Welcome to Our Lady of the Woods
We're glad that you are here, and we hope that you encounter Jesus in our community.
We're Glad You're Here!
We are a warm and inviting Catholic Church where all are embraced with open arms. If you are new to our community, we are thrilled to have you join us on this spiritual journey.
Whether you are seeking solace, guidance, or simply a new place to call home, we welcome you with love and acceptance. Come and experience the joy of worshiping together as one family in faith.
What's Our Mission?
We, the Roman Catholic faith community of Our Lady of the Woods, in communion with ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, and APOSTOLIC Church and under a patronage of Mary, are joined together as a people of God. Our mission is to spread the Gospel and bring people into a relationship with God and one another through the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. We live out Christ’s mission in the world through evangelization, worship, education, stewardship, and service to the needy.
Pray with Pope Leo XIV
Pray with the Pope is a global initiative of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network where the Holy Father shares his monthly prayer intention, an invitation to pray and mobilize for the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church, through The Pope Video, and The Pope Audio.
Take a moment, pray with the Pope.
Our Lady of the Woods is pleased to announce a 10-day pilgrimage to Poland with Fr. Bob Johnson, exploring the homeland of St. John Paul II, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and St. Maria Faustina. This spiritually enriching journey begins in Warsaw and continues through Niepokalanów, Częstochowa, Kraków, Wadowice, Zakopane, and the Divine Mercy Sanctuary—an inspiring itinerary filled with prayer, history, and encounters with some of the great saints of our time.
Pilgrims will enjoy round-trip airfare from Detroit, eight nights in four-star hotels, daily breakfast, select lunches and dinners, a dedicated Catholic tour manager, private motorcoach transportation, entrance fees, and arrangements for daily Mass. Highlights include visits to the revered Black Madonna at Jasna Góra, the moving memorial at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wawel Hill, St. Mary’s Church in Kraków, and the birthplace of St. John Paul II. The cost is $5399 (per person double occupancy, including airfare).
This promises to be a powerful and unforgettable pilgrimage—a beautiful opportunity to deepen your faith, grow in fellowship, and walk in the footsteps of Poland’s beloved saints. Spaces are filling quickly and only a few spots still remain. For more information, please contact David O’Brien at Corporate Travel Service at dobrien@ctscentral.net or 734.223.3348.
Join Us For
Mass & Reconciliation
Weekend Mass Times
- Frist Saturday of the Month at 9:00 am
- Saturday (Vigil Mass) at 4:00 pm
- Sunday at 9:00 am & 11:00 am
Livestream options are available for the 9:00 am Mass on Sunday.
Weekday Mass Times
9:00 am Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday
Holy Day Mass Times
Published in The Branch & on the Calendar
Sacrament of Reconciliation
- 3:00 - 3:45 pm Saturdays in the Church
- By appointment with Fr. Bob
Proof matters to us humans. In fact, the state of Missouri is even nicknamed the "Show Me State." The idea is simple enough: if I'm going to believe you, you need to show me some evidence first.
God knows we humans are like this. We need proof, which is why today, Easter Sunday, he "shows us" the greatest proof of all: Jesus's resurrection from the dead.
The resurrection is proof that on Good Friday, Jesus really did conquer death via the cross. But Easter is also about proving something even more fundamental: that God is trustworthy. When he says he will do something, he will do it -- "just as he said." This is true not only regarding the great events of Christ's ministry on earth, but also the promises of salvation and love that God makes to us today.
Let's take a moment this Easter Sunday to thank God for the great "proof" of the Resurrection, and to trust more completely in his promises. #SundayScripture
Today is Holy Saturday--a kind of "in between day." The sadness of Good Friday still lingers, and yet the anticipation of Easter has begun to build.
It's a good day for quiet, stillness, and prayer. In particular, the Church offers us an ancient Holy Saturday homily to consider, as part of the Liturgy of the Hours. Follow the link to prayerfully read it. And we look forward to seeing you here for one of our Easter Masses!
https://www.churchpop.com/greatest-holy-saturday-sermon-ever/
"And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit." -John 19:30
At the Last Supper, Jesus instructs his apostles to celebrate the Eucharist, saying "Do this in memory of me" (Luke 22:19-20). But what does it mean to say that the Mass is a memorial? Jewish practices surrounding the Passover provide the key.
Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.
We all know one verse of Psalm 22 - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" - but few of us know how carefully and clearly it details Jesus death on the Cross AND the Resurrection. Open your Bible and sit with it today. #ScipturalConnections
On this blessed day, the start of the holiest week of the year, we hear not only the joyous cries of the crowd but the insults those same people would hurl just days later. We experience all the triumph of Palm Sunday and all the grief of Good Friday in one short period of time. All of this serves as a summary for what we will experience, beat by beat, the rest of the week.
What's your favorite aspect of the upcoming week? Fr. Bob wants to hear in the comments!
Maybe we've gotten better over the years at protecting quiet during Advent and Lent, but are we keeping Holy Week holy for ourselves? Father Mark-Mary has a few ideas for us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlOd6DWC8jo
In his Homily, "In Praise of the Virgin Mary," St. Bernard dwells on the moment between Gabriel's proclamation and Mary's "yes," when all creation urges her to consent to God's plan. Mary, thank you for your "yes," which brought about the salvation of us all.
As the archbishop of Lima, Peru, St. Turibius crisscrossed his diocese several times, fighting for indigenous rights and bringing more than half a million people to faith. He took seriously the vision in Isaiah 2:2, which reveals all the nations streaming to the house of the Lord. May we be as zealous in our own evangelization!
In our final reading from John this Lent, Martha expresses a general belief in the resurrection from the dead, and our Lord corrects her - he is the Resurrection, God made flesh. It's a powerful reminder that we often "hope generally" but don't "hope specifically" in Jesus when we experience difficulty in life. Today, let's pray for a fresh outpouring of hope on all of us.
The Litany of St. Joseph lists about 30 titles for the foster father of Jesus and husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Tell us your favorite and why in the comments! See here for a refresher: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/litany-saint-joseph
This answer SHOCKED US when we looked it up. Good luck, and may the prayers of St. Patrick go with you today!
Every year around this time, a LOT of people claim to be Irish in honor of St. Patrick. And that's okay! He's a saint for everyone - not just those from the Emerald Isle!
In today's Gospel, the religious authorities disparage Jesus' great miracle, and instruct the man born blind to give praise to God alone. Later in the story, he does just that - by returning to Jesus and worshipping him. The truth will out, as they say!
Should we be scared of Friday the 13th? Fr. Mike Schmitz explains why superstition is to be avoided: https://youtu.be/3zjEUj9dBpA?si=mx6p28FxRutK6ik1
What's making your heart sing today?
Frances lived long before automobiles, but during her many journeys to help the poor, her guardian angel would illuminate her path before her. In that way, she's not too different from Tobias in the Book of Tobit, who enjoyed the archangel Raphael's company on his journeys. St. Frances, please pray for all our drivers at OLOW! #ScipturalConnections
The incident with the woman at the well is one of the most powerful moments in scripture. But we may have missed this one detail today. Immediately before telling the apostles to "look up," we learn that the whole town comes out to see Jesus. No doubt, as the Lord told his disciples to lift their heads, they saw a "field" of townsfolk in the near distance. This gives so much power to Jesus' next words about gathering crops for eternal life. As the OLOW community, let's make sure we look around us to see the people who are ready to receive the Word, and serve them as Jesus served the Samaritan woman and her neighbors.
These two incredible women are remembered in the First Eucharistic Prayer, and if you want to learn about them, you can read the entire account of their martyrdom: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0324.htm
On this International Day for Disarmament, it's good to hear how a saintly pope once saved the world from nuclear destruction. Read more here: https://www.papalartifacts.com/october-25-1962-pope-john-xxiii-the-cuban-missile-crisis-2/
Fr. Bob gets this question all the time, and maybe you do too. And the truth is, Lent can't be found directly in the Bible, but 40 days or years of testing, repentance, or spiritual combat can be found EVERYWHERE. It's a Biblical practice! #ScripturalConnections
"Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence." Amen! Let's say an "Ave" for this intention: Hail Mary, full of grace...
