THE NARRATIVE AND POLITICAL CORRECTNESS


Threats to freedom of speech, writing and action, though often trivial in isolation, are cumulative in their effect and, unless checked, lead to a general disrespect for the rights of the citizen. -George Orwell

Sunday, December 25, 2016

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO!

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When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them...
Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

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Saturday, December 24, 2016

THE MIDNIGHT MASS OF CHRISTMAS

Pope Francis celebrates Midnight Mass on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord.



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FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION... DECEMBER 24, 2016

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Refuting the 'Pagan Roots of Christmas' Claim

O Night Divine: Keeping the Midnight in Midnight Mass

Why All Parents Should Let Their Kids Experience Midnight Mass

3 Simple ways to Keep Christmas Day Holy

The Christmas Triad: Christ, Church, Eucharist



The Deeper Meaning of Christmas

Meditating on the Holy Family

The Light of the Infant Jesus

What Will We Give Jesus for His Birthday?

Today's Mass Readings

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VIGIL: THE SPECIAL NIGHT THAT IS CHRISTMAS EVE



The Gift
Is there a day of greater expectation for Christians than Christmas Eve? Holy Saturday, perhaps, should be; but while the Resurrection of Christ is a more remarkable act even than the Incarnation of God as Man, the simple fact that the former depends on the latter - God must become Man before He can die and rise again - has ensured that Christmas captures our imagination more fully than Easter. It is not just visions of sugar plums and glorious roast beast that set our hearts afire on this day; it is the recognition - perhaps less conscious than more so - that, in the words of one of my favorite Christmas carols,
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
Even as Christians, we may have reduced the Nativity of Our Lord in practical terms to a holiday of family and friends, of home and hearth and happiness. Yet our souls know more than our minds acknowledge, and on this night of nights they cry out, "Come, Lord Jesus!" That is the cry, too, of the Apostles and Fathers of the Church, of saints and sinners down through the ages...
It is the cry of humanity broken by sin, of men and women who too often rebel against the realization that we cannot repair our lives, much less the world, on our own, yet who recognize, deep within their souls, the scars that only Christ can heal. Our pride threatens to stifle that cry, and perhaps for 364 days of the year, it succeeds in doing so. We act as if our salvation lies in our hands, as if we can heal ourselves through our own works.
Yet on this day, and even more so this night, our souls may speak more loudly, if we will let them. They may cry to the Lord Who will greet us in the morning from His humble manger; they may admit that we need the Child Who is also the Man Who died for our sins - not just the sins of Adam and Eve, and the sins of our fellow man, but our sins, that we have committed yesterday and today, and which we will commit tomorrow.
And our souls may allow us, this night, to set aside our spiritual and intellectual pride, and to hear the truth of the prophets, who likened those souls to an arid desert, which no man can make bloom but God can make fruitful.
To receive the gift of God, the gift that He gives us starting this night, requires setting our pride aside and acknowledging that we are broken, that we are barren, that on our own we can only bring death rather than life.
This night, of all nights, our hearts seem ready to hear these words, to admit the longing in our souls for something that we cannot gain for ourselves, but can only accept as a gift. Or rather, the longing for Someone, the only begotten Son of the Father Who wants nothing more than for all of His children to receive the ultimate gift in the spirit in which He gives it: freely, without reservations.
Tomorrow, He comes: the greatest gift of all. Tonight, we watch, we wait, we hope...
Also read: Why Christmas Is Celebrated at Night
 

RONALD REAGAN'S 1983 CHRISTMAS EVE ADDRESS



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Sunday, December 18, 2016

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - CANDLE OF LOVE

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Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end.

And it came to pass that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David. He was to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered...




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Sunday, December 11, 2016

GAUDETE SUNDAY - CANDLE OF JOY

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Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob.
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen...




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Tuesday, December 6, 2016

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION... DECEMBER 6, 2016

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Do You Believe in Santa Claus?

