We read: "When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' He served as associate pastor at Most Holy Redeemer (1970-1974). Only in the mystery of Christ is her mystery fully made clear. He also served on the faculty of the University of St. Mary of the Lake (1977-1981); as dean of the Athenaeum of Ohio (1981-1984); as theologian and consul to the curia of the Archdiocese of Chicago (1984-1998); as president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association (1998-2005 . In the mystery of Christ she is present even "before the creation of the world," as the one whom the Father "has chosen" as Mother of his Son in the Incarnation. She is thus aware that concentrated within herself as the mother of Christ is the whole salvific economy, in which "from age to age" is manifested he who as the God of the Covenant, "remembers his mercy." Lk. Rom. Our vision is to make an impact for God, here in South Gate, California . We can therefore say that in this passage of John's Gospel we find as it were a first manifestation of the truth concerning Mary's maternal care. This Marian Year will begin on the Solemnity of Pentecost, on June 7 next. English: St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church in Groton, Connecticut. 10:5-6) must be given to God who reveals, an obedience by which man entrusts his whole self freely to God. "29 This description of faith found perfect realization in Mary. 11:25). About Us - St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church (Lk. 25; 31; 35; 55). 18. Therefore Mary knows that the Son to whom she gave birth in a virginal manner is precisely that "Holy One," the Son of God, of whom the angel spoke to her. You'll be able to give to any of our collections and view complete financial records at any time. 46. Thus there is a mediation: Mary places herself between her Son and mankind in the reality of their wants, needs and sufferings. Mary, who is still the model of this pilgrimage, is to lead them to the unity which is willed by their one Lord and so much desired by those who are attentively listening to what "the Spirit is saying to the Churches" today (Rev. Rom. Lk. 4:12). The son whom Elizabeth is carrying in her womb also shares in this witness: "The babe in my womb leaped for joy" (Lk. We are a friendly Christian community where we welcome others to join us in our worship and service to God. 2:15). If though, from the moment of the Annunciation, the Son-whom only the Father knows completely, as the one who begets him in the eternal "today" (cf. In Mary's case we have a special and exceptional mediation, based upon her "fullness of grace," which was expressed in the complete willingness of the "handmaid of the Lord." St Mary Mother of the Redeemer - Chamber of Commerce The first human creature thus permitted to discover Christ was Mary, who lived with Joseph in the same house at Nazareth. 2:51). Mary is the Mother of God (= Theotkos), since by the power of the Holy Spirit she conceived in her virginal womb and brought into the world Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is of one being with the Father.9 "The Son of Godborn of the Virgin Maryhas truly been made one of us,"10 has been made man. Lk. As the Council proclaims: Mary became "a mother to us in the order of grace." Thus, after the visit of the Magi who came from the East, after their homage ("they fell down and worshipped him") and after they had offered gifts (cf. Is not this what was manifested in a way on Christmas night, when the shepherds come to the stable (cf. "54, The Second Vatican Council speaks of the pilgrim Church, establishing an analogy with the Israel of the Old Covenant journeying through the desert. The Church is born and then grows through the testimony that Peter and the Apostles bear to the Crucified and Risen Christ (cf. Rom. 1:31). We read that Mary "by her maternal charity, cares for the brethren of her Son who still journey on earth surrounded by dangers and difficulties, until they are led to their happy homeland. Jn. | 1:35). By his redemptive death Jesus Christ conquers the evil of sin and death at its very roots. Mary "was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be" (Lk. The Redeemer entrusts Mary to John because he entrusts John to Mary. This filial relationship, this self-entrusting of a child to its mother, not only has its beginning in Christ but can also be said to be definitively directed towards him. 3:19), the self-revelation of the living God. God has gathered together as one all those who in faith look upon Jesus as the author of salvation and the source of unity and peace, and has established them as Church, that for each and all she may be the visible sacrament of this saving unity. Thus also is exercised that motherhood in the Spirit which became Mary's role at the foot of the Cross and in the Upper Room. 26. And she still continues to do so. Given Mary's