This week we begin a new series exploring the liturgical furniture found in our church—the history, symbolism, and purpose of the furnishings that support our worship. We begin with the heart of every Catholic church: the altar. The altar is the most important piece of furniture in the church because it is the place where Christ becomes sacramentally present in the Eucharist. Altars have been central to Judeo-Christian worship since the time of Abraham, and even in Genesis God provides the first sacrifice by clothing Adam and Eve after the Fall. From the earliest days of Christianity, the Eucharist was celebrated on simple tables in homes and later on altars built over the tombs of martyrs. As churches became permanent, so did their altars. Before the Second Vatican Council, many altars were attached to the back wall of the sanctuary and richly adorned with carvings, statues, candles, and the tabernacle. The priest ordinarily celebrated Mass facing the altar (ad orientem), with the congregation facing the same direction. Many older churches still retain these historic "high altars." READ MORE

LITURGY CORNER Music Resources at Mass When our church was renovated in 2020, one of the decisions we made was not to reinstall racks in the pews for hymnals and missals. This choice was made for several reasons. We wanted to reduce our environmental impact by moving away from disposable worship aids, make better use of our projection screens, and simplify the care and upkeep of our worship space. Overall, these efforts have been a great success. We have reduced waste and costs while also encouraging greater participation through our digital resources. READ MORE

Throughout history, the relationship between the Church and civil government has taken many forms. At times the Church has suffered persecution; at other times it has enjoyed cooperation or even become too closely identified with political authority. As Catholics, we seek the proper relationship between our responsibilities as citizens and our identity as disciples of Christ. Jesus himself gives us the model when he teaches us to "render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." This does not mean that we ignore political realities in the life of the Church or in our worship. Rather, it reminds us that while legitimate civil authority deserves our respect, our ultimate allegiance always belongs to God. READ MORE

On June 29, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, honoring two of the greatest apostles and pillars of the early Church. Though they came from very different backgrounds and had different missions, both faithfully proclaimed Christ and ultimately gave their lives for the Gospel in Rome. READ MORE

On the Friday following the Second Sunday after Pentecost (19 days after Pentecost), the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a feast that draws our attention to the boundless love and mercy of Christ. We will celebrate this at our Friday, June 12 8:15am English Mass and 7pm Spanish Mass. Since it is a solemnity we will have a Gloria, two readings, and a creed (which are not common at Daily Masses). We will also have music.

This Sunday the Church celebrates one of the most beloved feasts of the liturgical year: Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. It is a day set aside to focus our attention on the greatest gift Christ left to His Church—the Holy Eucharist. While every Mass is centered on the Eucharist, Corpus Christi gives us an opportunity to deepen our gratitude and devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. It is a celebration not only of what we receive, but of Who we receive. READ MORE

This Sunday the Church celebrates Trinity Sunday—the great solemnity dedicated to the mystery at the very center of our faith: one God in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost celebrate specific events in salvation history, Trinity Sunday is somewhat unique because it celebrates a doctrine: who God is. READ MORE

As we continue our observance of the Month of Mary, one of the Marian traditions we have highlighted during the Easter season is the ancient antiphon Regina Caeli, whose title means “Queen of Heaven.” This joyful hymn dates back to at least the 12th century and became widely known throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. Tradition even tells of Pope Gregory the Great hearing angels sing the opening words during a procession in Rome during a time of plague, though the historical origins of the hymn are likely earlier and developed gradually within the prayer life of the Church. READ MORE

Earlier this month our parish participated in a unique tradition of the Roman Catholic Church: the May Crowning. Our school celebrated on May 1st with students wearing their finest clothes, including first communicants in the attire they wore for their recent First Communion Mass. These second graders, along with the eighth graders—soon to be confirmed and graduated—led the proceedings, including a procession, presentation of flowers, a Litany of Mary, and ultimately the crowning of Mary by two eighth graders chosen by their peers for exhibiting qualities associated with Mary. Our parish crowning was more modest, but included both English- and Spanish-speaking members of the parish gathered around the Marian statue outside the ELC. Siblings who recently received First Communion and Confirmation crowned Mary, and her crown will remain throughout the month of May. READ MORE

