Dec 7 Second Week of Advent, Sunday We continue posting daily Advent reflections by the Church Fathers. It's a good way to prepare to celebrate Christmas. The reflections and quotations come from the book titled, Advent and Christmas with the Church Fathers by Marco Pappalardo. Introduction Praying is stretching a hand toward the Infinite. You are always heard. And no one ever really knows what he or she is asking. It is a loving dialogue between our own lowliness and the greatness of God. Our meager words, silence, abandonment, and meditation rise and go to the heavens. God will never hold back his hand when we turn to him with a sincere heart, with our limitations, and with our journey of faith. Dec 6 Is there no limit to Canada's shame? Just days ago, Calgary Pastor Derek Reimer was arrested once more and sent to jail. His crime this time? He had been ordered by a court to write an apology for protesting a public library's "drag queen story hour." He refused to do so. He's Christian …
A Vatican commission set up by Pope Francis in 2020 concluded that the Catholic Church should not move forward with ordaining women as deacons, based on historical and theological findings that rule out admitting women to the sacramental diaconate. However, the commission emphasized that its conclusion is not a final or definitive judgment.
The Vatican on Thursday published the conclusions of its study commission on women deacons. The Commission rules out admitting women to the diaconate understood as a degree of the sacrament of Holy Orders, but without issuing a definitive judgment at this time. The report stresses repeatedly that the negative assessment is “strong” yet “does not permit formulating a definitive judgment,” unlike the case of priestly ordination. Submission of the Report to Pope Leo XIV On 18 September, Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, President of the Study Commission on the Female Diaconate, submitted to Pope Leo XIV a detailed synthesis of the Commission’s work. The report reflects several years of historical, theological, and pastoral investigation. Historical Findings: A Non-Sacramental Ancient Practice The Commission revisited the findings of two earlier Vatican commissions. Historical research confirms that, in the early Church, the title deaconess appeared in different regions and periods, but with …More
DECEMBER 6 2025 THE GOSPEL breski1 Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 9,35-38.10,1.6-8. Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."
The Hong Kong Court of Appeal has been hearing the appeal of Cardinal Joseph Zen (93, retired Catholic bishop of Hong Kong) and four other trustees of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund: barrister Margaret Ng, academic Hui Po-keung, former lawmaker Cyd Ho, and singer-activist Denise Ho. They were convicted in November 2022 of failing to register the 612 Fund as a “society” under Hong Kong’s Societies Ordinance and each fined HK$4,000; the fund’s secretary, Sze Shing-wai, was fined HK$2,500 and is not part of the appeal.
Hongkonško sodišče obravnava pritožbo kardinala Zena: Hongkonško prizivno sodišče je 4. decembra nadaljevalo obravnavo, saj je pet skrbnikov sklada 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, med katerimi je bil tudi kardinal Joseph Zen, izpodbijalo svoje predhodne obsodbe zaradi opustitve registracije društva v skladu z Odlokom o društvih. Tožilci so trdili, da je sklad jasno deloval kot "društvo", pri čemer so navajali njegovo javno zbiranje sredstev, 58 sestankov upraviteljev in občasno podporo političnim dejavnostim. Odvetniki so nasprotovali, da so skrbniki menili, da sklad, ki je bil ustanovljen za nudenje humanitarne pomoči, ne spada pod zahteve odloka. Vseh pet pritožnikov je bilo predhodno kaznovanih z denarno kaznijo po 4 000 hongkonških dolarjev, medtem ko je bil sekretar sklada, ki v pritožbi ni sodeloval, kaznovan z denarno kaznijo 2 500 hongkonških dolarjev. Sodniki so zadržali svojo odločitev in povedali, da bo pisna odločba izdana v devetih mesecih.
Hongkonský súd vypočul odvolanie kardinála Zena: Odvolací súd v Hongkongu pokračoval 4. decembra v pojednávaní, na ktorom piati správcovia 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund - vrátane kardinála Josepha Zena - napadli svoje predchádzajúce odsúdenia za neregistrovanie spoločnosti podľa nariadenia o spolkoch. Prokurátori tvrdili, že fond jednoznačne fungoval ako "spoločnosť", pričom sa odvolávali na jeho verejné získavanie finančných prostriedkov, 58 stretnutí správcov a príležitostnú podporu politických aktivít. Obhajcovia oponovali, že správcovia verili, že fond, ktorý bol vytvorený na poskytovanie humanitárnej pomoci, nespadá pod požiadavky vyhlášky. Všetci piati odvolatelia boli predtým potrestaní pokutou po 4 000 hongkonských dolárov, zatiaľ čo tajomník fondu, ktorý nie je súčasťou odvolania, dostal pokutu 2 500 hongkonských dolárov. Sudcovia si svoje rozhodnutie vyhradili s tým, že písomné rozhodnutie bude vydané do deviatich mesiacov.
Pope Leo: “Artificial intelligence has certainly opened up new horizons for creativity, but it also raises serious concerns about its possible repercussions on humanity’s openness to truth and beauty, and capacity for wonder and contemplation.”
