St. Mary Catholic Church

Open for private prayer beginning
Wednesday, May 27

Sunday - Friday
10AM-7PM

• Everyone must wear a mask at all times
• Social distancing of at least 6 feet
• No more than 10 persons at a given time

Use the handicap entrance under the porte-cochère 

St. Margaret of Scotland

St. Margaret of Scotland, or Margaret of Wessex, is the Patron Saint of Scotland. Here Feast Day is November 16. She was an English princess born in Hungary to Princess Agatha of Hungary and English Prince Edward the Exile around 1045. Her siblings, Cristina and Edgar the Atheling were also born in Hungary around this time. Margaret and her family returned to England when she was 10-years-old and her father was called back as a potential successor to the throne. However, Edward died immediately after the family arrived, but Margaret and her brother, Edgar, continued to reside at the English court.

Margaret's mother tried to flee from England when William the Conqueror was having much success in the country. Agatha, Margaret’s mother, tried to return to Europe with her family, but her family's ship got caught in a storm. The storm drove their ship even more north to Scotland, where they were shipwrecked in 1068. The spot they landed on is now known as "St. Margaret's Hope."

Malcolm Canmore III, the king of Scotland, welcomed Margaret and her family and put them under his protection. He soon fell deeply in love with the beautiful and kind princess. Margaret and Malcolm became married in 1070 at the castle of Dunfermline. Together, they had eight children, six sons and two daughters. All of whom were raised with deep Catholic Christian faith. They lived as a holy family, a domestic church.

Margaret's kind-nature and good heart was a strong influence on Malcolm's reign. She helped him become a virtuous King of Scotland. Together they prayed, fed the hungry, and offered a powerful example of living faith in action. The King placed Margaret in charge of all domestic affairs and was often consulted with state matters, as well.

She promoted the arts and education in Scotland. She constantly worked to aid the poor Scotland. She encouraged people to live a devout life, grow in prayer, and grow in holiness. She helped to build churches, including the Abbey of Dunfermline, where a relic of the true Cross is kept. She was well-known for her deep life of prayer and piety. She set aside specific times for prayer and to read Scripture. She didn't eat often and slept very little so she would have more time for her devotions. She lived holiness of life as a wife, mother and lay woman; truly in love with Jesus Christ. Her impact in Scotland led her to being referred to as, "The Pearl of Scotland."

In 1093, Malcolm and their oldest son were killed during the Battle of Alnwick. Already ill and worn from a life full of austerity and fasting, Margaret passed away four days after her husband, on November 16, 1093. Her body was buried before the high altar at Dunfermline.

In 1250, Pope Innocent IV canonized Margaret as a Saint, acknowledging her life of holiness and extraordinary virtue. She was honored for her work for reform of the Church and her personal holiness. 

This brief video summarizes the life of this powerful female Saint.

GOSPEL FOR SUNDAY, June 7, 2020: Trinity  Sunday

John 3: 16-18

On Trinity Sunday, the gospel presents us with one of the best known verses in the New Testament.

This short video provides children and middle schoolers with a musical rendition of the Bible verse and a quick explanation of the wonder of what God has done. 
If you or your children prefer to read the gospel yourself, you will find the link here. This reading is short enough that if your children are able to read, you might read it aloud together, with each person reading a sentence. 

Family Activity:  The idea of the “Trinity” is a hard one to explain.  Here is a “hands-on” activity that might help. Celebrate the Most Holy Trinity in your home this week by placing 3 identical candles (any 3 will do, just so they are all alike) in the center of your prayer table or dining room table. 
Light the center candle first. Then hold the wicks of the other two candles in the first flame for a moment or two, so they can all 3 burn together.
Tell your kids that the 3 separate candles are burning with one flame, just as the 3 separate persons of the Trinity are one God. Then, separate the candles, placing them back on your table, one on either side of the first. Together, make the sign of the cross and spend some time in prayer.