The Congregation of St. Joseph is deeply saddened and disturbed by the events that transpired in Washington DC. We are heartbroken by the words and violent acts that seek to divide us, and lift our hearts in prayer for peace and in hope that we will find a way to repair fractured relationships and restore […]
The Epiphany
Wednesday, January 6th Scripture Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 Reflection Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. Mt 2:2 The Magi were wise, they dropped everything, went out of their way and found Jesus […]
New Year’s Day
Friday, January 1 Scripture Nm 6:22-27 Ps 67:2-3,5-6,8 Gal 4:4-7 Lk 2:16-21 Reflection So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God Gal. 4:7 When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before […]
Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24th Scripture 2 Sm 7:1-5,8b-12,14a Ps 89:2-5,27,29 Lk 1:67-79 Reflection By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us …Lk 1:78 In the passage from Luke, we hear Zachariah’s prophecy. He speaks of God’s mercy and the promise made to our ancestors. The other scripture passages […]
Christmas Day
(image courtesy of Sister Pat Willems, CSJ) Friday, December 25 Scripture Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 (2a) Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 Midnight: Is 9:1-6/ Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12,13 /Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12, / Ps 97:1-6, 11-12/ Ti 3:4-7/ Lk2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-19/ Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4,5-6 (3c) Heb 1:1-6/ Jn 1:1-18 […]
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 20th Scripture 2 Sm 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16 Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29 Rom 16:25-27 Lk 1:26-38 Reflection And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you” But she was troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be” Lk 1:28 Hail, favored One. The Lord is […]
Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 13th Scripture Is 61:1-2a,10-11 Lk 146-50, 53-54 1 Thes 5:16-24 Jn 1:6-8,19-28 Reflection Wrapped in today’s readings is a prophetic call for justice. Isaiah called for it then; WE yearn for it now. What is my part? “Test everything. Return to what is good,” Paul cautioned the Thessalonians so many years ago. “Do […]
Immaculate Conception
Tuesday, December 8th Scripture Gn 3:9-15,20 Ps 98:1-4 Eph 1:3-6,11-12 Lk 1:26-38 Reflection Today we honor Mary. We sing, “Gentle woman, you were chosen by the Father, chosen for the Son…” We, too, were chosen. Chosen before the world was begun. We look at our broken, wounded world and might feel helpless. But we are […]
Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 6th Scripture Is 40:1-5, 9-11 Psalm 85:9-10,11-14h 2 Pt 3:8-14 Mk 1:1-8 Reflection “Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.” Is 40:1 The prophetic voices in our lives are often uncomfortable. They call us to attention, to repentance, to effort, to difficult change. Make a straight highway! Go up onto a […]
First Sunday of Advent
Sunday, November 29 Scripture Is 63:16b-17,19b; 64:2-7 Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19(d) 1Cor 1:3-9 Mk 13:33-37 Reflection “you are not lacking in any spiritual gift” 1Cor 1:17 Our preparation for Christmas includes finding the right gift for our loved ones. We use our knowledge and understanding of the people on our list to get or make a gift […]