Saturday for Teens: Music!

Speaking personally, modern Christian music changed my life of faith forever. While the Holy Spirit did all the hard work on my heart, for me, music was the vehicle of conversion that helped me to fall in love with Christ, and launched me into an adult life in which I wanted to live boldly as a Catholic Christian! My husband chuckles, but music continues to be a way into my heart today.

So, I humbly share with you a piece of my heart!  For the teens at Saint Agnes, maybe you will find a new artist who inspires you, a song that is relevant, or a hymn that reminds you to pray during a difficult moment.  Only the Holy Spirit can know what difference it might make to you!

Phew!  Does anyone else think that springtime is stressful?  I remember that as a teenager, the mountain of projects, applications, deadlines, activities, and commissioning ceremonies was like a deadweight on my shoulders!  I absorbed a lot of the stress and often felt so much pressure to execute each and every expectation of the season.

Then my junior year, things began to fall apart and I had to take a step back and think about the eternal perspective on all of these things that demand our attention in life: "What is the meaning of this project?  Yes, I have to complete it, but is it as importantly terrible as I am making it out to be?  Maybe it's time to take a half hour and sit with Jesus.  If I never meet this person's expectations to the highest degree, how will that effect the future of my eternal life with God?"

It's time to stop, breathe, think, and pray!  God is bigger than these problems, and He loves you deeper than all that stress you may have internalized. His love is forever, He made you perfectly, and  meeting everyone else's demands will never, ever compare with having a secure friendship with Christ.  So don't forget to take a step back this spring, and remember to keep everything in perspective :)

Here is a great article about Pope Francis' tips for daily steps to holiness.

Saturday for Teens: Music & Adoration!

Speaking personally, modern Christian music changed my life of faith forever. While the Holy Spirit did all the hard work on my heart, for me, music was the vehicle of conversion that helped me to fall in love with Christ, and launched me into an adult life in which I wanted to live boldly as a Catholic Christian! My husband chuckles, but music continues to be a way into my heart today.

So, I humbly share with you a piece of my heart!  For the teens at Saint Agnes, maybe you will find a new artist who inspires you, a song that is relevant, or a hymn that reminds you to pray during a difficult moment.  Only the Holy Spirit can know what difference it might make to you!

Next Friday is the First Friday of May, and that means there will be Adoration all day at Saint Agnes, concluding in Benediction and Mass at 5:00 and 5:30 pm, respectively. Adoration can be a difficult thing for some people to understand - why do it? I once heard an analogy about adoration, perhaps it will help you too:

What happens for a long time when you sit in front of the sun? You are not touching the sun, and it seems a long way off. You might be bored, you might fall asleep, you might not even notice its presence above you. But later, you will be changed by the sun in a very tangible way -- you will have a sunburn, and you will notice!

Spending time in Adoration is not all that unlike sunbathing. You may not feel different, you may not seem to be doing much of anything, you might even fall asleep! But real the presence of Christ's body, blood, soul, and divinity WILL change you. God alone has the power to "irradiate" your soul, and change your heart. You might be surprised sitting there, feeling bored, what thoughts come to your mind, what thoughts you bring forward, what insights are given by the Holy Spirit, or what questions you have to ask. Things are changing, and someday, you will notice!

Even if you have nothing to do, try spending some time in front of the Son. Every relationship starts with time invested.

Come to Adoration next Friday, May 6th, at any time until 5:00 pm!

Saturday for Teens: Music!

Speaking personally, modern Christian music changed my life of faith forever. While the Holy Spirit did all the hard work on my heart, for me, music was the vehicle of conversion that helped me to fall in love with Christ, and launched me into an adult life in which I wanted to live boldly as a Catholic Christian! My husband chuckles, but music continues to be a way into my heart today.

So, I humbly share with you a piece of my heart!  For the teens at Saint Agnes, maybe you will find a new artist who inspires you, a song that is relevant, or a hymn that reminds you to pray during a difficult moment.  Only the Holy Spirit can know what difference it might make to you!

This week is the beginning of April Vacation - what a free and amazing week... that has such a mixed set of stereotypes to go with it! MTV's Spring Break show set the a new idea for teens that spring break is not a week of refreshment and rest, but one of crazy partying and self-centeredness.

So what are you doing in the coming week? Let's turn the concept of spring break on its head!