Saturday, December 6, 2025, 1:00 AM Mass at the Chapel of the Apparitions of Fatima Liturgical Color: Purple 1st Week of Advent | Saturday First Reading (Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26) A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel: 19 “People of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, you will have no reason to weep: he will be moved at the sound of your cry; as soon as he hears you, he will answer you. 20 The Lord will surely give you the bread of affliction and the water of affliction; your teacher will no longer depart from you; your eyes will see him, 21 and your ears will hear a word of warning behind you: ‘This is the way for all; walk in it,’ without turning to the right or to the left. 23 He will give you rain for the seed you have sown in the ground, and the fruit of the ground will be abundant and rich; in that day your flock will graze in vast pastures, 24 your oxen and the animals that till the ground will eat salted fodder, cleaned with shovel …More
Several churches in the United States have installed politically themed Nativity scenes criticizing U.S. immigration enforcement (ICE). In St. Susanna Parish in Massachusetts, the Baby Jesus was replaced with a sign suggesting ICE would deport Him, while another church in Illinois displayed a bound Baby Jesus and a Virgin Mary wearing a gas mask to evoke immigration protests. The churches argue these displays highlight parallels between the Holy Family’s refugee experience and modern migrant families. The Catholic Church, however, teaches both the dignity of migrants and the legitimate right of nations to control their borders, warning against turning religious symbols like Nativity scenes into political tools.
Več ameriških cerkva je ustvarilo jaslice s politično tematiko, ki kritizirajo ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement, zvezno agencijo, odgovorno za izvajanje zakonov o priseljevanju). V teh prikazih je Sveta družina prikazana kot sodobni pridržani migranti. v župniji Svete Suzane v Massachusettsu so Jezuščka zamenjali z napisom, ki nakazuje, da ga bo ICE deportirala. V neki drugi cerkvi v Illinoisu so prikazali zvezanega Jezuščka in Devico Marijo s plinsko masko, da bi vzbudili proteste proti priseljevanju.
Book of Isaiah 30,19-21.23-26. Thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, no more will you weep; He will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you. The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: "This is the way; walk in it," when you would turn to the right or to the left. He will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground, And the wheat that the soil produces will be rich and abundant. On that day your cattle will graze in spacious meadows; The oxen and the asses that till the ground will eat silage tossed to them with shovel and pitchfork. Upon every high mountain and lofty hill there will be streams of running water. On the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall, The light of the moon will be like that of the sun …More
Jim Ferguson - A BRITISH SOLDIER SPEAKS FOR MILLIONS “I sacrificed my life to secu... A BRITISH SOLDIER SPEAKS FOR MILLIONS “I sacrificed my life to secure this country's freedom and its freedom of speech — and now you arrest people for words while turning a blind eye to crimes committed by invaders. You are a disgrace to your uniform and you are an insult to …
A BRITISH SOLDIER SPEAKS FOR MILLIONS “I sacrificed my life to secure this country's freedom and its freedom of speech — and now you arrest people for words while turning a blind eye to crimes committed by invaders. You are a disgrace to your uniform
Nuestra Señora de los Reyes - December 4th, 2025 | No Greater Delight No Greater Delight is a daily Marian podcast meant to start the day with a Marian touch. After examining the Marian feasts celebrated throughout the world on a given day, Fr. Nate offers a brief reflection to help make our love for Our Lady concrete in daily living. The title "No Greater Delight" is inspired by a homily of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, wherein he expresses his joy in preaching about the Virgin Mother, even though he acknowledges the challenge of adequately praising her. Mary's greatness is beyond words. 0:00 Feasts of Mary Today 02:57 True Devotion to Mary WhatsApp Channel: Catholic Voice | WhatsApp Channel Links: catholicvoice | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
Mary Queen of Scots: The Red Queen (FULL MOVIE) | Documentary, Women's History, Royal, Biography.. Events leading up to the first 'United Kingdom'.. youtube.com/watch?v=_zroAUC3y8Y
Who was Mary Queen of Scots? Was Mary Queen of Scots executed? What role did Mary Queen of Scots play in the history of Great Britain? This feature documentary takes you on a journey of discovery across the majestic landscapes of Scotland, England and France to find the femme fatale behind the legend. Piece together the Queen of Scots’ turbulent relationship with her cousin Elizabeth I of England, which ultimately proved to be Mary’s downfall under the executioner’s axe. The story of Mary Queen of Scots is as alive with passion, drama and political intrigue and can also be seen in the 2018 blockbuster movie Mary Queen of Scots starring Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, and Jack Lowden.
2nd Sunday of Advent – A - Second Reading - Romans 15:4–9 - Christ saves everyone Letter to the Romans 15,4-9. Brothers and sisters: Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs, but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name." Denice May
Friday, December 5, 2025 9:30 AM Mass, at the Chapel of the Apparitions of Fatima 1st Week of Advent | Friday First Reading (Isaiah 26:1-6) Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah On that day, this song will be sung in Judah: “A fortified city is our security; the Lord surrounds it with walls and ramparts. 2 Open its gates, that a righteous people may enter, a nation that keeps its word, 3 steadfast in its purpose; and you will keep it in peace, because it trusts in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is the Rock eternal. 5 He will bring down those who dwell on high, he will humble the proud city, laying it low, making it kiss the ground. 6 The feet of the poor will trample it down, the steps of the humble.” – The word of the Lord. – Thanks be to God. Responsory Psalm 117(118),1.8-9.19-21.25-27a (R. 26a) — R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Or: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. — R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Or: Alleluia, Alleluia, …More