Updates
04.11.08 | The readings for this Sunday are HERE.
04.04.08 | The readings for this Sunday are HERE.
03.29.08 | The Florida Catholic’s intrepid sports photographer, Geoff LaRose, has been covering spring sporting events at Jesuit High School this month. Check out the photo gallery of some of his best photos, HERE.
03.28.08 | Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday, a day on which Jesus has promised an abundance of grace. In fact, Jesus himself asked that this day be known for His mercy. In 1931, Jesus appeared to a simple Polish nun, Sister, now Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska and said to her, “I desire that there be a Feast of Mercy.” For more information, see Bishop Wenski’s column this week or read more about the Divine Mercy message, HERE. And, if possible, take part in a Divine Mercy celebration at a parish near you Sunday at 3:00 p.m. — Jesus Himself will be there waiting for you with an abundance of mercy.
The reading for this Sunday are HERE.
03.14.08 | In Sunday’s Gospel, we read of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the cry of the people, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” As Mass progresses we will hear Matthew’s account of the Passion of Jesus. Think about it for a couple of minutes. Every time we participate in the celebration of the Mass we are there to take part in the last week of Jesus’ earthly journey, with Jesus — body and blood, soul and divinity. Let us reflect on this great privilege with gratitude as we continue our journey through this Holy Week, and with every Mass we take part in.
03.07.08 | In this Sunday’s Gospel, John relates the earthly resurrection of Jesus’ friend, Lazarus. He writes that Lazarus was bound hand and foot in his burial cloth and Jesus orders him to be untied. St. Augustine writes of this as a metaphor of our bondage by sin. Is that the situation in our lives? As we near the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection it just might be a good time to loosen our bonds with the sacrament of reconciliation.
02.29.08 | What is it Jesus is telling us in Sunday’s Gospel? Though the blind man’s cure was physical after his encounter with Jesus, the Pharisees could only “see” that Jesus’ real message was one of physical healing. They just didn’t get it. Do we? Sunday’s Gospel is one to ponder and reflect upon. And, what better time than Lent, a time of reflection and re–thinking.
02.22.08 | In this Sunday’s Readings, Jesus meets the “woman at the well.”
02.15.08 | If there was any doubt in the minds of the apostles whom Jesus really was, the experience of the Transfiguration in Sunday’s Gospel should have erased all uncertainty. Who do you say that Jesus is? Sit quietly for a few minutes and read verse 5 over and over a number of times. Now, who do you say Jesus is?
02.15.08 | In a flash, teenagers’ arms sprang up one after another, filling the room with a “wave” of motion. Just midway through a three-day conference, youths of the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee were working together to make something happen. MORE…
02.15.08 | Do you live in the Miami area and have a penchant for acting? If so, or if you just enjoy stage productions, check out Hechos de Barro (Made of Clay). The theatrical group is made up of youths and young adults and toured 20 parishes last year performing one of their plays. MORE…
02.15.08 | More than 1 billion people in the world are Catholic. Yet the idea of the “mystical body of Christ” can be hard to grasp.¶ Not so for young adults who took part in Faithfest 2008 at St. Thomas University. By bringing together hundreds of young Catholics from all over the Archdiocese of Miami — and even as far as Canada — the annual gathering is a tangible expression of how all Catholics are “one body in Christ.” MORE…
02.12.08 | At our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami, students, faculty and parents celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Blessed Virgin’s appearance at Lourdes, France Feb 11. Daniel Soñé was there to record the Mass. His photos begin here.
02.09.08 | In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is tempted by Satan and what do you know, he was overcome by temptation. He chose the temptation of good – the promises of God the Father. Temptation is not necessarily negative, in fact it is something that is a part of our God given free will. The next time we are put to the test, will temptation be negative or positive for us – it’s our choice, thank God!
02.02.08 | Jesuit High School’s junior varsity basketball team is having a good season. In fact, they are having a great season with a record to date of 23 wins and NO losses. Florida Catholic’s Geoff LaRose was there the other night when the junior hoopsters took on Tampa Catholic. Check out the photos HERE.
02.02.08 | This This Sunday’s readings point us toward humility. How tough is that? Perhaps humility, true humility is one of the most difficult virtues to live. The reading conclude with Jesus’ early teachings of the Beatitudes — “blessed are they…” In all of his humanness, Jesus accomplished the life he espoused and many saints have worked to follow in those footsteps and are truly blessed.
