AskACatholic.com is a lay Catholic support group of Catholic Apologists, Priest-helpers and Grammarians who work together to answer questions from anyone with a sincere heart about the Catholic Faith and what Catholics believe in general. We do the best we can to ensure all our answers are loyal to the Magisterium and Teaching Authority of the Roman Catholic Church founded by Jesus, Our Lord. (from the Web site.)

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

On Saturday, February 2nd, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The feast commemorates our Lord's first visit to the Temple when he was only 40 days old. This week's excerpt from the Catechism focuses on Jesus' relationship with the Temple.

583   Like the prophets before him Jesus expressed the deepest respect for the Temple in Jerusalem. It was in the Temple that Joseph and Mary presented him forty days after his birth. At the age of twelve he decided to remain in the Temple to remind his parents that he must be about his Father's business. He went there each year during his hidden life at least for Passover. His public ministry itself was patterned by his pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the great Jewish feasts.

584   Jesus went up to the Temple as the privileged place of encounter with God. For him, the Temple was the dwelling of his Father, a house of prayer, and he was angered that its outer court had become a place of commerce. He drove merchants out of it because of jealous love for his Father: "You shall not make my Father's house a house of trade. His disciples remembered that it was written, 'Zeal for your house will consume me.' After his Resurrection his apostles retained their reverence for the Temple.

585   On the threshold of his Passion Jesus announced the coming destruction of this splendid building, of which there would not remain "one stone upon another". By doing so, he announced a sign of the last days, which were to begin with his own Passover. But this prophecy would be distorted in its telling by false witnesses during his interrogation at the high priest's house, and would be thrown back at him as an insult when he was nailed to the cross.

586   Far from having been hostile to the Temple, where he gave the essential part of his teaching, Jesus was willing to pay the Temple-tax, associating with him Peter, whom he had just made the foundation of his future Church. He even identified himself with the Temple by presenting himself as God's definitive dwelling-place among men. Therefore his being put to bodily death presaged the destruction of the Temple, which would manifest the dawning of a new age in the history of salvation: "The hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father."

Catechism of the Catholic Church

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

The bulletin for January 27, 2008 is available by clicking here to view it.

Listed below are a few of the items from this week's bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

PANTRY: People who come to us for help in order to supplement their food supplies are especially grateful that we also provide toiletries. Many toiletries cannot be obtain via food stamps or through other food pantries. Next time that you go to the grocery store, please buy toilet paper, soap, deodorant, tooth paste, tooth brushes, lotion, and shampoo for the food pantry. You can be sure that quite a few people will be grateful that you did.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION: Christian Formation classes are in desperate need of volunteers to help set-up and break-down classes on Sunday mornings. It is a ten-minute commitment. Please sign-up in the Commons for any Sunday when you can spare a few minutes to help our youth and catechists.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: A Memorial Mass for the deceased Brothers of Father Lewis A. Rowen Council 3670 will be held on Saturday, February 9th at 9 a.m. at Holy Comforter. Families are encouraged and urged to attend. Coffee and danishes will be provided. Call Jim Morrisard at 973- 6570 if transportation is needed.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: The weekly Stations of the Cross begins on Friday, February 15th at 7:00 p.m. A Cross Bearer, two Candle Bearers, and two Readers are needed. Families are urged to volunteer. Training will be provided. Total time involved is less than one hour. Please sign up in the credenza.

IMPACT: The recent efforts of IMPACT have included researching options to help provide both dental care and affordable housing for those who earn less than $20,000 per year. At the Rally scheduled for February 11th at 6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, we will learn what solutions will be proposed by IMPACT. Please plan to attend the Rally and the Nehemiah Assembly which will be held at U-Hall on March 10th at 6:00 p.m.

APPOINTMENTS FOR PARISH DIRECTORY PORTRAITS: At the moment, all time slots for portrait appointments are filled. However, there could be cancellations, and there is a possibility that more appointment times will be added. Check the appointment Web site by clicking here. Also, check in the News section for updates or send an e-mail to rbspann@earthlink.net to request to be added to a waiting list.

