Faith Resources & Links

Who is St. Bartholomew? Statue of St. Bartholomew in the Sanctuary of St. Bartholomew Parish

St. Bartholomew is an apostle, likely also known as Nathaniel.  There are little scriptural details of his life, but in John’s Gospel, Jesus recognizes him as being true, he is who he is without fanfare, deceit, or false appearances.

As a parish, we too pride ourselves upon his model of faith, to be true to the Church, devoted to Christ, and always authentic!

Feast of St. Bartholomew, August 24th

Some articles on St. Bartholomew for more insight:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=390

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1117

General Information about Catholicism:

Resources on the Sacrament of Confession:

Resources on the Revised Roman Missal:

Starting Sunday November 27th there will be some changes to some of the words we pray at Mass

New Words, Same Meaning – by adusting some of the words we are able to more fully express our faith while being true to the Latin and being closer to other languages spoken in the Catholic Church.  It is a new translation, not a new Mass, the heart of what we believe and celebrate at Mass is not changing, we are simply expressing it with some different words.

www.usccb.org/romanmissal has many articles and resources regarding the new translation.

Notes on Revised Liturgy

By Fr. McGaugh | Published: December 15, 2011

Notes on Revised Liturgy: the Lord’s Prayer and the Communion Rite

We know that the Lord’s Prayer was taught to us by Jesus in the Gospel and this prayer has been used in the Mass for a long time. The new introduction to the Lord’s Prayer at Mass highlights what a privilege it is to be able to speak to God with this prayer. This prayer leads us to address God as Father. The ancient Jewish people viewed God as the Father of the people of Israel. Individuals as well addressed God as Father. This also shows the relationship we have with God the Father because of what Jesus did for us. The word our is important as it points out the deep unity we have with God. This prayer has seven petitions with the first three focused on God and the last four focused on us. Each petition points us closer to the kingdom of God and a new dimension of peace, with this section of the Mass concluding with the words of King David thanking God for the blessings He brings into our lives

Notes on Revised Liturgy: The Eucharistic Prayer at Mass

By Fr. McGaugh | Published: December 4, 2011

In the early part of each Eucharistic Prayer there is the time when the priests prays that The Holy Spirit so that the gifts of bread and wine may be changed into the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is referred to as the Epiclesis. We also pray in the Eucharistic Prayer that the Holy Spirit will bring each of us closer to God. The words of Institution and Consecration are familiar to all of us, but we should never take them for granted or consider them routine. These words and this prayer should always be heard in light of the Passover meal. Jesus speaks of the blood of the new and eternal covenant. These words echo what Moses said at Mt. Sinai that sealed God’s covenant with His chosen people. Jesus actions at the Last Supper anticipate His sacrifice on the Cross. Understanding this connection lets all of us see how the Eucharist we celebrate today is commemorates Jesus‟ sacrifice on the Cross. In each Mass we have the opportunity to enter sacramentally into Jesus‟ gift of Himself to His Father. In this way we can offer our lives as a gift to God the Father.

Notes on the Revised Liturgy

By Fr. McGaugh | Published: December 2, 2011

Today we will focus on the Preface and the Sanctus. The Eucharistic Prayer has roots in Jewish table prayers that were recited at each meal. When the meal was near its conclusion a blessing of three parts was prayed which included praising God for His creation, thanksgiving for His redeeming work in the past and petition for His saving work in the future culminating with the sending of a Savoir who would restore the kingdom of David. The Eucharistic Prayer opens with the Preface which begins with requesting that our hearts be with the Lord. In the Bible the heart is the center of the person from where thoughts, emotions and action begin. We also express our gratitude to God here as the redeeming act of Jesus’ death and resurrection is about to be made present to us in the Liturgy. There is so much we owe thanks to God for in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Holy, Holy, Holy (the Sanctus) helps us to see with awe what is happening in Mass. The second half of this prayer, ”Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” is what was said when Jesus was entering Jerusalem and was found in psalm 118 which was recited on the way to the Temple for major feasts.

Notes on Revised Liturgy: Offertory

By Fr. McGaugh | Published: November 21, 2011

Today we will focus on the Offertory. At the beginning of the Offertory when the priest prays over the bread and wine he is using words which have roots in Jewish tradition. These words are modeled after the Jewish blessings prayer over bread and wine it is believed around the time of Jesus. The priest washing his hands recalls rites for the priests of the Old Testament. The hand washing indicates that the priest like the priests of the Old Testament is about to stand in a most holy place. The new pray brethren prayer and response more accurately reflects the Latin text and brings the meaning of this prayer out more clearly. The prayer that the people respond with recognizes how both sacrifices Jesus; and their own will be united and offered to God the Father through the hands of the priest.

