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You are here: Home / Archives for Christmas

Order, Disorder and Grace in Advent

Published December 15, 2018 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

I’m looking forward to offering these thoughts to you, dear readers, to be a small light on your Advent journey towards Christ. In His Providence, all these pieces fell together over the past few weeks. That doesn’t always happen in blogging, but when it does, it gives me the sense that the Lord is up… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published December 15, 2018

Spiritual Nourishment for the Last Week of Advent

Published December 18, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

On the last leg of this Advent journey, I’d like to share with you two little bits of spiritual nourishment that I have found really helpful along the way. We are getting closer and closer to Bethlehem now, just one week away in this shortened Advent season. Can you feel the pace picking up? The… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published December 18, 2017

Have You Met a Modern-Day John the Baptist?

Published January 4, 2017 • Written by Adam Shaivitz Filed Under: Blog

We sure could use a guy like John the Baptist around here. If Jesus happens to casually walk past me one day like he did in today’s Gospel reading, I sure hope that someone like John the Baptist will point Him out to me if I’m not paying attention. John was standing with two of… [Read More]

Written by Adam Shaivitz • Published January 4, 2017

Sunday Says Podcast – January 1, 2017 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published December 31, 2016 • Written by Steve Scott Filed Under: ACNM, Blog, Sunday Says

  The Octave Day of Christmas Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God Sunday January 1, 2016 Lectionary: 18 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Numbers 6:22-27 This week’s first reading is from the book of Numbers, the fourth book in the Old Testament and part of the Pentateuch.   This particular passage gives us a blessing formula… [Read More]

Written by Steve Scott • Published December 31, 2016

Lessons from the Crib

Published December 28, 2016 • Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez Filed Under: Column, Faith

Many saints have experienced the love and wisdom that comes from the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus, but none more than St. Faustina who had many, many visits from the Divine Infant.   One Christmas season the Blessed Mother brought the Baby Jesus to St. Faustina and said, “strive after silence and humility,”… [Read More]

Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez • Published December 28, 2016

Tis Humility

Published December 26, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Faith, Family, Prayer, Young Adult

A remark during the homily at midnight mass really struck me. The priest reflected how each Christmas is different, not because the Gospel story changes -indeed the story is everlasting – but because we come to Christmas each year a little bit different. Each year we bring with us the lived experiences of the whole past year…. [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published December 26, 2016

Of Mary, Never Enough

Published December 22, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Prayer

“De Maria, nunquam satis!,” St Bernard of Clairvaux once said. Of Mary, never enough!  In these last few days before the great feast of Christmas, perhaps you’re feeling harried or haven’t had time to prayerfully prepare, or just aren’t quite into the Christmas. Or perhaps you’re drowning in carols all day, but not feeling very contemplative or… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published December 22, 2016

Merry Tolerance

Published December 20, 2016 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith

While my bread is rising I feel like talking about what I was thinking about while I was kneading. I was thinking about the “Keep Christ In Christmas” thing. I think that as a friendly reminder to fellow Christians not to get caught up in the shopping, social obligations, travel and food to the point… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published December 20, 2016

“Live” Christmas Posada at Community First! Village

Published December 6, 2016 • Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez Filed Under: Events

On Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 5:30 – 6:30 P.M. the Deacon Candidates of the Diocese of Austin, Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Regina Mater Educational Community will host a “live” Posada for the residents of Community First! Village located on 9301 Hog Eye Rd, Austin, TX 78724.  Community First! Village is a community for… [Read More]

Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez • Published December 6, 2016

Sunday Says January 3, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection

Published January 3, 2016 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Lectionary: 20 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) Merry Christmas! It’s been a beautiful season of Christmas so far. Now we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord a few days early from the traditional date on the 6th. Reading 1 Isaiah 60:1-6 In this week’s first… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published January 3, 2016

