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From the Director's Desk
As this liturgical year comes to a close and another one begins, we are invited by the Church to consider where we are in life. Preparing ourselves for the end of our lives and for the return of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, is not usually on our agenda of things to do. A crisis in life usually causes us to consider how we are living our lives. As people of faith, of course, we are called to live lives in accord with the Gospel, loving God and loving neighbor. We are granted by our Baptism a share in the kingly mission of Christ working to bring about "an eternal and universal kingdom, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace" (Preface of the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe). This kingdom will come about fully when Christ returns at the end of time, but we are called to take up this kingly mission given to us and work zealously today.
 
The final weeks of this liturgical year and the first half of the season of Advent at the beginning of the next one offer us many moments of reflection that are meant to prepare us for the second coming of Christ. This Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, is the beginning of the Year of Consecrated Life. Those of us in consecrated life take the evangelical counsels for the sake of the kingdom, living as Christ did - poor, chaste, and obedient - offering witness with our lives. Pope Francis provides not only those in consecrated life, but all of us, with some questions to consider about faith. "An authentic faith always involves a profound desire to change the world. Here is the question we must ask ourselves: Do we also have great vision and impetus? Are we also daring? Do our dreams fly high? Does zeal consume us (cf. Ps 68:10)? Or are we mediocre and satisfied with our "made in the lab" apostolic programs?" (Rejoice!: A Letter to Consecrated Men and Women, February 2, 2014). These are seemingly simple questions that in the search for answers can lead to profound kingdom-building responses.
May the charity of Christ urge us on!
In God, the Infinite Love,
Fr. Frank
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Webinar Series: Universal call to Holiness
In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vatican II document Lumen Gentium and in preparation for the Year of Consecrated Life, this three part series of webinars discusses the impact of those in consecrated life and laity, and their challenges today. Click on the below links to register today.
Presenters Edward Trendowski, and Dr. Susan Timoney, along with Director Fr. Frank Donio are professors with our affiliate St. Joseph's College of Maine Online. Click the link to learn more.
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The Year of Consecrated Life
The Church's Year of Consecrated Life, declared by Pope Francis in 2013, will begin on the First Sunday of Advent, November 30, 2014, and last until the World Day of Consecrated Life to take place on February 2, 2016. The bishops of the USCCB are asking us to join them in prayer for vocations to consecrated life.
Learn more about this special year in the life of the Church by visiting our new Year of Consecrated Life Portal. The Portal offers videos, prayers, and resources all in one place. More resources will be added throughout the Year of Consecrated Life.
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Prepare for Advent with the Catholic Apostolate Center!
 . During the upcoming season of Advent, which will begin this coming Sunday, November 30th, you can rely on us to to offer resources to live the season well. We will mark each Sunday of Advent on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagramand will be offering a number of other resources such as the video from Busted Halo above and Fr. Robert Barron's Advent Reflections.
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From the
Ad Infinitum Blog
"Into your hands, Father of mercies..."
by Alex Boucher
(Originally published on November 13, 2014)
Last week, I had the honor of attending the funeral of a young man I never had the privilege of meeting. Dominik Liam Pettey, a senior at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., died tragically and suddenly in the early morning of November 1, All Saints Day. During his funeral liturgy, held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and attended by over 3,500 people, Dominik was described as a faith-filled young man who was joyfully committed to his family and friends. We were told that he loved to play hockey, endured suffering with humility and patience during health issues last year, and gave of himself selflessly. Read More
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Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Solemnity:
Last Sunday of Ordinary Time
November 23
Instituted:
1925 by Pope Pius XI
Quote:
"Christ has dominion over all creatures, a dominion not seized by violence nor usurped, but His by essence and by nature."
-St. Cyril of Alexandria
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Catholic Apostolate Center
A Ministry of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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