Christmas / Advent 2010

Christmas / Advent News

Mail delivery on Saturdays could be halted
Catholic Online
3/2/2010, by Greg Goodsell

In order to reduce operating costs, the United States Postal Service is suggesting eliminating mail delivery on Saturdays. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic ...

The Birthday of the Lord is the Birthday of Peace
Catholic Online
12/31/2009, by Pope St. Leo the Great

For this is true of any believer in whatever part of the world, that once he is reborn in Christ he abandons the old paths of his original nature and ...

The Word took our nature from Mary
Catholic Online
12/31/2009, by St. Athanasius

The body of the Lord was a true body: It was a true body because it was the same as ours. Mary, you see, is our sister, for we are all born from Adam. ...

The Word made flesh makes us like Himself
Catholic Online
12/31/2009, by Saint Hippolytus

When we have come to know the true God, both our bodies and our souls will be immortal and incorruptible. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) � We present ...

A Christmas Reflection on Suffering and Trust
Catholic Online
12/31/2009, by F. K. Bartels

When some cross presents itself in our life, let us not fear; for the All-Powerful Child has plans for those whom he loves; plans of such unfathomable ...

Jesus spent 30 of his 33 earthly years in Nazareth. Some spiritual writers have called these the 'hidden years', because there is so little written about them in the Gospel narratives. However, they reveal the holiness of ordinary life and show us how it becomes extraordinary for those baptized into Christ.

Learning in the School of Nazareth: Feast of the Holy Family
Catholic Online
12/27/2009, by Deacon Keith Fournier

From antiquity the Christian family has rightly been called a domestic church. In our family we can learn the way of selfless love in the School of ...

Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our eternal King. Today we celebrate the triumphant suffering of his soldier.Yesterday our king, clothed in his robe of flesh, left his place in the virgin�s womb and graciously visited the world. Today his soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven.

Octave: Feast of St. Stephen, Deacon and Protomartyr
Catholic Online
12/26/2009, by Deacon Keith Fournier

Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven. Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another ...

Let those of us who have embraced the truth of this claim now manifest- in our own lives and families- the fruits of the Incarnation. Let us become a Christmas people and offer through our lives of love the greatest gift of all. Let us continue to manifest the beauty of the Incarnation to a world that still waits to be born.

Merry Christmas: He Pitched His Tent Among Us
Catholic Online
12/24/2009, by Deacon Keith Fournier

On this one wonderful day called "Christ-Mass" the entire world rightly pauses. Heaven has come to earth so that earth can be brought to heaven. ...

'St. Francis with his nativity scene highlighted the defenseless love, humility and goodness of God, Who in the Incarnation of the Word shows Himself to mankind in order to teach them a new way to live and love.'

Pope Benedict XVI: The Child Jesus Makes the Love of God Manifest to the World
Vatican Information Service
12/24/2009

'Spiritual atmosphere that now surrounds Christmas developed during the Middle Ages thanks to St. Francis of Assisi.' VATICAN CITY (VIS) - In his general ...

The 3rd Joyful Mystery: The Birth of Jesus
Catholic Online
12/23/2009, by Jennifer Hartline

He came to us small, weak, dependent and poor. He sought to inspire our affection and devotion rather than command our submission. CHESAPEAKE, Va. ...

Pause and consider this Mystery anew in this holy Season. Remove it from the restrictive confines of its familiarity. Just pause a moment before the Nativity scene and ponder as did Mary, as did the shepherds and the wise men. And realize that if God entered our history in a given moment, it was a moment whose impact would never cease to be felt.

Emmanuel: God-With-Us, God-Within-Us!
Catholic Online
12/23/2009, by Monsignor Mark J. Seitz

God entered concretely, in the flesh, in the midst of human lives and he continues to dwell in the midst of human lives, in the midst of our lives. ...

Exclusive: A Christmas Poem: Dream of Me
Catholic Online
12/22/2009, by Jennifer Hartline

You own me completely, And now You are mine. I lavish a mother�s kisses on the tender face of God. Who could imagine such a thing? CHESAPEAKE, Va. ...

Reflection: The Incarnation Dwells Among Us
Catholic Online
12/22/2009, by Michael Terheyden

When we think of the birth of Jesus Christ in terms of the fullness of the mystery of the Incarnation our understanding of Christmas changes. KNOXVILLE, ...

