How to find Catholic Mass Times when Traveling

Whenever I travel, be it abroad or within my own country, finding a Mass for Sunday is a priority. Here's a quick guide to help you locate a Catholic church and Mass times near you:

Search Engines: Simply type “Catholic Church near me” or “Mass times near me” into your preferred search engine. This will provide a list of nearby churches with addresses and contact details.

Google Maps: Open Google Maps and enter “Catholic Church” in the search bar. This will show churches in your vicinity. Click on a church to see Mass times, usually listed under the 'About' section.

Masstimes.org offers a comprehensive database of Catholic churches and Mass schedules worldwide.

TheCatholicDirectory.com: This website provides church locations, Mass times, and even parish contact information for churches in the USA

Church Websites: If you have a specific church in mind, visit their official website. Most churches post their Mass and reconciliation schedules online.

One of my number one tips is to check the bulletin of the church you are interested in! Sometimes the website may not be updated, but if the bulletin has a date on it and it's recent, there is a good chance the schedule is also updated.

Diocesan Websites: Visiting the website of the diocese you're in can be helpful. They usually have a directory of all the churches in the area along with Mass times.

Parish Apps: Some parishes have their own apps or use platforms like the “MyParish” app. These can be very useful for finding Mass and reconciliation times.

Social Media: Check the church’s social media pages, especially Facebook. Be careful that it is updated though as social media often isn't.

Call the Parish: When in doubt, a quick phone call to the parish office can provide you with the Mass schedule. It's important to plan ahead. Often parish offices have very limited hours and for some reason many do not mention Mass times on their recordings.

Remember, Mass times can vary, especially during holidays and Holy Days of Obligation, so it's always a good idea to double-check.

Easter 2024 & Related Liturgical Dates: A Quick and Informative Guide

Hey everyone,

With Easter 2024 fast approaching, I thought it would be helpful to put together a quick reference guide covering the key dates and some fascinating background on how these dates are determined. This is for all of you who are looking for a concise yet informative overview.

Easter 2024 Date: Mark your calendars, Easter Sunday falls on March 31, 2024.

Key Dates Leading Up to Easter:

Ash Wednesday: The Lenten season begins on February 14, 2024.

Holy Week: Starts on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024.

Holy Thursday: Commemorated on March 28, 2024.

Good Friday: Observed on March 29, 2024.

Holy Saturday: March 30, 2024.

The Triduum: These are the three days leading up to Easter Sunday, starting with the evening of Holy Thursday and culminating in the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night.

Post-Easter Dates:

Ascension of Jesus: Celebrated on May 9, 2024.

Pentecost: Falling on May 19, 2024, this marks the end of the Easter season.

How Is the Date of Easter Determined?

Easter's date varies each year. It's calculated as the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon following the vernal equinox. This method, established by the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, aligns Easter with the Jewish Passover based on lunar cycles, as Passover was the time of Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection.

A Bit of History:

The observance of Easter has evolved significantly since the early days of Christianity. The precise date of Easter was a major point of contention in early Christianity, leading to the establishment of the current method at the Council of Nicaea.

This quick guide should help you keep track of the significant dates in the 2024 liturgical calendar. Whether you're planning community gatherings, personal reflections, or just curious about these dates, I hope this serves as a handy reference.

Stay blessed and keep these dates in mind as we journey through the Lenten and Easter seasons of 2024!

St. Thomas Aquinas: An Inspiring Doctor of the Church

I must apologize for the oversight, as yesterday was the feast day of the great St. Thomas Aquinas, a luminary whose life and teachings continue to inspire me deeply. Born in 1225 in Roccasecca, Italy, St. Thomas Aquinas was an exemplary figure in the Church, a true giant of theology and philosophy.

St. Thomas, a Dominican friar, theologian, and Doctor of the Church, is perhaps best known for his monumental work, the "Summa Theologica." This seminal text, a model of clarity and intellectual rigor, seeks to explain and defend the teachings of the Church. It covers a vast range of topics, from the existence of God to the nature of sin, and stands as a testament to the power of human reason informed by faith.

Educated at the University of Naples and later at the University of Paris, St. Thomas was a student of another great saint, Albert the Great. His writings, although deeply rooted in Christian doctrine, also drew extensively from the works of the ancient philosopher Aristotle. St. Thomas had a remarkable ability to harmonize reason and faith, showing that they are not in opposition but are complementary paths to understanding truth.

St. Thomas’s contributions were not confined to theology alone; he was also a master of metaphysics, ethics, and natural law. His concept of the 'law of nature' has profoundly influenced Western thought, emphasizing that certain rights and values are inherent and universally recognizable.

His life, marked by deep devotion and humility, was dedicated to the pursuit of truth. He experienced a mystical revelation towards the end of his life, after which he stopped writing, claiming that all he had written seemed like "straw" compared to the divine revelation he had experienced.

As we remember St. Thomas Aquinas, we are reminded of the depth and richness of our faith. His teachings encourage us to seek God not just with our hearts but also with our minds. St. Thomas Aquinas remains a beacon of intellectual and spiritual wisdom, guiding us in our quest to understand and live the truths of the Gospel.

Lenten Curiosities: Unusual Foods from Days of Abstinence

Hey everyone,

As we inch closer to Lent this year, with Ash Wednesday landing on February 14, it strikes me how this season not only unites us in spiritual practices but also in some rather unique culinary traditions. Today, let’s take a delightful detour and explore the quirky and sometimes downright strange foods people have consumed during days of abstinence in Lent.

