Announcements

January 18, 2026 The Second Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Cycle A - Gospel of Matthew

Dear People of God,

As we begin our new liturgical year, we should focus some attention on the Gospel of Matthew which frames the year. In the new liturgical cycle, each year focuses on a Gospel, either Matthew, Mark, or Luke. These years are called A, B, and C respectively. Together these gospels are called the synoptic gospels which means they look similar; they share a similar structure and framework. John does not have a specific year for a few reasons. In particular, the Gospel of John is often well suited for specific times of the year like Lent and Easter.

As always, I recommend that people read through the entire Gospel of Matthew. Reading a chapter a day is a great plan, but reading it more quickly helps you get a sense of the continuity of the gospel. Matthew’s Gospel has 28 chapters and 18,000 words in Greek. Thus in Greek it is actually just a little bit shorter than Luke which has 19,000 words in Greek. The chapters alter our perception of how long the gospels actually are. In reading Matthew you may notice that there is no major turning point in the middle of the gospel. Mark, Luke, and John all have dramatic turning points in their story which separate material before and after.

The Gospel of Matthew is organized into 5 books or discourses. These are chapters 5-7 (the Sermon on the Mount, 10 (Mission Discourse), 13 (Parables), 18 (Discourse on Church), and 23-25 (Discourse on the End Times). Each of these discourses ends with words to the effect of “Jesus had finished saying these things.” That is part of how scholars noticed that Matthew had made 5 specific sections of his gospel in which Jesus spoke for a long time.

God bless,
Fr. Samuel Moses Brown

Querido Pueblo de Dios,

Al comenzar nuestro nuevo año litúrgico, debemos prestar algo de atención al Evangelio de Mateo, que enmarca el año. En el nuevo ciclo litúrgico, cada año se centra en un Evangelio, ya sea Mateo, Marcos o Lucas. Estos años se llaman A, B y C respectivamente. Juntos, estos evangelios se llaman evangelios sinópticos, lo que significa que se parecen; comparten una estructura y un marco similares. Juan no tiene un año específico por varias razones. En particular, el Evangelio de Juan a menudo es adecuado para momentos específicos del año como la Cuaresma y la Pascua.

Como siempre, recomiendo que las personas lean todo el Evangelio de Mateo. Leer un capítulo al día es un gran plan, pero leerlo más rápido ayuda a tener una idea de la continuidad del evangelio. El Evangelio de Mateo tiene 28 capítulos y 18,000 palabras en griego. Así, en griego es en realidad un poco más corto que Lucas, que tiene 19,000 palabras en griego. Los capítulos alteran nuestra percepción de la longitud real de los evangelios. Al leer Mateo, puedes notar que nohay un punto de inflexión principal en la mitad delevangelio. Marcos, Lucas y Juan tienen todos puntos de inflexión dramáticos en su historia que separan el material antes y después.

El Evangelio de Mateo está organizado en 5 libros o discursos. Estos son los capítulos 5-7 (el Sermón del Monte), 10 (Discurso Misionero), 13 (Parábolas), 18 (Discurso sobre la Iglesia) y 23-25 (Discurso sobre los Tiempos Finales). Cada uno de estos discursos termina con palabras similares a “Jesús había terminado de decir estas cosas.” Esto es parte de cómo los estudiosos notaron que Mateo había hecho 5 secciones específicas de su evangelio en las que Jesús hablaba durante mucho tiempo.

Dios los bendiga,
Padre Samuel Moses Brown

January 11, 2026 The Baptism of the Lord bulletin - Resolutions

Dear Father: should we make New Year's resolutions? It seems like a good idea, but it's also very secular and maybe not the best use of my energy.

Dear Reader: The answer is yes and no, let me explain. The idea of doing a New Year's resolution isn't a bad idea per se. It's a form of goal setting. Some people say that the tradition of New Year's resolutions has some religious overtones, but I do not think that there is any solid research on the subject. I would say that the best thing to do is to figure out a physical and a spiritual resolution. January is a good time to start.

Whatever goals someone wants to achieve, it is best practice to outline exactly what steps that person will take. I've been reading the book Atomic Habits by James Clear and he points out that if people start small and have something very defined, they have the best chance for success. For the person who wants to attend Mass on Sunday, like we all should, this might mean agreeing to set an alarm for 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, then get ready, and then actually go to Mass at 9 a.m. The plan has to have definition and be solid. It should be a resolution to a specific act, not a vague goal that may or may not be achievable in the current context.

Sometimes, this can remind us of Lent, but a key difference is that in Lent, whatever someone gives up, or sacrifices something, it must be something that is morally permissible in the first place. In other words, a Catholic shouldn't say that for Lent he is going to start attending Mass when all along he has had that obligation. He should attend Mass and still find some other penance.

