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Fathers Be Fathers - What's a dad to think? How does he know what his role in the family is? How does he exercise his role? Our society and our culture give us many differing visions of a father's role. Sorting through those visions and finding the one that matches God's plan for the family is the major challenge for us dads these days. Posted 6/12/06
The Many Hats of Motherhood - When is a mother not just a mother? When she is a teacher, a nurse, a chauffeur, a confidant, or a disciplinarian. These are just some of the hats that I wear in my vocation as the mother. And with four children, I imagine that most mothers can relate to the hectic chaos that is life in the day of a mother. Posted 5/25/06
Post-Fertilization Confusion - I attended a meeting recently where a discussion ensued about the mechanisms of the birth control pill ("The Pill") and other hormonal "contraceptives." Sitting around a large configuration of tables were about forty people all of whom are ardently pro-life. Posted 4/29/06
Pope Benedict XVI's First Encyclical - Summaries of Part 1 and Part 2 of the Pope's first encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est" (God Is Love). Posted 2/19/06
The Lord's Prayer - Praying the Lord's Prayer we need to see a little part of the history of prayer in the life and tradition of the Jewish people. In the time when the First Temple in Jerusalem was constructed there was no regular prayer service. Prayer accompanied the sacrifices. Posted 1/29/06
Mary and Christmas... - There is a beautiful song called Breath of Heaven, or Mary's Song. The words tell of an imagined prayer from Mary to God. In it we hear how Mary might have expressed her human fears and doubts about the task she had accepted. Posted 12/24/05
Advent Collision... - You might describe it as a long entrance procession. The cars inch slowly toward the symbols of the season, where Christmas music plays all day and colored lights, crches, and that jolly, round bearded figure dressed in red are everywhere in this sensually charged environment. Posted 11/27/05
Mary, in the New Testament - Mary was the name of the sister of Moses; it was the name of several women in the New Testament; and it was the name of the mother of Jesus, the wife of Joseph. St. Matthew speaks of Mary in connection with the birth of Jesus (Mt 1:18-25), the visit of the Magi (2:11) and the flight to Egypt (2:13-223). Posted 10/30/05
The Rosary, a Contemplation of the Mysteries of Christ - Imagine looking upon the face of Jesus through the eyes of Mary. Imagine pondering the words and deeds of Jesus with Mary's mind. Imagine feeling the joys and sufferings of Jesus with Mary's heart. This is the type of imaginative meditation to which the rosary invites us. The rosary is a reflective prayer that we offer to God in union with Mary. Posted 10/1/05
Rosary Tips for Tots - Here are a few tips to make the family rosary a success in your home...
The Four Gospels are the principal source of information about the life of Christ. In order to understand both the form under which they have come and the purpose they serve, we must recall their origin and character. Posted 9/11/05
...unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter... (Matthew 18:3) - The disciples approached Jesus with the question regarding position and power in his dominion: "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Posted 8/21/05
The Institution of the Sacrament of Anointing - The Council of Trent (1545-1563) teaches that the sacrament was instituted by Christ our Lord as insinuated in the Gospel of Mark: "So they went off and preached repentance. They drove out many demons, and they anointed many who were sick and cured them" (6;12-13). Posted 8/14/05
Anointing of the Sick - This sacrament was called Extreme Unction (last anointing), not because it was the last sacrament you received before departing this life but because it was it was the last anointing a person received. Posted 8/7/05
How to Interpret the Scripture? - As believers, we do not read the Bible merely to be informed about its content or to be inspired by its religious message. We read the Scripture in order to be transformed, to be shaped and reshaped by that message so that we can reveal it in new and authentic ways in the manner we live our lives. Posted 7/31/05
Vocations - We all have a vocation. On the day we were baptized we each received a vocation to be a Christian. On the day we were confirmed we received a vocation to defend, witness and spread our faith. Posted 7/24/05
Christian Pilgrims - From the early centuries of the Church Christian pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem to touch the places where Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead. They wanted to touch the places they had read about in the Scripture. Posted 7/17/05
