Saturday, December 14, 2024

 

Friday, December 13, 2024

 

Friday, December 20, 2024

 

Thursday, December 12, 2024

 

Christ Is Coming - Demons Are In Panic Mode!

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

 

Next Riot don't call out the cops or military. Call out the farmers.

Dara’s Corner

·         Jesse Tree ornament: Jesse: 1 Sam. 16:1-13 Symbols: crimson robe, shepherd's staff

·         Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster

·         Actress Rita Moreno born 1931

·         How to celebrate Dec 11th

o   First things first, start your day by indulging in a dance session. Put on your favorite tango music, and sway to the rhythm. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned pro or have two left feet, just have fun and let loose.

o   After working up an appetite with all that dancing, it’s time for a delightful breakfast. Toast a bagel to perfection and top it with your favorite spread. Whether it’s cream cheese, smoked salmon, or avocado, make it your own and relish every bite.

o   Feeling energized after your meal, head outdoors for a hike or a leisurely walk in the mountains. Take in the fresh air, admire the scenic views, and appreciate the beauty of nature all around you. Don’t forget to snap a few photos to capture the moment.

o   To cap off the day, take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the history and culture around you. Learn about the Statute of Westminster and its significance. Reflect on how this historical event has shaped the world we live in today.

o   And finally, end the day on a fun note by indulging in a classic comfort food – a delicious noodle ring dish. Whether it’s baked, fried, or boiled, savor the flavors and enjoy a simple yet satisfying meal.

33 days to Christmas-Start the 33 days to Eucharistic Glory[3]

Want to start a small group? Download our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide

Day 14

On this 14^th day, develop the strength not to yield and carry our crosses patiently

Copilot:

Developing the strength to resist temptation and patiently carry our crosses is a journey that involves faith, perseverance, and practical steps. Here are some ways to build that strength: 

Spiritual Practices 

1.      Daily Prayer: Start and end your day with prayer, seeking God’s strength to resist temptation and carry your burdens with patience. 

2.      Scripture Reading: Meditate on passages that provide encouragement and guidance. Verses like Philippians 4:13 and Matthew 16:24 can be particularly inspiring. 

3.      Sacraments: Participate in the sacraments regularly to receive grace and fortify your spirit. 

Practical Steps 

1.      Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness to become aware of your thoughts and actions, helping you to make conscious, positive choices. 

2.      Accountability Partners: Share your journey with trusted friends or mentors who can provide support, encouragement, and accountability. 

3.      Healthy Boundaries: Establish boundaries to protect yourself from negative influences and environments. 

Lifestyle Habits 

1.      Physical Health: Maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and a balanced diet. Physical well-being can positively impact your mental and spiritual health. 

2.      Positive Activities: Engage in hobbies and activities that uplift and inspire you, keeping your mind occupied with positive pursuits. 

Community Support 

1.      Faith Community: Be active in your faith community, participating in group prayers, study sessions, and service activities. 

2.      Volunteer Work: Serving others can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, helping you stay focused on positive values. 

Reflective Practices 

1.      Examination of Conscience: Regularly reflect on your actions and intentions, seeking areas for growth and improvement. 

2.      Gratitude Journal: Keep a journal to note down the blessings and positive experiences in your life, helping you maintain a hopeful and thankful mindset. 

Example Prayer for Strength and Patience

Here’s a prayer to help you seek strength and patience: 

Dear Lord, Grant me the strength to resist temptation and carry my crosses with patience and grace. Fill me with Your peace and guide me in moments of struggle and doubt. Help me to embrace my challenges as opportunities for growth and to trust in Your plan. May Your love and presence sustain me and give me the courage to follow Your path.

Amen.

DECEMBER 11 Wednesday of the Second Week in Advent

SPIRITUAL crib-Mountain Day 

Judith, Chapter 8, Verse 8

No one had a bad word to say about her, for she FEARED God greatly.

 

Think what it would be like if you could hear what others say about you?

