Hanging With The Right Crowd!

Members of the faithful attend Pope Benedict XVI's weekly audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican December 29, 2010.

-Reuters Pictures

Pope Benedict - Sharing A Christmas Meal With The Poor

In this photo provided by Vatican paper L'Osservatore, Romano Pope Benedict XVI has a lunch inside the Vatican's main audience hall, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. Lasagna, veal and cake were on the menu Sunday as Pope Benedict XVI invited about 250 poor people to join him for a post-Christmas lunch and denounced as "absurd" new attacks on the faithful around the globe. Joining the pope and his guests were some 250 nuns, seminarians and priests of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity order, which runs soup kitchens around Rome.

-AP Photos

Water Skiing Santa

Santa Claus water skis down the Potomac River on Christmas Eve December 24, 2010 at Maryland's National Harbor, a few miles down the river from Washington, DC. The Water Skiing Santa, Flying Elves, a Jet-Skiing Grinch, and even Frosty the Snowman, have been appearing on the river for 25 years in freezing temperatures. What started as something small has now turned into an annual event with thousands of people watching from the shore.

-Getty Images

Feast of The Holy Innocents

A voice is heard in Ramah,

weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children

and refusing to be comforted,

because they are no more."

(Matthew 2:18)

Rachel was the wife of Jacob, who was childless for many years. One day in her anguish she cried out to Jacob: "Give me children or I shall die!" (Genesis 30:1). God heard her prayer and blessed her with a son, she named him Joseph, which means, "May the Lord add another son" (30:24). The Lord heard that prayer as well and years later gave her another son. However, it was a complicated labor, and Rachel dies at childbirth. But before she passes away she names her new born Benoni, which means "Son of my sorrow." Jacob called the child Benjamin, "Son of my right hand." (35:18).

For Jews, Rachel's Tomb is the third holiest site after the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. It is an important place of worship especially to Jewish women trying to conceive. Tradition has it that Rachel weeps for her children. When they were taken into exile, she wept as they passed by her grave on the way to Babylon (Jeremiah 31:11-16).

In the Gospel of Matthew 2:13-18, the prophecy of Jeremiah is relived, with the killings of the baby boys in Bethlehem. Matthew sees Rachel weeping over her children once more. Rachel continues to weep today over the millions of children who are victims of abortions. Who cannot be moved by this assault on innocent, helpless lives? Even though we grieve along with Rachel we must have hope. We must believe that God will have the last word and a triumphant victory. We need to pray for an end to abortions. God will turn this horrible situation around. He is the Lord of Life and not death!

"Father teach us how to build a culture of life on earth. May every child be loved and welcomed into life!"

Flight Into Egypt

-The Escape to Egypt

-The Holy Family rest on their flight into Egypt

"Out of Egypt I called my son."

(Hosea 11:1)

Pope Benedict XVI Lights The Candle From His Window

Pope Benedict XVI (L) and Msgr. Georg Gänswein (R) light a candle from the Pope's private window, during the unveiling ceremony of the crib in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, on December 24, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI holds a candle from his private window, during the unveiling ceremony of the crib in St Peter's Square at the Vatican, on December 24, 2010. Pope Benedict XVI's traditional Christmas Eve mass was streamed live on the Internet in six languages and on iPhones around the world.

-Getty Images

There's A New Kid In Town!

The Christmas Ten Commandments

1. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ,
Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list.

2. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas,
Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.

3. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ,
thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

4. Thou shalt not burden the shop keeper, the mailman,
and the merchant with complaints and demands.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift,
This will increase its value a hundred fold,
and those who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.

6. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost,
Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

7. Thou shalt not neglect the needy, Share thy blessings with many who
will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.

8. Thou shalt not neglect thy church, Its services highlight the true
meaning of the season.

9. Thou shalt be as a little child, Not until thou has become in
spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, peace and faith with
those around you.

A Christmas Prayer

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment

At which the Son of God was born

Of a most pure Virgin

At a stable at midnight in Bethlehem

In the piercing cold

At the hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee,

To hear my prayers and grant my desires

Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour

Amen.

Hail Mary!

Chaire! Kecharitomene, ho Kyrios meta sou.

"Hail, full of grace, The Lord is with you."

(Luke 1:28)

The angel Gabriel is sent to a virgin named Mary in Nazareth. The Hebrew name for Mary is Myriam. In Egyptian the name Myr means "Beloved", the suffix, ia would refer to Yahweh. So the translation of the name Myriam means, she is "The Beloved of Yahweh."

Chaire! is a Greek word that means "Rejoice!" When St.Jerome translated Luke's Gospel from the Greek to Latin, he did not used Gaude! which is "rejoice" in Latin, but instead Ave! and when our Bible was translated from Latin to English, the word was replaced by "Hail!" and not "Rejoice" (like in the "Hail Mary") Surprisingly the words "Ave" and "Hail" have the same connotation, it means "Health!"

