“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?"

We continue the celebration of Christmas with the celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany on Sunday. And on Saturday's New Year's Day Mass, we celebrate several themes: It is the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God and World Day of Prayer for Peace. Our Discussion Questions for Jan.2, 2010 will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY "Out of Egypt I called my son"

The first Sunday after Christmas is always dedicated to the Holy Family. This year it comes the very next day after Christmas Day and so perhaps we see even more clearly the link between the two celebrations. Our Discussion Questions for December 26, 2010 will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.

The Message of Christmas Day

The message of

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son"

On this Fourth Sunday of Advent we change our focus from John the Baptist to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.

Joseph and Christmas

In the drama of the incarnation, Jesus is, of course, the star. The co-star, though, is definitely mom. Without her love and labor, the

“What did you go out to the desert to see?"

This Sunday - the Third Sunday in Advent - is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice. And it takes it's name from the opening antiphon: 'Rejoice in the Lord, again I say rejoice, the Lord is near.'Our Discussion Questions will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.By a nice coincidence, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

"Prepare the way of the Lord"

“Stay awake,” we heard last week. “Prepare,” we hear this week. Stay awake for the opportunities to serve the Lord. Prepare to find Him. The words of John the Baptist in this Sunday's Readings warn us against sleeping our lives away, against spiritual laziness. Our Discussion Questions for Dec. 5, 2010 - Second Sunday of Advent - will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family

"Therefore, stay awake!"

The readings for this First Sunday of Advent, the first Sunday of the liturgical year don’t sound very different in tone from the last Sunday of the outgoing year, not counting the special readings for the Feast of Christ the King. At first sight that might seem a bit surprising —but, of course, in the Church this sort of thing happens all the time and when you take a closer look you usually find

"This is the King of the Jews"

Sunday's solemn feast of Christ the King, the grand finale to Liturgical Year C, gives us an opportunity to lay aside a lot of cultural baggage about kings and kingdoms, and discover how Jesus Christ can be a true king, unlike earthly rulers. Our Discussion Questions for Nov. 21, 2010 will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.The feast of Jesus

"By your perseverance you will secure your lives"

The Readings for Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010 - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - direct our attention to the End of the World, otherwise known as the Last Things, or the Day of the Lord. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.Two weeks from now the season of Advent will begin. Since Advent is about the two comings of Christ,

"They can no longer die, for they are like angels"

In our Sunday Gospel reading for November 7, 2010 we are presented with the tricky question that the Sadducees posed Jesus to catch him out and to demonstrate the logic of their opinion that there is no resurrection of the body. Our Discussion Questions for this 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.Christian

"Today salvation has come to this house"

Sunday's Gospel point out that, before his conversion, Zacchaeus was a short man, someone lacking in height, but that, after his conversion, the tall man gave back what the small man had stolen. Meeting Jesus, it seems, made Zacchaeus grow bigger in stature. Our Discussion Questions for October 31, 2010 - 31st Sunday In Ordinary Time - will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled"

This Sunday´s Gospel - together with the past two Sundays - form a trilogy on prayer, especially the greatest prayer: the sacrifice of the Mass. Our Discussion Questions for October 24, 30th sunday in Ordinary Time will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.A Trilogy on PrayerTwo week´s ago the Gospel focused on thanksgiving. Jesus praised the

"Pray always without becoming weary"

There are two sides to Sunday’s Readings for October 17, 2010, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. One theme is “Do not get tired when you are praying.” The other is, when you do, there will be support. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.Ground Rules for PrayerThe classic way to stay in touch with God is prayer. Small

"Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!"

Nine of the 10 lepers healed in this Sunday's Readings - October 10, 2010, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - did not return to praise God for their healing. Nevertheless, they are healed, and the wideness of God's mercy is exalted even in their ingratitude, and ours. Both the stories of Naaman story and that of the10 lepers teach us some powerful lessons about remembrance, gratitude, healing and

"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed"

This Sunday in the Readings, the apostles say to the Lord something so many still say until this day: “Increase our faith!” Our Discussion Questions for October 3, 2010 - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time - will guide your Online Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.Faith in Times of CrisisDuring the rough times in our lives, we often question God's will. Fr. Joseph

"You received what was good during your lifetime"

The Gospel of Luke, the Gospel of God’s compassion, the Gospel of the lowly being raised up, challenges us this Sunday, the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) with the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.Noticing the PoorSunday's Gospel offer a very straightforward tale of the rich and

"You cannot serve both God and mammon."

Sunday's Scripture readings for Sept. 19, 2010, the twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, see the proper use of material possessions as an essential ingredient in the life of faith. The three sayings of Sunday's Gospel suggest a contrast between worldly wealth and eternal wealth. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church

"He was lost and has been found."

