Alleluia -- Col 3:15a, 16a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel - Lk 2:41-52

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast
of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor
before God and man.

Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (Year C)

Today’s awesome Feast of the Holy Family is found amid the Octave of Christmas. The Octave of Christmas contains within its days other awesome feasts such as the feast of the deacon and first martyr of the Church Saint Stephan, the feast of Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, and the feast of the Holy Innocents. And January 1st is the Feast of Mary Mother of God. This feast day – the Feast of the Holy Family – is properly situated so close to the celebration of the Lord’s Nativity on Christmas.

A wall in the Basilica has on it posted the parish Christmas cards which contain photos of many of the young families of our parish. The wall and those family photos bring to life the day-in and day-out work and love that goes on in the family unit. They have a beauty all their own because they reflect the very home and family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, as He grew up from the infant to a young adult. Thank you for sending such beautiful cards!

For Christmas, I received a greeting in my text messages which illustrates Jesus as an adult giving out baskets of gifts. Jesus had many baskets with Him … In some of the baskets, there was one  filled with gifts of Peace and Blessings. There was also a basket from Jesus filled with Forgiveness and Good Health. And there were two more baskets – one filled with Joy, and another filled with Hope. There was a basket filled with the gift of Family, and still another with a Happy Home. As I watched the message play, I thought about today, this Feast of the Holy Family, and how wholesome it is to have an environment in which we find a happy and wholesome family in the home despite the many trials in life.

In our day, I think there must be many people living without a loving family; it cannot be easy, but all the more reason for them to look at the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to sooth and to heal them from their trials and to give them strength. And there is also all the more reason for those whose families are intact to count their blessings and to pray to the Holy Family that their homes, too, continue to be filled now more than ever with our Savior’s blessings for a hopeful and successful future.

Within this Octave, and on this the Feast of the Holy Family, we pray with the very same words that we prayed on Christmas Day: Today is born a Savior, Christ the Lord!

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Rector

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor & Rector, Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Saint Anthony Parish

First Reading - Sir 3:2-6, 12-14

God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5.

R. (cf. 1)  Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Second Reading - Col 3:12-21

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged.

Spiritual Communion

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.

Catholic Resources for the Homebound Parishioner

Free Resource

Youngstown Diocese resource for at-home catechesis.

Videos

Catholic Bible Study | A Friendly Approach

Introduction to Bible Study

Song of Songs

The Book of Proverbs

Italian Culture Online

Bocce Basics & Strategy

Cooking: Pizza Margerhita

Cooking: Pizza Fritta

How To Live-Stream The Holy Mass

The Basilica of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is grateful for the participation and involvement of the faithful within our live-streamed Masses throughout the Stay At Home Order and the Responsible Restart Ohio Order. We are excited and thankful to continue to have the opportunity and capability to deliver the Sacred Liturgy to all those still at home. You can access the links to the Mass live-streams through our website, OLMCSTA.com and Facebook, as well.
Thank you all again for your participation from home in the Holy Mass, and we look forward to seeing you all soon. May the risen Christ bless you all with His perfect peace as we continue to move forward through these challenging times.

Light of Faith And Family Formation Program for Families | for students K-12 and Parents

Goals and Mission

  • The program supports parents and guardians as the first teachers of their children in the ways of the Catholic Faith.
  • Explore and learn through Sacred Scripture how to connect and live our Faith in today’s world.
  • Learn more about the teachings of the Catholic Church.
  • Explore the Catholic Tradition and Sacraments.

Sacraments

  • Baptism
  • Communion
  • Confirmation
  • Marriage

Rite of Christain Initiation (RCIA)

  • A program for adults seeking to learn, understand and enter the Catholic Faith.
  • Adults who for one reason or another have not begun or completed their full Sacramental Initiation into the Catholic Church.

Contact The Religious Education Offices
Ph. 330-743-3508

NEW: Give Online with WeShare

Donations made to the general collection are used to offset the costs associated with day-to-day operations of our parish and its programs. Additionally, your contribution will benefit our sacramental preparation services, liturgical programs, and Religious Education programs. Parish members are encouraged to set up an account and manage their contributions. You will have complete control over your contribution amount and frequency of payments. Thank you for your investment and continued support of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Church.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica 343 Via Mount Carmel, Youngstown, OH 44505 Ph. 330-743-4144 | Office of Religious Education: 330-743-3508

Saint Anthony of Padua Church 1125 Turin Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44510 PO Box 1256, Youngstown, OH 44501 Ph. 744-5091