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Saint Paul
Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Focus on Faith

Can I listen to Christmas music in Advent?

Q. Can I listen to Christmas songs in Advent? I’ve heard people say that we shouldn’t even put up decorations before Christmas. What should I do?

Tabernacles inside and outside of church

The tabernacle is where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. It is usually located in the sanctuary area in the front of the church, often either behind the altar or in its immediate vicinity, or it may be located in a reservation chapel.

Inviting Jesus to reign in our hearts

In the depths of most human hearts is a desire to be led by someone who loves us and can protect us and guide us in life. At the root of that desire is the often unseen longing for the love, protection and guidance that only God, the King of the Universe, can truly give. In the times prior to King Saul, the people of Israel offended the Lord by clamoring for a human king like the rest of the nations had, rather than being led directly by God. Getting what they wanted did not work out well due to King Saul’s shortcomings. Yet Saul’s failures did not prevent the Israelites from wanting another king. In the first reading for the Solemnity of Christ the King this year we hear them clamoring for a replacement king once Saul had died; pleading with David to become their king.

How can I step out of the ‘blame loop’?

Q. I have been really hurt by people in my life. But most of the bad stuff in my life is my fault. Still, I can’t stop blaming myself and blaming them for hurting me.

Every brother’s hope: Jesus resurrection

The first reading’s narrative from the book of Maccabees this weekend of the martyrdom of seven brothers also contains sure testimony to belief in the resurrection.

The Litany of the Holy Eucharist

A litany is a prayer that consists of a series of invocations, each followed by a response. A litany may be recited or sung with a congregation with the invocations given by a priest, deacon, cantor, lector or layperson and the responses made in unison by the congregation. A litany may also be prayed privately by a single person who recites both the invocations and the responses.

Finding humility and striving to change

My mother is 92 and still lives in the house I grew up in. For most of my adult life, every time I’ve gone up to visit her, we’ve played Scrabble — several games of Scrabble. I usually win and win big. But even at 92, she insists on playing.

Reaching across walls

Before I entered the seminary I worked in a small community bank.
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