“Learn what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character.” ~ Pope Paul VI. In 1921, Pope Benedict XV instituted the Sunday after Christmas as the feast of the Holy Family. We celebrate Christ’s Nativity on December 25, then, days later, we take the opportunity […] The post The Holy Family: Austere and Simple Beauty appeared first on Agape Catholic Ministries Blog ..read more

James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom He surnamed Boanerges, which is, Sons of Thunder.” ~ Mark 3:17. December 27th is the feast of St. John the Apostle. He is referred throughout the Gospel as the “Beloved Disciple” or “One Whom Jesus Loved.” Christ calls John His brother when He […] The post St. John: Son of Thunder appeared first on Agape Catholic Ministries Blog ..read more

“Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute?” ~ Acts of the Apostles 7:53. Being persecuted has always been part of the Christian journey.  On December 26 we celebrate the feast of St. Stephen. Stephen is not only the first recorded martyr, but was also a deacon who died in the Acts of the […] The post St. Stephen: Persecuted Prophets appeared first on Agape Catholic Ministries Blog ..read more

“No one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord” ~ Pope Paul VI. Christmas is a season of joy!  We have a sign in our house this time of year that says, “JOY.” It’s kept in the kitchen where our kids see it whenever they wash their hands. My son loves looking at […] The post The Joy of Christmas appeared first on Agape Catholic Ministries Blog ..read more

The feast of St. Lucy is celebrated today, December 13th. In 2006 we discovered that we were pregnant with our first child.  We began praying about what name we’d like to give this beautiful gift that God had given to us.  We had chosen a girl’s name and a boy’s name not knowing what gender […] The post St. Lucy: Patron Saint of Sight appeared first on Agape Catholic Ministries Blog ..read more

“Son behold your mother!” As He died on the cross, Jesus spoke these words to John the Apostle. Not only did Jesus give Mary to John’s care, but he gave His mother to mankind, giving her dominion over us all. Over the centuries, Mary has reached to every corner of the world to spread her […] The post Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mother to Mankind appeared first on Agape Catholic Ministries Blog ..read more

“I am the Immaculate Conception” ~ Our Lady to Bernadette Soubirous. In 1858, in a small town in France, Our Lady appeared to a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous. After months of seeing “the lady” at the grotto, Bernadette dared ask her name. Thus, the Heavenly woman replied, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Finally, the […] The post Immaculate Conception: Central to Catholicism appeared first on Agape Catholic Ministries Blog ..read more

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.” December 6th is the feast of St. Nicholas. We all know him as Santa Claus, but do we know him as the Bishop of Myra? Nicholas is far from a fictitious character from Christmas lore. Many of […] The post St Nicholas: The Joyful Giver appeared first on Agape Catholic Ministries Blog ..read more

Advent: the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. December is here and that means it’s Christmas season, but first…Advent! Advent can be celebrated with warm cookies, bright trees, beautiful stockings…However, for many Catholics, the Advent wreath on the dining room table is a part of Christmas decor. We have the opportunity every Advent […] The post Advent: Preparing Our Families for Christmas appeared first on Agape Catholic Ministries Blog ..read more

“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John has said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was run to his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah.’ And he brought him to Jesus” ~John 1: 40-42. November 30th is the feast of St. […] The post St. Andrew: We Have Found the Messiah appeared first on Agape Catholic Ministries Blog ..read more