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Welcome
We're glad that you are here, and we hope that you encounter Jesus in our community.
We're Glad You're Here!
We are a warm and inviting Catholic Church where all are embraced with open arms. If you are new to our community, we are thrilled to have you join us on this spiritual journey.
Whether you are seeking solace, guidance, or simply a new place to call home, we welcome you with love and acceptance. Come and experience the joy of worshiping together as one family in faith.
50th Anniversary Marian Pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes
Journey with Fr. Bob Johnson and Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Church on an extraordinary Catholic pilgrimage to Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, and Lourdes. Enjoy a spiritually enriching journey to three of the most sacred pilgrimage locations in Europe. Begin at Fatima, Portugal, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in 1917. Next, travel to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, the resting place of St. James the Apostle. The pilgrimage concludes in Lourdes, France, known for the Marian apparitions to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 and its renowned healing waters. This pilgrimage offers profound opportunities for prayer, reflection, and renewal of faith. Don’t miss out!
What's Our Mission?
We, the Roman Catholic faith community of Our Lady of the Woods, in communion with ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, and APOSTOLIC Church and under a patronage of Mary, are joined together as a people of God. Our mission is to spread the Gospel and bring people into a relationship with God and one another through the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. We live out Christ’s mission in the world through evangelization, worship, education, stewardship, and service to the needy.
No Second Tunic
A Plan for Mission-Ready Families of Parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Click the icon to read A Pastoral Note from Archbishop Vigneron.
Lent
Ash Wednesday through Palm Sunday. Join us on our Lenten journey!
50th Anniversary
1975-2025:
50 Years Rooted in Faith
Check out the latest news & events during our 50th Year!
Adoration Chapel
The Adoration Chapel, located in the Christian Growth Center, is open during Parish Office hours.
Come spend some time with Jesus!
Holy Week Through Easter Schedule (April 13 - April 20)
Join Us For
Mass & Reconciliation
Weekend Mass Times
- Saturday (Vigil Mass) at 4:00 pm
- Sunday at 9:00 am & 11:00 am
Livestream options are available for the 9:00 am Mass on Sunday.
Weekday Mass Times
9:00 am Monday, Tuesday, & Friday
Holy Day Mass Times
Published in The Branch & on the Calendar
Sacrament of Reconciliation
- 3:00 - 3:45 pm Saturdays in the Church
- By appointment with Fr. Bob
Coming Soon in the Woods
For more information on these, or all events, click the link below.
Family of Parishes Lenten Mission
Stations of the Cross
After the 9:00 AM Mass & at 7:00 PM
Is there a fate worse than death, especially dying tragically and suddenly? In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us there is: to not repent of our sins. Living in unrepentant sin cuts us from God, who is the source of life. In other words, it kills us.
But thanks be to God; the Lord always offers us mercy and an invitation to repent and return to him. This Lenten season, let's each make this our task here at Our Lady of the Woods. #SundayScripture
The Sorrowful Mysteries help us contemplate important moments from Christ's passion, our focus during this Lenten season. They are:
The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion of Our Lord
Is one of these mysteries especially meaningful to you? Do you have any special tips on how to pray them? All of us at Our Lady of the Woods would love to know! Please share in the comments below.
Did you hear the news? The Church will get two new saints later this year, both with big followings and important lessons for Catholic youth and young adults!
Follow the link to learn more about the upcoming canonizations of Bl. Carlo Acutis and Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, and how their prayers and witness can aid all of us here at OLOW! https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260581/carlo-acutis-and-pier-giorgio-frassati-to-be-canonized-in-2025-pope-francis-announces-dates
Happy Solemnity of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Not a word is attributed to St. Joseph in Sacred Scripture, yet he is a holy and powerful man. Why else would God have picked him to be the foster father of Jesus?