The early Church Fathers read a spiritual insight into this one simple verse: that this is the goal of the spiritual life. When we open ourselves up to grace, we give God permission to show us only him. The life of a disciple is about seeing "only Jesus" in every situation and acting accordingly. Let's pray for that grace today for each one of us at OLOW.
We're about 11 days into this penitential season - how's it going for you so far? Let Fr. Bob know in the comments!
In the Book of Ruth, the titular character is poor, widowed, and orphaned all at the same time. As such, she represents ALL of us in our wounded state. Her husband, Boaz, sees her great difficulty and has mercy on her, showing us the compassion God has for us. Ruth only takes about twenty minutes to read - check it out through this new lens today.
Learn more here: https://giveusthisday.org/2021/08/16/gleaning-the-fields-of-boaz/
We usually think of Lent as "taking something away," but what spiritual practice are you adding, OLOW? Let us know!
St. Polycarp, commemorated today, isn't named after "a bunch of fish." Rather, his name means "much fruit," meaning spiritual fruit. As a disciple of St. John the Beloved and a bishop, he spread the Good News throughout what is now Turkey. Polycarp was martyred in his mid-80s and was among the first martyrs to be venerated in popular fashion. May we bear good fruit here at OLOW!
This line always makes us chuckle! But it's an important note - that the Lord is fully human, and he thirsts and hungers, just like we do here at OLOW. That is to say, the Lord truly suffered in the desert. And he understands our suffering as well.
This year, Ramadan and Lent sync up neatly. Every major religious tradition has some form of fasting. Our tradition takes it from such examples as Exodus 34, Nehemiah 9, Matthew 4, and Acts 13.
Let Fr. Bob know in the comments!
Why do most of our feast days get "downgraded" during Lent to optional commemorations? Watch our video to learn more.
Today begins our annual journey into the desert to clear out from our lives everything that is not of God so that we might prepare worthily and well for his Passion, death, and resurrection. Join us this Lent, OLOW family.
For more on how we as Catholics should treat this holiday, read this homily from Bishop Emeritus Braxton of Belleville: https://www.diobelle.org/bishop-emeritus/writings/1554-the-leap-of-the-heart-george-washington-abraham-lincoln-and-the-journey-of-lent
In today's Gospel, interestingly, Jesus does not say to hide our good works, but rather to speak for themselves. If you want to get involved in being the light of the world, check out our website for ways to help others: www.olow.org
As we cheer on winter athletes this month, let's also take the time to meditate on how sports are a perfect metaphor for the Christian life. We are all striving for heaven, and it would be great to take time today to reflect on the great "race" metaphor of 1 Corinthians 9.
The 2026 Winter Olympics begin today in northern Italy, but how should Catholics approach the Games? Watch our video to learn more. #TruthBeautyGoodness
It's Thank a Mail Carrier Day! Consider getting yours a gift card or a hand-made thank-you note!
Today, the OLOW family commemorates Jesus being brought into the Temple as an infant, according to the Law of Moses.
Our interesting #ScriptureConnection? This also commemorates Mary's ritual purification after Jesus' birth according to Leviticus 12. It shows Mary and Joseph's humility before the old laws of earlier covenants, even as they hold the "new law" of grace in their arms. How's that for awesome?
"Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope." Let's join with Pope Leo XIV and Fr. Bob and pray: Hail Mary, full of grace…
Every detail of the Gospels matters - not a single word or phrase is out of place! Today, when Jesus sees the multitude following him, he does not "get away." Rather, he ascends the nearby mountain to indicate that he is the divine Law Giver. This echoes Exodus 19, when God speaks from the lofty height of Mount Sinai to his people. Today, let's pray that all of us at Our Lady of the Woods would be attentive to the new law that Jesus gives - the law of peace, poverty of spirit, and purity of heart.
