St. Edward the Confessor Dana Point

Grateful People Grateful people are happy people. They are like a candle around which people gather. They have an attraction that is undeniable and indefinable; a spiritual aroma that is disarming and refreshing. They have no agenda other than joy. Grateful people are the light that no amount of darkness can overcome. Gratefuls don’t need a lot of stuff in their lives. They tend to see beauty in every face, flower, weed, and wrinkle. Their thankful hearts make them glow from the inside. Gratitude is the lens from which everything takes on a deeper meaning. It is a way of living that rounds the hard edges of judgment with the polish of love. It is the appropriate response to the gift of this day, this moment this one, blessed life. by Andrew

Why is this important? Today marks the anniversary of the Cathedral Church of Rome dedicated by Pope Sylvester I on November 9th, 324. It is honored as the seat of the Pope who is the Bishop of Rome. It is not that often that we celebrate the Dedication of a Church Building in the course of the Liturgical Year. We include the Lateran Basilica officially called The Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in the Lateran, but S...t. John Lateran for short. It is built on property which was owned by the Laterani family. This Church is an Archbasilica which means that it has supremacy over all other basilicas in the world, including St. Peters at the Vatican. It is also a Cathedral meaning that it is the place where Pope Francis, as the Bishop of Rome, presides in the same way that Bishop Vann presides from Christ Cathedral. St. John Lateran Archbasilica is the most important Church building in the world. Just as we sometimes call St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York America’s Cathedral, St. John Lateran is called The World’s Cathedral. The inscription on the front makes this clear: Most Holy Lateran Church, Mother and Head of All the Churches in the City and the World. Why is this important and why do we celebrate this? This Basilica is the center and focal point of all of Christianity. Just as Christ presides over all from the Heavenly Jerusalem, so too does the Pope as Vicar of Christ preside over the Kingdom of God on earth from the Lateran Basilica. Because of its status, every Church even St. Edward the Confessor is not only a representation of the One True Heavenly Temple, but also shares and expresses unity with this earthly Temple. May this sacred place, where heaven and earth meet at the altar, be for us a reminder of the faith, hope, and charity which Christ Jesus our Most Holy Savior offers us in his Holy Church, and through the ministry of the Church. #LateranBasilica #BishopofRome

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The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in the St. Edward parking lot on November 15, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. To schedule your appointment or for more information, sign up at RedCrossBlood.org and use sponsor code: Edwards Additional information can be found on our website. #StEdwardTogether #StEdwardChurch #BloodDrive #GiveBloodSaveLives

1 p.m. Mass en espanol

#StEdwardChurch #SundayReadings #Psalms

Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass

Simply Grateful I awake slowly in my bed, relishing the blankets and the pillows and my wife’s handmade quilt of many colors. I am delighted to hear the gentle gurgle of our fountain in the solarium. The usual traffic noises have been chased away by the rain. Outside the kitchen window, crystalline droplets cling to the pine tree’s long green needles. Beyond, my Ginkgo trees have turned an autumn shade of yellow that exists only in Ginkgo leaves. Now, the rare sound of thun...der! Today is like a holiday. Nowhere to go! I fill the coffee pot, anticipating the dark addictive brew. I am told by my doctors to avoid coffee. I do avoid it. I keep it safely confined in the kitchen. For the first time in my adult life, I struggle with my health. I shuttle around to hospitals and clinics for tests and treatments. I lay inside cold white machines draped in heated blankets. Lord, I am so grateful for the prayers of my family and friends; for my doctors, and for the army of cheerful (mostly women) caregivers who offer us all comfort and healing, day after day. I am on the mend. All shall be well. by Natahniel

As national vocation awareness week draws to a close, we pray for young people in our community that they may respond generously with open hearts and willing spirits if the Lord calls them to the priesthood, diaconate, or consecrated life. #StEdwardChurch #vocations #consecrated #priests #deacons #religiouslife

When the Best Man can’t make it to a wedding during the time of Covid a cutout photo fills his place in the pew. Anyone else have an unusual Covid wedding story to share?

This 30-min. Bible study podcast will change how you hear the Sunday readings. Draw back to the center of what really matters. The real world. Do you know what that is? stedward.com/podcast #SeekingFaith #StEdwardChurch #podcast #SundayReadings #Gospel

We Remember Mass

Union with Christ When I asked myself this morning what inspires me, something deep inside said, ‘Uniting people in hope and love in the fellowship of the Lord.’ I live in gratitude every day for His love, His forgiveness, His mercy, His compassion, His healing -presence, and His answer to my prayers. He doesn’t always answer the way I ask, but He always answers. I am grateful that He built His rock on Peter who denied Him three times, was forgiven and became our first Pope. ...I am grateful that He forgave Saul who persecuted Christians. In that forgiveness, Saul found Christ and became the Apostle Paul, inspiring a world of people to follow the Lord. Christ became our sin by taking it, all of it, for all ages to His death, and purifying us through His resurrection. We as human beings have yet to learn to live in harmony, to live in peace with one another. But I am grateful for everyone who seeks union, and wholeness through God, and doesn’t give up on making the world a more united place. Be inspired by The Blessing by the Global Choir. by Gracie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9EK8dAXl6I

Friday Morning Mass