We continue to turn to him for intercession and inspiration, especially for the virtues he uniquely possessed, which are included in his many titles. family, let's meditate upon them today while praying that we become holy like Joseph:
Light of Patriarchs
Chaste guardian of the Virgin
Diligent protector of Christ
Head of the Holy Family
Joseph most just
Joseph most chaste
Joseph most strong
Joseph most obedient
Mirror of patience
Glory of home life
Guardian of virgins
Hope of the sick
Patron of the dying
Terror of demons
Protector of Holy Church
Attributed to the fifth-century saint we celebrate today, "St. Patrick's Breastplate" is a prayer for protection. While it can be said year-round, it seems especially relevant for Lent, so please join us at Our Lady of the Woods in praying a short version of it today on St. Patrick's Day!
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
AMEN
Lent can be challenging! But we don't endure our Lenten sacrifices simply for the sake of suffering. Instead, we enter into Lent for the sake of what lies on the other side of it: Resurrection! Today's Gospel, which highlights Jesus' transfiguration and the revelation of his glory, is a bit of a "sneak peek" of this reality.
Like the apostles he revealed himself to, he wants to strengthen all of us at OLOW amidst this time of trial. Let's trust that our Lenten disciplines will draw us closer to him! #SundayScripture
No, that's not a typo. Today, 3.14, is National Pi Day --"pi" referring to the mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.
Don't forget... Stations of the Cross are offered at 7:00 PM today in the church!
We're one week into Lent. How's it going for you? Is there anything Fr. Bob and all of us at OLOW can pray for you about? Just let us know in the comments below!
In addition to prayer and fasting, we also give alms during Lent. The Catechism defines almsgiving as "a witness to fraternal charity" and "a work of justice pleasing to God." Let's all learn more about opportunities for almsgiving, OLOW community, by visiting the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' resource page at the link below:
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/lent
We know that Jesus resisted serious temptations from the devil in the desert for 40 days. But we're missing a key part of the story if we don't note where Jesus came from before his trial began.
As today's Gospel notes, Jesus came directly from the Jordan River. And what had happened at the Jordan? The clouds opened up, the Holy Spirit came down, and God the Father affirmed that Jesus was his "beloved Son." Rooted in his relationship with the Father, Jesus was ready to withstand the temptations of the devil.
There's a lesson here for us, OLOW, as we begin our Lenten journey. Let's first begin by remembering that we too are beloved sons and daughters of God, as we prepare for the prayer, penance, and almsgiving that lie ahead. #SundayScripture
Lent is a penitential season. But what exactly is "penance?" What does it mean, and why does it matter to us at Our Lady of the Woods? Watch today's #TheologyThursday video to find out!
It's Friday in Lent, so don't eat meat! But why not? Follow the link to learn why Catholics fast and practice abstinence during the Lenten season. https://www.catholic.com/qa/why-do-catholics-practice-fasting-and-abstinence-during-lent
Lent is a time of struggle, acknowledging sin in our lives and working to overcome it with God's grace. Perhaps no novel captures this dynamic better than Kristin Lavransdatter, written by Sigrid Undset, a 20th-century Norwegian author, Nobel Prize Winner, and Catholic convert. Set in medieval Scandinavia, the epic follows the saga of Kristin, a young noblewoman, and her long winding path through sin and selfishness toward holiness.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of our penitential Lenten season. Visit our parish website to see when we have liturgies today at www.olow.org, and join us if you can!
While European countries like Italy, France, and Ireland were Christianized in the first half of the first millennium, Lithuania remained pagan until the late 14th century. Today's saint, St. Casimir, was born to Lithuania's ruling family less than a hundred years later and was renowned for his piety, devotion to God, and generosity to the poor and downtrodden. He is just another example of how the grace of God can transform an entire nation!
St. Katharine Drexel grew up in a wealthy family in Philadelphia but gave up a life of luxury to devote her life to serving African and Native Americans. Several Catholic schools dedicated to serving minorities were founded or funded by her, including Xavier University of Louisiana and St. Michael Indian School in Arizona.
St. Katharine Drexel, patron of racial justice, help all of us at OLOW promote unity between all of God's children!
