Resources for Scripture Study

One excellent way to prepare for the celebration of Sunday Eucharist is by reading and reflecting on the readings beforehand. There are many written and electronic resources to help. Below are some websites that can aid prayerful reflection.

The Center for Liturgy at St. Louis University is an excellent resource for the Sunday readings. They have commentary by several renowned Scripture scholars for each reading.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops' theme for Catechetical Sunday this year was "Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word." This site has a number of resources, including a description of how to prayerfully reflect on Scripture through the practice of lectio divina.

The American Bible Society is a site dedicated to working with all Christian denominations to make the Bible available and understandable. The site provides helpful background material for books of the Bible--historical information, etc.

These are just a few of the many resources available. They provide a good starting point for further study of Scripture. The parish has several groups that meet weekly to discuss the Sunday readings. If you would be interested in participating in one, contact the parish office for more information.

  Mary, Our Mother and Our Model

Mary has certainly been the most influential and most important saint in Christian history. Her complete openness to God brought about our salvation. Mary leads us to Christ.

Over the coming year the Adult Faith Formation Team will be providing parishioners with opportunities for prayer and for learning more about our Blessed Mother, patron saint of our parish. Below are some links to papal documents that pertain to Mary.

Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus (The Immaculate Conception), 1854 This document proclaims the teaching of the Immaculate Conception to be infallible.

Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus (The Assumption of Mary), 1950 This document proclaims the teaching of the Assumption of Mary to be infallible.

John Paul II, Redemptoris Mater (On the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Life of the Pilgrim Church), 1987 This letter introduces the Year of Mary and discusses Mary's role in the Church and in the lives of the faithful.

John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae (The Rosary of the Virgin Mary), 2002 This letter introduced the Year of the Rosary and the Mysteries of Light.

Marian Holy Days

Immaculate Conception....December 8

Mary, Mother of God..........January 1                                                               

Assumption of Mary...........August 15

Other feasts and memorials honoring Mary

Our Lady of Guadalupe.....December 12

Our Lady of Lourdes .........February 11

Visitation...........................May 31

Immaculate Heart of Mary..Saturday after Sacred Heart of Jesus

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.....July 16

Dedication of St. Mary Major ...August 5

Queenship of Mary............August 22

Birth of Mary.....................September 8

Our Lady of Sorrow..........September 15

Our Lady of the Rosary.....October 7

Presentation.....................November 21

Sisters of Charity Bicentennial Celebration

The Sisters of Charity were founded 200 years ago by St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton. The order will be part of the Women & Spirit exhibit, and sisters from this and other local orders are serving as volunteers. (St. Mary School was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.) To learn more about their history and their bicentennial celebration, click here.

Year of Priests

Pope Benedict XVI has declared the year beginning June 19, 2009 and ending June 19, 2010, to be the Year of Priests. At the end of this year, the pope has called for an international gathering of priests in Rome. The entire church is asked to pray for the spiritual perfection of priests throughout this year. St. John Vianney has been named the universal patron of priests.

To learn more about this year and to find prayers, papal announcements and other information, click here.