In 2012 Pope Benedict XVI published an Apostolic Letter entitled "Porta Fidei" or "Door of Faith," announcing the beginning of the Year of Faith. It is my hope and prayer that this blog will be a portal for others to receive the Catholic faith into their lives and homes so as to carry out the new evangelization.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Pastor's Corner, May 25, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Federal judge redefines marriage in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG - The legislative arm of the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania on Tuesday decried a federal judge's ruling striking down the state's ban on gay marriage as a redefinition of God's law. Speaking on behalf of the Harrisburg Diocese's newly appointed Bishop Ronald Gainer, the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference furthermore objected that U.S. Middle District Judge John Jones, in overturning the state's 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, had trumped a law approved by democratically-elected officials.
For the statement from the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference go to:
http://www.hbgdiocese.org/2014/05/20/statement-on-marriage-ruling/
For some convincing arguments in favor of the Church's teaching in a question and answer format, please go to:
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Pastor's Corner, May 18, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Pastor's Corner, May 11, 2014
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Pastor's Corner, May 4, 2014
Just yesterday out second graders received their First Holy Communion.
I am always in awe of the purity and joy with which they receive the Lord in the Holy Eucharist. It humbles me and makes me think, "If only I would receive Jesus with the same purity, humility and devotion with which these little ones receive Him."
This would be a good examination for all of us. Are we well disposed to receive the Lord whenever we come forward for Holy Communion? Do I realize that just one mortal sin separates me from God and so soils my soul that I would commit another mortal sin of sacrilege if I would receive the Eucharist in such a state? Do I fully believe that "under the consecrated species of bread and wine Christ himself, living and glorious, is present in a true, real, and substantial manner: his Body and his Blood, with his soul and his divinity" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1413)?
What a great gift the Eucharist is for all of us!
In Christ,
Msgr. Baker