Extraordinary Time

In the final episode of Extraordinary Time: Lent 2026, Bishop John S. Bonnici shares a message of Easter joy with the faithful of the Diocese of Rochester. To view the video version of Bishop Bonnici's reflection: https://youtu.be/T9MkYS-1nv4 Extraordinary Time is a podcast from the Catholic Courier, the newspaper of the Diocese of Rochester. For more Extraordinary Time, visit https://catholiccour...

In episode 7, Don Smith, coordinator of sacramental catechesis and family life for the Diocese of Rochester, helps us prepare for the Easter Triduum with an explanation of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil. Smith explains that he finds it helpful to understand both the totality of how the three days flow into one another, as well as the individuality of each specific d...

In the sixth episode of “Extraordinary Time” season three, Sister of St. Joseph Donna Del Santo leads an imaginative contemplation of a pair of Gospel readings for Palm Sunday. Imaginative contemplative prayer, also known as Ignatian contemplation, invites the participant to use their imagination and senses to enter a Gospel story. Sister Del Santo is the vocations director for the Sisters of St....

In Episode 5 of “Extraordinary Time” season 3, Father Edison Tayag, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Victor, offers a reflection on the Gospel reading for the fifth Sunday of Lent, which in 2026 recounts the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Father Tayag notes that this miracle previewed Jesus’ own resurrection from the dead, an event that forever changed the understanding of the meanin...

Sister of Mercy Theresa Rutty reflects on the Gospel reading for March 15, 2026, the story of Jesus healing a blind man on the Sabbath to the Pharisees’ chagrin. Sister Rutty discusses the concept of the “freedom of the children of God” and what freedom truly means in this context. For the text of the readings and Gospel: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031526.cfm For the Catholic Courier's...

Deacon Jim Fien of St. Rita in Webster offers a reflection on the reading for March 8, 2026, which tells of Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well. Deacon Fien reminds us that Lent is an opportunity for us to quench our deeper thirst for the things of God. For the text of the readings and Gospel: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030826.cfm For the Catholic Courier's Lenten section (whic...

Father Patrick Connor, pastor of Ss. Isidore and Maria Torribia Parish in the Diocese of Rochester, reflects on the readings for March 1, 2026. He notes that the Lenten season, with its mix of joy and pain, allows us to mirror Christ’s disfiguration and transfiguration, followed by our ultimate redemption through His death and resurrection. For the text of the readings and Gospel: https://bible.us...

In the first episode of season 3 of Extraordinary Time, Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, current apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Rochester, shares how Lent provides us with 40 days of imitating Christ. Ash Wednesday readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021826.cfm Learn more about church’s rules for Lenten fasting, abstinence: https://catholiccourier.com/articles/learn-more-about-...

Extraordinary Time is the Catholic Courier‘s seasonal podcast for the church’s liturgical seasons. The third season of the podcast — Advent 2026 — will accompany listeners through Lent with weekly Scriptural reflections. Episodes will feature the insights of priests, deacons, women religious and others from around the Diocese of Rochester. The first episode of Lent 2026 will launch on Ash Wednesda...

In the final episode of season two of Extraordinary Time, Bishop Salvatore R. Matano of the Diocese of Rochester reflects on the gift of peace through Christ among us. Special Guest: Bishop Salvatore R. Matano.

Sister of Mercy Barbara Giehl offers a reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent as we anticipate the celebration of Christmas. Music heard in Sister Giehl's recording is "Creator of the Stars of Night" from Marty Haugen's 1987 album Nights of Silence, Music for Advent and Christmas . For the readings and Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122125.cfm To...

Father Michael Merritt, parochial vicar at Church of the Holy Spirit in Webster and St. Joseph’s in Penfield, offers a reflection for the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday. This episode is sponsored by Jennings, Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home . Extraordinary Time is a podcast of the Catholic Courier, newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY. Like and subscribe...

In this episode, Sister Joan Sobala, SSJ, reflects on the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent. She notes that, following John the Baptist’s example presented in these readings, the season of Advent invites us to reform our thinking and transform our lives. Extraordinary Time is a podcast of the Catholic Courier, newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY. Like and subscribe so y...

