St. Alphonsus-St. Clement Parish

Pope Francis is to be hospitalized for at least several days due to a reported 'pulmonary infection.'

"The time is sure to come when people will not accept sound teaching, but their ears will be itching for anything new and they will collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then they will shut their ears to the truth..." 2 Tim. 3:4,5

With Palm Sunday right around the corner, Catholics across the globe will soon be handed leaves as they walk into church. Some might fold them into elaborate little crosses. Kids will poke each other with them. But it's safe to say most won't know where they came from.

The fish was one of the most important Christian symbols of the early Church. In a political and religious climate often fatal to them, the fish was a secret symbol used to identify Christians.

This is something we ALL need to think about. Don't forget this.

God commanded it, Jesus practiced it, Church Fathers have preached the importance of it -- fasting is a powerful and fundamental part of the Christian life.

Fasting gives us, body and soul, a spring cleaning.

How does supermarket beef cost you MORE? Visit the Montana Ranch and Cattle Company

"Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary; of whom Jesus was born, he who is called Christ. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, ...

I am a Catholic Christian who grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, with an Irish lineage. I have always loved St. Patrick's Day. The celebrations and the revelry seemed to provide a break from the intensity of our age and an opportunity to celebrate.