With today’s posting we have added a new feature — a direct link to the Gospel readings for better reference and hopefully, a more complete understanding.
01.28.08 | Do you have a penchant for art? If so, check out Florida Catholic’s Easter Art Contest. The winning entrant’s work will be featured on the cover of the March 21 diocesan Easter editions of the paper and, along with runners–up, will be featured in a multimedia presentation right here on the Florida Catholic Online Edition. The winning entry will also receive a $50.00 iTunes Gift Card and 5 runners-up will each receive a $10.00 iTunes Gift Card.
01.25.08 | The big gathering for young people this week was in Washington for the March For Life and the Florida Catholic was right there reporting on perhaps what has become one of the largest youth movements to proclaim the right to life. The stories and photo gallery begins HERE.
01.25.08 | This Sunday’s readings speak to an opportunity that the first four apostles were presented with. ¶ Imagine for a moment, you and your brother are out fishing one morning and a relative stranger walks up and says, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” That’s weird, but brothers Peter and Andrew dropped their nets “immediately” and followed the stranger, Jesus. ¶ Only God’s grace could have been at work there. ¶ That same grace is at work in us and we have the same opportunity daily when we awaken. Do we take advantage of that opportunity – one day at a time – and begin the day choosing to follow Jesus. Check that opportunity out tomorrow morning with a simple prayer, a smile and acts or random kindness. It’s your opportunity. What will be your choice?
01.18.08 | The reflections on the readings in “Sunday head’s up” ask the question, “How does a teenager do God’s work?” That’s a good question for all people of faith of all ages. Do we do God’s work when we provide food for the hungry or give shelter to the homeless? Of course we do, but what about all the times in between? How about a simple smile for all we meet in the course of the day? St. Terese of Lisieux believed that too was God’s work. In Story of A Soul she writes, “A word, a kindly smile, will often suffice to gladden a wounded and sorrowful heart.” Simply, God’s work!
01.11.08 | In Delray Beach, teenage performers have given up part of their weekends for nearly a year and sacrificed a great deal — all to benefit their church building fund. Read Filipino youths perform for fund, HERE.
01.11.08 | “Try to imagine what it would be like on a hot and dry day to go to the river and be baptized by John the Baptizer. Try to imagine being drenched with water as you make a new commitment to life without sin. Then imagine Jesus, the one John has been preaching about. He gets baptized himself, and the skies open up and a dove alights on him, and you hear the voice of God announce pleasure with what Jesus has done.” Think about it as you reflect on this Sunday's readings, HERE.
01.04.08 | This Sunday we celebrate the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles with the story of the three Magi. We celebrate HIS birth and now we celebrate HIS great and glorius revelation to the world. What gifts will be bring to HIM? Gold, frankencense, myrrh or just the greatest gift we can give to Jesus, ourselves? Think about it as you reflect on this Sunday's readings, HERE.
12.28.07 | This Sunday we reflect upon the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. What do you do to bring holiness to your family? It's not always up to our parents or our siblings, but it's really up to each and everyone of us as individuals to work at making our families more holy. Sunday's readings are HERE.
12.22.07 | WE HAVE A WINNER! Sixteen year-old Carolina Valdes-Lora from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami took first place honors in the Florida Catholic’s Christmas Cover Art Contest. Karen Osborne interviewed Carolina and her story is HERE. We have prepared a special multimedia presentation of the work of the winners and runners-up. Check it out HERE.
12.22.07 | There are some interesting stories from around the state this week that might be of particular interest to you. Check out the NEWS page here for headlines, briefs and links to those articles.
12.22.07 | Sunday’s Gospel is a great reminder of the difference in the ways of the world and the way’s of God. How apparent that became to St. Joseph. How often in prayer have we been inspired with a direction that seems opposed to the ways of the world yet fully in accord with God’s commandments? How often have we dismissed such thoughts because we might seem out of place? Perhaps it’s something to think about - and pray about. Sunday's readings are HERE.
12.15.07 | Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas High School wins state 5A football championship. The story is HERE.
12.14.07 | As we wait to celebrate Christmas day we reflect this week on the awesomeness of Jesus. Imagine, John the Baptist knew Whose birth was on the horizon, but how many others at the time didn't even have a clue of the event that would forever change the course of the world. We know too Whose birth we are about to celebrate. Are we ready? Are we prepared? Sunday's readings are HERE.