We are called to follow the example of Jesus Christ, the master teacher. So unsurprisingly, scripture has a lot to say about what makes for a good teacher! Let's take a look:
-A good teacher "should be gentle with everyone," and correct others "with kindness." (2 Timothy 2:24-25)
-A good teacher should take their job seriously, because they "will be judged more strictly." (James 3:1)
-A good teacher should be "a model of good deeds" so their teaching has integrity (Titus 2:7)
-A good teacher should first "let the word of Christ dwell" within his or her heart, and share this wisdom with others! (Colossians 3:16)
Lord, bless all our Catholic School teachers! Help them turn to scripture to be inspired by you, the master teacher. #ScripturalConnections
It's #CatholicSchoolsWeek! And we're celebrating our Catholic schools by sharing cool facts.
Catholic schools in the U.S. serve 1,683,506 students. These schools employ 154,258 professional staff members, meaning that the student-to-teacher ratio is 10.9 students for every teacher.
That kind of student-focused education is what makes Catholic schools great. Let's continue to celebrate them this week.
It's #CatholicSchoolsWeek! And we're celebrating our Catholic schools by sharing cool facts.
About 71% of students at Catholic schools are Catholic. This means two things: first, our Catholic schools play an important role in passing on our faith; second, they serve people of all faiths with quality education and can be places for genuine evangelization.
Let's support our Catholic schools here at OLOW by praying for them this week!
It's #CatholicSchoolsWeek! And we're celebrating our Catholic schools by sharing cool facts.
31% of Catholic schools and 18% of Catholic school parents use a school choice program. These kinds of programs are fantastic ways to empower parents to be the primary educators of their kids and send them to a school that reinforces their values.
At OLOW, let's help our schools and parents by continuing to promote these important parental choice options!
Why do we need to repent? Couldn't God just invite us into his kingdom, without this whole "turning away from our sins" bit? Isn't he all-powerful?
He is, but we're misunderstanding the Kingdom of God if we think that repentance isn't part of the deal. Here's why: the Kingdom of God is nothing other than participating in God's eternal, triune life--the source of all life and love. But there is no sin in God, and therefore no sin in his kingdom. They aren't compatible. God gives us both the grace to be free from our sin and the freedom to cooperate with that grace. That's where repentance comes in.
The kingdom of God--aka, life-giving relationship with him--is truly at hand. He's offering us his grace; will we offer him our repentance? Something to ponder about this Sunday for all of us. #SundayScripture
In 1883, King Kalākaua of Hawaii sent an invitation to religious sisters to care for people suffering from leprosy on an island colony. Fifty other congregations declined because of the danger and stigma. The Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse, the community of St. Marianne Cope, said yes.
When St. Marianne Cope arrived on the island of Molokai, she got to work. She continued the legacy of St. Damien de Veuster, serving as the de facto administrator of the leper colony, while improving living conditions and medical care. Despite her close contact with lepers, she never contracted the disease--and is remembered today as the patroness of outcasts and those marginalized by society.
St. Marianne Cope, help all of us at Our Lady of the Woods turn to those in need as you did.
You don't need to be religious to know that human life begins at conception--it's a scientific fact. But the Word of God makes this abundantly clear, underscoring that unborn human life has infinite value. Here are a few key passages:
Psalm 139:13
“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb."
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.”
Isaiah 49:1
“The LORD called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.”
Luke 1:41–44
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice…‘For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.’”
The truth is clear--and so is our duty at OLOW to continue to work toward the end of abortion. That includes today, the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children, and every day. #ScriptureConnections
Since 1908, Catholics have partnered with other Christians to ask God to fulfill Christ's prayer at the Last Supper: that they all may be one.
This practice continues with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which we observe throughout this week. Visit the website of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity to learn more about how you can participate--and let's all pray for Christian unity here at Our Lady of the Woods.
https://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/settimana-di-preghiera-per-l-unita/semaine-de-priere-pour-l-unite-des-chretiens-20241/anglais.html
Snow is for snowball fights, snowmen, and snowmobiling. But believe it or not, sacred scripture has something to say about the fluffy white stuff, too.
In scripture, snow often symbolizes purity, cleansing, and forgiveness. We see this, for instance, in the Book of Isaiah:
"Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD:
Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow;
Though they be red like crimson, they may become white as wool."
