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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Catholic News World : Wednesday December 24, 2014 - Share!

2014

Free Catholic Movie : The Nativity Story - Stars Keisha Castle-Hughes

The Nativity Story (2006) 101 min - Drama | Family - 1 December 2006 (USA) A drama that focuses on the period in Mary and Joseph's life where they journeyed to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. Director: Catherine Hardwicke Writer: Mike Rich Stars: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Oscar Isaac |
FOR AMAZING FREE MOVIES LIKE US ON FACEBOOKhttps://www.facebook.com/catholicnewsworld 

Touching meeting of Young Girl with Cancer and Pope Francis through Make-a-wish...SHARE

 "My motto is, you have no choice but to be strong, but you can choose to be happy and positive. That's helped me through a ton of stuff. I have to stay through this. I have to keep going," Gracie said.  Gracie was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nerve cells. Her parents, Sharon West said. "We have to really focus on the positive and the next step and different ways that we can do things to make a difference."  Raised a Catholic, she prayed and then Make-A-Wish, the foundation granted Gracie her desire.  "I'm excited and a little bit nervous because it's, like, the pope," she said. "It's like the closest thing to God, so I'm excited." The family got reserved seats at the pope's weekly audience, but only Gracie and her brother Joe got to meet him.  "It's just going to make my faith stronger," Gracie said. "It's going to help me more. I feel like it's going to help me through stuff more."  Please SHARE this to give hope during this season....

Christmas Message of Archbishop Fisher of Australia - Remembering victims of Lindt Cafe


Christmas Message 2014

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese, 
24 Dec 2014
Sydney and Australia are in shock and grief. It will take time for our city to recover; for the families of the deceased and the survivors; for a community also traumatized by what happened in Martin Place.
What we experienced was a glimpse of what has become all too commonplace in other places. We think of the recent Taliban attack on the children in Pakistan. We think of the self-styled "Islamic State" organisation, with its regime of violence, caricature of religion, deafness to reason and intolerance of difference. These people do not blink even at beheading children.
The outpouring of sympathy for the victims of the Martin Place siege, the spontaneous floral tributes outside the Lindt Café, the internet campaigns of solidarity, the tributes to our police and emergency workers, the unity shown by community leaders and countless individuals: all these things say that in Sydney, at least, violence will not be the last word.
 There are echoes here of the first Christmas. At that time the terrorist-king Herod perpetrated terrible violence upon innocents and drove the family of Jesus into exile as refugees.
Yet still there was hope and a promise of peace among people of goodwill. So, too, Sydney has said this week, loud and clear: violence is not the last word; life and love are more powerful than death; we will not let this undermine harmony in our common life.
But where does this hope and determination come from? One factor is the sunny optimism of Australians, the Aussie sense of "give people a fair go" and "she'll be right".
Behind that, I think, is our Christian heritage. Our faith that God cares. That He cares enough to come among us as a baby Prince of Peace at Christmas. That as Prince of Peace He offers divine reconciliation to every man, woman and child. That the Christmas baby comes not to conquer by force but to win hearts and minds by love.
That makes Christmas a season of good will, of generosity, family and community, for Christians and even for our non-Christian friends and neighbours. Most Australians have demonstrated that very spirit amidst the sadness of recent days.
May God bless you all this Christmas. May the Christ-child come to dwell in the manger of your hearts and bring you and all your loved ones the gift of Christmas Peace!

Christmas Novena : Day 8 : Official Plenary Indulgence


Opening Prayer:


V. O God, come to my assistance.


R. O Lord, make haste to help me.


Glory be to the Father and to
the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now
and ever shall be, world without
end.Amen.


Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.


Day 8 Prayers




The Flight into Egypt.
O most sweet infant Jesus, whom Herod tried to slay,
carried by St. Joseph with your Mother into Egypt, saved
from death by flight, and glorified by the blood of the
holy innocents. Have mercy on. us.


Have mercy on us.
Have mercy on us, 0 Lord. Have mercy on us.
Hail Mary...


 Amen.
FROM THE RACCOLTA OFFICIAL


NOVENA PREPARATORY TO CHRISTMAS In order to the devout preparation of ourselves for the glorious Birthday of our most loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, which the holy Church recalls to our memory every year on the 25th of December, and at the same time to render Him thanks for this great benefit, Pope Pius VII., by a Rescript of the Segretaria of the Memorials, dated August 12th, 1815 (which said Rescript is preserved in the Segretaria of the Vicariate), granted to all faithful Christians who, being contrite in heart, should prepare themselves for that great solemnity by a novena, consisting of pious exercises, prayers, acts of virtue, &c. -
i. An indulgence of 300 days each day of the said novena, and -
ii. A plenary indulgence to be gained on Christmas day, or on some day in its octave, by those who, after Confession and Communion, shall have made the said novena every day, and who shall pray according to the intentions of the Sovereigns Pontiff: and note that the Confession and Communion may be made on any one of the days of the said novena, provided the novena is correctly kept. This was declared by Pope Pius VIII., of holy memory, by means of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, July 9, 1830. These indulgences were extended by the above-named Pius VII. to one other time in the year, besides the the specified, when any one should make the aforesaid novena in honour of the Child Jesus.