It seems to be a fact of human nature: it's easier to point out another's faults than to take ownership of our own. Perhaps the fear of honestly facing our weaknesses and shortcomings prompts us to highlight them in others. The problem is that if we never focus on the beam in our own eye, our vision will be obscured. In some way, we'll be blind. And if we're a parent, teacher, employer, or other kind of leader, that means there's a risk of leading others astray.
Thankfully, the Lenten season, which starts on Wednesday, is a time dedicated to taking stock of our faults, and asking the Lord for his help to see and overcome them.
Let's pray today at OLOW that we might embrace this Lenten season as a time to work on removing the beam in our eye, so we can lead others forward in holiness. #SundayScripture
Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences.
Hey OLOW, today is National Pancake Day! Are you an originalist who loves pancakes with butter and syrup or are you more daring with your toppings? Tell us in the comments below.
Do you know if Fr. Bob likes pancakes? If so, are you taking him out for breakfast? :-)
OLOW, one week from today we enter the desert with Jesus for 40 days. Do you know what your sacrifices will be this Lent?
Mass times at our parish for Ash Wednesday are: 9:00 AM & 7:00 PM
Additional times for our Family of Parishes are:
8:30 Mass at Sacred Heart
8:30 Liturgy of the Word at St. Joseph
12 noon Mass at St. Roch
12 noon Liturgy of the Word at St. Cyprian
2:30 Liturgy of the Word at St. Joseph
6:00 pm Mass at St. Cyprian and St. Roch
6:30 pm Liturgy of the Word at Sacred Heart
7:00 pm Mass at St. Joseph
Very soon, we'll be praying the Stations of the Cross during Lent.
What are the 14 stations?
One of the great challenges that the Jews of the 1st century faced was preserving their culture in the face of oppression. Eventually, many Pharisees began to put up barriers between themselves and Gentiles that simply didn't need to be there, according to God's word. Jesus' message of mercy recalled the Jews of Israel to their original mission - to bring the message of God to the whole world.
Today is the feast day for The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle. This day commemorates the apostolic succession and office of supreme pastor from Saint Peter to Pope Francis, that was given by Jesus Christ himself.
Saint Peter Damian, known as the Monitor of the Popes, was a hermit, bishop, and a Doctor of the Church.
Earlier this month, we celebrated Our Lady of Lourdes. But do you know this story?
What are you thinking about, OLOW family?
OLOW, these scripture verses give insight into the future work of the Church, but they also provide insight into our lives.
When the apostles work solely on their abilities, they fail. They grow tired and weary. When they listen and follow Christ, the fruits are abundant. When the church follows Christ obediently, she grows and prospers.
As Catholics, when we open ourselves to Jesus and follow his will, more often than not, we see blessings and grace.
OLWO - in light of St. Josephine Bakhita's memorial, the Church encourages us to pray and bring awareness to the evil act of human trafficking.
An absolute sin against the dignity of the human person, human trafficking is a "business" that harms millions of people.
To learn more about how you can help defeat this practice, click here: https://preghieracontrotratta.org/?lang=en
One of the great Catholic authors of the 20th century is Gilbert Keith Chesterton, known to millions worldwide as G.K Chesterton. In his book, St. Thomas Aquinas – “The Dumb Ox” he states the following about Thomas –
“...this great intellectual creation was a Christian and Catholic creation and cannot be understood as anything else. It was Aquinas who baptized Aristotle, when Aristotle could not have baptized Aquinas; it was a purely Christian miracle which raised the great Pagan from the dead.”
As he traveled to Nagasaki to be crucified, along with 26 others, St. Paul Miki said...
On this day, when we see many cases of breast cancer, let us turn our attention and pray for those affected by this terrible disease. Let us ask for the intercession of St. Agatha, the patron saint of breast cancer, who in the 6th century was tortured by having her breasts cut off.
If you have time in your day and there is a Mass offered, think about offering your Mass for someone in your life suffering from this illness. Monday, Tuesday, & Friday at 9:00 AM or Thursday at 9:00 AM at St. Roch.
