Our thoughts and prayers go out to Deacon Tony and his family on the passing of his mom Kathleen this week. Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. May the Lord watch over Deacon Tony and provide comfort at this difficult time. Please keep Deacon Tony in your intentions.
On April 4, 1968, Baptist minister and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated. This year (2023) marks 55 years since his assassination and the 60th anniversary of his powerful, history-making “I Have a Dream” speech. From the mid-1950s up until his death, fueled by his Christian faith and community, he led the civil rights movement in the United States. Through non-violent resistance and with a desire to do God’s will, he fought for justice in the face of years of ridicule, threats and violence. ""Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. – Martin Luther King Jr."
In Honor of our 50th Anniversary, see the story of what happens when Snoopy gets tired of leading a dog’s life. We are excited and looking forward to our Movie Night on 1/28 after the 4pm Mass. If you are planning on attending, please shoot us an email with the number attending. We will be providing Free Pizza, Popcorn, Pop/Water and Parking along with a Free viewing of the Peanuts movie “Snoopy Come Home!” We hope your family will join us to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of St. Anthony and the first appearance of Woodstock :)
Please join with us as a Parish family as we celebrate a Special Mass for the deceased Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Tuesday Jan 10th at 7 PM
The entire Church mourns the death of our Emeritus Holy Father, Benedict XVI. This novena has been prepared to help pray for the Pope Emeritus during this time. The daily novena – lasting from his funeral on Thursday, January 5 through Friday, January 13 https://www.usccb.org/novena-pope-benedict-xvi
Christmas. The birth of Jesus. The Word became flesh and lived among us. Heaven and earth met. The light shone in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. Now we come to the end of a year and listen to what God’s word says to us. It helps us look back to learn and look forward in hope. God’s word is a creative word who gives life to all, in love. Jesus is the Word uttered by the Father, the word of hope and promise. Jesus is God’s message to us - He is our Good News. We know that God loved the world and sent Jesus among us. It has been an eventful year that leaves lasting memories. We have the love of God to sustain us in the many challenges of life. We need light in the darkness and hope in the uncertainty that is around us. God has given us the Eternal Word in the Sacraments and the living word of scripture to guide us. As we get ready to welcome in the new year and think of resolutions for the upcoming year. Maybe we should resolve to let the divine light that resides in us all to shine brighter. Maybe we can see and encourage the Divine light in others. Maybe we can resolve to bring the love of God to all who we meet. Happy New Year
O God, true shepherd of all the faithful, look with kindness on your servant Pope Benedict XVI, whom you set as head and shepherd of your Church. We give you thanks for your grace at work in him as he has led us by word and example: in his teaching, in his prayer, and in his great love. Grant him your strength in frailty, comfort in sorrow, and serenity amid the trials of this world; and guide your Church, built on the rock of Peter, with the power of your Spirit as we continue on the path that leads to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
How can we do justice when reflecting on the ideal family, the Holy Family while living in reality. How can we balance between idealizing families and facing our brokenness as humans? Christmas season is certainly the time to focus on hope and the “gifts” that we are given throughout the year. The gift of family – whatever shape or form – is one to celebrate not only at this time but also throughout the year. It makes sense that we read about the Holy Family as we start the new year – to remind us of the need to appreciate family every day – and be full of hope for the new year. I always appreciate when the Gospel focuses on Joseph this time of the year. Every reading about Joseph fills my heart with the image of a wonderful father. While I pray frequently to Mary and consider her my loving Mother, I do cherish Joseph. I understand that he is not a father in the way of our one Father – perfect and loving, yet Joseph to me comes as close as possible for an earthly father. He is understanding and forgiving, noble and humble, strong yet gentle and, most of all, a man of unfailing and enduring faith. Joseph listened to angels well before Bethlehem and accepted the situation and explanation. It’s always impressed me that even before the first dream and angel message, he did not condemn Mary, rather planned a way to save her. He demonstrated that he was a man of kindness and compassion even when he thought he had been betrayed. His following of the dreams related in this gospel further confirm his faith in his God and his faithfulness to his family. He is the consummate protector – doing whatever was/is necessary for his family and in his very special way being guided by angels in dreams. Joseph protected Jesus from before He was born and continued this care throughout His childhood and probably early adulthood. He was an earthly role model for Jesus, teaching Him to be a carpenter until His time came for public ministry. Even though many details are missing as to Joseph’s life, we know he is the good and faithful father and husband. He is, indeed, a pivotal piece of the Holy Family. Mary, our perfect mother, born without sin, provides the epitome of motherhood – one to hold in reverence and awe. I always pray to her especially when praying for my children, knowing she understands the concerns of a parent. However, I know that I will never be close to her perfection. Joseph offers us the approachable parent – not perfect but certainly wonderful! We can learn so much from each member of the Holy Family!
We are just four days after Christmas and the first reading really challenges us. Who among us, in our experience of Christmas, didn't have some difficult experience with someone? It is almost inevitable each year that Christmas time can become a very stressful time. Christmas often gathers us with family and friends. Sometimes the most difficult relationships of our lives come together. Alcohol - intended as a traditional holiday element to add "cheer" - can make everything much worse. A word was said meanly. An old wound was re-opened. Someone was going through a hard time and was coping very badly. We re-discover how much someone really drives us crazy. As a result, we can understand the challenge of the First Letter of John: we want to be in the Light that is Jesus, but at the same time, there is somebody that we really hate or really resent or simply can't stand to be around, and that places us still in the darkness. Christmas is about the Love of God coming into the world, to be Light in the midst of the world's darkness. It is about the invitation to receive the Light into our hearts and to let that Light shine in us as it did in him. This first reading helps us so directly: "whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked." To be a disciple of the Light, we have to let go of the darkness and let the Light into our hearts. We have to forgive. We have to love the way He has loved. The only way we can do that is to continue to let the healing grace of Christmas touch us. Innocence is born in poverty and suffers greatly trying to be faithful to His way.
Today is the Feast of Saint Stephen, the Church’s first martyr. Saint Stephen was martyred within a couple of years after Jesus’ ascension into Heaven. He was one of seven deacons who the Apostles appointed to assist them in their work of caring for the poor as the Church began to grow.Stephen was a man of deep faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. After he was appointed deacon, he began to preach with boldness. Stephen was stoned to death for his belief in Jesus but as we was being stoned he prayed for his persecutors to be forgiven. God never abandons us. In fact, when we suffer the most or endure persecution, rejection or any form of mistreatment, God is especially present. Look at your own life and consider those moments that you find most challenging. Ask Saint Stephen to pray for you so that you will be open to the inspired words and actions of our Lord when you need them the most.
Authentic Christmas joy comes in a form we would never expect: a newborn baby, who arrived 2,000 years ago and who still comes into our lives during Christmas and every day of the year. The lights we decorate with at Christmas are just a tiny glimpse of the real light the birth of Jesus brought into the world. This Christmas, let us open our hearts to receive this gift and become a reflection of the light to a world in need of the hope and joy of Christmas. Merry Christmas from Fr Dennis and everyone at St Anthony Parish!
Extra Reconciliation opportunities will be available on Dec 20th at 2 PM and 7 PM. No reservations are needed just come to Church and receive God's Love and forgiveness!