Mount Sinai - When Moses ascended Mount Sinai, he let the Israelites know he would be away for forty days and nights. They kept track of the days when Moses was away looking forward to his return, but towards the end of the fortieth day they became more and more concerned . They began to worry that Moses would never return. Posted 7/10/05
The Eucharist in Tradition #2 - Evidence of early belief in the Real Presence may also be seen in outward reverence with which the sacrament was received. A detailed description of the manner in which the Eucharist was received in the 4th century is given to us by St. Cyril of Jerusalem in Catechetical Instructions: "In approaching, therefore, come not with thy wrists extended or thy fingers spread, but make thy left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King. Posted 7/3/05
The Eucharist in Tradition - The teaching of the Scripture regarding the Sacrament of Eucharist is very clear: Christ, having promised his disciples to give them his own flesh as food and his own blood as drink, at the Last Supper took bread and gave it to the disciples telling them that it was his body. Posted 6/26/05
The Eucharist in the Scripture #2 - The language of the Church's documents regarding the Eucharist is usually measured and calm. The attempts to interpret the words of the institution of the Eucharist in a figurative sense would only obscure the meaning of the words of Christ. Posted 6/19/05
The Eucharist in the Scripture - The 6th chapter of the Gospel of St. John presents a discourse of our Lord which we may well call the preparation of the disciples for their first communion. Posted 6/12/05
The Eucharist is for Our Sanctification - In the Catechism of Trent (1551) we read that the Sacrament of the Eucharist "must be said to be truly the source of all graces, because it contains in a wonderful way Christ our Lord, the source of every heavenly gift and blessing and the author of the sacraments; this sacrament is the source from which the other sacraments derive whatever goodness and perfection they possess." Posted 6/5/05
Corpus Christi - The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Posted 5/29/05
A Reflection on Mary - May is the month of Mary, the Mother of God. Cardinal Henry Newman has reminded us in one of his sermons that "the Glories of Mary are for the sake of her Son." So it is that when we come to consider the revealed truths which our religion teaches us concerning our Lady, we realize that she is never really the center of the picture. Posted 5/22/05
The Pope and Bishop Speak - Excerpts from recent articles from Pope Benedict XVI & Most Reverend Thomas Doran, Bishop of Rockford. Posted 5/8/05
What is a conclave and what does it do? A conclave is the assembly of cardinals called together to elect a new pope.
Forgiveness at Mass - The sacrament of reconciliation is the church's special celebration of pardon, but forgiveness of sins is also one of the fruits of the Mass.
Non-Catholic Communion - Ordinarily, Catholics do not share communion at other Christians churches. The legislation builds on our belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and that our communion at Mass symbolizes our union as a church.
Catholic Communion - Visitors to Catholic parishes often complain that they may not join in communion at Mass. Many other denominations welcome all who profess faith in Christ to the communion table, but Catholics have always restricted who shares the meal.
Lenten Regulations for Fast and Abstinence
Lent - I thought a few questions and answers might help get us oriented toward the great season of Lent.
History of the Easter Egg - According to the ancient tradition of the East, Mary Magdalene was a wealthy woman from whom Christ expelled seven demons.
The Scrutinies - Scrutinies are rites of self-searching and repentance.
The Marital Bed: Procreational, not Recreational - A special message from our pastor, Fr. Deutsch on the 32nd Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Posted 2/23/05
The Divine Mercy - In 1931 Our Lord appeared to Sister M.Faustina Kowalska (1905 - 1938) in a vision. She saw Jesus clothed in a white garment with His right hand raised in blessing.
Bread Alone - Christians in the Roman Empire made a special biscuit during Lent consisting of flour, salt, and water (since fat, eggs, and milk were forbidden during the fast). In honor of the season, they shaped it in the form of two arms crossed in prayer. They called the biscuit "little arms" (bracellae). In German, the word became "brezel" or "prezel," from which comes our word "pretzel."
