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CATHOLIC FAITH AT HOME RESOURCES
For Our Family of Parishes
STELLA MARIS, STAR OF THE SEA
including:
St. Thomas More, St. Bernadette,
St. Mary's, St. Peter's
APRIL 9
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“Why should we today sing Alleluia, Praise the Lord?
Because this day we are fed, freed, assured of the truth,
and given promises of being endowed,
in our resurrection, with the gifts of
clarity, agility, brightness and impassibility,
which Christ showed in his resurrection.”
— St. Vincent Ferrer
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WHAT IS THE SACRED TRIDUUM?
The last three days of Holy Week
(Triduum Sacrum),
are the three-part drama of Christ's redemption:
Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
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HOLY THURSDAY
Also known as "Maundy Thursday."
From the Latin mandátum novum do vobis dicit Dóminu word mandatum (commandment),
which is the first word of the Gospel acclamation:
Mandátum novum do vobis dicit Dóminus,
ut diligátis ínvicem, sicut diléxi vos.
I give you a new commandment
Love one another as I have loved you."
John 13:34
Jesus spoke these words to His apostles at the Last Supper,
after he washed their feet.
We should imitate Christ's humility in the washing of the feet.
The Mass of the Lord's Supper is celebrated in the evening,
because Passover began at sundown.
Only one Mass is celebrated at a parish on this day,
and the entire community joins together.
This is a very joyful Mass,
as we recall the institution of
the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood.
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GOOD FRIDAY
Together, the whole Church mourns the death of our Savior.
Traditionally a day of sadness, spent in fasting and prayer.
This day has many title around the world:
Latin nations - "Holy Friday"
Slavs and Hungarians - "Great Friday"
Germany - "Friday of Mourning,"
Norway - "Long Friday."
The Liturgy, "Celebration of the Lord's Passion,"
is usually celebrated around 3:00 p.m.
but depends on the parish's needs.
The altar is
completely bare, with no cloths, candles nor cross.
The service is divided into three parts:
Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.
The clergy's vestments are
Red or black
The liturgy
Clergy process to the altar in silence, prostrating themselves for silent prayer,
before the introductory prayer.
We should
o Remember that this is a day of mourning.
o Slow down to create quiet time for easier contemplation on this solemn day.
Suggestions
o Participate in the liturgy and as many devotions as much as possible.
People take off from work and school for these
It was once standard in many U.S. cities for this to be a paid holiday
to enable, and encourage, Christians to attend services.
o To avoid being distracted from the spirit of the day, some families
Leave their house dark
Maintain as (mostly) silence between noon and 3:00 p.m.
Avoid loud conversation or activities
Restrict their outside entertainment, especially technology
Can't attend the service? Setup a small home altar.
Drape a black or purple cloth over a small table or dresser,
and place a crucifix and candles on it.
Gather the family, if possible during the three hours
Pray devotions such as the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Divine Mercy
Meditate on readings and prayers of the Passion of Christ.
Click below to read quotes from St. Thomas More about Good Friday:
QUOTES FROM ST. THOMAS MORE
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HOLY SATURDAY
Official liturgical name: Sabbatum Sanctum
A sacred as the day of the Lord's rest;
called the "Second Sabbath" after creation.
This should be the most calm and quiet day
of the entire Church year, broken by no liturgical function.
Christ lies in the grave,
the Church sits near and mourns.
After the great battle He is resting in peace.
There are no liturgies celebrated until the Easter Vigil.
The entire celebration of the Easter Vigil
must take place during the night.
NOTE: Our Stella Maris Family of Parishes Vigil
is being held at St. Thomas More
beginning at 9:00pm.
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APRIL IS DEDICATED TO THE:
HOLY SPIRIT
To believe in the Holy Spirit is to
Profess that the Holy Spirit is:
+ One of the Persons of the Holy Trinity
+ Consubstantial with the Father and the Son:
"with the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified."
The Holy Spirit is
The Person of Love in the life of God.
Like a breath, an aspiration of infinite Love, from which we draw the breath of life.
Everything depends on the Holy Spirit's operation in us.
The more fully we allow ourselves to be drawn and guided by the Holy Spirit,
the closer we shall come to Jesus and His mysteries and graces.
The Holy Spirit must draw us to every good thought, word and deed.
Every act of faith, of hope and of love for God
requires the inspiration and help of the Holy Spirit.
If our virtues and our deeds are to be truly perfect and worthy of God,
they need the special and continual touch of the Holy Spirit.
