In the Roman Rite, bishops extend their hands over confirmandi, praying that they will be given “a spirit of right judgment and courage.” This invocation echoes countless passages of sacred Scripture extolling the virtue of courage. “Be strong and courageous in your hearts, all you who place your hope in the Lord,” says Psalm 31:25.…

GROW AS A DISCIPLE When the needs of ministry became overwhelming, the Apostles did not say they would sleep less or pray less in order to have more time to serve others. Instead, they appointed leaders from the community to help so they could continue to devote themselves to prayer and preaching. This reminds me…

Do you have a heart for helping children discover the joy of Jesus? The Faith Formation office is looking for a Vacation Bible School Coordinator to prepare & guide this summer’s program (June 22-26) starting around May. This role works closely with the Faith Formation staff and includes organizing materials, supporting volunteers, and helping create…

GROW AS A DISCIPLE In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” In Matthew 23:3-5, Jesus says, “Do and observe all things whatsoever [the scribes and Pharisees] tell you, but do not follow their example. For they…

In Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, the apostle writes that it is imperative for a Christian to reflect on his conscience before he partakes of Holy Eucharist: “Let a man examine himself and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28). The practice of examining one’s conscience before seeking…