Humility Alone Conceives the Truth – a poem

Published December 28, 2015 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Faith, Family, Prayer, Young Adult

I hope you are all having a restful and blessed Christmas season! Pope Francis invites us to contemplate what God teaches us in coming as a child: “He makes himself small, he becomes a child, to attract us with love, to touch our hearts with his humble goodness,” and also”Pope Francis said the creche reminds us that… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published December 28, 2015

Sunday Says – December 27, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection

Published December 27, 2015 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

Sunday December 27, 2015 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Lectionary: 17 The Sunday in between Christmas and Epiphany is traditionally celebrated in honor of the Holy Family. We continue in the Octave of Christmas. Reading 1 Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 In this week’s first reading, we hear from the wise book of Sirach…. [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published December 27, 2015

When Christmas Brings Out Your Inner Grinch

Published December 21, 2015 • Written by Britt Echtenkamp Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, World and News, Young Adult

I went to a major retailer to pick up a couple last minute gifts, when I noticed that a big sign on their front door. It read, “OPEN 24 HOURS UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE!” Ugh. I hated that sign – to me it represents everything that’s wrong about commercialized holidays. Yes, gift giving can be a… [Read More]

Written by Britt Echtenkamp • Published December 21, 2015

5 Ways to Celebrate a Christmas of Mercy

Published December 18, 2015 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith

I’m always amazed at the way most people in society are able to recognize the beauty of the celebration of Christmas, regardless of their religious perspectives. People are more open to discussions of morality and even of God. It seems appropriate for the season. This Christmas is unique among our lifetime because it falls within… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published December 18, 2015

Sunrise: through the dark faith of Advent to the brightness of Christmas

Published December 15, 2015 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Faith

Traveling through Advent with grief this year has led to me to soul search about what Christmas is, and, in the process, to notice similarities between the journey of Advent into Christmas and the stages of the soul’s progression into the heart of God.  According to Carmelite spirituality,  the soul first travels through and away… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published December 15, 2015

Sunday Says – December 13, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection

Published December 13, 2015 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

December 13, 2015 Third Sunday of Advent Lectionary: 9 (NAB Translation) The Third Sunday of Advent is unique among the four and marked with the rose colored candle and vestments. We know it as Gaudete Sunday, meaning rejoice. Reading 1 Zephaniah 3:14-18A This week’s first reading from the Prophet Zephaniah is balanced combination of the… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published December 13, 2015

In the Spirit of Advent

Published December 2, 2015 • Written by Ablaze Ministries Filed Under: Faith

Every year during Advent, the Johnson clan leads a church-wide food drive.  We ask our church community to draw a family from our sister parish in downtown Houston and pray for them, give them boxes of food, and maybe get them a present or two.  Then two Uhauls get filled up with boxes and we… [Read More]

Written by Ablaze Ministries • Published December 2, 2015

Sunday Says Podcast – January 11, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection

Published January 10, 2015 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

The Baptism of the Lord Sunday January 11, 2015 Lectionary: 21 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) We celebrate the official end to the great season of Christmas with this week’s Solemnity. Reading 1 Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 The first reading from the prophet Isaiah returns to a period where we placed a lot of our focus… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published January 10, 2015

Our Christian Vocation Is Like That of The Three Kings!

Published January 1, 2015 • Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez Filed Under: Column

Every Christmas we ready ourselves for the birth of our Lord with lights, lights, and more lights.  We string lights on Christmas trees, wreaths, and nativity sets; we outline windows, rooftops and walkways.  We decorate our downtown trees and light poles with lights and some neighborhood yards are aglow with lighted reindeer, snowmen, and nativity… [Read More]

Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez • Published January 1, 2015

“What do nuns do for Christmas?” Learning about Consecrated Life

Published December 30, 2014 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Faith

  During Advent, I asked the Friars, Priests and Sisters what they do for Christmas in their communities. I called a cloistered Carmelite convent and asked what the nuns do for Christmas. I read accounts in articles and on web sites of Christmas at monasteries. I didn’t really know why I was doing it, or… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published December 30, 2014