1. Spend a bit of your free time in prayer, asking God your hard questions, or joining in the parish discussion on the book "Rediscover Jesus," which is still available in the back of church for free.
2. Spend some time recognizing your part in evangelizing the world around us, giving service or a caring hand. Being the "salt of the earth" means immersing ourselves into our culture, but bringing the joy and hope of the Gospel along with us! Too many people struggle with the idea of a God who loves them deeply, because they have not experienced the idea of a human who loves them deeply. Be the "salt of the earth" for someone in need of love.
3. Earn a few bucks by helping out your parents or grandparents, tithe 10% to your favorite cause, save 10% for your future, then get yourself some SWAG for upcoming Respect Life T-shirt Day on April 22, 2016!! 
4. Don't forget to rest, of course :) 

Remember, YOU can make a difference. YOU matter. YOU are a powerful witness for good. Now go out there and have a great spring break!!

Here is a flyer containing information about

more events for youth in the Boston Archdiocese.

Saturday for Kids: Music!

Speaking personally, modern Christian music changed my life of faith forever. While the Holy Spirit did all the hard work on my heart, for me, music was the vehicle of conversion that helped me to fall in love with Christ, and launched me into an adult life in which I wanted to live boldly as a Catholic Christian! My husband chuckles, but music continues to be a way into my heart today.

So, I humbly share with you a piece of my heart!  For the teens at Saint Agnes, maybe you will find a new artist who inspires you, a song that is relevant, or a hymn that reminds you to pray during a difficult moment.  Only the Holy Spirit can know what difference it might make to you!

The children's choir at our parish sings this Sunday, April 10th at the 9:00 am Mass.  What can children's music add to our lives as Christians?  For one, it gives children that opportunity for which Jesus longed, "Let the children come to Me" (Mark 10:14).  Second, it gives children a chance to learn about God's love via the song that's about to get stuck in their heads! There are definitely a lot better lyrics to be stuck in a kid's head than some things on mainstream radio today. Your child carries these messages with them throughout the day. Finally, as parents, we also benefit by teaching and singing songs with our children, and remembering God's love in the middle of our busy, often poorly-prioritized days. Let's not be too proud to sing a good song with our kids (hey, you might even like it)!

The videos to these songs are sometimes hokey, but the music is great!  If you find the hokey-ness distracting, just turn off the monitor and enjoy hearing about God's enormous love!

Saint Agnes Children's Choir

Are you children interested in singing in the Children's Choir at Saint Agnes?  The children sing about once per month, and the printable schedule is posted here.  Encouraging your kids to be involved in the Mass is a wonderful way to foster their joy!  It also (helps) them to pay attention and to make new friends at church.  Join us!

More information and schedules can be found at the Music Ministry Website, www.AgnesMusic.net, or by emailing Michael Vaughan (mrv2022 [at] gmail.com).

Saturday for Teens: Music!

Speaking personally, modern Christian music changed my life of faith forever. While the Holy Spirit did all the hard work on my heart, for me, music was the vehicle of conversion that helped me to fall in love with Christ, and launched me into an adult life in which I wanted to live boldly as a Catholic Christian! My husband chuckles, but music continues to be a way into my heart today.

So, I humbly share with you a piece of my heart!  For the teens at Saint Agnes, maybe you will find a new artist who inspires you, a song that is relevant, or a hymn that reminds you to pray during a difficult moment.  Only the Holy Spirit can know what difference it might make to you!

Easter is almost here!  But first, the great story of Holy Week has yet to unfold. This week is filled with beautiful liturgies of the Church which are not held during any other time of our calendar. The Mass of the Lord's Supper and Easter Vigil are two amazing Masses that tell the story of our faith in a unique way.  If you have never been - consider going this year with an open heart!  And, if you haven't yet been to confession in Lent, take seriously a chance to go before Easter arrives.  Saint Agnes has confessions on Tuesday, March 22nd at 3:30 pm, and again Wednesday, March 23rd at 6:30 pm.  In fact, every church in the diocese has confessions on Wednesday evening as part of the Light is On for You program!

Pope Francis has given our Universal Church a great gift by stressing the reality of God's mercy, and with it, the abundance of His forgiveness.  No one can call themselves a Christian without a very real understanding of themselves as a sinner, as well as the ocean of God's mercy which is extended in a very personal way to each one of us. This self-awareness of receiving God's mercy is what motivates Christians to love others as God has loved them, including extending forgiveness and mercy in abundance of 70x7 (Matthew 18:21-22). Confession often intimidates people, but enjoying the freedom of God's mercy is unmatched!

Here is an article speaking a bit more about Pope Francis' encouraging words to make a good confession.

Saturday for Teens: Music!

Speaking personally, modern Christian music changed my life of faith forever. While the Holy Spirit did all the hard work on my heart, for me, music was the vehicle of conversion that helped me to fall in love with Christ, and launched me into an adult life in which I wanted to live boldly as a Catholic Christian! My husband chuckles, but music continues to be a way into my heart today.

