Weekly Bulletin

STUDY OF CATHOLICISM. Come and experience the beauty and truth of the Catholic Faith as illustrated in this rich, multimedia experience. Discover the full meaning of our faith with Father Robert Barron, acclaimed author, speaker and theologian. Join us in a journey around the world and deep into our Catholic Faith.
Saturday, February 25, March 3, 17, 24 and 31 in Father Rausch Hall following the 4:00 p.m. Mass. Dinner will be served.
Wednesdays February 29, March 7, 14, 21 and 28 following the 9:00 a.m. Mass in Father Rausch Hall. Coffee and refreshments will be served.
Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend!
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MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER. March 10-11th Weekend in Cooperstown Call #518-279-3243 or email mealbany@juno.com.
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The Blessed Virgin Mary: Her Privileges and Relation to Christ and His Church by Father William G. Most
MEDIATRIX OF ALL GRACES
As we would expect, having shared at immense cost in earning all graces, she shares similarly in distributing all of them as Mediatrix of all graces. This truth too has been taught numerous times by a long series of Popes--every Pope from Leo XIII through John XXIII.
ASSUMPTION AND QUEENSHIP
At the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken up (assumed) into heaven, body and soul. Pius XII, in defining the Assumption, explained that "Just as the glorious resurrection of Christ was an essential part and final sign of this victory [over sin and death by Calvary] so that struggle [Calvary] which was common to the Blessed Virgin and her Son, had to be closed by the glorification of her virginal body". That is, the struggle, a work common to the two was a common cause. It brought Him glorification; it had to bring the same to her. (In all this it is understood she is subordinate to Him, and really depends on Him for all her ability to do anything at all).
As a result, just as He is now King of the Universe, she is Queen of the Universe. "And her kingdom is as vast as that of her Son and God, since nothing is excluded from her dominion" (Pius XII, Bendito seia, May 13, 1946).
VATICAN II
Chapter 8 Vatican II's Constitution on the Church is entirely on her. In it the Council goes through in detail her association with Him. She is eternally joined with Him in the eternal decree for the Incarnation. She will remain eternally joined to Him as Queen in His Kingdom. And the council went through in detail every one of the mysteries of His life and death, showing in each case her close association with Him. The place the Father gave her is really all-pervading, in His approach to us. In writing this, Vatican II wrote more extensively about her, went farther theologically than all previous Councils combined! In spite of talk that it downgraded her, it was the opposite. Vatican II could really be called the Marian Council.
SPIRITUIAL MOTHERHOOD
On the floor of the Council, Pope Paul VI declared Mary Mother of the Church. This was not entirely new. Pius XII, in a message to the Marian Congress of Ottawa, Canada, on July 19, 1947 said: "When the little maid of Nazareth uttered her fiat to the message of the angel... she became not only the Mother of God in the physical order of nature, but also in the supernatural order of grace, she became the Mother of all, who... would be made one under the Headship of her Son. The Mother of the Head would be the Mother of the members."

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have; God is pleased by sacrifices of that kind. Hebrews 13:16