"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of LOVE."

~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Midnight Mass-St. Peter's Square

Worldwide satellite telecasts of Papal Christmas celebrations have been broadcast since 1974 thanks to the efforts of the Knights of Columbus who have continued to cover the costs of the satellite transmissions. The Vatican's Internet Office now also "webcasts" the Christmas celebrations via audio-video streaming, available through a link accessible on the Vatican's homepage at: www.vatican.va.

CLICK HERE to read the history and tradition of the Midnight Mass.

The Good News

St. Luke, Chapter 1: 1-20

Now it came to pass in those days, that a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus that a census of the whole world should be taken. This first census took place while Cyrinus was governor of Syria. And all were going, each to his own town, to register.

And Joseph also went from Galilee out of the town of Nazareth into Judea to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem-because he was of the house and family of David-to register, together with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. And it came to pass while they were there, that the days for her to be delivered were fulfilled.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds in the same district living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them and the glory of God shone round about them, and they feared exceedingly. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people; for today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will."

And it came to pass, when the angels had departed from them into heaven, that the shepherds were saying to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."

So they went with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen, they understood what had been told them concerning this child. And all who hear marveled at the things told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept in mind all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken to them.

Father Ron's Column

Christmas Without Music!?

~by Father Ron Camarda

Father Ron intertwines Christmas and Christ Mass that will make your memory of this Christmas unforgettable!

READ MORE...

Susi's Commentary

When the World Needed a Hero-St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer

~by Susi Pittman

The title of Susi's Commentary this week is When the World Needed a Hero-St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer. But the question really is...Who was the hero? This week's commentary is a must read for anyone who has ever pondered this question.

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Inspiration Blooms

A Final Advent Prayer

~by Sister Marie Rene, S.S.J.

Sister Marie Rene offers a final Advent prayer for us as we anxiously await the coming of the Lord.

In the Key of "G"

The Holly and the Ivy

~by Mary Galvano-Bajohr

Mary has a love for the song THE HOLLY AND THE IVY and it stems from the historical origins of the song!

READ MORE...

Artfully Speaking

We ask that you pray for Rick and his family as there has been an unexpected illness to a dear family member. We thank you and we thank Rick especially for the beauty he brings to our website from the mind and eye of an artist, one who sees stewardship of the earth and its creatures as a major priority.

CLICK HERE to visit Rick's Column and Archived Articles

Steward Alert

10 Ways To Honor Christ Publicly This Christmas

Steward Activities 

Catholic Home Schooling

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NEW TESTAMENT Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible for Catholics

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

Wellness & Nutrition

CHRISTMAS EVE EATING TRADITION

The FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES is an Italian dinner tradition, originating from Southern Italy and dates back to medieval times. It reflects on the Roman Catholic practice of abstinence from meat and milk products on Fridays and specific holy days. In American this "feast" is a completely Italian-American practice.

The "Feast of the Seven Fishes", a celebration of Christmas Eve with meals of fish and seafood, but there may be seven, eight, or even nine specific fishes that are considered traditional. There are many hypotheses for what the number 7 relates to, one being the number of Sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. Another theory is that seven is a number representing perfection: the traditional Biblical number for divinity is three, and for Earth is four, and the combination of these numbers, seven, represents God on Earth, or Jesus Christ.

So, how about joining in and making your Christmas Eve a "fish" night with some of these terrific recipes from THE SEVEN FISHES BLOG.

Stargazing

The Christmas Tree Nebula

It is absolutely stunning photography that captures a distant nebula referred to as The Christmas Tree Cluster, located some 2600 light-years from earth. God has His own way of celebrating Christmas as He paints the heavens with the oils of infinity!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Share a Link

The pets of Susi Pittman and Seana Hutchinson--Bud, Gator, Roxy, Brownie and Friskie--offer you a very special MERRY CHRISTMAS dance!

CLICK HERE and scroll down to the bottom of the page to watch our furry, four-legged family members wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

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When all the family has gone to sleep Christmas Eve...the other household animals and I surround the manger in silence and adore our Creator.

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