http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/index.jsp Bulletin Board en-us SchoolSitePro http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=57243 http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=57243
It is also the Feast of St Blaise, the Patron Saint of sick throats. Throats will be blessed after Mass and at each class for Eucharistic Adoration. So if you have a sore throat, a lingering cough or any malady come to chapel for the blessing. ]]> http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=57116 http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=57116 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Gospel this weekend offers us three examples of the earliest titles given to Jesus by his first followers :

1. John the Baptist looking at Jesus tells those around him, "Behold the Lamb of God"
Today we use this title in reference to Jesus when we refer to the Eucharist prior to Communion.

2. Two of John the Baptist's disciples approach Jesus and call him, Rabbi, teacher.
An early example of how Jesus was considered a teacher of the faith among the Jewish faithful.

3. Andrew, the first apostle called by Jesus approaches his brother Simon Peter and says, "We have found the Messiah, meaning Christ."
The title of Messiah or Christ means the anointed one, the Son of David who has been awaited by all Jews. Here we have an early reference to Jesus as that long -awaited Messiah who Christians today acknowledge him to be.

Saint Paul, in the second reading, offers every believer and the Church too titles or metaphors in its relation to Christ:
1. St. Paul tells us, "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?"
This is significant, for every believer is a member of, and also the Church, is known as The Body of Christ. Baptism and First communion gives this title for every believer and the Last Supper and the Paschal Mystery make the Church a part of it too.

2. St Paul tells us, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,?"

This is a reference to every christian believer and to the Church too which is known as, "The Temple of the Holy Spirit." Pentecost gave the Church this name and Baptism gives it to every believer.

Ordinary Time is a time to reflect on the basics of our faith. Let us embrace this time as a moment of reflection on the essentials of our faith.]]> http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=56975 http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=56975 The Epiphany

The New Year every year begins with the first title the church bestowed on the Virgin Mary: Mother of GOD or THEOTOKOS. This is a title of faith for all Catholics, declared in the 4th century by the church.

Every year on the first of January, the Pope declares this day as a day of Peace. This year the theme of the World Day of Peace message is : Educating youth in Justice and Peace.
As we start a new year let us educate our young people with the wisdom of the Prince of Peace, namely Christ.

Finally, keep that Christmas tree until the day after the Epiphany. Christmas comes to an end with the celebration of the feast of the three magi. Each year in the USA this follows the Sunday closest to New Years. For us this means that Christmas will culminate on Sunday, 8th of January this year.

Therefore, let us continue to keep Christ in this holy season!

A Blessed New Year and Merry Christmas to all!]]> http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=56886 http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=56886 Gaudete Sunday (Rejoice)

We heard in this weekend's readings at Mass:

From the Gospel of John:
John answered them,
"I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."

From The Book of Isaiah:
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to heal the brokenhearted,

These words make clear the reason for the season: Christ Jesus. He brings good news to the poor and He comes to heal. His message is of peace. In humility He comes. A savior will be born to us.

We ask ourselves: from what must I be saved? From what must I be healed?
With one voice we cry out: come Lord Jesus!]]> http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=56341 http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=56341 Advent means "coming", a reference to Christ who comes in grace every day, in history at Bethlehem, and His second coming at the end of time.

We say heaven is our goal when we reflect during the first two weeks of Advent on Christ's second coming and our destiny which is the kingdom of God. The third and fourth week of Advent prepares us for the historical coming of Christ in a manger. The Christmas event takes center stage with the Incarnation. The mystery of Christ's birth.

This year Advent introduces us to new words at Mass. It is an opportunity for us to enter this holy season appreciating ever more the mystery of the Eucharist: Christ becomes flesh every day for us again at Mass.

May the Christ child take flesh in our hearts and help us live His mystery and mercy.

