Today, the season of Advent begins. The word “advent” is from the Latin Adventus, which literally means “coming”. In the Catholic world, Advent is the four-week period of preparation for Christmas, the feast of the Nativity of Jesus. In this season, the faithful are called to prepare themselves worthily to celebrate the anniversary of the Lord’s coming into the world as the incarnate God of love.
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The Parish of Virgen de la Regla
Today, Lapu-lapu City celebrates its fiesta. How much do you know about the Virgen de la Regla, the city’s patroness? I can still distinctly remember that in my childhood my whole family would visit Lapu-lapu City (a.k.a. Opon) once every November to kiss the Virgen de la Regla. Of course the best part of the [...]
A Christian TV In A Muslim World
The name of the television channel is “Aghapy” (“love” in the Coptic language). Run by Copts, it is the first Christian satellite TV in Muslim-dominated Egypt. Its main aim is to establish a link among Coptic Christians in Egypt and between Copts who live abroad. Aside from transmitting chants and lectures, the channel will also broadcast worship services, documentaries and some family programming. The channel will begin airing today.
iBelieve
What is the fastest growing religion in the world? Islam? Zoroastrianism? If you are designer Scott Wilson your answer will be iPod.
Beatification
Charles de Foucauld, Maria Pia Mastena, and Maria Crocifissa Curcio will be beatified today at the Vatican.
Communication, Communion and Cooperation
It was announced recently that Pope Benedict XVI has chose the theme “The Media: A Network for Communication, Communion and Cooperation” for the 40th World Communications Day to be celebrated on 28 May 2006.
Windows
Opening all the windows of your being is the most important thing if you want to allow God to heal you. Opening all the windows of your being tells God that there is a welcoming person inside, a person in need of His abundant grace and joyful presence. Opening all the windows of your being to God is to make Him feel at home in your heart. Without opening all the windows of your being, God would never be able to make His Spirit work in you, nor could you experience His love from within.
Praying at the Sanctuary
I went to the Franciscan Sanctuary to offer two special intentions – to thank God for my friend who has recently celebrated her birthday and also to pray for another friend who was diagnosed today to have tumor in her brain.
Holding Hands? Why Not?
In the masses I celebrate I encourage the congregation to hold hands during the singing/praying of Our Father by holding the hands of my altar servers and/or other liturgical ministers at the altar. I see it as an expression of unity and brotherly/sisterly love. I see it as an act of acceptance of the other person, even if he/she is a stranger, with glad and generous heart. I also see it as a concrete sign that in the celebration of the Eucharist we become truly one body and one spirit in Christ.
Follow Fr. Stephen, MSC
- Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
- Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
- Feast of the Sto. Niño (Year B)
- The Epiphany of the Lord (Year B)
- Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (Year B)
