Happy New Year. 2017 The Solemnity of Mary

Happy New Year. Enjoy the first Mass of 2017. January 1, 2017 Just click on the link below or the picture above:
https://youtu.be/gtJYXkeLEsk

Today we honor our Blessed Mother Mary and pray for peace in our world.

January 1, 2017

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

In the Gospel today we hear about the shepherds encounter with the infant lying in the manger.  That meeting was their encounter with life and grace made flesh!  “How can this be?”  “How can the Messiah, a baby born and laying in a manger, be present?”  It can be, because of God’s incomprehensible love for us and for the love shown by  Mary, the mother of God and of humankind.  There can be no better way to start the New Year than to honor our Blessed Mother and her son, the son also of God, who is the Christ Child.

-       Deacon Jim

Many Blessings for a Christmas full of peace, love and Christ.

Merry Christmas from all of us to you and your families. Enjoy the Christmas Eve Mass for Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception. Just click on the link below or the picture above:
https://youtu.be/o55BRvgRJFk

Christmas Blessings from Deacon Jim & Cheryl,

Christmas Blessings from Deacon Jim & Cheryl,

We have spent all of Advent in anticipation of this moment, this time of celebration, Christmas Day!  Just as the children toss away the paper, ribbon, and boxes we too discard whatever is in the way of our receiving the gift God has for us, the gift of salvation.

Christmas is indeed a time of giving and receiving gifts.  As we reflect on this wonderful time of year, Cheryl and I are thankful for the gifts of the relationships and friendships that we have been blessed with from all of you.

Thank you Christ Jesus for your gift of self to all of humanity.  Thank you Christ Jesus for the gift of allowing us the blessing to work and serve the good people of God at Immaculate Conception and Sacred Heart. 

May Christ bless all of you this Christmas.  You are a gift from God to us and our family.  Your support and prayers through the challenging times as well as the times of celebration have been among the greatest gifts we  have received.  Thank you to all for being such a loving, caring and welcoming faith family.  We pray that God will bless you all this very special season.  Merry Christmas.

                        Deacon Jim and Cheryl Patera

It's the fourth week of Advent. There is still time to let God know how much you love Him.

This is the video of the Mass for the fourth Sunday of Advent. "There still is time to get ready for Christmas!"
To view, click on the link below or on the picture above and enjoy:
https://youtu.be/mqSmHCOQHyk

Fourth Week of Advent - There is still time!

December 18, 2016

4^th Sunday of Advent

                

As we enter the fourth week of Advent there is still time:  Time to recognize the gifts God has given us in our lives.  Time to get that wish list answered in our prayers from God:

• ·         Wishes for forgiveness for our sins (our mistakes in life)
• ·         Wishes for guidance and wisdom in our days, weeks and months of our new year
• ·         Wishes for a joyous Christmas with praises to God for the greatest gift of all, His Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

And so on this last week of Advent, let us pray: Thank you Lord for all you have given me, forgive me for my sins, help me to avoid evil and temptation. Have mercy on me and “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 

Gaudete Sunday

December 11, 2016

Third Sunday of Advent

“Rejoice Sunday” Gaudete Sunday

Rejoice!  Taken from the entrance antiphon from Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “Rejoice in the Lord always.”  Gaudete Sunday or Rejoice Sunday marks the half way point of Advent.  This is a time for us to take serious the idea of preparation.  How are we doing?  It is never too late for us to open our hearts to the presence of the Lord in our lives.  Even John the Baptist asked, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”  May all people of the world open their hearts as John did, to hear and see the coming of the Lord.    – Deacon Jim

Second Sunday of Advent 2016

Enjoy watching the Mass for Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, 2016. Just click on the link below or the picture above:
https://youtu.be/f0iZZkLXLj4

“Only good fruit spares the tree the ax, and even now the ax lies at the root of the tree!” (Matt 3:1-12)

December 4, 2016

Second Sunday of Advent

We are reminded that Advent is not only a time of waiting for Christ but a time of waiting for His loving mercy and forgiveness.  Repentance changes our lives. It does not bring the poison of the vipers but the “good fruit” of counsel, strength, knowledge and delight in the mercy and love of God.  If we listen to the message of last week’s Gospel, we know that the best way to make ourselves ready for Christ is to recognize and live out the presence of God right now. “Only good fruit spares the tree the ax, and even now the ax lies at the root of the tree!”   (Matt 3:1-12)     - Deacon Jim

“…If the Master had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake…” First Sunday of Advent 2016

Welcome to the recording of the weekend Mass for Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception. Just click on the link below or the picture above and enjoy watching the Mass for November 26 & 27.
https://youtu.be/dUsoZ5a-hD4

First Sunday of Advent - What would you do if you knew that Lord was coming for you this very hour?