The 1st Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Catholic Online
12/20/2009, by Jennifer Hartline

Her 'yes' had nothing to do with her and everything to do with Him. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) � �Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you!� ...

I suspect Mary was overjoyed at the news of Elizabeth�s pregnancy, and couldn�t wait to get there and share the wonder of it all with her. Now the two of them could delight in each other�s miracles and bask in the glory of God and all He had done by His power alone. I can easily imagine them hugging and laughing and fussing over each other.

The 2nd Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Catholic Online
12/20/2009, by Jennifer Hartline

Bring Christ to your family, as Mary brought Christ to Elizabeth�s. Let this mystery of the Rosary teach us to love our neighbor. CHESAPEAKE, Va. ...

Confession's Sacrament
Catholic Online
12/17/2009, by Ann Casey

Yet, perhaps God, aware of the immensity of His name; chose this as one of his reasons for sending His son to us � someone who would never be ashamed to ...

Advent: Time for Reflection on the God who is Here
Catholic Online
12/15/2009, by F. K. Bartels

Let us truly and with purpose thirst for Christ�s coming. Let us be absorbed, moved, persuaded and changed by Advent. GLADE PARK, Colorado (Catholic ...

On this Sunday they are replaced with vestments of a rose color, a symbol of joy.

Gaudete! Rejoice because the Lord is near!
Catholic Online
12/13/2009, by Deacon Keith Fournier

'I am every day more convinced that happiness in Heaven is for those who know how to be happy on earth.' (St. Josemaria Escriva) CHESAPEAKE, Va. ...

Gaudete Sunday - The 'Selah' of Advent
Catholic Online
12/12/2009, by Randy Sly

In a sense, Gaudete Sunday is our opportunity to pause and just reflect on His Coming� to have an Advent �selah�!. WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - ...

Saint Padre Pio on the Immaculate Conception
Catholic Online
12/8/2009, by Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - The Three Divine Persons imbue this sublime creature with all her privileges, her favors, and her graces, and with ...

O Virgin, by whose blessing all nature is blessed!
Catholic Online
12/8/2009, by St. Anselm

Through Mary God made himself a Son, not different but the same, by nature Son of God and Son of Mary. WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - Blessed Lady, ...

Mary, the Immaculate Conception, Points the Way
Catholic Online
12/8/2009, by Jennifer Hartline

You and I may have to struggle to see through this glass darkly for now, but we can learn from Mary how to keep one eye on eternity. CHESAPEAKE, Va. ...

Only Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. Nothing in this world is more deserving of our attention, especially this season. Whatever else may be going on, our gaze should be fixed on Emmanuel. We should be looking expectantly at that manger with grateful hearts. We not only can rejoice, we must rejoice.

Emmanuel: God is With Us!
Catholic Online
12/6/2009, by Jennifer Hartline

The headlines are shouting doom and despair at me, but today I am not listening. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - Advent got off to a great start for ...

He loved us first
Catholic Online
12/2/2009, by William of Saint-Thierry

A discourse 'On the Contemplation of God' WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - Truly you alone are the Lord. Your dominion is our salvation, for to serve you is ...

Let the word of the Lord come to us
Catholic Online
12/2/2009, by St. Bernard

The first coming was in flesh and weakness, the middle coming is in spirit and power, and the final coming will be in glory and majesty. WASHINGTON ...

Advent Reflection: Children are Promise Carriers
Catholic Online
12/1/2009, by Sonja Corbitt

In my most desperate times my three year old has been known to hold my face in his miniature hands and tell me 'You�re my pleasure'. BETHPAGE, TN ...

The twofold coming of Christ
Catholic Online
11/30/2009, by St Cyril of Jerusalem

'The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom'. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - Here is an excerpt ...

'This Sunday we begin, by the grace of God, a new liturgical year, which opens naturally with Advent, a time of preparation for the Lord's nativity'.

Pope to Faithful: Welcome Advent with Hope, Prepare the Way for the Lord
Zenit News Agency
11/30/2009

'The Lord Jesus came in the past, he comes in the present and will come in the future'. VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org) - Here is a translation of Benedict XVI's ...

This Sunday the Season of Advent begins! Millions of the faithful throughout the world, will bring the advent candles out of storage and set it them in a prominent place.The formal celebration of Advent dates back to the fourth century but the practice of preparing for the coming of the Lord by living as though he is always coming goes back to the very beginnings of the Church.