So, I humbly share with you a piece of my heart!  For the teens at Saint Agnes, maybe you will find a new artist who inspires you, a song that is relevant, or a hymn that reminds you to pray during a difficult moment.  Only the Holy Spirit can know what difference it might make to you!

In this season of Lent, we are all called to repent of our sins and return to the Lord.  This is such an important season of renewal because Christianity can sometimes become difficult - or even trite - in the hands of perfectionists (like me).  Lent reminds us what is at the heart of Christianity, which is not a race of perfect people. Rather, it is a family unified by their recognition of sinfulness and their salvation in the forgiveness and love of God; the person Christ Jesus. Christians (as we too often forget) should steer themselves away from the image of being a self-perfected person! Lent reminds us that only through repentance and the merits of Christ are we sanctified and drawn closer to the Lord (Hebrews 10). Countless biblical stories teach us that sometimes these failures can have triumphant endings! Christian music, often impassioned with stories of failure, difficulty, and triumph in Christ, carries this compelling message in its lyrics. Accepting failure in obedience to God's will is the realization of many great saints!

Saint Josephine Bakhita, who was enslaved and abused before becoming a religious sister said if she could meet her captives again:

"I would kneel and kiss their hands. For if those things had not happened, I would not have been a Christian and a religious today.”

Pope Francis during a Mass in his Americas 2016 trip:

"We are often the slaves of appearances and allow ourselves to pursue appearances: ‘But God knows the truth’.... We have all been chosen by the Lord to be baptized, to be part of His people, to be saints; we have been consecrated by the Lord on the path towards sainthood. Reading about this life [King David], the life of a child – no… not a child, he was a boy – from boyhood to old age, during which he did many good things and others that were not so good. It makes me think that during the Christian journey, the journey the Lord has invited us to undertake, there is no saint without a past and no sinner without a future."

“To your Mercy, O Lord, I entrust my past. My present, to your Love, and my future, to your Providence.”

-Saint Padre Pio-

Here's an article discussing the obedience of Christ to the messiness of the Father's will; a sanctifying act for us all.

"Here the will of God is done, as God wills, and as long as God wills."

-Saint Gerard Majella-

Saturday for Teens: Music & Adoration!

Speaking personally, modern Christian music changed my life of faith forever. While the Holy Spirit did all the hard work on my heart, for me, music was the vehicle of conversion that helped me to fall in love with Christ, and launched me into an adult life in which I wanted to live boldly as a Catholic Christian! My husband chuckles, but music continues to be a way into my heart today.

So, I humbly share with you a piece of my heart!  For the teens at Saint Agnes, maybe you will find a new artist who inspires you, a song that is relevant, or a hymn that reminds you to pray during a difficult moment.  Only the Holy Spirit can know what difference it might make to you!

Next Friday is the First Friday of March, and that means there will be Adoration all day at Saint Agnes, concluding in Benediction and Mass at 5:00 and 5:30 pm, respectively.  Try to take a moment to stop in and visit our Lord. It is such a great privilege and blessing to spend time with the Living God! For someone who has never been to Adoration, the idea of sitting silently with a visible slice of bread sounds crazy.  But Christ is present -- Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.  Don't believe me?  Go sit with the Eucharist yourself and ask your hard questions!  You will find Him there waiting for you.

Tantum Ergo is the traditional Latin hymn which is sung during Benediction (blessing with the Eucharist), but my heart came on fire when I first understood the English translation.  Below are both versions, and two songs which remind me of the warm discussion with Christ that can happen when you sit and stay a while. Come to Adoration next Friday, March 4th, at any time until 5:00 pm!

Tantum Ergo

Tantum ergo Sacramentum

Veneremur cernui

Et antiquum documentum

Novo cedat ritui

Praestet fides supplementum

Sensuum defectui.

Come Adore

Come adore this wondrous presence,

Bow to Christ the source of grace.

Here is kept the ancient promise

Of God's earthly dwelling place.

Sight is blind before God's glory,

Faith alone may see His face.

Saturday for Teens: Music!

Welcome all!  Our family has been away traveling this week, so sorry for the lapse in updates.  However, LIFT is coming this Tuesday, so it's time for a Christian music blog post!

Speaking personally, modern Christian music changed my life of faith forever. While the Holy Spirit did all the hard work on my heart, for me, music was the vehicle of conversion that helped me to fall in love with Christ, and launched me into an adult life in which I wanted to live boldly as a Catholic Christian! My husband chuckles, but music continues to be a way into my heart today.

