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CATHOLIC FAITH AT HOME RESOURCES
for our STELLA MARIS
Family of Parishes
including:
St. Thomas More, St. Bernadette,
St. Mary & St. Peter
December 3
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ARE YOU READY???
This is a time when we will hear a familiar question:
Are you ready for Christmas?
But as as Catholics we ask another and different question.
It is no longer just "are we prepared," but also,
"what exactly are we preparing for?"
The answer of course is the birth of Jesus,
the coming of the King, and the arrival of our Savior!
So yes, let’s deck the halls for His arrival,
let’s celebrate with friends and family,
let’s give gifts to remind us of the greatest gift ever given.
But….
let's also prepare our hearts and minds
to welcome the King, our Savior, and our Lord.
This is ADVENT.
Click the link below to discover weekly prayers for the Advent wreath
and several other beautiful devotional practices to explore:
ADVENT PRAYERS AND RESOURCES
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LOOKING FOR
AN ONLINE
ADVENT RETREAT???
The Pray More Retreat is an online retreat
to help you spend more time in prayer this Advent
to prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The retreat is self-paced;
that means you can watch, listen or read
the presentations whenever you have the time to do it.
The talks are focused on prayer
and how we can know the Lord better
and have a deeper relationship with Him.
Here are some of the topics:
+ How to Listen in Prayer & Know if God is Speaking
+ Waiting on God's Promises with Confidence
+ Finding Joy in Advent
+ Living Through Seasons of Waiting
+ The Blessed Mother's Fiat & St. Joseph's Faith
+ A Reflection on the Nativity and Incarnation of Christ
Click below to see the speakers and their topics:
PRAY MORE RETREAT
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Rooted:
Rediscover the Jesse Tree
This new 22-episode series guides Catholics
through a daily Advent reflection using the
Jesse Tree model traditionally practiced by families.
Each seven-minute episode introduces the
ancestors of Jesus Christ, shares a Scripture passage,
and offers an engaging, practical reflection.
Hosted by Dr. Scott Hefelfinger,
Rooted helps viewers apply the passage
and related teachings to each day of Advent,
guided by the Church’s teaching.
Click below to watch the Trailer and
to sign up to receive episodes in your email:
ROOTED
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AN ADVENT CONCERT
DECEMBER 6 AND 7
The Angelico Project and The Catholic Leadership Institute
present an Advent Concert featuring Sarah Kroger.
Sarah is a Catholic singer and songwriter passionate
about sharing the message that even in the midst of
chaos, confusion, pain, suffering, and sin,
we can always find hope in Jesus.
Sarah Kroger is a Nashville-based,
catholic worship leader and songwriter
who has released five albums:
Your Time (2011),
Hallelujah is Our Song
(2013),
Bloom (2019),
Light (2020),
and London Sessions (2023).
Wednesday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Mother of God, Covington, KY
Thursday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cincinnati, O
Click the link below to register for the event:
REGISTER FOR SARAH KROGER ADVENT CONCERT
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JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS
Join Fr. Matthew Kauth on each of the
four Sundays of Advent
as he helps you spiritually prepare
for Christmas with video reflections.
Click the link below to sign up:
JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS
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RC MUSIC COLLECTIVE
EACH SUNDAY
OF ADVENT
Join RC Spirituality this Advent for a weekly series of videos
presented by the RC Music Collective
each Sunday, with daily thoughts and questions
for reflection throughout the week.
Click the link below to sign up:
RC MUSIC COLLECTIVE
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REDISCOVER ADVENT
WITH
"HERE AM I"!
Our culture specializes in overstimulation and empty productivity.
Once again, our Faith proposes a revolutionary
game-changer: Advent.
We get 4 weeks of waiting and preparation
to receive the revelation of our Lord made flesh!
Sometimes we start Advent with good, solid intentions,
but…In the end, we fill that time with extra shopping and checklists.
We rush into Christmas with the same frantic busyness
that dominates the rest of our lives.
This year, let’s live Advent the way the Church intended it!
Click the link below to discover "HERE AM I"
a four week Advent program:
HERE AM I!
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NOVENA PRAYER
Our Lady of Guadalupe
STARTS: DECEMBER 3
FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 12
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Intro Prayer
Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe, that in your heavenly apparitions on the mount of Tepeyac, you promised to show your compassion and pity towards all who, loving and trusting you, seek your help and call upon you in their necessities and afflictions. You promised to hear our supplications, to dry our tears, and to give us consolation and relief.
Never has it been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly to you, O Mary, ever-Virgin Mother of the true God! Though grieving under the weight of our sins, we come to prostrate ourselves before you. We fully trust that, standing beneath your shadow and protection, nothing will trouble or afflict us, nor do we need to fear illness or misfortune, or any other sorrow.
O Virgin of Guadalupe, you want to remain with us through your admirable Image, you who are our Mother, our health, and our life. Placing ourselves beneath your maternal gaze, and having recourse to you in all our necessities, we need do nothing more.
O Holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us.