Notes on Revised Liturgy: Explaining the Homily, Creed and Prayer of the Faithful

By Fr. McGaugh | Published: November 15, 2011

From the earliest days of Christian liturgy and before that the reading of the Word of God was accompanied by some type of homily or explanation of the reading. The purpose of the homily is to suggest or instruct people as to how the readings apply to their lives. The homily is given by a deacon, priest, or bishop in accordance with apostolic faith. The Creed is known as a summary statement of the faith used in the early Church for Christian belief. The creeds are used as a means to insure right Catholic doctrine. The Creed says briefly what Scripture says at length. The practice of praying the Creed has deep biblical roots. The Creed reminds us that our lives are part of a larger picture. The Creed is entrusting our life to God recognizing how God is the foundation to life.  The Liturgy of the Word concludes with the Prayer of the Faithful. The practice of intercessory prayer goes back to the time of St.Peter. The Catechism speaks of intercessory prayer as characteristic of a heart attuned to God‟s mercy. It is always important to pray for others. Next week we will begin an explanation of the parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Notes on Revised Liturgy: Explaining the Readings in the Liturgy of the Word

By Fr. McGaugh | Published: November 9, 2011

Two weekends ago the first reading and the Responsorial Psalm were explained. This weekend the second reading and the gospel will be explained. The second reading comes from the New Testament; one of the epistles, the Acts of the Apostles or the book of Revelation. The New Testament writings reflect on the mystery of Jesus and how His saving work is part of our lives. The Gospel is about the life and teaching ofJesus. Only the ordained may proclaim the Gospel at Mass. The Alleluia which comes just before the gospel is proclaimed is found at the beginning or the end of many psalms. This joyful praise is a very fitting and appropriate way to welcome Jesus in the gospel. The book of the Gospels may be carried to the lectern in procession accompanied by the altar servers carrying candles. The one who proclaims the gospel and the people make the threefold sign of the cross on themselves which is a ritual by which we consecrate our thoughts, words and actions to the Lord as we ask that Jesus be on our minds, lips and in our hearts. The proclaiming of the gospel makes Jesus present in our lives in a profound way.

Notes on Revised Liturgy: Explaining the Readings in the Liturgy of the Word

By Fr. McGaugh | Published: October 24, 2011

Explaining the Readings in the Liturgy of the Word

The First Reading is usually taken from the Old Testament except during the Easter Season when it is from the Acts of the Apostles, which is following an ancient practice. “In the Old Testament, the mystery of our salvation is present in a hidden way” according to the document, Dei Verbum. It is also true that to truly understand the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus an understanding of the Old Testament is essential. The Old Testament is part of the larger history of God’s relationship to His people and salvation history. When we hear and understand the Old Testament reading helps us see the unity of the Bible more clearly. At the end of the first reading the Lector says, The Word of the Lord. When we say Thanks Be to God we are expressing thanksgiving to God for His goodness and His actions in history. St. Paul used this expression often to thank the Lord for delivering him from sin and death and it appropriate and helpful that we do the same. Following the first reading is the Responsorial Psalm, which are God’s inspired words of praise and thanksgiving from the book of Psalms. In the book of Psalms there are 150 psalms which express various situations for prayer and reasons to give praise to God. As early as the third century psalms were being prayed at Mass. Next week the reasons for the second reading and the gospel will be explained.

Notes on Revised Liturgy: The Liturgy of the Word

By Fr. McGaugh | Published: October 21, 2011

The Liturgy of the Word Sacred Scripture leads us into a deeper communion with Jesus in the Eucharist. The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist form one single act of worship as stated by Pope Benedict the 16th. To hear the inspired Word of God is a serious matter. What a wonderful honor it is for the Lector to proclaim the Word of The Lord. What an honor and blessing it is for us to hear the Word of the Lord. The Gospel proclaimed by the priest or deacon reflects how Jesus is at the center of salvation history with all of the Scripture pointing toward Him. The readings from Sacred Scripture correspond to the seasons and feasts of the Church. We praise the Lord for every aspect of His life.

Notes on Revised Liturgy: Gloria and Collect

By Fr. McGaugh | Published: October 9, 2011

When we start to pray the Gloria the tone of the Liturgy shifts from sorrow to praise of God. The opening lines of the Gloria come from the words sung by the angels announcing the new of Jesus’ birth. In the Gloria we are preparing ourselves to welcome Jesus by repeating these words of praise used to announce Jesus’ coming in Bethlehem. The rest of the Gloria contains words from Sacred Scripture. The Gloria also tells the story of Jesus moving from His coming, to His redeeming death, to His resurrection and ascension into heaven. The Gloria also recognizes Jesus as the Son of God, the Eternal Word, The Lamb of God to the authority that Jesus possesses in heaven. We acknowledge also the Supreme Being that Jesus is. The Gloria concludes with praising the Blessed Trinity. Following the Gloria is the Collect or the Opening Prayer which concludes the opening of Mass and leads into the readings from the Old Testament, New Testament and Gospels.

Notes on Revised Liturgy: Lord Have Mercy

By Fr. McGaugh | Published: October 3, 2011

This prayer is a three-fold plea for God’s mercy which comes following the admission of one’s sin in the Confiteor. As we prepare to start the sacred mysteries of the Mass to draw near to the Trinity we do so in union with Our Lord’s Blessed Mother Mary and the angels and saints. We are aware of how much we need God’s mercy. The mercy we are asking for includes forgiveness of sins as the mercy of God is all about His love for us. Lord have mercy is a cry of repentance and a prayer for assistance. We also offer our sufferings to the Lord for mercy for ourselves and for mercy for others.