About Bread Alive
The mission at "Bread Alive" is to provide reflection and a forum for discussion for Catholic men and women who are living the vocation of married family life in today's world. Written from the viewpoint of a husband and father, the tone and thoughts are intended for all living this vocation.
OVERVIEW
This is a place for married Catholics to read, to think, and to share thoughts about their vocation.
Through Baptism we became members of the Body of Christ (CCC 1267), like branches grafted onto the True Vine (c.f. John 15). Apart from him we can bear no fruit. Apart from him we have no life (c.f. Jn 15: 5-6, 6:51). And in order to sustain this life, Jesus, "the living bread come down from heaven" (Jn 6:47) commands us to eat his flesh and drink his blood (Jn 6:53, 1 Cor 11:24-25). Through our reception of this august Sacrament and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to fulfill our Baptismal calling (CCC 1396), and so the many are made one (1 Cor 10:16-17), the bonds of charity are strengthened. Then, having received the Living Bread, we are sent forth (Ite missa est, Mt. 28:19) to be the light of the world (Mt 5:14), the yeast (Mt 13:33) which will enable the Kingdom of God to reach its fulfillment. Indeed, we are sent forth to be Christ for others, to be for them the Living Bread for which they hunger. With God's grace we can be Bread Alive.
As married Christians, we have a special responsibility to be Bread Alive because our married love gives witness to the love between Christ and his bride, the Church (LG 11, Ef 5:21-32). This love reached its fulfillment on the cross when the Son of God layed down his life for his friends (Jn 15:13, Rom 5:8). And so our lives must imitate this love (1 John 4:11, 21). Our lives must be as bread, broken and given, so that others, through the grace of God, may join with us in the heavenly feast already being celebrated here on Earth.
ABOUT MICHAEL & SUZANNE
Michael and Suzanne grew up together at Holy Family Catholic Church (and school) in Granite City, Illinois, a parish in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. After high school, they drifted apart for a few years. But God brought them back together at Holy Family in 2002. Their love grew and on September 4, 2004, they professed their vows of marriage at Holy Family surrounded by family and friends. Their little family now includes 3-year-old Thomas Xavier and 1-year-old Matthew James, and all of them are active in the parish. They also maintain a family site at Halbrook.net.
SO WHAT BROUGHT THIS ABOUT?
Michael's career has included work in media - radio and online - and advertising and communications. In particular, his focus has been on online media (websites, email marketing and communication, and advertising.) When Thomas Xavier was born, he started to feel a call to find a way to use his professional skill set to build up the Kingdom of God, encourage Christian families, and provide for his family in new, creative, additional ways that would allow them to live out their Christian calling to its fullest.
OVERVIEW
This is a place for married Catholics to read, to think, and to share thoughts about their vocation.
Through Baptism we became members of the Body of Christ (CCC 1267), like branches grafted onto the True Vine (c.f. John 15). Apart from him we can bear no fruit. Apart from him we have no life (c.f. Jn 15: 5-6, 6:51). And in order to sustain this life, Jesus, "the living bread come down from heaven" (Jn 6:47) commands us to eat his flesh and drink his blood (Jn 6:53, 1 Cor 11:24-25). Through our reception of this august Sacrament and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to fulfill our Baptismal calling (CCC 1396), and so the many are made one (1 Cor 10:16-17), the bonds of charity are strengthened. Then, having received the Living Bread, we are sent forth (Ite missa est, Mt. 28:19) to be the light of the world (Mt 5:14), the yeast (Mt 13:33) which will enable the Kingdom of God to reach its fulfillment. Indeed, we are sent forth to be Christ for others, to be for them the Living Bread for which they hunger. With God's grace we can be Bread Alive.
As married Christians, we have a special responsibility to be Bread Alive because our married love gives witness to the love between Christ and his bride, the Church (LG 11, Ef 5:21-32). This love reached its fulfillment on the cross when the Son of God layed down his life for his friends (Jn 15:13, Rom 5:8). And so our lives must imitate this love (1 John 4:11, 21). Our lives must be as bread, broken and given, so that others, through the grace of God, may join with us in the heavenly feast already being celebrated here on Earth.
ABOUT MICHAEL & SUZANNE
Michael and Suzanne grew up together at Holy Family Catholic Church (and school) in Granite City, Illinois, a parish in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. After high school, they drifted apart for a few years. But God brought them back together at Holy Family in 2002. Their love grew and on September 4, 2004, they professed their vows of marriage at Holy Family surrounded by family and friends. Their little family now includes 3-year-old Thomas Xavier and 1-year-old Matthew James, and all of them are active in the parish. They also maintain a family site at Halbrook.net.
SO WHAT BROUGHT THIS ABOUT?
Michael's career has included work in media - radio and online - and advertising and communications. In particular, his focus has been on online media (websites, email marketing and communication, and advertising.) When Thomas Xavier was born, he started to feel a call to find a way to use his professional skill set to build up the Kingdom of God, encourage Christian families, and provide for his family in new, creative, additional ways that would allow them to live out their Christian calling to its fullest.
