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Christmas Reflection

Merry Christmas! Christmas is a wonderful time to remember that very good things often come hidden in unlikely packages. After all, today we celebrate the fact that the Eternal Word of God, omnipotent creator of galaxies and planets and forests and oceans teeming with life, became very small and wrapped himself in our humanity as a baby. A little baby seems a very unlikely package to deliver the infinite goodness of God. (Marvel that the Word of God became non-verbal for a ti

Fr. Rich Miserendino

Dec 25, 20251 min read

Fourth Week of Advent: Birth by the Holy Spirit

Birth by the Holy Spirit “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.” (Mt. 1:20) These were the words of an angel to Joseph in a dream, explaining that Mary was pregnant not by any misdeed on her part, but by the Holy Spirit. The birth of Jesus and our spiritual birth have a common element. The source of both is the Holy Spirit. As we move closer to Christma

Bill Dalgetty

Dec 21, 20251 min read

Third Week of Advent: God's Highway

God's Highway Isaiah paints a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God for those who are “redeemed." In verse eight, Isaiah says, “A highway will be there, called the holy way.” This verse really stood out to me; A way, a highway called the holy way, or God’s way. On God’s highway, we make our way to holiness by following His plan for His Glory. Then miracles happen, and our prayers are answered, and joy and gladness naturally follow. But, in the second reading, James instruct

Advent Reflections

Christine Fowler

Dec 14, 20252 min read

Second Week of Advent: Why Repent?

Why Repent? This question becomes especially urgent in the season of Advent. It is easy to fall into the illusion that our comfortable, secure, predictable lives—untouched by war or great hardship—are somehow equivalent to loving God and neighbor as Christ commands. But St. John the Baptizer in Matthew’s Gospel (3:1–12) will have none of that. He exposes the truth: our self-centeredness gives us a heart of stone, blocks love, stifles compassion, and keeps us from bearing good

Art Bennett

Dec 7, 20251 min read

First Week of Advent: Joyful Participation

It's here! It's here! Advent is beginning! Did we start our day with such exclamations of excitement? Did we run down the stairs as a child often does on Christmas morning with all of the anticipation of the packages and glitter to be found under a tree? Maybe we should have. Today’s readings encourage us to go, rejoicing as we do, to the house of the Lord; to always be prepared for the unknown day and hour when our Lord will come. Challenge yourself to seize each day of th

Advent Reflections

Maureen Ashby

Nov 30, 20251 min read

Advent Reflections by Options Program students at Saint John Paul the Great HS

Every year, the Porto Charities family journeys together through Advent, reflecting on the Gospel readings for each week. This year, we will be guided by the students in our high school Options Programs and Expanded Services at Bishop Ireton, Bishop O’Connell, St. Paul VI, and Saint John Paul the Great. They have prayerfully reflected on the week's readings and have shared their thoughts with us through words, pictures, and videos. May the Lord bless us as we joyfully antici

Advent Reflections

JP the Great HS

Dec 22, 20242 min read

Advent Reflections by Options Program students at Paul VI Catholic High School

Dear Friends , Every year, the Porto Charities family journeys together through Advent, reflecting on the Gospel readings for each week. This year, we will be guided by the students in our high school Options Programs and Expanded Services at Bishop Ireton, Bishop O’Connell, St. Paul VI, and Saint John Paul the Great. They have prayerfully reflected on the week's readings and have shared their thoughts with us through words, pictures, and videos. May the Lord bless us as we

Advent Reflections