To All Adults, at Christmas

Published December 29, 2014 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

I would like to give you, dear reader, this poem as a gift, in the spirit of the 12 days of Christmas and traveling with the Magi towards Epiphany, to give our humble gifts to the Christ Child. Many Christmas blessings to you all, and a joyful New Year! My dear Adult, ‘tis Christmas time,… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published December 29, 2014

Sunday Says – December 28, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection

Published December 27, 2014 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

December 28, 2014 Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Lectionary: 17 (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) This is a Sunday mass that has several options for the each of the readings, Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Gospel lengths. The version or length could vary grately from parish to parish, but the… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published December 27, 2014

Dear Little Sister: A Christmas Letter

Published December 24, 2014 • Written by Adam Shaivitz Filed Under: Faith

It’s a little late in the game to issue you an Advent challenge. Instead, as my gift to you this Christmas Eve, I’m turning over this blog space to a distinguished guest author: my eight-year-old daughter. First, some background information: In our household we’ve always tried to focus much more on Jesus than Santa during… [Read More]

Written by Adam Shaivitz • Published December 24, 2014

Pope Francis Calls Out the Curia (and All of Us)

Published December 23, 2014 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Faith

This is the time of year when many of us begin narrowing down our New Year’s resolutions. I have had great success with resolutions I make throughout the year: drinking water, managing a better to-do list, and blogging more frequently. Your mileage may vary. Pope Francis, however, seems to be on top of the end-of-the-year… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published December 23, 2014

Holiday Stress During the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

Published December 22, 2014 • Written by Britt Echtenkamp Filed Under: Blog

This is what happens: you’re strolling along in September, enjoying football season and pretending that Texas actually has a season called “fall”, and you begin to anticipate the joy of the holidays. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas… so much fun to be had! Then you step into Halloween and somehow, also into a time warp that hurls… [Read More]

Written by Britt Echtenkamp • Published December 22, 2014

The Perfect Christmas Gift

Published December 19, 2014 • Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez Filed Under: Column

This Christmas give your child “the perfect Christmas gift”: Your Blessing!  According the Church’s official book on blessings Jesus loved blessing children for when God took on our human flesh he, “Gave us a new gift in every blessing.” (Book of Blessings # 2,3) Even when Jesus was most exhausted and the apostles wanted him… [Read More]

Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez • Published December 19, 2014

Where’s Baby Jesus? – The Empty Manger

Published December 17, 2014 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith

Getting ready for Christmas was my favorite time of year as a little boy. I was blessed to grow up in a very Catholic family, and I was always fascinated by nativity scenes and their symbolism. There is something about baby Jesus that really spoke to me as a kid. My biggest issue was that He… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published December 17, 2014

When Holidays Are Sad

Published December 11, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Even though Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year” and the world seems awash with cheerfulness, color and lights, the holidays can be sad for some. It’s sad for some because of the death of a loved one or because it can be a reminder of the broken family someone comes from or… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published December 11, 2014

He Waited for Me, So I’ll Wait for Him

Published December 10, 2014 • Written by Adam Shaivitz Filed Under: Faith

I waited and waited and waited, then God finally showed up about three decades later. Actually, I have that backwards. It's the Lord who waited so long for me, and I finally showed up. With all that waiting in mind, Advent is a prudent time to ponder the past and prepare for the future. My… [Read More]

Written by Adam Shaivitz • Published December 10, 2014

12 Faces that Show the Struggles of Advent

Published December 3, 2014 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith, Young Adult

We often take ourselves too seriously, especially when it comes to the pursuit of holiness. Too often do I come across misconceptions about the many limitations and boxes people confine their notions of what saintliness can or should look like. I often think it’s because of the misunderstanding of what it means to seek God…. [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published December 3, 2014