The parable of the Prodigal Son and the drama of Israel's worship of the Golden Calf in this Sunday's Readings are some of the best known of all Bible stories. So what do the two stories have in common? Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.The Prodigal & the Golden CalfWhile the two stories might at first glance seem a

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY "Whoever does not carry his own cross"

First Jesus showed us the narrow gate, then last Sunday He told us what specific key opens that gate. And now this Sunday - Sept. 25, 2010 - Jesus tells us what the key to heaven's door will cost. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.A Gospel to Make you Squirm Jesus drops a bomb—whoever wants to be his disciple must

"For every one who exalts himself will be humbled"

Last Sunday Jesus told us that we can enter heaven only by the narrow gate. This Sunday, August 29, 2010, He offers us the key to that gate. And that key is Humility. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.New in ParishWorld: Audio and Video podcastsWe start this week's edition by inviting you to view some new features we

"Strive to enter through the narrow gate"

In Sunday’s Gospel for August 22, 2010, Jesus speaks about the narrow gate.The question posed by a villager to Him was: "Will only a few be saved?" Jesus answers by saying that the invitation is open but the way into t he kingdom is narrow and demands more than casual interest. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.Who

"Blessed are you among women"

It is not often that the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on a Sunday. And this weekend, August 15, 2010, our Church reflects on the historical and pastoral significance of this important feast, as well as its relevance for our own life. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.Feast of the

"You also must be prepared"

Most people in the US say they “believe in” God. Our Sunday Readings for August 8, 2010 invite us to get a better handle on the true nature of Christian faith, which entails much more than just believing that God exists. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with your family, friends and church groups.What is Faith?This Sunday’s Readings begins with a wonderful

"Take care to guard against all greed”

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (18C), Aug. 1, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Does God want you to be rich?FEATURED BLOG: The parish "shop and hop"PRIESTS STORIES: A Bishop for Child Soldiers and Refugees PASTORAL HISPANA: Aprender a usar los bienes materialesDear Friends,The Readings this Sunday warn us not to place our trust in material things but instead to focus on the

"And I tell you, ask and you will receive"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (17C), July 25, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Should we hold hands during the Our Father? FEATURED BLOG: Never take the Eucharist for granted PASTORAL HISPANA: Dios contesta nuestras peticiones cuando oramosDear Friends,In this Sunday's Gospel, we find Jesus praying. This provokes the curiosity of the disciples who then ask him to teach them to

"There is need of only one thing."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY "There is need of only one thing."Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (16C), July 18, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Is Superstition a sin? FEATURED BLOG: Hi-def Technology vs. Sacramental TheologyPASTORAL HISPANA: Dios nos invita a escoger la mejor parteDear Friends,Last week, the Parable of the Good Samaritan said more than "It's good to help people in need." This week, Jesus

"And who is my neighbor?"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY "And who is my neighbor?"Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (15C), July 11, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Is it better to help in secular or Church work?FEATURED BLOG: Divorce is contagious for family and friendsPASTORAL HISPANA: Amar a Dios y al projimo es la base de nuestro CristianismoDear Friends,The Parable of the Good Samaritan says more than "It's good to help people in need

"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few"Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (14C), July 4, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Who is the Church?FEATURED STORY: "Red, White, Blue and Catholic too!"PASTORAL HISPANA: Toda la Iglesia es misionera Dear FriendsThis Sunday, both Isaiah's Reading and the Gospel speak of the rejoicing that characterizes the return of exiled Israel to

"No one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY "No one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God"Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (13C), June 27, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Does God want you to be rich?FEATURED STORY: "Discovering" or "Recovering" Catholics?PASTORAL HISPANA: Haganios siempre la voluntad de DiosDear Friends,Jesus is on the march and will not be turned back. He is fierce in Sunday’s Gospel, and sometimes

"But who do you say that I am?"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (12C), June 20, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Is Jesus & God the same?FEATURED BLOG: Awesome Dad Cheat Sheet STORIES OF PRIESTS: Pope "Rethinks" Clerical CelibacyPASTORAL HISPANA: Quien dice la gente que soy yo?Dear Friends,In this Sunday's Gospel story, Jesus asks a simple question. “Who do the crowds say that I Am?” All volunteer an answer,

“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (11C), June 13, 2010BURNING QUESTION: What is the Communion of Saints?FEATURED BLOG: Seeking a SignSTORIES OF PRIESTS: From Jewish boy to Catholic priest PASTORAL HISPANA: La Fuerza del PerdonDear Friends,In this Sunday's Gospel story, Luke draws a sharp contrast between the smug and self-righteous

