Oro Valley Catholic

Tenebrae, celebrated on the Wednesday evening before Holy Thursday reminds us of the Paschal Mystery and the beauty of faith celebrated in ancient and modern music. The selections from a variety of composers is sung by the St. Mark Festival Choir.  Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Divine Mercy Novena begins on Good Friday. Learn the ABCs of Divine Mercy from our panel and join in this years devotion. Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

What is the difference between despair and hope? Despair and the mercy of God are the boundaries of hope. This is the story of the St. Lazarus being brought back to life after four days sojourn among the dead.  From his graveyard to the tomb of Christ. The boundaries of hope! Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032226.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

On the Third Sunday of Lent, Jesus meets a woman at a well in Samaria. What is happening? It is a love story and a wedding. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030826.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

St. Faustina Kowalska had a vision of Divine Mercy that has had a tremendous impact on Catholic devotional life. The chaplet of Divine Mercy and the prayer of confidence in Jesus has helped contain and combat some of the anxiety of life. Recognizing God's presence among the daily trials of life - amongst the pots and pans - is the fruit of prayer and reliance on Divine Mercy. In this podcast hear the testimony of four disciples of Divine Mercy. Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Cigars and Apologetics is a St. Mark monthly event. In January we discussed why the Catholic Liturgical Year looks different from the Jewish Liturgical year. We also discussed the confusion surrounding Catholic marriage law, Matthew 19 and Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia. Hold on to your seats!

What is a Holy Family? There is prayer, charity, love of others and everything else, good and bad. To be able to see your family as a holy family is to have some sense of God's presence in the midst of chaos.  Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122825.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Is having better than wanting? It depends how well you are prepared for having. We probably all have received opportunities, gifts, relationships that we just weren't prepared for. God is preparing us for his greatest gift - His Son. Would we rather be in control or can we trust in Him.  Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122125.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

This week on OVC, I discuss Faith and Skepticism. Not everyone will come to faith through the Gospel. Skeptics may require a different pathway. Nonetheless, to understand God, you must first believe. Faith and Skepticism exist side by side - skepticism with no openness to the possibility of faith is an empty intellectual endeavor. Faith without a critical eye leads the soul down some empty paths. Trusting in God, the Gospel and the Church is the one trustworthy path back to God.  Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The final Sunday of the Liturgical Year is the The Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. Proclaimed by Pope Benedict XV after the massively destructive First World War it was meant Europe that violence without boundaries would insure constant destruction. What does the feast have to do with the founding of Christian Europe and the occult nature of the Nazi Reich. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The end of the liturgical year approaches and Jesus turns to teaching about the end times. With Jesus death and the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, an old world ended and a new one began. What can it mean? This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111625.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

St. John Lateran is the seat of the Bishop of Rome. Pope Leo XIV is the Bishop of Rome. Learn the story of the arch-basilica and why it is a symbol of the unity and authoritative teaching of His Church this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110925.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Purgatory? Keep following Christ, you are almost there, heaven that is! This week on OVC I discuss the scriptural basis for prayers for the dead and the doctrine of Purgatory. Our prayers for the dead are rooted deeply in scripture and tradition.  Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110225.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294 Art: Carving "Soul in Purgatory," 1938 Ethel Dougan  

This week Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to give thanks and worship. Worship of God in spirit and in truth makes us fully human. Learn about Luke's story of the ten lepers, this week on OVC. The Ten Lepers are Cleansed, probably c. 1576/1580 - Léonard Gaultier Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101225.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Every new technology provides challenges. The presence of Artificial Intelligence is another example. What good can come of it? What should we be wary of? What role does transhumanist thinking play? This week on OVC along with Lazarus and the rich man.  Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092825.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294  

The tragic death of Charlie Kirk and all those victims of evil in the recent history of our country might bring us to wonder what is going on. The perpetrators are all young men in their early twenties. Why is America so toxic? This week on Oro Valley Catholic. Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294 Readings for the Exultation of the Cross: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm

The Ark of the Covenant, thought to be lost at the time of the Babylonian Conquest, is as it turns out, not so lost. Read Revelation 11:19 and following. Learn about the scriptural basis for the dogma of the Assumption. 199. In what way is the Blessed Virgin Mary the eschatological icon of the Church?  Looking upon Mary, who is completely holy and already glorified in body and soul, the Church contemplates in her what she herself is called to be on earth and what she will be in the homeland of heaven. Music "Ave Maria" performed by Gina McCann and Russ Ronnebaum pursuant to One License  A-726294.