November 27, 206

First Sunday of Advent

As we begin our new church year, Jesus is giving us a reminder that there are no warning signs for our life to end.  The words in today’s Gospel are often used at a funeral of a Christian.  “…If the Master had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake…”  Francis of Assisi was said to have been asked while working in his garden, what he would do if he knew that this very hour the Lord was coming for him in judgment.  Francis is said to have responded, “I would keep on gardening.”  Are we living our lives in a manner that we will be ready when the Lord comes for us?                         - Deacon Jim

Last Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Last Sunday of the Church Year

November 20, 2016

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Last Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Last Sunday of the Church Year

When a Permanent Deacon dies in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, at the end of the funeral Mass, the members of the deacon community, dressed in their albs and white stoles, form an honor guard as the casket is brought from the church to the hearse.  As the deceased deacon passes the honor guard, all of the deacons are chanting, “Jesus – remember me, when you come into your kingdom.  Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom…”

This very special tribute / prayer, is a tribute to not only the deceased deacon but to the honor and glory of God our Savior.  In the Gospel reading today, we are reminded of the story of the good thief at the side of Jesus on the cross.  Remember, Jesus Christ our King keeps His promises.  One day we, His faithful disciples, will be with Him in Paradise.

“Jesus – remember me, when you come into your kingdom.  Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom…”

Mass for November 13, 2016 / Is it the end of times or just an opportunity to witness to the Gospel?

Here is the video of the Mass for November 13th the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Click on the link or the picture to enjoy the Mass.

https://youtu.be/0kNZYf71cMs

"Keep fighting the fight, keep your spirits up and beat this. I love and pray for you all!"

In honor of NET Cancer Day. My son Brian is approaching his 3 year diagnosis anniversary and after hemicolectomy and 2 liver resections, he has completed his first half marathon to honor ALL of the Zebra family. (The Zebra is the symbol representing this kind of cancer survivors and fighters.) So very proud of him. He says, " Keep fighting the fight, keep your spirits up and beat this. I love and pray for you all!"

Like the bare tree in winter, we are reminded that the end of a season, like the end of times is followed by the begining of an NEW LIFE in the whole plan of creation and salvation.

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 13, 2016

This is the weekend when Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year of Mercy begins to end as “holy doors” are closed in Rome’s basilicas and in diocesan cathedrals and churches throughout the world.  While the end of this year of specifically praising God’s mercy brings about a certain sadness, we are encouraged to continue that same mercy we have focused on this year, in the days, weeks and months to come as we face the challenges of change and struggle in our world as well as in our lives. Truly the end of this special year in our church and the end spoken of in today’s Gospel should be a new beginning for those who love God and praise His name with a strong faith that He will never abandon us.                                  – Deacon Jim

Mass for Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception for November 5 & 6

Here is the video of the Mass for this weekend.  Click on the link or the picture to enjoy watching for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time:

https://youtu.be/CetgW97rVeA

November 6, 2016 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. (In faith we have a strong belief in life after death). We pray for our loved ones who have died, that they will find eternal happiness in heaven.

November 6, 2016

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Each year we take the month of November to honor and remember our beloved dead.  Our scripture helps us to encounter and be inspired in the faith of the resurrection of the dead.  Today’s first reading allows us to face the unspeakable horror in which seven brothers are slain in front of their mother, who also is about to be killed.  Their faith in the life to come is remarkable.  Today’s Gospel affirms life after death by the word of Jesus.  As we move through this month, let us pray for a deeper faith in the promise of eternal life.                                           – Deacon Jim