Did You Know?
This page is dedicated to a project initiated by our Parish Council to help enhance our understanding of the Catholic faith as a parish. Each week a new topic is presented for your reflection and contemplation.
DID YOU KNOW? . . . for FEBRUARY
February 8 /9 February, 2025: The Second Pillar of the Catholic Catechism: Sacraments of Faith
Focuses on the sacred liturgy and sacraments and is how we worship as faithful Christians. It explores how the Church celebrates and participates in the Paschal Mystery (Jesus's death and resurrection), and how the seven sacraments make God's grace present in our lives.
Sacraments are the sacred actions of the Church’s liturgy that make God’s salvation present through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In essence, this pillar addresses how we worship God and experience his presence through the sacraments and the Church’s liturgical life.
Key aspects of this pillar include:
The Sacred Liturgy: This refers to the public worship of the Church, including the Mass, the sacraments, and other liturgical celebrations.
The Sacraments: These are the visible signs of God's grace, instituted by Christ, through which we receive God's blessings and grace.
The Paschal Mystery: This refers to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is central to Christian faith and is celebrated throughout the liturgical year.
Sources:
- https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
- https://www.thecatechisminayearstudyguide.com/
February 1-2, 2025:
The First Pillar of the Catholic Catechism: Profession of Faith
Broken down into two sections the first pillar of the Catechism summarizes the gifts that God gives man. It is the longest part of the four parts and arguably the most foundational.
SECTION 1: “I Believe” – “We Believe: begins to explore what it means “to believe” and begins our profession of faith by saying “I believe” or “We believe”. The Apostle’s Creed opens up the structure of the Catechism and shows how it is far more than a list of “faith facts,” but instead a sure map for the journey of faith.
The Creed is from Genesis all the way to Jesus, The Holy Spirt and the Church and is what we believe as faithful Christians. It is the plan of God; he loves all of us in a concrete unique way. He knows us, wants us to know him and wants to bring us into that Covenant relationship with him.
Sources:
DID YOU KNOW? . . . for JANUARY
January 25/26, 2025: What is the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
The Catechism is a reference work that summarizes the Catholic Church’s doctrine.
It aims at presenting an organic synthesis of the essential and fundamental contents of Catholic doctrine, as regards both faith and morals, in the light of the Second Vatican Council and the whole of the Church’s Tradition.
Its principal sources are Sacred Scriptures, Fathers of the Church, Liturgy and the Church’s Magisterium.
The Catechism is arranged in FOUR principal parts or pillars as follows:
Profession of Faith (The Creed – What we Believe): The profession of faith summarizes the gifts that God gives man: as the Author of all that is good; as Redeemer; and as Sanctifier. It develops these in the three chapters on our baptismal faith in the one God: the almighty Father, the Creator; his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour; and the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, in the Holy Church
Sacraments of Faith (How we Worship): The second part of the Catechism explains how God's salvation, accomplished once for all through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit, is made present in the sacred actions of the Church's liturgy (Section One), especially in the seven sacraments
Life in Christ/The Moral Life (How we Live): The third part of the Catechism deals with the final end of man created in the image of God: beatitude, and the ways of reaching it - through right conduct freely chosen, with the help of God's law and grace, and through conduct that fulfils the twofold commandment of charity, specified in God's Ten Commandments
Christian Prayer (including the Lord’s Prayer – How we Pray): The last part of the Catechism deals with the meaning and importance of prayer in the life of believers (Section One). It concludes with a brief commentary on the seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer (Section Two), for indeed we find in these the sum of all the good things which we must hope for, and which our heavenly Father wants to grant us.
January 18 /19, 2025: Why do we make the Sign of the Cross?
The Sign of the Cross serves as a reminder that God is a communion of love and is a sign of the central mystery of Christian faith. It reminds us of the two central realities of our faith: who God is (the Trinity) and what God has done for us (the Cross)
The Sign of the Cross should be made intentionally, never casually. It often introduces and closes other prayers, but it is a prayer in itself and can also be prayed on its own
“By tracing the cross on our body, we remind ourselves how much God loved us, to the point of giving his life for us; and we repeat to ourselves that his love envelopes us completely (Pope Francis, June 4, 2023)”
Each time we make the Sign of the Cross, we renew our profession of faith, express our belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and acknowledge the divine work of creation, salvation and sanctification. We invoke the Holy Trinity.