Deacon Dennis Donahue reflects on the readings for the first Sunday in Advent and how these readings invite us to live intentionally, with purpose, as we await the birth of Christ. Extraordinary Time is a podcast of the Catholic Courier, newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester, NY. Like and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Also consider leaving us a review! For the readings and...

Extraordinary Time is the Catholic Courier‘s seasonal podcast for the church’s liturgical seasons. The second season of the podcast — Advent 2025 — will accompany listeners through Advent with weekly Scriptural reflections. Episodes will feature the insights of priests, deacons, women religious and others from around the Diocese of Rochester. The first episode of Advent 2025 will launch Nov. 30 an...

Celebrate the joy of Easter with this special message from Father Paul Bonacci, pastor of St. Pius X in Chili, as he reflects on the day the world changed forever when Jesus conquered death. Extraordinary Time is a podcast from the Catholic Courier, the newspaper of the Diocese of Rochester. For more Extraordinary Time, visit https://catholiccourier.com/podcasts/ and stay up-to-date with Holy Week...

Father Michael Costik, pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Canandaigua and Bloomfield, NY, breaks down the origins, customs and symbolism of the Easter Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Prepare to enter into the joy of Easter through deeper understanding of the Triduum. For a list of Holy Week Masses and services, visit Monroe County: https://catholiccourier.com/articles/2024-ho...

Prepare for Palm Sunday with Sister Karen Dietz, SSJ, in episode 8 of Extraordinary Time. Sister Dietz reflects on the Gospel reading of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and how this passage reminds us to savor the moment of clarity regarding Jesus’ mission as we enter Holy Week. For a list of Holy Week Masses and services, visit Monroe County: https://catholiccourier.com/articles/2024-holy-w...

Father Steven Lewis, parochial vicar at St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Katharine Drexel parishes, reflects on the Gospel account of the woman caught in adultery who was brought before Jesus. Father Lewis shares how this and the other appointed readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent remind us of the meaning of Lent – to sow repentance and reap forgiveness. For the text of the April 6 readings and Gosp...

Lisa Lickona, assistant professor of systematic theology at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, offers a reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. In it, she shares how the parable of the prodigal son contained in this week’s Gospel reading sheds light on the enormity of God’s love for us. For the text of the March 30 readings and Gospel, visit https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033...

Prepare for the Third Sunday of Lent with Deacon Michael Kristan as he leads a lectio divina-style meditation on the appointed readings for the day. For the text of the March 23 readings and Gospel, visit https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032325-YearC.cfm For the text of the March 23 Scrutiny Year A Readings, visit https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032325-YearA.cfm Extraordinary Time is...

Deacon Dennis Lohouse of the Diocese of Rochester reflects on the Gospel reading for the Second Sunday of Lent, in which the mystery of Jesus’ nature as both true God and true man is revealed to some of his disciples in the Transfiguration. To watch Deacon Dennis's video reflection, visit https://youtu.be/w4xgqpZLDxY For the text of the March 16 readings and Gospel, visit https://bible.usccb.org/b...

In episode three of Extraordinary Time, Father Matthew Walter of the Diocese of Rochester shares how “The Silent Planet” book series by C.S. Lewis can help illustrate the Gospel passage of Luke 4:1-13, which describes the temptation of Jesus. Father Walter shares how temptation is in many ways the real “battle” of Lent and reflects on how to resist temptation. Candidates and catechumens participat...

In episode two of Extraordinary Time, Sisters of Mercy Kathleen Wayne, 68; Raymond Joseph Griffin, 101; Celeste Boyle, 95; Phyllis Bernardo, 95; Kathleen Ward, 90; Lucetta Ward, 90; reflect on the Gospel reading for March 9, 2025: Luke 4:1-13. Join them for a discussion on the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit, during Lent and year-round. For the text of the March 9 readings and Gospel, v...

In episode one of Extraordinary Time, Deacon Jonathan Schott explains the three Lenten pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, and offers practical suggestions for how to incorporate these pillars into your Lenten practices this year. For listings of Masses/Liturgies for Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, visit: https://catholiccourier.com/articles/ash-wednesday-southern-tier/ https://catholiccourie...