To read the entire parish bulletin for January 27, 2008, view the attached PDF file or click here.

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

January 27th is the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Gospel reading from St. Matthew recounts the beginning of Jesus' ministry in which he began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Then he calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him and become fishers of men.

Readings:

Isaiah 8:23-9:3
Psalm 27:1,4,13-14
1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17
Matthew 4:12-23

Listen to the Gospel Reading (from H2ONews)

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa (Courtesy of Zenit)

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law, and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me and stood there and said, 'Saul, my brother, regain your sight.' And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him.

Then he said, 'The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard.

Now, why delay? Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.' Acts 22:12-16

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. The importance of this event is underscored by the fact that the account of his conversion is recorded three times in the book of Acts. Today's reading is taken from St. Paul's own apologia which he presented after he had been arrested in Jerusalem.

Today, also marks the last day of the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity. This is the 100th year of this ecumenical effort as this short video explains.

On Wednesday, January 30th at 7:30 p.m., St. Thomas Aquinas parish will host a lecture by Fr. Basil Cole, O.P. The topic of his lecture will be "Music and Spirituality: Notes Inspired by St. Thomas Aquinas". There will be a reception following the lecture.

Fr. Cole, formerly a professional jazz pianist, is currently a professor of moral and spiritual theology at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.

Several young local musicians will display their talents in a Young Artists Recital, on Friday, January 25th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas parish. The program, sponsored by The Saint Thomas Aquinas Concert Series, will give the community an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the special musical gifts of area high school and college students.

The students will perform works by Mendelssohn, J.S. Bach, F.W. Ferling, Gabriel Faurè, and others.

Admission is free but contributions are welcome for The Saint Thomas Aquinas Concert Series Fund.

For more information, contact Brian Sousa by calling 293-8081 x15 or via email at music@stauva.org.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2008 is a Web site which promotes Christian unity through the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. There is a wealth of information about the history, themes, and activities which surround this ecumenical effort. This year marks the 100th anniversary of this annual event. Accordingly, the Web site contains information about the past 100 years of Weeks for Christian Prayer.

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

182. At every celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the Church prays for unity and peace, mindful of the Jesus' prayer. "May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me" (John 17, 21). The Missale Romanum contains three Masses--among those for various needs--"for Christian unity". The same intention is remembered in the intercessions of the Liturgy of the Hours".

In deference to the sensibilities of the "separated brethren", expressions of popular piety should take into account the principle of ecumenism. Effectively, "change of heart and holiness of life, along with public and private prayer for the unity of Christians, should be regarded as the soul of the whole ecumenical movement, and merits the name 'spiritual ecumenism'". The encounter of Catholics with Christians from other Churches or ecclesial communities affords a special occasion for common prayer for the grace of Christian unity, to offer to God their common anxieties, to give thanks to God and to implore his assistance. "Common prayer is particularly recommended during the "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" or during the period between Ascension and Pentecost". Prayer for Christian unity also carries several indulgences.

From the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy

Novena for Church Unity
January 18 to 25

O Lord Jesus Christ, who said unto Your Apostles, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you," regard not our sins, but the faith of Your church, and grant unto her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Your will, who live and reign, God, forever and ever. Amen.

O Lord, increase in us the faith.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father (five times)

Novena in Honor of St. John Bosco
January 23 to 31 - Feast of St. John Bosco January 31

Father and Teacher of the Young

In need of special help, I appeal with confidence to you, Saint John Bosco, for I require not only spiritual graces, but also temporal ones, and particularly...
(add your personal intentions here)

May you, who on earth had such great devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary Help of Christians, and who always had compassion for those who were suffering, obtain from Jesus and His Heavenly Mother the grace I now request, and also a sincere resignation to the Will of God.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father

The Feast of the Purification Novena
January 24 to February 1 - Feast of the Purification Febuary 2

O Blessed Mother of God, who went up to the Temple according to the law with your offering of little white doves, pray for me that I too may keep the law and be pure in heart like you.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father (five times)