Hey, OLOW - there are six orders in the Catholic Church that have formed our understanding of the monastic life. They are the Benedictines, the Carmelites, the Carthusians, the Norbertines, the Franciscans, and the Dominicans.
To learn more about each order, click on the link and answer the question - what order do you align with more and why?
https://media.ascensionpress.com/2019/11/20/12-catholic-orders-part-one-historic-orders/
Normally, on the feast of St. Blaise, the church blesses the throats of the faithful. Many healings have come from this blessing and by the intercession of St. Blaise.
OLOW, although the walk to Calvary would not begin for Jesus and Our Lady until the miracle at the Wedding Feast at Cana, we see a small glimpse of Calvary and the cross in these words spoken by Simeon.
Through God’s grace, he knows that many will reject Jesus, and, in turn, Our Lady will feel that same pain in her heart. Part of her vocation is that she will be the suffering mother. Here, the Church sees the beginning of Our Lady’s sorrowful heart.
Pope Francis' prayer intention for February is for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Let us pray with him as a OLOW family:
"Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ’s mission in the priesthood and religious life."
Are Catholic schools in the United States focused on academic excellence? Personal integrity? Citizenship? Yes to ALL of these things - but at the core, being a part of a Catholic school is about holiness.
That's what makes a Catholic education so incredible. On this Catholic Schools Week, let's offer up our prayers here at OLOW for the continued growth of our Catholic schools.
When you attend a Catholic school, you quickly learn the key lessons in life about each individual's God-given dignity, the rights and responsibilities we all have as made in the image of God, and our responsibility to create a just society where people can flourish. Pretty incredible, right?
We know Fr. Bob did - from seminary. Did you graduate from a Catholic school? Let us know if you're one of the few, the proud, the educated for eternal life…
Did you know that OLOW offers financial support for active parish families who send their children to a Catholic School? For more information to apply or to support our program, visit www.olow.org/TAP.
Was it a favorite teacher? Class? Moment of grace? We'd love to hear, OLOW.
Help active families in our parish send their children to Catholic Schools by supporting the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). For more information to apply or to support the program, visit https://www.olow.org/TAP.
Our Catholic schools are one of the great treasures of the Church in the United States. Thankfully, we have a whole week to celebrate them.
Catholic Schools Week began on Sunday and goes until Feb. 1. Follow the link to learn how you can join the celebration! https://www.ncea.org/csw/
The whole world is longing for salvation - for freedom that is total, for joy that lasts, for life that fulfills. But like so many of Jesus' contemporaries, it's easy for us to overlook this salvation when it's offered to us. When it shows up in our midst. In many ways, we'd rather go on in our self-sufficient imperfection than embrace true freedom if it means giving up comfort or total control. But Christ is always reaching out to us with this offer anew.
OLOW family, let's recommit to embracing it.
#SundayScripture
Perhaps no painter's handiwork is as recognizable as Caravaggio's. The Italian Renaissance artist's hyper-realistic oil paintings and bold colors have a way of capturing the eye. But Caravaggio is also a master of using his artistic techniques to shed some theological light on his subjects.
In this painting depicting the focus of today's feast day, St. Paul's conversion, the Italian painter uses a style called "tenebrism" to create the dramatic effect of a light shining amidst the enveloping darkness. The light is meant to symbolize the presence of God, who overwhelms Saul, knocking him onto his back and opening him to conversion.
Let's pray that all of us at OLOW might respond to God's grace similarly.
#TruthGoodnessBeauty
St. Francis de Sales is the patron saint of journalism. So perhaps unsurprisingly, the Catholic Media Association's award for the individual who has made an "outstanding contribution to Catholic journalism" is named after him.
Check out the list of "Franny" winners at the link below.