12.07.07 | If you are looking for prayers and reflections while lighting the candles of your Advent wreath, look no further — we have made it easy for you to download and print the prayers for each Sunday of Advent HERE.
12.07.07 | Speaking of justice, have you kept up with the farmworkers' attempts to obtain a penny more per pound for the tomatoes they pick? If not, you might want to check out Tomato workers’ penny-more-a-pound daylong protest targets Burger King
12.07.07 | As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Second Sunday of Advent is a good time for reflection; reflection on our lives, our interaction with others, and especially our relationship with God. Sunday's readings are HERE.
11.23.07 | This Sunday, Nov. 25, is the Feast of Christ the King and the last Sunday of the church's liturgical year. Jesus' final promise made to Dismas, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise,” are words of hope for us all. Sunday's readings are HERE.
11.17.07 | "Only Then Will Your House Be Blessed" is one of singer and songwriter Harry Manx's latest offerings. It's a nice acoustic sound with an important message that, according to Manx speaks of, "taking personal responsibility for the world you live in." Manx's recording is available courtesy of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. Check it our HERE.
11.15.07 | "Even the smallest act of kindness can bring joy and relief to another," our bishop's tell us in "Stewardship and Teenagers: The Challenge of Being a Disciple," which was approved yesterday by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at their annual meeting in Baltimore. Patricia Zapor of CNS provides a quick read with links to the full text HERE.
11.10.07 | Chaminade - Madonna took on Baypoint High School last night on Baypoint's field and went home with a 31 - 28 victory to end regular season play. Next week, the Lions begin their post-season quest toward the state championships. Take a look: Sports
11.10.07 | City rivals, Jesuit (5 - 5) and Tampa Catholic (8 - 2) played their final regular game of the season on Jesuit's home turf last evening in a nip and tuck battle that saw Jesuit sew up the game with a score of 31 to 28 in the final seconds on a 43 yard field goal by Jesuit's Adam Perhosky. Take a look: Sports
11.10.07 | Naples' St. John Neumann Lady Celtics battled Immaculata LaSalle on the soccer field on Nov. 2 with the Miami school taking home a close 1 - 0 win. The Florida Catholic's Megan Magiera was there. Take a look: Sports
11.03.07 | Chaminade-Madonna Lady Lions took on Monsignor Edward Pace Lady Spartans this morning in Chaminande's first home soccer match of the season. The Florida Catholic's sports photojournalist, Jessica Ryckman, was there to bring you the action. Take a look: Sports
11.03.07 | Do you know what God's ways are? Do you know what God is thinking? Take a minute and see, here in 2day.
11.03.07 | Forgiveness - how we admire that quality in others. I sure do, beacuse I seem to need it a lot and Sunday's readings remind us of God's unconditional love and that he is always ready to forgive. Now, if I could be a little more like that. See sundays head's up. What do you think?
11.03.07 | Jesuit High School Junior Varsity Football team traveled across town to take on Tampa Catholic and the Florida Catholic's sports photojournalist Geoff LaRose was there. Take a look: Sports
10.31.07 | Happy Halloween! Are you artistically inclined? Good, because we need an artist to design the Christmas Cover of the Florida Catholic. Here is a link to an article that will appear in the November 2nd Edition, but I thought I would post it here first. Alright, get out the pencils, crayons, ink, oils, torn pieces of construction paper or whatever and give it a go!
10.27.07 | Sports photographers Megan Magiera from St. John Neumann High School in Naples and Geoff LaRose from Jesuit High School in Tampa filed action photographs from their Football Homecoming Games last night (10.26). Check them out in Sports.
10.27.07 | Sunday's readings give us something to think about in our prayer lives. See sundays head's up. What do you think?
10.27.07 | Are there struggles in your life? There are in all of our lives and yet where do we turn? Take a couple of minutes, give it up, and reflect upon the thought and prayer in 2day. It will do you good!
10.27.07 | One of the benefits of being a Web Content Editor, besides the long hours and late nights, is I am able to read so many articles from around the state. I have assembled some of the headlines from this week's editions that I thought you might enjoy. Check them out in news.
Remember, Sunday is also Priesthood Sunday. Take a moment to thank your parish priest and remember him in your prayers.
God Bless,
Ed Foster Jr.
Web Content Editor
We agree with Pope John Paul II. You are important to us — please — let us know how we may serve you best. You can contact us at: teens@thefloridacatholic.org