To Begin Again: Why we Need Advent
Catholic Online
11/27/2009, by Deacon Keith Fournier

In a culture where the influences of Christian traditions are waning many are again asking 'Why do Christians celebrate Advent?' DUCK, N.C. (Catholic ...

The mystery of our reconciliation with God
Catholic Online
11/5/2009, by Pope St. Leo the Great

The divine nature and the nature of a servant were to be united in one person so that the Creator of time might be born in time. To speak of our Lord, the ...

The Season of Advent
Catholic Online
11/5/2009, by St. Charles Borromeo

Each year, as the Church recalls this mystery - that Christ, who came once in the flesh, is prepared to come again. She urges us to renew the memory of ...

St. Irenaeus: Born of the Virgin, Emmanuel
Catholic Online
10/10/2009, by St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons

'God is man�s glory. Man is the vessel which receives God�s action and all his wisdom and power.' CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - One of the great ...

St. Ephrem: Keep Watch -- No One Knows the Hour
Catholic Online
10/7/2009, by The Deacon St. Ephrem

'Though the Lord has established the signs of his coming, the time of their fulfilment has not been plainly revealed.' CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - ...

St. Charles Borromeo: On the Meaning of Advent
Catholic Online
10/7/2009, by Saint Charles Borromeo

When we remove all obstacles to his presence he will come, at any hour and moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts, bringing with him the riches of his ...

The Holy Father's Vespers Message in Nazareth
Catholic Online
5/15/2009

The wonder of the Incarnation continues to challenge us to open up our understanding to the limitless possibilities of God�s transforming power. NAZARETH ...

In the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, the clergy often lead the faithful to rivers and entire rivers are blessed!

Theophany: The Baptism of the Lord and the Christian Vocation
Catholic Online
1/9/2009, by Deacon Keith A Fournier

�When Thou, O Lord was baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest... O Christ our God who has appeared and enlightened the ...

Pope: On Orthodox Christmas and Gaza Violence
Asia News
1/7/2009

Pope Benedict XVI sends his greetings to Orthodox communities and speaks of the �disarming meekness of love�. VATICAN CITY (AsiaNews) � Christmas by ...

Pope: Divine Love Incarnate in Christ is the Law of Creation
Asia News
1/7/2009

The Pope says that the Church is like the Magi�s star leading all of the Nations to God. VATICAN CITY (AsiaNews) � Epiphany, the Feast that celebrates the ...

Epiphany � The Manifestation of Christ is Needed Today
Catholic Online
1/6/2009, by Randy Sly

Epiphany means �the showing� or the �manifestation.� On this feast day the Church remembers when the savior was revealed to the Gentile world in the ...

On the 18th Day of Christmas
Catholic Anchor
12/31/2008, by Patricia Coll Freeman

For an Octave of eight days, twelve days, and even eighteen days, the Church takes Christmas far beyond December 25. Anchorage, Ak (Catholic Anchor) - ...

Octave: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
Catholic Online
12/31/2008, by Randy Sly

What better way could Catholics begin the New Year than by celebrating the divine order and plan established by God? WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - ...

Octave: St Hippolytus on the 'Word Made Flesh'
Catholic Online
12/30/2008

God wished to win men back from disobedience, not by using force to reduce him to slavery but by addressing to his free will a call to liberty. ...

Guest Reflection: Come, Let Us Adore Him
Catholic Online
12/30/2008, by Thomas Kronholz

Prostrating ourselves with the shepherds and Magi in humility and love let us exclaim: "O! Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, I put all my Trust in You!" ...

Pope: Bethlehem's Divine Light Covers the World
Vatican Information Service
12/30/2008

Jesus was born for everyone, and just as Mary, in Bethlehem, offered Him to the shepherds, so on this day the Church presents Him to all humanity. VATICAN ...

Pope: Christ Child Calls for end to Suffering for Children
Vatican Information Service
12/30/2008

The glory of the true God becomes visible when the eyes of our hearts are opened before the stable of Bethlehem. VATICAN CITY (VIS) - The Pope celebrated ...

