Reading for Spiritual Formation

If asked 'What should I read for spiritual formation, to help me to think with the Church,' there are many books one could recommend. The Bible, of course, but even there it helps to have some direction beyond the readings given for daily Mass.

Throughout the world among both laity and religious, the liturgical unity of the Catholic Church, beyond the Mass itself, is represented not in commercial hymnals but rather in The Liturgy of the Hours or, as it is alternatively known, The Divine Office. This is the basis of common worship within the Catholic Church, although its use is scattered outside the clergy. It is the one liturgical document which crosses various internal boundaries. In addition to extensive readings from the Psalms and other Scripture, the Hours includes a selection of hymns.

The four volume edition, while expensive, is more useful than one volume abridgments. There is also a fairly complete version http://universalis.com/ available online.

In a recent general audience, Pope Benedict XVI remarked: “I would like to renew my call to everyone to pray the Psalms, to become accustomed to using the Liturgy of the Hours: Lauds, Vespers, and Compline.”

The Liturgy of the Hours has designated readings for each day and for every special day in the liturgical calendar. It also includes various hymns and even an appendix of poetry.

For example, for this Thursday in the 4th week of Ordinary Time, the office of readings include 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 and an extract from the Catecheses of St Cyril of Jerusalem. The readings in the monthly cycle of the Hours include:

Psalm 44, 143:1-11, 147:1-11, 128, 129, and 144 as well as Isaiah 66:10-14, Romans 8:18-21, 1 John 3:23-24, Wisdom 1:1-2, Hebrews 12:1-2, Revelation 11:17-18, 12:10-12 and various hymns, prayers and intercessions.

However, since this Thursday falls on February 2th, the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, there are also special readings: Psalms 2, 19A, 45; Exodus 13:1-3, 11-16 and a sermon by Saint Sophronius about being receptive to the Eternal Light. Additional readings for the Hours (for example, for Morning Prayer [also called Lauds] and Evening Prayer [also called Vespers]) include readings from Isaiah, Psalms, Colossians as well as various prayers, hymns, and intersessions.

This is the first of what I hope will be weekly postings on this blog regarding the Liturgy of the Hours and I hope to hear your comments. Also, we invite you to join us in praying the Morning Office on Wednesdays at 10am, in the Vaughan Center at St Ambrose.

Stewardship Fair

Many St. Ambrose parishioners took advantage of the Stewardship Fair held last weekend. The parish had community members on hand to answer questions about events, programs and other groups the parish sponsors. Many of you made decisions about where to share your special gifts and talents with our community.

If you’re still unsure how your skills and interests best benefit the St. Ambrose community, please contact Melanie for more information.

Spirited Young Messenger

Fr Seán Coyle, a Catholic priest and member of the Missionary Society of St Columban, from Dublin, Ireland, posted this on his blog. I couldn't resist sharing it with the St. Ambrose parishioners.

Archbishop Dolan: Cardinal-Designate

The Vatican has just announced Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, who has led the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York for nearly three years, will be named a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.

“As a kid, I just wanted to be a parish priest,” the cardinal-designate said in an early morning news conference at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. “And to think that now the pope has named me a cardinal— that’s awesome.”

Archbishop Dolan called his mother after receiving the news from the Vatican’s representative in Washington on Thursday morning.

“She said it’s about time,” the archbishop said, laughing. “Only moms can say that. ”

The full list of cardinals-designate can be viewed here.

Source: New York Times

Christmas Eve Children's Mass

Traditions are a big part of the holidays and Christmas Eve is no exception. Every family has their own customs that make this a special holiday. Children are excited and full of anticipation. This is their favorite time of the year!

The Children’s Mass is a tradition for many of our St. Ambrose families. This year, like the many years before, the pews overflowed with families gathering to celebrate their faith. Children gathered at the front of the church with Father Andrzej to open a great gift—the gift of each of us to one another.

"A Merry Christmas to us all; God bless us, every one!"

~ Tiny Tim

Christmas Pageant 2011

30 Years of Tradition 
Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.~Calvin Coolidge

Merry Christmas!

Answering God's Challenge

Time, talent, and treasure are the three main areas of stewardship.  Of the three, the most emotion enducing aspect is always treasure.  In today's economy, it is often difficult and stressful to take care of our own needs, let alone worrying about tithing or other charitable giving. 

And yet, God calls us to be good stewards of our assets, and to cheerfully share them  to support his church on earth. 

Cheerfully?  Are you kidding?  How can anyone cheerfully give away a portion when there's not even enough to pay the mortage?

See?  You're already stressing.  But you can relax, because God's got your back on this one.  He wants to meet your needs, and he wants  to provide so abundantly that you are able to joyfully support his church and help the needy.

God promises that good stewards, those who are responsible in managing what they already have been given, will be given more.  But it won't happen by sitting in your favorite easy chair, hand outstretched, waiting for money to drop from Heaven.  We need to apply a little action to our faith.

Unfortunately,  money management can be tough, and something we were not always taught growing up.  Even if we did receive a foundation in handling our resources wisely, the world today constantly bombards us with so many anti-stewardship messages that  it can be very difficult to  find even a starting point to begin the journey.

Which brings me to my point. 

I recently stumbled upon a great website that covers all aspects of managing money God's way.  Whether you are interested in budgeting, investing, making more money, or simply trying to figure out how to pay this month's rent, there will be information there to help.

Today I found a great article covering the 20 best ways to save money.  And who couldn't stand to save a little money? 

So, go explore Christian Personal Finance.  The link will take you directly to the article I just mentioned.  PLUS, right now they are giving away a free iPad!  You can enter to win by following the instructions there.   http://christianpf.com/16-ways-to-save-money-by-not-being-normal/