relationship to the Church as an exemplar, the Church is close to her and seeks to become like her: "Imitating the Mother of her Lord, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, she preserves with virginal purity an integral faith, a firm hope, and a sincere charity. Col. 1:12- 14; Rom. Turning to the Lord, he says: "For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel" (Lk. Another essential element of Mary's maternal task is found in her words to the servants: "Do whatever he tells you." "15 The pilgrimage of faith no longer belongs to the Mother of the Son of God: glorified at the side of her Son in heaven, Mary has already crossed the threshold between faith and that vision which is "face to face" (1 Cor. But the fact speaks for itself. While every word of Elizabeth's greeting is filled with meaning, her final words would seem to have fundamental importance: "And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord" (Lk. 15:26)."110. St Mary Mother of the Redeemer Groton CT - Church Finder And yet the "testament of Christ's Cross" says more. Donating through the link below. 2:19; cf. "27 And since Mary receives this "new life" with a fullness corresponding to the Son's love for the Mother, and thus corresponding to the dignity of the divine motherhood, the angel at the Annunciation calls her "full of grace.". 1 About St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church is located at 38 W League St in Norwalk, Ohio 44857. But it has a symbolic value: this coming to the aid of human needs means, at the same time, bringing those needs within the radius of Christ's messianic mission and salvific power. These words have already been fulfilled: Mary of Nazareth presents herself at the threshold of Elizabeth and Zechariah's house as the Mother of the Son of God. In her greeting, Elizabeth first called Mary "blessed" because of "the fruit of her womb," and then she called her "blessed" because of her faith (cf. 1:4-7). Whether visiting or moving to the area, we invite you to join us in celebrating the Word of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 3:14; Zeph. For faith is contact with the mystery of God. Here I simply wish to note that the figure of Mary of Nazareth sheds light on womanhood as such by the very fact that God, in the sublime event of the Incarnation of his Son, entrusted himself to the ministry, the free and active ministry of a woman. 13:55). St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church - Norwalk Ohio Lk. (Gal. At the basis of what the Church has been from the beginning, and of what she must continually become from generation to generation, in the midst of all the nations of the earth, we find the one "who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord" (Lk. 6. In John's Gospel that "hour" means the time appointed by the Father when the Son accomplishes his task and is to be glorified (cf. Rom. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. One could perhaps speak of a specific "geography" of faith and Marian devotion, which includes all these special places of pilgrimage where the People of God seek to meet the Mother of God in order to find, within the radius of the maternal presence of her "who believed," a strengthening of their own faith. 3:15). As they constitute from generation to generation the "sign of the Kingdom" which is not of his world,67 they are also aware that in the midst of this world they must gather around that King to whom the nations have been given in heritage (cf. Thus in a sense Mary as Mother became the first "disciple" of her Son, the first to whom he seemed to say: "Follow me," even before he addressed this call to the Apostles or to anyone else (cf. In accordance with the eternal plan of Providence, Mary's divine motherhood is to be poured out upon the Church, as indicated by statements of Tradition, according to which Mary's "motherhood" of the Church is the reflection and extension of her motherhood of the Son of God.50, According to the Council the very moment of the Church's birth and full manifestation to the world enables us to glimpse this continuity of Mary's motherhood: "Since it pleased God not to manifest solemnly the mystery of the salvation of the human race until he poured forth the Spirit promised by Christ, we see the Apostles before the day of Pentecost 'continuing with one mind in prayer with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren' (Acts 1:14). And such cooperation is precisely this mediation subordinated to the mediation of Christ. Even though Jesus' reply to his mother sounds like a refusal (especially if we consider the blunt statement "My hour has not yet come" rather than the question), Mary nevertheless turns to the servants and says to them: "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn. After her Son's departure, her motherhood remains in the Church as maternal mediation: