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What is Advent?

Advent? What is all about

The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming. We may reflect that every year at this time we celebrate his coming , so that in a sense we can lose the feeling of expectancy and joyful anticipation, because at the end of the season, everything seems to return to pretty much the same routine. If that is the case, then our preparation may have been lacking ... continue reading

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A Layman's Plea for Tolerance of Catholics

By Jason DeSena Trennert • Catholic Online • 1/1/2013

For all those inclined to revile the Church and what it stands for, practicing Catholics like me have a humble request - attend any mass at any time at any Catholic church in the world. It won't take more than an hour of your time, you won't be asked to convert, and I can promise you that the ...

When God takes possession of the soul, it knows it has found something great, something worth dying for, although this possession at the same time remains shrouded in mystery. It is as if a great Light floods in, enabling the soul to finally open its eyes, seeing for the first time the true meaning and purpose of its life; it then understands it has tasted a Love never-before imagined, never-before experienced. The whole world, in that moment, is transformed into something different, something new.

A Question For The Christmas Season: Do You Want To Become A Saint?

By F. K. Bartels • Catholic Online • 12/31/2012

Who and what is a saint, and why should anyone want to be one? Is it in any way important to think about the saints? What do their lives mean for our lives? Given the nature of our modern, hyper-energized and technologically advanced world, are they still relevant today? On the other hand, could ...

Every Leader Supporting Abortion is Herod, Every Child Killed a Holy Innocent

By Deacon Keith Fournier • Catholic Online • 12/30/2012

Every child killed by voluntary abortion is a Holy Innocent. Every leader who supports this killing, implicitly or explicitly, carries on the evil actions of Herod. On this Feast of the Holy Innocents let us summon a new resolve to bring an end to the slaughter of the holy innocents in this ...

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The Christmas Story

Christmas Story explained

To become the mother of the Savior, Mary "was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role."132 The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation salutes her as "full of grace". In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace... continue reading

More Christmas

Mary Speaks From the Heart

A surprised Mary is afraid
A perplexed Mary is confused
An astonished Mary is faithful

A Young Mother Gives Birth

Making a difficult Journey
Facing difficult circumstances
The Fruit of Thy Womb...

Mary Remembers

The Angel's Visit
The conversation with Joseph
The Visit to Elizabeth

A Birth Foretold

God speaks to Adam
Isaiah speaks to Israel
An Angel Speaks to Joseph

The Witnesses Gather

Watched from Heaven
Watched from Darkness
Watched by Man

The Plan Unfolds

Not just any child
Not just any destiny
Not just any result

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Advent Daily Readings

The weeks of Advent remind us to set aside some of the hectic business of the holiday season, and to quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. The Bible readings listed below relate to the Advent themes of waiting, preparation, light in the darkness, and the coming of the promised Messiah. continue reading