Why Pray?
Whatever You're Feeling, You Still Have a Reason to Praise
Sometimes there is no "clinical rationale" that will lead you to pray. This song makes the case that, no matter our circumstances, there will always be a reason to pray!
The Mass is the
Highest Form of Prayer...
The Bible and the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass
Dr. Scott Hahn, Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, speaks about "The Bible and the Sacrifice of the Mass" at the 2012 Defending the Faith Conference in Steubenville.
Click the image above any time of day to view the latest Mass from Catholic TV.
Faith and Culture
Nick Freitas sits down with Christian apologist Frank Turek to discuss why the Western church retreated from politics and the culture war, and why Christians can no longer afford to remain silent.
Nick and Frank break down Christianity and politics, objective truth, morality, cultural Marxism, identity politics, and the oppressor-vs.-oppressed worldview shaping modern America. They also examine why political rhetoric against Christians and conservatives has grown increasingly hostile and what happens when the church refuses to engage the culture.
Can Christians really stay out of politics, or is there a price to silence?
The very word prayer for a lot of us conjures up all kinds of ideas we got growing up. Many of us associate ‘prayer’ as a whole with petitionary prayer–asking God for stuff. But authentic relationship with God involves much more. To quote Saint Augustine, “Prayer is an exercise in desire.”
That’s what prayer is, in its very essence.
Please Pray for Vocations!
Below we list the latest seminarian roster (to be updated soon) and the diaconate formation rosters, as well as a full parish directories (with church locations) of both Vicariates in the Diocese.
People often look back on being young and going out on dates with nostalgic fondness, but the reality is the process of discerning your vocation can be really difficult and painful!
Aug 2025: Mary Bauer, Ronald Rademacher
Sept 2025: Mary Ann Skinger, Alison Wilson, George Brown
Oct 2025: Barbara Imhoff
Nov 2025: Mary Frances Lerch, Shirley Dickson, Richard Nolan
Dec 2025: Janice Steinhauser, Frank Lowe
Jan 2026: Allen Schomaker
Feb 2026: Virginia Briski, Laura DiCola
March 2026: Sister Celeste Hupert, Michael Van Leer, Barbara Davis
April 2026: Sr Carol Troesch, Marie Adams, Barbara Fuerst, Judith Scott, Jane Welka, Paul Walsh
May 2026: John Staudacher, Dennis McLean, Pauline Zelina, Joseph Kaib, Martha Foster
July 2026: Frank LoPresti, Theresa Henderson
Aug 2026: Vivian Castiglioni, Sr Therese Martin Blehar, Lorene Bauer
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:12
The Bible is full of people who learned to forgive. Esau forgave Jacob, and Joseph forgave the brothers who sold him into slavery. Job forgave the friends who ill advised him, and Hosea forgave the wife who betrayed him. The prodigal’s father in Luke 15 is a model of forgiveness, and Stephen forgave those who stoned him to death. Paul forgave John Mark, who had deserted him, and Philemon forgave Onesimus.
Whom can you forgive?
Our ability to forgive others is proportional to our understanding of how God has forgiven us. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “Whenever I see myself before God and realize something of what my blessed Lord has done for me at Calvary, I am ready to forgive anybody anything. I cannot withhold it. I do not even want to withhold it.”
When we forgive someone who hurt us, it not only follows Christ’s example, but it also brings healing to our own souls. The Lord alone can give us forgiving hearts, and when He does, we cannot withhold forgiveness.
The degree to which I am able and willing to forgive others is a clear indication of the extent to which I have personally experienced God my Father’s forgiveness for me.
Phillip Keller
- Dr David Jeremiah
Step Back and Reflect - An Essay
Memory Lane!
As we look ahead to the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we celebrate and pay tribute to our first responders from our various locales. Tucked in here are some photos from a First Responders Mass that was celebrated at St Athanasius. God bless all of our first responders!
Deacon Bill Homily Archive
Here are four recent homilies. Hover over the icons below to see the dates and topics.
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Deacon Bill Palamara 412-596-3370