Living as Missionary DisciplesLast month you were given a quiz from the bible based on the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke. Here are the answers to that quiz. The full quiz can be found in last month’s newsletter (September 2023). Quote from Living as Missionary DisciplesThe community of fa
Years ago, a man was shocked to read his own obituary in the morning paper. His death was mistakenly reported. But what shocked him most was how the obituary described him: as someone who had devoted his life to making weapons of war. That morning he resolved to turn his energies in a new direction:
Did Jesus have grandparents?While Jesus is the son of God, he also had earthly grandparents but only one is mentioned in the Bible. Tradition has it that Mary’s parents were Joachim and Anna. The Church celebrates their feast on July 26. We know nothing of Joseph’s mother but his father’s name was J
July 4Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826 — on the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. Americans eat around 150 million hot dogs each Independence Day.In 1776 there were 25 thousand Catholics in the U.S.In 2022 there are 73 million. Pray for those still under oppres
Flag Day – June 14 (established in 1917)There are six American flags on the moon.If you like to study flags, you are a Vexillologist!Wave the symbol of your freedomWear the symbol of your freedom – the cross.Quote from Living as Missionary DisciplesIt is in the parish that one becomes engaged with t
DOES THIS BOTHER YOU?Catholics have lost more people to other religions or to no religion than any other single religious group. (Pew Research)The number of Catholics leaving the church outnumbers joiners by 4-1. (Pew Research)One in five Americans say they attend religious services in person less o
Did you know?Why is St. Mark’s gospel identified with a lion, Luke’s with a oxen, Matthew’s with a person, and John’s with an eagle?Go to the opening lines of each gospel and there you will find the answer. Mark’s gospel begins with John the Baptist in the desert where his voice is like a lion’s roa
Practical Ways to Make your Parish Better - empty your own trash can!Ought we not, in the face of so many daunting challenges, adapt a humbler, simpler, and more missional approach to our service in the parish. Pope Francis has already effectively communicated this message in a powerful way. His vis
Please share this newsletter with anyone else who may benefit from its content. If you would like any additional information Sister Louise Alff’s contact information is below.Why someone became a Catholicthe Power of the CrossEdith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross). Born in 1891 in Germany,
Josephine BakhitaSlave to SaintBakhita (which means fortunate) was born in South Sudan. At seven she was kidnapped and sold into slavery. After being resold several times she eventually landed in Italy. Exposed to the teaching of the Catholic Church she requested baptism and took the name Josephine.
Why become Catholic?Malcolm Buggeridge was born on March 24, 1903, and raised with no religion. He was an author, editor and media personality. In 1967 he conducted a television interview with Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She was instrumental in his decision to convert to Catholicism in 1982. She show
Living as Missionary Disciples NewsletterA practical newsletter with ideas, resources, special announcements, articles and more to help good parishes become a vibrant family of parishes.November 15, 2022Feast of Saint Albert the GreatWhy become Catholic?John Michael Talbot – recording artist and fou
“Helping Good Parishes become Vibrant Communities.”Oct. 25, 2022 Quote from Living as Missionary DisciplesLet us continue to create communities where those who have been renewed can find continued nourishment and strength in their journey of faith. (pg. 8)Why become Catholic? Norma McCorey (aka Jane
Quote from Living as Missionary DisciplesOne way to ensure that our parishes are true communities of evangelization, is for the whole parish to undertake a process of discernment to evaluate current pastoral ministry and outreach programs. (pg. 4)Why become Catholic? John Wayne (actor). 1907-1979. J
How much do you know about religion?And how do you compare with the average American? Here’s your chance to find out.Take this short, 15-question quiz, created by Pew Research and see how you do in comparison with 10,971 randomly sampled adults who were asked these and other questions designed to me