Mass
Building and Nourishing Community
Bishop David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Building and Nourishing Community
A few months ago, I was speaking to someone affiliated with a school. They were rejoicing in the good news of their annual auction. Because of COVID-19, this one-day event was transformed into a four-day online auction. The financial outcome was so profitable that the school official suggested that the online auction become the norm. Read More
The Holy Mass: An Antidote to Sin
Father Dennis Gill Comments Off on The Holy Mass: An Antidote to Sin
Mass and sin are two multivalent terms. Since these terms include several levels of meaning, it is important to focus on each with some precision. Today, the meanings of both terms are frequently poorly grasped even by the most fervent of Christians. This precision is not to narrow an understanding of Mass and sin, but Read More
The History of the Holy ‘Bread of Easter’
D.D. Emmons Comments Off on The History of the Holy ‘Bread of Easter’
The term Easter bread mostly conjures up images of unique, special bread that families bake at the end of Lent for sharing on Resurrection Sunday. While not so named, the original Easter bread, or Bread of Easter, is the bread Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper and on the road to Emmaus. This Read More
Praying the Greatest Prayer: The Holy Mass
Father Gerald Dennis Gill Comments Off on Praying the Greatest Prayer: The Holy Mass
Catholics often say that the Mass is the greatest prayer that we can offer. This is true for many reasons, and especially so because it is Christ’s prayer, Christ’s saving sacrifice offered to the heavenly Father for his glory and for our salvation. At every Mass, Christ unites us to himself in the offering of Read More
Outdoor Masses during Pandemic
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Outdoor Masses during Pandemic
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:20). When people gather in the name of Jesus, more often than not the meeting takes place in a church, usually in the context of holy Mass, which often involves a significant portion of a Read More
COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: Reopening of Masses Is Welcome but Presents Challenges
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: Reopening of Masses Is Welcome but Presents Challenges
Openings are meant to be a celebratory time. Whether a private business, a store, a stadium or even a church, it provides a time to ritualize with joy and gratitude. Reopenings can be just as exciting and joyful. During this past weekend, I met with my clergy team and two staff members to address the Read More
Finding Positives In a Crisis
Father Michael White Comments Off on Finding Positives In a Crisis
Sudden crises have a way of accelerating disruptive trends. The changes we have been putting off for so long tend to become obvious when we are faced with an overwhelming, existential threat. This moment in time is no different. The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has forced parishes and other Church institutions to embrace many Read More
Praying the Mass Without a Congregation
Father Dennis Gill Comments Off on Praying the Mass Without a Congregation
The COVID-19 pandemic necessarily introduced many and varied responses on the part of everyone to stem the spread of the virus. The practical shutdown of counties and cities required the public worship of God, in many cases, to become virtual and left many priests with the new normal of celebrating Mass without a congregation as Read More