God bless,
Fr. Samuel Moses Brown

January 4, 2026 The Epiphany of the Lord bulletin - Epiphany celebration

Dear People of God,

Happy Epiphany to one and to all! In our culture Epiphany is not that big of a deal, but I once got to experience the holiday in Spain. In Spain, the Magi are the ones who bring gifts which makes sense. They brought Our Lord gifts, why not the little ones among us now? They ate special feasts based on local seafood and spent time with their family in addition to giving gifts. It was a special time.

We can make it a special time here too by celebrating the day with our family. We could give a small gift and recognize the specialness of the first Gentiles entering into the mystery of Jesus come in the flesh. Of special note, is the fact that these wise men were most likely not that familiar with Jewish customs and traditions, they probably had not read the Old Testament. No one really knows why they were looking for the coming of Our Lord in the stars. That is a mystery known to God. But what we do know is that they were welcomed, not because they brought gifts, but because they came in faith. That is the same faith that we should all bring now when we come to Mass.

Also, we recognize the truly special nature of the gifts that they brought, each one was symbolic. The gold symbolized the kingly nature of Jesus: Lord at His Birth. The myrrh symbolized the death that Jesus would endure. The frankincense was widely used in the worship of deities, and thus appropriate for Jesus who was God in the flesh.

Lastly, this year the Baptism of the Lord will be celebrated on January 11.

Happy Epiphany,
Fr. Samuel Moses Brown

Querido Pueblo de Dios,

¡Feliz Epifanía para todos! En nuestra cultura, la Epifanía no es algo muy importante, pero una vez tuve la oportunidad de experimentar la festividad en España. En España, los Reyes Magos son quienes traen los regalos, lo cual tiene sentido. Le llevaron regalos a Nuestro Señor, ¿por qué no a los más pequeños entre nosotros ahora? Comieron banquetes especiales basados en mariscos locales y pasaron tiempo con su familia además de dar regalos. Fue un momento especial.

También podemos hacer que sea un momento especial aquí celebrando el día con nuestra familia. Podríamos dar un pequeño regalo y reconocer la importancia de la entrada de los primeros Gentiles en el misterio de Jesús hecho carne. Cabe destacar que estos sabios probablemente no estaban tan familiarizados con las costumbres y tradiciones Judías, probablemente no habían leído el Antiguo Testamento. Nadie sabe realmente por qué estaban buscando la venida de Nuestro Señor en las estrellas. Ese es un misterio que solo Dios conoce. Pero lo que sí sabemos es que fueron bienvenidos, no porque trajeran regalos, sino porque vinieron con fe. Esa es la misma fe que todos deberíamos traer ahora cuando asistimos a Misa.

Además, reconocemos la naturaleza verdaderamente especial de los regalos que trajeron, cada uno era simbólico. El oro simbolizaba la naturaleza real de Jesús: Señor desde su nacimiento. La mirra simbolizaba la muerte que Jesús llegaría a soportar. El incienso se usaba ampliamente en la adoración de deidades, y por lo tanto era apropiado para Jesús, que era Dios encarnado.

Por último, este año el Bautismo del Señor se celebrará el 11 de enero.

Feliz Epifania,
Padre Samuel Moses Brown

December 28, 2025 Feast of the Holy Family bulletin - Christmas-Epiphany seasons

Dear People of God,

Jesus was Lord at His Birth and given glory from the start by the angels. He was adored by the Magi. Jesus fulfilled various Old Testament prophecies even as He was born into our world. His whole life is in answer to the need for a Messiah expressed in different places in the Old Testament. Having read the Book of Isaiah, we can see how Jesus fulfills multiple prophecies and is the sacrifice acceptable to God the Father.

The way the calendar works during this time of the year is somewhat interesting also. In particular, there are some very distinct differences between the traditional calendar and the new one made after Vatican II. This season was very different in history before the new post Vatican II calendar. Traditionally, Christmas was a season lasting 12 days long and it ended on the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan 6th.

Traditionally, the Feast of Epiphany began another season called Epiphanytide. This season went until Feb 2, the Feast of the Purification which is 40 days after the birth of Our Lord. In one sense, it is still appropriate to have remnants of Christmas through that entire time. It is all meant to be connected together and draw our attention to the importance of Jesus' birth into our world.

The new calendar made after Vatican II moves Epiphany around to the Sunday between Jan 2nd and Jan 8th. This year Epiphany will be celebrated on Jan 4th. The new calendar does not have a season in between the Baptism of the Lord and Feb 2nd, rather this becomes part of “ordinary time.” That term is itself a misnomer. In the new calendar, Christmas properly ends with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This year the Baptism of the Lord will be celebrated on Jan 11 after which we have the beginning of Ordinary Time which would make the Christmas season 18 days this year.

Give thanks to God!
Fr. Samuel Moses Brown

Querido Pueblo de Dios,

Jesús era El Señor desde Su nacimiento y recibió gloria desde el principio por parte de los ángeles. Fue adorado por los Magos. Jesús cumplió varias profecías del Antiguo Testamento incluso al nacer en nuestro mundo. Toda Su vida es en respuesta a la necesidad de un Mesías expresada en diferentes lugares del Antiguo Testamento. Habiendo leído el Libro de Isaías, podemos ver cómo Jesús cumple múltiples profecías y es el sacrificio aceptable para Dios Padre.

