May we joyfully prepare our homes and hearts for the reception and celebration of the Bethlehem event.

A Special Request

A plea for Laudate Dominum Sanctuary: Brother John is in extreme need of financial help to feed his animals. Would you please consider sending him a check?

L. D. Hermitage, 3804 Big Ridge Road,

Elk Creek, VA. 24326

The Good News

Ferne Animal Sanctuary in the United Kingdom

www.ferneanimalsanctuary.org
 

The entire month of December we are dedicating THE GOOD NEWS to those organizations that rescue and offer sanctuary to farm animals. We know that the birth of Jesus was in a place where farm animals certainly would have been housed and most likely would have borne witness to the greatest event of mankind.

This week we share with you a marvelous rescue organization located near Chard, U.K. upon 51 acres of the beautiful and tranquil Somerset Countryside. Their mission is to provide is to provide care and sanctuary to unwanted domestic and farm animals.

Each year, the sanctuary holds a Christmas Blessing of the Animals, where Mary and Joseph are surrounded by the farm animals, and the audience consists of people and pets. What a wonderful experience this must be!

The sanctuary has been saving lives for over 70 years. When they say they take animals in all sizes, they aren't kidding! A Friesian steer named "Chilli" was taken in by the sanctuary, a steer that stood 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighed in at over a ton.

At this time of the year, the Sanctuary is selling Plum Pudding. What a delicious and unusual treat to consider sharing with family here in America.  All proceeds go to help support the sanctuary and it's animals.

It is marvelous to see such devotion of service, love and care given to animals in the United Kingdom and one that certainly deserves our support!

Thank you and God Bless you, every one!

Become a friend of Ferne Sanctuary on Facebook.

Father Ron's Column

ADVENT: Waiting for the Light!

~by Father Ron Camarda

Father Ron speaks to the steward of creation in each of us as he shares a poem written years back, titled ADVENT: Waiting for the Light!

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Susi's Commentary

Invisible, Incredible and Impossible

~by Susi Pittman

Invisible, incredible and impossible are the words that give Susi a spiritual prompt this past week. These words appeared in a letter written by her Pastor to his parishioners and she carries them forward with her own Christmas message.

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Inspiration Blooms

A Gift for the Precious Baby

~by Sister Marie Rene, S.S.J.
 

Sister Marie Rene brings to mind Christmas gift giving and what she is sharing with Jesus.

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Artfully Speaking

The Holy Family

~by Rick Cannizzaro

Rick creates his own Christmas greeting card. Being an artist does have its economical advantage considering what beautiful cards can cost. This year's card takes him back to a Christmas remembered and of brotherly love.

In the Key of "G"

The Twelve Days of Christmas

~by Mary Galvano-Bajohr

It's a natural that a songstress would favor THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS during the Christmas season. Mary gives us the TRUE meaning behind the song.

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Invite Susi to Speak

Susi Pittman, author and founder of CatholicStewardsofCreation.com is available to speak to your school, club or organization. *

She loves sharing her passion and love for the creatures of this world with her audience! Susi is about saying "yes" to God when it would be easier to say no! She is about teaching others how to see the created world through the eyes of a dedicated steward, as God's "stand-in." She is about believing that you can do anything you want to do and enjoy getting there, heartbreak and all! If it is the challenge of change, Susi helps people rise to the occasion with all the vigor and enthusiasm that serving God as caretakers demands in this wonderful life.

For booking information, please call (904) 735-5979 or email susi@catholicstewardsofcreation.com

Currently scheduled to speak at Incarnation Church, Sarasota Florida, January 25, 2011, 7:00PM

Steward Alerts

"Evidence," the Zebra, returns to his forever home with his Creator

We were very sad to learn from our friends at Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary in Georgia that the little Zebra with the big "happy" heart had passed away. Our deepest condolences to the staff!

CLICK HERE to view the story from Channel 11 in Atlanta.

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Ten steps for a Dog Safe Christmas Tree

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Ten steps for a Cat Safe Christmas Tree

Steward Activities

Visit CATHOLIC HOME & GARDEN for a wonderful web page of Catholic Christmas Traditions

Organic Gardening

We recommend Organic Gardening Farming Magazine published by Liam McDonald. Sign up for their beautiful OGFM digital magazine at www.organicgardeningfarming.com

CLICK HERE to view Susi's article in this month's issue, "Garden Harmony" (page 22)

Wellness & Nutrition

The Greatest Christmas Cookie Ever

The Season of Christmas is a time for caring and sharing and sharing doesn't get any better than a Christmas Cookie Exchange. If your club or neighborhood is planning a cookie exchange, we have the TOP 25 recipes that are sure to make you the "the top cookie baker" at your gathering!

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Stargazing

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE December 20 & 21 (depending on your time zone)

We in the northern hemisphere are in for a treat that we WILL NOT see again until 2485....that is a "total" lunar eclipse. Check out the EarthSky.org web page to get your best times for viewing!

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Share a Link

Animals of YouTube Sing "Deck the Halls"

CLICK HERE to watch this hilarious video of YouTube's funniest animals giving their rendition of
"Deck the Halls." It is sure to bring a smile to your face!

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"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men of good will"

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I have seen the effects of people who do not include all of God's creatures in the realm of their compassionate nature. They are likewise in action towards their fellow man.

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