Each year, we invite our readers to help us help others brighten someone else’s Christmas. It’s an opportunity to assist those who for one reason or another just do not have enough resources this year.
We call it The Tablet’s Bright Christmas Campaign, and it has been going on for about 50 years. Last year, we collected more than $125,000 that we redistributed to the poor and needy through our parishes and diocesan agencies.
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, As we begin the Advent season, we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has used the term “Flesh of Christ” in several ways to describe the poor, and, in particular, the refugees in our world who today are more numerous than ever.
It is hardly the biggest surprise in the world, but one that we forget so frequently that it would be funny if it were not so sad: Jesus is on our side. He is no one of whom to be afraid. In Advent, when we confront the fact that the Second Coming is closer now than ever before, we start to think about the end of the world and do so with discomfort. Do we forget so easily the one with whom we are dealing? I’m afraid we do.
A new Internet portal seeks to build a community of prayer by encouraging people to share their prayer intentions with local religious and pray for one another online. Prayer intentions can be submitted on the diocesan website by going to: dioceseofbrooklyn.org/prayforme/.
One of the eighth-grade Confirmation students that I teach religion to made a startling statement. She said, “I think there is more evil in the world than good. Look at all the wars, all the hatred, all the killing.” I had to agree that this is how it appears. But I noted that often only negative events get into the news, not the myriad acts of love and service many people perform daily.
A Christmas Concert and Tree Lighting will take place at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Prospect Heights, on Friday, Dec. 4. Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m., followed by the outdoor concert and festivities.
Like many families, during the holidays we try to focus on thankfulness by asking each guest at a festive meal to express that for which they are most thankful.
The St. Cecilia Academy, an educational program ran by St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, turned out its first graduates in November.
All five people accused of involvement in leaking and publishing confidential documents about Vatican finances were present at the opening of the criminal trial in a Vatican courtroom Nov. 24.
From Nov. 25 to 30, Pope Francis is visiting Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic. Follow the visit’s major liturgies on NET-TV.
