  It’s not ideal, but it something.  Then your loving fiancée, a carpenter not a doctor, who was walking beside you as you rode the donkey and rushed frantically to find a room as you cried out “it’s coming, the baby’s coming”, has to help you deliver the baby.  How’s that “for the love of God!”

Did God need to come into the world in this harsh and cold manner?  Why did God do it this way?  What does it mean to me, as I consider it in quiet and prayer, that Jesus gave up all riches (all comforts) so that I might become rich in him?

Remember to thank God for your “riches”.