God’s Plan from the Beginning
In the beginning, we see that God created the world. It did not come into existence by an accident but from the very being of God Himself. The account of creation in the Book of Genesis makes very clear that God created the world out of nothing, but with a purpose and order. We read of the creation of light, water and all of those elements which give and sustain life from God.
One Nation Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All
At this time, we offer our prayers for our migrant brothers and sisters who may be experiencing fear and isolation. We offer our prayers for our nation in regard to true immigration reform. We offer prayers for our president and leaders within this nation to implement such reform. We offer prayers for unjust nations from which people are fleeing due to situations which are in need of reform. Prayer is always our greatest resource, and it is continually God’s grace that makes a difference.
Hope and Marriage — You Can’t Have One Without the Other
Hope and marriage go together, as each of the spouses must have hope in each other as the foundation of their union. That hope is one in which each of the spouses believe in the power of God’s love in each other and find God’s presence in that. As Pope Francis has stated, “To hope, then, is to welcome this gift that God offers us every day..."
Communicators of Hope
During this year’s celebration of world communications, Pope Francis spoke on many different topics pertaining to communications in conjunction with the theme of the Jubilee Year of Hope. In his message to journalists on the feast of Saint Francis de Sales, the pope emphasized that they should be “communicators of hope” in our time, which is so characterized by misinformation and polarization.
United in Faith and Community
Our Catholic schools in the Diocese of Palm Beach are a great treasure and a priority in its life. They are a privileged place where young people get together in a context of faith and community to grow as they learn about themselves, the world they are growing in and, above all, the God who created it. This year, Catholic Schools Week is from Jan. 28 to Feb. 3.
The Protection of Unborn Children
The right to life of an unborn child is neither a federal nor state issue, as it is a fundamental right given to us by God in accord with the very purpose for which our great nation was founded. Our country came into existence on the principle, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, that the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is granted to all persons by God Himself.
Hope in the Present Moment
A familiar cycle repeats itself as another year ends and a new one begins. While the cycle may be the same, we are not. The experiences of the previous year have transformed each of us in various ways, and the coming days will likewise do the same. We look back and we look ahead. However, it is important to recognize that it is in the present moment that we live. The past and the future funnel into the present moment.
What is Christmas All About?
Christmas is a celebration of hope. It is a celebration that reminds us in a world torn by war, inequality, tragedy and lack of respect for God’s creation as He planned it, God always remains with us, even to the point of becoming one of us... He will never abandon us, wrapping us in His love. Nothing but the words of the Gospel can give us this hope.
Mary — The New Eve
Mary’s Immaculate Conception makes clear the eminent and singular place she holds in the life of the Church and in heaven. Chosen by God to be the first to share in the fullness of Christ’s redemption, Mary did not have the least complicity with sin. Her Immaculate Conception is the basis for Mary’s being able to be completely free from the slightest sin all during her life.
Reflections for Advent
During this season, may we reflect more deeply upon its meaning in order to bring a fuller joy to our lives. Pope Francis beautifully stated in regard to the season of Advent, “Just as in each of our lives we always need to begin again, to get up again, to rediscover the meaning of the goal of our lives, so also for the great human family it is always necessary to discover the common horizon toward which we are journeying. The horizon of hope!
Thanksgiving is the Heart of America
Thanksgiving is truly American, and its celebration through the years of our nation with sumptuous food, family gatherings, football games and joyful parades is a sign of the abundance of this land. Thanksgiving expresses the heart of our nation, which is gratitude to God for our land rich in many ways, especially our freedom. It is a land of welcoming of others to it.
Hope Does Not Disappoint
Hope is a virtue we may not think about too often but one by which we live our lives each day. Hope is much deeper than simply persevering through difficult times. It is, as defined by The Catechism of the Catholic Church, “the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in God’s promises and relying not on our strength, but on the grace of the Holy Spirit.”
November, A Transitional Month
St. Therese of Lisieux said that she wanted to spend her heaven doing good on earth. What she expressed is the sentiment of all the saints. They want to help us with our problems, with which they are so familiar. No one wants more to build up God’s Kingdom here on earth than the saints, who live in the fullness of that kingdom. Above all, they want to hold out to us the hope of our own life in heaven, for which our present lives are intended.
Eyes Raised, Hands Joined, Feet Bare!
As we go through this life, our eyes must be raised to God in heaven in union with all the saints who are there with Him. They must also be raised to the souls, who are in union with the Lord in a special way as they continue to purge themselves of the sins which were part of their lives in this world. To keep our eyes raised is to realize that life goes far beyond what we see each day before us in this world.
40 Years – A Eucharistic People
A very significant event has occurred in the life of our Diocese of Palm Beach. On Oct. 24, we celebrated 40 years from the foundation of our Diocese... We have been a Diocese for 40 years and have grown and experienced much in that time. Forty years may not seem like a long period of time in contrast to the life of the Church for over 2,000 years. However, during our years, we have been part of the life of the Church as if from the very beginning.
