The Potter’s Wheel
First Sunday of Advent The start of a new liturgical year can lull us into a cyclical coma. Another First Sunday of Advent, Year B? Great! Guess we can do the same music from our 2017 planner. Copy and paste … Read More
Christmas Day Liturgy: Returning to Basics
If you’ve been preparing liturgy or music for a while, the details of the Christmas Day liturgies and the Christmas season may seem pretty familiar or even rote. If you feel this way, reviewing the basics of this season can … Read More
Living the Paschal Mystery: A Christmas Day Reflection
To the point It is no coincidence that the opening words of John’s Prologue proclaimed at Christmas, “In the beginning” (Jn 1:1), are the same words we hear at the Easter Vigil in the story of Creation from Genesis. John’s … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Fourth Sunday of Advent – 22 December 2019 Isaiah 7:10-14. Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6. Romans 1:1-7. Matthew 1:18-24. To Dream and to Act. The promised Second Coming of Christ is assured in the reality of the first. This birth of … Read More
“Church in the night”
Fourth Sunday of Advent If you know any Filipinos in your community, you might have noticed a star-shaped lantern decorating their home during Advent and Christmas. These parols (“lanterns”) are usually made of bamboo frames covered with paper and tinsel. … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Third Sunday of Advent
Third Sunday of Advent – 15 December 2019 Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10. Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10. James 5:7-10. Matthew 11:2-11. Who Is the Messiah? When even the land sings God’s praise, how can we not do the same? When God comes … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Feast – Thursday, 12 December 2019 Patronal Feastday of the Americas Zechariah 2:14-17. OR Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab. Judith 13:18bcde, 19. Luke 1:26-38. OR Luke 1:39-47. A Rose Filled Cloak. Roses in winter, a miraculous image … Read More
Don’t be afraid to rejoice!
Third Sunday of Advent Throughout Advent you might already have been singing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Or perhaps you have been waiting for today, Gaudete (“Rejoice”) Sunday, or for December 17, the traditional time the church begins singing the … Read More
Bulletin Shorts for the Second Sunday of Advent
Second Sunday of Advent – 08 December 2019 Isaiah 11:1-10. Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17. Romans 15:4-9. Matthew 3:1-12. A Changed Mind Fosters a Changed Life. Who would want to be accused of being part of a brood of vipers? … Read More
When do we celebrate the Immaculate Conception this year?
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Last year, the Immaculate Conception fell on a Saturday. This year, December 8 is Sunday! Now what? Sunday is always a holy day of obligation. The Code of Canon Law … Read More