 

Would no one have a bad word to say about you?

 

How is Judith described?

 

Judith[1]

 

·         She was a widow of a successful man “Mannasseh” who died of heat stroke during a barley harvest.

·         During the war she had been a widow for 3 years and 4 months, choosing not to remarry.

·         She lived in a tent on the roof of her house and mourned her husband and worshipped.

·         She fasted except for the Holy Days.

·         She was beautiful and very lovely to behold.

·         She maintained her husband’s property which she owned.

 

Judith, Instrument of Yahwah

 

War had been declared between God and Nebuchadnezzar, god against God. Each divinity has an acting human representative. Judith and Holofernes. Judith is a model of Jewish observance. She is a widow whom all knows that she is under the protection of God. She is a strong woman, with the fear of God. Judith counsels the elders of the city Bethulia, that is a mountain stronghold that prevents Holofernes from marching on Jerusalem. The people are thirsty the cisterns are empty all is hopeless and the elders want to quit. Judith challenges their resolve. She scolds the elders for limiting God to human understanding.

 

"You cannot plumb the depths of the human heart or grasp the workings of the human mind; how then can you fathom God, who has made all these things, or discern his mind, or understand his plan?”

 

Judith prepares for war with prayer.

 

Her call for action has 3 parts.

 

1.      They must set an example because the fate of the nation, the temple, and the people depend on them.

2.      They must be grateful to God for this test their affliction is a proof of God’s love for them.

3.      They must remember that God tests those He loves and never doubt his fidelity in the midst of their sufferings.

 

Judith’s prayer illustrates three principles of Holy War

 

·         Trust in God. Do not trust in horses or chariots. Trust in armament is the same as trusting in another god-it is idolatry.

·         Power comes from God. Frequently the power of God comes from a chosen person, Moses, David, Jesus, Peter and Judith or Mary Mother of God. The weapons of God are not the same as man. God’s chosen instrument is sometimes weak.

·         Victory belongs to the lowly and vulnerable. The weak have no hope except in the power of God. Judith calls on God to win the victory.

Every Wednesday is Dedicated to St. Joseph

The Italian culture has always had a close association with St. Joseph perhaps you could make Wednesdays centered around Jesus’s Papa. Plan an Italian dinner of pizza or spaghetti after attending Mass as most parishes have a Wednesday evening Mass. You could even do carry out to help restaurants. If you are adventurous, you could do the Universal Man Plan: St. Joseph style. Make the evening a family night perhaps it could be a game night. Whatever you do make the day special.

·         Devotion to the 7 Joys and Sorrows of St. Joseph

·         Do the St. Joseph Universal Man Plan.

·         Joseph was chosen 

Spiritual Crib[2] 

A special devotion that can be performed during Advent to prepare for the coming of the Infant Savior. It can be adapted for adults and/or children and applied as is appropriate to your state in life. 

·         1st day, December 11th: THE STONES—Pure Intention By pure intention today, we will bring together the materials for the stable. The Wagon to carry the stones shall be the pure intention, the Horses the great fervor in the service of God, and the stones we collect by making 100 aspirations to the most Sacred Heart of our dear Redeemer.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

PART TWO: THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY

SECTION TWO-THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH

CHAPTER ONE-THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

Article 3-THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST

III. The Eucharist in the Economy of Salvation

                        Day 182

The signs of bread and wine

1333 At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ's Body and Blood. Faithful to the Lord's command the Church continues to do, in his memory and until his glorious return, what he did on the eve of his Passion: "He took bread...." "He took the cup filled with wine...." the signs of bread and wine become, in a way surpassing understanding, the Body and Blood of Christ; they continue also to signify the goodness of creation. Thus in the Offertory we give thanks to the Creator for bread and wine, fruit of the "work of human hands," but above all as "fruit of the earth" and "of the vine" - gifts of the Creator. the Church sees in the gesture of the king-priest Melchizedek, who "brought out bread and wine," a prefiguring of her own offering.