Blessed Juan Diego - Pope John Paul II recently visited Tepeyac, near Mexico City, to canonize a 16th-century Indian whose influence on the religion of the New World was immense and continues to be so.
A Great Way to Pray For The Dead - The Church teaches that both the living and the dead receive forgiveness through the offering of the Mass, hence all are encouraged to join with the priest as the Mass is offered.
Your Questions Answered - Thank you for all the positive feedback about the Tabernacle.  The symmetry between the Crucifix, the Tabernacle, and the Altar of Sacrifice is inspiring.  Here are answers to some questions posed by leaders of various ministries and parishioners.
The Promise of the Sacred Heart - Twelve promises to persons having devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which were communicated by Christ to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in a private revelation in 1675...
Is the Eucharist Really Christ's Body and Blood? - Our Catholic teaching that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus, not bread and wine, is clearly taught in the Bible and throughout the 2,000-year tradition of the Church.
The Four Evangelists - Holy Cross recently purchased a new crucifix, which was hung in the Sanctuary of the main body of the church on February 8, 2002. On the four points of the crucifix are icons. These icons represent "The Four Evangelists."  This is an explanation...
Reconciliation: Confessing God's Goodness - Does the Catholic Church believe that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is absolutely necessary for salvation?
The Purpose of Palms - And at the end of the Mass, we take our palms home, and reverently place them behind our crucifix...
Her Little Garden - My friend Monica Ashour knew before I did that I would join the Church. It was only a matter of time...
Holy Communion & Bells - Which of these statements would you agree with? 1) When receiving Holy Communion, you are really and truly receiving the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the appearance of bread and wine. 2)...
Go in Peace, Go Online, Go Make Peace - We should take literally the command at the end of Mass: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
Cruets - In the culinary world, cruets are small bottles for the vinegar and oil you pour onto a salad. In the Catholic world, cruets may hold water and wine for the Eucharist.
Candles - We use candles at every liturgical service as a sign of reverence and festivity. They bring honor to God and joy to our celebration.
The Sacrament of Matrimony - Like each of the seven sacraments, so also marriage is a real symbol of the event of salvation, but in its own way.
Oil of Catechumens - The oil of catechumens is the ointment of those preparing for baptism. It wards off what is evil. It brings wisdom and strength. Think of it as Catholic bug spray, religious suntan lotion, or spiritual steroids.
Man, the Image of God Who is Love- As an incarnate spirit, that is a soul which expresses itself, itself in a body and a body informed by an immortal spirit, man is called to love in his unified totality. Love includes the human body, and the body is made a sharer in spiritual love.
Sign of Peace - At the sign of peace, worshippers are invited to show their peace and love before receiving the Eucharist, which accomplishes their unity most perfectly.
The Situation of the Family in the World Today - The situation in which the family finds itself presents positive and negative aspects: the first are a sign of the salvation of Christ operating in the world; the second, a sign of the refusal that man gives to the love of God...

P-U-S-H - From the Holy Cross Parish Mission held on March 11-14, 2001. When everything seems to go wrong. Just P-U-S-H.

Teen Commandments - From the Holy Cross Parish Mission held on March 11-14, 2001. The mission was facilitated by Fathers Chester and Charles Smith.
Parish Membership, Boundaries - With a certain degree of frequency, requests come to the chancery from Catholics who would like the bishop's permission to transfer from their current parish to a different parish.
Elevation - While reciting the words of Jesus from the Last Supper, the presider of the Mass shows the consecrated bread and wine to the assembly...
When God Created Fathers - When the good Lord was creating Fathers he started with a tall frame. And an angel nearby said, "What kind of Father is that?
My Heart - One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley.
Respect Life Prayer - Almighty God, Our Father, You have given us life and intended us to have it forever. Grant us Your blessings...
If Jesus Came  - Would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in? Or hide some magazines, and put the Bible where they'd been?