Symbols of the Holy Spirit
WATER: Signifies the Holy Spirit's action in Baptism.
ANOINTING with OIL: So much signifies the Holy Spirit, it almost a synonym.
FIRE: As water signifies birth and the fruitfulness of life given in the Holy Spirit,
FIRE symbolizes the transforming energy of the Holy Spirit's actions.
CLOUD AND LIGHT: Together they are manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
SEAL: Similar to anointing;
"The Father has set his seal" on Christ and also seals us in him.
THE HAND: Jesus heals the sick and blesses little children by laying hands on them. In his name the Apostles will do the same.
Even more pointedly,
by the Apostles' imposition of hands the Holy Spirit is given.
THE FINGER: "It is by the finger of God that [Jesus] cast out demons."
If God's law was written on stone tablets "by the finger of God," then
the "letter from Christ" entrusted to the care of the apostles,
is written "with the Spirit of the living God,
not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts."
The hymn Veni Creator Spiritus invokes the Holy Spirit
as the "finger of the Father's right hand."
THE DOVE: After the flood, this symbolism in Baptism and of the Holy Spirit,
is released by Noah and returns with a fresh olive-tree branch
signifying that the earth was again habitable.
When Christ comes up from the water of his baptism,
the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes down upon him and remains with him.
The Spirit comes down and remains in the purified hearts of the baptized.
Click below to read:
JP II's CATECHESIS ON GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
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DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
This Feast of The Divine Mercy,
is the Second Sunday of Easter
(the first Sunday after Easter).
This year the Feast of The Divine Mercy falls on
Sunday, April 16, 2023.
You probably know that Easter is the most important feast day
of the year, but did you also know that we actually
celebrate it for eight full days!
This is the “Octave of Easter.”
Moreover, it is the last day of the octave,
which is the greatest of all,
the climax of the whole feast.
Fittingly, Jesus promised to give great graces
on Divine Mercy Sunday.
He told St. Faustina:
On that day [Divine Mercy Sunday],
the very depths of My tender mercy are opened.
I pour out a whole ocean of graces
upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. …
On that day all the divine floodgates
through which graces flow are opened (Diary, 699).
Regarding the graces of Divine Mercy Sunday,
Jesus told St. Faustina,
“The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion
shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment” (699).
This is an extraordinary promise!
JOIN THE STELLA MARIS Parish Family's
DIVINE MERCY CELEBRATION
at St. Thomas More Church
Sunday, April 16 from 2:00 - 3:15pm,
with
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
the Divine Mercy Chaplet
and Confession available
(with 6 attending priests).
Click the link below to watch a short video on:
WHY GO TO CONFESSION?
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The Divine Mercy
Message
and
Devotion
Both PROFOUND and simple.
The message is: God loves us – all of us.
He wants us to recognize that
His mercy is greater than our sins,
so that we will call upon Him with trust,
receive His mercy - to be saved! -
and let it flow through us to others.
This message and the devotion to Jesus
are based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska,
an uneducated Polish nun who, in obedience
to her spiritual director, wrote a diary of about 600 pages,
in which she recorded revelations
she received about God's mercy - deeper than any abyss!
The Chaplet can be said anytime,
but the Lord also specifically asked that it be recited as a novena.
He promised, "By this Novena (of Chaplets),
I will grant every possible grace to souls."
You can begin it any time, but it especially recommended to (also)
start it on GOOD FRIDAY
so finish it for the Feast of Divine Mercy on April 16.
(More on that Feast Day next week.)
For each of the novena's nine days, Jesus Himself gave Saint Faustina the intention for us to pray for:
1. All mankind, especially sinners;
2. Souls of priests and religious;
3. All devout and faithful souls;
4. Those who do not believe in God and
those who do not yet know Jesus;
5. Souls who have separated themselves from the Church;
6. Meek and humble souls and the souls of little children;
7. Souls who especially venerate and glorify His mercy;
8. Souls detained in purgatory;
9. Souls who have become lukewarm
(the last group's apathy causing Jesus to express greater concern about their soul's willingness to consider repenting)
Click below to see how to pray :
THE DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET
Click below to see the:
DIVINE MERCY NOVENA PRAYERS
Click below to hear from Fr. Michael Gaitley:
30 MINUTE CRASH COURSE ON DIVINE MERCY
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WHY THE DEVIL
HATES AND FEARS
MARY
Fr. Chad Ripperger is BACK
for a 5th episode of Q&A!
He and Chris Stefanick discuss
God, Mary and many fascinating stories
about demons and why they denied God plan for them.
