February is an appropriate time to enhance the beauty, faith, sacrifice, and joy of marital relationships The January edition of The East Tennessee Catholic contained an insert describing the purpose and focus of the 2013 Bishop’s Appeal Campaign. The title of the campaign is “Love Never Fails,” and the idea …
Understanding the sacraments: The Eucharist–a mystagogical catechesis
Through the source and summit of Christian life, we enter into the mystery in every aspect of our lives According to Blessed John Paul II, a mystagogical catechesis of the liturgy helps the faithful to do three things: “to understand the meaning of the liturgy’s words and actions, to pass …
Once upon a time: Many people are ‘foundational to our story’
Popes, bishops, priests, deacons, brothers, sisters and laypeople all ‘give dimension to this Church of ours’ The month of January, traditionally our coldest month of the year, was the last month to have her calendar filled from New Year’s Day until the feast of St. John Bosco (the 31st). The …
He dwells among us: Better than expected
Faith reminds us that Christ is truly present and hope ever builds our trust in him as disciples It seemed like a good idea at the time, but it didn’t quite turn out the way I expected.” I was but a young boy at the time when my elderly neighbor, …
Living the readings: The Light has come
Jesus shines the light on himself as the giver of freedom Advent is over; Christmas has come; and, significantly, the Light that was promised is already shining upon us. The fact that the first day of the year is always the Octave Day of Christmas is not by accident. We …
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Understanding the sacraments: Confirmation: a mystagogical catechesis
The baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church with the sacrament of Confirmation Liturgical catechesis has one purpose: “to initiate people into the mystery of Christ (It is ‘mystagogy’) by proceeding from the visible to the invisible, from the sign to the thing signified, from the ‘sacraments’ to the …
Once upon a time: In praise of improvements for celebrating Mass
Times have changed since ‘midnight Masses’ at 5 a.m., 100-degree choir lofts, long Eucharistic fasts I have served in several parishes by now, but in only one of them do I find the cavities cut in the pews for hinges to the wee doors that once were affixed to every …
He dwells among us: Cartoon lessons
Advent is a time to draw closer to Him; He is our true peace, but also a sign of contradiction Gone now are the Bob Hope Christmas specials as well as other Christmas shows, including my most memorable one in 1977 when David Bowie joined in a song with none …
Living the readings: A joyful feast for the soul
By praising God, we can develop Christmas joy By Father Joseph Brando December is not only the first month of the liturgical year; it’s also the busiest. There are seven Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation in the month. To boot, Christmas has four entirely distinct Masses each with its …
Marriage enrichment: Learning to let go is a difficult lesson
Mary set the example in loving her child with an open hand, allowing Jesus the freedom to grow By Marian Christiana Learning to let go can be a challenge for all of us, especially when it comes to our children. Years ago, when our children were young and starting school, …
Mystagogical catechesis: baptism
‘Baptism incorporates us into Christ and forms us into God’s people’ By Father Randy Stice In Sacrament of Charity, Pope Benedict reminds us that Christian formation centers “on a vital and convincing encounter with Christ” that “gains depth through catechesis and finds its source and summit in the celebration of …
Once upon a time: A special glory of its own
East Tennessee Catholics are invested in The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem By Monsignor Xavier Mankel The Holy Land is called Holy because so many, many holy things happened there. Abraham would have sacrificed his son, Isaac, there (Mount Moriah). Three temples were erected there (Solomon’s was …