In this age of the �anti-hero�, men should rediscover this true hero, this �man�s man� named Joseph. Then, we should learn his way of obedience, following his example by courageously, humbly and faithfully loving Jesus Christ.

Octave: St. Joseph, A 'Man�s Man', Calling Men to Jesus
Catholic Online
12/28/2008, by Deacon Keith A. Fournier

We need to learn to give our �Yes� to the God whose Love invites our participation. Joseph is our teacher on this way, a true 'Man�s Man', calling all men ...

Celibacy Doesn't Preclude the Joys Of The Holidays
Catholic Online
12/28/2008, by Msgr. Michael McCarron

At Christmas, I get to see in a short season all of the things that make being a priest such a wonderful life. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - It ...

Octave of Christmas - The Feast of the Holy Family
Catholic Online
12/28/2008, by Deacon keith Fournier

The silence of Nazareth should teach us how to meditate in peace and quiet, to reflect on the deeply spiritual, and to be open to the voice of God�s inner ...

St. John left behind three attributed pastoral letters, The Revelation and a glorious Gospel. Tradition has it that the Apostle continued to encourage the faithful by constantly repeating �Little children, love one another� until he died in A.D. 100 at a very old age.

Octave of Christmas � Feast of St. John the Evangelist
Catholic Online
12/27/2008, by Randy Sly

St. John sometimes described himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. To this �son of thunder� as he and his brother James were named, relationship was ...

Sovereign Lord or Santa Claus?
Catholic Online
12/26/2008, by Jennifer Hartline

I wonder just how often I treat God as though He were Santa Claus instead of the Maker of the Universe. Don�t get me wrong, I have nothing against the ...

Yesterday our king, clothed in his robe of flesh, left his place in the virgin�s womb and graciously visited the world. Today his soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven.

Octave of Christmas: Feast of St. Stephen the Protomartyr
Catholic Online
12/26/2009, by Deacon Keith Fournier

Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven. Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another ...

The Days After Christmas
Catholic Online
12/26/2008, by Randy Sly

In the Church we don't have one day of Christmas, we enjoy a season; eight days of celebration and rejoicing during the Octave of Christmas, ending ...

Pope Benedict: 'You Can No Longer Fear Me, You Can Only Love Me'
Vatican Information Service
12/25/2008, by Pope Benedict XVI

Yes, Lord, help us to see something of the splendour of your glory. And grant peace on earth. Make us men and women of your peace. Amen. ROME (Vatican ...

Pope Benedict: The Grace of Christmas: 'To All' and 'For All'
Catholic Online
12/25/2008, by Pope Benedict XVI

The Official English full text of Pope Benedict XVI's 'Urbi et et Orbi' Christmas Message to the Church and the World. ROME (Catholic Online) - ...

A Christmas Story: 'Have You Seen the Baby?'
Catholic Online
12/25/2008, by Randy Sly

Sometimes a familiar sight can be seen with new eyes. Hope comes when you realize that Jesus, the baby in the manger, was truly God the Son, the Savior ...

A sermon of St Augustine: 'For your sake God has become man'
Catholic Online
12/25/2008, by St. Augustine of Hippo

Let us celebrate the festive day on which he who is the great and eternal day came from the great and endless day of eternity into our own short day of ...

Pope St. Leo the Great: 'Christian, remember your dignity'
Catholic Online
12/25/2008, by Pope St Leo the Great

Dearly beloved, today our Saviour is born; let us rejoice. Sadness should have no place on the birthday of life. The fear of death has been swallowed up; ...

The same Word through whom the Universe was made is the Incarnate Word through whom it is being re-created. That transformation will only be complete when all things are reconstituted in Him in the new Heaven and New Earth.

Merry Christmas: Incarnate Love is Born Today
Catholic Online
12/25/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

Let us become a Christmas people offering through the witness of our lives the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ, to a world waiting to be born again. ...

Commentary: Jesus - The true reason for the season
Catholic Online
12/25/2008, by Randy Sly

Christmas can transcend circumstances when we remember that the reason for the season is Jesus! �Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at ...

Pope: Every Angelus is a Reminder of Mary's 'Yes'
Zenit News Agency
12/23/2008

The Holy Father invited the faithful to "gaze upon the ineffable mystery that Mary carried for nine months in her virginal womb: the mystery of God who ...

