Blessed is the faith of the simple shepherds. Although it found an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes it was not at all scandalized by them so as to refuse belief and think the less of him. Rather its devotion was increased so as to be more grateful for such condescension. For the more deeply humiliated […]
Fr. James’ Homily for Christmas Day
Christmas Day Mass, 25 December, 2023: Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18 This life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. That verse is certainly a crucial reminder for our times. The fact is, we recognize light because it contrasts with the […]
Fr. James’ Homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent
Fourth Sunday of Advent, 24 December, 2023: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a-16; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38 I don’t need to tell you how many beautiful paintings of the Annunciation there are. It is, perhaps, too easy to miss the more ominous details not only of those pictures but in today’s Gospel. Think, for example, of […]
Fr. James’ Reflection for December 22
22 DEC: 1 SAM 1:24-28; LK 1:46-56 Elizabeth, past the age of childbearing, is pregnant for the first time. Mary, betrothed but unmarried, is pregnant, period. As much as they are drawn to each other under such precarious conditions, neither expresses despair or fear, but exaltation. Isn’t it significant that all the verbs in Mary’s […]
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
For those wishing to worship with us this Christmas, Mass Times are as follows: Sunday evening, December 24: Christmas Vigil and Holy Mass at 8.30 p.m. Christmas Day: Holy Mass will be celebrated at 10.00 a.m., preceded by the Office of Terce, at 9.45 a.m.
Fr. James’ Reflection for December 19
JGS 13:2-7, 24-25a; LK 1:5-25 Isn’t it odd that when the angel tells the righteous Zechariah that his prayer for a son has been heard, he protests the biological improbability of such an outcome? What had his prayer been like? Had he only expressed the pious sentiments expected of a priest? Was he shifting the […]
Fruitcake Update
PLEASE NOTE: ALL OUR FRUITCAKES ARE NOW SOLD OUT. We apologize to those unable to purchase a fruitcake this Christmas. We will begin baking early in the New Year and so our cakes will be available by mid-February.
Fr. James’ Homily for the Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Conception, 8 December, 2023: Genesis 3:9=15, 20; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1: 26-38 Our First Reading could remind us that when Adam and Eve chose to sin, their wills had not been weakened by original sin. Mary, even as the Immaculate Conception, could have sinned but chose not to sin. Her extraordinary status is […]
Thursday, 1st Week of Advent
According to Jesus, doing the will of God the Father is the prerequisite for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. This entering of the kingdom can be understood in two complementary ways: The first is that heaven we presently long for and hope awaits us as the end of our long earthly pilgrimage. The second is […]
A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers
Though you may have access to your Son, O blessed finder of grace, bearer of life, and mother of salvation, so that through you he – who by you was given to us – may accept us. May your integrity plead before him for the guilt of our corruption, and may the humility which pleases […]