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

 

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





Sources:

-  https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

-  https://www.thecatechisminayearstudyguide.com/

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.


January 18 /19, 2025:  Why do we make the Sign of the Cross?

 

Sources:

-        https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254483/pope-francis-explains-why-catholics-make-the-sign-of-the-cross

-        https://www.goodcatholic.com/five-things-you-should-know-about-the-sign-of-the-cross/

-        https://www.aboutcatholics.com/prayers/the-sign-of-the-cross-why-do-catholics-make-the-sign-of-the-cross/

DID YOU KNOW? . . . for DECEMBER

December 21/22, 2024: The Fourth Sunday of Advent

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

 

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


 


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



 

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?

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.

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?


 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?

November 2/3, 2024: The Corporal Works of Mercy

There are 7 Corporal Works of Mercy and are works oriented towards the body.

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

October 19/20, 2024: The Works of Mercy



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.


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