Church guide

Today's Gospel contains some of Jesus' hardest sayings about who will enter the Kingdom of God. But here's a good rule of thumb - wherever "the least of these" is treated with respect and dignity...God is at work!

In tomorrow's first reading, God tells the Israelites that eventually all people will worship Him. If you want to see God's plan fulfilled, look to the worldwide reach of our Catholic faith and the witness of His saints!

We'll give you a hint...the answer has something to do with geography!

Today we celebrate Mary as the queen of heaven and earth. In Luke 1:49 Elizabeth calls her, "The mother of my Lord," which points to her role as the queen mother in the Kingdom of God. She also appears in Revelation 12:1 with a crown of stars.

When you start counting your blessings, our hope is that you need a calculator to do all the math. How has God blessed you this week? Feel free to share in the comments!

Did you know a number of comic book superheroes are Catholic?! This fun video shows three Catholic superheroes you may not know about.

The school year begins September 3rd. Please pray for all students in our local Catholic and public schools. You can use the back-to-school prayers here: http://thecatholiccatalogue.com/prayers-to-begin-a-school-year/

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that His heart is burning for love with humanity, but that this love will lead to His death. Are we willing to love Him in return - even till the end?

In tomorrow's second reading, we hear that all the saints and angels are urging us onward toward our heavenly home. Call on them today in prayer - let them be your role models in faith!

In 2009, the average age of a woman entering a convent was 40. Today, it's 24. Despite the stories about the decline of religious life in America, there's a renaissance happening right under our noses! You can read this article in the Huffington Post to learn more (warning: some language): https://www.huffpost.com/highline/article/millennial-nuns/

A reminder that today is a holy day of obligation. If you missed Mass yesterday evening it will be celebrated at Holy Family at 5:30 p.m. today. Extra points if you wear white and blue in honor of Our Lady!

Many know St. Maximilian Kolbe as the "Martyr of Charity," but few know his journey to sainthood began at the age of 12. Watch the video to learn more.

Before the addition of the Luminous Mysteries in 2002, the traditional Rosary included 150 Hail Marys. Do you know why this number was decided upon?

This is a tough one - there are only three names to choose from. See you at Mass on Wednesday at 5:30pm (followed by Parish Picnic Social-All Are Welcome!)

In today's Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples to spend their lives in expectant readiness, waiting for His return. Are you ready for His return?

Here's a hint: his martyrdom and final words may have been responsible for him being named the patron saint of cooks and comedians!

77 years ago today, Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, formerly Edith Stein, was put to death in the Auschwitz concentration camp both for her Jewish heritage and her outspoken opposition to Nazism. Three years before her death, she dedicated her life and death to Jesus "...for the salvation of Germany and the peace of the world."

It's St. Dominic's feast day! He founded the Order of Preachers and spread devotion to the Rosary throughout the Catholic Church. Watch the video to learn more about him.

This 1845 painting by Charles Gleyre is called "The Departure of the Apostles to Preach the Gospel." God is calling us to spread the Gospel with energy equal to that of the apostles. Let's pray for that zeal today!

It's the Feast of the Transfiguration. This watercolor by Russian painter Alexander Ivanov perfectly captures the reactions of Peter, James, and John - awe and prayer. May we experience the same when we encounter our Lord in the sacraments!

Did you know a number of comic book superheroes are Catholic?! This fun video shows three Catholic superheroes you may not know about.

It's St. Dominic's feast day! He founded the Order of Preachers and spread devotion to the Rosary throughout the Catholic Church. Watch the video to learn more about him.

Do you wear a scapular? This sacramental is linked to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whose feast we celebrate today. If you're interested in introducing this devotion in your own life, you can visit The Catholic Company online to purchase one.

Chances are better than 50/50 you have a St. Benedict medal in your house somewhere...but do you know what it means? Watch the video to find out!

Wherever your travels take you this summer, remember to pause for a moment and thank God for the beauty of our earth! He made it to sustain AND delight us.

If you're road-tripping in North America this summer, it's easy to make your vacation into a pilgrimage! Check out these two lists of North American pilgrimage sites and shrines at https://bit.ly/2HAjJmO and https://bit.ly/2HAjJmO

This is the Eucharistic Adoration at the Steubenville youth conference in Rochester. 2000 teenagers truly understanding the presence of Jesus. Emotions are strong. In that moment, it's only between you and Christ.

This video was sent to us from our Sister Parish. It shows the damage they received from Hurricane Matthew after it tore through Haiti.

Setting off the trebuchet at the Religious Ed. Kickoff!

Vacation Bible School begins