Father Kubicki???s Prayer Reflection

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was one of the bishops present at the first ecumenical councils in Nicaea which, the council which decreed that Jesus was both God and man.

The readings at Mass today talk about road building. Today’s gospel talking about John the Baptist, says “every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. Winding roads will be made straight and rough roads shall be made smooth.

On this first Saturday of the month, ad ay on which we traditionally honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, and her Immaculate Heart, we are also celebrating the memory of St. John of Damascus who was very devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Baptism makes all of us missionaries, called to bring the good news through word and deed to people of every place and time. Some people are called to leave their homes and to go among the people of a different culture.

Advent is a time when we learn how to prepare for Christmas. A great way to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, is to meditate on the third Joyful Mystery: the Nativity.

Today, the Church honors St. Edmond Campion. There was a time in the 16th and 17th century when many in England were persecuted and even killed for their Catholic Faith.

Today is the feast of one of the apostles, who according to the gospel of St. John, was the first apostle who Jesus called. He is the brother of St. Peter and his name is St. Andrew.

Many people, including some Catholics may wonder where the Church gets Advent from. Advent comes from the Latin word meaning ‘coming.’ We are preparing ourselves for the birthday of Jesus. His coming among humanity to share our lives.

Every day is a gift from God that we can offer back to God, making a prayer of offering of all the prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of the day in the morning offering.

On this day in the year 1830, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the Sister of Charity named Catherine Labouré. Our Lady asked Catherine to make a medal which we now know as The Miraculous Medal.

According to most reports, today is the biggest shopping day of the year, and retail stores and malls, parking lots and roads leading to them will be jammed with shoppers.

Today in the United States, we are celebrating Thanksgiving Day with family and friends. It’s been said that two of the most important things for children to learn, are the words please and thank you. The same is in our relationship with God.

Today is the feast of the Vietnamese Martyrs of the 19th century – Saint Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions. One of these companions was a French priest and missionary, Jean Theophane Venard.

Today, the Church honors Blessed Miguel Pro who was killed in Mexico in 1927 for being a Catholic priest and ministering to the faithful in Secret. His final words were; “Viva Christo Rey,” which translated is “Long live Christ the King.”

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Cecilia, an early Church martyr. According to tradition, as she lie dying from the effects of torture and a botched execution, she sang God’s praises.

Today, on the last Sunday of the Church’s calendar, we celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ the King. On this feast, let us ask Jesus into our hearts and let’s enthrone Him there. May He be the King of all of our desires, thoughts, words and deeds.

Thinking about loved ones who have died can for some be very difficult. We don’t like to remember the pain of our loss. We also don’t like to think about death as though thinking about it is just plain morbid.

In some places today, a feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Providence is being celebrated. This devotion has taken place since the 18th century and was inspired by a painting of the Madonna and child.

Pope St. John Paul II canonized St. Rose Philppine Duchesne in 1988. Today, the Church in America honors the memory of this great French woman who came to our country as a missionary to the native Americans.

Today, the Church honors a princess who became a saint – Elizabeth of Hungary. St. Elizabeth was only 14 when she was married and she had three children before her husband died. She then became a lay Franciscan and devoted the rest of her life to caring for the poor and the sick.