The Sign of the Cross is a sacramental and the Catholic Church recommends the practice of sanctifying our daily life with sacramentals regularly, by making the Sign of a Cross before we begin an activity, we elevate whatever it is we are doing and creating an opportunity for drawing nearer to God.
Sources:
- https://www.goodcatholic.com/five-things-you-should-know-about-the-sign-of-the-cross/
DID YOU KNOW? . . . for DECEMBER
December 21/22, 2024: The Fourth Sunday of Advent
The fourth Sunday of Advent emphasizes the incomparable PEACE that our Divine Saviour brings
The fourth and final purple (violet) candle also known as The Angel’s Candle is lit symbolizing PEACE. The Angel Candle is named such from the fact that the angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace and reminds us of the importance of peace as the true Saviour of the world is coming.
On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we reflect on the PEACE that Jesus brings to hearts and our world. We focus our hearts on the “Lord of peace” who came down from heaven in the form of a baby.
Sources:
- https://www.catholic.com/tract/catholic-answers-guide-to-advent
- https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/second-sunday-advent.html
- https://www.aboutcatholics.com/beliefs/meaning-of-advent-candles-catholic/
December 14/15, 2024: The Third Sunday of Advent
The third Sunday of Advent symbolizes the world’s JOY for the long-expected Saviour’s birth. It is traditionally called Gaudete (Latin word for rejoice) Sunday.
The rose-colored candle also known as "The Shepherd’s candle" is lit in the third week and reminds us that the Jesus’ coming is near as we reach the middle point of Advent.
In the third week of Advent, we are invited to reflect on the JOY we have access to because of our faith in Jesus. It gives us the opportunity to prepare in our hearts a sense of holy anticipation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus as well as the promise of his second coming.
Sources:
- https://www.catholic.com/tract/catholic-answers-guide-to-advent
- https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/second-sunday-advent.html
- https://www.aboutcatholics.com/beliefs/meaning-of-advent-candles-catholic/
December 7/8, 2024: The Second Sunday of Advent
The second Sunday of Advent focus shifts to the theme of FAITH.
The second purple (violet) candle also known as The Bethlehem Candle is lit, reminding us of Mary & Joseph’s FAITH and journey to the city Bethlehem where Jesus would be born.
The second Sunday of Advent gives us the opportunity to prepare our hearts in faithful waiting to celebrate the birth of Jesus and readying ourselves for his second coming.
Sources:
- https://www.catholic.com/tract/catholic-answers-guide-to-advent
- https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/second-sunday-advent.html
- https://www.aboutcatholics.com/beliefs/meaning-of-advent-candles-catholic/
November 30/ December 01, 2024: The First Sunday of Advent
The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the season and focuses on the theme of HOPE and the anticipation of Jesus’ birth and return.
The first purple (violet) candle also known as The Prophet’s Candle is lit, reminding us of the foretelling of the birth of Christ by the Prophet Isaiah, and the anticipation of the arrival of the Messiah.
The first Sunday of Advent gives us the opportunity to centre our thoughts on HOPE. It is an opportunity to centre our HOPE on God’s love through Christ Jesus coming into the world.
Sources:
- https://www.catholic.com/tract/catholic-answers-guide-to-advent
- https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/second-sunday-advent.html
- https://www.aboutcatholics.com/beliefs/meaning-of-advent-candles-catholic/
DID YOU KNOW? . . . for NOVEMBER
November 23/24, 2024: What is Advent?
Advent is best known as the period in the Church’s calendar before Christmas, lasting about a month and marks the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity. It begins with the fourth Sunday before Christmas (nearest to the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, November 30) and lasts through to Christmas Eve.
The term “Advent” derives from the Latin meaning “coming” or “arrival.” It’s a time of waiting and preparation, filled with joy but also with repentance and penance. It anticipates the “coming of Christ” from three different perspectives: the nativity in Bethlehem, Christ’s reception in the heart of the believer, and the return of Christ at His Second Coming.
Within the Catholic faith, the season of Advent holds profound meaning. It serves a twofold purpose:
1) Preparation for the Birth of Christ: Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the arrival of Jesus. We reflect on the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, their fulfillment in Jesus our hope (1 Tim. 1 : 1), and thus the mission of salvation he’s given to us as members of the one Church he founded.