Amen.
Daily Prayer
Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my humble prayer offered with heartfelt confidence to beg this favor (mention your intention here).
Concluding Prayer
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
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THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
FEAST DAY DECEMBER 8
O most Holy Virgin, immaculate in body
and spirit, look kindly on me as I implore
your powerful intercession.
O most Holy Mother, receive my prayers
as I present them to God.
(state your intentions here)
O Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother,
you intercede for us with your Son.
O Mary conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Amen!
Click below to learn more about the Immaculate Conception:
WHAT IS THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION?
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For Peace in the Middle East
Lord Jesus Christ,
Thank you for your love and guidance in all our lives each day. You give us the grace to live in your love in peace. Lord, on this day, we lift our hearts and minds to all those who suffer because of violent conflicts in the world. We think of those families whose hearts ache because of war. Those who are forced to leave their homes and their families due to brute force and destruction. Those who cannot sleep, eat, or live happily because of warfare and fighting all around them. We offer our prayers for the children, families, the young and the old, the sick, and the abandoned who do not have resources, food, and shelter for daily living. We pray for mothers, fathers, grandparents, and all those deeply concerned for their family members and friends.
Lord, help us to offer our time, our sacrifices, and our deepest prayers at each moment for those affected by war. We pray that we can model after you, Lord Jesus, as one who offered yourself for the sake of others and for their welfare. We pray for our enemies the same way you did when you gave your life for the salvation of the world.
At this moment, Lord, we pray for those who suffer greatly at the hands of those who cause ruination to others and to the world. We pray for the conversion of their hearts. We understand conversion is possible for everyone who is alive, and we pray for peace in their hearts to turn to you and away from the brutality of war. We lift our prayers for those who protect others from violence and who stand for justice through service.
Jesus, we love you above all, and we trust you with every aspect of our lives. Help us to entrust you more both in this present moment and for the future of the world as we pray for peace. Most of all, help us to continue our prayers at each moment through the intercession of your Mother Mary and all the angels and saints.
We ask this in the Name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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Click the link below for several prayers for Israel
and also a list of the names of the hostages!!
PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL AND HOSTAGES NAMES
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NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
NEW WEEKLY INFO
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NEW DETAILS NOW AVAILABLE
The wait is over! A daily schedule for the National
Eucharistic Congress is live on our website.
You can now explore what this incredible
experience will look like day by day.
Preview the options for impact sessions in the morning
that speak to your particular vocation and mission.
Then, get excited for the dynamic revival sessions,
when the whole assembly will gather in Lucas Oil Stadium
to experience the power and love of Jesus.
These sessions—and the soon-to-be-announced
afternoon breakout sessions—
will be led by the expansive list of faithful speakers
who will join us in Indianapolis this summer.
Scroll through the updated schedule to
see many powerful opportunities for
encounters with Christ through prayer and the sacraments.
Click the link below for EVENT schedules:
EVENT SCHEDULES
Click the link below for IMPACT Sessions:
IMPACT SESSIONS
Click the link below for the SPEAKERS list:
SPEAKERS LIST
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How Do You Become a Disciple of Jesus?
Becoming Jesus’ disciple begins with an encounter,
and the Eucharist is the most powerful way
we can experience the living Christ today.
Bishop Andrew Cozzens shares what he believes
is the heart of Christianity and the reason
why Jesus left us his Real Presence in the Eucharist.
“This is really the great gift of the Eucharist:
it’s the encounter that never ends.
It’s the encounter that keeps transforming us.”
Click below to watch an inspiring short video from Bishop Cozzens:
BISHOP COZZEN VIDEO
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In the Streets
Another major moment in the Revival:
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage
one of the largest Eucharistic pilgrimages in history!
We will process with our Eucharistic Lord on 4 routes,
departing from our nation's north, south, east, and west edges.
These branches will meet in Indianapolis in July 2024
for the National Eucharistic Congress.
To see the four routes, and intercessor for each, click below:
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE ROUTES
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"View entire message”,
please click that link to continue seeing the entire newsletter.
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REGISTRATION INFO FOR THE CONGRESS
WILL YOU BE THERE, TOO?
You can join us!
July, 2024
for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress.
Directly experience the fruits of your intercession and
see its impact around the country.
Click the link below to REGISTER:
REGISTRATION FOR 10TH
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONFERENCE
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QUIZ! FOR THE WEEK
WHT ARE THE CONDITIONS
FOR A JUST WAR?
Scroll down to find the answer!
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HUMOR
HIGHLIGHT
Jesus is Watching You
A burglar broke into a home and was looking around.
He heard a soft voice say, "Jesus is watching you".
Thinking it was just his imagination, he continued his search.
Again the voice said "Jesus is watching you".
He turned his flashlight around and saw a parrot in a cage.
He asked the parrot if he was the one talking and the parrot said, "yes."
He asked the parrot what his name was and the parrot said, "Moses."
The burglar asked, "what kind of people would name a parrot Moses?"
