LITURGY IN FOCUS

CHILDREN & TEENS

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5b; Matthew 22:15-21 For children I Am The Lord The Prophet Isaiah Isaiah’s Visions The Story of Isaiah Gospel Reading and Reflection For teens King Cyrus: God’s Instrument of Deliverance Overview 1 Thessalonians I Thessalonians Gospel Proclaimed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5YCmoa7jM The […]

SPECIAL DEVOTIONS

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

St. Francis of Assisi was born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone; Francesco d’Assisi (Italian); Franciscus Assisiensis (Latin) in1181 or 1182 and died on Oct. 3, 1226. He was venerated and known in his ministry as Francesco, an Italian Catholic friar, deacon, philosopher, mystic and preacher. He founded the men’s Order of Friars Minor, the women’s […]

SPECIAL DEVOTIONS

ST. TERESA OF AVILA

Teresa of Ávila, born Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, is called St. Teresa of Jesus. She was born March 28, 1515, and died on Oct. 1582. She was a Spanish noblewoman who felt called to convent life in the Catholic Church. A Carmelite nun, prominent Spanish mystic, religious reformer, author, theologian of the contemplative life […]

SAINT OF THE DAY

OCT. 17: ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH

(Died c. 107)  Ignatius was born in Syria and converted to Christianity. He eventually became bishop of Antioch. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy. Ignatius would not deny Christ, and thus was condemned to be put to death in Rome. Ignatius is […]

SAINT OF THE DAY

OCT. 16: ST. HEDWIG

(Died 1267) In the latter part of the 12th century, St. Hedwig was married to the Duke of Lower Silesia, Henry the Bearded. She soon became a mother, ultimately giving birth to six children. From the beginning, the young duchess was beloved like a beautiful queen, thanks to her prompt generosity, which always was ready […]

SAINT OF THE DAY

OCT. 15: ST. TERESA OF AVILA

(1515-1582) Teresa, then known as Beatrice, was the daughter of a Jewish convert and his second wife. She had a happy childhood with her brothers and cousins. She was fascinated by novels that told tales of chivalry. After the death of her elder brother John in 1524 and the loss of her mother, Beatrice, the […]

SAINT OF THE DAY

OCT. 14: ST. CALLISTUS I

(Died 223) Callistus was a slave in the imperial Roman household. Put in charge of the bank by his master, he lost the money deposited, fled and was caught. After serving time for a while, he was released to make some attempt to recover the money. Apparently, he carried his zeal too far, being arrested […]

SAINT OF THE DAY

OCT. 13: ST. THEOPHILUS, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH

(Died circa 185 AD)           Theophilus was born a heathen, not far from the Tigris and Euphrates, and was led to embrace Christianity by studying the Holy Scriptures. He makes no reference to his office in his existing writings, nor is any other fact in his life recorded. Eusebius, however, speaks of […]

SAINT OF THE DAY

OCT. 12: OUR LADY OF APARECIDA

On Oct. 12, 1717, three Brazilian fishermen set out on the waters of the Paraiba River, which ran through their village. They were charged with providing the fish for the banquet that would be take place a few days later in the village of Guarantinguetá on the occasion of the visit of the Count of […]

SAINT OF THE DAY

OCT. 11: ST. JOHN PAUL XXIII

(1881-1963) Pope John XXIII was born in the small village of Sotto il Monte in Italy. He was the fourth of 14 children born to poor parents who made their living by sharecropping. His given name was Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli. He graduated from university with a doctorate in theology and was ordained a priest in […]