1334 In the Old Covenant bread and wine were offered in sacrifice among the first fruits of the earth as a sign of grateful acknowledgment to the Creator. But they also received a new significance in the context of the Exodus: the unleavened bread that Israel eats every year at Passover commemorates the haste of the departure that liberated them from Egypt; the remembrance of the manna in the desert will always recall to Israel that it lives by the bread of the Word of God; their daily bread is the fruit of the promised land, the pledge of God's faithfulness to his promises.
The "cup of blessing" at the end of the Jewish Passover meal adds to the festive joy of wine an eschatological dimension: the messianic expectation of the rebuilding of Jerusalem. When Jesus instituted the Eucharist, he gave a new and definitive meaning to the blessing of the bread and the cup.

1335 The miracles of the multiplication of the loaves, when the Lord says the blessing, breaks and distributes the loaves through his disciples to feed the multitude, prefigure the superabundance of this unique bread of his Eucharist. The sign of water turned into wine at Cana already announces the Hour of Jesus' glorification. It makes manifest the fulfillment of the wedding feast in the Father's kingdom, where the faithful will drink the new wine that has become the Blood of Christ.

1336 The first announcement of the Eucharist divided the disciples, just as the announcement of the Passion scandalized them: "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" The Eucharist and the Cross are stumbling blocks. It is the same mystery and it never ceases to be an occasion of division. "Will you also go away?": The Lord's question echoes through the ages, as a loving invitation to discover that only he has "the words of eternal life" and that to receive in faith the gift of his Eucharist is to receive the Lord himself.

The institution of the Eucharist

1337 The Lord, having loved those who were his own, loved them to the end. Knowing that the hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father, in the course of a meal he washed their feet and gave them the commandment of love. In order to leave them a pledge of this love, in order never to depart from his own and to make them sharers in his Passover, he instituted the Eucharist as the memorial of his death and Resurrection, and commanded his apostles to celebrate it until his return; "thereby he constituted them priests of the New Testament."

1338 The three synoptic Gospels and St. Paul have handed on to us the account of the institution of the Eucharist; St. John, for his part, reports the words of Jesus in the synagogue of Capernaum that prepare for the institution of the Eucharist: Christ calls himself the bread of life, come down from heaven.

1339 Jesus chose the time of Passover to fulfill what he had announced at Capernaum: giving his disciples his Body and his Blood:

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the passover meal for us, that we may eat it...." They went ... and prepared the passover. and when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. and he said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.".... and he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." and likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the New Covenant in my blood."

1340 By celebrating the Last Supper with his apostles in the course of the Passover meal, Jesus gave the Jewish Passover its definitive meaning. Jesus' passing over to his father by his death and Resurrection, the new Passover, is anticipated in the Supper and celebrated in the Eucharist, which fulfills the Jewish Passover and anticipates the final Passover of the Church in the glory of the kingdom.

International Mountain Day[4]

In certain areas of the world, they are also a source of unique agriculture, providing ample space for the production of those products that grow best on their slopes. Coffee, Cocoa, Herbs, Spices, and the form of handicrafts that spring from the minds of those who live in the unchanging protection of these towering edifices to geology. International Mountain Day is your opportunity to head out and appreciate these unique landforms, and all they have to offer. Established in December of 2003, the United Nations General Assembly created this day to help bring awareness to all of the things we rely on mountains for. Whether it’s all of the glories mentioned above, or how necessary they are for the health and well-being of the flora and fauna that call them their home, International Mountain Day promotes them all.

