The Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to ask her if she would become the Mother of God. With only one question needing to be answered, not because she lacked faith, but because she simply did not understand how the incarnation would happen because she was a virgin consecrated to... Read More >>

Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. Celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is the culmination of the mystery of the incarnation, the feast of God becoming flesh (the Latin "in carne" means "enfleshment"). It... Read More >>

7. How Are Churches Decorated During Advent? The General Instruction of the Roman Missal notes: During Advent the floral decoration of the altar should be marked by a moderation suited to the character of this time of year, without expressing in anticipation the full joy of the Nativity of... Read More >>

5. What Is the Role of Sundays in Advent? There are four Sundays of Advent. The General Norms (No. 41) state: “The Sundays of this season are named the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Sundays of Advent.” We have already mentioned that the Third Sunday of Advent has a special... Read More >>

 3. Is Advent a Penitential Season? We often think of Advent as a penitential season because the liturgical color for Advent is violet, like the color of Lent, which is a penitential season. However, in reality, Advent is not a penitential season. Surprise! According to... Read More >>

Advent is a season that brings to mind the Two Comings of Christ. (Extract from National Catholic Register) Advent is underway. Most of us have an intuitive understanding of Advent, based on experience, but what do the Church’s official documents actually say about Advent? Here... Read More >>

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, celebrated this year on Nov. 20, also is referred to as the Feast of Christ the King, Christ the King Sunday, or Reign of Christ Sunday. While the concept of Jesus Christ being King is as old as the Gospels, the feast is fairly recent... Read More >>

Apostolic: Jesus spent three years teaching, performing miracles, and gathering followers.  Among those followers were twelve unique individuals called the Apostles.  They were called by Jesus to spend extra time with Him, to gain deep insights into His teachings, and then go forth... Read More >>

The same is true for all world religions.  We do not reject anything of other religions that is true.  For example, if someone were to say, “My religion teaches we should love all people.”  We’d say, “Great!”  By the fact they accept this truth, a... Read More >>

The Church is also “catholic,” meaning it is universal.  Here we are speaking of catholic with a small “c.”  By “universal” we mean two things: 1) The Church is first of all complete.  In the Church is the fullness of salvation because in the... Read More >>

HOLY If the Church is the Bride of Christ, the Body of Christ, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit, then the Church is, by necessity, not only united as one but is also holy.   It’s not possible to be united to Christ so intimately and, at the same time, to lack holiness.  In... Read More >>

Traditionally, we speak of the “Four Marks of the Church” as being four unique and foundational qualities of the Church.  These four marks speak to the essence of what the Church is and gives us insight into God, as well, as we ponder the way He designed the Church itself. ... Read More >>

Q. I know you’ve talked about vocations for people who are interested in being a priest or a sister, but is it wrong of me to pray for the vocation of marriage? The way some of my friends talk, I think they all plan to live with someone and then decide whether they want to get married.... Read More >>

Q. I know you’ve talked about vocations for people who are interested in being a priest or a sister, but is it wrong of me to pray for the vocation of marriage? The way some of my friends talk, I think they all plan to live with someone and then decide whether they want to get married. I... Read More >>

Q. My parents are getting divorced. I don’t understand why the church doesn’t allow that. My mother told me they will be getting an annulment. What will my parents’ annulment have to do with me?  When a couple celebrates a wedding we believe that, for the permanent... Read More >>

Q. My parents are getting divorced. I don’t understand why the church doesn’t allow that. My mother told me they will be getting an annulment. What will my parents’ annulment have to do with me? A. Divorce is a very difficult part of life when it happens. I’m sure this is... Read More >>

Q. My husband and I recently got married in the church. We are an older couple with grown children. We love each other very much. I get confused on exactly what we are permitted to experience as a married couple who can no longer have children. What I have read about this subject is very broad. Can... Read More >>

Q. My husband and I recently got married in the church. We are an older couple with grown children. We love each other very much. I get confused on exactly what we are permitted to experience as a married couple who can no longer have children. What I have read about this subject is very broad. Can... Read More >>

Q. I’ve heard of The Magisterium, but I don’t really know what it is. Who is on it? And what do they do? A. I like your question. The Magisterium is one of my favorite things to speak about! What is the Magisterium? Let me try to answer this question on a more personal level rather... Read More >>

Q. My friend’s Bible has different chapters from mine. Why are they different? A. First of all, let me say that it is always a blessing to know that someone is interested in the Bible! I think that many Bibles just collect dust on our book shelves. I hope that you and your friend keep up... Read More >>