Ghosts, giant skeletons, bubbling cauldrons, and tombstones litter front lawns this time of year, transforming quiet suburban neighborhoods into the stuff of nightmares, all playfully done in anticipation of Halloween. But not everything is fun and games. In fact, there is in our culture rapidly growing interest in spiritual practices that tap into dark powersContinue reading “The First Commandment in the New Age”
Author Archives: stceceliastgabriel
Working on Marriage
A recent article in The National Catholic Register reports on a study by the faith-focused non-profit Communio that sheds light on the crisis in the institution of marriage in the Church. Marriages in the Church have declined by 71% in the United States since 1970. This poses a major challenge to the future vitality ofContinue reading “Working on Marriage “
Be Little, Trust, and Don’t Worry
The second reading at last weekend’s Masses began with St. Paul’s exhortation: “Brothers and sisters, have no anxiety at all, but in everything… make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.” St. Paul’s words express the theme of much of what tookContinue reading “Be Little, Trust, and Don’t Worry “
Rosary Weekend
This past August, Bishop Caggiano issued a special decree designating every first weekend of October, “Rosary Weekend.” October is traditionally the month of the rosary, with October 7 being the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Per the Bishop’s special directive, we will join all the other parishes in the Diocese in celebrating what’sContinue reading “Rosary Weekend “
Padre Pio
This Thursday (10/1) our parish will host the relics of St. Padre Pio at St. Cecilia Church. One of the great saints of the 20th century, Padre Pio is loved by countless people all over the world. In a way, he is reminiscent of medieval saints whose hagiography modern audiences treat with skepticism because itContinue reading “Padre Pio “
Church Organ
In Sacrosanctum Concilium, its document on sacred liturgy, the Second Vatican Council stated that the “pipe organ is to be held in high esteem in the Latin Church as the traditional musical instrument that adds splendor to ceremonies and lifts the mind to God.” On the eve of the Council, which he initiated, Pope St.Continue reading “Church Organ “
Why Christ is on the Cross
This Monday (9/14) is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The cross is the symbol of Christianity because it is by Our Lord’s cross and resurrection that we have been saved and liberated from the power of sin and death. Recently, I was asked by a gentleman who attends an Evangelical congregationContinue reading “Why Christ is on the Cross “
Renewed, Repaved
With this first bulletin article after an August hiatus, I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate the members of our Parish and the Catholic Academy of Stamford school community on the completion of our newly repaved parking lot. An unusually rainy July caused some delays, but happily the parking lot was ready for theContinue reading “Renewed, Repaved “
A Marian Summer
The great Marian feast of summer is the Assumption, August 15. Normally, the Assumption is a holy day of obligation. But because it falls on a Saturday this year, the obligation is lifted. Perhaps we can treat this as reason to use the next several weeks to give extra consideration to the Blessed Mother’s roleContinue reading “A Marian Summer “
Pilgrimage
Most Americans, when we think of Canada, imagine a great wintry wasteland, populated by polite people with hard-to-place accents, who spend their days eating jelly doughnuts, curling, and trading quotes from the film Strange Brew. But, in truth, not all of Canada is like that. This week, I will travel to the city of Montreal,Continue reading “Pilgrimage “