How to Celebrate International Mountain Day

International Mountain Day can be celebrated in a cavalcade of fun and educational ways. Head out to your local mountain to discover all the things it has to offer. Whether it’s a day in the numerous parks and hidden places that can be found in their craggy terrain, or amazing tourist towns like Leavenworth, WA, get on out there and explore. Hiking enthusiasts will find the many trails and secret places a joy, as well as being able to enjoy the far-flung places that so few ever visit. Due to the challenges of developing them, there is almost always an opportunity to enjoy nature in all its glory. Even better, once you’ve hiked your way into the far reaches of untouched wilderness, you can settle down to camp away from the light pollution and noise of city life. Or maybe you prefer to drive, the twisting winding roads that navigate the mountainsides have some of the most beautiful country that can be found, near or far. Snugged down between the rising cliff-face and the sheer drop into the valley, the view is simply unmatched, and such a thing can be refreshing to the human soul. International Mountain Day is a call to get out into the wild and see what it has to offer!

10 Sacred Mountains Around the World[5]

 

Since ancient times various mountains around the world have been held sacred. Here are 10 places worth visiting for a spiritual high.

 

1. Mount Nebo, Jordan (2,330 ft)

 

According to the final chapter of Deuteronomy, Mount Nebo is where the Hebrew prophet Moses beheld the promised land that God would give to the Jewish people. On a clear day you can see the Dead Sea, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the River Jordan, Jericho and the Mount of Olives. The remains of a 4th century monastery was discovered on this windy peak in western Jordan in 1933, and the church features an impressive collection of ancient mosaics.

 

2. Mount Croagh Patrick, Ireland (2,507 ft)

As many as one million pilgrims trek this peak annually to pray at the stations of the cross, participate in Mass, or just enjoy the spectacular view over Ireland’s western coast. Pre-Christian Celts believed the deity Crom Dubh lived on the mountain and later St. Patrick who introduced Christianity to Ireland “is believed to have spent 40 days and nights fasting and praying atop the mountain.

 

3. Mount Olympus, Greece

The legendary home of the Greek Gods and throne of Zeus is the highest mountain in Greece at 9,577 feet. The 2-3-day hike to the summit features a close-up look at the roughly 1,700 different species of flora that grow on the mountain.

 

4. Mount Agung, Bali

The Balinese consider the volcanic Mount Agung to be the center of the universe. It rises 10,308 feet high in eastern Bali. The Mother Temple of Besakih, the largest and holiest temple in Bali, sits roughly 3,000 feet up its slopes.

 

5. Mount Fuji, Japan

This snowcapped mountain west of Tokyo is sacred in both Buddhism and Shintoism. During the July and August climbing season more than 200,000 people hike to the top of this 12,388 ft. peak. Also, an active volcano, Mount Fuji has been venerated as the home of a fire god, a Shinto goddess and Dainichi Nyorai, the Great Sun Buddha.

 

6. The San Francisco Peaks, Arizona

More than a dozen Native American tribes consider this volcanic chain in the Coconino National Forest to be sacred, including the Hopi, who believe the peaks are the mythological home of the Kachina People. In order to protect the area as much as possible, there are no paved roads to the summit. The 9-mile Humphreys Peak Trail is a strenuous round-trip journey that leads to the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet.

 

7. Mount of the Holy Cross, Colorado

Legends of a giant cross hidden deep in the Rocky Mountains proved true when photographer William Henry Jackson returned from an expedition in 1873 with a picture of this mythical peak, the northernmost 14,000 ft mountain in the Sawatch Range. Mount of the Holy Cross is named for the distinctive cross-shaped snowfield that adorns its northeastern face and is a popular Christian pilgrimage site.

 

8. Popocatepel, Mexico (17,802 ft) 

This volcanic peak located roughly 45 miles southeast of Mexico City figures largely in both Aztec and Nahua legends and among local Nahua today El Popo, as its called for short, is a living, breathing entity. Spanish missionaries built 14 monasteries on El Popoâs slopes during the 16th century, and they’ve been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

9. Mount Kailash, China/Tibet (21,778 ft)

Thousands of Buddhists, Hindu, Jain and Bonpo pilgrims’ journey to the remote Himalayan town of Darchen each year to make koras, ritual circuits, around the base of Mount Kailash. Setting foot on the mountain is considered to be a sacrilege, but one 32-mile kora around the base is believed to erase a lifetime of sins.