Fr. Chad is an experienced Catholic exorcist.
He’s also crazy smart and works hard to help
people understand the devil and how we can fight him.
Click below to watch:
FR. CHAD AND CHRIS CONTINUE
THEIR DISCUSSION ON THE DEVIL
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COMING TO OUR FAMILY OF PARISHES
THIS SUMMER!!!
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TOTUS TUUS !!
An active and engaging Catholic summer youth program
dedicated to sharing the Gospel and
promoting the Catholic Faith
through catechesis, evangelization, witness and
Eucharistic worship,
from young adults to their near-peers and younger.
Totus Tuus goals
Help young people grow in understanding and
strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.
Prayer, discussion, and encounters
but also
Lively activities
Youthful, on-fire disciples
Specially trained for this ministry
(not summer Bible school!)
Only in a
real and personal relationship with Him
can we truly know the Father's love in the Spirit
and be made sharers in the Holy Trinity's life.
CHECK OUT THE FLYER BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS!
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Prayer to the
Holy Spirit
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy.
Amen. (St. Augustine)
Click below to read the:
AVE MARIS STELLA PRAYER
Click below to hear:
AVE MARIS STELLA in GREGORIAN CHANT
Click below to hear:
AVE MARIS STELLA SUNG IN ENGLISH
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NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
NEW WEEKLY INFO
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Visiting the Prisoner:
Ministry on California’s Death Row
Did you ever pause to consider that Jesus
was a condemned criminal in the eyes of the state?
Fr. George Williams, S.J. shares how he has seen
the power of the Eucharist
transform the experience of those on death row. .
Click the link below to read this story:
THE POWER OF THE EUCHARIST TO PRISONERS
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Are you ready for the Parish Year of Revival?
Over the coming weeks, we are offering a sneak peak
to the Playbook for the Year of Parish Revival.
This week, Tim Glemkowski made two short videos for us:
the first is an introductory video on the Year of Parish Revival resources,
and the second is a short video highlighting
the first invitation for engagement: Reinvigorating Worship.
Each is less than two minutes.
Click below to watch the two videos:
INTRO VIDEO
REINVIGORATING WORSHIP
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NEW!!! EUCHARISTIC PRAYER COMPANION
Click the link below to download the new (pdf)
Eucharistic Prayer Companion
corresponding with the Lenten Sunday Mass readings
and the week’s particular work of mercy.
NEW!! EUCHARISTIC PRAYER COMPANION FOR LENT
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Registration for the Congress
Launches
With all the grace Our Lord wants to pour
over the United States through
the National Eucharistic Revival and 2024 Congress,
the devil is working overtime to
disrupt this endeavor anywhere he can.
Please take a moment to pray for everyone involved
in coordinating and executing this historic occasion of grace.
Below is a list of specific intentions where your prayers are most needed.
Please pray for:
• The technology that will process registrations
• Congress volunteers
• Event organizers and administrative staff
• All those considering attending
• All who God is calling to the Congress, especially sacrifice to be there
• The pilgrims as they prepare for the National Eucharistic Procession
Thank you for your ministry as a Prayer Partner of the Revival.
Your intercession makes a real difference!
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WILL YOU BE THERE, TOO?
You can join us in July, 2024 for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress.
At this historic event, directly experience the fruits
of your intercession and see the impact
your ministry made all over the country.
Click the link below to REGISTER
REGISTRATION FOR 10TH
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONFERENCE
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QUIZ! FOR THE WEEK
What Is the Indulgence for Divine Mercy Sunday?
Scroll down to find the answer!
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HUMOR HIGHLIGHT
RECYCLE!
My sister-in-law was teaching Sunday school class.
The topic for the day:
Easter Sunday and the
Resurrection of Christ.
“What did Jesus do on this day?” she asked.
There was no response, so she gave her students a hint:
“It starts with the letter R.”
One boy blurted, “Recycle!”
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GOSPEL READING REFLECTION
For APRIL 9, 2023
EASTER SUNDAY
Gospel John 20:1-9
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CHRIST'S RESURRECTION
- None of the Evangelists describes the actual resurrection itself, for it was witnessed by no one. The gospels and 1 Corinthians 15:4-7 witness to the fact of the resurrection, however, by the testimony to the empty tomb and the appearances of the Risen Christ to His disciples. It is fitting that on Easter morning we should hear an account of what happened on that first Easter morning as Mary Magdalene went to the tomb.
