"Prayers for peace and unity are always necessary, for the Catholic community and for the greater Christian community. The skirmishes and divisions have been there from the birth of the church"
The colours, sounds, and images of Winnipeg's Portage and Main as the new year dawns.
A look at the story behind the Christmas song - The Twelve Days of Christmas.
"To arise and shine is an act of defiance. It is as simple as praying for the grace to view the world, pandemic included, through the perspective of God."
"Many of his questions for reflection cut to the heart of our lives and the mystery that is evoked by the birth of this simple baby."
What thoughts go through the mind of a poet on this New Year's eve?
"Christmas has to become a reality in our lives if we are to find peace. "
Christmas is - in part - a time to give and receive gifts. Acceptance can be a special Christmas gift.
"Family is the basic social unit in our lives. Thus, its health or lack of health will affect us, usually in permanent ways."
"shanoThere is a challenge in receiving the light of Christ. We cannot be mere passive recipients of that light. We are called to become light for others"
"The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ,, is a chant sung before the Midnight Mass for Christmas in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. The long text is a timeline, in which each verse represents the years from an historical event, either secular or religious, until the birth of Jesus Christ."
"During this pandemic how are we inviting Jesus to deepen his healing and life giving presence in our hearts, in our families and in our world? Or in another way how is Jesus encouraging and supporting us to live this precious time with Him?"
"What is God's dream for me? Acceptance of it may take serious prayer. Reluctance and hesitancy are common for many young people today who are searching for the right path for themselves. "
"Behind the beauty of this scene, however, lies a profound and saving mystery. "
"See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. (1 John 3:1)"
"Jesus offers numerous reminders about the futility of worrying. It won't make the issue go away and it doesn't solve anything, but it’s easier to live with when we share it with God."
"What is Christmas really about?” Is it really about gathering with our loved ones over a meal and opening up gifts on Christmas morning ?"
t's not just the Festival of Lights. May it also be a festival of hope, happiness, love, and health.
"I vibrate with an awareness of a dark and broken world, so in need of light, and love, and peace, and new life."
"Being idle no more is not that radically different from staying awake and alert – the ultimate Advent challenge!"
"Ozan Varol wrote, "This Thanksgiving, create the George Bailey effect in your life. Instead of counting your blessings, subtract them. The results will surprise you." "
" . . these failures make me more aware of my need for God to come more deeply into my heart, into my life and into our world."
"Beholding is more than a casual glance. It is allowing the object or person beheld to speak to us."
The Our Father, Advent and the coming of the Reign of God.
"How do we celebrate Christ the King? One method is to consider Ignatius’ contemplation on Christ the King."
"We are living through an unprecedented time, an era where our gifts are more needed than in other times."
Visitors from the past make this year's Halloween very special
"We generally remember the war dead on special occasions during the year. We can be certain that the ones they leave behind don't confine their remembering to November 11. "
"But there are many young people who have reflected on difficult experiences that make them wise. "
"We honour those who are known and recognized as enlightened souls, but also the unknowns and the misfits."
"There are some Christians who question whether we should celebrate a day that has become so secularized. But the Church has been celebrating Halloween for centuries."
"God’s grace opens our eyes to see how we need to grow spiritually. Our job is to grab onto that grace and run with it."
"An alternative translation of the verse suggests that Jesus doesn’t regard the position of a person. This is in line with the biblical idea of justice. "