 

10. Mount Everest, Nepal/China border

Tibetans call Mount Everest the Goddess Mother of the Universe, the Nepalese call Everest Goddess of the Sky. At 29,029 feet, it is the highest mountain on the planet. Everest is part of the Himalayan Mountain range and it is a day hike from the Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet to Base Camp.

 Daily Devotions

·         Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: End Sex Trafficking Slavery

·         Religion in the home: Preschool for December

·         Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

·         Make reparations to the Holy Face

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood

·         Universal Man Plan

·         Rosary

---

[1]http://www.usccb.org/bible/judith/8

[2]http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=1249

[3]https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/33-days-to-eucharistic-glory/33EG.html?srsltid=AfmBOopIHMivIR422BjtUtJ2KZm8-MrVMEJFtxZYH7ZkFuXRwdu5G1Qi#longDescription

[4]https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/mountain-day/

[5]https://matadornetwork.com/bnt/photo-essay-10-sacred-mountains-around-the-world/

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Candace’s Corner

·         Make reparations to the Holy Face-Tuesday Devotion

·         Pray Day 3 of the Novena for our Pope and Bishops

·         Tuesday: Litany of St. Michael the Archangel

·         How to celebrate Dec 10^th of December

o   You wake up on a day filled with possibilities. Begin by indulging in a cold Lager, celebrating the day dedicated to this beloved drink. Then, honor animals’ rights by exploring volunteer opportunities at a local animal shelter or researching cruelty-free brands.

o   Next, channel the Nobel Prize spirit by learning something new. Attend a lecture, read a book by a Nobel laureate, or engage in a deep conversation with a friend. Move on to celebrating Human Rights Day by educating yourself on global human rights issues online or attending a virtual human rights workshop.

o   Spend an afternoon organizing your bookshelf using the Dewey Decimal System, creating a sense of order and accomplishment. Reflect on the importance of knowledge organization and the power of libraries. Remember the souls of whales by supporting ocean conservation efforts, watching a documentary on marine life, or writing a poem in honor of these majestic creatures.

o   End the day by exploring Thai culture and history to commemorate Constitution Day in Thailand. Cook a Thai dish, learn a few phrases in Thai, or watch a Thai film. Embrace the diversity of global traditions and celebrate the principles of democracy and unity. Cheers to a day filled with learning, reflection, and cultural appreciation.

33 days to Christmas-Start the 33 days to Eucharistic Glory[3]

Want to start a small group? Download our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide

Day 13

On this 13^th day, develop the strength not to yield and maintain purity of mind and body.

Copilot:

Developing the strength to resist temptation and maintain purity of mind and body is a continuous and rewarding journey. Here are some practical steps and spiritual practices to help you stay committed to this path:

Spiritual Practices

1. Daily Prayer: Start and end your day with prayer, asking for God's strength and guidance to stay pure in thought and action.
2. Scripture Reading: Reflect on passages that encourage purity and strength. Verses like Philippians 4:13 and Psalm 51:10 can be particularly uplifting.
3. Confession and Eucharist: Regular participation in the sacraments can provide grace and reinforcement of your commitment to purity.

Practical Steps

1. Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness to become more aware of your thoughts and actions. Meditation can help you focus on positive and pure thoughts.
2. Accountability Partners: Find a trusted friend or mentor with whom you can share your journey. They can provide support, encouragement, and accountability.
3. Healthy Boundaries: Set and maintain boundaries that protect your mind and body from negative influences. This might include limiting exposure to certain media or environments.

Lifestyle Habits

1. Exercise and Nutrition: Maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and a balanced diet. Physical well-being can positively influence mental and spiritual health.
2. Hobbies and Interests: Engage in activities and hobbies that uplift you and keep your mind occupied with positive pursuits.

Community Involvement

1. Faith Community: Be active in your faith community, participating in group prayers, study sessions, and service activities.
2. Volunteer Work: Serving others can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, helping you stay focused on positive values.