1. Pretzels: A Twist of Faith

Starting with something familiar, did you know that pretzels were traditionally associated with Lent? Originating in Europe, these twisted breads were made simply with flour, water, and salt - aligning perfectly with the fasting rules. Their shape, believed to represent arms crossed in prayer, makes them a staple with a deep spiritual significance.

2. Fasting Bread of the Middle Ages

In medieval times, particularly in Europe, a special 'fasting bread' was often consumed. This bread, far from our usual loaves, was made with unusual ingredients like peas and beans, adhering to the strict Lenten prohibitions against certain foods.

3. Capybara: Swimming through a Loophole

In parts of South America, there's a fascinating history of eating capybara during Lent. Due to a peculiar classification by the Church centuries ago, this large rodent was considered fish, thus making it acceptable for consumption on days of abstinence. It’s a quirky example of how cultural and geographical factors influenced Lenten practices.

4. Barnacle Geese: A Fowl Fish?

Similarly, in medieval Europe, the barnacle goose was classified as a fish by some Christian scholars. This bizarre classification stemmed from a belief that these geese developed from barnacles - a theory that, while scientifically inaccurate, allowed people to eat them during Lent.

5. Ale and Beer: Liquid Bread

In some monastic communities, particularly in Germany, monks brewed special beers for Lent. These were nutritious, hearty brews, often referred to as 'liquid bread.' They provided sustenance during fasting and were a creative adaptation of Lenten restrictions.

6. Vegetable Lamb: A Botanical Oddity

Lastly, there's the curious tale of the 'vegetable lamb,' a mythical plant believed in medieval times to grow sheep as its fruit. While it never made it to the Lenten table (for obvious reasons), it’s a whimsical example of the lengths to which people went to reconcile dietary restrictions with their need for sustenance.

As we embark on our Lenten journey this year, these historical tidbits remind us of the rich and diverse tapestry of our faith. Lent is not just a time for spiritual reflection but also a period that has inspired creativity and adaptability in various cultures around the world. Whether you're sticking to traditional Lenten fare or exploring new culinary avenues, let's embrace this season with the joy and curiosity it deserves.

Until next time, keep the faith and maybe experiment a bit with your Lenten menu - who knows what interesting traditions you might discover!

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God make me like my daddy, big strong, and smart

 

Where in the Holy Scriptures can we find the foundations for the Lenten practice of fasting and penance?

With Lent soon approaching – starting in less than three weeks on February 14 – it's a great opportunity to reflect on the scriptural underpinnings of our Lenten traditions, particularly fasting and penance. It's like piecing together a beautiful mosaic from the Scriptures that illuminates our path to Easter.

The practice of fasting is deeply rooted in the Bible, with Christ Himself setting the precedent. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read about Jesus fasting for 40 days and nights in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2). This period of Jesus’ fasting, a time of solitude and deep communion with the Father, forms the bedrock of our Lenten practice. It's as if each year, through our Lenten fast, we join Christ in the desert, seeking to deepen our own spiritual communion.

Then there's the profound teaching of Jesus on fasting in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:16-18, Christ instructs us on how to fast – not as a public display of piety, but as a private act of devotion. His words guide our Lenten observance, reminding us that our fasting is a personal journey of faith, seen not by others, but by our Father in heaven.

The concept of penance, too, finds its scriptural roots in the calls for repentance throughout the Bible. The Book of Joel, for example, implores us to "return to the Lord with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning" (Joel 2:12). This heartfelt return to God, marked by fasting and sorrow for sins, echoes the very essence of Lent.

As we count down the days to Easter, let’s remember these scriptural foundations of fasting and penance. They’re not just ancient texts; they're living words that guide us each Lenten season as we prepare our hearts for the glory of the Resurrection. It's a journey we take together, supported by the wisdom of the Scriptures.

History of Lent in the Church

As we find ourselves here on January 25, 2024, with the Lenten season just around the corner, beginning on February 14 this year, I thought it would be a fitting time to embark on a historical exploration. Let's take a stroll down the memory lanes of our Church's past to uncover the origins of Lent. This journey is not just about tracing our roots; it's about deepening our understanding and appreciation as we prepare to enter this sacred season. So, gather around, and let's travel back to the earliest days of our Lenten traditions, connecting our present with the rich tapestry of our faith's history.

Our first stop is in the era of the Didache, one of the earliest Christian documents, dating back to the late first or early second century. It's like a window into the practices of the earliest Christians, showing us their dedication to fasting, though it doesn't explicitly mention a 40-day Lenten period (Didache 8:1). It's fascinating to think how these early believers, much like us, sought to live out their faith through such disciplines.

Moving forward to around 180-190 AD, we encounter St. Irenaeus of Lyons. In his correspondence with Pope St. Victor I, he discusses the variations in the fasting period before Easter (Eusebius, 'Church History', V.24). This shows us that while the practice was widespread, there wasn't yet a uniform way of observing it. Imagine being part of those early discussions, shaping a tradition that we continue today.

The pivotal moment comes with the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. This council, which was crucial in defining key aspects of our faith, also sheds light on the Lenten practice. While the council's main focus wasn't on Lent, subsequent canons, like those from the Synod of Laodicea around 363-364 AD, reference a 40-day period of preparation for Easter, echoing Jesus' 40 days in the desert.

And in the early fourth century, St. Athanasius of Alexandria, in his Easter letters (Letter 4, 330 AD), urges his flock to observe a 40-day fast. It’s moments like these that connect us directly to the traditions we uphold today.

Isn't it amazing to think about how our Lenten journey ties us back to these early Christians? Each year, as we embark on our 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we're participating in a practice that's been a cornerstone of Christian life for centuries. It's a beautiful reminder of our shared faith and heritage.