We don't think this means you can "help" your younger sibling experience God's mercy by "whitewashing" them in a snowbank, but we'll double-check with Fr. Bob to make sure! #ScripturalConnections
It's National Take the Stairs Day, an annual opportunity to forgo the elevator and get the old heart rate going. But since our bodies are "a temple of the Holy Spirit within you" (1 Cor. 6:19), we should each try to take good care of ourselves every day of the year.
So help your fellow OLOW parishioners: what is YOUR favorite "healthy habit"? It doesn't have to be anything herculean; just something small and intentional that you do to help "glorify God with your body." Tell us in the comments below!
With the Christmas season behind us, we now move into the first week of Ordinary Time, designed to help us grow in hope and perseverance. But just because this period doesn't have the high points of Christmas or Easter doesn't mean that it's not a great time to grow in holiness. In addition to daily Mass: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:00 AM, click the link to learn other ways to make your Ordinary Time extraordinary. https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/how-to-celebrate-ordinary-time-in-daily-life
We know the deal: baptism washes away original sin and makes us sons and daughters of God. So…why would Jesus, the sinless Son of God, need to be baptized?
In today's Gospel passage, John the Baptist is clearly wondering the same thing. And yet Jesus tells John to baptize him anyway. Not because he needs it. But because we do. And Jesus meets us in our need.
In many ways, we can think of Jesus's baptism as the water being baptized, or washed clean, by him. He makes the waters of baptism a place where we can truly encounter his saving, cleansing grace. This Sunday at OLOW, let's remember our own baptisms and the great gift that God has given us. #SundayScripture
Ukraine is about 1,500 miles from the Jordan River. But on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which we celebrate tomorrow, Catholics in the Eastern European country "break the ice"--literally--to enter the saving waters of baptism.
Follow the link to learn more! (And we'll see about proposing this "holy polar plunge" to Fr. Bob.)
https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/feasts-holy-days/theophany-or-jordan-ukraine
Are you still celebrating Christmas? You should be. As Catholics, our party welcoming the newborn king goes all the way from Dec. 25 until the Baptism of the Lord, which is this coming Sunday.
The practice of celebrating a big event for several additional days isn't a Catholic invention. It's actually rooted in the Old Testament scriptures. In fact, the Jewish people had multi-day celebrations for Passover (Ex. 12:15-16), the Feast of Booths (Lev. 23-39-41), Solomon's dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8:65), and several other holidays. The idea is that some occasions are so momentous that a typical calendar day isn't long enough to celebrate them properly.
If that's the case for some of these Old Testament feasts, then it's certainly true for the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Join all of us at OLOW as we celebrate the remainder of this Christmas season. #ScripturalConnections
There are millions upon millions of stars in the sky on any given night. Yet for the three wise men, only one mattered. The star over Bethlehem meant something different than all the others in the universe. Instead of conveying the vastness of space, it meant something else: Emmanuel. God is with us.
The coming of Christ was--and continues to be--the answer to the deepest longings of the human heart: to be united with God, for now and for all eternity. And the wisemen's response of joy upon seeing the star of Bethlehem is the only one that makes sense.
Is this our experience when confronted with the coming of Christ? Or has it become something commonplace and insignificant to us? This Epiphany Sunday, let's ask God to help all of us OLOW see Christ's coming like the wise men saw the star — with joy. #SundayScripture
There is power in the name of Jesus, which we meditate upon today, the memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. But did you know there are all kinds of ways to say the name of our savior?
Here's how Catholics say the name of Jesus around the world!
Hebrew: יֵשׁוּעַ (Yēshūaʿ)
Russian: Иисус (Iisus)
Italian: Gesù
Arabic: يسوع (Yasūʿ)
Greek: Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Japanese: イエス (Iesu)
Hindi: यीशु (Yīśu)
The great thing is, no matter how you say it, you're still invoking the name of our Lord, the Son of God who entered into time and space 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. So give it a go, OLOW family: Call upon the name of Jesus in whatever language you like, today and every day.