Example Prayer for Strength and Purity

Here’s a prayer to help you seek strength and purity:

Dear Lord,

Grant me the strength to resist temptation and maintain purity of mind and body. Fill me with Your grace and help me to stay focused on Your will. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions so that they reflect Your holiness. Surround me with supportive friends and mentors who can help me on this journey. May Your presence give me the courage and resolve to live a pure and righteous life.

Amen.

DECEMBER 10 Tuesday of the Second Week in Advent

Loretto (Mary’s House) Human Rights Day

 

Isaiah, Chapter 40, verse 9:

⁹ Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of good news!  Cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news!  Cry out, do not FEAR! Say to the cities of Judah:  Here is your God!

 

Today would be a good day to sing Christmas Carols and if you can go as a group onto a high mountain and sing your hearts out. It has been said that singing is praying twice.

 

The season of advent is all about recognizing that our God has come as a gentle child on Christmas day and his delight is in us. One of my favorite representations of the Lords delight with us is a statue of Joseph and the baby Jesus. Jesus and Joseph are playing. Joseph is slightly bent with the baby Jesus giggling crawling over the back of Joseph and peeking over his shoulder looking at his face in peek a boo fashion and delight is all over both of their faces. How can we fear when we have a God who loves us so! In times of tribulation when we feel courage being drained from our souls let us remember the courage of blessed Saint Joseph reflecting on his courage, strength and of course gentleness with our Lord Jesus. In times of trouble let us call on the aid of St. Joseph reflecting on this portion of the litany of Saint Joseph[1].

 

”St. Joseph, Renowned offspring of David, Light of Patriarchs, Spouse of the Mother of God, Chaste guardian of the Virgin, Foster father of the Son of God, Diligent protector of Christ, Head of the Holy Family, Joseph most just, Joseph most chaste, Joseph most prudent, Joseph most strong, Joseph most obedient, Joseph most faithful, Mirror of patience, Lover of poverty, Model of artisans, Glory of home life, Guardian of virgins, Pillar of families, Solace of the wretched, Hope of the sick, Patron of the dying, Terror of demons, Protector of Holy Church. Pray for Us!”

Our Lady of Loretto[2]

The shrine of Our Lady of Loreto is located on the Adriatic coast of Italy, three hours from Rome. It is the third-largest shrine to Mary in Europe, next to Lourdes and Fatima. The ministry of the shrine is the hospitality shown to pilgrims especially through the sacrament of penance.

·         The title "Our Lady of Loreto" is associated with the Holy House of Loreto in Italy, the house of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, miraculously transported by the angels from Palestine to Europe.

·         The house of the Holy Family in Nazareth has always been the object of Christian veneration. Shortly after 313, St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, built a basilica over this holy abode. The Saracens invaded the Holy Land in 1090, plundering and destroying Christian shrines, including Constantine’s basilica. Under the ruble, the Holy House was found intact.

·         During the twelfth century, another basilica was built to protect the holy dwelling. In 1219 or 1220 St. Francis of Assisi visited the Holy House in Nazareth. So did King St. Louis IX of France, when he was leading a crusade to liberate the Holy Land.

·         In 1263, when the Muslims overpowered the crusaders, the basilica was again destroyed but, once more, the Holy House was found intact.

·         When the crusaders were completely driven out of the Holy Land in 1291, the Holy House disappeared.

·         On May 10, 1291, a parish priest, Fr. Alexander Georgevich in the town of Tersatto, Dalmatia, (present-day Croatia) noticed the sudden appearance of a small building resting on a plot of land. Puzzled, he prayed about it, and in a dream saw the Blessed Virgin Mary, who explained that the structure was the house of the Holy Family, brought there by the power of God.

·         In 1294, with the Moslem invasion of Albania, the house disappeared again. According to the testimony of shepherds, it was seen on December 10 of that year born aloft by angels over the Adriatic Sea. This time the Holy House came to rest in a wooded area four miles from Recanati, Italy. As the news spread fast, thousands flocked there, and many miracles took place at the site.