Maybe we'll see a OLOW parishioner on there one day!
https://www.catholicmediaassociation.org/st-francis-de-sales-award
St. Marianne Cope is only the 11th Catholic saint to have lived in what is now the United States and is one of the most recently canonized, having only been declared a saint in 2012. Her life took her from Germany to New York and, finally, to Hawaii. She spent her last decades on the island of Molokai, educating and caring for members of the leper colony.
To spread joy, she was known for bringing brightly colored scarves to women on the island. St. Marianne Cope, patroness of outcasts, help all of us at OLOW love the misfortunate as fervently as you did.
Today is the anniversary of the passage of Roe v. Wade. Although Roe was overturned in 2022, pro-lifers still march for life and prenatal justice. Learn more in our video below--and consider coming to Mass today to pray for the protection of unborn life.
Weekday Mass times are Monday, Tuesday, and Friday at 9:00 AM.
It's often said that to understand what someone means, watch what they do. And that quip perfectly captures what happens in today's Gospel. Jesus' response to his mother may seem brusque, but his actions show that it's not a dismissal. Mary's concern does affect Jesus--it prompts him to perform a miracle to save the wedding celebration. And Mary continues to play this intercessory role in our own life.
Let's turn to her and ask her to ask Jesus to continue to bless all of us at OLOW.
#SundayScripture
Visual arts can convey truth in more vivid ways than the written word. In this 16th-century Dutch painting, we see how St. Anthony of the Desert, today's saint, overcame temptation by turning his back on it and focusing on Christ. The various temptations are presented as grotesque, unnatural allurements because sin takes us away from who we're meant to be. But St. Anthony is unperturbed, his eyes locked in on Jesus, the perfection of humanity. It's a powerful image, and one we encourage you to contemplate.
#TruthGoodnessBeauty
Today is Wednesday, when we typically pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. But what set of mysteries is your favorite to meditate upon?
Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, or Glorious? Bonus points if you can guess Father Bob's or Father Marc's!
Today begins Ordinary Time in the Church's liturgical year. But just because this season doesn't have a particular focus like Lent or Christmas doesn't mean it's a break from pursuing the Lord.
In fact, the green we see at liturgies throughout Ordinary Time is meant to symbolize that now is a time for us and that this period is a good time to grow in holiness by settling into good spiritual routines and practices. So why not start Ordinary Time off by adding a weekday Mass to your schedule?
Check out our Mass schedule!
Monday, Tuesday, & Friday at 9:00 AM
At different points in his ministry, especially during times of rejection, Jesus returned to the Jordan River, where he was baptized. Why?
Today's scripture gives a possible answer: because it was the place where the Father, in an extraordinary way, affirmed Christ's sonship. Through our own baptism, we have become sons and daughters of God. And like Jesus, it can be good for us to return to that central truth of our identity, especially when we're facing difficulties and uncertainties in life.
OLOW family, let's join Jesus in going back to the Jordan in prayer today.
#SundayScripture
Everybody knows that Catholics don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent. But did you know that the Church asks Catholics to engage in penitential practices on Fridays throughout the year?
It's all because Friday is the day that Jesus died for our sins. In the U.S., our bishops ask us to engage in some form of voluntary self-denial on Fridays and still hold abstaining from meat in "first place."
Let's prayerfully discern how we'll respond to this invitation at OLOW.
Gerard Manley Hopkins was a Catholic convert and a Jesuit priest in 19th-century England. He is also one of the greatest English-language poets to ever live. Many of his poems, such as "Pied Beauty," draw our attention to the beauty of God's diverse, even extravagant creation. Hopkins communicates this beauty not only through the natural images described by his poems, but with the rhythmic rhymes he uses to illustrate them.
#TruthGoodnessBeauty
RSVP today for the Rescue Project!
