liturgical year Archives

Aboard the Magnificat cruise, Fr. Tom preaches on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord — the day, forty days after Christmas, when Mary and Joseph carry the infant Jesus into the temple.

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Fr. Tom: Let Simeon’s Prayer Be Our Prayer

He sets the scene against Ezekiel’s prophecy that the Lord’s presence was departing from the temple, and then points to what happens on this feast: a young couple walks in with a baby, and God returns. Simeon and Anna, who stayed faithful through the long wait, finally see what they had hoped for — and Simeon prays the words the Church still prays at the close of every day: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation.”

Fr. Tom then turns the scene toward the listener.

Jesus is about to enter the temple of your heart, he says — in fact He already has, in the Word proclaimed. A ship stays on course by staying fixed on its heading; we get to heaven by staying fixed on the Word, and the Word is Jesus, and that Word is life and light. We bless candles because the Light came into the darkness of the world — and today that light comes into you.

He closes by making Simeon’s prayer our own: “Master, you may let your servant go in peace according to your word. For in this Eucharist, our eyes have seen your salvation.”

Quotes

“Everything that he waited for and he hoped for and he trusted and he had faith in became a reality in that moment when Mary and Joseph walked into that temple.”
“Jesus is about to come into the temple of your heart. He’s about to take up residence once again in your heart.”
“We are nothing without the Word, because the Word is everlasting life.”
“We bless candles because the light came into the darkness of the world. But today that light is coming into you and into me.”
“Master, you may let your servant go in peace according to your word. For in this Eucharist, our eyes have seen your salvation.”

Scripture & liturgy references

The Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas) — celebrated 40 days after Christmas
Luke 2:22–40 — the Presentation; Simeon and Anna
The Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29–32) — prayed at Night Prayer / Compline
Ezekiel 10–11 — the glory of the Lord departing the temple
St. Blaise and the blessing of throats (February 3)
Blessing of candles

Nine Homilies with Fr. Tom Sparacino— Living in the Heart of Christ

In this inspiring collection of nine homilies, Fr. Tom invites listeners into a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ through the liturgical year, the Eucharist, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Preached during a Magnificat pilgrimage, these reflections weave together Scripture, personal testimony, humor, and practical spiritual wisdom to encourage believers to live boldly as missionary disciples.

Throughout the series, Fr. Tom repeatedly returns to the central truth that Jesus desires to dwell in the temple of our hearts.

Just as the infant Christ was presented in the Temple, believers are called to welcome His presence daily through prayer, Scripture, and especially the Eucharist. Every Mass is an invitation to encounter Christ anew and allow His Word to become the guiding light for life’s journey.

Listeners are encouraged to embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit with confidence and humility. Holiness is presented not as perfection but as complete dependence upon God. Fr. Tom reminds us that every baptized Christian has received spiritual gifts and is called to use them courageously in service of the Church and the world.

A recurring theme is the Sacred Heart of Jesus—the refuge where every burden, fear, and sorrow finds rest.

Through moving personal stories and reflections on sunrise prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and the beauty of creation, Fr. Tom illustrates how Christ continually invites His people away from the noise of everyday life into intimate communion with Him.

The homilies also challenge listeners to confront the obstacles that hinder spiritual growth.

Pride, fear, divided hearts, and the temptation to place conditions on God’s will prevent authentic healing and discipleship. Instead, Fr. Tom calls believers to surrender everything to the Lord, trusting that God’s grace is always sufficient, even amid suffering and uncertainty.

Drawing from the lives of saints including Simeon, Anna, St. Agatha, St. Scholastica, St. Bernadette, and St. Blaise, these messages demonstrate how ordinary people become extraordinary witnesses through unwavering faith and courageous obedience.

One of the most powerful themes woven throughout the homilies is that God does not abandon His people in suffering. Rather than removing every trial, He provides the grace necessary to endure them. Through stories of pastoral ministry, healing prayer, and personal encounters with God’s mercy, Fr. Tom encourages listeners to trust God’s timing and remain steadfast even in life’s darkest moments.

Ultimately, these nine homilies form one unified invitation: to become living tabernacles of Christ. Nourished by the Eucharist, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and transformed by divine mercy, every Christian is called to leave Mass renewed, fearless, and ready to bring Christ’s light into the world.

Highlights

Encountering Christ through the liturgical year and the Eucharist
Living as temples of the Holy Spirit
Receiving and using the gifts of the Spirit
The healing love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Overcoming pride, fear, and spiritual distractions
Learning from the witness of the saints
Trusting God’s grace in suffering
Becoming missionary disciples with holy boldness
Allowing God’s mercy to transform everyday life
Living each day focused on Christ and His mission

Fr. Tom Sparacino’s 9 Homilies were given during the Magnificat Caribbean Visitation Cruise Jan. 31 – Feb. 14^th, 2026.

I recently spoke with Jen Frost, a sewist and fabric designer who wrote a book on living out the liturgical year. I didn’t mention it to Jen, but this is one of my favorite topics! How we can incorporate the Church seasons into our daily life is something I think is so important. It truly helps us to live out our faith every day. I also loved the way Jen said it, it helps her make “my faith my own.” If you want more specific information on the Church seasons, I have an episode for you.

A little about Jen

Creating has always been a part of her life; she learned to hand sew at a very young age, and remembers her mom sewing Halloween each year. Jen’s mother-in-law quilts. She introduced Jen to it and she fell in love with it – and that Christmas, after not being able to find an Advent quilt pattern available on the market, Jen taught herself how to write quilt patterns and published her first pattern: Advent Wreaths.

For Jen, creating Christian patterns is a beautiful way to share faith through gorgeous quilts and fabrics! She fills a niche in the quilt pattern market that wasn’t being filled before. Jen appreciates the inclusion that offering faith-filled patterns brings and being able to connect with so many different denominations.

From sewing to writing

Back in 2015, Jen met Allison Gingras on a podcast interview for Catholic Creatives. The pair stayed in touch and when Allison put together a group of women to write the Stay Connected Journals she asked Jen to write the one on liturgical living.

What’s in the book?

The book, published by Our Sunday Visitor, has 7 chapters, each focusing on a different Chruch season. Advent, Lent, Easter, Christmas and Ordinary Time are discussed. There are scripture references and questions to ponder to help make a connection between the word and everyday life. And while it can read cover to cover, Jen suggests reading it just before the next season, so you’re not reading about Christmas in July! In fact, she has a book club set up on her website that does just that. Take a look at it and consider joining in!

Not Lukewarm Challenge

This week, Jen invites you to consider your family and faith traditions and find out a little more about it. Where does it come from? Why do you do it? So maybe you’ll ask a family member or maybe it requires a bit of internet research, but either way, find out a bit more!

Jen’s website, Faith and Fabric.

Buy her new book!