La forma en que funciona el calendario durante esta época del año también es bastante interesante. En particular, hay diferencias muy marcadas entre el calendario tradicional y el nuevo establecido después del Concilio Vaticano II. Esta temporada era muy diferente históricamente antes del nuevo calendario posterior al Vaticano II. Tradicionalmente, la Navidad era una temporada que duraba 12 días y terminaba con la Fiesta de la Epifanía el 6 de enero.

Tradicionalmente, la Fiesta de la Epifanía daba inicio a otra temporada llamada Tiempo de la Epifanía. Esta temporada se extendía hasta el 2 de febrero, la Fiesta de la Purificación, que es 40 días después del nacimiento de Nuestro Señor. En un sentido, todavía es apropiado mantener vestigios de la Navidad durante todo ese tiempo. Todo esto está destinado a estar conectado y a atraer nuestra atención hacia la importancia del nacimiento de Jesús en nuestro mundo.

El nuevo calendario elaborado después del Concilio Vaticano II mueve la Epifanía al domingo que cae entre el 2 y el 8 de enero. Este año la Epifanía se celebrará el 4 de enero. El nuevo calendario no tiene una temporada entre el Bautismo del Señor y el 2 de febrero; más bien, este período pasa a ser parte del “tiempo ordinario”. Ese término en sí mismo es un nombre inadecuado. En el nuevo calendario, la Navidad propiamente termina con la Fiesta del Bautismo del Señor. Este año la Fiesta del Bautismo del Señor se celebrará el 11 de enero, después de lo cual comienza el Tiempo Ordinario, lo que haría que la temporada navideña dure 18 días este año.

Demos gracias a Dios!
Padre Samuel Moses Brown

December 21, 2025 Fourth Sunday of Advent bulletin - Advent - Isaiah

December 14, 2025 Third Sunday of Advent bulletin - Advent - Isaiah

December 7, 2025 Second Sunday of Advent bulletin - Advent

November 30, 2025 First Sunday of Advent bulletin - Advent

Please see these bulletins for messages from Fr. Brown in English and en Español:

November 23, 2025 bulletin - Thanksgiving
November 16, 2025 bulletin - Pray for the dead
November 9, 2025 bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

November 2, 2025 Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

October 26, 2025 Twenty Nineth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

October 19, 2025 Twenty Nineth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

October 12, 2025 Twenty Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

October 5, 2025 Twenty Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

September 28, 2025 Twenty Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

September 21, 2025 Twenty Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

September 14, 2025 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

September 7, 2025 Twenty Third Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

August 31, 2025 Twenty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

August 24, 2025 Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

August 17, 2025 Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

August 10, 2025 Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

August 3, 2025 Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

July 27, 2025 Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy (continued)

July 20, 2025 Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Liturgy

July 13, 2025 Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Ordinary Time

July 6, 2025 Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - St. John Cassian, Desert Father

June 29, 2025 Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul - Spiritual Awakening

June 22, 2025 Corpus Christi bulletin - Transubstantiation

June 15, 2025 Holy Trinity bulletin - Eight Deadly Thoughts - Vainglory, Pride

June 8, 2025 Pentecost Sunday bulletin - Eight Deadly Thoughts - Sloth

June 1, 2025 Ascension of the Lord bulletin - Eight Deadly Thoughts - Sloth

May 25, 2025 6th Sunday of Easter bulletin - Eight Deadly Thoughts - Anger

May 18, 2025 5th Sunday of Easter bulletin - Eight Deadly Thoughts - Anger

May 11, 2025 4th Sunday of Easter bulletin - The Blessing of Mothers

May 4, 2025 3rd Sunday of Easter bulletin - Acknowledgments for our Holy Week liturgies

April 27, 2025 2nd Sunday of Easter bulletin - The 8 Deadly Thoughts (continued)

April 20, 2025 Easter Sunday bulletin - Easter Sunday Message

April 13, 2025 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord bulletin - Lenten Series VI

April 6, 2025 Fifth Sunday of Lent bulletin - The Eight Deadly thoughts - Lenten Series V

March 23, 2025 Third Sunday of Lent bulletin - The Eight Deadly Thoughts - Lenten Series III - FOOD

March 16, 2025 Second Sunday of Lent bulletin - The Eight Deadly Thoughts - Lenten Series II

March 9, 2025 First Sunday of Lent bulletin - The Eight Deadly Thoughts - Lenten Series I

March 2, 2025 Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Lenten Repentance - Fish Fry

February 23, 2025 Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Lenten Penances

February 16, 2025 Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Marriage Week

February 2, 2025 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord bulletin - Church architectural terms

January 26, 2025 Third Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Jesus’ Baptism - Acknowledgements

January 19, 2025 Second Sunday of Ordinary Time bulletin - Gospel of Luke - St. Patrick’s Gala?

To view previous bulletins, please go to the Weekly Bulletins webpage.

Pastor’s Desk