The 7-week series from 6-8 pm on Wednesday nights begins on January 22. The link below offers more information!
https://downrivermissionariesforchrist.com/the-rescue-project-1
We're into the thick of winter, which can be an especially challenging time for our homeless brothers and sisters. So now is the moment to devote ourselves to charitable works. Follow the link below to find the Catholic Charities agency closest to us, and then make sure to click "learn about volunteer opportunities" to plan your service--and invite your friends at OLOW to join you!
https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/about-us/find-a-local-agency/
In order to redeem us, God became man, becoming like us in all things but sin. And that "all things," as today's Gospel reminds us, include family life. The message here is clear: family life is not something superfluous, but is something that God created, redeemed, and has participated in himself!
The Holy Family confirms that family life is how God wants his children to grow in holiness--but he doesn't leave us unaided! He is always ready to pour out his grace into our families. Let's pray today for all of our families at Our Lady of the Woods.
Unlike the other Gospel accounts, St. John doesn't mention the Eucharistic meal in his telling of the Last Supper. Instead, today's saint gives us the theology behind the Eucharist.
John 6 is especially important, as Jesus foreshadows the life-giving grace of the Eucharist and his presence in the sacrament. St. John the Evangelist, pray for us at that we might know and love Christ in the Eucharist more and more!
#EucharisticRevival
Merry Christmas! Fr. Bob and all of us at Our Lady of the Woods are praying for you and for yours. May our newborn king bless you abundantly!
Have a blessed Christmas Eve, OLOW family!
Jesus is Emmanuel, "God with us." Let's pray that we might appreciate his presence at OLOW more and more, especially in the Eucharist.
Mary's journey to care for her pregnant cousin Elizabeth came after an even more pivotal moment: her "yes" to becoming the mother of God and the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. In other words, Mary's immediate response to being filled with divine love incarnate, Jesus Christ, is to go "with haste" and serve someone else.
Our response to receiving God's love should be similar! Let's ask God to help OLOW become a place where we receive the love of God fully and pour it out in service to others "with haste."
Jesus is our king. We are nothing without him! Let's pray that all of us at OLOW depend on him and his strength more fully.
The light of Jesus gives us hope. Let's pray that OLOW may be filled with this light by embracing justice, inspiring others to come to the Father.
Jesus is the only way to the Father. Let's pray that all of us at OLOW can be more convinced of this truth, so we can share the good news with a world that longs for a savior.
#OAntiphons
Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise to bring salvation to all the world. Let's thank God for his mercy--and also pray that OLOW can be a center of sharing his love with others.
#OAntiphons
God has been with his people throughout salvation history. And he's with us now. Let's ask him to continue to lead all of us at Our Lady of the Woods.
#OAntiphons
Happy birthday, Pope Francis!
God is truth itself. Let's pray for an outpouring of his wisdom at Our Lady of the Woods so that we can know him better and love him more completely.
#OAntiphons
Christmas is less than 10 days away! What are you MOST looking forward to on this special day? And how do you celebrate it? We'd love to know, OLOW family. So tell us in the comments below!
Did you notice the pink vestments at Mass today? Or that the pink candle in the Advent wreath has been lit?
They mean one thing: we only have one more Sunday to go before Christmas! Why not come to a daily Mass to help you prepare for Christ's coming?
We celebrate them Monday, Tuesday, & Friday at 9:00 AM.
St. John of the Cross, today's saint, was a 16th-century Spanish mystic. One of his most well-known themes is "the dark night of the soul"--a time of detachment that prepares us to receive God more fully.
In a way, the "mini-Lent" of Advent is a "dark night," preparing us to receive Jesus Christ on Christmas day with wide open hearts.
Let's ask St. John of the Cross to accompany all of us at OLOW during this Advent season!
Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!
When the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531, she left behind a miraculous memento: her image upon the saint's tilma.
Many claims have been made about the supernatural qualities of this incredible image, some true, some false.
Follow the link for a breakdown from the Knights of Columbus of what's been proven and what hasn't.
https://www.kofc.org/en/news-room/our-lady-of-guadalupe/truths/index.html
Emmanuel means "God with us." God was with us in the flesh when Jesus Christ was born in a manger in Bethlehem and lived among his people. But Jesus also left us his presence in a permanent way: the Eucharist.
