Author: Father Albert

St. Maria Goretti

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from the memorial of St. Maria Goretti, virgin and martyr. Collect: O God, author of innocence and lover of chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyrdom on your handmaid, the Virgin Saint Maria Goretti, in her youth, grant, we pray, through her intercession, that, as you gave her a crown for her steadfastness, so we, too, may be firm in obeying your commandments. Through our Lord Jesus Christ... "O God, author of innocence and lover of chastity, who bestowed the grace of martyrdom on your handmaid, the Virgin Saint Maria Goretti, in her youth," - The Christian demand for chastity...Read More

Independence Day (USA)

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from the special prayers provided for Independence Day. Collect: God of justice, Father of truth, who guide creation in wisdom and goodness to fulfillment in Christ your Son, open our hearts to the truth of his Gospel, that your peace may rule in our hearts and your justice guide our lives. Through our Lord Jesus Christ... "God of justice, Father of truth, who guide creation in wisdom and goodness to fulfillment in Christ your Son," - Creation is good and there are many good things we human beings seek to do, but the fulfillment of goodness is found only in...Read More

St. Thomas the Apostle

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from the memorial of St. Thomas the Apostle. Collect: Grant, almighty God, that we may glory in the Feast of the blessed Apostle Thomas, so that we may always be sustained by his intercession and, believing, may have life in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, whom Thomas acknowledged as the Lord. Who lives and reigns... "Grant, almighty God, that we may glory in the Feast of the blessed Apostle Thomas, so that we may always be sustained by his intercession" - Not only do we seek St. Thomas' intercession, but ask for even the grace to seek it...Read More

St. Junipero Serra

Posted on by Father Albert
Collect taken from the memorial of St. Junipero Serra, priest. Collect: O God, who by your ineffable mercy have been pleased through the labors of your priest Saint Junipero Serra to count many American peoples within your Church, grant by his intercession that we may so join our hearts to you in love, as to carry always and everywhere before all people the image of your Only Begotten Son... "O God, who by your ineffable mercy have been pleased through the labors of your priest Saint Junipero Serra to count many American peoples within your Church," - Bringing people into the Church...Read More

First Martyrs of Rome

Posted on by Father Albert
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

Posted on by Father Albert
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

Posted on by Father Albert
[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

Posted on by Father Albert
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

Posted on by Father Albert
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

Posted on by Father Albert
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