The last half of Chapter 19 proves the difficulty in the change of culture that needed to happen for people to come to faith in Jesus Christ. A silversmith named Demetrius complained about how Paul was refuting his work, saying that his work was useless. Paul said he made false idols for worship, and that the works of human hands were not gods at all. That would mean Demetrius would be out of a job. A riot was almost started. It was so dangerous, the faithful made sure Paul would not come out and preach. It took some effort for the town clerk to convince the people to do everything through the legal system and not start a riot, which could have put everyone in danger. Continue reading “Bible, Acts of the Apostles #16”
Domingo de la Ascensión del Señor Ciclo B 2018
Para poder ascender hay que descender primero. Para llegar a Dios hay que acoger al hermano. Así lo hizo Jesucristo, que se abajó para subir al Padre. El camino del cristiano tiene que ser igual que el suyo. Primero hay que estar al lado del hermano que sufre, que pasa dificultades, que está solo y abandonado. Sólo así podremos ascender. Por eso dos hombres vestidos de blanco dicen a los discípulos: ¿qué hacéis ahí plantados mirando al cielo? Nos está diciendo también a nosotros, discípulos del siglo XXI, que no nos quedemos contemplando, que hay que pasar a la acción, que tenemos que ser sus testigos por todo el mundo. Mira a la cruz: ves en ella un brazo vertical que se eleva hacia el cielo, pero también tiene un brazo horizontal que mira a la tierra. Si quieres seguir el ejemplo de Jesús asume la cruz, pero con los dos brazos, mirando al hermano y teniendo siempre la presencia de Dios en tu vida. Continue reading “Domingo de la Ascensión del Señor Ciclo B 2018”
Blue Nun Fun Run
Save the Date – Saturday, June 2 The 3rd Annual Blue Nun 5K Fun Run and Family Obstacle Run/Walk is planned for June 2, 2018 starting at the Jane Addams Trail Head just off Highway 20 (same as last year). We hope you will join us and/or consider sponsoring this event.
Please contact Barb Lessman at 815-291-5431 with any questions. Register online at www.bluenuns.org. Early registration is $15 through May 25, and $20 after.
All proceeds to benefit the renovation of the Madonna Renewal Center.
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Bible: Acts of the Apostles #14
In Chapter 18, Paul moves on from Athens and ends in Corinth. He later wrote two letters to the Corinthians that are in the Bible, but now he is describing his first meeting with them. Here, he also meets Aquila and Priscilla and we learn that both Paul and Aquila are tentmakers by trade (v3). That is how they make their money. This is also the same Aquila and Priscilla that are depicted in the recent movie “Paul, the Apostle of Christ.” In this biblical account, Aquila and Priscilla have to move out of Rome, insinuating that they were living in Rome at the time. The movie depicts that they would have moved back into Rome to help the Christians there and to serve God. Continue reading “Bible: Acts of the Apostles #14”
Domingo VI de Pascua ciclo B 2018
La Primera Carta del Apóstol San Juan es un canto al Amor de Dios. El amor es de Dios, nos dice, y por eso debemos amarnos unos a otros. Quien no ama no conoce a Dios. En el texto de este domingo encontramos la expresión “Dios es Amor,” frase con la que tituló el papa Benedicto XVI su primera encíclica hace ya algunos años. Más adelante nos dirá que tenemos que permanecer en el amor para permanecer en Dios. Coincide con el consejo de Jesús en el evangelio de hoy: “permaneced en mi amor.” El cristiano expresa la opción fundamental de su vida en que ha creído en el amor de Dios: “No se comienza a ser cristiano por una decisión ética o una gran idea, sino por el encuentro con un acontecimiento, con una Persona que da un nuevo horizonte a la vida.” El que tiene experiencia auténtica de Jesucristo transforma su vida y la orienta desde ese Alguien que ha conocido. A esto se refiere cuando dice que el que le ama cumple sus mandamientos. Jesús dio la vida por sus amigos y ahora nos pide que nosotros estemos dispuestos a hacer lo que nos pide. Es decir, que demos frutos de buenas obras. Continue reading “Domingo VI de Pascua ciclo B 2018”
May Fest
May Fest — Come and enjoy— Food Drinks Games Entertainment Music
Noon to 5:00 pm Sunday May 6th
St Mary’s Church 704 S State Ave – Freeport, lL
Holy Hour and Healing Service
Eucharistic Adoration Holy Hour of Healing Are you hurting? Do you need quiet reflection time? Time alone with Jesus? Join us for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration with a healing service on Friday, May 4, at 6:30pm in St Joseph Church. PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE.
May Crowning
May Crowning During the month of May – a month dedicated to Mary – our Blessed Mother is traditionally honored with special devotions. The Crowning of Mary, or May Crowning, has been observed for many years to recognize Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
How to Bear Fruit
May 5, 2018
Audio and Video
Bible, Acts of the Apostles 13
Chapter 17 begins with Paul getting to Thessalonica. I find it interesting the argument against Christianity is that the Apostles and early Christians were against women and their rights – that somehow they were suppressing women. Yet in verse 4 a great number of “prominent women” were converting. Not only were there many women, but they specifically say that they were prominent women who converted. Because they were prominent, these women were educated and had a sense of independence. It makes me think about what could have made these women take notice of the Christian faith. What would make independent women think about believing in Jesus and joining the Church? Perhaps they never felt suppressed. In fact, at that time, the Faith in Jesus honored women.
Women in the church were treated as equals and understood to be equals. But equality may not be the same as the agenda driven critics of the Catholic Church. Today, many with agendas may think equality as the same, so in order for there to be equality between men and women, they must be the same. But when you look at the definition of “equals,” you will not find the idea of “same.” Rather, equal refers to value, not same. So women and men are in fact different. That is why many think men are from Mars and women are from Venus. How men and women think is very different, but they both have the same value. Both are necessary for the betterment of society. There are so many people with so many gifts. Continue reading “Bible, Acts of the Apostles 13”