2) A Call to Conversion: It’s also a season of introspection and renewal. The liturgical color purple reminds us of our imperfections and the need for repentance. By acknowledging our shortcomings, we open ourselves to God’s grace and prepare ourselves to receive the gift of Christ. Also, penance — such as through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving which helps us quiet and discipline our hearts for the joy of Christmas (see Catechism 1434.
In essence, this season is a bridge between the past, present, and future. It allows us to look back on the hope for the Saviour of the World, experience anew the joy of his arrival and also his reign in the present through his Church, and to prepare ourselves for his glorious return at his Second Coming.
Each Sunday of Advent holds a special significance, as symbolized by the respective four candles of the Advent wreath: hope, faith, joy and peace
During this time the faithful prepare themselves to celebrate the anniversary of the Lord’s coming into the world as the incarnate God of love.
Sources:
- https://insidethevatican.com/magazine/celebrating-advent-its-history-and-traditions/gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7pmolN3miQMVyh-tBh0uRQ-fEAAYASAAEgIshvD_BwE
-https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/advent
-https://www.catholic.com/tract/catholic-answers-guide-to-advent
November 16/17, 2024: Why do we pray?
Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God (St John Damascene). God enables us to approach Him, to know Him, and to be in union with Him and this personal relationship with God happens in prayer.
By prayer one acknowledges God’s power and goodness, and one’s own neediness and dependence. It is an act of virtue implying the deepest reverence for God and habituating a person to look to him for everything. Whether prayer is expressed in words or gestures, it is the whole man who prays
Prayer is a living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit. The life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the thrice-holy God and in communion with him.
Another way of looking at prayer is called the “ACTS” prayer model. Each letter represents a different dimension or focus of the prayer that we offer to God. See that idea explained as follows:
A is for Adoration: We could say that the reason God made us was simply to adore Him. Our relationship with Him is not one between equals. He is Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. He is the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end of all. He is Love (1 Jn 4:8). We are His finite creatures and, in fact, nothing in comparison to Him. Yet, he calls us to share in His love and his life. We are called to adore Him. We find that the more we adore Him, the more we discover who we are and we find greater and greater love, meaning, peace and freedom.
C is for Contrition: We are all sinners. It was for the forgiveness of our sins and our salvation that Christ Our Savior took on our human flesh while remaining most high God and went to the Cross. In our relationship with God we must express our sorrow or contrition for our sins. Contrition is a necessary part of our repentance and conversion (turning back to God).
T is for Thanksgiving: All that we are and possess comes from the hands of God. In His love and mercy, God pours out upon us manifold spiritual and natural gifts. All that comes upon us is ordered for our deepening relationship with our loving Father. For all this, we are bound to offer our thanksgiving to God daily.
S is for Supplication: This means that we turn to God, who is generous and benevolent, and ask Him for the graces and material gifts we ourselves need and for all people. In the needs of life, for us, for our loved ones, or even for those we do not know personally, the human heart may be most easily moved to turn to God in prayer. To do so is to follow the words of Jesus Himself, who said, “Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it will be opened unto you” (Mt 7:7).
November 9/10, 2024:
Why do we bless ourselves with Holy Water before Mass?
Sacraments are sacred signs instituted by Christ that give grace while sacramentals are instituted by the church and signify the effects which are obtained through the intercession of the church. By these sacramentals we are disposed to receive the chief effects of the sacraments themselves. Holy Water is a sacramental.
As we bless ourselves with Holy Water coming into the church, we remind ourselves of the gift of our Baptism (the first of the 7 Sacraments in our Catholic Faith).
Blessing yourself with Holy Water is meant to remind us that we were purified in Baptism and to seek forgiveness (“re-purification” so to speak) of our post-baptismal sins.
When entering church to signify a renewal of our commitment to Christ and a cleansing from venial sin, and before entering the sacred space, we dip our fingers in the Holy Water and make the Sign of the Cross while praying, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Some other key points about this practice:
Baptismal Connection: The water represents the water used in Baptism, where individuals are symbolically born into the Christian faith.
The Sign of the Cross: Making the sign of the cross while using Holy Water further reinforces the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
Spiritual Preparation: This act is seen as a way to prepare oneself mentally and spiritually to participate in the Mass.
