​Novena in Memory of Pope Francis

​Introduction
The entire Church mourns the death of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. In cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, shrines, and chapels the Holy Eucharist will be offered for the repose of his soul. Communities and individuals will ask God to bestow his infinite mercy on the man who served the Church as Bishop of Rome.
This novena has been prepared to help pray for the Pope during the time of mourning. The daily novena – lasting for the novendiales period from April 26 to May 4, 2025 – consists of a short reading from Scripture or some other ecclesiastical text and some brief prayers, including orations drawn from the Roman Missal and the Order of Christian Funerals.

​Novena en Memoria del Papa Francisco
Introducción
Toda la Iglesia lamenta la muerte de nuestro Santo Padre, Papa Francisco. En catedrales, basílicas, iglesias parroquiales, santuarios y capillas se ofrecerá la Sagrada Eucaristía para el descanso de su alma. Las comunidades y los individuos pedirán a Dios que conceda su infinita misericordia al hombre que sirvió a la Iglesia como Obispo de Roma.
Esta novena ha sido preparada para ayudar a orar por el Papa durante este tiempo de duelo. La novena diaria –que dura para el período de los novendiales desde el 26 de abril hasta el 4 de mayo de 2025– consiste en una breve lectura de las Escrituras o algún otro texto eclesiástico y algunas oraciones breves, incluyendo las oraciones extraídas del Misal Romano y del Ritual de exequias cristianas.

Novena in Memory of Pope Francis © 2025 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.

A robust spiritual life indicates a strong relationship with God because, without Christ, we can do nothing. We should desire to have a strong spiritual life and encourage others to grow in their own spiritual lives.

Formed has an array of resources for parish leaders. These resources will jump-start the spiritual life of you and your parishioners so that they may abide more abundantly in the life of Christ.

Challenges of Living the Catholic Faith

In the world we live in, it is difficult to live out our identity as Catholics. Living the Catholic life out as a teen, living it out in relationship, living it out in discerning a career or a vocation, and living it out in marriage is bound to cause questions.

See the resources and suggestions below for how to have these conversations and encounter these difficult topics.
Resources for Addressing Difficult Topics

The Catholic Parent

Do you ever feel like it’s almost impossible to raise holy kids who love God (and sit still in Mass!) in our modern world? You’re not alone. This six-episode series features real Catholic families like yours sharing their daily struggles and victories. Created by the Augustine Institute and Catholic Sprouts, The Catholic Parent aims to encourage you as a mom or dad as you embrace your God-given role to form your family in the richness of the Catholic faith.

​Watch the series with your spouse, with friends, on your own, or as part of a small group!

​Awakening

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​A Crossroads in Time Book by Claudia McAdamIn

​this work of Biblical historical fiction, Ronni is a 21st-century American teenage girl who has lost her faith following the deaths of her father and brother, both of whom died saving the life of someone she doesn’t deem worthy. She can’t understand the concept of sacrifice—even Jesus’s death on the cross. Then one day, she wakes up 5,000 miles away from home...2,000 years in the past. How she got here, she doesn’t know. But she’s in Jerusalem, the week of the crucifixion of Jesus. She has three days to try to stop his death. The question is, can she do it? Should she? This young adult novel is appropriate for readers from middle-school through adult.

Age Range: 8 and up
Littlest Saints features the lives of the saints as told by kids. In each episode, a young child dons a habit, a cassock, a uniform, anything and everything, and acts out a different heavenly hero’s story, full of drama, comedy, and everything in between.
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​FORMED Daily Reflections
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Before all else, the Gospel invites us to respond to the God of love who saves us, to see God in others and to go forth from ourselves to seek the good of others.
~ Pope Francis, Joy of the Gospel
What is the RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) is a gradual process of conversion and initiation into the Catholic Christian community providing individuals the space to encounter God and respond to His invitation to a new way of life in the Catholic faith. Grounded in a respect for the personal faith journey of each individual, the RCIA provides an extended period of prayer, study, and fellowship in which each individual has the opportunity to grow in relationship with God and the parish community.
Who is the RCIA for?
  1. Persons who have never been baptized and wish to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist (Holy Communion) in the Catholic Church.
  2. Persons who were baptized in another Christian denomination and wish to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church by receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
  3. Baptized Catholics who have not completed their initiation; by receiving the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
How does the RCIA work?
In the RCIA individuals reflect and learn about what is means to be a part of the Catholic Christian community – who we are, what we believe, how we celebrate and pray, how we relate with one another and with God. Based on the gradual transformation of each individual, the RCIA accompanies and celebrates the journey to faith of each individual.
The process begins with a period of inquiry for those who have felt called to consider the Catholic faith. Here you will find an open space to ask questions about what Catholics hold and believe while meeting others striving to live Gospel values. Know that initial inquiry does not necessarily commit you to initiation.

Where can I find out more information? Contact our parish office for more information.