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

820   "Christ bestowed unity on his Church from the beginning. This unity, we believe, subsists in the Catholic Church as something she can never lose, and we hope that it will continue to increase until the end of time." Christ always gives his Church the gift of unity, but the Church must always pray and work to maintain, reinforce, and perfect the unity that Christ wills for her. This is why Jesus himself prayed at the hour of his Passion, and does not cease praying to his Father, for the unity of his disciples: "That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, . . . so that the world may know that you have sent me." The desire to recover the unity of all Christians is a gift of Christ and a call of the Holy Spirit.

821   Certain things are required in order to respond adequately to this call:

- a permanent renewal of the Church in greater fidelity to her vocation; such renewal is the driving-force of the movement toward unity;

- conversion of heart as the faithful "try to live holier lives according to the Gospel"; for it is the unfaithfulness of the members to Christ's gift which causes divisions;

- prayer in common, because "change of heart and holiness of life, along with public and private prayer for the unity of Christians, should be regarded as the soul of the whole ecumenical movement, and merits the name 'spiritual ecumenism;"'

- fraternal knowledge of each other;

- ecumenical formation of the faithful and especially of priests;

- dialogue among theologians and meetings among Christians of the different churches and communities;

- collaboration among Christians in various areas of service to mankind.286 "Human service" is the idiomatic phrase.

822   Concern for achieving unity "involves the whole Church, faithful and clergy alike." But we must realize "that this holy objective - the reconciliation of all Christians in the unity of the one and only Church of Christ - transcends human powers and gifts." That is why we place all our hope "in the prayer of Christ for the Church, in the love of the Father for us, and in the power of the Holy Spirit."

Catechism of the Catholic Church

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

January 20th is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Gospel reading recounts the baptism of our Lord by St. John the Baptist. In the reading, upon seeing Jesus, St. John the Baptist refers to Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. And following the baptism when the Spirit of God descends upon Jesus in the form of a dove from Heaven, St. John the Baptist acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God.

Readings:

Isaiah 49:3,5-6
Psalm 40:2,4,7-10
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
John 1:29-34

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa (Courtesy of Zenit)

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

The bulletin for January 20, 2008 is available by clicking here to view it.

Listed below are a few of the items from this week's bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

PANTRY: Many people made generous donations to the food pantry during the Christmas season. But hunger doesn't end with the holidays. The pantry once again has some scarce areas. In this month's Reverse Collection we are asking for vegetarian beans, 15 oz. canned vegetables, and cereal. Please keep the food pantry in mind when you go grocery shopping.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION: Christian Formation classes are in desperate need of volunteers to help set-up and break-down classes on Sunday mornings. It is a ten-minute commitment. Please sign-up in the Commons for any Sunday when you can spare a few minutes to help our youth and catechists.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: The next meeting will be held Monday January 21, 2008, at the Stone Chapel next to the Church of Incarnation. Stone Chapel is located behind Toys 'R' Us on US 29 North off Hillsdale Drive. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 7:15 PM and the meeting will begin at 7:30 PM. If you are interested in joining the Knights, contact Joe Murray (971-2737), Tom O'Rourke (244 2852 ), or Jim Morrisard (973- 6570).

MARCH FOR LIFE: On Tuesday, January 22nd a bus will go to DC for the MARCH FOR LIFE. The bus will leave the Church of the Incarnation at 8 AM and return at 6 PM. Cost is $15 adults/$10 children. Wear clothing according to the weather and bring drink and food. E-mail Diane G-Baltz at cvillerespectlife@gmail.com for more info or to sign up.

SCHEDULE YOUR TIME TO HAVE YOUR PICTURE TAKEN: Remember to sign up for your free portrait photograph which will be included in the 2008 Holy Comforter Parish Directory. Pictures will be taken at the Carriage House of the First Presbyterian Church located at 522 Park Street (opposite Parkway Street). Parking is available in the Carriage House Lot. To sign up for an appointment, click here or contact Bob or Betty Spann via email at bespann@earthlink.net or by calling 975-5995.