Prayer for the dead and expiation of sin is a Jewish practice continued by Christ and the Church. Learn more about Purgatory on this week's OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081025.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Martha is anxious about many things. So are we! This week on OVC. Reading: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072025.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Julian Osborn, a first year seminarian, discusses the call to priestly vocation and the seminary life this week on OVC. Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294          

The Feast of Corpus Christi where Christ takes, blesses, breaks and gives his body and blood to his disciples ... you and me. What does it mean? This week on OVC. Readings:https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062225.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294 Chalice: German ca. 1230–50

Jackson Landers, a member of the St. Mark teen group describes his pilgrimage to Rome and attending Pope Francis' funeral. What did he think? This week on OVC. Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Their is no up or down, only closer to Jesus or further away. Why is that important? Because eternal life in heaven is about relationship to God through Jesus. This week on Oro Valley Catholic.
Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060125-Sunday.cfm
License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the Early Church's proclamation of God's Will and the Church. You cannot love Christ and despise his Kingdom - you cannot put a wedge between Christ and His Church. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052525.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

What does it mean to be a 'self'?  Am I the result of social pressures? Is my true self to be found in my emotions? Am I a creature made in the image and likeness of God, whatever that means? Oh, yes! It means quite a lot. The Acts of the Apostles, early Christian preaching and my true self, this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051825.cfm Portrait of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Augustin de Saint-Aubin French After Maurice Quentin de La Tour French 1777 Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Book of Revelation is mysterious, unless you know the code. The secret code is the true worship of God. Revelation is based on the liturgy of the Mass. Through all the ups and downs of life, Catholics are called to true worship. Art: The Last Judgment, Master of the Orléans Triptych French ca. 1500 Readings: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051125.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Greco-Roman world had very dark understandings of death and the possibility of continued existence. The Jews, late in their history, came to a belief among, at least the Pharisees, that a resurrection of the dead would happen at the end of time. The Christians upended all of that - Christ is risen and the tomb is empty. Deal with it! Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050425.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

In the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter, St. Thomas doubts the Resurrection. What is the difference between a difficulty, a doubt and skepticism? Important distinctions in the quest for truth. This week on OVC. Art: Portrait of Blaise PascalAugustin de Saint-Aubin French, After Augustin Pajou,  French, 1802 (Public domaine) Readings: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042725.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294        

Tenebrae is a Christian remembrance of Christ's crucifixion. The music and scripture chosen commemorates the darkness that seeks to overcome the inextinguishable light of the Son of God. Tenebrae prepares the Christ for the darkness and hope of the Paschal Triduum.  Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The sin of Adam and Eve leads to the travesty of sinful worship of God and the death of their son Abel at the hands of Cain, the older brother. The tragedy arises out of false worship. Another eldest son, Jesus of Nazareth will worship God in spirit and truth. He teaches His followers to do the same. The salvific value of true worship this week on OVC. Readings: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041325.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294          

What is sin? A weight... a debt ...disconnection from the divine. This week Christ is called to judge a woman caught in the very act of adultery? Should she be stoned?  A trap? To be sure. By the end of the chapter, the powers of this world threaten Jesus with stoning. Adultery is an example of sin, but what is sin? Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040625-YearC.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Our world is pretty fragmented and it more difficult to build community. Catholics in their 20-30s are defying the trend and working to build a healthy, respectful community at St. Mark parish. Here the leadership team for St. Mark Young Adult Ministry describe their efforts and successes in this week's OVC. Remember, we are in the process of moving to Podbean.  Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Kairos is the right time, the time of opportunity. In the Gospel, Jesus references death, guilt and the time for a decision. His parable? A fig tree that bears no fruit - it gets one more year! Readings for the Third Sunday of Lent: bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032325-YearC.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Romans 10 says, "for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." What does one of the most controversial passages in scripture mean? Simply put, 'faith that works' through self mortification. You can oppose belief in your heart, this week on OVC. Please note that OVC is moving to a new platform on Podbean. Please subscribe there! Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030925.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