The Difference - I got up early one morning and rush right into the day; I had so much to accomplish that I didn't have time to pray.
If a Dog Were Your Teacher - You would learn stuff like... When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. 
Why Latin? - Some folks may be asking why will we be singing Latin in Lent, i.e. "Sanctus" (Holy, Holy Holy, Lord...) and "Agnus Dei" (Lamb of God...). Why not?
If you have a problem - That bothers you inside - And time does little to assure you - That it will subside...
This Day  - LORD, thank you for another day, Within this life of mine, Give me strength to live it well, Whatever I may find.
American Blessing - May God's blessings be upon all of us, moving from each heart to all hearts...
Church Signs - Here are some comical signs found outside churches...
A Parent's Prayer - O Heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly.
Daily Prayers - In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I will begin this day...
Prodigal Two - A father had two sons. The younger one took his inheritance and went off and squandered it on dissolute living.
A Reflection on Mary as a Model of Faith - During the Liturgical Year we celebrate the Blessed Virgin Marys being conceived without the stain of Original Sin and the fact she was bodily assumed into Heaven without undergoing the physical corruption of death... Written by: Al Fial - Aurora, IL
Is God a Father? - How come we always refer to God as Father? Why dont we speak about him equally as mother or parent?
Pray for Those... Even though I clutch my blanket and growl - When the alarm rings each morning, - Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. - I pray for those who are deaf.
Defend Life at all Times, From Conception to Natural Death - The Pope dedicated his entire discourse this morning to the defense of life, and to the building of "a genuine culture of life," when he spoke to the bishops of the Church in California, Nevada and Hawaii, U.S.A.
Do We Need the Church to be Close to Christ? - Youve heard it before; maybe youre even the one who said it: "I dont need the Church to be close to Jesus -- no Bishop or Pope is going to tell me what to do."
Prayer for the Day - So far today, God, I've done all right...
RCIA - The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - What does RCIA mean to the candidate? This is a special time in your life, a time that you have never before had and will never again have.
No Time! - I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work, for bills would soon be due.
The Holy Spirit in the Incarnation - In today's general audience in St. Peter's Square, John Paul II spoke about "The Holy Spirit in the Incarnation." The Pope stated that "since the first moment of his existence in time, Jesus is linked to the Holy Spirit."
St. Anthony - Doctor of the Church - St. Anthony was born in Portugal, although most of his work was in Italy.
Christ with an Attitude - There was a time when our grandparents would only have thought of Jesus sitting on a throne in great power and glory.
A New Heaven, A New Earth - Last time you thought about the after life, how did you picture it? What does heaven look like for you?
Are You Born Again? - One of the questions that just baffles Catholics is when one of their Protestant brothers or sisters comes up to them and says, "Have you accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior -- are you born again?"
What Would You Die For? - Nero was a spoiled, immature, and vicious Roman emperor. And when his people blamed him for the burning of Rome, he put out the news that the Christians did the evil deed.
How Christ Changed the World - C.S. Lewis, one of the most famous Christian writers of this century, liked to describe this world of ours as a planet under siege.
The Holy Spirit - Giver of Hope - Hope is our strong belief that God keeps his promises!
A Candymakers Witness - A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
Holy Cross' Song - Did you know that Rev. Michael Joncas (composer of "On Eagles Wings" and many other songs in our hymnal) has written and dedicated a song to Holy Cross Church?
I Believe in the Holy Spirit - ...the Holy Spirit is really the forgotten person of the Trinity.
Fragments of the Face of God - A little about the Saints. Covers St. Nicholas, Bishop, Confessor; St. Vincent de Paul; St. Therese "Little Flower of Jesus"; and St Timothy.

This information has been reprinted from Holy Cross' Sunday Bulletins (Fr. Parker's previous parish)
St. Mary Roman Catholic Church - East Dubuque, IL -- Page Last Updated 03 Apr 2007