Nativity Scenes Vandalized Nationwide
Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
12/23/2008

Bill Donohue of the Catholic League reports from across the nation about nativity scenes being vandalized. NEW YORK, N.Y. (Catholic League) - Every year ...

Advent: The Fiat of Mary: From Fretting to Faith
Catholic Online
12/21/2008, by Randy Sly

Imagine what it would be like to have an unexpected encounter with an angel. WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - You are just having a typical day, going ...

Father Cantalamessa: Give Birth to Christ This Christmas
Zenit News Agency
12/20/2008, by Father Cantalamessa

Decide to change your lifestyle and enter into the category of the poor and humble, who, like Mary, only seek the grace of God. VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - The ...

St. Bernard: 'The Whole World awaits Mary's Reply'
Catholic Online
12/20/2008

Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word. ...

Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. : 'Hope in Things Unseen'
Catholic Online
12/20/2008

Jesus Christ is not only the personal hope for each one of us. He is also the hope of the world. If the world turns away from Him, it goes terribly ...

�The Cross and the Water Tower: A Christmas Story� gave �Grumpy� Grandpa Fournier his Christmas this year. It roused him from his own self centeredness and opened him to the real grace which is at the heart of this wonderful season, as it is revealed in the heart of a Divine Child born in a manger who still seeks to be born anew in every human heart and every home.

Review: �The Cross and the Water Tower: A Christmas Story�
Catholic Online
12/18/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

�The Cross and the Water Tower: A Christmas Story� is a MUST READ and a MUST BUY for all who really want to find Christmas this year and give its gifts to ...

Bishop Finn: God�s Blessing for a Wonderful Christmas
The Catholic Key
12/18/2008

Advent is quickly coming to an end. Whether we are fully prepared or not Our Lord comes and we celebrate His Birth. Kansas City - St. Joseph (The Catholic ...

Thousands in Bethlehem for Christmas
Asia News
12/18/2008

The mayor of Bethlehem expects about 30,000 visitors, plus another 22,000 for the Orthodox celebrations of the Nativity. BETHLEHEM (AsiaNews) - "The fact ...

Pope: Economic Crisis and the Meaning of Christmas
Asia News
12/18/2008

Stripped of the �accumulations of consumerism�, the memorial of Christ�s birth is �an opportunity to welcome the message of hope.� VATICAN CITY (AsiaNews) ...

Pope: Christmas, Opportunity to Reflect on Meaning of Life
Catholic Online
12/18/2008

Christmas can become the opportunity to welcome the message of hope that emanates from the mystery of Christ's birth. VATICAN CITY (VIS) - Benedict XVI ...

Advent in Music: Seven 'O- Antiphons' Time Again
Chiesa
12/18/2008, by Sandro Magister

They're sung one per day, at the Magnificat during vespers. They are very ancient, and extraordinarily rich in references to the prophecies of the ...

Advent: Pope St. Leo the Great, 'The Mystery of Our Reconciliation with God'
Catholic Online
12/17/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

The Conqueror�s victory would have profited us nothing if the battle had been fought outside our human condition. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - One ...

Las Posadas � The Nine-Day Celebration Begins December 16
Catholic Online
12/16/2008, by Randy Sly

Las Posadas, a Spanish celebration of the difficult journey of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph to Bethlehem, begins December 16. First established as a ...

Give Your Family as Special Gift � Make a Memory
Catholic Online
12/16/2008, by Randy Sly

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - Memories are powerful things. They can build us up or tear us down. If used as a positive force, they can help change the ...

Reflection: A Prayer for Unity
Catholic Online
12/16/2008, by Jennifer Hartline

None of the Church�s gifts ever detracts or distracts from the central image: Jesus Christ. All glory belongs to Him, and everything the Church does is ...

Bishop Finn: Mary Guides Us in our Advent Journey
The Catholic Key
12/16/2008, by Bishop Robert W. Finn

These Advent Marian commemorations help us prepare for Christ His rightful place as Sovereign Lord, Redeemer, and King. KANSAS CITY-ST.JOSEPH, KS (The ...

John stands as a sign on this Gaudete Sunday. He points the the way to find lasting joy and happiness through living the lifestyle of self emptying.�He must increase and I must decrease.�

Gaudete!: �Rejoice in the Lord� Sunday
Catholic Online
12/13/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

As we draw closer to the joyful Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, the Church, as mother and teacher, proclaims "Rejoice" CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic ...