"They all ate and were satisfied."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY "They all ate and were satisfied."Corpus Christi Sunday (CorpusChristiC), June 6, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Do you REALLY believe in the Real Presence?FEATURED BLOG: Spirituality without SpiritsPRIEST STORIES: 47% of clergy search online for weekly homilyPASTORAL HISPANA: El pan de vida eternaDear Friends,This Sunday is Corpus Christi Sunday and our Sunday Readings celebrate

"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY Holy Trinity Sunday (HolyTrinityC), May 30, 2010BURNING QUESTION: What is Virtue?FEATURED BLOG: On Proper Dress for MassPRIESTS STORIES: Letters to PriestsPASTORAL HISPANA: La Santisima Trinidad es la Mejor ComunidadDear Friends,This Sunday we celebrate the revelation that He is three persons in one God — Father, Son and Spirit. This wasn’t handed down from the mountain in

"As the Father has sent me, so I send you."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY Pentecost Sunday (PentecostC), May 23, 2010BURNING QUESTION: How do you answer when asked if you're Christian?FEATURED BLOG: Because we might be entertaining angelsPASTORAL HISPANA: Espiritu Santo es el motor que empuja nuestra IglesiaDear Friends,This Sunday our Readings celebrate Pentecost Sunday - the culmination of the fifty days of Easter, the day when Jesus sent the

"You are witnesses of these things."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY "You are witnesses of these things."Seventh Sunday in Easter (AscensionC), May 16, 2010BURNING QUESTION: What are the 5 reasons we pray?FEATURED BLOG: Today’s spontaneous = Tomorrow’s repetitiousPRIESTS STORIES: "May the Church Be Renewed By Holy Priests" PASTORAL HISPANA: Jesus subiendo al cielo lleva nuestras esperanzas Dear Friends,Some dioceses will be celebrating the

"Whoever loves me will keep my word"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAYSixth Sunday in Easter (6EasterC), May 9, 2010BURNING QUESTION: What is the Holy Spirit in your life?FEATURED STORY: What's bringing so many Catholics home?PRIEST STORIES: Priests aren't immune to temptations PASTORAL HISPANA: El Espiritu Santo nos Recordara TodoDear Friends,In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he is leaving them and returning to the Father.

"I give you a new commandment: love one another"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAYFifth Sunday in Easter (5EasterC), May 2, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Who is your neighbor?FEATURED BLOG: Clarifying the Confusion on ConfirmationPRIEST STORIES: A Vocations-Aware ParishPASTORAL HISPANA: Nuestro Amor se Asemeja al de DiosDear Friends,In this Sunday's Readings, Jesus tells his disciples in this passage from the Last Supper Discourse that he will be with them only a

"My sheep hear my voice"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY"My sheep hear my voice"Fourth Sunday in Easter (4EasterC), April 25, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Believe in God or in the Church?FEATURED BLOG: Learning the Spiritual Dimension of the Holy MassPRIESTS STORIES: A Bishop in the Father's HeartPASTORAL HISPANA: ¿Qué significa seguir a Jesús? Dear Friends,The fourth Sunday of Easter is “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The Gospel Reading gives

"Feed my sheep"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY"Feed my sheep"Third Sunday in Easter (3EasterC), April 18, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Can we the sinful be part of Jesus’ mission?FEATURED BLOG: Rediscovering the Sacramental SensePRIEST STORIES: Pope - World Needs Voice of Teacher-PriestsPASTORAL HISPANA: Dios llega adonde nos encontramosDear Friends,When the curtain goes up on Sunday's Gospel, the apostles are back in Galilee

"Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAYSecond Sunday in Easter (2EasterC), April 11, 2010Burning Question: Should you Confess before Communion?Featured Blog: Easter is not a low-budget Christmas Priests Stories: From Math Teacher to ArchbishopPastoral Hispana: La Iglesia de JesúsDear Friends,On this Second Sunday of Easter, we always hear the Gospel of Doubting Thomas proclaimed. This Gospel always leaves us

"They have taken the Lord from the tomb"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAYEaster Sunday (EasterC), April 4, 2010BURNING QUESTION: What two Sacraments were insituted on Holy Thursday?FEATURED BLOG: Contemplation and Meditation? What's the Difference?Dear Friends:This Sunday the Gospel Readings describes that first Easter Sunday when Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb of Jesus early in the morning and sees that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAYPalm Sunday in Lent (PalmC), March 28, 2010BURNING QUESTION: What is Holiness?FEATURED BLOG: Reducing Faith to a Flu Shot?PASTORAL HISPANA: El Buen LadronDear Friends,This Sunday the Gospel Readings commemorate the hour when Jesus entered the Holy City of Jerusalem for the last time. This Holy City was to be the place where his ministry on earth would be brought to its

