St. Elizabeth Ann Seton turned her life over to Christ and let Him use her to help build a young American nation  

Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton  (January 4, 2020): 1 JN 3:7-10; PS 98:1,7-8,9; JN 1:35-42

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

Founder of the first religious order of women in America; founder of the first parish school in America, founder of the first Catholic home for orphaned children in America – this is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Let us thank our Lord for the beautiful gift of His mother – who is now our own  

Reflections on the readings for The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God (January 1, 2020): NM 6:22-27; PS 67:2-3,5,6,8; GAL 4:4-7; LK 2:16-21

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

On this first day of the New Year, we venerate Mary as the Mother of God.

Today we thank God for the gift of the Holy Family that we can embrace as our example  

Reflections on the readings for The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (December 29, 2019): SIR 3:2-6,12-14; PS 128:1-2,3,4-5; COL 3:12-21; MT 2:13-15,19-23

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

As we move from the celebration of Christmas to the New Year, this lovely day venerating the Holy Family helps us focus our attention on our personal relationship with God and with our loved ones.

Responding like St. John...   

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. John (December 27, 2019): 1 JN 1:1-4; PS 97:1-2,5-6,11-12; JN 20:1,2-8

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

As we celebrate the feast of St. John the Apostle, we honor the writer of one of the Gospels, the Book of Revelation, and three letters.

St. Stephen gave up his life to share the Good News...  

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. Stephen (December 26, 2019): ACTS 6:8-10;7:54-59; PS 31:3-4,6,8,16,17; MT 10:17-22

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

St. Stephen is renowned as the Church’s first martyr. Like Jesus Himself, Stephen was falsely accused of blasphemy, but willingly died in service to Almighty God.

The joy and peace of Christmas are meant for all people…  

Reflections on the readings for the Nativity of the Lord – Mass During the Day (December 25, 2019): IS 52:7-10; PS 98:1,2-3,3-4,5-6; HEB 1:1-6; JN 1:1-18

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

“And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Bethlehem, our neighborhood, the world...  

Reflections on the readings for the Nativity of the Lord at the Vigil Mass (December 24, 2019): IS 62:1-5; PS 89:4-5,16-17,27,29; ACTS 13:16-17,22-25; MT 1:1-25

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

As we begin to celebrate the birth of Christ, the Old and New Testament readings invite us to recall the great longing that the Jewish people had for the coming of the Messiah.

Rejoice by entrusting yourself to God's will...  

Reflections on the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 22, 2019): IS 7:10-14; PS 24:1-2,3-4,5-6; ROM 1:1-7; MT 1:18-24

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul reminds us that Jesus is both God and Man.

Move forward with joy...  

Reflections on the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent (December 15, 2019): IS 35:1-8,10; PS 146:6-7,8-9,9-10; JAS 5:7-10; MT 11:2-11

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

The Entrance Antiphon for this Third Sunday in Advent begins with the phrase “Rejoice in the Lord always.”

Thanking God for the gift of His mother to the whole world...  

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12, 2019): ZEC 2:14-17; RV 11:19;12:1-6,10; Judith 13:18,19; LK 1:26-38

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

In the 16^th century, a beautiful young woman appeared to a 57-year-old widower on his way to Mass in what is now part of Mexico City.