The parrot said,
"the same kind of people who would name their German Shepherd Jesus".
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GOSPEL READING REFLECTION
For December 3, 2023
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR B
Gospel: Mk 13: 33-37
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BE WATCHFUL!!
- “Watch!” The Catechism has a whole section on vigilance (CCC 2729-2733). It discusses vigilance in the context of “humble vigilance of heart” as the solution to problems of prayer.
- We should be vigilant in living our faith because Christ Our Lord counsels us to. We don’t know when we will meet him, whether at the moment of our death or at his glorious return.
- Our vigilance should be humble because we are weak.
- It is the heart most of all that must be vigilant, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt 6:21).
- We might assume that the most important watchfulness necessary to be ready to meet Christ is moral vigilance, which is avoiding all sin and doing good. This is true. However, if we pray always with a humble heart, it will become more and more difficult for us to carry on the double life of being a disciple but living as if we are not. This is one reason why humble vigilance in prayer is so important.
- One difficulty in prayer is getting distracted. Distraction reveals what we are really attached to. When we become aware that we have been distracted in prayer we can humbly turn back to the Lord due to “our preferential love for him” and “offer him our heart to be purified.” (CCC 2729)
- Another difficulty in prayer is fighting “the possessive and dominating self.” We need vigilance or “sobriety of heart” to keep our focus on Christ rather than ourselves. “When Jesus insists on vigilance, he always relates it to himself, to his coming on the last day and every day: ” (CCC 2730)
- A third difficulty for those who try to pray is dryness, when one feels he is getting nothing from prayer. This may require deeper conversion, if our emptiness is due to our own faults, or deeper faith, as we cling “faithfully to Jesus in his agony and in his tomb.” (CCC 2731)
- “The most common yet most hidden temptation against prayer is our lack of faith.” We don’t really believe in Christ or we don’t really believe that “apart from me, you can do nothing.” (CCC 2732)
- Presumption is a sin against hope in which “either man presumes upon his own capacities (hoping to be able to save himself without help from on high), or he presumes upon God’s almighty power or his mercy (hoping to obtain his forgiveness without conversion and glory without merit).” (2092)
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A final temptation against prayer is acedia. This is a kind of “depression due to lax ascetical practice, decreasing vigilance, carelessness of heart.” The humble of heart are not “surprised” by discouragement, either in prayer or in life, because they know how poor and weak they are. Rather, discouragement “leads them to trust more, to hold fast in constancy.” (2733)
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ANSWER TO QUIZ
The just war doctrine of the Church presumes in favor of peace and establishes a rigorous moral framework that seeks to prevent war.
The justification for war is based on a right to self-defense,
but self-defense must always be proportional
to the act of aggression.
The difficulty with these principles, of course,
is that they are necessarily broad and
open to interpretation.
FOUR CONDITIONS FOR A JUST WAR
FIRST: "the damage inflicted by the aggressor
must be lasting, grave and certain."
This statement assumes that the damage
is unjust and therefore one side is
right and the other side is wrong.
SECOND: “all other means of putting an end to it
must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective.”
Again, this principle is open to interpretation.
An impatient government would be inclined
to attack rather than rehearse another
charade of diplomacy with a wily enemy.
But the point here is simply this:
War is just only as a last resort.
THIRD: “there must be serious prospects of success,”
largely depends on the will of the people.
FOURTH: “the use of arms must not produce evils
and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated”
is perhaps the most difficult to meet.
That’s because the use of military force
often incites hatred and retaliation,
leading to an escalation of conflict
and a downward spiral of violence and degradation.
Click the link below to discover further information about just wars:
CCC ON JUST WAR
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BOOK
RECOMMENDATION
We need to be armed for battle!
At all times, and especially during these crazy times in this vale of tears,
we need to lay our foundation in Christ Jesus.
Spiritual reading helps us build and strengthen that foundation.
Order through your favorite book dealer.
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This week's recommendation is:
Prepare Your Heart:
A Guided Advent Journal for
Prayer and Meditation
By
Fr. Agustino Torres
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Join Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR—founder of Corazón Puro—
on a multimedia Advent journey led by the saints
and the Holy Family to prepare yourself to enter into the
story of Christ’s birth through prayer, charity, and
joyful acts of service to the needy.
During each week of Advent, you will embark on a new path
informed by Franciscan spirituality to guide you to becoming closer to God:
- Week One, the way of Nazareth: a spirituality that attunes you to the needs of others and the hidden presence of God.
- Week Two, the way of the saints: featuring Sts. Lucy, Nicholas, Juan Diego, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose feast days fall during Advent; they will teach you to live with intentionality, humility, and devotion.
- Week Three, the way of St. Joseph: revealing the creative courage of Jesus’s foster father, teaching you how he makes a home for each of us in the heart of God.
- Week Four, the way of Mary: a tutorial in learning how to say yes to God’s call for your life and trusting in his loving providence.
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We pray you will be excited to embark on purposeful
spiritual reading as a way to build a more prayer-filled,
Christ centered life.
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