In the Blessed Sacrament, God is really with us. The Eucharist is truly an Emmanuel moment.
Join us in celebrating it at daily Mass: Monday, Tuesday, & Friday at 9:00 AM.
#EucharisticRevival
Mary, under the title Immaculate Conception, is the patroness of the United States of America. And today is her feast day!
It's a great chance to ask for her to intercede on behalf of our nation. How would you like the Blessed Mother to pray for the United States? Offer it up in the comments below, OLOW family!
John the Baptist lived a pretty radical life. Why'd he do it?
Today's Gospel gives us a hint: the word of God came to him.
The word of God, of course, is Jesus. And every part of John's mission only makes sense through his encounters with Jesus, beginning with their first encounter while they were both still in the womb. John has encountered the word of God, and is in turn motivated to tell others about him--even if it means living in the wilderness and eating locusts!
Are we similarly motivated to share Jesus with others? If not, it might require first renewing our encounter with the word of God. Here at , let's pray for this gift.
Hey there, OLOW family! Are you ready to ring bells in a gesture of joy and unity with the people of France?
Read more here: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260785/us-churches-to-ring-bells-for-reopening-of-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris
St. Nicholas's feast day is tomorrow...so that's why we're sharing the details of this great Advent tradition a day early!
[hint: it may involve a bit of sneaking before the rest of your household wakes up tomorrow]
Of course, you can also celebrate this great saint by coming to daily Mass! We celebrate it at 9:00 AM.
https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/st-nicholas-and-your-shoes-5937
"We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthens our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope."
Lord, hear our prayer here at OLOW!
It's the start of Advent, our time of preparation for Christmas! So why are we getting Gospel readings about Christ coming at the end of times?
Because we mustn't forget: the little baby we celebrate on December 25 is the Lord of Life. And just as we get ready to celebrate his coming at Christmas, we need to prepare to meet Christ at the end of our lives and at the end of all time.
OLOW family, let's pray today and throughout Advent for the grace to more fully welcome Jesus into our lives.
Did you recently move into a new home, undergo significant renovations, or feel something is not quite right?
Invite Fr. Bob over to bless your house. A house blessing places your house and those living in it under the authority of God while also ridding it of any unclean spirits brought in through previous owners or activities.
Today, we thank God for all we have! Share your favorite Thanksgiving tradition that reflects your Catholic faith in the comments.
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form in which pieces of broken pottery are fused together with gold or silver lacquer, making the beautifully repaired vessel usable again.
This is what God does for us. He picks up all the broken pieces of our hearts and lives and fuses them back together, filling the seams with the beautiful gold of his grace. Then, you become a visible sign to the world of Jesus' healing power!
Jesus is the King of the Universe, which expands far beyond this world. His kingdom includes all physical matter but also everything in the supernatural order. Anything of which we can conceive is subject to his authority. Let us rest in the knowledge that we are under the care of a benevolent and all-powerful king.
This small host can transform hearts, heal wounds, and unite us all. It's not just a symbol but the real presence of Christ – body, blood, soul, and divinity. Encounter Jesus in the Eucharist this weekend at 4:00 PM on Saturday or 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM on Sunday.
According to tradition, Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anne, brought her to the Temple to consecrate her to God in thanksgiving for blessing them with a child after years of infertility. Parishioners of Let's follow their example and consecrate our own children to God in thanksgiving for the blessings they are to us.
This is called a pyx. A pyx is a small vessel used to carry the Blessed Sacrament to the homebound so they, too, can participate in the source and summit of our faith and receive the healing grace it provides. Consider becoming a minister to the sick and homebound - maybe you too are being called to carry a pyx! Check our website for details: www.olow.org.
The Church teaches that anyone who receives the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin is committing a sacrilege. That can sound harsh or judgmental. But not so!
Being in a state of mortal sin can be embarrassing. Instead of being anxious, consider the depth of your Father’s mercy and run to confession at OLOW. His sanctifying grace will make you new! Confessions are heard every Saturday at 3:00 pm or by appointment with Fr. Bob.
