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Below is the most recent email.

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It’s All in the Presentation

Mary’s Presentation and Ours

Friday, November 21, 2025

Dear Friends in Christ, 

We’ve heard a lot about temples lately. The other Sunday, on the Feast of the Dedication of Saint John Lateran, we heard our Lord speaking in the Temple. Last Sunday He prophesied the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. 

Today we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple. The ancient tradition of the Church is that Mary was presented in the Temple of Jerusalem by her parents. Thus, from a young age she was dedicated to the Lord of Israel in His dwelling place. 

Now, there’s a revealing paradox about Mary’s presentation in the Temple, because she herself will become the dwelling place of the Most High. God will come to dwell within her. So, she is the future Temple entering the old Temple; God’s dwelling place entering His dwelling place. 

The Temple in Jerusalem was a type or sign of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Lord’s dwelling there was signified by the Ark of the Covenant. Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant. The Lord comes to dwell in her not by an image or sign or an object, but by the sacred humanity of Jesus Christ. He dwells within her as her Son, drawing His very life from her. The Lord of Israel dwells in her as His Temple more fully than He ever did in the Temple of Jerusalem.

So, her presentation in the Temple is a reminder of her total givenness to God and a foreshadowing of what she will be, the dwelling place of God.

What the Blessed Virgin Mary is by the extraordinary work of grace, we are all meant to become by the ordinary working of grace. That is, we are all meant to become temples of God. 

In fact, that is what His grace has already made us. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor 3:16). 

These words apply to the Church as a whole and to each member of the Church. At your Baptism (in effect, your presentation in the temple) you were made a temple of God. The priest anointed you as a church is anointed at its consecration. God took up His dwelling in you by grace. Because you are His temple, what happens in a temple should occur within you. That is, within you He should be praised and worshipped. Within you, He desires to bestow His grace and truth. 

On this feast, may our Lady present us to the Lord in the heavenly temple so that we can be made worthy of His dwelling within us.

Updates…

Thanksgiving Schedule is a little different. Please note the changes, and in particular the special Mass on Thanksgiving Day.

Our parish 40 Hours runs from December 9 through 11. Please see the flyer for information on the devotions and reflections during that time. Please sign up for an hour of adoration. The more time you spend with Him, the more He will bless you! 

Wreath & Advent Candle Sale is November 29-30, sponsored by our Respect Life Committee to benefit A Woman’s Choice Prolife Pregnancy Centers.

Reach More is a program developed by Evangelical Catholic to guide lay people in discipleship and apostolate in their everyday life. The habit-based program helps people to cultivate a life of prayer so that they can witness to Christ more confidently and effectively. If interested in learning more, contact Amy Bigart. 

Moving Humor

There’s a new movie coming out about mobile homes. I just saw the trailer.

Through the intercession of our Lady and Saint James, may the Lord bless and keep you.

Sincerely in Christ, 

Fr. Scalia