Pages

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Friday of the First Week of Advent

 Jesse Tree Story: JACOB

Jesse Tree Symbol: A LADDER

Scripture: "Then he had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God's messengers were going up and down on it. And there was the LORD standing beside him and saying: "I, the LORD, am the God of your forefather Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants. These shall be as plentiful as the dust of the earth, and through them you shall spread out east and west, north and south. In you and your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing."
Genesis 28:12-14

Commentary: God renewed his promise to Isaac's son, Jacob, through a dream in which he saw
angels ascending and descending a ladder which reached from heaven to earth.



Readings for the Day:
Isaiah 29:17-24
Psalm 27
Matthew 9:27-31

Thursday of the First Week of Advent 2024

 Jesse Tree Story: ISAAC

Jesse Tree Symbol: THE ALTAR OF HOLOCAUST

Scripture: "I will bless you and make your descendants
as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the
seashore; your descendants will take possession of the
gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the
nations of the earth will find blessing, because you
obeyed my command.” Genesis 22:17-18

Commentary: Since God saved Isaac from the sacrificial altar, he was able to carry on God's promise to Abraham. 

Readings of the Day:
Isaiah 26:1-6
Psalm 118
Matthew 7:21, 24-27

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent 2024

Jesse Tree Story: ABRAHAM


Jesse Tree Symbol: A RAM

Scripture: " I will bless you and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants will take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth will find blessing, because you obeyed my command."
Genesis 22:17-18

Commentary: When Abraham was about to sacrifice his own son, God gave him a ram to offer instead. He then promised Abraham that the entire world would be blessed by one of his descendants--Christ. 

Readings for the Day:
Isaiah 25:6-10
Psalm 23
Matthew 15:29-37

Tuesday of the First Week of Advent 2024

Today is also the Memorial of St. Francis Xavier.


Jesse Tree Story: NOAH

Jesse Tree Symbol: THE ARK

Scripture: "'Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves shall he
be to his brothers.' He also said, 'Blessed be the Lord, the
God of Shem! Let Canaan be his slave. May God expand
Japeth, and may he dwell among the tents of Shem; and
let Canaan be his slave!'"
Genesis 9:25-27


Commentary: The Ark represents the promise of salvation given by God through Noah. It also symbolizes the Church by which we travel tempestuous waters of life. 


Readings of the Day:
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72
Luke 10: 21-24

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Monday of the First Week of Advent 2024


 Jesse Tree StoryAbel

Jesse Tree SymbolA Lamb

Scripture: "Yahweh asked Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?'
'I do not k now,' he replied. 'Am I my brother's guardian?' 
'What have you done?' Yahweh asked. 'Listen! 
Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground. 
Now be cursed and banned from the ground that has 
opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood at your hands.'"
Genesis 4:9-11
Commentary: God chose certain persons to foreshadow 
something related to Christ or to His Kingdom. 
Just as the blood of Abel cried out to God, 
so Christ's blood calls for forgiveness and grace.
Readings for the Day:
Isaiah 2: 1-5
Psalm 122
Matthew 8: 5-11

First Sunday of Advent 2024

Jesse Tree Story: ADAM & EVE

Jesse Tree Symbol: THE APPLE

Scripture: "I shall put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; it will bruise your head and you will strike its heel."
Genesis 3:15

Commentary: The first promise of the coming of the Redeemer, Christ, was made to Adam and Eve in Paradise after they disobeyed God.

Readings for the Day:
Jeremiah 33: 14-16
Psalm 25
1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Monday, November 18, 2024

ADVENT 2024

 Welcome back to the OLQHS RELIGIOUS INTERACTIVE SITE.


Every Advent, Christmas, Lent & Easter, we come together to walk the journey of the seasons as a school community. We invite you and your family to join us on our journey as we discover a deeper meaning of the Liturgical Seasons.

During Advent, we will be building a JESSE TREE. 
Every day, this site will post a Jesse Tree Symbol that goes with a story from Scripture. There will also be a short commentary about the symbol and scripture. The Liturgical Readings for the Day will be notated, along with any special Feast Days or traditions. We invite you to use the links at the right of the page to navigate to sites, where you can access the Readings for the Day and other information.

We hope that you and your family have a FAITH-FILLED Advent Season.

WHAT IS A JESSE TREE?
The Jesse Tree

"O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign for all people, standing before the silence of kings, to whom the gentiles offer their prayers.  Come and deliver us."

The Jesse Tree helps us to remember that Advent is a time of waiting for the coming of the Savior.  It is a symbol of life and growth and is expressed through the ancestry of an individual.  The image is not unusual to us since we also speak about our family tree or our roots.

Jesse, whom the tree is named after, was the father of King David.  The tree reminds us of all the people who waited for the coming of the Savior.  We decorate the tree with symbols that remind us of some of the people who waited for the coming of the Savior--the patriarchs and matriarchs (our fathers and mothers in faith), the prophets, and the parents of the Lord.

If you would like to have your own Jesse Tree for your family in your home, please refer to links posted on the sidebar for assistance.

Monday, January 8, 2024

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

Sunday, January 7, 2024

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

Saturday, January 6, 2024

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

Friday, January 5, 2024

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

Thursday, January 4, 2024

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

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

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

Memorial of Saints Basil and Gregory

 Today we celebrate the Memorials of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory of Nazianzen.



"On the ninth day of Christmas...
my true love gave to me....
nine ladies dancing..."

Symbolism: The "nine ladies dancing" symbolize the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit.
(The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are sometimes listed as 9 subjects and sometimes listed as 12 subjects.)

Scripture: "But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, forbearance, meekness, faith, modesty, abstinence, chastity. There is no law against such things."
Galatians 5:22-23


Reading for the Day
:
1 John 2:22-28
Psalm 98
John 1:19-28

Feast of Mary, Mother of God

 Today is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.



"On the eighth day of Christmas...my true love gave to me...
eight maids a-milking..."

Symbolism: The "eight maids a-milking" symbolizes the eight Beatitudes, given to us by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount.

Scripture: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be consoled. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who endure persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they have slandered you, and persecuted you, and spoken all kinds of evil against you, falsely, for my sake: be glad and exult, for your reward in heaven is plentiful. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Matthew 5:3-12


Readings for the Day
:
Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm 67
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:16-21