Reflection: Everyone's asking - 'What's on your Christmas List?'
Catholic Online
12/13/2008, by Jennifer Hartline

Deep, pure, selfless gratitude to the infant King for humbling Himself for my sake -- this is the joy that is the antidote for the poison, and it�s all I ...

Gaudete Sunday � The �Selah� of Advent
Catholic Online
12/12/2008, by Randy Sly

On the Third Sunday of Advent a rose candle is lit on the Advent wreath. It's Gaudete Sunday, a day to rejoice as we reflect on the wonder of His Coming - ...

Advent Reflection from St Irenaeus: 'Eve and Mary'
Catholic Online
12/12/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

As Eve was seduced by the word of an angel and so fled from God after disobeying his word, Mary in her turn was given the good news by the word of an ...

Dorothy Day, a heroic witness and prophetic voice of the 20th century, grasped this mystery so well. She still calls from the grave with this challenging message leaving her testimony in a movement called the �Catholic Worker Movement�.

Reflection: Love in 'Deed and Truth' - �Open the Hands of God�
Catholic Online
12/12/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

Have you ever considered the significance of the fact that the same Jesus who promised to be with us always also told us that the poor would be with us ...

Advent with Augustine: 'We celebrate the martyrs with love and fellowship'
Catholic Online
12/11/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

We assemble to celebrate the memory of the martyrs with ritual solemnity because we want to be inspired to follow their example, share in their merits, ...

Advent: US Bishop, 'Make Room for Mar�a and Jos� at the Inn'
Zenit News Agency
12/11/2008, by Genevieve Pollock

US Bishop Promotes a rethinking on Immigration this Advent in light of the common good. LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (Zenit) - This Advent, parishes and church ...

Advent: Rejoicing and Waiting
Zenit News Agency
12/11/2008, by Father Thomas Rosica, CSB

A Biblical Reflection for the Third Sunday of Advent. TORONTO (Zenit) - Advent is the season of the prophets and the Scripture readings of these weeks ...

Advent with Augustine: 'God's promises are Given Through His Son'
Catholic Online
12/10/2008, by St. Augustine of Hippo

"Even so, it was not enough for God to send his Son to point out the way � he made his Son the way itself, so that we can go on our journey guided by him ...

Knights of Columbus: �Keep Christ in Christmas'
Catholic News Agency
12/10/2008

"In the midst of an increasingly materialistic and secular society, it is all too easy to lose sight of what Christmas really means." NEW HAVEN, Conn. ...

Advent: 'The Eschatological Character of the Pilgrim Church'
Catholic Online
12/9/2008

Lifted above the earth, Christ drew all things to himself. Rising from the dead, he sent his life-giving Spirit upon his disciples, and through the Spirit ...

Pope: On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Asia News
12/8/2008

This Woman, in the eyes of God, has always had a face and a name: 'full of grace' (Lk. 1:28), as the angel called her when visiting her in Nazareth. ...

Advent: Friendship with Mary
Catholic Online
12/8/2008, by Jennifer Hartline

Gentle woman, tower of strength, beacon of faith, humble servant...O, highly favored daughter! CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - One of my favorite ...

Immaculate Conception: From the Catholic Catechism
Catholic Online
12/8/2008

Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. ...

Pope: Advent Leads to Life and Love
Zenit News Agency
12/8/2008

Mary "is the 'way' that God himself prepared for his coming into the world." VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - Advent represents for the Christian an exodus from the ...

Immaculate Conception: 'O Virgin, by whose Blessing all Nature is Blessed!'
Catholic Online
12/8/2008, by St. Anselm

"He who could create all things from nothing would not remake his ruined creation without Mary.God, then, is the Father of the created world and Mary the ...

Father Cantalamessa's 1st Advent Sermon
Zenit News Agency
12/7/2008, by Father Raniero Cantalamessa

The Christmas liturgy will speak to us of the "holy exchange," of the "sacrum commercium," between us and God realized in Christ. VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - ...

A Commentary on Isaiah by Eusebius of Caesarea
Catholic Online
12/6/2008, by Eusebius of Caesarea

What does it mean to bear the good news but to preach to all nations, but first of all to the cities of Judah, the coming of Christ on earth? CHESAPEAKE, ...

