Author: Father Albert

First Martyrs of Rome

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Collect taken from the memorial of the First Martyrs of Rome. Collect: O God, who consecrated the abundant first fruits of the Roman Church by the blood of the Martyrs, grant, we pray, that with firm courage we may together draw strength from so great a struggle and ever rejoice at the triumph of faithful love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ... "O God, who consecrated the abundant first fruits of the Roman Church by the blood of the Martyrs," - The first fruits of the Roman Church are the converts to Christianity. But, just as Christ completed his ministry through his passion...Read More

Sts. Peter and Paul

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Collect taken from the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles. Collect: O God, who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul give us the noble and holy joy of this day, grant, we pray, that your Church may in all things follow the teaching of those through whom she received the beginnings of right religion. Through Christ our Lord... "O God, who on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul give us the noble and holy joy of this day," - The Church's feasts are not just moments of memory, but occasions of actual joy. In this case,...Read More

Where We Come From

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[caption id="attachment_1697" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Ancestry Data from 2010 Census, via Wikipedia (Not the same Map used by Ancestry.com)[/caption] Not too long ago, I came  across a cool map of American Migration based on Ancestry.com's genealogical data.  It started me thinking about how many people I know or have heard about who have decided to delve into their ancestry.  Indeed, others have noted that there is a growing number of people who are interested in their genetic history and discovering their roots.  Something about being able to point to a specific place, to a specific set of people and say "that's where...Read More

Daily Collection: St. Cyril of Alexandria

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Collect taken from the memorial of St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and doctor. Collect: O God, who made the Bishop Saint Cyril of Alexandria an invincible champion of the divine motherhood of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, that we, who believe she is truly the Mother of God, may be saved through the Incarnation of Christ your Son... "O God, who made the Bishop Saint Cyril of Alexandria an invincible champion of the divine motherhood of the most Blessed Virgin Mary," - God has promised to protect his Church against the gates of the netherworld and that includes protection...Read More

Daily Collection: 12th Week of Ordinary Time

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Collect taken from Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time. During Ordinary time, the collect from Sunday is used throughout the week. Collect: Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive of your guidance those you set firm on the foundation of your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ... "Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name," - Although it is our natural duty to worship and reverence God, our fallen nature makes twists and obscures this instinct. So, we ask for the grace to do it. The word for...Read More

Reasonable Fear

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Homily for 12th Sun OT, Year A Fr. Albert  St. Peter Catholic Church, New Iberia [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Reasonable-Fear.wav"][/audio]   “Fear no one!” This man has just told his Apostles that they will be slandered, persecuted, and hated. He said that brothers will have their own brothers killed and that there will even be children who have their own parents put to death. And then this man, this Jesus has the gall to plainly say, “fear no one.” Can you imagine if your own son or daughter were to have you executed? Would the command, the advice to “fear no one” really be of...Read More

Freedom in the Forest

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[caption id="attachment_1684" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The view from Black Balsam Knob, a mountain not from from the camps. Via Wikimedia.[/caption] As I write this, I am in one of my favorite places in the world: Camps Kahdalea & Chosatonga.  It's a pair of superb wilderness camps nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Parkway at the edge of the Pisgah National Forest.  Staffed by an exceptional group of counselors, these camps take seriously the modifier "wilderness."  They expose youth aged 8-18 to a wide array of adventurous activities from white-water kayaking to rock-climbing to spelunking.  And they have the whole...Read More

Daily Collection: St. Ephrem

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Collect taken from the memorial of St. Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor Collect: Pour into our hearts O Lord, we pray, the Holy Spirit, at whose prompting the Deacon Saint Ephrem exulted in singing of your mysteries and from whom he received the strength to serve you alone. Through our Lord Jesus Christ... "Pour into our hearts O Lord, we pray, the Holy Spirit, at whose prompting the Deacon Saint Ephrem exulted in singing of your mysteries" - It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can adequately praise God's goodness and the mysteries of our redemption. So, while...Read More

Daily Collection: St. Norbert

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Collect taken from the memorial of St. Norbert Collect: O God, who made the Bishop Saint Norbert a servant of your Church outstanding in his prayer and pastoral zeal, grant, we ask, that by the help of his intercession, the flock of the faithful may always find shepherds after your own heart and be fed in the pastures of salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ... " O God, who made the Bishop Saint Norbert a servant of your Church outstanding in his prayer and pastoral zeal," -  Without fail, we continue to give glory to God for the achievements of his saints. Even...Read More

Daily Collection: St. Boniface

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Collect taken from the memorial of St. Boniface, bishop and martyr Collect: May the Martyr Saint Boniface be our advocate, O Lord, that we may firmly hold the faith he taught with his lips and sealed in his blood and confidently profess it by our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ... "May the Martyr Saint Boniface be our advocate, O Lord," -  Recently, we heard from Jesus that the Holy Spirit is the Advocate, but here we are asking for St. Boniface to be an advocate. It is true that Jesus is the one mediator between God and man - St. Boniface...Read More