A prayerful and blessed Advent to all!]]> http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=55499 http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=55499 Reflection

The first reading this weekend is from the book of Wisdom:

“Resplendent and unfading is wisdom,
and she is readily perceived by those who love her,
and found by those who seek her…

An ancient title for the Virgin Mary is “Sedes Sapientae”, “Seat of Wisdom”.
The image venerated at our School and of Our Lady of Mercy has Mary seated upright holding the Christ Child up on her lap. In Mary the eternal wisdom of God takes flesh and makes His home.

Our prayer is that we too may encounter the wisdom of God made flesh and allow wisdom to grant us “prudence” and “right reason” or “correct judgment” as St. Thomas Aquinas defines it. We hear in the book of Wisdom, “for taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence,..”]]> http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=54710 http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=54710 Sunday Reflection


The Old Testament reading this Sunday offers a powerful reminder to all of us:
“If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people,
you shall not act like an extortioner toward him
by demanding interest from him.
If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge,
you shall return it to him before sunset;
for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body.”

These words are very appropriate today under the economic hardship many are experiencing. Let us remember that each person represents the face of Christ.

In the United States it is World Mission Sunday. We recall the words of Pope Benedict XVI who told us, “The universal mission involves everyone, everything and always. The Gospel is not an exclusive possession of those who have received it, but it is a gift to be shared, good news to be passed on to others.” In this missionary spirit God reflects the Christian attitude in the book of Exodus toward all people, “If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate."

Jesus echoes the mission of the Christian in a twofold way, “"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
]]> http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=54370 http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=54370 Sunday Reflection

EXCERPTS FROM WEEKEND READINGS AT SUNDAY MASS:
The prophet Isaiah tells us,
“…have called you by your name,
giving you a title, though you knew me not.
I am the LORD and there is no other,
there is no God besides me.”

St. Paul reminds us: “For our gospel did not come to you in word alone,
but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.”

Gospel Message:
"Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God."

Reflection:

As many of you know the Mass will have new changes beginning Advent of this year (Nov. 27th). While the structure of the mass will remain the same, the Church invites us to experience the Mass in a deeper and more faithful translation with the original Greek and Latin texts. In addition, most other languages and countries already use a translation closer to the original languages and so these changes are in keeping with what the Church in the rest of the world already use. For indeed, we are “one body in Christ.”

Consequently, we at Mercy, look forward to praying the Mass more faithfully and with a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist. We are reminded that in the Eucharist we give to God what is of God. And he gives us Himself.

Come Holy Spirit and help us to embrace Jesus in the Eucharist.

In Mercy we pray.]]> http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=54072 http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=54072 October 9th 2011

The letter to the philippians has a beautiful and powerful phrase this weekend:
"I can do all things in him who strengthens me."

This is the boast of the Christian who trusts wholeheartedly in the power of God. The fact that, God will provide is called: Divine Providence.

No one more than Mary lived and knew how to trust in this strength from above.

Providentially, we celebrated this past FRIDAY Oct 7th, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Blessed Pope John Paul II famously said of the Rosary,

"By its nature the recitation of the Rosary calls for a quiet rhythm and a lingering pace, helping the individual to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord's life as seen through the eyes of her who was closest to the Lord.

“O Blessed Rosary of Mary, sweet chain which unites us to God, bond of love which unites us to the angels, tower of salvation against the assaults of Hell, safe port in our universal shipwreck, we will never abandon you. You will be our comfort in the hour of death: yours our final kiss as life ebbs away…”


A Blessed Columbus Day Weekend To All!]]> http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=53757 http://www.olma.org/apps/bbmessages/show_bbm.jsp?REC_ID=53757 Sunday Reflection

Saint Paul in his letter to the community of Phillipi in Asia Minor gives us a beautiful prayer and insight:

Brothers and sisters:
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Today is also the feast of the Guardian Angels:
Let us remember our prayer from childhood,

Angel of God,
My Guardian Dear,
to whom His love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side,
to light and to guard,
to rule and guide.
Amen

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