Happy New Year! And happy Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
Today is a "holy day of obligation," meaning the feast we celebrate is so important that the Church says we should all be together! So make sure to join us for Mass today at Our Lady of the Woods to show our love for Mary and to thank God for 2026! Mass times for today (and every other day) can be found on our website: www.olow.org
Remember, friends - while you celebrate tonight, you should still come join us for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, tomorrow. Mass will be offered at 4:30 PM on 12/31 and 10:00 AM on 1/1.
Learn more about this holy man from the Crossroads Initiative: https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/winning-the-crown-thomas-becket/
Today, we meditate on the fact that Jesus did not just come into the world - he came into the family and subjected himself to family authority and care. How humble and incredible! Mary and Joseph, pray for all our families here at OLOW on this feast.
We continue the "Witness Days" with John the Apostle. He was the only one of the Twelve NOT to be martyred, though he desired to be. Instead, God called him to remain, and granted him the visions that would eventually become the Book of Revelation. It's a good day to brush up on this last book of the Bible: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/apocalypse
Today begins what are called the "Witness Days" in the Church. First up is the deacon Stephen, the first martyr in the Church. As a "martyr in deed," he gave his life for the Lord. Come celebrate with us!
God Almighty came into the open world today and began his saving work. Alleluia, and "Merry Christmas" from all of us here at Our Lady of the Woods!
The O Antiphons create a reverse acrostic, which spells out the Latin phrase, "Tomorrow I will come."
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust! Join us!
It's impossible NOT to notice the turn in today's readings - we shift from Jesus ministering to the beat-by-beat plot leading to His nativity. This is a great time to commit to daily Mass and hear the WHOLE story.
O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!
O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!
O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge!
Today, the United States celebrates the ratification of the Bill of Rights, and the first freedom established in it is freedom of religion. Let's pray for an increase of religious liberty, so that all may be free to follow God at OLOW and around the world. Take a moment and read the Bill of Rights here: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript
Today, we hear Jesus praise John and then add this strange line. What does it mean? Does it mean that John the Baptist isn't an incredible saint? No, all it means is that John, as the Forerunner, isn't in that inner circle of disciples. All Jesus is saying is, "As great as John is, it IS better that you are with Me." Lord, today, draw us closer to You here at OLOW. May we prefer you to all others.
Today also happens to be Gingerbread House Day - so challenge yourself to make one (store-bought kits are fine) that also brings honor to Our Lady. Will you use blue frosting? Mexican flags? Something else? Return to this post and send your pictures in through the comments.
Need a little pick-me-up today, OLOW? Take just 90 seconds and listen to the great Marian hymn of Advent - the Alma Redemptoris Mater: https://youtu.be/flawOw7x3Gg?si=aiD6MACFa0zTbOe1
Today, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we remember how the Father preserved the Blessed Virgin Mary from sin so that she might be the best mother for Our Lord. Join us for Mass today - 9:00 AM & 6:00 PM.
Today's responsorial psalm may feel like it hasn't come to fulfillment, and that is true - in part. But when we think of the many ways the People of God have established justice on the earth - rights for workers and children, the unborn and the elderly, to name a few - we realize that many of the rights we enjoy today have their roots in the life and teachings of our Lord. Join us this weekend to celebrate the great gift of Jesus and the life he brings!
On this day in 1933, Prohibition ended in the United States. If you've got a moment, take some time to (prudently) celebrate…maybe with wine, which "gladdens men's hearts." -Psalm 104:15 Cheers from all of us at OLOW!
One of the greatest Jesuit missionaries, St. Francis was an incredible wonderworker, raising multiple people from the dead, healing the sick, and even once receiving a lost crucifix from a crab (who grabbed it out of the ocean for him!). The artist Rubens painted this image even before Francis Xavier was officially declared a saint. Great missionary and friend of the suffering, pray for us all here at OLOW! Check out the painting here: https://bit.ly/sfx-miracles
OLOW, "…let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation, and hope." We pray to the Lord…
It's easy to think that our lives are completely under control. But all it takes is one unexpected event--like being robbed in the middle of the night!--for us to remember that life is unpredictable and not guaranteed to go the way we want, no matter how much we try to control it.
