Our Lenten Newsletter for the Catholic Church of Jennings County is available today! Inside you’ll discover: How St. Francis of Assisi formed one of the most popular Lenten Traditions ( Hint: By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World.) Make your Lenten Resolutions easier with Father Jerry Byrd’s Lenten Planner Read a vintage poem about Our Lady Also, don’t … Read More
30 No-Fail Ways to Have a Holy & Catholic Lent
We can enter into Lent by preparing with no-fail ways to have a truly Catholic and holy Lent. Christ helps us carry our burdens and sees our our efforts to conquer our weakness in practical, do-able, and helpful practices. 30 Ways for a Holy Lent Father Jerry Byrd has prepared a Lenten Plan to help parishioners enter into Lent. Many … Read More
The Dramatic Conversion of St. Paul// 3 Depictions in Art
The most dramatic conversion in salvation history turned a murderer into a saint. The conversion of St. Paul shows Divine intervention came with a blast of light and words reverberating from heaven to change the course of history. The story of St. Paul is one of the greatest stories of fear versus hope and damnation versus redemption. His satisfaction of … Read More
What is the Epiphany House Blessing?
Enter Catholic homes after Epiphany and you will see chalk markings above most doorways. What is this Epiphany House Blessing that acknowledges Christ and the three wise men? The word epiphany means “manifestation,” and the Catholic Church celebrates is as the revelation of Christ as the Son of God. It is also the manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel … Read More
How to Celebrate the New Year with the Mother of God
Your New Year’s Resolutions can be fortified to last the whole year through by asking for the intercession of the Mother of God on New Year’s Day. As January dawns with new beginnings – that new calendar, those new goals for personal fitness, the new hopes and dreams for our jobs and families – placing those aspirations before the Spouse … Read More
Christmas Season Prayers and Activities// Special Advent & Christmas Newsletter
There are several Christmas Season Ideas and Activities in our special Advent and Christmas Newsletter. Let’s celebrate this most wonderful time of year. You’ll find something for everyone in the newsletter: Why the month of December honors the Immaculate Conception The life of St. Nicholas through a traditional poem. 2 Easy Advent DIY Projects to celebrate the season Special Events … Read More
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year// Father Byrd’s Christmas Letter
“To celebrate the [Christmas] season we have to prepare for the season,” Father Jerry Byrd (first Sunday of Advent homily on Nov. 27, 2022) Please find Father Jerry Byrd’s Christmas Letter to you about how to prepare for this “most wonderful time of the year,” by focusing on the essential elements of the Christmas season. The Most Wonderful … Read More
Advent and the Jesse Tree // Catholic Christmas Traditions
The Jesse Tree helps prepare us for Advent by journeying through the people on Jesus’s family tree. We find all the broken traits of humanity in Christ’s family tree — that birthed the most pure Saviour of the world. Many of them are troubled characters. Some of them are amazing and steadfast. All of them played a role to bring … Read More
Advent Begins with Christmas Anticipation // A Prayer
The Christmas Anticipation Prayer places us at the “hour and moment” when Christ was born. The prayer reminds us of St. Ignatius’ method of meditation. St. Ignatius taught us to place ourselves in the Gospels, as if we were actually there. Then he asks us to see what Christ tells us, how we would respond, and what we desire. The … Read More