interceding for all her children, the Mother cooperates in the saving work of her Son, the Redeemer of the world. "87 "Moving forward through trial and tribulation, the Church is strengthened by the power of God's grace promised to her by the Lord, so that in the weakness of the flesh she may not waver from perfect fidelity, but remain a bride worthy of her Lord; that moved by the Holy Spirit she may never cease to renew herself, until through the Cross she arrives at the light which knows no setting. She says: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Lk. In this phase too Mary's maternal mediation does not cease to be subordinate to him who is the one Mediator, until the final realization of "the fullness of time," that is to say until "all things are united in Christ" (cf. He is "flesh," like every other man: he is "the Word (who) became flesh" (cf. 2:34-35). Mary arrived there "in haste," to visit Elizabeth her kinswoman. In the salvific economy of God's revelation, Abraham's faith constitutes the beginning of the Old Covenant; Mary's faith at the Annunciation inaugurates the New Covenant. For Mary, present in the Church as the Mother of the Redeemer, takes part, as a mother, in that monumental struggle; against the powers of darkness"138 which continues throughout human history. This is the beginning of the Gospel, the joyful Good News. 11:28; 8:20-21; Mk. 4:18). Gabriel says to her: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God" (Lk. But it is only after the Resurrection that hope had shown its true face and the promise had begun to be transformed into reality. But the Church's mystery also consists in generating people to a new and immortal life: this is her motherhood in the Holy Spirit. "44 It is precisely in this sense that the episode at Cana in Galilee offers us a sort of first announcement of Mary's mediation, wholly oriented towards Christ and tending to the revelation of his salvific power. She had still remained the one who, like Abraham, "in hope believed against hope" (Rom. "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on his servant in her lowliness. Mary is the first witness of this marvelous truth, which will be fully accomplished through "the works and words" (cf. For this is a fundamental dimension emerging from the Mariology of the Council, the end of which is now more than twenty years behind us. "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" I take these very rich and evocative words from the Constitution Lumen Gentium, which in its concluding part offers a clear summary of the Church's doctrine on the Mother of Christ, whom she venerates as her beloved Mother and as her model in faith hope and charity. "Likewise she is the Virgin who is to conceive and bear a son, whose name will be called Emmanuel"- according to the words of Isaiah (cf. "116 Thus, she who here on earth "loyally preserved in her union with her Son unto the Cross," continues to remain united with him, while now "all things are subjected to him, until he subjects to the Father himself and all things." St. Mary's Mother of the Redeemer - Matero Catholic Parish Probably the Mother of Jesus was not personally known to this woman; in fact, when Jesus began his messianic activity Mary did not accompany him but continued to remain at Nazareth. Through faith Mary continued to hear and to ponder that word, in which there became ever clearer, in a way "which surpasses knowledge" (Eph. 38. The Advent liturgy in particular is at the very heart of this transformation and captures its unceasing "here and now" when it exclaims: "Assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again"! 40. They look to her who at the foot of the Cross accepts as her son the beloved disciple, the one who in his turn accepts her as his mother. Through these words, there flashed out in the midst of the crowd, at least for an instant, the gospel of Jesus' infancy. For, just as Mary is at the service of the mystery of the Incarnation, so the Church is always at the service of the mystery of adoption to sonship through grace. Is not Mary the first of "those who hear the word of God and do it"? the twelve-year-old Jesus answered: "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" In the light of Mary, the Church sees in the face of women the reflection of a beauty which mirrors the loftiest sentiments of which the human heart is capable: the self-offering totality of love; the strength that is capable of bearing the greatest sorrows; limitless fidelity and tireless devotion to work; the ability to combine penetrating intuition with words of support and encouragement. ", During this time of vigil, Mary, through the same faith which made her blessed, especially from the moment of the Annunciation, is present in the Church's mission, present in the Church's work of introducing into the world the Kingdom of her Son.68, This presence of Mary finds many different expressions in our day, just as it did throughout the Church's history. And when the Virgin, disturbed by that extraordinary greeting, asks: "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" And since Mary was given as a mother to him personally, the statement indicates, even though indirectly, everything expressed by the intimate relationship of a child with its mother. 