In the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus describes the basis for drama free relationships. "Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back." Luke 6 Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022325.cfm Music: Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time brings us stories of discernment. How do I follow God's will? Holy Orders or Matrimony. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020925.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Much controversy between skeptics and believers. It is one thing to say that, as a materialist, I do not believe in the Resurrection. It is another thing to claim that the Gospel writers were anonymous, didn't know Jesus and made the story up years later. You can have your own dogma, not your own evidence. Listen about St. Luke's concern for historicity, this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012625.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294 Art: Medallion with Saint Luke from an Icon Frame, Byzantine, ca. 1100

The Old Testament describe Israel as an unfaithful bride. Ezekiel, a prophet, proclaimed that God would form a New Covenant. Jesus in the Gospel of John acts as the Divine Bridegroom calling his people back to the Father. That Divine Wedding is consumated at his crucfixion. Lean more this week on OVC. Art: The Annunciation, Hans Memling Netherlandish, 1480–84 Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

This week on OVC I discuss Baptism and Remembering the past. The Gospel from Luke, "After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Remember that you are dust, that you were slaves and don't look back! Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bi:ble/readings/011225.cfm Art from the Met:The Baptism of Christ from a set of The Passion Design based on an engraving by Martin Schongauer, German 15th Century Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Feast of the Holy Family, The Book of Sirach has this to say about a Holy Family. "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." Sir 3 How is a family formed in holiness. This Week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122924.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth is described in the Gospel of Luke, "Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." We recite these words when we recited the 'Hail Mary." How should we think about the Visitation? This week on OVC. The Visitation, Anonymous, German, 15th century German Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122224.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Third Sunday of Advent brings us the story of St. John the Baptist telling those to be baptized to put sin behind them, be generous, don't abuse others or take advantage. It is very different from self-help as the next thing St. John says is to prepare for the one that will baptize with water and fire. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121524.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The Gospel of Luke tells the story of St. John the Baptist on the Second Sunday of Advent: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Help always comes from the boonies, the outsiders. Learn more this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120824.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. ""My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." John 18 How is Jesus a king as David was king and God is king. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112424.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Spiritual, but not religious is to be alone in a dangerous neighborhood. Christ is both the Messiah and the New Temple. Why does he answer our human needs for security. This week on OVC. Architectural model of the temple of King Solomon in Jerusalem After a design by Thomas Newberry British (1883) On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 554 This monumental nineteenth-century architectural model of Solomon’s Temple exhibits skilled craftsmanship and exquisite artistry, as well as architectural ingenuity and conceptual brilliance. Readings 33rd Sunday in OT: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111724.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

In the image, Melchizedek lays his hands on Abram. The Book of Hebrews looks at this moment in Genesis as the origin of the priesthood of Christ. "Brothers and sisters: The levitical priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office, but Jesus, because he remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away. Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7. What does this have to do with Jesus and the Temple Mount in the Gospel for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110324.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Ambition, glory and honor - is the desire for these things evil. Jesus doesn't say that. Instead, to be ambitious in service, to be the least of all and the servant of all, this is ambition, glory and honor in God's eyes. ""You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10 Readings for the 29th Sunday in OT: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102024.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Prudence is good judgment expressed in the choices you make. The grace of prudence is to choose wisely about matters eternal. In this week's OVC, the Lord teaches this lesson to a wealthy young man. "I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire. Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, and I chose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep. Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands." Wisdom 7 Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101324.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

"But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." Mark 10. This week, Jesus on Marriage and Divorce on OVC. Art: Marriage Contract: Late Period, 380–343 B.C. Dating to the 30th Dynasty, just before the conquest of the Persian Empire and hence of Egypt by Alexander the Great, this papyrus records a marriage contract. It is written in Demotic, which refers both to the language itself (a late form of Egyptian) and to the script. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100624.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

My Sunday homily on vocation to the priesthood.