Tree of Life

  Today we celebrate an atypical “holiday” because it is only celebrated approximately every 4 years. In 2024 Thursday February 29th is Leap Day and an additional day is added in February. Therefore 2024 has 366 days. Leap Day can be celebrated with frog themed attire and activities. A good way to think of today is how blessed we are to be given an extra day. A time (especially during Lent ) to reflect on life and what we ought to do with it!  Why Leap Day? Leap Day Customs and Superstitions Leap Day Activities Leap Day TV Episodes Leap Year is Catholic More About Leap Year

Blessed be St. Joseph Each year the feast day of St. Joseph falls on March 19th. It is a pious custom to spend each of the seven Sundays preceding this feast day by meditating on a sorrow and joy of St. Joseph. Each of these Sundays should also be marked by receiving the Eucharist in St. Joseph’s honor. The first Sunday will be either the last Sunday in January or the first Sunday in February depending on the day of the week that St. Joseph’s feast falls on. The only exception to this standard is when St. Joseph’s feast is moved due to Easter.  The First Sunday (Feb 1, 2026) St. Joseph’s Doubt* and the Message of the Angel First Sorrow: The doubt of St. Joseph. (Matt. 1:19) But Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wishing to expose her to reproach, was minded to put her away privately. First Joy: The message of the Angel. (Matt. 1:20) But while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of Da...

  Today marks the celebration of the birthday and legacy of Civil Rights activist Doctor Martin Luther King Junior. Born on January 15th 1929 the federal holiday is now commemorated on the third Monday in January which in 2024 falls on the actual birthday of Dr. King. Known most famously for his “I Have a Dream Speech” in the Nation’s Capital, today is a day set aside to recall the efforts of Dr. King during his life for equality and equity for people who are Black/African American as well as his martyrdom for the cause. Just as the Church remembers those who give their lives for the faith, so too do we remember how Dr. King was martyred by racists because of his efforts for justice for all. We pause today to also make effort to support equality and equity for all people. The King Center’s Annual Theme To honor the legacy of this American Hero there’s films such as “Our Friend, Martin” which is kid friendly as well as these movies . All About Doctor King Each MLK Day is also a...

   " There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved. " (Acts 4:12) Today we honor the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Jesus was given His name by St. Gabriel when he appeared to Mary to announce that She was chosen to be the Mother of God. Jesus is given His name 8 days after His birth as sacred scripture tells us. While this event would’ve occurred on January 1st, that day is dedicated to Christ’s Circumcision which also occurred on that day. January 3rd is the closest date without an observance already being held. Today is also the 10th day of Christmas. Catholic legend attributes a sacred theme to each day and the 10 drummers drumming symbolize the 10 Commandments:  About the Holy Name The Holy Name of Jesus The Little Gospel Devotion  The Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus A Meditation on the Holy Name of Jesus A Vision of the Naming of Jesus  (Final sentence of Chapter 10 “The C...

  “Tomorrow, is the feast of our salvation!”  Every major feast in the Liturgical Year is preceded by a vigil and of course Christmas is no exception. While the Advent season continues until Midnight (when the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ and Christmas Day officially begins) the joy and expectant longing for the Messiah reaches its peak on Christmas Eve. Santa Claus will begin his magical journey and the universe will abound with mystery and miracles as creation rejoices in the arrival of the Messiah (see folklore below). Today, the housework is at last completed to welcome Christ and gifts for the animals (like seeds and anything safe for them to eat) are placed outside in the trees for their share in the celebration of the Nativity. Tonight is the night to watch movies about Santa as well as movies about the Nativity. A Christmas Carol also takes place on Christmas Eve as does Elf, The Polar Express and countless other Christmas Classics. Finally, Click here to ...

  Perhaps no Saint draws more devotion and affection than today’s Saint, Francis of Assisi. He is known across the world as the patron Saint of animals and thus his feast is set aside for the blessings of pets and is also World Animal Day . It is fitting to make a donation to an animal shelter today be it blankets, food or monetary. St. Francis is the saint who also established the nativity scene devotion. Due to this devotion and his affection for animals today would be good to watch “The Star” or “Nester the Long Eared Christmas Donkey” which both surround the animals involved in the Nativity Story. May St. Francis inspire us to love all creatures as he did. Caring for creation especially for animals is the perfect way to live out the works of mercy to feed and shelter those in need. This is the best stepping stone for showing mercy to our fellow human.    O God, by whose gift Saint Francis was conformed to Christ in poverty and humility, grant that, by walking in Fran...

O God , we thank Thee for the glorious company of the Apostles, and especially on this day for Simon and Jude; and we pray that, as they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  O Glorious Saint Simon, you were a cousin of Jesus and a devoted follower as well. You were called “the Zealot,” indicating that you were willing to give your life for your religion and your freedom as a human person. Obtain for us the grace to be willing to give our lives for Christ and to labor for the freedom and peace that only God can give. Help us to spend ourselves for God on earth and be received by him in eternal bliss in heaven. Amen.  Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired...

  The Brown Scapular by Father William Most  In the year 1251 a most momentous vision took place. St. Simon Stock, the Prior or the Carmelites, newly transplanted to England, prayed earnestly to Our Lady for help. Then: "To him appeared the Blessed Virgin with a multitude of angels, holding the Scapular of the Order in her blessed hands, and saying: 'This will be a privilege for you and for all Carmelites, that he who dies in this will not suffer eternal fire." The above account it taken from an early Carmelite Catalog of Saints. Since this vision is a part of private revelations, we need to investigate. For there are two kinds of revelation, public and private. Public revelation is that which is found in Scripture and Tradition; it was complete, closed when the last Apostle died and the New Testament was finished. There is to be no new public revelation until His glorious return at the end of the world. All other revelations are called private. The term is not too good, ...