Thinking about making a website?

Search Engine: 

Several readers have asked that I insert a search engine into my website.  Google is a great help in this regard.  Once you are in tomrichstatter.org, enter the word or topic you wish to search into Google and click "search this site" and all the pages of tomrichstatter.org where that word is mentioned will be listed. 

Also I have tried to insert the key things you might want to search for into the glossary and hyperlink the items to the place where they are treated in my website.  I hope this is helpful to you. 

If there are any items that you cannot find please bring them to my attention at trichstatter@franciscan.org

My most recent publications

153. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "The Liturgical Year:  Simple Facts, Deep Truths,"  Catholic Update, Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, December 2010.  C1210

154. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "A Walk Through the Mass:  Why We Do What We Do," Catholic Update, Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, September 2011. C0911  (This is the third revision of this article.  As of November 30, 2011 this Update has sold 2,229,190 copies.)

155. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "Allah: A Christian Response," Book Review, St. Anthony Messenger, (119:4) September 2011, p.52.

156. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. "The Paschal Mystery" Catholic Update, Cincinnati: Franciscan Media, March 2012. C0312

151 revised. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. The Mass: A Guided Tour. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2012 (Reprinted with revised translations of the prayers of the Mass.)  ISBN 978-0-86716-646-0. $12.95. 

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My current and upcoming courses include:

12:635 The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Liturgy (Elective course) This course studies the liturgical texts for the Marian celebrations in the Roman Calendar, the theology which forms the background of these liturgical texts, and Church documents regarding devotion to the Blessed Mother in order to discover how these liturgical celebrations can be fruitful for one's personal piety and for the spiritual and liturgical life of the parish. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/m11s2012.htm

12:414 Sacraments of Initiation  (Weekend course: January 28-29, February 25-26, March 24-25, 2012. Snow dates: March 3-4, 2012) This course will study the history of the ways in which Christians have initiated new members into their community. We will study the current Roman Catholic rites for initiation of both adults and children. Reflection on the rites will help the participants understand the theological meaning of the sacraments of initiation and will give background to contemporary discussions on such issues as the age for Confirmation, the necessity of Reconciliation before Eucharist, the meaning of Original Sin, etc. The course is designed to help the participants develop a Baptismal Spirituality, to understand and teach these sacraments, and to enable them to plan and celebrate the rites effectively. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/i11s2012.htm

2012 Late Summer

12:301 Catholic Sacraments  (Online course; class limit 15.  June 11- August 17, 2012) This course studies the Catholic understanding of Sacraments and serves as an introduction to sacramental theology; it includes a survey of the history, theology, and liturgical celebration of the seven Roman Catholic sacraments. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/d10s2010.htm

2012 Fall　

12:425 Ministry to the Sick, the Dying and Bereaved (Elective course) This course studies the history of the Church's care for the sick, the dying, the dead, and the bereaved, as well as the rituals and liturgical rites the Church employs in this ministry, namely: Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum, and The Order of Christian Funerals. The aim of the seminar is to understand the history and meaning of these rites, to develop a theology of illness and death, and (through videos and role playing) to enable the participants to be better prepared to minister to the sick, the dying, and the bereaved, and to assist others preparing for this ministry in Catholic parishes. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/s11s2010.htm

12:405 Eucharist (Weekend course: September 15-16, October 13-14, November 10-11, 2012) This course examines the current structure and ritual elements of the Roman Catholic Eucharist. Particular emphasis is given to the Eucharistic Prayer. The history of these rites is studied to understand the Eucharist as 1) sacrament, 2) real presence, 3) meal, and 4) sacrifice. The course will help the participants to develop a fruitful Eucharistic spirituality and to accurately present the Eucharist in effective catechesis. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/e11s2012.htm

12:633 The Liturgical Year (Elective course) This course studies the historical development of the Liturgical Year and the reforms of the Roman Calendar that were brought about by the Second Vatican Council. We will study the theological and liturgical principles which guided the reform of the Liturgical Year and the scriptural and theological advances of the past 50 years which affect the celebration of the Liturgical Year in order to 1)　 enable the participants to prepare the liturgical celebrations of Sunday, the liturgical seasons, and feasts in the parishes where they might minister, and to 2) incorporate the spirit of the Liturgical Year into their personal prayer. The course syllabus can be viewed at www.tomrichstatter.org

12:413 Catholic Sacraments (Weekend course: January 26-27, February 23-24, March 23-24, 2013) This course studies the Catholic understanding of Sacraments and serves as an introduction to sacramental theology; it includes a survey of the history, theology, and liturgical celebration of the seven Roman Catholic sacraments. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/d10s2010.htm

2013 Early Summer [Before the Societas Liturgica Meeting]　　

12:314 Sacraments of Initiation　 (online; class limit 15. April 20-June 9, 2013) This course will study the history of the ways in which Christians have initiated new members into their community. We will study the current Roman Catholic rites for initiation of both adults and children. Reflection on the rites will help the participants understand the theological meaning of the sacraments of initiation and will give background to contemporary discussions on such issues as the age for Confirmation, the necessity of Reconciliation before Eucharist, the meaning of Original Sin, etc. The course is designed to help the participants develop a Baptismal Spirituality, to understand and teach these sacraments, and to enable them to plan and celebrate the rites effectively. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/i11s2012.htm

