Mardi Gras 2024

The postings for ADVENT & CHRISTMAS are now concluded. 

Visit us again beginning on ASH

WEDNESDAY (Feb 14) as we journey through LENT & then the EASTER SEASON!

We live in an area of the world that celebrates Mardi Gras. 

The season of Mardi Gras has many connections with the Catholic Church.

• First of all, the season starts on Epiphany, or "King's Day," when the 3 kings brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and mur to the Christ Child.
• It is a time when the 3 liturgical seasons of Christmas (gold), Ordinary Time (green) and Lent (purple) come together.
• The "baby" in the king cake represents the Baby Jesus.
• The circular formation of the cake represents a crown.
• Also, it is a time of celebration before the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.
• Masks equalized the classes and made a level playing field.
• The torches of the flambeau represented the Light in the Darkness.

Here are some ways your family can celebrate a Catholic Mardi Gras: Catholic Mardi Gras Ideas

Baptism of the Lord 2024

Today, we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord.

~In ancient times, the Christmas Season lasted from Christmas (Dec. 25 to Candlemas (Feb. 2) Today, the Church views the season to last until The Feast of the Baptism of our Lord. ~

Readings for the Day:
Isaiah 42:1-4. 6-7
Psalm 29
Mark 1:7-11

Alternate First Readings:

Isaiah :1-11

Acts 10:34-38

1 John 5:1-9

Feast of the Epiphany (celebrated) 2024

  Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany.

Reading for the Day:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72

Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

Second Saturday of the Christmas Season 2024

Today is the optional memorial of St. Andre Bessette.

It is also the traditional day for the Feast of the Epiphany.
Today is the 13th Day of the Christmas Season.

Readings for the Day:
1 John 5:5-13
Psalm 47
Matthew 1:7-11

Second Friday of the Season of Christmas 2024

 Today is also the Memorial of St. John Neumann.

"On the twelfth day of Christmas...
my true love gave to me....
twelve drummers drumming...."

Symbolism: The twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve beliefs stated in the Apostle's Creed.

Scripture: "Now they were persevering in the doctrine of the Apostles, and in the communion of the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers. And fear developed in every soul. Also, many miracles and signs were accomplished by the Apostles in Jerusalem. And there was a great awe in everyone. And then all who believed were together, and they held all things in common."
Acts of the Apostles 2:42-44

Readings of the Day:
1 John 3:11-21
Psalm 100
John 1:43-51

Second Thursday of the Christmas Season 2024

 Today is also the Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

"On the eleventh day of Christmas.....
my true love gave to me.....
eleven pipers piping..."

Symbolism: The "eleven pipers piping" is symbolic of the eleven faithful disciples.

Scripture: "Now the eleven disciples went on to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And, seeing him, they worshipped him, but certain ones doubted. And Jesus, drawing near, spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go forth and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have ever commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even to the consummation of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20

Readings for the Day:
1 John 3:7-10
Psalm 98
John 1:35-42

Second Wednesday of the Christmas Season 2024

"On the tenth day of Christmas...my true love gave to me...
ten lords a-leaping..."

Symbolism: The "ten lords a-leaping symbolizes the Ten Commandments."

Scripture: "I was the mediator, for I was in the middle between the Lord and you, at that time, to announce his words to you. For you were afraid of the fire, and so you did not ascend to the mountain. And he said: ‘I am the Lord your God, who led you away from the land of Egypt, from the house of servitude. You shall not have strange gods in my sight.
You shall not make for yourself a graven image, nor the likeness of anything, which is in heaven above, or on earth below, or which abides in the waters under the earth.
You shall not adore and you shall not worship these things. For I am the Lord your God, a jealous God, repaying the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and fourth generation to those who hate me, and acting with mercy in thousands of ways to those who love me and keep my precepts.
You shall not use the name of the Lord your God in vain. For he will not go unpunished who takes up his name over an unimportant matter. Observe the day of the Sabbath, so that you may sanctify it, just as the Lord your God has instructed you. For six days, you shall labor and do all your work.
The seventh is the day of the Sabbath, that is, the rest of the Lord your God. You shall not do any work in it, nor shall your son, nor daughter, nor man servant, nor woman servant, nor ox, nor donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor the sojourner who is within your gates, so that your men and woman servants may rest, just as you do. Remember that you also were servants in Egypt, and the Lord your God led you away from that place with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. Because of this, he has instructed you so that you would observe the Sabbath day.
Honor your father and mother, just as the Lord your God has instructed you, so that you may live a long time, and so that it may be well with you in the land, which the Lord your God will give to you.
You shall not murder.
And you shall not commit adultery.
And you shall not commit theft.
Neither shall you speak false testimony against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his house, nor his field, nor his man servant, nor his woman servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything out of all that is his.’"
Deuteronomy 5:5-21

Readings for the Day:
1 John 2: 29-3:6
Psalm 98
John 1:29-34