Today's Mass Readings : Wednesday December 24, 2014 - Advent

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Lectionary: 200


Reading 12 SM 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16

When King David was settled in his palace,
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet,
“Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king,
“Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you.”
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
“Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?

“‘It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his Kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your Kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.’”

Responsorial Psalm PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 AND 29

R. (2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the rock, my savior.’
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 1:67-79

Zechariah his father, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied, saying:

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Saint December 24 : St. Charbel of Lebanon : Mystic and Hermit



St. Charbel Makhlouf
MYSTIC AND MARONITE HERMIT
Feast: December 24


Information:
Feast Day:December 24
Born:May 8, 1828, Bekaa Kafra (North Lebanon)
Died:December 24, 1898
Canonized:October 9, 1977 by Pope Paul VI
Mystic and Maronite hermit. He was born in 1828 in Lebanon and became a Maronite monk at Annaya Abbey at the age of twenty. As a hermit, Charbel was famous for his spiritual gifts, even among his Islamic neighbors. He spent almost a quarter century displaying many miraculous abilities and was noted for his love of the Holy Eucharist. Charbel died in 1898. He was beatified in 1965 and canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul VI (r. 1963-1978).

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

What are the 12 Days of Christmas - Hidden Meaning Revealed...SHARE

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS are 12 days from December 25 till January 5 that are spent celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, Savior of mankind.
There are several feast days that are traditionally celebrated on the 12 days including:
Dec. 26 - St. Stephen, 1st Martyr of the Church
27 - St. John the Evangelist, Apostle
28 - Holy Innocents, Martyred children by Herod in search of Jesus
29 - St. Thomas Becket, Martyred Bishop of England under Henry II
30 - The feast of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph
31 - St. Sylvester I, Pope 314-335 AD
Jan. 1 - Feast of Holy Mary Mother of God
2 - Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus - commemorating the Circumcision 8 days after Christ's birth
3 - St. Genevieve - Patroness of Paris
4 - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton of USA established Catholic schools
5 - St. John Neumann - Bishop and also established the Catholic school system in the US


The playwright Shakespeare wrote his play "Twelfth Night, or what you will" circa 1601 in honor of these days. 
The lyrics of the song "The 12 Days of Christmas", written circa 1645, hold a special meaning. This was written during the persecution of Catholics in England. They serve as a hidden catechesis 
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love sent to me…
A Partridge in a Pear Tree  
The partridge is representative of Jesus Christ and the pear tree is the cross. Jesus is symbolically rendered as a mother bird protecting her young. This recalls Christ's words: “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . .” (Luke 13:34) 
Two Turtle Doves 
The 2 doves symbolize the two natures in Jesus: human and divine or the Old and New Testaments.
Three French Hens
The 3 hens are the Three Persons in One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; but can also refer to the three Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity.
Four Calling Birds
The birds represent the 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They tell of the Good News throughout the world.
Five Gold Rings
The 5 rings represent the five books of the Old Testament also known as the Torah or the Pentateuch:  1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy.
Six Geese A-laying
The geese symbolize the six days of Creation;  or the 6 Precepts of the Church:
  • to keep the Sundays and Holy Days of obligation holy, by hearing Mass and resting from servile work;
  • to keep the days of fasting and abstinence appointed by the Church;
  • to go to confession at least once a year;
  • to receive the Blessed Sacrament at least once a year and that at Easter or thereabouts;
  • to contribute to the support of our pastors;
  • not to marry within a certain degree of kindred nor to solemnize marriage at the forbidden times.

Seven Swans A-swimming
These are the 7 Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, Marriage, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick.
Eight Maids A-milking
Represent the 8 Beatitudes 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)
Nine Ladies Dancing
The 9 choirs of angels;  or the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)
Ten Lords A-Leaping
The 10 Commandments: 1) I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me; 2) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; 3) Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day; 4) Honour your father and mother; 5) You shall not kill; 6) You shall not commit adultery; 7) You shall not steal; 8) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour; 9) You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife; 10) You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods. 
Eleven Pipers Piping

The 11 Apostles: 1) Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James the Greater, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8 ) Thomas, 9) James the Less, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Jude Thaddaeus. This does not include Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
Twelve Drummers Drumming
These are the 12 main beliefs of the Catholic Church as dictated in the Apostles Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; 2) And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; 3) Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, 4) Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. 5) He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; 6) He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; 7) From thence He shall come again to judge the living and the dead. 8 ) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 9) the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.

Wow IKEA Ad Shows what Kids really want for Christmas from you! SHARE

Kids Were Asked To Write Two Letters: One To Santa, The Other To Their Parents. What They Reveal Will Make You Cry.... "All I want for Christmas is...?" The clip documenting the experiment was created by advertising agency McCann Spain under the original title "La Otra Carta," or, "The Other Letter." It features children age four to nine and, according to the producers, is entirely "real and unscripted."
SHARE this to show your friends the truth in Childrens' hearts...