Pastor's Notes
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Posted by Maria Franxman on 2/10/23
Dear Parishioners, benefactors, and visitors to Holy Family Catholic Parish
Last summer, Archbishop Thompson granted me permission to plan and undertake a 4-month sabbatical to take place between June to September of 2023.
This sabbatical is at my request. This decision was made after much prayer and consultation. To ... Read More »
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Maria Franxman on 1/24/23
“In its declaration Gravissimum Educationis [Vatican II: Declaration on Christian Education, 1965] the Council offered a set of “fundamental principles” regarding Christian education, especially in schools. In the first place, education, as the formation of the human person, is a universal right: “All men of every race, condition and ... Read More »
3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Posted by Maria Franxman on 1/20/23
“As persons created in the image of a good and loving God, we are called to have a profound reverence and respect for all living things and, indeed, for all of creation—both the visible and the invisible realities in our universe. All life is sacred, but especially all human ... Read More »
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Posted by Maria Franxman on 1/13/23
“The manger is the place where animals find their food. But now, lying in the manger, is He who called Himself the true bread come down from heaven, the true nourishment that we need in order to be fully ourselves. This is the food that gives us true life, ... Read More »
The Epiphany of the Lord
Posted by Maria Franxman on 1/06/23
Like the new Olive Wood Nativity Crèche? I hope so. It was purchased on the recent Holy Land Pilgrimage that I and others from the parish went on in November. It was a little costly, but in addition to beautifying our Christmas season it will help support Palestinian Christians ... Read More »
Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God
Posted by Maria Franxman on 12/22/22
The Madonna & Child has been a classic theme for art through the centuries. The painting at left by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato (August 25, 1609 – August 8, 1685) is just one beautiful example among hundreds. In medieval and renaissance paintings as well as contemporary exhibits, the ... Read More »
The Nativity of the Lord
Posted by Maria Franxman on 12/22/22
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do ... Read More »
4th Sunday of Advent
Posted by Maria Franxman on 12/15/22
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence is among my favorite liturgical songs. The text of this Eucharistic song is derived from the "Prayer of the Cherubic Hymn" from the Litany of St. James written in the 4th Century. It was translated from Greek to English by Gerard Moultrie, 1864.
... Read More »
Third Sunday in Advent
Posted by Maria Franxman on 12/09/22
Advent begins with looking forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of the age before returning to a spiritual remembrance of Christ’s First Coming in Bethlehem. This looking forward as well as looking back is quite natural for us human persons. Our dreams & goals are as important ... Read More »
Second Sunday of Advent
Posted by Maria Franxman on 12/02/22
Advent is a great season to discuss and pray and teach the Faith to your children with. They understand viscerally the idea of waiting and preparing as they look forward to Christmas (presents!) and the culmination is a wholly Christian event – the Birth of Christ. The season is ... Read More »