I am excited to make available for you a variety of topics that I taught in Africa to the young men who were entering the Society of Mary (Marianists) and the diocesan seminarians in both Kenya and Zambia. Even when I headed our programs to the young men and women religious the following topics were found to be the most important and influential in their religious lives! Some of these topics include: Scripture, History of the Eucharist, History of the Church, Mariologyand Spirituality.
I have added a copy of my Sunday homily for each week and keep current at least the last two or three.
ENJOY!
Madonna and Child
MARIALOGY: Part One, Feasts of Mary
The various celebrations of Mary are scattered throughout the year. Because these feast days do not occur within the calendar in the same order that the events actually happened in Mary’s life, their relationship to the story of Jesus and Mary can sometimes be lost. When we read them in the “living” order in which they happened, we can more easily appreciate Mary’s faith journey as well as the relationship of these feasts to Jesus’ life.
As Vatican II reminded us, we honor Mary when we celebrate the cycle of Christ’s saving mysteries. “Mary is joined by an inseparable bond to the saving work of her Son” (Constitution on Sacred Liturgy 107). The accompanying chart places Marian celebrations in calendar order. Their relative importance is also shown by the rankings—from highest to lowest—of Solemnity, Feast, and Memorial. This is best measured by their closeness to the saving events of Jesus’ life.
As Vatican II reminded us, we honor Mary when we celebrate the cycle of Christ’s saving mysteries. “Mary is joined by an inseparable bond to the saving work of her Son” (Constitution on Sacred Liturgy, #107). The accompanying chart places Marian celebrations in calendar order. Their relative importance is also shown by the rankings—from highest to lowest—of Solemnity, Feast, Memorial. Feasts of Mary
MARY IN THE SCRIPTURES
In the connection below (underlined and in blue), are the relevant quotes from Hebrew (OT) and Christian (NT) Scriptures. It is important to the study of Mariology that one understands or at least is familiar with the relevant passages to this topic. Given below are those passages and a short explanation of each.
THE SPIRITUALITY OF BIRD WATCHING: Part One
Michael F. Nartker, SM
THE SPIRITUALITY OF BIRD WATCHING PART ONE
Michael F. Nartker, SM
Birdwatching has been around a long time, and the science of this practice is well known and has even been improving with recent DNA comparisons between the species of birds. The best thing about birdwatching is that the particulars are few. However, they are … Continue reading Spirituality of Bird Watching Part One→
