When two people marry, the whole complex gathering of rites-some from the state, some from the family, some from the church-serves many purposes. For one, they show what all these groups think about marriage, and they try to impress these understandings on the couple. For another, they let everyone adjust to the idea that there is something new among us: We cannot think of these two tomorrow as we thought of them yesterday. And yet another task of the rites: Some of them are meant to allow us to express our sheer delight in the festival. When ritual does its work, all these things happen. But there are some¬times difficulties when it comes to the church’s part in the wedding. If the couple has no feeling of belonging, they are likely to be indifferent, seeing what happens in the church building as only another obligation. Apart from the bridal party’s entrance procession and a favorite song or two, they may say that “anything Father wants is fine with us.”
Liturgy of the Hours
Recovering the Rhythm of Daily Prayer Long ago, our ancestors in faith lived lives deeply rooted in daily prayer. Individuals and households praised and thanked God with a poetic richness expressed through morning and evening hymns and psalms—often known by heart. Over time, many of these practices faded. In more recent centuries, some new daily devotions emerged: the Morning Offering, the Act of Contrition, the Angelus, and other prayers tied to the rhythm of the day. But even these, for …
Holy Orders
The Sacrament of Holy Orders: Sharing in the Priesthood of Christ According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Sacrament of Holy Orders is “the sacrament of apostolic ministry” (CCC 1536). It is the means by which Christ continues His mission in the Church through those called to serve as deacons, priests, and bishops. What Does “Holy Orders” Mean? The term ordination comes from the Latin word ordinatio, meaning “to incorporate into an order.” In the Roman Empire, an …
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children
Order of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist: How We Welcome New Members into the Church Every society, if it hopes to survive and thrive, must find ways to welcome and form new members. This is true of sports leagues, universities, labor unions, nations, and churches. In some groups, joining may be as simple as filling out a form and sending in a payment. At the other extreme, many traditional cultures—such as those depicted in Roots—have used complex and deeply …
Sacristan Ministry
Mission Statement The Sacristans at Holy Family Church seek to support the good order of all Eucharistic Celebrations. About Sacristans Sacristans are the homemakers of the church.. Our sacristans are zealous in their commitment to foster good worship here at Holy Family. Sacristans are responsible for setting up the liturgical elements; these include vessels used for Eucharist, altar linens, candles, to name a few. Sharing the responsibility for worship is also a part of the sacristans’ mission; to make children …
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children
Mission Statement Holy Family is a welcoming community of faith who welcomes seekers and so we initiate new members through the rites of our Catholic Church. Those seekers are nurtured as individuals on their own faith journeys, challenging them to live the Gospel message as Catholic Christians. They do this within a community of fellow seekers and parishioners of Holy Family Church. About Order of Christian Initiation of Adults The Catholic Church welcomes new members and tries to provide appropriate …
Men’s Reading Group
Meetings Please join the Men’s Reading Group on the 3rd Tuesday of each month to discuss books concerned with religious, moral, and ethical issues, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., Guadalupe Room in the Pastoral Center. Each month’s book selection is available in the Holy Family Bookstore. Contact Ramon Barreras ramon.barreras@gmail.com