What Happened to St. Nicholas?

19 Little-Remembered Facts About St. Nicholas

Is it Wrong to Celebrate St. Nicholas During Advent?

Here's why my kids get letters from Saint Nick every year











Why I Don't Have an Elf on My Shelf

Teaching Children the Faith

Advent: A Preparation for Christmas

First the Fast, Then the Feast

Today's Mass Readings

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YESTERDAY'S HEADLINES TODAY - VOL. 939



Obstruction Ahead: Senate Dems Plot Course to Delay or Derail Trump Cabinet Picks

On the Bipartisan Inadequacy of Governing Elites: A General Theory of Trump's Victory

Memo to Ben Carson: Push for a Repeal of the Community Reinvestment Act

Scientists Should Stop Mixing Their Work with Politics

The Nationalist Revival

The Left's Coming Counter-Attack

Anti-Gun Hysteria Is Hazardous to Your Health

K-12: Occupied Territory

The Successful Progressive Conspiracy to Burn a 'Climate Heretic'

President-Elect Donald Trump Ruined Her Desire to Date... Sad!

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Monday, December 5, 2016

THE FEDERALIST: DECEMBER 5, 2016

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Without The Electoral College, We'd Be More Likely To Have A Dictator

Why The Mainstream Media Can't Hold Trump Accountable

Why The Media Would Pretend Catholics Are Trading Abortion For Climate Change

Can Nationalism Create A New Fusionism On The Right?

Nationalism Stays Strong In Europe Despite Split Results In Italy And Austria

Fidel Castro: The Left's Beloved Symbol of Negation

Winter Is Coming: Advent Brings The Light When Darkness Grows

Media Attention To The South's Wildfires Will Only Make Things Worse

5 Ways To Combat Anti-Semitism By Raising Your Children Well

HBO's 'Westworld' Is Just 'LOST' With Robots

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LIFE NEWS: DECEMBER 5, 2016

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Donald Trump Gets an A+ So Far on Critical Pro-Life Appointments That Matter to Unborn Children

Trump Names Pro-Life Dr. Ben Carson as HUD Secretary

Abortion Activist: "Sex is About to Get A Lot Less Fun" Because Donald Trump is President

Liam Neeson Resigns From Catholic Boxing Club After Members Upset He Made Video Promoting Abortion

Planned Parenthood Abortion Biz Closes Three More Clinics in Pennsylvania

Satanic Temple Complains About New Texas Law Requiring Proper Burial for Aborted Babies

Responding to the False Argument: "If You Ban Abortion, Women Will be Investigated for Miscarriage"

University Bans Pro-Life Students From Having Official Club: "Would Give Them a Platform to Harass Others"

Irish Government Paying €30,000 to Woman Who Aborted Her Disabled Baby is "Utterly Outrageous"

Gilmore Girls Creator: It's "Absolutely" Possible Rory Might Kill Her Unborn Baby

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EWTN NEWS NIGHTLY: DECEMBER 5, 2016



EWTN News Nightly's Brian Patrick presents the headline news of the day.

Additional news and views from around the Catholic world:

The Pontiff and the Dictator: What St. John Paul II told Fidel Castro and the Cuban people

St. John Paul II truly understood the importance of absolute values

Catholic Vietnam: Growing despite Communist oppression

Despite distance, Iraqi Christians keep the spirit of Christmas alive

"Warrior Monk" James Mattis on Knowing Our Enemy

Catholics: Price Is Right

Notre Dame Waffles on Trump Commencement Invite - Honored Pro-Abortion Obama in 2009

Canada's Boldest Professor Defies the Gender Police

Princess Diana's great-great-great-uncle may be on road to sainthood

This Forgotten Fatima Note Reveals Sr. Lúcia's 'Holy Ambition' for the Rosary

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FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION... DECEMBER 5, 2016

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Anti-Christian violence is now too common to attract the headlines

Nun killed in Democratic Republic of Congo

Father Stanley Rother: The first U.S.-born martyr

The Providence College Mob Comes for Anthony Esolen

Pope Benedict XVI: Evangelist to the World



How to Fight the Devil

How to Celebrate Christmas with Benedictine Nuns

Large Newman Centers Successfully Serve Secular Colleges

The Dangerous Road of Papal Silence

Today's Mass Readings

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Sunday, December 4, 2016

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT - CANDLE OF PEACE

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Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way of Thine only-begotten Son: that through His coming we may attain to serve Thee with purified minds. Who liveth and reigneth, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.
And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears. 

