Spiritual Life
The central focus of each Catholic church is the Mass and at Mass we experience Jesus in the Eucharist, the "source and summit" of our Catholic life. As the people of Our Lady of Consolation Church, we are committed to being good and faithful stewards of the many gifts entrusted to us by virtue of our Baptism. As we continue our journey of faith we are called to be a people of prayer. The Sacraments nourish us on this journey. For our children, the Faith Formation program feeds them with the knowledge of Catholic beliefs that make us who we are. Those who wish to become Catholic join us in the RCIA process. Each of us are called and challenged by Christ Jesus to be good and faithful servants.
Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula - August 2 
As we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula, the words of Thomas of Celano account not only the rebuilding of a church. His words account the simple and devout way in which Francis desired with all his heart to imitate Christ. The words divinely written in the gospels were Francis’ model for life.
From The Life of Saint Francis by Thomas of Celano he writes: "From there he moved to another place, which is called the “Portiuncula,” where there stood a church of the Blessed Virgin Mother of God built in ancient times. At that time it was deserted and no one was taking care of it. When the holy man of God saw it so ruined, he was moved by piety because he had a warm devotion to the Mother of all good and he began to stay there continually. The restoration of that church took place in the third year of his conversion. At this time he wore a sort of hermit’s habit with a leather belt. He carried a staff in his hand and wore shoes.
One day the gospel was being read in that church about how the Lord sent out his disciples to preach. The holy man of God, who was attending there, in order to understand better the words of the gospel, humbly begged the priest after celebrating the solemnities of the Mass to explain the gospel to him. The priest explained it all to him thoroughly line by line. When he heard that Christ’s disciples should not possess gold or silver or money, or carry on their journey a wallet or a sack, nor bread nor a staff, not to have shoes nor two tunics, but that they should preach the kingdom of God and penance, the holy man, Francis immediately exulted in the spirit of God. “This is what I want,” he said, “this is what I seek, this is what I desire with all my heart.” The holy father, overflowing with joy, hastened to implement the words of salvation, and did not delay before he devoutly began to put into effect what he heard." read more
A New Capuchin Priest
My name is Fr. Francisco Arredondo and I am a Capuchin Franciscan friar recently ordained to the priesthood. It is a pleasure for me to share my vocation story with the good people of St. Thomas Aquinas and Our Lady of Consolation because St. Thomas is a big part of the story! read more
Father Tolton: Cause for Canonization 
In March 2010, Francis Cardinal George ,OMI, of Chicago, introduced the cause of canonization for Father Augustus Tolton, the first U.S. priest of African descent. Additional information and the Prayer for the Cause of Father Augustus Tolton can be found at www.blackcatholicchicago.org Read more about Fr. Tolton
Eucharistic Congress 2010 announced
Bishop Peter Jugis has announced the 2010 Eucharistic Congress. The dates are September 10 & 11, 2010 and the theme this year is "Good Shepherd, Come Feed Us." The theme was chosen to correspond to this year's celebration of the Year of the Priest. Again, it will take place at the Charlotte Convention Center. More details. Mark your calendars today! Registration is now being accepted.
Vatican Approves New Version of Roman Missal, Bishops to Decide When to Implement in Dioceses, Parishes
WASHINGTON—The Vatican has given its “recognitio,” or statement of acceptance, of the proposed U.S. version of the new edition of the Roman Missal. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) now must decide when to authorize its use in dioceses and parishes in the United States. read more
One's reflection on the abuse scandal
Don't blame celibacy. To fight the plague of sexual abuse, the church needs to become more Catholic, not less. read more
It is also important that all are aware of the Charter for the Protection of Young People and Children. All who minister in the Diocese of Charlotte in any capacity are obligated to attend the Protecting God's Children program.
Lent: 2010
Good Friday and Ash Wednesday are the major days for fasting in general for those who have reached the age of 18 and are not yet 60. Abstinence means no meat on those days for those who are age 14 and over. General canon law says that all Fridays are days of abstinence -- no meat -- but if you want to eat meat, you should substitute some other form of penance. The U.S. rules for abstinence from meat includes all Friday during Lent; Fast (small meals, no snacks). Abstinence (no meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Fridays in Lent). Find out more about Lent. And even more.
Holy Week and Easter 2010
March 28 began Holy Week 2010 with the blessing of palms. There is so much more to Holy Week that we often miss. May this year be a Holy one for you by taking the time to explore more about your faith and the gift of Church. read more: Holy Week or about Easter.
Ecology and Franciscan Spirituality
Franciscan spirituality teaches us that reading, understanding and contemplating the word of God leads us back to creation as the revelation of God. St. Francis recognized the Incarnate Word of God in the leper, worms, birds, bishops, human brothers and sisters, water, fire and wind. Because of his openness he could recognize the blessing of being brother to all and he responded in humility. Our world and all within it is the responsiblity of all of us to cherish. We challenge each one reading this to take the Franciscan Pledge. Don't know the Pledge? Read it here and make it.
New Words: A Deeper Meaning, but the Same Mass
A new website from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will educate Catholics about the forthcoming English translation of the new Roman Missal.
The site, launched August 21, 2009 includes background material on the process of development of liturgical texts, sample texts from the Missal, a glossary of terms and answers to frequently asked questions. Content will be added regularly over the next several months. The bishop’s Committee on Divine Worship hopes the site will be a central resource for all Catholics.
May this process of implementation of the revised Roman Missal be a time of deepening, nurturing, and celebrating our faith through our worship and the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy.
Here is the link: http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/
Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations
Each day the Lord speaks to us through the Sacred Scriptures. Enter here for today's "food for thought" and allow yourself to be nourished daily with the Word of God. Another choice would be The Word Among Us. This one is based on the Daily Mass Readings. You also can try Living Faith, devotions from EWTN, Spiritual Catholic, and Catholic Moms.
