4th WEEK OF ADVENT

~THE LIGHT COMETH~

A DOG IN ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL NATIVITY SCENE

CLICK HERE for VIDEO STORY

There is something new in the Nativity Scene at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City....a dog! A beautiful dog was added by the Cathedral Rector, Monsignor Robert Ritchie and now sits between Mary, Joseph and the animals awaiting the arrival of the Baby Jesus.

The Monsignor is himself an animal lover, having a yellow Labrador Retriever named Lexington....who by the way, bears an uncanny resemblance to the dog in the Nativity. Monsignor Ritchie states:"One of the things I tell people is that there is nothing in the Gospel narrative that mentions any animals at Bethlehem," he told TODAY.com. "The ox and donkey are traditional but there is nothing in the Bible mentioning them. The shepherds obviously are mentioned, and wouldn't it be logical for them to bring some of their sheep and their sheep dog to meet baby Jesus? St. Francis of Assisi was responsible for starting the tradition of the crèche, and he loved dogs. When I was in Assisi last year, I saw the Franciscan Crèche outside his Church and there were dogs in the scene."

If the people who visit or attend the Cathedral have any say in it, the dog is definitely there to stay. You can catch the great story and reactions from CBS New York.

Daniel's Law Passed Unanimously in Pennsylvania  

www.DanielTheBeagle.com  

Through the efforts of Pennsylvania Senator Andy Dinniman and the passionate voices of animal advocates throughout the state, Daniel's Law advanced in the Pennsylvania Senate, unanimously passing the Senate Ag and Rural Affairs Committee.

Daniel's Law was named after Daniel the beagle, who survived an Alabama carbon monoxide gas chamber this fall. Since surviving the experience, Daniel has been adopted by New Jersey dog trainer Joseph Dwyer, and has embarked on a trail of animal advocacy that has taken him from the Statehouse to animal rights rallies to the Anderson Cooper television program.

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Remembering the Manger Dog

It was a picture that made the internet rounds during Christmas 2009 and has continued to pop up on the internet every Christmas since. We remember the little Shepherd-mix dog that stayed warm from the Brazilian cold in the town's Nativity scene.

Daniela Caride of The Daily Tail has this follow up on the pup:

Unfortunately I was never able to find out what happened to the dog. I called the local newspaper, and was unable to find any info on the dog. He is probably a street dog who found a really nice place to sleep that night. In Brazil, street dogs are everywhere, and local businesses tend to care for them. That's a possibility.

There are those that will look upon this picture and mutter, "It's just a coincidence." But, as people of faith we know that a coincidence is God remaining anonymous in the moment.

You just have to believe with your eyes that God used this creature to send us all a message. Jesus came to redeem all creation. Man, and through him all creation, is destined for the glory of God. (Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph 353)

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BETTY the ASPCA DOG has a  

WONDERFUL LIFE

The ASPCA is once again running the commercial which features Sarah McLachlan singing In the Arms of An Angel. So many folks have wanted to know what happened to the sweet dog Betty featured at the end.

When the ASPCA found Betty she was injured badly with a fractured vertebra, she could barely move but she continued to care for her new born pups. All of her pups were successfully adopted and shortly after in February 2003 Betty also found her new family and given the name Apple to start her journey with her new pet parents and another canine.
Eight years later, Apples parents inform us that she is just as beautiful and intelligent as the day they brought her home and was a wonderful addition to the family. She spends her days chasing squirrels around five acres and being spoiled by her parents. Apple couldn't have wished for a better life.
This is just one of many rescue stories with a happy ending.

Sincerely,
ASPCA Public Information

The last U. S. Troops convoyed out of Iraq and into Kuwait. Father Ron recalls the memories of war and the joy of being HOME FOR THE HOLY DAYS!

And the WORD Was Made Flesh

~by Susi Pittman

Artwork by Liz Lemon Swindle  

What beloved disciple in his Gospel narrative introduces us into understanding the WORD?

READ MORE...

Religious Christmas Cards 

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

Christmas cards are a wonderful tradition of celebrating the good news with friends and family. For our Sister Marie Rene they are an inspiration for contemplation.

READ MORE... 

