All are invited to join us in worship at Holy Ghost or St. John the Baptist Parishes. Holy Ghost Parish, Shenandoah, PA St John the Baptist Parish, Frackville, PA December 24, 2009 – January 6, 2010 Thursday, December 24th, 2009 – CHRISTMAS EVE SHENANDOAH: 7:00PM – Mass of the Shepherds (Pasterka), and Benediction of the […]
Schedule of Services during the Christmas Season Read More »
Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before Christ was born. Giving gifts, the Yule log, carol singing, church processions and the 12 days of Christmas can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians. Sacaea, celebrated by the Persians and Babylonians, was a similar festival during which slaves and masters would exchange roles.
A brief history of Christmas Read More »
Christmas in Poland, that the greatest moment is the evening of December 24, always remains in Poland the most important celebration. Although its origins have a religious direction, it is especially a family celebration, love, comprehension and mutual attention. It is a celebration having kept the same traditions since centuries, full with symbols, having its
Christmas in Poland, the Polish tradition Read More »
The account of the visitation in St. Luke’s Gospel culminates in Elizabeth’s proclamation that Mary is blessed because she has put her faith in what the Lord has said to her. Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, who herself was pregnant with John the Baptist. Elizabeth’s greeting gave complete confirmation to all
IV Sunday of Advent – Cycle “Câ€, December 20, 2009 Read More »
St. John the Baptist is someone who quickly took center stage and enjoyed a fair measure of success as a preacher, to the point where people began to wonder whether he was the Christ. John was a success but he knew his limitations. If you are looking forward to Christmas, full of expectancy, then you
III Sunday of Advent – Cycle “Câ€, December 13, 2009 Read More »
The voice of one crying in the wilderness is the voice of one breaking the silence. Prepare the way for the Lord, he says, as though he were saying: “I speak out in order to lead him into your hearts, but he does not choose to come where I lead him unless you prepare the
From a Sermon of St. Augustine Read More »
Isaiah points a powerful poetic vision: “Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid down, winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth.†The writer of the book of Baruch, which we heard as our first reading, would have been familiar with this passage and echoes it in his
II Sunday of Advent – Cycle “Câ€, December 6, 2009 Read More »
It was in the wilderness that God’s saving presence was proclaimed by John the Baptist, and there that God’s salvation was seen. The words of this prophecy were fulfilled when Christ and his glory were made manifest to all: after his baptism the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove
A Commentary on Isaiah by Eusebius of Caesarea Read More »
The Advent season has always had a dual focus. We prepare for Christmas, the celebration of Christ’s first coming. But we also think about the second coming of Christ, when God’s kingdom will finally be fulfilled and God’s plan of salvation for the whole of creation will reach its ultimate completion. Today’s Gospel reminds us
I Sunday of Advent – Cycle “Câ€, November 29, 2009 Read More »
The Ecclesiastical Year begins on the first Sunday of Advent and ends on the Saturday following the last Sunday after Pentecost. Advent is composed of four weeks during which, with the patriarchs and prophets, we prepare to celebrate the first coming of our Lord in a Bethlehem stable. During Advent the approved liturgical colors are