A Marian apparition is a supernatural appearance of the Virgin Mary. One of the most famous examples from our history is Mary giving St. Bernard of Clairvaux the ‘Hail Mary’. The Church treats apparitions as private revelations that can never add anything new to the faith. An authentic apparition is believed not to be a subjective experience, but a real and objective intervention of divine power. The purpose of such apparitions is to recall and emphasize some aspect of the Christian message. The Church states that cures and other miraculous events are not the purpose of Marian apparitions, but exist primarily to validate and draw attention to the message. Marian apparitions are regarded as evidence of Mary’s continuing active presence in the life of the church, through which she ‘cares for the brethren of her Son who still journey on the earth’ (Lumen Gentium, 62).The Roman Catholic Church may pronounce an apparition as worthy of belief, but belief in an apparition is never required by divine faith. According to the Church, the era of public revelation ended with the death of the last living apostle. Continue reading
CONVERSATIONS IN PRAYER: Prayer is always God’s initiative. It is our response to God’s presence in our lives. Various forms of meditative and contemplative prayer can help us be more open and present to God. Missed the first few sessions of Meaningful Conversations about Prayer? Please join us this Monday, Oct 21st for Session 4 in the Parish Hall Chapel from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.
Who is ‘Mary’? As far as the gospels tell us she is the mother of Jesus. Nothing more is revealed about her; mother of Jesus is her identity. Interestingly most of the other women in the gospels are also called Mary too! This fact reminds me of how it is assumed that every Irishman’s name is Paddy or every Scotsman is called Jock, even after their true name has been given. It is as if their real name had no consequence – they have no consequence. Is this how women were viewed in Mary’s time? Apart from her motherhood, does this mean that Mary is a blank canvas upon whom the hopes and dreams (and fears) of the developing Christian Church are expressed? 
The “Faith Maps” Lecture Series is back, with 
Adult Faith Formation Commission
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a journey that welcomes all seekers to learn about our Catholic Christian faith. It offers everyone, especially you who are reading this announcement, the opportunity to extend an invitation to those you know who might be thinking about becoming a Catholic, who are baptized but not confirmed, who are Catholic but want to know more about our faith, or who for whatever reason may have left the Church.
It all began when, as a child on my knees (leaning against a chair), my family would pray the Rosary during every May and October. I hated it! I knew my school friends would see this as weird (although I felt like a grown-up when it was my turn to lead everyone in a ‘decade’). Strangely though, as I grew up, whenever life was hard and I had no other words to use in prayer, I would find myself saying the Rosary. The Rosary would put me in touch with the Grace of God.
We invite all parishioners to join us for a Movie Night/Potluck Supper immediately following 5:00 p.m. Mass in the Social Hall. This month’s movie is “The King’s Speech”, which tells the story of King George VI, his impromptu ascension to the throne and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch find his voice. Please join us for a special evening together. Bring a favorite recipe to share! If you would like to join a hosting committee, please email Saint John School
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
FAITH DEVELOPMENT
COMMUNITY