If this is true on a micro level, it's also true of our lives as a whole. And this is what Christ is reminding us in today's Gospel. Namely, our life is a gift--it isn't something that we have ultimate control over. And it can come to an end suddenly and without warning.
Jesus doesn't tell us to scare us, but rather to help us embrace a simple truth. We should live every day as a precious gift, one that is lived in relationship with God and in service to others. OLOW family, let's all embrace this truth as we begin our Advent journey. #SundayScripture
If a typical painting is worth 1,000 words, then Michelangelo's The Last Judgement might be worth 10,000. Painted in the Sistine Chapel, his masterwork is an artistic expression of the theology of death and judgment, a theme we are meditating upon presently at the end of the liturgical year.
At the center of the painting is Christ, mighty and strong, surrounded by his blessed mother and the apostles and martyrs, and passing judgment on the dead. On the right-hand side of the fresco, we can see the saved being raised from the dead, freed from bondage, and taken up to heaven by angels--while on the left, we can see the damned being carried downward by demons and ushered into eternal fire.
More than just an avant-garde work of art, Michelangelo's The Last Judgement is a call for all of us at OLOW to meditate upon the end of time, and to continue to strive to be among those welcomed into eternal life. #TruthGoodnessBeauty
Happy Thanksgiving! Today is all about giving thanks to God for all the good things we have in our lives. Follow the link for a great Thanksgiving Day prayer from the US bishops.
https://www.usccb.org/prayers/thanksgiving-day-prayer
Tomorrow is turkey day! So what's your favorite Thanksgiving food? With so much stuffing, pie, green beans, corn, cranberries, and, yes, turkey, it's hard to choose!
There are about 700,000 Vietnamese Catholics in the U.S., and today is their day. On this day, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc and Companions, remembering these martyrs whose heroic witness in the 19th century allowed the faith to flourish. Vietnamese Catholics in places like Orange County, Calif., New Orleans, and Houston mark today with beautiful processions that include traditional clothing, colorful lanterns and drums, and a litany of the 117 martyrs' names.
St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc and Companions, pray for all of us at Our Lady of the Woods!
Faced with his own death, the penitent thief embraces a truth that we can so easily forget: that Jesus Christ is king of the universe, and his kingdom will last forever.
This isn’t to say that our lives on earth--our acts of love, justice, and goodness--are meaningless in their own right, just boxes we check on our way to heaven. Instead, what the kingship of Christ conveys is that nothing has any ultimate value apart from him. Because what is not consecrated to Christ, the King of the Universe, will not last.
So OLOW family, let's offer our whole lives--our hearts, bodies, minds, and souls--to Jesus Christ, so that we might enter into his kingdom, now and forever. #SundayScripture
Today we celebrate the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. No, not Mary presenting Jesus at the temple. But Mary herself was presented as a young girl to be consecrated to God. It underscores the important role she was being prepared to play, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament.
Let's look at Mary's different titles, OLOW family, to see how this is the case.
November is almost over, but there's still time to pray for your beloved dead during this special month. Follow the link for info on how to pray a novena, or nine days of prayer, for recently deceased loved ones. Please don't forget our beloved dead here at Our Lady of the Woods.
https://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-for-the-dead
November is devoted to praying for souls in purgatory, and perhaps no work of literature has contributed more to our imagination of this state of being than Dante's Purgatorio.
For Dante, purgatory is a place of penance and purification. Souls ascend a mountain towards heaven, overcoming vices like pride and lust in the process. But they aren't sad about it. Instead, they're hopeful because they know they are on their way to heaven.
Give Dante's Purgatorio a read, and make sure to let us know what you learn! #TruthGoodnessBeauty
Think that all there is to life is power and wealth? St. Elizabeth of Hungary gives us good reason to think again.
Although she was born a noble and married into a wealthy family, she decided that she would devote herself to serving the less fortunate and renounced her wealth. In fact, after her husband died, her in-laws banished her from court, and she experienced poverty first-hand. For Elizabeth, fancy clothing and sumptuous meals weren't life's greatest treasure; serving Jesus was.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary, pray for all of us at Our Lady of the Woods!