To read the entire parish bulletin for January 20, 2008, view the attached PDF file or click here.

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

Today marks the beginning of the Octave of Christian Unity which begins on January 18th and concludes on January 25th, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which coincides with the octave. The following paragraphs taken from Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2008 provide a brief history of this important annual ecumenical event.

In 1907, an Episcopal priest and an Anglican vicar explored the possibility of prayer for Christian Unity. The Rev. Spencer Jones, Anglican Vicar of Moreton-on-Marsh, England, wrote to the Rev. Paul Wattson, an American Episcopal priest, suggesting that a day of prayer for Christian Unity might be observed each year on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul (June 29). Wattson proposed instead an eight-day octave observance of prayers, sermons and conferences between the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter (formerly on January 18th) and the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul on January 25th.

The Reverend Wattson and Mother Lurana White, co-founders of the Society of the Atonement, a small group of Franciscan Sisters and Friars, founded the Church Unity Octave the very next year in 1908. They publicly dedicated January 18 to 25 to prayer for Christian unity in the Sisters' Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Graymoor, Garrison, N.Y. Mother Lurana later wrote in her diary: "I often think if the Society of the Atonement had never done another thing, this alone is a great work of God, so far reaching in its effects as to baffle our weighing its influence either now or in the days to come."

The Sisters and the Friars, along with thirteen lay associates, entered the Roman Catholic Church in 1909. Pope Pius X shortly thereafter gave his official blessing to the Octave and in 1916 Pope Benedict XV encouraged its observance throughout the entire Roman Catholic Church. In the 1930s, the name was changed to the "Chair of Unity Octave" to emphasize the centrality of the Petrine ministry.

Meanwhile, other movements for Christian Unity were also being promoted. In 1921, a committee of Protestant Church leaders for the World Conference on Faith and Order declared that a special octave of prayer for Church Unity would be held each year ending on Pentecost Sunday (Whitsunday). In 1935, a Roman Catholic priest, Abbé Paul Couturier, from Lyon, France, advocated a Universal Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January that would foster a "unity that Christ wills, as he wills, and when he wills." In 1941, the Commission on Faith and Order moved its Pentecost observance to January with the hope that Protestants and Catholics might pray together for the unity that they so earnestly sought.

In 1964, the bishops at the Second Vatican Council issued the Decree on Ecumenism, calling prayer "the soul of the ecumenical movement." Because the ideas of Abbé Couturier emphasized a more common basis upon which every Christian Church could pray together for unity, representatives from the Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches agreed in 1967 to jointly observe a time of prayer called the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Since 1968, the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity have collaborated annually in selecting scriptural themes and helpful materials to promote prayer for the unity of the Christian Churches. As a worldwide observance seeking "unity in diversity" (words taken from the Preface of the Mass for Christian Unity), the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity focuses upon the shared yearnings of all Christians "that all may be one" (Jn. 17:21) according to the will of Christ.

In January 2008, the Society of the Atonement will mark one hundred years of consistently praying and working for the unity of the Christian Churches.

From Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2008

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

Ordinary Time gets its name from the word ordinal, meaning "numbered," since the Sundays of Ordinary Time are expressed numerically. Ordinary Time occurs outside of other liturgical time periods. Essentially then Ordinary Time is that part of the year that does not fall within the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter. The Catholic Church celebrates two periods of the year as Ordinary Time. In the United States, the first period begins after the Masses have been said on the evening of the Feast of the Baptism of The Lord (the Sunday after The Epiphany), meaning that the feast itself falls within Christmastide, but the whole day does not. The next Sunday is still reckoned "The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time," because it is the Sunday of the second week in Ordinary Time. The reckoning can be confusing, and has many asking "what happened to the first Sunday in Ordinary Time?" The Catholic Church and other Western liturgical Churches recognize the period after Pentecost until Advent (including Christ the King Sunday) as Ordinary Time, although in some denominations they are often still numbered "Sundays After Pentecost."