- 1 On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
- All the Gospel accounts are in substantial agreement concerning the time when the tomb was first found to be empty, before dawn on Sunday morning. Mary Magdalene is named also by Matthew and Mark along with companions; Luke gives no names but speaks of “women” in the plural. In this verse John seems to make it appear that Mary Magdalene was alone but this is not necessarily the case as we will see in the next verse.
- 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved.
- Mark 16:7 relates that the women were told to announce the resurrection to Peter and the other disciples; John is the only evangelist to single out the beloved disciple (himself). and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” The fact that she say “we don’t” would make it appear that She wasn’t alone at the tomb, but was in fact accompanied by other women.
- 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
- No reason is given for John’s remaining outside the tomb; given the amazing/distressing news that he and Peter had come to investigate. It is assumed that he did not enter because Peter was the leader of the apostles and as such it was his responsibility to lead the investigation.
- 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
- The Greek participle translated here seems to indicate that the wrappings were flattened, deflated, as if they were emptied when the body of Jesus rose and disappeared – as if it had come out of the wrappings without their being undone, passing right through them (just as He later entered the Upper Room when the doors were shut). One can readily understand how this would amaze a witness, how unforgettable the scene would be.
- 7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
- This head cloth would have been tied, rolled like a triangular bandage, under the chin and over the top of the head to secure the mouth in a closed position. The first point to note is that it was not with the other wrappings, but placed to one side. The second, even more surprising thing is that, unlike the clothes, it still has a certain volume, like a container, possibly due to the stiffness given it by the ointments: this is what the Greek participle, here translated as “rolled”, seems to indicate.
- From these details concerning the empty tomb one deduces that Jesus’ body must have risen in a heavenly manner, that is, in a way which transcended the laws of nature. It was not only a matter of the body being reanimated as happened, for example, in the case of Lazarus, who had to be unbound before he could walk (see John 11:44).
- 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.
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ANSWER TO QUIZ
PLENARY INDULGENCE
I. The usual conditions for every plenary indulgence:
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Sacramental confession [according to previously issued norms, within abut 20 days before or after]
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Eucharistic communion [according to previously issued norms, preferably on the day, or the days before or after]
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Prayer for the intentions of Supreme Pontiff [specific prayers are not specified]
II. The specific conditions for Divine Mercy Sunday indulgence:
- In any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy
- Or, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!”)
PARTIAL INDULGENCE
A partial indulgence, granted to the faithful who, at least with a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus a legitimately approved invocation. [e.g. Jesus I trust in You. My Jesus mercy. or any other approved invocation]
For those who cannot go to church or the seriously ill, Conditions for a Plenary Indulgence:
- totally detesting any sin,
- the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions of confession, communion and prayers for the Holy Father
- recite the Our Father and the Creed before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus
- pray a devout invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you).
If it is impossible to do even this:
- with a spiritual intention unite with those carrying out the prescribed practice for obtaining the Indulgence in the usual way and
- Offer to the Merciful Lord a prayer and the sufferings of their illness and the difficulties of their lives, with the resolution to accomplish as soon as possible the three conditions prescribed to obtain the plenary indulgence.
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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 though your favorite book dealer.
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This week's recommendation is:
JESUS SPEAKS TO FAUSTINA AND YOU
by Susan Tassone
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In her celebrated 700-page spiritual Diary,
St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938)
tells of her many visions of Jesus
and her conversations with Him.
For years now, best-selling and award-winning author
Susan Tassone has lived in the thrall of that spiritual classic,
recently drawing forth from its
rich mystical depths 365 meditations.
Each meditation features Jesus’ words to Faustina,
to which Tassone has added a short original reflection
and a prayer to help you hear and live by Jesus’ words
as if they had been spoken directly to you.
From these pages, you’ll discover the
mercy, love, and compassion of the Lord
that’s available for you – day by day, each day of the year.
In Jesus Speaks to Faustina and You, you’ll learn:
- Amazing depths of Jesus’ infinite, unfathomable love for you
- Ways to heal your family through the mystery of God’s mercy
- How to develop stronger, deeper, more effective daily prayers
- How to increase your awareness of and response to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit
- How to overcome temptations – all of them!
- That purgatory is real, important … and a blessing
- How you can use the Divine Mercy Chaplet for all your needs, including overcoming despair, converting sinners, appeasing God’s anger, comforting the dying, and finding solace in the midst of suffering
- How to become a saint by learning from the Saint of Mercy, a woman who spent her life – day by day – learning about infinite love and the compassion of God, who is Divine Mercy
- And much more!
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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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