In today's Gospel, Jesus tells his followers that they will be persecuted for the sake of his name. He even says that some will be put to death because of their Christian faith. So why does he then say that "not a hair on your head will be destroyed?"
Jesus is telling us that earthly death--or hate, or name-calling, or meanness--is not the final answer. And while difficulties we may endure for the sake of being faithful to Christ may involve hurt and suffering, we are actually experiencing fullness of life by remaining united to Jesus--the source of life itself.
OLOW family, let's put this into practice. Let's all think of an area where being a faithful Christian might cause us discomfort or even disdain from others--at work, at school, or even in our families--and let's commit to being united to Christ in the midst of it. #SundayScripture
St. Thomas Aquinas is arguably the greatest theologian of the Church, but today we celebrate the man who was his mentor: St. Albert the Great.
What about you? Did you have someone who "showed you the ropes" and helped you be who you are today? We'd love to hear from you, OLOW family! Tell us in the comments below.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was the first American citizen to be canonized, after she came to the U.S. to serve immigrant communities around the turn of the 20th century. But believe it or not, she almost never came to America at all.
In fact, the Italian religious sister had initially wanted to serve as a missionary to Asia--just like her namesake, St. Francis Xavier. But Pope Leo XIII told her, "Not to the East, but to the West," and urged her to serve the poor masses of migrants that were arriving on America's shores. She agreed and came to the U.S. in 1889.
Mother Cabrini's impact in America is a powerful testament to the virtues of obedience and trust in providence--and we ask her to pray for all of us here at Our Lady of the Woods.
We're grateful to all of our veterans here at OLOW. Join us in praying this prayer from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Lord God, Almighty Father,
creator of mankind and author of peace,
as we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess,
we ask you to bless the members of our armed forces.
Give them courage, hope, and strength.
May they ever experience your firm support, gentle love, and compassionate healing.
Be their power and protector, leading them from darkness to light.
To you be all glory, honor, and praise, now and forever. Amen.
In today's Gospel, Jesus refers to himself as the true temple. So why do we have a whole feast day dedicated to the founding of a church building?
In a word, because of the Incarnation. Jesus is God become man. So though he is the object of our worship, it's also true that we need a dedicated place to gather as his body, to listen to his word, and to celebrate the sacraments he gave us. This is what churches are for.
Today, we commemorate the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. By celebrating the establishment of this ancient church, the first major church built after Christianity became legal in the Roman Empire, we are, in a sense, celebrating all parishes--including our own Our Lady of the Woods.
So, let's give thanks today to God that we have a place to gather and worship him, both in Rome and here at home. #SundayScripture
Here's a patron saint just in time for deer season.
St. Hubert was a Frankish noble. But after his wife died while giving birth, he left the court and spent all his time in the forest hunting. On Good Friday, when everyone else was in church, he was searching for a big buck. While he was pursuing a stag, the magnificent creature turned toward Hubert, who was astounded to see a crucifix floating between its antlers. Then Hubert heard a voice urging him to repent and seek guidance from a local bishop.
St. Hubert, patron saint of hunters, pray for all of our hunters here at Our Lady of the Woods!
With the chilling of the weather and the falling of the leaves, November is a natural time to think about death and the impermanence of everything that isn't God.
Gerard Manley Hopkins was a great Catholic poet, and his poem Spring and Fall, which was addressed to a young girl saddened by the changing of the season, fits the moment perfectly. Just another example of how good art can help all of us here at Our Lady of the Woods enter more prayerfully into the season.
Spring and Fall
Márgarét, áre you gríeving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leáves like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! ás the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you wíll weep and know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sórrow’s spríngs áre the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It ís the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.
November is dedicated to praying for the dead, and Nov. 1-8 is an especially powerful time to do so. The Church allows us to attain a plenary indulgence for souls in purgatory by visiting a Catholic cemetery during this time. Check out this link to see how it's done!
https://www.churchpop.com/how-you-can-offer-a-plenary-indulgence-for-the-souls-in-purgatory-nov-1-8/
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