John the Baptizer: The Advent Prophet
Zenit News Agency
12/5/2008, by Father Thomas Rosica, CSB

We are called to take on John�s role of preparing the way in today�s world, as living witnesses to Jesus who is near. TORONTO (Zenit) - One of the great ...

A Missionary Advent for the Pakistani Church
Catholic Online
12/4/2008, by Qaiser Felix

The young people are the protagonists of this new missionary spirit in Pakistan: "the life of Jesus must be brought to all corners of the country." ...

Advent: St. Bernard, 'The Three Comings of the Lord'
Catholic Online
12/3/2008, by St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Because this coming lies between the other two, it is like a road on which we travel from the first coming to the last. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) ...

Advent: St. Gregory Nazianzen 'The Wonder of the Incarnation'
Catholic Online
12/2/2008, by St. Gregory Nazianzen

He who makes rich is made poor; he takes on the poverty of my flesh, that I may gain the riches of his divinity CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - As a ...

Pope: St. Lawrence Shows us Way to Holiness
Zenit News Agency
12/2/2008

The message of St. Lawrence's life is holiness, which gives witness to "man's constant tension toward God." ROME (Zenit) - The message of St. Lawrence's ...

Pope: Church is to Be Hope for the World in Advent
Catholic Online
12/2/2008

"Advent is the spiritual season of hope par excellence, and in this season the whole Church is called to be hope. VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - Advent is the ...

Be on the Watch: Advent and the Coming(s) of the Lord
Catholic Online
11/30/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

Let us be numbered among those who stay awake, living at the ready, saying �yes� to all of the invitations of grace given to us during this wonderful ...

Advent � The Season of the Already - Not Yet
Catholic Online
11/29/2008, by Randy Sly

Advent. Most of us don�t hear about it except during Mass in late November and December. WASHINGTON,D.C. (Catholic Online) - Advent is an interesting ...

An Irish Advent Celebration
Catholic Online
11/27/2008, by Lynn Forbes-Gautier

Often Seasons of the Christian Year are not just tied to the Biblical calendar but to our memories and our heritage. Lynn Forbes Gautier has a memory tied ...

The Day the Light Left Heaven
Catholic Online
11/9/2008, by Randy Sly

The messenger watched this event with pleasure. He smiled, remembering his visit with this woman just before he reported to the inner court. How open she ...

The Preparation
Catholic Online
11/9/2008, by Randy Sly

Gabriel stood at attention in the manger doorway, his sword in his hand. The man took the woman's arm and led her to the entrance. "Welcome, beloved of ...

The Shepherd�s Son
Catholic Online
11/9/2008, by Randy Sly

As father and son stood side by side in front of the sheep, a bright light whirled across the sky. Both gasped aloud at the sight. �Did you ever see the ...

Jesus, the 'Yes' of God
Catholic Online
10/16/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

�Brothers and sisters: As God is faithful, our word to you is not �yes� and �no.� For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, ...

Mary�s Heart of Holiness
Catholic Online
11/30/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

�I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your Word.� When Mary spoke those few words, human history was forever changed. They came ...

Joseph: A True 'Man�s Man'
Catholic Online
10/16/2008, by Deacon Keith A. Fournier

�Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary; of whom Jesus was born, he who is called Christ. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this ...

Why Celebrate Advent?
Catholic Online
11/30/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

"We know that there are three comings of the Lord. The third lies between the other two. It is invisible while the other two are visible. In the first ...

The Word becomes Flesh
Catholic Online
10/16/2008, by Deacon Keith A. Fournier

The fourth gospel (The Gospel of John) is considered by most scripture scholars to be the most theologically profound Gospel in the New Testament begins, ...

Christmas Reflection: He Pitched His Tent Among Us
Catholic Online
10/16/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

We could not overcome our own nor the world's corruption without help from heaven.That is why we needed (and still need) to be saved by One like us. ...

According to Your Word
Catholic Online
10/16/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. CHESAPEAKE, Va. ...

Mary invites us Surrender to Jesus Christ
Catholic Online
10/16/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. Mary�s Prayer, her ...

Are We Living in A Mary Moment?
Catholic Online
10/16/2008, by Deacon Keith Fournier

Several years ago I was an invited guest at a celebration of the life and ministry of a significant evangelical Protestant leader. It was a �black tie� ...

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