Wednesday, November 9, 2016 Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

The maker of heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, who gives bread to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free; the LORD gives sight to the blind. The LORD raises up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.

Today the liturgy celebrates the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, called “mother and head of all the churches of the city and the world.” In fact, this basilica was the first to be built after Emperor Constantine’s edict, in 313, granted Christians freedom to practice their religion. The emperor himself gave Pope Miltiades the ancient palace of the Laterani family, and the basilica, the baptistery, and the patriarchate, that is, the Bishop of Rome’s residence — where the Popes lived until the Avignon period — were all built there. The basilica’s dedication was celebrated by Pope Sylvester around 324 and was named Most Holy Savior; only after the 6th century were the names of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist added, and now is typically denominated by these latter. Initially the observance of this feast was confined to the city of Rome; then, beginning in 1565, it was extended to all the Churches of the Roman rite. The honoring of this sacred edifice was a way of expressing love and veneration for the Roman Church, which, as St. Ignatius of Antioch says, “presides in charity” over the whole Catholic communion (Letter to the Romans, 1:1). On this solemnity the Word of God recalls an essential truth: the temple of stones is a symbol of the living Church, the Christian community, which in their letters the Apostles Peter and Paul already understood as a “spiritual edifice,” built by God with “living stones,” namely, Christians themselves, upon the one foundation of Jesus Christ, who is called the “cornerstone” (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17; 1 Peter 2:4-8; Ephesians 2:20-22). “Brothers, you are God’s building,” St. Paul wrote, and added: “holy is God’s temple, which you are” (1 Corinthians 3:9c, 17). The beauty and harmony of the churches, destined to give praise to God, also draws us human beings, limited and sinful, to convert to form a “cosmos,” a well-ordered structure, in intimate communion with Jesus, who is the true Saint of saints. This happens in a culminating way in the Eucharistic liturgy, in which the “ecclesia,” that is, the community of the baptized, come together in a unified way to listen to the Word of God and nourish themselves with the Body and Blood of Christ. From these two tables the Church of living stones is built up in truth and charity and is internally formed by the Holy Spirit transforming herself into what she receives, conforming herself more and more to the Lord Jesus Christ. She herself, if she lives in sincere and fraternal unity, in this way becomes the spiritual sacrifice pleasing to God. Dear friends, today’s feast celebrates a mystery that is always relevant: God’s desire to build a spiritual temple in the world, a community that worships him in spirit and truth (cf. John 4:23-24). But this observance also reminds us of the importance of the material buildings in which the community gathers to celebrate the praises of God. Every community therefore has the duty to take special care of its own sacred buildings, which are a precious religious and historical patrimony. For this we call upon the intercession of Mary Most Holy, that she help us to become, like her, the “house of God,” living temple of his love.
— Benedict XVI, Angelus Address, November 9, 2008

World Science Day for Peace and Development History

World Science Day for Peace and Development aims to raise awareness about the relevance of science and its impact on our daily lives. The day also serves to promote scientific and technological innovation to address recurring problems. Science and innovation provide governments and individuals with the necessary tools to develop solutions and monitor progress that will lead to planet and resource sustainability in the long run.

Science Day for Peace and Development was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001. The day was first celebrated on November 10, 2002 and has since included the support of many global organizations and governments.

World Science Day for Peace and Development Facts & Quotes
  • The theme for 2016 World Science Day for Peace and Development is Celebrating Science Centres and Science Museums.
  • Science encompasses almost everything in the world. It is an enterprise that builds predictions that are testable and predictable and can be organized into universally distributed knowledge for other to verify.
  • In the average lifetime, all of the human skin on ones body replaces itself 900 times
  • Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science. – Edwin Powell Hubble, American astronomer and cosmologist.
  • Science is a way of life. Science is a perspective. Science is the process that takes us from confusion to understanding in a manner that's precise, predictive and reliable - a transformation, for those lucky enough to experience it, that is empowering and emotional. Brian Greene, American theoretical physicist and string theorist. Professor at Columbia University.
World Science Day for Peace and Development Top Events and Things to Do
  • Donate to Charity Science. All proceeds go to educating the public about the science of doing good and make it easy for people to give to evidence based charities.
  • Watch a movie about science and its value to society. Some suggestions are: Einstein’s Extraordinary Universe (2015), Earthrise: The First Lunar Voyage (2013) and Hubble: Universe in Motion (2015).
  • Spread awareness on social media by using the hashtag #WorldScienceDayforPeaceandDevelopment, #Science=Peace and #ScienceMatters.
  • Read a book about science. Even science fiction books can provide a great foundation to appreciate science today. Some suggestions are: A Brief History of Time, On the Origin of the Species and Cosmos.
  • Conduct a simple and fun science experiment online. There are several to choose from and all walk you through the steps to complete the experiment successfully.
(http://www.wincalendar.com/Science-Day-Peace-Development)

COURAGE FOR THE MODERN WORLD 2017

Authored by Mr. Richard H. Havermale Jr.This book is the continuation of my first book based on more than 365 references in the Bible to fear, dread, and that in fact our God encourages us to "BE NOT AFRAID". To do this we must be in the presence of our Lord and talk to Him. I recommend you develop the habit of spending 10-15 minutes a day with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or if that is not available some other quiet place where you can be in the presence of our Lord. Read the daily entry and reflect on it asking our Lord and His mother to talk to your heart and reveal to you the will of the Father and then Do it. The layout of this book is to list and reflect on the books of the bible Sirach through Revelations. In the early part of September my search of the verses dealing with fear and being afraid was completed; so I asked the Lord what do I, do now. After some reflection I realize that the fruit of fear in the Lord is the Theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Love  which ultimately results in Peace of the Lord. As a consequence the month of September will deal with Peace, October with Love and the month of November will be reflections on Faith and Hope. After Thanksgiving for the season of Advent and Christmas this work uses a multitude of references that reflect the Christmas season. There are many theologians who state that the eighth deadly sin is fear itself. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. Saint John Paul II in his writings and talks also tells us to BE NOT AFRAID. In fear or anger we walk away from God. Our Lord, Jesus Christ taught us how to walk back toward God in His sermon on the mount through the Beatitudes. Each of the beatitudes is the antidote for the opposite deadly sins.

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