"Go, and from now on do not sin any more."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAYFifth Sunday in Lent (5LentC), March 21, 2010BURNING QUESTION: What is the worst sin?FEATURED BLOG: 100 questions Jesus asked and YOU must answerVOCATION NEWS: Pope Says Priests Are More Than "Social Agents"PASTORAL HISPANA: Encuentro de la miseria humana con la misericordia divinaDear Friends,Sunday’s Gospel is about the woman who had been caught in adultery. Enemies of

"He was lost and has been found."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAYFourth Sunday in Lent (4LentC), March 14, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Why is it a sin to miss Sunday Mass?FEATURED BLOG: Nine levels of PrayerPRIESTS STORIES: Making Space for God in a Communication WorldPASTORAL HISPANA: La parábola el Padre MisericordiosoDear Friends,Sunday’s Gospel is the famous story about the Prodigal Son. It is one touching story about two sons and their

"But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAYThird Sunday in Lent (3LentC), March 7, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Is salvation a sure thing for Christians?FEATURED BLOG: What is sin? - a video by Fr. Larry RichardsPASTORAL HISPANA: Proposito de la IglesiaDear Friends,Sunday's Gospel passage refers to two recent tragedies that were on people's minds. Jesus comments that the victims of these tragedies were no greater

“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAYSecond Sunday in Lent (2LentC), February 28, 2010BURNING QUESTION: What is Faith?FEATURED BLOG: A Daily Plan for Being a Man of the SpiritPRIEST STORIES: Twin PriestsPASTORAL HISPANA: Liberacion de Dioses FalsosDear Friends,This Sunday, the Readings deliver Luke's version of the transfiguration of Jesus, a more personal account than the versions of Mark and Matthew. Our

"You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY
First Sunday in Lent (1LentC), February 21, 2010


BURNING QUESTION: Must you believe the Church 100% to be Catholic?
FEATURED BLOG: Mass - Sobriety at the Sign of Peace
VOCATION STORIES: From Olympic Skater to Nun
PASTORAL HISPANA: Las tentaciones de Jesús son similares a las nuestras

Dear Friends,

This Sunday’s Readings presents us with the temptations of the Lord

"Blessed are you who are poor"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY Sixth Sunday in Ordinary time (6C), February 14, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Does God want you to be rich?FEATURED BLOG: What Catholic women want for Valentines DayVOCATION STORIES: Dominican Sisters go primetime on OprahPASTORAL HISPANA: Jesús nos explica en que consiste la verdadera felicidadDear Friends,This Sunday's Readings present the Beatitudes as they are found in the

"From now on you will be catching men."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY Fifth Sunday in Ordinary time (5C), February 7, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Why don't we evangelize door to door?FEATURED BLOG: Who Does God Use?PRIESTS STORY: Good Priests Have to Hit the Books, Says PopePASTORAL HISPANA: Purifica Mis LabiosDear Friends,Sunday's Readings contain a surprise development. We will find three of the greatest witnesses in the Bible - Isaiah, Paul and

"No prophet is accepted in his own native place."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY Fourth Sunday in Ordinary time (4C), January 31, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Is Passion good or bad?FEATURED BLOG: How To Use Your Words To Create Your RealityPRIEST STORIES: Why This Gen-Xer Is a PriestPASTORAL HISPANA: Jesus es nuestro ejemplo que nos invita a ser profetasDear Friends,In this Sunday's Gospel, the other shoe drops. Last week, Jesus spoke in the synagogue and

"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY The Third Sunday in Ordinary time (3C), January 24, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Is Jesus & God the same?FEATURED BLOG: 5 ways to prepare for MassVOCATION NEWS: Late Haitian Archbishop remembered as a humble man PASTORAL HISPANA: Buena Noticia, estamos llamados a serDear Friends,In this Sunday's Readings, two men unroll papyrus scrolls and read them to the people. In each case,

"Do whatever he tells you."

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY The Second Sunday in Ordinary time (2C), January 17, 2010BURNING QUESTION: What are the four components of conjugal Matrimony?FEATURED BLOG: Is It Okay to "Parish Shop"PRIEST STORIES: 10 ways to promote religious vocationsPASTORAL HISPANA: Lo que aprendemos de las Bodas de CanáDear Friends,First the Church celebrated Epiphany and then, last Sunday, the Lord’s Baptism. This

"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY The Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (BaptismofLordC), January 10, 2010BURNING QUESTION: Why do Catholics baptize infants?FEATURED BLOG: Polishing our halos and tuning our harpsPRIEST STORY: Thanks to our Ace - the PriestsPASTORAL HISPANA: Bautizados para que el Mundo sea DiferenteDear Friends,This Sunday marks the formal end of our Christmas season. Jesus' early life is now