But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: land he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: the calf and the lion, and the sheep shall abide together, and a little child shall lead them. The calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp: and the weaned child shall thrust his hand into the den of the basilisk. They shall not hurt, nor shall they kill in all my holy mountain, for the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the covering waters of the sea. 

In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious.

Alleluia, alleluia. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go unto the house of the Lord. Alleluia.




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Wednesday, November 30, 2016

LIFE NEWS: NOVEMBER 30, 2016

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Obama Unilaterally Forces States to Fund Planned Parenthood and Ignores Congress' Concerns

Planned Parenthood Sues to Overturn North Carolina Ban on Abortions After 20 Weeks

CDC Report: 113 Babies Died in Saline Abortions That Poisoned Their Lungs, Burned Off Their Skin

1,752 Babies Killed in Late-Term Abortions in NYC in One Year. 1 Baby Every 5 Hours...

Trump Admin Should Investigate Planned Parenthood for Promoting Forced Abortions in China

CNN Panel Shuts Down Guest Who Mentions Planned Parenthood Selling Aborted Baby Parts

Hollyweird Censors Gosnell Movie: Producer Says Distributors Won't Touch Tale of Abortion Horrors

Kelloggs Pulls Ads From Pro-Life News Site: It's "Not Aligned With Our Values as a Company"

Goofy Joy Behar Slams Christians Against Birth Control: "Are They Talking to God Now?"

Presbyterian University Openly Promotes Partnership With Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic

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EWTN NEWS NIGHTLY: NOVEMBER 30, 2016



EWTN News Nightly's Brian Patrick presents the headline news of the day.

Additional news and views from around the Catholic world:

Just Like a Shepherd: Celebrity Pontiff Hangs Out With Hollywood Celebrity

The "Concern"

Cardinal Pell: Many Catholics 'Unnerved' by Church Under Francis

In Pakistan, 13 sentenced over lynching of Christian couple

Humanitarian needs going unmet in Iraq, Catholic leaders tell Congress

UK: Government urged to protect religious freedom in new Bill of Rights

The next battlefront for religious freedom

Norwegian Catholic Church accused of membership inflation

'You Can't Do Education Right if You Get Humanity Wrong'

A Seventeenth-Century Trump?

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FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION... NOVEMBER 30, 2016

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Signs of Renewal in the Study of Catholic Theology

10 Fascinating Facts about Advent

History and Symbolism of the Advent Wreath

The Advent Gift of John the Baptist

Preparing for Christ at Advent and at All Times














Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle

Ireland's happy pro-life warriors

Catholics Wage Legal Battle for Life in Poland

Praying as a Family with the Nativity Set

Today's Mass Readings

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YESTERDAY'S HEADLINES TODAY - VOL. 937



Why all that Dancing in the Streets of Miami?

Vicious Teenagers Have Run Cuba for 57 Years

Fidel Castro's Admirers: The Dunce, the Coward, and the Criminal

Elizabeth Warren's Embarrassing Attack on Medical Research

What a Trump Supreme Court Would Mean for Abortion

Outstanding Pick: Why Conservatives Should Be Thrilled By Trump's HHS Nominee

Double Standards on Abortion and Animal Rights

Artists' Free Speech Rights at Stake in Washington Florist Case

What About the Cultural Imbalance?

Can Democrats Quit Identity Politics?

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