5:9-14).85. 37. For it must be recognized that before anyone else it was God himself, the Eternal Father, who entrusted himself to the Virgin of Nazareth, giving her his own Son in the mystery of the Incarnation. 23. He wishes to divert attention from motherhood understood only as a fleshly bond, in order to direct it towards those mysterious bonds of the spirit which develop from hearing and keeping God's word. Each child is surrounded in the same way by that maternal love on which are based the child's development and coming to maturity as a human being. 42. | Mt. In effect, Mary's mediation is intimately linked with her motherhood. Later, a little further along this way of the "obedience of faith," Mary hears other words: those uttered by Simeon in the Temple of Jerusalem. It possesses a specifically maternal character, which distinguishes it from the mediation of the other creatures who in various and always subordinate ways share in the one mediation of Christ, although her own mediation is also a shared mediation.96 In fact, while it is true that "no creature could ever be classed with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer," at the same time "the unique mediation of the Redeemer does not exclude but rather gives rise among creatures to a manifold cooperation which is but a sharing in this unique source." And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! 5:23-33), also has value as a model of total self-giving to God in celibacy "for the kingdom of heaven," in virginity consecrated to God (cf. And to the same degree they recognize more and more clearly the dignity of man in all its fullness and the definitive meaning of his vocation, for "Christfully reveals man to man himself."133. It is precisely in this ecclesial journey or pilgrimage through space and time, and even more through the history of souls, that Mary is present, as the one who is "blessed because she believed," as the one who advanced on the pilgrimage of faith, sharing unlike any other creature in the mystery of Christ. I also recall the Icon of the Virgin of the Cenacle, praying with the Apostles as they awaited the Holy Spirit: could she not become the sign of hope for all those who, in fraternal dialogue, wish to deepen their obedience of faith? These words of the Letter to the Ephesians reveal the eternal design of God the Father, his plan of man's salvation in Christ. In these sublime words, which are simultaneously very simple and wholly inspired by the sacred texts of the people of Israel,89 Mary's personal experience, the ecstasy of her heart, shines forth. Simeon's words cast new light on the announcement which Mary had heard from the angel: Jesus is the Savior, he is "a light for revelation" to mankind. The first moment of submission to the one mediation "between God and men"-the mediation of Jesus Christ-is the Virgin of Nazareth's acceptance of motherhood. The words of this liturgical antiphon also express the truth of the "great transformation" which the mystery of the Incarnation establishes for man. For they are words which celebrate together the love of the Father, the mission of the Son, the gift of the Spirit, the role of the woman from whom the Redeemer was born, and our own divine filiation, in the mystery of the "fullness of time."2. In contrast with the "suspicion" which the "father of lies" sowed in the heart of Eve the first woman, Mary, whom tradition is wont to call the "new Eve"91 and the true "Mother of the living,"92 boldly proclaims the undimmed truth about God: the holy and almighty God, who from the beginning is the source of all gifts, he who "has done great things" in her, as well as in the whole universe. Jn. "104 With this character of "intercession," first manifested at Cana in Galilee, Mary's mediation continues in the history of the Church and the world. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. This is indeed a high point among all the gifts of grace conferred in the history of man and of the universe: Mary is "full of grace," because it is precisely in her that the Incarnation of the Word, the hypostatic union of the Son of God with human nature, is accomplished and fulfilled. "103 With the redeeming death of her Son, the maternal mediation of the handmaid of the Lord took on a universal dimension, for the work of redemption embraces the whole of humanity. Rev Darius Duzik is the Principal at St Mary Mother of the Redeemer in Groton, Connecticut. From this point of view we must consider once more the fundamental event in the economy of salvation, namely the Incarnation of the Word at the moment of the Annunciation. 