November 2/3, 2024: The Corporal Works of Mercy
There are 7 Corporal Works of Mercy and are works oriented towards the body.
The Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and give us a model for how we should treat all others, as if they were Christ in disguise.
The 7 Corporal Works of Mercy (and some examples) are as follows:
1. Feed the Hungry: Provide nourishment through charity and hospitality.
Example: Donate to a food drive.
2. Give Drink to the Thirsty: Water is the very essence of life. To give drink to the thirsty is to offer them life itself.
Example: Collect bottled water to donate to a shelter.
3. Clothe the Naked: There are always many ways to give.
Example: Donate extra clothes to a charitable organization.
4. Shelter the Homeless: Can take many forms and could include giving time or money to a homeless ministry, hosting someone like a religious pilgrim or supporting ministries that work with the displaced.
Example: Volunteer your time to a shelter or organization.
5. Visit the Sick: Our health is a gift and blessing, let us give thanks for this blessing by reaching out to those who are in need.
Example: Go to the hospital and pray with patients there.
6. Visit the Imprisoned: Visiting the imprisoned can be difficult to participate in without special clearance or permission. If you find yourself unable to physically visit the imprisoned, try getting involved in a ministry that writes letters to the imprisoned or one that organizes retreats for them. Those incarcerated, and their families, can always use our intercessory prayer.
Example: Write a letter or donate to a charity that helps families whose parents/loved ones are in prison.
7. Bury the Dead: During funerals, we mourn the loss of life. As Christians, we live in the hope of the Resurrection.
Example: Visit a cemetery and pray for those you have lost.
DID YOU KNOW? . . . for OCTOBER
October 11/12, 2024: The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
Known for several centuries by the alternate title of “Our Lady of Victory”
Dominican Pope Pius V did much to foster devotion to the rosary. In 1572 he instituted an annual celebration to give thanks to the Blessed Virgin for having delivered Christendom from the Turks in the Sea Battle of Lepanto the preceding year, after calling on all of Europe to pray the Rosary for victory.
This feast, titled "Our Lady of the Rosary" (since 1573), was fixed for celebration on October 7th each year.
October 19/20, 2024: The Works of Mercy
Works of Mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbour in his spiritual and bodily necessities.
Works of Mercy are categorized into two additional areas:
Spiritual Works : works of mercy oriented toward the soul
Corporal Works : works of mercy oriented towards the body
All Works of Mercy are practical ways for disciples of any age to live out the Catholic faith using their gifts, talents, and treasure. Works of Mercy are powerful ways to show love to others.
Spiritual: for the soul
Corporal: for the body
October 26/27, 2024: The Spiritual Works of Mercy
There are 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy and are the works oriented towards the soul.
The first three Spiritual Works of Mercy are best performed by those with the proper tact, knowledge or canonical training to do so (clergy). The remaining works are considered to be an obligation of the faithful laity (us).
The 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy and some examples follow:
Admonish the Sinner: helping someone who has fallen off track get back on the path towards holiness
Example: A priest guides someone in confession
2. Instruct the Ignorant: teaching others about the faith and how to live according to the Gospel and how to be followers of Christ
Example: Help with an RCIA Program
3. Counsel the Doubtful: Counseling the doubtful means helping guide someone towards truth. As Christians, our lives should be a witness to the truth that God sent his only Son to redeem us and invite us to share in his life forever.
Example: A priest guides someone towards a life of virtue in confession
4. Bear Wrongs Patiently: Because we live in a fallen world, we face injustice throughout our lives.
Example: Ask God for strength to encounter hardships
5. Forgive Offenses Willingly: As Christians, we know that only forgiveness will lead us to true freedom. Try to understand why someone might have hurt you.
Example: Pray for those who have harmed you
6. Comfort the Afflicted: We all experience different moments of sorrow in our lives. Comforting the sorrowful involves reaching out to those having a hard time and accompanying them on their journey of grief.
Example: Call a friend who’s been feeling down and ask them about their day
7. Pray for the Living and the Dead: Prayer unites us not only with God, but with each other. We pray for the repose of their souls, especially within our families, so that we may hope to join them one day in heaven.
Example: Have a Mass Intension prayed for a loved one