So, I humbly share with you a piece of my heart!  For the teens at Saint Agnes, maybe you will find a new artist who inspires you, a song that is relevant, or a hymn that reminds you to pray during a difficult moment.  Only the Holy Spirit can know what difference it might make to you!

This coming week, LIFT Music Ministry will visit Saint Camillus Church in Arlington on Tuesday, February 23rd. I encourage you to go with an open mind and heart! Like the rosary and other Catholic prayers, many praise and worship songs are repetitive and meditative in their style. This type of prayer might put some people out of their comfort zone, but adoring the Lord and singing His praises can be an encounter completely different from singing Christmas carols in front of your grandma! Let God lead the way in prayer, and He will give you the words to speak and the ears to hear.

Details on the event are below. You can invite a friend, or just go to sit in the back and quietly let the Holy Spirit be with you!

With thanks to our Confirmation Director, Nancy Feeman,

LIFT Ministries is coming to Saint Camillus in Arlington

on February 23rd from 7-9 pm!

See the poster below for details, or email Confirmation@SaintAgnes.net.

Saturday for Teens: Music!

Speaking personally, modern Christian music changed my life of faith forever. While the Holy Spirit did all the hard work on my heart, for me, music was the vehicle of conversion that helped me to fall in love with Christ, and launched me into an adult life in which I wanted to live boldly as a Catholic Christian! My husband chuckles, but music continues to be a way into my heart today.

So, I humbly share with you a piece of my heart!  For the teens at Saint Agnes, maybe you will find a new artist who inspires you, a song that is relevant, or a hymn that reminds you to pray during a difficult moment.  Only the Holy Spirit can know what difference it might make to you!

This week is the beginning of Lent.  We are called to repent of our sins, to recognize our place in the Body of Christ, to share the sufferings of the whole community, and to prepare for the Lord a holy and pleasing sacrifice, in expectation of a joyful Easter.

I have the privilege to know a number of Christian musicians personally. Often these people are more than willing to admit their sins and struggles. Despite the lack of a facade, many view such musicians with skepticism -- probably because of their very apparent failures! But I believe it is precisely that which makes Christian music both genuine and compelling. What is the Christian message but one of recognition of ourselves as the worst of sinners, followers of Christ, and people willing to begin again while accepting His generous, unwarranted, and unending forgiveness!

So as we begin Lent, I want to share some songs of prayer, in communion with all the Saints and Christians everywhere, that we will share in each others' struggles, each others' triumphs, each others' rocky race to God our Father.

Here is some more reading containing perspective on what it means to live as "Saints and Sinners" in the Catholic Community -- especially in this Year of Mercy, and this season of personal examination.

If you are interested in meeting other people who share an interest in Christian music and have a Catholic focus on Praise and Worship, your chance is coming in February!

With thanks to our Confirmation Director, Nancy Feeman,

LIFT Ministries is coming to Saint Camillus in Arlington

on February 23rd from 7-9 pm!

See the poster below for details, or email Confirmation@SaintAgnes.net.

Saturday for Teens: Music!

Speaking personally, modern Christian music changed my life of faith forever. While the Holy Spirit did all the hard work on my heart, for me, music was the vehicle. Praise and Worship, verses of Scripture popping up in songs, English translations of beautiful Latin hymns, and music with messages of conviction carried me through the difficulties of American teen life, psychological and spiritual battles, exploration into religious learning, and launched me into an adult life in which I wanted to live boldly as a Catholic Christian! My husband chuckles, but music continues to be a way into my heart today.

So, I humbly share with you a piece of my heart!  For the teens at Saint Agnes, maybe you will find a new artist who inspires you, a song that is relevant, or a hymn that reminds you to pray during a difficult moment.  Only the Holy Spirit can know what difference it might make to you!

This week, I would like to share a song from the rap artist Lecrae, whose experience of forgiveness after an abortion led to his conversion and a new message in his music. I admire the clarity with which Lecrae now seems to understand himself and others.  His message of brokenness and mercy makes me want to crack open my Bible, visit the confessional, go to Adoration, make amends and fresh beginnings, and soak up some of that good stuff myself!

You can read more about his story on LifeSiteNews, here.

If you are interested in meeting other people who share an interest in Christian music and have a Catholic focus on Praise and Worship, your chance is coming in February!

With thanks to our Confirmation Director, Nancy Feeman,

LIFT Ministries is coming to Saint Camillus in Arlington

on February 23rd from 7-9 pm!

See the poster below for details, or email Confirmation@SaintAgnes.net.