3rd WEEK OF ADVENT!!!

Deer Rescue

AlaskaQuestCharters.com/DeerRescue 

This week's GOOD NEWS features a story that actually occurred December 2, 2010. It is still such a great story to share at Christmas time, as it seems to emphasize the thinning of the veil that separates humans and animals at this time of year.

Four button deer were almost a mile-and-a-half offshore in choppy waters and about to drown, when they caught the eye of Alaska Quest Charters captain, Tom Satre. He pulled his vessel towards the deer which were swimming as hard as possible towards the ship. The deer swam right up to the ship and circled it, looking up at the crew with eyes that pleaded, "help us!"

What happens next, defies explanation, save that God was in the moment!

Having a low "swim deck" at the rear of the boat, all four deer were called over and willingly climbed aboard the vessel, immediately moving to a quiet corner and lying down upon the deck.

The poor little creatures were suffering from exhaustion and some hypothermia, and gratefully rested as the ship steamed for shore.

All four deer, after having fully recovered, were escorted off the boat and leapt back into the forest as the crew bade a successful farewell.

You can read Captain Tom's accounting of the incident HERE.

Another great article appeared on the Northern Broadcasting Sports web page.

"Thanks Captain Tom for your kind heart and caring stewardship of the lesser brethren!"

Father Ron puts it on the line...this Christmas offer to God yourself, your sacrifices and empty your heart to be filled by the JOY that surpasses all understanding.

The Catholic Writers Guild-By their fruits you shall know them

~by Susi Pittman

It is exciting indeed to see the good fruits of Catholic evangelization taking hold. And no better place can that be found than in Jacksonville, Florida, where a NEW Chapter of the Catholic Writers Guild is being formed. Are you a Catholic writer in need of a constituency?

READ MORE...

A Prayer for the Third Sunday of Advent 

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

It is the way of the Church as she leads us in the beauty of succinct prayers dedicated to the weeks of Advent. Sister Marie Rene loves these prayers and shares one for the THIRD Week of Advent.

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Entanglement Woes 

~by Frank Gromling

Frank calls our attention to fishing line and other ensnaring plastics that persist in the environment and continue to pose a threat to dolphins, turtles, and birds for a long time after they have been discarded or lost. Read what you can do to help!

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All of us can agree that the "music of the season" really helps to make our Christmas time especially bright and joyful. Our bubbly Mary has a favorite Christmas tune, THE HOLLY AND THE IVY and gives us the background on this beautiful song. The history might surprise you!!

Amos: A Major Minor Prophet 

~by Joseph Kaiser

Are you a "comfort zone" pursuer? What if God personally called you to serve Him out of that zone somewhere else? Steward Joe shares AMOS with us, a guy like you and I who certainly had made other plans for himself.

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December's Recommended Read: Animals in Heaven? Catholics Want to Know!

~by Michele Gregoire

It's the season to rejoice with all creation! Michele's book review this month features a book for "all" seasons one that recognizes divine providence at work in creation. Providence IS God Himself considered in that act by which in His wisdom He so orders all events within the universe that the end for which it was created may be realized. The author of the book presents an intriguing and thorough theological premise!

The Annunciation by John Armstrong

Society of Catholic Artists, United Kingdom

The Society of Catholic Artists is for those engaged as professional or amateurs in the various disciplines of the visual arts, and for all those who recognise the value of the artist as an evangelist assisting in the pastoral work of the Church.

Our membership includes painters, stone and metal sculptors, architects, stained glass artists, silversmiths, potters, iconographers, and more. The SCA, which was founded in 1929 as part of the centenary celebrations for Catholic emancipation in Britain, was originally known as the Guild of Catholic Artists and Craftsmen. Membership is open not only to practicing Catholic artists, and artists with Catholic affiliations, but also all Catholics interested in the visual arts.

The Society is located in Surrey, U.K. and can be reached by email at: mj.sibtain@virgin.net 

Catholics Come Home 

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CATHOLICISM: See the 6 Episodes that PBS did not air 

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DOWNLOAD APP FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE: Toxic chemicals in your neighborhood 

Take the National Parks Quiz 

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Teaching Creche Blog  

Saint Dominic Savio

This week, we ask our youth to turn their eyes to spiritual stewardship of their souls in preparation to receive the coming of Jesus, Our Savior at Christmas. There is no better source of inspiration than one of the Church's youngest saints, Dominc Savio. Dominic was born on April 2, 1842, and died at the age of 14 on March 9, 1857. He was an Italian adolescent student of Saint John Bosco studying to be a priest when he became ill and died from inflammation of the pleura, the double-layered membrane that surrounds each lung and the rib cage. His faith in God and his desire to serve God has been an inspiration to young people down through the ages.

Loving those beautiful Poinsettias

Keeping your Poinsettas "happy" through the Christmas season and planting them to enjoy again next year! 

24 Ways To Keep Festive Fit  

Staying Fit While Christmas Shopping