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Deacon Omar Gutierrez Deacon Omar Gutierrez

Ask a Deacon: Why Do We Use Incense?

Q: “Sometimes I bring guests to Mass at Newman and they ask what the incense is for. I realized I can’t answer them very well - why do we use incense at Mass?”

The Mass includes many little things: vestments, candles, movements, bells, even silent prayers. These have been added over the centuries to the original Mass that the Apostles knew. In this installment of Ask a Deacon, I’ll share where the practice of using incense at Mass comes from and its meaning.

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Guest User Guest User

In Thanksgiving for JPII Newman…

A few members of the JPII Newman community reflect on what they’ve found to be grateful for here. For coworkers, friends, life lessons, and encounters with Christ.

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Fr. Dan Andrews Fr. Dan Andrews

Ask a Priest: What is a Sabbatical?

A sabbatical is an extended time away from his normal duties so that a priest may maintain his effectiveness and expertise in ministry by way of spiritual and/or educational experiences. A sabbatical is distinct from other leaves such as vacation, sick leave, assignments outside the diocese, etc.

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Deacon Omar Gutierrez Deacon Omar Gutierrez

Ask a Deacon: Why Confess to a Priest?

This is a very common question, and it is entirely reasonable. Yes, one can confess directly to God. He’s God, after all. But by leaving it there, we ignore a crucial part of what it means to be a Christian. We should start with Jesus’ teaching.

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Julia K. Palzer Julia K. Palzer

Plan for the Future: Make a Will!

Did you know that August is ‘Make a Will’ month? Neither did I, but apparently, it’s a thing! I’m glad it’s a thing, too, because it is very important.

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Meg Collins Meg Collins

RAs Recommend

The JPII Newman RA team is sharing their go-tos in the area for food, coffee, and sweet treats!

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Fr. Dan Andrews Fr. Dan Andrews

Ask a Priest: Why do we baptize infants in the Catholic Church?

Catholics have been baptizing babies ever since Jesus commanded his followers to baptize all people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). Since faith is needed to be baptized the parents extend their faith on behalf of the child.

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Fr. Dan Andrews Fr. Dan Andrews

Ask a Priest: How do I Bring Someone Back to Faith?

The very fact that we want someone to come back to life in the Church shows that we have great love for them. To love means to will the good of the other. There is no greater good than to have life in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It’s so beautiful to desire this for a relative or friend.

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Fr. Scott Schilmoeller Fr. Scott Schilmoeller

Ask a Priest: How do I discern a vocation?

What is a vocation?

Vocation comes from the Latin word ‘vocare’ which means ‘to call.’ God is calling all of us to a relationship with Himself right now.  A vocation is a response to how Jesus is already calling you to be in relationship with Himself.  In this relationship, Jesus will show you His plan for your life.

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Matt and Naomi Davis Matt and Naomi Davis

Why We Tithe

“Freedom has been the greatest fruit of tithing. It has become a source of joy and peace in our life as we strive to be in the world, but not of it.”

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Max Schrader Max Schrader

This Lent, Try Eucharistic Adoration

“If we are to experience the Eucharist as the source and summit of all Christian life, then we must celebrate it with faith, receive it with reverence, and allow it to transform our minds and hearts through the prayer of adoration.”

– St. John Paul II

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Deacon Omar Gutierrez Deacon Omar Gutierrez

Ask a Deacon: What is a Deacon?

[...] what is a deacon? A deacon is ordained; so, he is a cleric and no longer a layperson. A deacon is ordered not to the ministerial priesthood, to Christ the priest, but rather to Christ the servant. We teach that Jesus instituted the priesthood at the Last Supper. But St. John’s version of the Last Supper has Jesus washing the feet of the apostles. There we read Jesus say, “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (Jn. 13:15) This model of servant is the identity into which the deacon is ordered.

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Fr. Dan Andrews Fr. Dan Andrews

Ask a Priest: Who Goes to Heaven?

“Who wants to go to heaven?”

When I put the question out in a crowded room every hand goes up, naturally. Notions of heaven differ but in general people perceive it as a place of perfect happiness and love, where pain and suffering are removed, and we are with the ones we love. Yes, we want to go to heaven. But who’s going to be there?

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Deacon Omar Gutierrez Deacon Omar Gutierrez

A Seeking Rooted in Faith: The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict’s written voice was clear and loving and careful and everything that we need most in the world today. Thanks to his writings, we have not lost that voice. We can keep it and return to it. Perhaps someday here we can discuss his writings. But along with his written voice we can find solace in that through his passing we have gained an advocate in him, one who will intercede, God willing, in our lives, and aid us in our prayer and in our being Church.

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