Bible Study for Advent Week 1

  • 11/28 – Titus 2:1-10 – Do I care what people think of me? Do I care for the right reasons? Does my behavior give my family, friends, or co-workers reason to think that Jesus can change their lives?
  • 11/29 – Titus 2:11-15 and Titus 3:1-8 – Paul says that the grace of God trains us “to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly” (Titus 2:11-12). Where is God’s grace trying to train you right now?
  • 11/30 – Titus 3:9-15 – What has especially impressed me about this month’s readings? How has God used them to speak to me? What points do I want to keep in mind as I enter into this Advent season?
  • 12/1 – Isaiah 40:1-11 – How has God come in power into my life? Have I ever felt I was in exile from God? What message of comfort do I hear in today’s reading?
  • 12/2 – Isaiah 40:12-31 – Have I ever gazed at the stars and been filled with awe at the one who made them? What are my greatest hopes? What has God done to fulfill my hopes?
  • 12/3 – Isaiah 41 – What terms does God use to address me? Maggot? Friend? Beloved? What do my fears reveal about my relationship with God? What do my hopes reveal about my relationship With God?
  • 12/4 – Isaiah 42 – Do I see God doing things around me but not understand their significance? Do I hear God’s word without getting the message? What might I do to shed my distraction and confusion?

We begin Advent with the prophet that brought the message to the first centuries BC. Read and listen!

Advent

As we look forward to the beginning of a new liturgical year, we look at the season of Advent as a time of preparation and expectation.

There are those around in our community, however, that have little to prepare for or expect.

As we approach this new liturgical year and this penitential season, let us re-new our efforts to provide for those in need: We shall begin our food drive collection, our mitten tree collections, blankets, and various other ways to lend a hand.

Please look with anticipation to this new liturgical year with the hope and peace of Christ, and see how much you can give of yourself this upcoming preparatory season. Thank you.

On Sunday, November 28th, the First Sunday in Advent, we will be holding the blessing of Opłatki (Christmas Wafers), our Advent Wreath, and our Jesse Tree prior to Holy Mass.

Bible Study for the Last Week in Ordinary Time

  • 11/21 – Psalm 142-143 – When did I last cry out, ”God, help me!” What was I asking God to do? Prayer starter: Lord, do not abandon me. Save me from the enemies that lie in wait. Teach me to love you well.
  • 11/22 – Psalm 144 – What language do I use when I pray? What prayers have “soaked into my bones”? Prayer starter: Gracious God, thank your for teaching us how to pray. Thank you for giving us the words.
  • 11/23 – Psalm 145 – What is my central belief about God? Could I construct a song of praise from A to Z? Prayer starter: All-powerful God, your love pervades every moment of my life and every life throughout the world; teach me to find you and praise you in the A to Z of your presence.
  • 11/24 – Psalm 146-147 – Do I see God’s love in my every breath? in every mouthful of food? in every moment I am rescued from death? Prayer starter: Compassionate God, I praise you for your ever-present love and care. I praise you for the stars and the snow, for my family and all the peoples of the earth.
  • 11/25 – Psalm 148-149 – Whom or what do I want to call to help me give praise to God? How do I bring the rest of the world and all people into my shout of praise? Prayer starter: Cars and cherry trees, planes and pumpkins, lasers and larks, help me to give praise to God. Cell phones and cedars, elevators and elephants, snow and apple cider, glorify the Lord.
  • 11/26 – Psalm 150 – How many reasons do I have to give praise to God? Prayer starter: Praise God for life! Praise God for breath! Praise God for laughter! Praise God for words!
  • 11/27 – Matthew 1:1-17 – God’s long-range preparation for Jesus’ coming included some unlikely families and took unexpected twists and turns. What does that tell me about God? about my own beginnings? about my role in God’s plan to bless to whole human family? Prayer starter: Lord God, thank you for sending your Son to be God with us. Show me how to cooperate with all your wise and wonderful plans for bringing him to others.

Bible Study for Ordinary Week 33

  • 11/14 – Psalm 132 – How is God present to me? in other people? in church? at prayer? Where else? Prayer starter: God, you chose to be present with us in so many ways. Your son Jesus came to show us how to find you.
  • 11/15 – Psalm 133-134 – Have you ever gone on a pilgrimage or a group trip? How did people treat one another? Did you have the blessing of unity? Prayer starter: God of all our journeys, help us remember that we travel to you together. Bless us with the precious gift of unity.
  • 11/16 – Psalm 135-136 – What events from your own life would you choose for a litany on God’s love? Can you see God’s love even in events that were painful at the time? Prayer starter: Loving God, may you be forever blessed for your goodness to me and to those I love. I find your love all the days of my life.
  • 11/17 – Psalm 137 – Have I ever experienced such bitter grief? Am I Willing to turn my desire for vengeance over to God rather than exercising it myself? Prayer starter: God of mercy, have compassion on those who suffer from war or genocide. Have mercy also on their persecutors and soften their hearts.
  • 11/18 – Psalm 138 – Where do I see God’s actions in my life? in the world? When is my heart filled with thanksgiving? Prayer starter: Faithful God, thank you for all your gifts to me — life, love, family, food, health, and much more. Thank you for your gifts to the world – beauty, fertility, richness…
  • 11/19 – Psalm 139 – Have I ever considered how wonderfully made I am? Do I find God’s loving fingerprints on my being? Am I Willing to rejoice that God knows everything about me? Prayer starter: Wise and loving God, I thank you for the wonder of my being. I surrender my whole life to your loving care.
  • 11/20 – Psalm 140-141 – How do I use the gift of speech? What do my words reveal about me? Prayer starter: God, my refuge and strength, purify my heart that my words may be kind. Heal those whom my words have hurt.

