Bishop Ray’s Blog
Finding Meaning in Each Day
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Anthony D’Ambrosio-Three Unforgettable Experiences
Read more: Anthony D’Ambrosio-Three Unforgettable ExperiencesSt. Kevin Roman Catholic Church, Flushing, New York There are some people we meet in this life who make a lasting impression on us! The ‘larger than life’ personality of Anthony (Tony) D’Ambrosio, who came into my life in 1989, was this type of person. It began as a business relationship but eventually evolved into a wonderful friendship. Tony was the founder of D’Ambrosio Ecclesial Art Studio (a company that does church renovations), based in Mt Kisco, NY, where he lived with his wife, Marian, and his family. I once visited them in their home for dinner and a…
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The ORDO – A Daily Remembrance
Read more: The ORDO – A Daily RemembranceThe Ordo is a book found in almost every church sacristy to help the celebrant of the Mass in two ways. Upon entering the sacristy, it is checked for the order of the celebration: color of vestments, type of feast, scripture readings for the Mass, and some brief information about the saint if a saint’s feast is being celebrated that day. So, the Ordo provides any and all liturgical information to make things run smoothly at the altar and in the ambo (pulpit). But there is also another important and most useful reason to consult the Ordo: it also contains…
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Eucharistic Revival – it’s never finished!
Read more: Eucharistic Revival – it’s never finished!The Church in the USA recently developed a three-year program to revitalize the awareness of the importance and centrality of the Holy Eucharist. Please God, its impact will have been worth all the time and effort put into it. There were events on the national, diocesan, and local parish levels. Efforts were made to deepen the appreciation of the Eucharist celebrated at our altars, adored in the monstrance, and reserved in the tabernacle. The celebration of the Eucharist is the heart and soul of who we are as Catholics. It is the center of our lives as followers of Jesus.…
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Preparing for a homily for Sunday Mass requires prayer and more prayer
Read more: Preparing for a homily for Sunday Mass requires prayer and more prayerHomily at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Bayside, September 11, 2024 Preparing for a homily for Sunday Mass requires prayer time and more prayer! After doing this for more than 55 years as a deacon, priest, and bishop, I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to offer reflections on God’s word to God’s people. The homilist is in a unique position to speak words that both comfort and challenge the listeners. It is a privileged opportunity to preach God’s word! Before delivering a homily, my practice has always been to whisper a prayer asking that I might speak what God…
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