Ordinary time does not need to be "ordinary," and is not meant to mean that somehow we get a break from the Liturgical Year. The opposite is true: everything that does not fit into Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter is celebrated during ordinary time, including the feasts of the Trinity, Corpus Christi, All Saints, the Assumption of Mary, and Christ the King. In addition, the Church continues to celebrate Saints days and other events such as The Octave of Christian Unity. The major feasts, when occurring on a Sunday, trump the regular Ordinary Time Sunday lessons and liturgy. In the American Catholic Church, Corpus Christi is celebrated as a Sunday feast, so often there are fewer than the 34 Sundays of Ordinary time that may possibly occur. We also may remember and celebrate the parts of Jesus' life that were ordinary, much like our own lives. The color of green is appropriate because it is the most ordinary color in our natural environment.

The use of the term "Ordinary Time" was used before the Second Vatican Council, but it was not until after the council that the term was officially used to designate the period between Epiphany and Lent, and the period between Pentecost and Advent. Rather than being called the "Season of Ordinary Time," the times were called "Season After Epiphany" and "Season After Pentecost" After the new Catholic Calendar took effect in 1969, these older designations were no longer used. However, some groups (including some Anglicans) still use the older designations. Interestingly, the Church in the Patristic period never seemed to effectively and concisely classify or label Ordinary Time, even though the time certainly existed.

From ChurchYear.Net

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

Domestic-Church.Com is an online Catholic magazine whose goal is "promote a Catholic culture in every family that will lead to the transformation of society and a truly Catholic culture in the world." This site does an excellent job of implementing the Church's teaching on the family, the domestic church, helping families to put into practice the words of the Catechism and the long held traditions of the Church. The site is well organized and easy to use with each section arranged by liturgical seasons, feast day, or topic. They have also expanded into the printed word, with five books published already, and many more planned.

Site Review from Catholic Culture

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

January 13th is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and the last day of the Christmas season. On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the Church celebrates the Lord's second epiphany in which the Trinity is manifested. At the River Jordan, Jesus, although without sin, submits to the baptism of repentance administered by John the Baptist.

Readings:

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10
Acts 10:34-38
Matthew 3:13-17

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa (Courtesy of Zenit)

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

1223   All the Old Covenant prefigurations find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus. He begins his public life after having himself baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan. After his resurrection Christ gives this mission to his apostles: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

1224   Our Lord voluntarily submitted himself to the baptism of St. John, intended for sinners, in order to "fulfill all righteousness." Jesus' gesture is a manifestation of his self-emptying. The Spirit who had hovered over the waters of the first creation descended then on the Christ as a prelude of the new creation, and the Father revealed Jesus as his "beloved Son."

1225   In his Passover Christ opened to all men the fountain of Baptism. He had already spoken of his Passion, which he was about to suffer in Jerusalem, as a "Baptism" with which he had to be baptized. The blood and water that flowed from the pierced side of the crucified Jesus are types of Baptism and the Eucharist, the sacraments of new life. From then on, it is possible "to be born of water and the Spirit" in order to enter the Kingdom of God.

See where you are baptized, see where Baptism comes from, if not from the cross of Christ, from his death. There is the whole mystery: he died for you. In him you are redeemed, in him you are saved.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

From the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

119. Closely connected with the salvific events of the Epiphany are the mysteries of the Baptism of the Lord and the manifestation of his glory at the marriage feast of Cana.

Christmastide closes with the Baptism of the Lord. Only in recent times has the feast been rehabilitated, and hence has not given rise to any particular displays of popular piety. However, the feast presents an excellent opportunity for the faithful to be reminded of their rebirth as children of God in Baptism. The rite of asperges could be opportunely used at all Masses on this day, and homilies could well concentrate on the symbols associated with Baptism.

Novena for Church Unity
January 18 to 25

O Lord Jesus Christ, who said unto Your Apostles, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you," regard not our sins, but the faith of Your church, and grant unto her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Your will, who live and reign, God, forever and ever. Amen.

