The Lenten season, preparation for Easter, has been observed from the onset of the Church, although there have been inconsistencies with duration and practices. The Council of Nicea, 325 A.D., established Easter’s fluid date as the Sunday following the first full moon of the vernal equinox. In 461 A.D., Pope St. Leo established....

Catholic smartphone apps abound, and several stand out as great overall tools to help us grow in faith and prayer throughout the week. These two apps, for example, both offer many prayer guides, Bible readings, inspirational talks, and guided meditations for Catholics. Amen is an app provided by the Augustine Institute for free (though donations are encouraged). Hallow is an app run....

As a child, when I would arrive late to school following the Ash Wednesday services at our church, I remember the stares and questions from students as they observed the bold marking on my forehead. Although I had a general understanding of ....

The anointing of the sick is among the challenges of the Covid 19 pandemic. Many people died alone without receiving this sacrament.  We have been blessed in our Archdiocese of Boston by many priests who volunteered to administer this sacrament to those who were suffering from Covid. I remember anointing....

What would you do if you received this message as an email from me? Naturally, most of us want to help our parish - especially when we’re singled out to be asked by a trusted leader - so you’d probably...

The Lord Jesus, on the night before he suffered on the cross, shared one last meal with his disciples. During the meal our Savior instituted the sacrament of his Body and Blood. ​​​​​He did this in order to....

We are coming through another challenging winter in New England. The early darkness, frigid temperatures and snow, the return of cold and flu season, the waning pandemic, and ongoing debates about how we should be responding... If you are feeling....

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving. In the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine....

When I was a student at the Catholic University of Louvain, I used to spend my evenings in the library. There is a cafe nearby where the students enjoy drinking good Belgian beers. I remember the evening I met a friend smoking outside the cafe. He invited me to join the other friends inside. I did not want to drink as I was so tired. However, one of them said to me “si nous ne buvons pas, c'est en vain que Jesus a changé l'eau en vin,”....

Although I no longer have kids in high school, I still enjoy skimming the Sun Chronicle for the latest sports results. It’s fun to see how the local teams are faring and often recognize the names of former students who I taught in faith formation. I was especially excited....

Welcome to 2022! Because of publishing deadlines, I am writing this column in advance of our Christmas celebrations, not knowing how many or few will join us this year.  But I do know our celebrations of our Savior’s birthday will be a blessing – for those physically present, and for those tuning in via video.   Our volunteers, ministers, and active members of the congregation make our collaborative....

What did Mary and Joseph do with the Wise Men’s Gifts? I received the gift of a tea towel this Christmas with a printed message: if the Three Wise Men had been women, they would have brought....

It is Christmas! Let us be glad and rejoice. The Son of God, who pre-existed time, emptied himself to take on our human condition. This mystery of Incarnation expresses the elevation of our human nature to the rank of the Son's deity. “The Son of God became man that we might become divine”, we read....

Boy Scouts Troop 131 will be collecting Christmas trees. Set your tree out curbside by 8 am on Saturday, Jan 8th and they will pick it up. Please attach a donation (we suggest $15) to the trunk . Please make checks out to Troop 131 or pay by credit card on our website: www.wrenthamtroop131.org. Thank you!

Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” never really resonated with me.  The absence of the Christ Child at the heart of the story made it, for me, just miss the mark.  And “Fahoo foores Dahoo dore-es”??!!  (What DOES that MEAN, anyway?)   I, for one, try not to....

“Prepare the Way of the Lord,” John the Baptizer reminded us last Sunday.  This Gaudete “Rejoice” Sunday, the teachings tell us HOW to prepare the way: share what you have, do not mistreat others or be greedy, be satisfied with your wages.  And at PWC...

Often we slip into feeling we have to get our act together, be buttoned-up and polished to present ourselves to God. Only then (we might think) will I be worthy of God’s help and blessings....