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Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day
Just yesterday we came to this holy place to celebrate our Lord’s birth. Today we return to expand that celebration to his immediate family, the Holy Family. Mary and Joseph cared for their son, raising him in the religious traditions of their faith. In this loving environment, Luke says, “Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” Let us pray today that our families may provide fertile ground for our children to grow similarly.
Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
We are treated to some poignant words about families in today’s readings. Sirach speaks to an adult child taking care of an aging parent whose mind may be failing. Paul asks us to “put on” kindness and patience so that we may bear with one another and forgive each other. No doubt the Blessed Mother was quite anxious when Jesus stayed behind in his “Father’s house,” but she treasured this memory in her heart. May the words we hear today help us appreciate our own family relationships.
Reflections
• Today we hear the only Gospel story in which Jesus is neither an infant nor an adult. Just twelve, Jesus stays behind in the temple as his parents and fam- ily return to Nazareth. Parents can well imagine the feeling of growing frantic with worry over a missing child. Adolescents can easily relate to parents not understanding something that seems perfectly obvious. If even the Son of God, who astounds the teachers in the temple with his understanding, continues to advance in wisdom as he advanced in age, so much more so can we expect that both parents and teens will continue to advance in understanding and wisdom themselves. Let us ask God for heartfelt patience and kindness as we bear with one another through misunderstandings and anxiety.
Question of the Week
How can I apply the lessons from scripture to the various families I belong to: my immediate family, my extended family, my parish family, my family at school or work, the entire human family?
-from Pastoral Patterns -
LEARN MORE about the significance of the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
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readings of the mass
LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, December 26th, 2021, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, December 26th, 2021, Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
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reflections
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“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”
1 John 3:1
Love — A Beautiful Gift
During this season of giving, let us remember a beautiful gift that we have received – being children of God! As God’s children, it’s in our DNA that we share and express our love for others as well. Tell your spouse, children, other family members and friends that you love them, every day!Also, pray for those people that are different than you, those that you may not like or those that go out of their way to annoy you. Your prayers may be the start of a new friendship.
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mass celebrations
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christmas season
Catholics celebrate Christmas as a season, much more than one day. The Christmas Season of the 2022 Liturgical Calendar is the evening of December 24th, 2021 through January 9th, 2022.
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, December 26th
Sunday Mass: 8:00AM, 10:30AM
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Vigil Mass, December 31st Friday Mass: 7:00PM
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, January 1st
Saturday Mass: 4:00PM
The Epiphany of the Lord, January 2nd
Sunday Mass: 8:00AM, 10:30AM
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 9th
Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00PM, January 8th
Sunday Mass: 8:00AM, 10:30AM, January 9th
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It's all about the Eucharist
Every Eucharist is like Christmas where the bread and wine are transformed into His flesh, His Body and Blood, and, in a sense, He is born anew on the altar.
Join us at the Mass! LEARN MORE about the Mass
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