O Lord, increase in us the faith.

Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father (five times)

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church Bulletin Newsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the Newsletter, click here.

Late in October 1973, grassroots prolife leaders became concerned that January 22, 1974, might come and go without properly memorializing the Supreme Court's infamous abortion decisions and without petitioning Congress for redress.

No established right-to-life organization was prepared to undertake the planning, financial and operational responsibilities for a high impact prolife March on the U.S. Capitol. But, grassroots prolifers wanted to march! About thirty prolife veterans resolved themselves into a committee and began making plans for the first March for Life.

On January 22, 1974, the first March for Life was held on the West Steps of the Capitol. An estimated 20,000 committed prolife Americans rallied that day on behalf of our preborn brothers and sisters.

In 1974, the March for Life was incorporated as a non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian organization.

(From the March to Life Web site)

On March 22nd, the 35th annual March for Life will take place in Washington, D.C. The theme for this year's march is "Build Unity on the Life Principles throughout America. No Exception! No Compromise!" You can participate by joining a group from Charlottesville who will be heading up on the 22nd to march with thousands of others in support of a culture of life.

On Tuesday, January 22nd a bus will go to DC for the March for Life. The bus will leave the Church of the Incarnation at 8 AM and return at 6 PM. Cost is $15 adults/$10 children. Wear clothing according to the weather and bring drink and food. E-mail Diane G-Baltz at cvillerespectlife@gmail.com for more info or to sign up.

Monday, January 28th is Catholic Advocacy Day at the Virginia General Assembly hosted by the Virginia Catholic Conference. The day is an opportunity to practice faithful citizenship especially for the poorest and most vulnerable in our communities.

The events of the day will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church and at Capitol Square in Richmond. Both Bishop Paul Loverde of the Diocese of Arlington and Bishop Francis DiLorenzo of the Diocese of Richmond will speak. In addition, there will be many opportunities to meet with your legislators and their assistants in order to discuss with them regarding pro-life, social justice, and education issues.

There is a $10 fee to cover lunch and materials. Parking is separate.

You are asked to register by January 22nd. However, if you register by January 10th, the Conference will assist in setting up meetings between your legislators and you.

Click here to view the flyer and access the registration form.

January 6th is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The Church celebrates when the light of Christ was first made manifest to the Gentiles represented by the magi from the east.



Readings:

Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:-12,7-8, 10-13
Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
Matthew 2:1-12

Here are a few commentaries on these readings:

Pontifical Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa (Courtesy of Zenit)

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

A recently published interview of the Holy Father's personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein is now available on Catholic Culture. It is very interesting interview because it provides insights on the Holy Father and life in the Vatican. Click here to read the interview. (Photo courtesy of Daily Mail)

The Virginia Catholic Conference engages in legislative advocacy on behalf of Virginia's two bishops and their dioceses. All those who would like to stay informed about issues of peace and justice which are addressed by our elected officials should sign up to receive regular alerts and updates from the Virginia Catholic Conference.

The alerts and updates provide information about legislation related to respect life, social justice, family, and education issues on both the state and federal level. In order to receive these alerts, simply click here and sign up to receive the email notifications.

Sunday, January 6th has been designated as "Virginia Catholic Conference Sign-up Sunday" in order to help expand the network of Virginians who are informed of legislative activity that helps "build a culture of life, providing for the poorest and most vulnerable in our midst and enhancing family life."

Your free membership will enable you to communicate directly with legislators without having to look up their addresses or compose time-consuming letters. The alerts which you receive will include pre-drafted messages which you can then send to elected representatives. Note, your contact information will not be shared with others.

For more information about the Virginia Catholic Conference, click here.

Happy New Year!

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for January are:

General: That the Church may strengthen her commitment to full visible unity in order to manifest ever more clearly her nature as a community of love in which is reflected the communion of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Mission: That the Church in Africa, preparing to celebrate the second Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, may continue to be a sign and channel of reconciliation and justice in a continent still suffering from war, exploitation and poverty.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That radio and television ministries will carry effective commentary on life issues.