By Fr. Joseph M. Rampino
Dec. 24 Lk 1:26-38 When we read this passage, the story of the angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary, our attention often settles either on the angel’s initial greeting, or on Mary final response. “Hail full of grace. The Lord is with you.” “May it be done to me according to your word.” This is, of […]
12/23/23
Reading Time
3
min
By Mary Beth Bonacci
You know how they say the first Christmas after the death of a loved one is the hardest? Well, apparently we reach an age where that covers a lot of Christmases. Christmas 2021 was the first without my mother. The next year, 2022, was supposed to be the nice refreshing “got through that” holiday. But […]
12/22/23
Reading Time
4
min
By Russell Shaw
Have you ever wondered about those weekday feasts between Christmas and New Year’s Day? They include two martyrs — St. Stephen and St. Thomas a Becket — as well as the Holy Infants, who lost their lives to Herod’s vicious pursuit of Christ. Also, the Apostle John, who wasn’t even born at the time of […]
12/21/23
Reading Time
3
min
By Elizabeth Foss
There’s nothing like getting ready for Christmas to remind us that we’re sinners in need of a savior. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but we feel overwhelmed and irritable. Some of us are exhausted or lonely. Shoppers rush by with their treasures — and their worries, and their dashed hopes, and their […]
12/21/23
Reading Time
3
min
“Going home for the Christmas holidays.” You hear that a lot these days. Some people say it with a big smile, some with trepidation about catching planes, long drives and harsh winter weather. College students head home a week or two before the big day struggling to fall into old home rules and newfound freedom. […]
12/19/23
Reading Time
2
min
By Fr. Richard Miserendino
Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 Imagine traveling all the way into the desert just to hear and see John the Baptist, leaving behind all the comforts and safety of the city to do so. Like many in our Gospel today, Jn 1:6-8, 19-28, suppose you’ve heard that there’s something extraordinary about him. There’s a power and authority […]
12/16/23
Reading Time
3
min
By Deacon Gerard-Marie Anthony
What’s in a name? First, names are important in life. Teachers have many students but call on a boy or girl by name to clarify whom they are addressing. A name is also a sign of respect. Call someone “boy” or yell “Hey you!” and it will most likely be taken as disrespect. Using a […]
12/14/23
Reading Time
4
min
By Elizabeth Foss
I gained some interesting insight on Instagram recently. On a video of three children enjoying a bonfire, gentle music playing in the background, were these words: “Your child only gets one childhood, and it will affect how they view the world, how they love, how they trust, and how they feel about themselves. Every time […]
12/14/23
Reading Time
4
min
By Msgr. Charles M. Mangan
One Christmas when I was working in Rome, I picked up “The Life of Mary as Seen by the Mystics,” a book of writings compiled by Raphael Brown (1912-2000). Originally published in 1951, it has since been reprinted. This volume, which has an imprimatur, is a collection of private revelations from St. Elizabeth of Schoenau, […]
12/14/23
Reading Time
3
min
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