Whatever the intent of the Holy Spirit in the first word of the greeting, the second word has an even greater intent: Kecharitomene. St. Jerome translated it as Gratia plena, and we have it in English as, "Full of Grace." But what does the Greek mean?Actually a literal translation of Kecharitomene is hard to make in English, but it would be something like, "O woman so completely transformed by God's Grace!" or "O highly gifted daughter!" This verb is so rare that it is only used twice in the New Testament and only to a woman or a girl.

Moved by the Holy Spirit, Luke coined a word that has come down to us and can be applied to no other person than the Virgin Mary. Mary is the Kecharitomene, the "young woman so highly gifted." Fr. Raymond Halter, SM, wrote, "This is the new name in the Kingdom of Heaven. This name came to her from God and from no one else and is strictly reserved to her." The angel says this not because she will bear the Son of God as her child if she accepts, but the angel says it because she was already seen to have the grace of God in an abundant way.

Ho Kyrios meta sou- "The Lord is with you." This is no ordinary greeting. In the Old Testament, this command was given to carry out a difficult or impossible task. To Moses in (Ex 2:12), and Joshua when he was to lead the people to cross the Jordan (Jos 1:9) and to Gideon (Jg 6:12). Now Mary was chosen to carry out God's command. She was to bear a child who would be the Messiah.

She was a virgin but espoused to Joseph. Mary knew the danger in accepting God's plan. She would have to trust God completely, because she needed the prudence of Esther when explaining to anyone how she became pregnant. The Law was severe against any girl who was found pregnant before marriage (Deut 22:20-21) Being a prudent girl she confided her Mystery to her parents and to Joseph, her spouse. "The Lord is with you, Kecharitomene."

It was the Grace of Kecharitomene that had prepared her heart to be disposed for whatever God wanted. We can see that her heart, full of joy, was caught up into God's designs when she says, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word."

"Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death!"

The Holy Sacrifice Of The Mass

There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us."

~ Saint Jean-Marie Vianney

Vatican Christmas Tree

The christmas tree is alighted at St Peter's square on December 17, 2010 at the Vatican. The 94-year-old tree donated from the village of Luson in the Italian Alto Adige region is approximately 34 meters high.

- Getty Images

To Dad - A Tribute of Love!

You stood by us through thick and thin

Always comforting us with your love, never to give in

A listening ear, a reassuring word, at times a gentle kiss

Yes Dad, all these we will surely miss.

But you seemed prepared for that Day

When Our Lord would come to take you away

Your brief suffering made our frail hearts sore

Now we fathom that Jesus loves you more.

Our world plunged in darkness on that fateful night

But your eyes had already seen the Light

We did our best to you to cleave

But this world behind, it was time for you to leave.

Daddy dearest, we still feel your warm presence here

No emotions can satiate our falling tear

But we believe in Our Lord's presence you are

And someday we will be together,

Though now you seem so very far!

Dad!!!...Miss You So Much..That It Hurts!!!!

~Olivia

Copyright© 2011 All rights reserved

The Nativity Scene At The Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI looks at a nativity scene during his weekly Wednesday general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

-Reuters Pictures

It's The Colour Of The Season

Pope Benedict XVI blesses children as he arrives during a pastoral visit to St. Massimiliano Kolbe Parish in Rome.

-Reuters Pictures

Bless The Lord!

I will bless the Lord at all times.

(Psalm 34:2)

Yes, Lord, I will bless you at all times no matter what happens. I will praise you and thank you, because you are good and everything you do is good. You fill me with your love.. let the love you put in my heart overflow to the people around me. You satisfy me with your peace and joy.

Lord, your goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life. It's as if they are chasing after me! Thank you Lord, that when I call out to you for help, it is not as if I am shouting against the wind, but that you hear my every word, even the most hesitant whispers of my heart. When I am in trouble or pain, you come and comfort me. When sorrow fills my thoughts and darkens my heart, you lift the yoke of anxiety from me and hold me close.

Yes, Lord, you rescue me from anxiety and difficulties. And when I am stuck in situations that have no immediate resolutions, you are always near, ready to listen and act in your wisdom and your timing. You lift me up when my sins make me stumble and fall. Lord, you have redeemed me from death and have made me yours forever. You have placed me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. You take delight in saving the people you love, even when they have wandered far from your presence.

Thank you Jesus for freeing me from guilt and condemnation! It is such a blessing to be able to turn to you and be set free from the shackles of sin that choked my life! Lord, you have loved me to wholeness. Every day, you offer me a rich garment of grace in place of despair; radiant joy instead of darkening shame. Yes, Lord you are slow to anger and abounding in love, I rejoice in your mercy!

"Lord, I praise you and thank you for your kindness to me! I will bless you Lord at all times and your praise will always be on my lips."

We Do Not Know

So they answered Jesus, "We do not know."

And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what right I do these things."

(Matthew 21:27)

This passage shows us how important it is to be honest and forthright in our speaking both with God and with other people. The starting point to any lasting relationship is honesty and our relationship with God is no different. When we stand before the Lord with a pure heart, truthful about our failures and relying on His grace, He welcomes us with open arms, ready to fill us with His grace.