We do not know when Jesus will return. It may be another 1,000 years, but it could just as easily be tomorrow. If Jesus were to return right now, would you be prepared? Do an examination of conscience every day and, of course, go to confession regularly!
Since Jesus' divine Father was in heaven, he needed an earthly dad to help Mary raise Jesus. That man was Joseph. What's more, the legitimacy of his earthly adoption is established in the Gospel of Matthew as the genealogy of Christ is traced through Joseph's bloodline. So, adoption is part of God's plan for us. Today, take some time to pray for adoptive parents and children in thanksgiving for their 'yes' to God's plan.
St. Frances immigrated to America from Italy in the 1880s. She traveled about the country doing missionary work, establishing hospitals, schools, and orphanages. She is the first U.S. citizen to be canonized as a saint and is the patron of immigrants. St. Frances, pray for the parishioners of OLOW as we live as missionaries, evangelizing to our communities.
Join Fr. Bob in praying for all of the veterans at OLOW:
Lord God, Almighty Father, creator of mankind and author of peace, as we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess, we ask you to bless the members of our armed forces. Give them courage, hope, and strength. May they ever experience your firm support, gentle love, and compassionate healing. Be their power and protector, leading them from darkness to light. To you be all glory, honor, and praise, now and forever. Amen.
Everything we have, whether material or immaterial, we receive as a gift from God. Rather than hoarding our gifts, we are called to be generous and share as much as possible for God's greater glory.
Jesus, please help us be as generous as the poor widow with our material possessions and gift of self. May we always seek to give all we have. Visit www.olow.org for ideas on how to give more of your time, talent, and treasure.
What is so special about the Lateran Basilica? For one thing, it's known as the "pope's church." Click the link to find out why and read more about the interesting history and architecture of the Lateran Basilica: https://www.walksinsiderome.com/blog/about-rome/st-john-lateran-in-rome/.
We are called to love our spouses as Jesus loves us. One of the many ways Jesus shows love is by serving. He washed his apostles' feet at the Last Supper to show us what loving service looks like. Think of one out-of-the-ordinary act of service you can provide for your spouse this weekend out of love for them.
Do not be afraid! What’s holding you back? Experience the peace and healing that comes with God’s forgiveness. He’s waiting for you with open arms! Saturdays at 3:00 PM or by appointment with Fr Bob.
The Catechism tells us that our co-responsibility for the common good makes it “morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country.” (CCC #2240) Through prayer and a well-formed conscience, bring Christ into your choices today!
Do you love God with everything you’ve got? Are you looking for more ways to show him how much you love him? Check our website to see what OLOW offers in ministries, activities, service opportunities, and Mass and confession times.
https://www.olow.org
Offer today’s sufferings for your deceased loved ones. Choose to fast from something or take up a small mortification. Set your alarm to go off every hour and pause to say, “Lord, I offer this up for the sake of N's soul.” It is the best gift you can give!
We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in the OLOW community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit.
Tonight begins our celebration of "...all hallowed men and women," in other words, the saints! But the festivities don't stop tonight. Tomorrow is, of course, the Solemnity of All Saints, a holy day of obligation and a beautiful opportunity to unite with all the saints at Mass. Visit https://www.olow.org to see when we're celebrating!
Halloween is tomorrow! What kinds of costumes are you and/or your kids wearing? Are any of our OLOW family dressing up as a favorite saint? We’d love to know. Tell us below! Post your Halloween costumes in the comments below!
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Won't You Join Us?
Simply attending Mass doesn’t automatically register you. To become a member, you need to sign up and formally register. This commitment connects you to our community and includes you in our religious, social, and ministerial activities. Your registration helps shape our parish life, from Mass schedules to social events.
How do I join?
Registration forms are available in the Gathering Space in the church; complete the form and return it to the Parish Office by dropping it in any of the collection boxes in the church. You can complete a copy online and print it on your own.