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Nov. 15-16, 2014

12/13/2014

My Dear Parishioners,

Last week we had the teaching Mass and it was very successful. I have had good feedback and I would like to thank the people who made the effort to come out on Thursday night. I will be conducting another teaching Mass in the Spring, so stay tuned for a date and time.

This weekend we will see our confirmation candidates return from the retreat. St. Dominic Parish is blessed to have about 60 young men and women who will be confirmed in April. We thank God for His blessings. The young people are the future of our Church and I would ask that we all keep them in our prayers in a particular way as they grow in their spiritual life.

This weekend is also the last weekend of Ordinary Time. Next weekend we celebrate the feast of Christ the King and then we begin Advent. As the liturgical year draws to a close, let us take some time to reflect on all the blessings that God has bestowed upon us over this last year. Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in looking forward, that we forget to be thankful for the Blessings we already have. I believe that it is no coincidence that Thanksgiving falls just before Advent, the beginning of a new Liturgical Year. Take some time to review all God has done and let this Thanksgiving not get lost in parades, football and preparing for Christmas, but let it be a true day of thanks to God.

My website is www.TheRomanCollar.com. As always, any questions that you may have about our faith, history or Holy Mother Church that you would like to see in my column, please e-mail me at Fr.John@TheRomanCollar.com.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. John

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Nov. 8-9, 2014

11/8/2014

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My Dear Parishioners,

In last week’s column, I discussed indulgences. I have had a few questions about indulgences so I thought it would be good to talk about them.

“An indulgence is the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sin whose guilt has already been forgiven. A properly disposed member of the Christian faithful can obtain an indulgence under prescribed conditions through the help of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of satisfactions of Christ and the Saints. An indulgence is partial if it removes part of the temporal punishment due to sin, or plenary if it removes all punishment.” (CCC 1471) (see also Enchiridion Indulgentiarum: Normae et Concessiones, Apostolic Penitentiary 1999, N1 – N3)

Think of it like this. You are playing catch with a friend and the ball goes through the neighbor’s front window, breaking it. You go to the neighbor and apologize promising that it will never happen again. (This is like going to confession). The neighbor forgives you and tells you he isn’t mad, and is happy you came to him to apologize. (This is like the absolution received in confession). However, Even though the neighbor forgave you, the window is still broken and someone has to pay to fix it. (This is the temporal punishment). An indulgence is like have insurance to help you pay for the window. By completing the indulgence some or all of the punishment is taken away (like some of the cost of a new window is taken away by insurance).

I hope that you have found this explanation helpful. Let us remember to pray for each other and, particularly during the month of November, let us pray for our deceased relatives and friends.

If you have additional questions, please ask me. As always, any questions that you may have about our faith, history or Holy Mother Church that you would like to see in my column, please e-mail me at Fr.John@TheRomanCollar.com

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. John

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Bulletin Nov. 1-2, 2014

11/3/2014

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My Dear Parishioners,

Thank you all for the very kind cards, words and prayers that you sent me for Priest Appreciation Sunday. It was generous of you to greet me so kindly. Thank you!

This weekend begins the month of November and the Church has a wonderful tradition of remembering our friends and relatives who have passed from this life. It is good and right that we pray for them and remember them. We should also remember to pray for the poor souls in purgatory.

Prayer for the souls in Purgatory is a requirement of Christian charity, and it helps us to call to mind our own mortality. The Church grants us a plenary indulgence for visiting a cemetery spending a few moments in prayer for the dead.

To obtain the plenary indulgence, we are to visit a cemetery between November 1 and November 8 and pray for the dead. To gain indulgences, whether plenary or partial, it is necessary that the faithful be in a state of grace (have no attachment to sin, even venial) at least at the time the indulgenced work is completed.

The plenary indulgence mentioned above is granted under the following conditions:

1.    To gain a plenary indulgence, in addition to excluding all attachment to sin, even venial sin, it is necessary to perform the indulgenced work and fulfill the following three conditions: 1) sacramental confession, 2) Eucharistic Communion, and 3) prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

2.    A single sacramental confession suffices for gaining several plenary indulgences; but Holy Communion must be received and prayer for the intention of the Holy Father must be recited for the gaining of each plenary indulgence.

3.    The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the prescribed work; it is, however, fitting that Communion be received and the prayer for the intention of the Holy Father be said on the same day the work is performed.

4.    If the full disposition is lacking, or if the work and the three prescribed conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence will only be partial.

5.    The condition of praying for the intention of the Holy Father is fully satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary; nevertheless, one has the option of reciting any other prayer according to individual piety and devotion, if recited for this intention.

As we remember our beloved dead, let us also thank God for the blessings that they were in our lives.

May God continue to bless each of you abundantly.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. John

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Bulletin 10/25-26/2014

10/26/2014

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My Dear Parishioners,

Welcome to the new bulletin layout. We hope you like it. As part of the new layout, I will be putting in a short article each week. These are my ponderings and thoughts, though I would also like to address any questions that you may have about our faith, history or Church. Please feel free to send me your questions at Fr.John@TheRomanCollar.com. Please realize that some questions may not be answered in this column due to number of questions submitted or space limitations.

I want to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have answered our request for funds. If you are still undecided about tithing, please pray about this. If there are any questions that we can answer regarding tithing, auto banking, expenses or other financial concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please also take advantage of the Financial Planning seminar that we are sponsoring. This seminar is our investment in you to help your family and the church. We will begin Wednesday evening with a Holy Hour from 6:00 to 7:00 and then Mass followed by two wonderful speakers. We are also providing some small finger foods for the break. It should be a wonderful and informative evening.

Finally, don’t forget my Teaching Mass scheduled for Thursday, November 6 at 7:00 PM. Bring your questions and curiosity about the Mass. I hope that this evening will bring not only a better understanding of the Mass we celebrate, but also a deepening of your faith. I look forward to seeing you there.

May God continue to bless each of you abundantly.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. John

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Fr. John Stearns is the Parochial Vicar at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Security, Colorado. These are his columns which appear weekly in the parish bulletin.

Nov. 15-16, 2014

Nov. 8-9, 2014

Bulletin Nov. 1-2, 2014

Bulletin 10/25-26/2014

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