Fr. Michael Winn

Mar

07

2015

Lent is Time of ‘Joy’ for Eastern Catholics

Christian Life, Featured Articles, LiturgyLent

by Laura Ieraci The Catholic Telegraph, March 6, 2015 “Joy” is not a word people usually associate with strict fasting and penance — unless they are Eastern-rite Catholics. In the Eastern church, the penitential period that prepares believers to celebrate Easter, is called “Great Lent,” and its prayers invite the faithful to recognize their “need for forgiveness” and to “delight in the joy” of the fast. Mother Theodora, the “hegumena” or abbess of the Byzantine Catholic Christ the Bridegroom Monastery in Burton, Ohio, describes the Lenten disposition as “bright sadness.” “We recognize our weakness and sinfulness, but rejoice in the…

Mar

04

2015

By Fr. Michael Winn

All Souls Saturdays

Featured Articles, LiturgyBurial, Death, Funeral, Lent

ALL SOULS SATURDAY The Holy Fathers were convinced that the commemoration of the departed by alms and sacrifices [Divine Liturgies] brings great comfort and benefit to them. (Synaxarion for Meat-fare Saturday) One of the most venerable traditions in the Church, equally observed in the West as in the East, is the commemoration of the departed in our liturgical prayers. It is the constant teaching of the Church since Apostolic times (cf. Synaxarion) that the departed can be helped by our prayers, offerings and good deeds. St. John Chrysostom (+407) in speaking of the faithful departed reminded his people; Let us…

Mar

04

2015

By Fr. Michael Winn

The Great Fast – The Journey to Paradise

Feb

08

2015

By Fr. Michael Winn

Appeal for an end to the fratricidal violence in Ukraine

News

At the end of today’s catechesis the Pope launched an appeal for an end to the violence among the “beloved Ukrainian people”. “Unfortunately, the situation is worsening”, he said, “and there is an escalation of hostilities between the parties. Let us pray firstly for the victims, many of whom are civilians, and their families, and let us ask the Lord for an end, as soon as possible, to this horrible fratricidal violence. I renew my heartfelt appeal that every effort be made – also at an international level – to resume dialogue, the only way possible to restore peace and…

Feb

08

2015

By Fr. Michael Winn

Sacred Space

Faith, News

Presentation on the 100th Anniversary of Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, Rossdale, Manitoba (2014) When we stand in our church building, we are in a sacred space. But what does that mean? All of God’s creation is supposed to be in some sense sacred, so what makes this place different? Isn’t God everywhere, you might ask? Even though we know that God is everywhere present and filling all things, if we saw Him, in the flesh, walk through the door right now, our response would show that we would consider that kind of presence by Him different than our…

Feb

08

2015

By Fr. Michael Winn

Examination of Conscience for Adults

Dec

30

2014

By Fr. Michael Winn

The Real Face of Santa Claus

FaithNicholas of Myra, Santa, Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, St. Nick

When you were a child, how badly did you want to sneak downstairs on Christmas Eve and see what Santa really looked like? You probably imagined him with a big white beard, jolly belly, red cheeks, and fur lined coat. But according to scientific analysis and computer models, Saint Nicholas, the 4th century Bishop of Myra who Santa Claus is based on, would have looked a bit different than the Nordic woodsman of popular culture and more like a 4th century Byzantine Bishop. According to The Saint Nicholas Center St. Nicholas’ remains are buried in the crypt of the Basilica…

Dec

22

2014

By Fr. Michael Winn

Origin of the Twelve Days of Christmas

LiturgyChristmas, domestic church, Nativity of our Lord

by Fr Hal Stockert You’re all familiar with the Christmas song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” I think. To most it’s a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. But it had a quite serious purpose when it was written. It is a good deal more than just a repetitious melody with pretty phrases and a list of strange gifts. Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, when Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England, were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law—private or public. It was a crime to be a Catholic. “The Twelve Days of Christmas”…

Dec

18

2014

By Fr. Michael Winn

I Saw Santa Punching Arius

FaithSt. Nicholas

I saw Santa punching Arius in the council chambers at Nicaea. He just couldn’t stand to hear the heretic expand his theory how Our Blessed Lord was not much more than just a man. Then I saw Santa grabbing Arius by the beard to pull him off his chair. The other bishops were justified, in assuming this was undignified throwing Santa in a cell for the night. I saw Jesus and His Mother come to Santa praying in his chains. Christ asked, “Why are you here?” “All for my love of You.” Off fell the chains and to him was…

Sep

17

2014

By Fr. Michael Winn

Prayer for our Patriarch