52. In the difficult moments of their troubled Christian existence, "they have taken refuge under her protection,"79 conscious of having in her a powerful aid. Yes, truly "blessed is she who believed"! 24:16; 40:34-35; I Kings 8:10-12). 11:26). 2:52). 1:48), then it can be said that the unnamed woman was the first to confirm unwittingly that prophetic phrase of Mary's Magnificat and to begin the Magnificat of the ages. In this way Mary became the first of those who, "serving Christ also in others, with humility and patience lead their brothers and sisters to that King whom to serve is to reign,"113 and she fully obtained that "state of royal freedom" proper to Christ's disciples: to serve means to reign! 14:6); it is he whom the Father has given to the world, so that man "should not perish but have eternal life" (Jn. 20:21), he had said to the Apostles after the Resurrection. 28:19) when he conferred this mission on them. This is the gospel in which Mary is present as the mother who conceives Jesus in her womb, gives him birth and nurses him: the nursing mother referred to by the woman in the crowd. 3. Sunday Mass remains live-streamed at 10 AM through the Sacred Heart Church Facebook page. .will last without interruption until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect." 2:49). If the mystery of the Word made flesh enables us to glimpse the mystery of the divine motherhood and is, in turn, contemplation of the Mother of God brings us to a more profound understanding of the mystery of the Incarnation, then the same must be said for the mystery of the Church and Mary's role in the work of salvation. We are familiar with the sequence of events which resulted from that invitation, that "beginning of the signs" wrought by Jesus-the water changed into wine-which prompts the Evangelist to say that Jesus "manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him" (Jn. Eph. Thus there began to develop a special bond between this Mother and the Church. Through the mystery of Christ, she too is present within mankind. 48. Living side by side with her Son under the same roof, and faithfully persevering "in her union with her Son," she "advanced in her pilgrimage of faith," as the Council emphasizes.37 And so it was during Christ's public life too (cf. This is Elizabeth's joyful discovery: "The mother of my Lord comes to me"! As Virgin, she believed that she would conceive and bear a son: the "Holy One," who bears the name of "Son of God," the name "Jesus" (= God who saves). The hope of the whole of Israel was directed towards this. 2:34). How completely she "abandons herself to God" without reserve, offering the full assent of the intellect and the will"39 to him whose "ways are inscrutable" (cf. Church History - St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church 1:14). This is proved by its daily recitation in the liturgy of Vespers and at many other moments of both personal and communal devotion. 8:19-21; Mt. Rom. For, as this prayer attests, the Church sees the Blessed Mother of God in the saving mystery of Christ and in her own mystery. ", 33. Jn. It can be said that a consent to motherhood is above all a result of her total selfgiving to God in virginity. The Mother of that Son, therefore, mindful of what has been told her at the Annunciation and in subsequent events, bears within herself the radical "newness" of faith: the beginning of the New Covenant. Lo, I have come to do your will, O God" (Heb. Saint Mary, Mother of the Redeemer - 69 Groton Long Point Road Groton It is an unending and continuous transformation between falling and rising again, between the man of sin and the man of grace and justice. This is clearly indicated by the Council in the words quoted above. As Bishop of Rome, I send to all those to whom these thoughts are addressed the kiss of peace, my greeting and my blessing in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1:4, 5). 3:16). In the salvific design of the Most Holy Trinity, the mystery of the Incarnation constitutes the superabundant fulfillment of the promise made by God to man after original sin, after that first sin whose effects oppress the whole earthly history of man (cf. This blessing reaches its full meaning when Mary stands beneath the Cross of her Son (cf. 53:3- 5). The Second Vatican Council prepares us for this by presenting in its teaching the Mother of God in the mystery of Christ and of the Church. During the years of Jesus' hidden life in the house at Nazareth, Mary's life too is "hid with Christ in God" (cf. We aim to make contact with and encourage others to join us in our life-changing Christian journey. Lk. It is important to note how the Council illustrates Mary's maternal role as it relates to the mediation of Christ.
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