Nothing Like a Facelift for Christmas 

~by Frank Gromling

Frank says there's nothing like a facelift for Christmas! And what exactly does that mean?

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It's the disaster no family wants to ever face...especially at Christmas. A HOUSE FIRE! Years back, Mary's family suffered a home fire that destroyed everything. But, in the midst of devastation there was a Christmas miracle in the offing that made for the merriest Christmas ever!

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.

READ MORE... 

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!

SANDRA B. RAST Art

From Sandra´s Earliest memories the love of art and the passion for painting and drawing have been a great influence and factor in her personality and life. She grew up in a family of 8 children. Hard work through her youth at home with younger siblings and working in a family produce business, a grandfather nicknamed Johnny Appleseed, teachings of pioneer descendants a homemade green house, pet chickens, lambs, the love of family, the love of being a mother, and the appreciation of beauty of the creations of the earth are all embedded in emotions of the subject matter she chooses to paint.

Always excelling in her education in art through grade school on, made an easy decision to major in fine art at the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. Through raising and helping support a family, art classes and painting groups helped feed the hunger and thirst for creating art.

In each Painting there is a deep feeling of intimacy of her beliefs and emotions which she portrays through color & composition. Sandra Rast´s paintings represent acts and things of goodness

Rast, who will be at the gallery Dec. 17, is a Bountiful native best known for her temple series and paintings of pioneers. Her work is regularly shown at both Repartee and the Bountiful/Davis Art Center, and her "No Greater Love" was a winner of the 2009 Handcard Days People's Choice Award. Rast is also currently working on several floral pieces.

CLICK HERE to view her paintings on her website.

Wilderness Snow Fall From Around the World

Bishop Blaire's vision links environmental stewardship, pro-life concerns : "We serve God when we care for all living beings by protecting the air which is God's gift to us." CLICK HERE to read the article.

AT THE MOVIES

War Horse

From a children's novel first published in the United Kingdom in 1982, to stage production in 2007, to big screen epic movie, the story of War Horse is destined to be a movie classic. It is a film that successfully captures the importance that horses played in World War I. The tears this War Horse wrings are honest, as war horse Joey's fate becomes entwined with those of British and German soldiers equally ­capable of appreciating animal magnificence. Its last act will win over even the chronically cynical.

CLICK HERE for the movie review

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RENT THE DVD

Eight Below 

Inspired by a true story, EIGHT BELOW is an exciting action-adventure about loyalty and the bonds of friendship set in the extreme wilderness of Antarctica. The film tells the story of three members of a scientific expedition: Jerry Shepard (PAUL WALKER), his best friend, Cooper (JASON BIGGS), and a rugged American geologist (BRUCE GREENWOOD), who are forced to leave behind their team of beloved sled dogs due to a sudden accident and perilous weather conditions in Antarctica. During the harsh, Antarctic winter, the dogs must struggle for survival alone in the intense frozen wilderness for over 6 months. The film is inspired by the events of a 1957 Japanese Antarctic Expedition, which served as the basis for the blockbuster Japanese film, "Nankyoku Monogatari" ("Antarctica").

The North East Trees Youth Environmental Stewards Program 

Planting and Care of Amaryllis 

Just in time for the 12 Days of Christmas:

12 Natural Ways to Prevent and Cure the Cold and Other Seasonal Ills

Beyond Planet Earth

Beyond Planet Earth: The Future of Space Exploration offers a vision of the future of space travel as it boldly explores our next steps in our solar system and beyond. Future missions highlighted in Beyond Planet Earth-once limited to the realm of science fiction but today discussed by leading scientists and engineers-include building a space elevator on the surface of the Moon, deflecting a hazardous near-Earth asteroid, traveling to Mars-and perhaps even establishing colonies there.

Beyond Planet Earth: The Future of Space Exploration opens at the American Museum of Natural History on Saturday,  

November 19th.

A Christmas Story: Journey of the Angels (Music by ENYA)

The movie Eight Belowchronicles 8 brave sled dogs as they search for the master who is looking for a way to rescue them in this adventure drama. This creative and moving video creates an amazing impression and poignantly captures the journey to survive and the final joy of reunion.

Our thanks to Nancy Genovese for sharing this link.