As we enter in to the month of May, our attention turns in a special way to the Blessed Virgin Mary—Mother of God, model of discipleship, and, for us, our beloved patron. In a season marked by new life, blooming flowers, and lengthening days, the Church’s devotion to Mary feels especially fitting. Just as the earth brings forth beauty and life, so too Mary brought forth Christ, the source of all grace. READ MORE

Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish is seeking a Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator to develop, oversee and implement formation programs in catechesis, spiritual growth, and community service as well as nurturing a lively understanding and engagement in the Catholic Faith bringing a practice of life in Christ and the Church. READ THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION HERE

This week we turn our attention to the Sacrament of Confirmation, one of the three Sacraments of Initiation along with Baptism and the Eucharist. In Confirmation, the grace first given at Baptism is strengthened and deepened through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Church prays that those being confirmed will be sealed with the Spirit and equipped to live as faithful witnesses of Christ. READ MORE

In these days of the Easter season, our parish rejoices as children approach the altar to receive Holy Communion for the first time. This moment is not simply a milestone or a rite of passage—it is a profound entrance into the heart of the Church’s life: the Eucharist. READ MORE

The Book of Blessings is not a comprehensive list of all available blessings. Blessings are also found in other liturgical books and may even occur outside of formal texts. Still, it is a useful resource that gathers blessings from a variety of sources, making them more accessible and more portable than many other liturgical books. The vernacular forms included are approved translations of official Latin texts. READ MORE

Divine Mercy Sunday arrives as both a continuation and a deepening of Easter. Just one week removed from the Resurrection, the Church invites us not to move on, but to linger—specifically, to linger in mercy. If Easter proclaims that Christ is risen, Divine Mercy Sunday asks us to consider what that means for us: that sin, death, and even our deepest wounds are not the final word. READ MORE

We have made it to the biggest celebration of the liturgical year-Easter. How do we distinguish and celebrate it? It’s so big in fact that we changed the day of worship in Judeo-Christian tradition from Saturday(Sabbath) to Sunday, the day of resurrection. Another term for Sundays throughout the year are “little Easters.” We recognize this in that Sundays don’t count as part of the forty days of the Lent (some people don’t apply their lenten fasting to Sundays). READ MORE

This week we continue our exploration of the books related to rituals/rites of the church. These are liturgies in which sacraments beyond communion are shared. In the Order of Penance, the Church gives voice to both personal and communal reconciliation. With multiple forms—from individual confession to communal celebrations—it reflects a pastoral sensitivity while maintaining the integrity of sacramental absolution. READ MORE

Among the liturgical books of the Church, there is a particular family that often goes unnoticed—not because they are unimportant, but because they appear only at decisive moments. These are the ritual books: the texts that accompany the faithful at the thresholds of Christian life. If the Roman Missal orders the Church’s daily worship and the Liturgy of the Hours sanctifies the passing of time, the ritual books mark transformation. They are the Church’s companions at moments of becoming—when one is baptized, confirmed, reconciled, anointed, married, or commended to God. READ MORE

Among the many books used in Catholic worship, some are familiar to most parishioners—the Roman Missal, the Lectionary, and perhaps the Book of the Gospels. There are also other liturgical books that most people rarely encounter but that quietly shape how the Church celebrates her liturgy. One of these is the Ceremonial of Bishops. READ MORE

The Season of Lent is not only a season of penance, austerity, and sacrifice. It is a very special season of preparation for those who will be coming into the church at Easter. At any point during the year, those who have considered becoming Catholic have entered into Christian Initiation (formerly Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and now called Order of CIA) which has several different phases beginning with Inquiry. We have 15 people who will be baptized this Easter (what a tremendous blessing) many of whom are children (in the eyes of the church anyone eight and older is considered an adult). READ MORE