Christmas is all about active participation in the lives of our families, friends and neighbors. We offer one another best wishes of the Christmas season as we prepare gifts, in imitation of the Magi who gave “gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” ( Mt 2:11) to the Christ Child.

Most of us have heard the teaching of the Second Vatican Council that Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium 11). What this means, as the Catechism states, is that “the other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it.

As a high school student, I would help our parish priest during the weekdays by opening and closing the church and parish hall for special events. On one occasion, I was asked to open the church for a new group that was coming to our parish called the Charismatic Renewal.

As a high school student, I would help our parish priest during the weekdays by opening and closing the church and parish hall for special events. On one occasion, I was asked to open the church for a new group that was coming to our parish called the Charismatic Renewal.

Throughout our diocese, our country and beyond, young Catholics prepare to be sealed by the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of confirmation. Like those who came before them, those preparing for the Rite of Confirmation are often overwhelmed by the signs and symbols surrounding this ancient sacrament. Paramount among these is “the sign of anointing,” which is “rich in meaning” (ccc 1293).

 When the sacrament of confirmation is mentioned, my thoughts ordinarily jump to the Holy Spirit, Who we first received in the sacrament of baptism. My memory of my own confirmation also included a tap on the cheek from the bishop during the confirmation ceremony as a reminder that the life of a Christian includes sacrifi ce and participation in the suffering of Christ.

When a new, beautiful baby is born into the world, it is generally the case that people will say, “what a beautiful baby” or “what a beautiful little miracle” or “what a beautiful child of God!” Why? Because one is suddenly struck by the mystery of a tiny baby having grown inside the mother’s womb.

In a recent conversation with a convert to our precious Catholic faith, she asked that as a widow, whether there was a special ritual she could participate in so as to consecrate herself to Jesus. I explained that she had already accomplished this when she was consecrated to Christ in baptism.

Regardless of one’s religious affiliation, at one time, people who served in the medical field not only understood the importance of the sacrament of Baptism, but even performed the Sacrament in emergency situations. In recent years, however, it is unclear whether anyone besides Catholic clergy even understands the necessity of baptism.

This section of the Catechism brings us to the beginning of several articles that deal with the seven sacraments of the Church, including the three Sacraments of Initiation – “Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist – [which] lay the foundations of every Christian life” (ccc 1212).

When I hear the words “Paschal Mystery,” my memory jumps to my high school days when my teacher, an Irish Christian Brother, would recite the phrase over and again, drilling it into our minds that “the Paschal Mystery refers to the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ.” These words were echoed almost 30 years later in the 2002 “Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.”

This section of the Catechism considers “where the Liturgy is celebrated.” The opening paragraph tells us that, as members of the New Covenant, our worship “is not tied exclusively to any one place” (ccc 1179). What matters “is that when the faithful assemble in the same place, they are the ‘living stones,’ gathered to be ‘built into a spiritual house’” (ccc 1179).

Who is eligible to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders? The quick answer: Faithful Catholic men who have received the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, the Eucharist and Confi rmation) are eligible to receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Additionally, in the Western Catholic Church (the Latin Rite), candidates for Holy Orders are to be unmarried. In the Eastern Catholic Church, married men are eligible to be ordained as priests, but not as bishops.

This section of the Catechism begins with the question, “When is the Liturgy Celebrated?” In the 15 paragraphs that follow, we are given an overview of the liturgical seasons including the Lord’s Day, the liturgical year, the feasts of the saints in the liturgical year, and the Liturgy of the Hours.

Some readers may recall the once popular 1971 hit song called “Signs,” written and performed by the Canadian rock group “Five Man Electrical Band.” I would try feverishly to strum the music of this song on my guitar as a young teenager with notions of future stardom.

I recall a time many years ago that left a lasting impression on me. It was before my ordination to the priesthood when I lived with a religious community of priests and brothers while serving as Campus Minister at a Catholic college.

I recall a story told in high school to help us understand the seven sacraments, “all instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord” (ccc 1114), as this section of the Catechism reminds us. The story involves a young man in his early 20s named Jonah who was preparing to graduate from college.

Have you ever considered the function of the Holy Spirit in the Liturgy of the Church? This section of the Catechism explains that “the mission of the Holy Spirit in the liturgy of the Church is to prepare the assembly to encounter Christ” (ccc 1112).

A minor toothache triggered a recent visit to the dentist’s office and I waited with great anticipation as I counted the days before my appointment. On the day of the visit, I counted the hours before I left for my appointment and, then, as I sat in the waiting room I thought, “Now that I am here, I can barely wait until my turn comes so that my toothache will finally go away.” My thoughts jumped to those in purgatory — (God’s waiting room) – How long they wait for their turn so the pain of being away from God passes!

On Aug. 16, 1950, an odd news item with the headline “Old Maids Come Into Their Own With a Special Day,” appeared in the local newspaper in Denton, Texas. The citizens of that town paid tribute to its spinsters with teas and gifts, fl owers, free shampoos, and free movies. It all started when the single ladies realized how much they were spending on baby gifts, anniversary gifts, and wedding gifts, with nearly never having the chance of getting a present in return.