·         Due to contrary circumstances, twice again the house was moved, finally coming to rest in the town of Loreto, Italy, its present location.

·         As miracles continued to occur in connection with pilgrimages to the house, deputations were sent to Nazareth to determine its origins in 1292, in 1296, and in 1524. All three declared that the measurements of the house corresponded to the visible foundations of the house of Nazareth.

·         In 1871 at the suggestion of Cardinal Bartolini, Professor Ratti of the University of Rome was given mortar and stones from the house at Loreto, and similar materials from houses in Nazareth. Ignorant of which was which, Prof. Ratti ascertained that the composition of the material from the house of Loreto while not original to Italy was identical to that of the material from Nazareth.

·         Other striking facts about the house in Loreto are that it has no foundations. The walls rest on a plot that was part field and part road, a sure indication that it was not built there but placed there. The style of the house of Loreto is not Italian but Eastern. And the original door was on the long side of the house, indicating that it was a dwelling and not a church.

·         Today a great basilica houses the dwelling of the holiest of families. From 1330, practically all the Popes have considered Loreto the greatest shrine of Christendom. Bulls in favor of the shrine were issued by Pope Sixtus IV in 1491 and by Julius II in 1507. While the miracle of the translation of the house is not a matter of faith, Innocent XII, in the seventeenth century, appointed a special Mass for the Feast of the Translation of the Holy House. Numerous saints have visited the house-relic.

·         As pilgrims enter the small precinct, they read on the threshold, “Hic Verbum caro factum est” – “Here the Word became flesh”. Above the altar inside the holy house is an ancient statue of Our Lady holding the Infant Jesus, known as Our Lady of Loreto.

Things to Do

• Why is Our Lady of Loreto connected with aviation? Read these two articles, Did angels really carry the Holy House of Mary to Loreto, Italy? at Catholic News Agency and Our Lady of Loreto and Aviation from "All About Mary" at the University of Dayton.
• Find out the connection the University of Notre Dame has with Our Lady of Loreto.
• Visit the website of Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto.
• Here is further reading about the Basilica of the Holy House (Basilica della Santa Casa)
• The Litany of Loreto originated from this Shrine. Read about the Litany of Loreto in Context.
• See The Illustrated Litany of Loreto for visual meditation on the Litany of Loreto.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

PART TWO: THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY

SECTION TWO-THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH

CHAPTER ONE-THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

Article 3-THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST

II. What is This Sacrament Called?

                        Day 181

1328 The inexhaustible richness of this sacrament is expressed in the different names we give it. Each name evokes certain aspects of it. It is called: Eucharist, because it is an action of thanksgiving to God. the Greek words eucharistein and eulogein recall the Jewish blessings that proclaim - especially during a meal - God's works: creation, redemption, and sanctification.

1329 The Lord's Supper, because of its connection with the supper which the Lord took with his disciples on the eve of his Passion and because it anticipates the wedding feast of the Lamb in the heavenly Jerusalem.
The Breaking of Bread, because Jesus used this rite, part of a Jewish meat when as master of the table he blessed and distributed the bread, above all at the Last Supper. It is by this action that his disciples will recognize him after his Resurrection, and it is this expression that the first Christians will use to designate their Eucharistic assemblies; by doing so they signified that all who eat the one broken bread, Christ, enter into communion with him and form but one body in him.
The Eucharistic assembly (synaxis), because the Eucharist is celebrated amid the assembly of the faithful, the visible expression of the Church.

1330 The memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection.
The Holy Sacrifice, because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior and includes the Church's offering. the terms holy sacrifice of the Mass, "sacrifice of praise," spiritual sacrifice, pure and holy sacrifice are also used, since it completes and surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old Covenant.
The Holy and Divine Liturgy, because the Church's whole liturgy finds its center and most intense expression in the celebration of this sacrament; in the same sense we also call its celebration the Sacred Mysteries. We speak of the Most Blessed Sacrament because it is the Sacrament of Sacraments. the Eucharistic species reserved in the tabernacle are designated by this same name.

