FULLY CATHOLIC

Jesus Starts Public Ministry With Wedding At Cana

Many years ago a young woman fell ill while sitting her Higher Cambridge examination. She did not finish a crucial paper which carried the majority of the marks needed to pass the examination. Everyone expected that because she was unable to finish that paper that she would have been asked to repeat the examination. To the surprise of all, her parents, her teachers, and fellow pupils she was given a pass grade. That student has gone on to become one on of the foremost poets of Canada.

Reflecting On Our Own Baptism

The celebration of baptism is always slightly bittersweet for me. It is bitter sweet because so often the reasons parents give for wanting to baptize their children is so disconnected from reality. The reasons given go from the ridiculous to the sublime.

I thought of this as I read the Gospel passage because this Gospel passage tells us what the sacrament of baptism is about. In this Gospel passage we are witnessing a handing over of power or of a mission to someone new. This is a truly human experience. Politicians do it, leaders of firms do it, principals of schools do it, sports administrators do it, and I dare say parents do it also.

Very often in our lives persons whom we met long ago return to play important roles in our lives. So often we have to remark; “little did I know that such and such a person would return to be my spouse, my doctor or lawyer!” I thought of that truth as I read the Gospel passage for this feast of the Epiphany. Epiphany according to the Oxford dictionary finds its meaning in a Greek word meaning “to reveal.” Today we celebrate the self-revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ, not simply to the Jews who as St. John says did not receive him, but to the entire world, represented by the Magi.

Holy Innocents In Today's World

Every year, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Innocents, and in so doing, we call to mind the male children, two years and younger, who were ordered to be killed by King Herod, because of his insecurity and quest for power.  He wanted to be king forever.  But on the feast of the Holy Innocents, we remember not only the little baby boys killed at the hands of King Herod, but we also remember those who have been and are being killed at the hands of modern day 'King Herods'.

Catholic Celebration of Christmas

I believe that Christmas should be celebrated the right way every Catholic family. Assisting younger family members to understand the real meaning of Christmas is a must for Catholic households in today's society. For a practicing Catholic, you need not look far to find traditions that you can adopt into your family.  You may even come up with new customs or Christmas ideas that your family will take pleasure in for years to come!  Here are some Christmas practices that you can adopt into your family.