Join for a nine-week Bible study created by the Walking With Purpose ministry, called “Beholding His Glory.” As we look at Old Testament people and events, we’ll encounter problems that only Christ can solve, needs that only He can satisfy, and promises that only He can deliver. This study shows us how all Scripture points us to our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. We’ll learn to recognize and appreciate God’s plan for our own lives, His awe-inspiring majesty, and His desire for perso

Q. What is “the dark night of the soul”? A. The phrase “dark night of the soul” has been given to an untitled poem written by St. John of the Cross, a Spanish Carmelite priest, mystic, and Doctor of the Church, whose memorial we celebrated this week (December 14). The poem describes how the soul seeking God must ascend through a “dark night” to union with Him after being purged of all that would hinder the journey. This imagery is one of the classic descriptions of purgation

Q. What is the new “Year of St. Joseph” just announced by Pope Francis? A. From time to time a pope will declare a special year to be celebrated by the universal Church as a way of focusing attention on some aspect of Catholic belief or practice. St. John Paul II, for example, declared the “Year of the Eucharist” (October 2004 to October 2005) and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI declared the “Year of St. Paul” (June 2008 to June 2009). On Tuesday of this week, December 8, the Sole

Dear St. Catherine Parish Family, Last week I spoke about our stewardship campaign. I am extremely grateful for the amazing generosity that our parishioners offer in helping to support the needs of our parish. As I mentioned last week, I would like you to consider making an end-of-year gift to help us eliminate the shortfall in our offertory, which is currently about $50,000 below budget due to the negative consequences of the pandemic. I also invited you to make a commitmen

Q. What are the historical origins of the Advent wreath? Some say it has pagan or Protestant beginnings. A. The historical origins of the Advent wreath are somewhat confusing, in part because the wreath has several historical antecedents that aren’t exactly like the wreaths we use today. We have historical evidence that in ancient times, pagan Germanic peoples crafted wreathes with lit candles during the dark, cold days of Winter as a sign of hope in the coming Spring. In Sca