1331 Holy Communion, because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body. We also call it: the holy things (ta hagia; sancta) - the first meaning of the phrase "communion of saints" in the Apostles' Creed - the bread of angels, bread from heaven, medicine of immortality, viaticum....

1332 Holy Mass (Missa), because the liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God's will in their daily lives.

Human Rights Day[4]

 

Human Rights Day commemorates the day on which the United Nations issued the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a document drafted by representatives from all regions of the world, which outlined fundamental human rights to be universally protected. The Declaration contains 30 articles that touch on rights to freedom, justice, peace, dignity, education and health care, amongst other rights. On December 10, 1948, the United Nations proclaimed the UDHR in an effort to help define equal rights that all humans on the planet deserve and can help the world achieve lasting freedom, justice and peace.  Human Rights Day was officially declared by the United Nations in 1950. It is celebrated on December 10th each year and is marked by speeches and activities designed to bring attention to the issues surrounding the most pressing Human Rights issues worldwide.

 

Human Rights Day Facts & Quotes

 

·         The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights was one of their first declarations and came about after the atrocities perpetrated upon humans during World War II were brought to light.

·         Over the past decade, armed conflict has killed 2 million children, disabled another 4-5 million, left 12 million homeless and orphaned another million.

·         Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally. - Abraham Lincoln

·         America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense... human rights invented America. - Jimmy Carter

·         I have cherished the ideal a democratic and free society... it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die. - Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa, who was imprisoned from 1964-1990.

 

Human Rights Day Top Events and Things to Do

 

·         Educate yourself on current human rights fights such as genocide by terrorist groups, slavery and trafficking and child labor around the world.

·         Get involved with a local human rights organization.

·         Watch a documentary about human rights issues and violations. Some recommendations: Invisible Children (2006), Girl Rising (2013) and Nefarious (2011).

·         The U.S. is not the only country to recognize the importance of religious liberty. The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights--a foundational document for international law, created by representatives from all over the world--recognizes this basic human right in Article 18: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance”. Clearly, the framers of this document relied on human reason and saw the need for governments to recognize this civil right.[5]

 

Jesse Tree[6]

Jesse Tree Scriptures (The Symbols Are Only Suggestions)

December 1 Creation: Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-4 Symbols: sun, moon, stars, animals, earth

December 2 Adam and Eve: Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24 Symbols: tree, man, woman

December 3 Fall of Man: Gen. 3:1-7 and 23-24 Symbols: tree, serpent, apple with bite

December 4 Noah: Gen. 6:5-8, 13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22 Symbols: ark, animals, dove, rainbow

December 5 Abraham: Gen. 12:1-3 Symbols: torch, sword, mountain

December 6 Isaac: Gen. 22:1-14 Symbols: bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush

December 7 Jacob: Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15 Symbols: kettle, ladder

December 8 Joseph: Gen. 37:23-28; 45:3-15 Symbols: bucket, well, silver coins, tunic

December 9 Moses: Ex. 2:1-10 Symbols: baby in basket, river and rushes

December 10 Samuel: 1 Sam. 3:1-18 Symbols: lamp, temple

Daily Devotions

·         Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Restoring the Constitution.

·         Religion in the home: Preschool for December

·         Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

·         Make reparations to the Holy Face

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood

·         Universal Man Plan

·         Rosary

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[1] https://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/litanies/joseph.htm

[2]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-12-10

[3]https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/33-days-to-eucharistic-glory/33EG.html?srsltid=AfmBOopIHMivIR422BjtUtJ2KZm8-MrVMEJFtxZYH7ZkFuXRwdu5G1Qi#longDescription

[4] http://www.wincalendar.com/Human-Rights-Day

[5]http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catechesis/catechetical-sunday/human-dignity/upload/Religious-Liberty-Lesson-Plan.pdf

[6]http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=545