Advent & Christmas News
The Armor of Love: Octave of Christmas, the Feast of St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr
By Deacon Keith Fournier • Catholic Online • 12/27/2011
On this Feast of St Stephen the Deacon and Martyr of the Church, let us continue our clebration of the Octave of Christmas by reflecting on this soldier of Jesus Christ whose life was so conformed to the Lord that he imitated him in his death. Let us also pray for our deacons, that they can ...
Christmas Pointsettias - A Reminder of Redemption
By Randy Sly • Catholic Online • 12/26/2011
We see them everywhere - in flower shops, department stores and grocery stores. The pointsettia came to North America in the early 1800's. Now they are as familiar this time of year as candy canes and carolers. While we pause, during these days in our Christmas celebration, to reflect on the reason ...
Today the Savior is Born: Congregation for the Clergy on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord
By Congregation for the Clergy • Catholic Online • 12/26/2011
The Lord's Nativity teaches us the concreteness of Christianity that is not a sentiment, but a relationship of the mind and heart with a Person, Jesus Christ, the Word Incarnate.Those who look at the Child of Bethlehem with faith do not see only a man, but God, the Invisible made visible, the Word ...
Love is Born on Christmas Morn - and the Whole World Begins Again
By Deacon Keith Fournier • Catholic Online • 12/26/2011
On the wonderful day called Christ-Mass, the world pauses at a manger. The great event of the Nativity of the Lord touches every man, woman and child. The world is presented with the Christian proclamation that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." The words rendered in English "dwelt ...
Christmas Reflection on the Eucharist and Giving
By Michael Terheyden • Catholic Online • 12/26/2011
As we draw near to our God this Christmas morning and receive the great gift of His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, let us not hesitate to give ourselves back to Him. Let us enter the holy game, feel the uncreated rhythm, and join in the eternal dance which sanctifies us and the world. Let us also ...
Parish Celebration of the Las Posadas Gains Media Attention
By Randy Sly • Catholic Online • 12/24/2011
Fr. James Farfaglia, Catholic Online's "Happy Priest," is the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in the heart of Corpus Christi, Texas. After a 30 year absence, this year the parish re-established the celebration of a major Mexican celebration for Christmas - Las Posadas. WASHINGTON, DC ...
5th Joyful Mystery: Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple
By Jennifer Hartline • Catholic Online • 12/23/2011
Like Mary and Joseph on that day in Jerusalem, our worrying ceases when we find Jesus. Our hearts are anxiously searching for Him, and we are troubled and frightened until we find Him. There is joy in finding Jesus; there is worry and fear without Him. In every event of our day, every task, ...
4th Joyful Mystery: The Presentation in the Temple
By Jennifer Hartline • Catholic Online • 12/23/2011
He was given no special treatment, no exceptions. God was not about to break His own rules. He came to fulfill the Law, not toss the Law out the window. He came to live our human experience is every single way that we do, including obeying the law. We needn't ever worry when obeying God's law. ...
2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth
By Jennifer Hartline • Catholic Online • 12/22/2011
Gabriel had just left her, and the first thing she does is prepare to leave and visit Elizabeth, her cousin. Gabriel had told her Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy, a testament to the power of God. It's really a simple lesson this mystery teaches - take care of each other. Even when you ...
The 3rd Joyful Mystery: The Birth of Jesus
By Jennifer Hartline • Catholic Online • 12/22/2011
He came to us small, weak, dependent and poor. He sought to inspire our affection and devotion rather than command our submission. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) – “She gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for ...
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