Special Holy Mass this Friday, November 12th

A word about the special mass scheduled for this Friday evening –

In years past, we had placed our parish concerns before the Lord within the prayers of Holy Mass. Since each Sunday Mass is specifically celebrated for the congregation, this intention is more focused.

We are facing once again some uncertainty is our near future: financially, organizationally, and ministerially. In years past, we have presented these concerns before the Lord, especially those of our financial needs, and He has been faithful. The despair and uncertainty were erased and we were able to carry on in His overwhelming grace.

Facing these uncertain times for our parish, as well as many other concerns as a nation and world, it is time, once again, to kneel before the Lord as a parish family to make these petitions. As The Lord has been faithful in those other times we have placed our concerns before Him, there is no reason to expect Him not to heed our pleas, and He will show us what lies ahead. If there are changes to be made, we must be courageous enough to accept them and apply them.

In whatever resolution to our payers that will come from our communal time together, we must truly believe that it is His Will for us.

Let us gather this coming Friday evening, November 12th and place ourselves within the presence and mercy of our gracious Lord. Holy Mass is scheduled for 6:30 pm.

Bible Study for Ordinary Week 32

  • 11/7 – Psalm 118 – Do I gather a crowd to help me give thanks to God? Am I aware that the Eucharist is the Church’s regular liturgy of thanksgiving? Prayer starter: God whose love endures forever, thank you for protecting me from all the dangers that surround me. Thank you for protecting my family, our country, our Church.
  • 11/8 – Psalm 120-121 – Does the violent talk of others lead me to want violence? Do I realty seek peace? Do I trust that God is always there to protect me in danger? Prayer starter: God of peace, you surround me with loving care. Teach me to trust your love and to seek peace.
  • 11/9 – Psalm 122-123 – Where do I find God’s presence? Do I remember to pray for the peace of all God’s people? Prayer starter: God of all people, be with us as we turn to you. Grant us peace.
  • 11/10 – Psalm 124-125 – Do I really trust God to protect me from danger? Or do I trust my own power? When have I experienced God’s rescue? Prayer starter: All-powerful God, I put my life in your hands. I trust you to guide me and save me from danger.
  • 11/11 – Psalm 126-127 – Am I willing to risk placing my future in God’s hands? Do I trust that God can turn my tears to shouts of joy? Do I give thanks for the gift of my children? Prayer starter: Generous God, you give us everything to sustain our lives. Teach me to hope in the future you have prepared for me.
  • 11/12 – Psalm 128-129 – Do I take the time to enjoy the blessings of my home and family? Do I thank God for these blessings? When I remember times of distress, do I focus on the suffering or on God’s deliverance? Prayer starter: Loving God, your blessings surround me. Thank you for all the goodness you have put into my life.
  • 11/13 – Psalm 130-131 – Do I really believe God forgives me? How does that make me feel? Am I willing to let go and let God carry me? Prayer starter: Loving God, you care for my every need and heal my every wound. Help me to trust you.

Veterans’ Day

On Veterans’ Day, observed this coming week, we pause to give thanks for those who had given in their time in service to our country. We rejoice that they had had a successful campaign and are here living with us. Although some may be disabled, we give great thanks to all those who had survived their tour of duty and had ensured for us the freedom we live each day.

There is one thing we could consider: in the list of those receiving Christmas cards from us, perhaps we include one to:

A Recovering Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Hospital
Washington, DC.

Bible Study for Ordinary Week 31

  • 10/31 – Psalm 105 and Psalm 106 – Where do we find God in our history today? How does God care for us and save us from danger and destruction? Prayer starter: God of all time, we praise you for your unfailing presence in every century. We see your hands rescuing us from today’s enslaving powers.
  • 11/1 – Psalm 107 and Psalm 108 – When have I experienced God’s loving care? How did I give thanks? Did I share thanksgiving with the community? Prayer starter: Loving God, you never stop taking care of us. Without you we can do nothing. May my life be a thanksgiving.
  • 11/2 – Psalm 110 – Who or what are the enemies that threaten my life? Do I trust in Christ, seated at God’s right hand, to deliver me? Prayer starter: Christ, King of all, rule in my heart. Deliver me from sin. Protect me from whatever separates me from you.
  • 11/3 – Psalm 111 and Psalm 112 – How does my life reflect God’s goodness? Was it when I was when I was most like God? Prayer starter: Loving and gracious God, teach me your ways. Give me an honest and generous heart.
  • 11/4 – Psalm 113 – Do I take time to be aware of God’s presence and care in my daily life? How do I reflect that care in my concern for the poor? Prayer starter: Gracious God, always present to me, praised be your holy name. May you be praised for everything you do.
  • 11/5 – Psalm 114 and Psalm 115 – What am I afraid of? Do I believe that God has the power to tame my terrors? Can I celebrate this? Prayer starter: God of might and delight, show me that your power is used to protect me. Teach me not to be afraid. Let my heart dance.
  • 11/6 – Psalm 116 and Psalm 117 – When have I experienced God saving me from danger? How have I given thanks? Do I really believe that my life is precious to God? Prayer starter: God, whose love for me is more than I can understand or imagine, thank you. Thank you for your presence at every moment of my life.