February 14, 2021

Posted by Jo Ann Bednar

February 14 was for many years known as the feast of St. Valentine. Studies and scholarship of the last few decades have raised enough conflicting stories and uncertainties about the legend of St. Valentine that the Church removed the feast from the Calendar of Saints. However, the tradition of ... Read More »

January 31, 2021

Posted by Jo Ann Bednar

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL (ACA)

This weekend, throughout the Archdiocese, is the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA) Announcement Weekend. This year's theme is "Come, follow me...and bring hope to the world." Many Catholics, throughout the Archdiocese, will be receiving the Annual Catholic Appeal mailing from Cardinal Cupich soon.

The Annual Catholic ... Read More »

January 24, 2021

Posted by Jo Ann Bednar

ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL (ACA)

Next weekend, throughout the Archdiocese, will be the beginning of the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA). This year's theme is "Come, follow me...and bring hope to the world." Many Catholics, throughout the Archdiocese, will be receiving the Annual Catholic Appeal mailing from Cardinal Cupich soon. On ... Read More »

January 17, 2021

Posted by Jo Ann Bednar

There are a number of important events to remember as we begin 2021. January marks the 158th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation was signed January 1, 1863 in the midst of the Civil War that was tearing the country apart.

Tomorrow, Monday, January 18 is a national holiday as we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Though great progress has been made in tolerance throughout our country since the 1960’s, there is still much work to do. As tragic attacks on other human beings, shootings and hate filled language that have become more prevalent in the past couple of years has shown, we still have much work to do to make equality for all people a reality. Let us join in prayer and work daily so that all people of the world might realize the “Dream” of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that we are truly brothers and sisters to one another in the human ... Read More »

January 10, 2021

Posted by Jo Ann Bednar

On this second Sunday of the New Year 2021 we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Today we are reminded of our own baptism and God’s call to each of us to live the Gospel. We are asked by the Church to reflect on how we ... Read More »

January 3, 2021

Posted by Jo Ann Bednar

Today, on this feast of the Epiphany, we are reminded by the liturgy that Joseph and Mary and the child had to escape persecution after the visit of the Magi. Today throughout the world many people also are fleeing persecution, hunger and danger and have become refugees and migrants. ... Read More »

December 27, 2020

Posted by Jo Ann Bednar

As we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family this weekend, I encourage you to pray for all families. The families of our world and Church today are composed of a variety of people and circumstances. No matter what our definition of family, God calls each of us to ... Read More »

December 20,2020

Posted by Jo Ann Bednar

Today as we light the four Advent candles we realize Christmas will soon be here. Whether we are ready or not the birthday of our Lord and Savior arrives Friday and we are invited to celebrate that great event. Unfortunately, this year, due to COVID protocols, we cannot sing ... Read More »

December 13, 2020

Posted by Jo Ann Bednar

This Third Sunday of Advent has traditionally been called “Gaudete” Sunday. “Gaudete” is Latin for “rejoice”. The rose colored vestments and rose candle on our Advent wreath reminds us that we are halfway through the Advent season. As we light the third candle on our Advent wreath, we are ... Read More »

December 6, 2020

Posted by Jo Ann Bednar

Seventy-nine years ago tomorrow (December 7, 1941) a little before 8:00am in Honolulu on the island of Oahu many people were in church praying, waking up at home or spending a quiet Sunday morning. That peace and tranquility was dramatically destroyed in the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor that ... Read More »