12:416 Introduction to Islam (Elective course) The course introduces the participants to the history and teachings of Islam as one of the great Abrahamic religions. The course includes a prayerful reading of the Sacred Qur'an and an introduction to Islamic spirituality, art, and culture. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/u61s2011.htm

12:416 Introduction to Islam  (Weekend course: September 14-15, October 19-20, November 16-17, 2013) The course introduces the participants to the history and teachings of Islam as one of the great Abrahamic religions. The course includes a prayerful reading of the Sacred Qur'an and an introduction to Islamic spirituality, art, and culture. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/u61s2011.htm

12:629 Devotional Prayer (Elective course)　 This seminar studies the rich history and practice of Catholic devotions. What can devotions can learn from the liturgy? How can the liturgy become more devotional and popular? The course studies the Roman instructions on the Eucharist outside of Mass, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Directory on Popular Piety, and the history of Catholics' devotional prayer in the United States of America during the last 75 years. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/v11s2011.htm

12:413 Catholic Sacraments  (Weekend course: January 25-26, February 22-23, March 22-23, 2014) This course studies the Catholic understanding of Sacraments and serves as an introduction to sacramental theology; it includes a survey of the history, theology, and liturgical celebration of the seven Roman Catholic sacraments. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/d10s2010.htm

12:425 Ministry to the Sick, Dying and Bereaved (Weekend course: June 20-21, July 19-20, August 16-17, 2014) This course studies the history of the Church's care for the sick, the dying, the dead, and the bereaved, as well as the rituals and liturgical rites the Church employs in this ministry, namely: Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum, and The Order of Christian Funerals. The aim of the seminar is to understand the history and meaning of these rites, to develop a theology of illness and death, and (through videos and role playing) to enable the participants to be better prepared to minister to the sick, the dying, and the bereaved, and to assist others preparing for this ministry in Catholic parishes. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/s11s2010.htm

12:635 The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Liturgy (Elective course) This course studies the liturgical texts for the Marian celebrations in the Roman Calendar, the theology which forms the background of these liturgical texts, and Church documents regarding devotion to the Blessed Mother in order to discover how these liturgical celebrations can be fruitful for one's personal piety and for the spiritual and liturgical life of the parish. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/m11s2012.htm

12:406 Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Weekend course: September 13-14, October 18-19, November 15-16, 2014) In today's often hostile world, we sometimes wonder if human forgiveness is just and appropriate, or if it is even possible. This course employs contemporary "forgiveness studies" to examine the passage from vengeance to forgiveness and eventually to reconciliation. We will then study the history of the ways in which the Church as has exercised its mission of forgiveness and examine the Rite of Penance and its implementation in today's parish. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/r11s2011.htm

12:425 Ministry to the Sick, the Dying and Bereaved (Elective course) This course studies the history of the Church's care for the sick, the dying, the dead, and the bereaved, as well as the rituals and liturgical rites the Church employs in this ministry, namely: Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum, and The Order of Christian Funerals. The aim of the seminar is to understand the history and meaning of these rites, to develop a theology of illness and death, and (through videos and role playing) to enable the participants to be better prepared to minister to the sick, the dying, and the bereaved, and to assist others preparing for this ministry in Catholic parishes. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/s11s2010.htm

12:405 Eucharist  (Weekend course: January 24-25, February 21-22, March 21-22, 2015) This course examines the current structure and ritual elements of the Roman Catholic Eucharist. Particular emphasis is given to the Eucharistic Prayer. The history of these rites is studied to understand the Eucharist as 1) sacrament, 2) real presence, 3) meal, and 4) sacrifice. The course will help the participants to develop a fruitful Eucharistic spirituality and to accurately present the Eucharist in effective catechesis. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/e11s2012.htm

12:414 Sacraments of Initiation  (Weekend course: April 18-19, May 16-17, June 13-14, 2015) This course will study the history of the ways in which Christians have initiated new members into their community. We will study the current Roman Catholic rites for initiation of both adults and children. Reflection on the rites will help the participants understand the theological meaning of the sacraments of initiation and will give background to contemporary discussions on such issues as the age for Confirmation, the necessity of Reconciliation before Eucharist, the meaning of Original Sin, etc. The course is designed to help the participants develop a Baptismal Spirituality, to understand and teach these sacraments, and to enable them to plan and celebrate the rites effectively. The course syllabus can be viewed at http://www.tomrichstatter.org/i11s2012.htm

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New Mass Prayers -- New ICEL Translations:  

Several people have asked me for some "background" regarding the new English translation of prayers of the Mass. There is an excellent article by Bishop Donald W. Trautman, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on the Liturgy, in Worship July 2006 [80:4] pp 290-390: "The Relationship of the Active Participation of the Assembly to Liturgical Translations."   I have placed a few notes on my website at d35 Liturgical Language

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Copyright: Tom Richstatter.  All Rights Reserved.  This page was created by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M.  Every effort has been, and is being made to acknowledge sources when the ideas are not my own.  Any failure to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code) will be corrected immediately should I become aware of it.  This site was updated on 01/17/12. Your comments on this site are welcome at trichstatter@franciscan.org