By contrast, dishonesty strains our relationship with God, just as it divides us from one another. Imagine how hard it is to stay connected to the Lord when you are trying to hide from a past sin. Imagine how difficult it is to experience His presence when you are still caught up in something that you know is unhealthy or displeasing to Him. Your Father deeply wants to be with you, to heal you and to help you. He love you so very much!

So take a little time today to examine your relationship with God and with the people around you. How can you be more honest and open with the Lord? How can your friendship become a little less superficial? Perhaps there's a relationship that is suffering because of harsh words or some other misunderstanding. Maybe you are having a hard time forgiving someone. Whatever it is, take it to the Lord. Remember: He is always ready to lift up the humble.

"Lord, give me a pure heart! Teach me how to be honest and open to You and to my friends and family."

Don't Give Up!

Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak.

(Isaiah 35:3)

We all know what it is like to experience a season of dryness in prayer. It is hard to motivate ourselves. We feel as if we are talking to a wall, not to the Lord. At times, we do not feel consolation or affirmation as we try to connect with the Spirit. We may wonder what God is doing, or whether he is listening to us at all. These are the times when we need to take Isaiah’s advice: “Don’t give up!”

Times of dryness in prayer are wonderful opportunities to build our foundation of faith. And as any builder knows, you want your foundation to be solid and unshakeable. Uncomfortable though they are, these dry periods give us the chance to build our prayer life on the solid truths of our faith and not just on our emotions, which come and go. They urge us to spend our prayer time recalling the awesome attributes of God.

One good way to build our prayer this way is to spend time contemplating the Apostle’s / Nicene Creed. Tell the Lord that you believe in everything stated there. Don’t just look for God’s comfort, look for the truth and look at how He has fulfilled so many promises. Believe that He is still on His throne, working even in hidden ways. Look at the Cross and place your faith in Jesus’ resurrection.

Don’t give up! Strengthen your weak knees. Persevere. Know that God always rewards those who persist in chasing after Him!

“Jesus, thank you for showing me your love. Thank you, too, for those times of dryness, when you call me to seek you more deeply. I know that you are making me strong in your spirit, and I trust in your wisdom.”

"Everybody's talking 'bout the new book in town."

A copy of 'Light of World' a book interview with Pope Benedict XVI by German author Peter Seewald is seen in front of St. Peter's Square during the presentation at the Holy See Press Office

-Getty Images

A priest reads a copy of 'Light of World', the book interview with Pope Benedict XVI by German author Peter Seewald

-Getty Images

New books about the Pope Benedict XVI are seen displayed inside a bookshop near the Vatican

-Reuters Pictures

Click to order your copy now!

Bundle of Joy!

Georg Gänswein personal secretary (C) of Pope Benedict XVI (L) gives back a child to a faithful after the pontiff blessed him at the Lavacolla airport, in Santiago de Compostela.

-Getty Images

Basílica do Bom Jesus

-The Basilica of Bom Jesus or Basilica of Good Jesus (Portuguese: Basílica do Bom Jesus) Old Goa, India.




-The main altar of the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

-The altar at the west end which is the tomb of St. Francis Xavier.

-Closer view of the tomb of St. Francis Xavier.

-The silver casket which contains some relics of St. Francis Xavier

-A statue and a petition box at the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel

We have visited the villages of the new converts who accepted the Christian religion a few years ago. No Portuguese live here, the country is so utterly barren and poor. The native Christians have no priests. They know only that they are Christians. There is nobody to say Mass for them; nobody to teach them the Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Commandments of God’s Law.

I have not stopped since the day I arrived. I conscientiously made the rounds of the villages. I bathed in the sacred waters all the children who had not yet been baptised. This means that I have purified a very large number of children so young that, as the saying goes, they could not tell their right hand from their left. The older children would not let me say my Office or eat or sleep until I taught them one prayer or another. Then I began to understand: “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

I could not refuse so devout a request without failing in devotion myself. I taught them, first the confession of faith in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, then the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father and Hail Mary. I noticed among them persons of great intelligence. If only someone could educate them in the Christian way of life, I have no doubt that they would make excellent Christians.

Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Christians for one reason only: there is nobody to make them Christians. Again and again I have thought of going round the universities of Europe, especially Paris, and everywhere crying out like a madman, riveting the attention of those with more learning than charity: “What a tragedy: how many souls are being shut out of heaven and falling into hell, thanks to you!”

I wish they would work as hard at this as they do at their books, and so settle their account with God for their learning and the talents entrusted to them.

This thought would certainly stir most of them to meditate on spiritual realities, to listen actively to what God is saying to them. They would forget their own desires, their human affairs, and give themselves over entirely to God’s will and his choice. They would cry out with all their heart: Lord, I am here! What do you want me to do? Send me anywhere you like – even to India.

-A letter from St Francis Xavier to St Ignatius