The Challenge of Advent

Published November 27, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be watchful! Be alert!…’ ” Advent is a challenging time for Catholics. With the exception of Mass, it’s easy to let Advent be consumed and overshadowed in our daily lives, as society pushes Halloween into Christmas with a small glint of Thanksgiving thrown in. “….You do not know when the… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published November 27, 2014

Sunday Says Podcast – January 12, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published January 12, 2014 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord January 12, 2014 Lectionary: 21 Reading 1 IS 42:1-4, 6-7 In this week’s first reading, we return to the prophet Isaiah for the first time since Advent. After such a long time of being in exile, the Lord shows his deliberate favor upon the Jews. God is showing… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published January 12, 2014

Sunday Says Podcast – January 5, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published January 5, 2014 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Lectionary: 20 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) Merry Christmas! It’s been a beautiful season of Christmas so far. Now we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Reading 1 IS 60:1-6 In this week’s first reading from Isaiah, we see beautiful imagery of the use of… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published January 5, 2014

The Holy Innocents

Published December 28, 2013 • Written by Josue Filed Under: Faith

Christmas was only three days ago. The day after Christmas we honored St. Stephen, the first martyr. Think about that: we honor a martyr- the first martyr- the day after Christmas. The day after that we honor St. John the Evangelist, whose authorship is attributed to one Gospel and four books in the New Testament…. [Read More]

Written by Josue • Published December 28, 2013

Sunday Says Podcast – December 29, 2013 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published December 27, 2013 • Written by Steve Scott Filed Under: Sunday Says

Sunday December 29, 2013 Lectionary 17 The Feast of the Holy Family (NAB Translation) Each year we have twelve official days of Christmas to contemplate the mystery of the incarnation and to meditate on the humanity of Christ as well as his divinity.   The Feast of the Holy Family is one of the feasts woven… [Read More]

Written by Steve Scott • Published December 27, 2013

Merry Christmas from Austin CNM

Published December 25, 2013 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Blog

We’ve journeyed through all of the season of Advent in a preparation for the season of Christmas. While many think that the Christmas season is passing, we have just started today on December 25th. From all of us at Austin CNM, we wish you a very blessed and merry Christmas season. Suggested Listening: What is… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published December 25, 2013

Sunday Says Podcast – December 22, 2013 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published December 22, 2013 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

Sunday December 22, 2013 Fourth Sunday of Advent (NAB translation) Lectionary: 10   We are now in the fourth Sunday of Advent, and Christ is near. In this week of Advent we focus less on the second coming of Jesus and more on the preparation of Christmas. Both require that we prepare our hearts to… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published December 22, 2013

St. Nicholas, Friend of Children and of the Poor, Master of Sneaky Good Deeds

Published December 18, 2013 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog

I wanted Santa to be real to my daughters forever, not only when they were small, but always. I accomplished this by teaching them about the original Santa Klaus, St. Nicholas, Friend of Children and of the Poor, Master of Sneaky Good Deeds. As a Saint he is forever accessible to us who believe. Very… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published December 18, 2013

A Tradition-less Christmas

Published December 16, 2013 • Written by Elizabeth Filed Under: Blog

When I was younger, the lack of any sort of stable Advent traditions was a point of pride. I’ve spent many a Christmas eve camping out on the floor of the Miami airport during a 5-hour layover playing cards with my siblings, waiting to spend Christmas with family in the Caribbean. But, on the risk… [Read More]

Written by Elizabeth • Published December 16, 2013

Sunday Says Podcast – December 8, 2013 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published December 8, 2013 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

Second Sunday of Advent – Year A (Jerusalem Bible Translation) Sunday December 8, 2013 (NAB Translation) Lectionary: 4   We are now in the second Sunday of Advent, and this week we hear some more of the warnings of the coming of the Lord, but this time, the readings focus more on hope. Reading 1 IS… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published December 8, 2013

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