CHURCH SOCIAL TIPS We journey through Advent in anticipation of Christmas, taking many paths as we prepare for Jesus’ birth. One of the ways I have gotten into the spirit of the season for many years is to attend the Daughters of St. Paul annual Christmas concert to stir my soul with songs of this […]
Archives for December 2020
Mary Duddy: Gratitude after a COVID-19 crisis
THE MARRIED LIFE We recently noticed that one of our neighbors had not been outside in a while. Neither had his wife. We began to wonder if they had COVID-19, and after several days we left a note on their door but got no response. Two weeks later an ambulance came and took the husband […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Gaudete! Rejoice!
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 This weekend the church celebrates “Gaudete Sunday,” the name coming from the opening word of the Entrance Antiphon. In Latin, “gaudete” means “to rejoice.” Rejoicing is not appropriate because Advent, and its stress on prayer and penance, is half completed, but rather […]
Laura Kelly Fanucci: A Christmas without?
FAITH AT HOME Flip back through photos and you’ll see how different Christmas will look this year. No Nativity pageant at church. No Christmas concert at school. No company parties. No visits to Santa. No family reunions. With five kids at home, I’ve been hearing a lot of wishing for last year or hoping for […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: Why is the pope approving of civil unions? Should I have my hands raised in prayer?
QUESTION CORNER Q: Why is the pope approving of civil unions for homosexuals? Isn’t this still one of the deadly sins? (Lexington, Indiana) A: First, to clarify: I have never seen homosexuality mentioned as one of the seven deadly sins. In fact, many people with a homosexual orientation are celibate. The seven deadly sins are […]
Because of pandemic, no pilgrims at basilica for Guadalupe feast this year
By David Agren Catholic News Service MEXICO CITY — Mexican church and civic officials have canceled public feast celebrations for Mexico’s patroness at her shrine in Mexico City due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The celebration normally attracts 10 million pilgrims to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the world’s most-visited Marian shrine. At a […]
Elderly Indian Jesuit says training, work help him cope in jail
By Catholic News Service BHOPAL, India — An elderly Jesuit priest struggling in an Indian jail with ill health says he still finds happiness in listening to the stories of other inmates and credits his congregation for the training that helps him cope with his situation. Father Stan Swamy, 84, has been in Taloja Central […]
Pope creates 13 new cardinals, including D.C. archbishop
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — One by one 11 senior churchmen, including two U.S. citizens — Cardinals Wilton D. Gregory of Washington and Silvano M. Tomasi, a former Vatican diplomat — knelt before Pope Francis to receive their red hats, a cardinal’s ring and a scroll formally declaring their new status […]
Hawaii Catholic Harold’s Quiz: Dec. 11, 2020
Happy halfway through Advent, readers. As Bon Jovi sings, “Woah, we’re half way there, Woah, livin’ on a prayer!” What, you thought we were going to cite a Christmas carol?! 1) Christmas True or False: Good King Wenceslaus of Christmas carol fame was a real-life Bohemian royal, although only a duke not a king. a) […]
From under the Pauline Christmas tree
Here are five new releases from Pauline Books and Media, the publishing arm of the Daughters of St. Paul., just in time for Christmas. Brilliant! 25 Catholic Scientists, Mathematicians and Supersmart People By David Warren; illustrated by Jaclyn Warren In an effort to help children learn about the relationship between faith and science, Pauline Books […]