Pope: Consumerism has stolen Christmas (CNA) Pope Francis advised Catholics on Sunday not to waste time complaining about coronavirus restrictions, but to focus instead on helping those in need. Speaking from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square Dec. 20, the pope encouraged people to imitate the Virgin Mary’s “yes” to God at the Annunciation. “What, then, is the ‘yes’ we can say?” he asked. “Instead of complaining in these difficult times about what the pandemic prevents us from doing, let us do something for someone who has less: not the umpteenth gift for ourselves and our friends, but for a person in need whom no one thinks of!”…
Christmas without music? Churches find a way (The New York Times) At churches like St. James Catholic Church in Louisville, Ky., services this Christmas will not have in-person choirs or orchestras. But music directors are finding ways to persevere…
Vatican stresses importance of celebrating Sunday of the Word of God (CNA) The Vatican’s liturgy congregation issued a note Saturday encouraging Catholic parishes around the world to celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God with new vigor. In the note published Dec. 19, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments suggested ways that Catholics should prepare for the day devoted to the Bible. Pope Francis instituted the Sunday of the Word of God with the apostolic letter “Aperuit illis” on Sept. 30, 2019, the 1,600th anniversary of St. Jerome’s death…
‘I don’t like it’: Rome reacts to Nativity scene (Reuters) The Vatican’s new Christmas Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square has prompted criticism — and some head-scratching, with some trying to understand exactly what they were looking at…
Five cookbooks for Catholics (National Catholic Register) Over the years, my wife and I have collected a number of cookbooks. Especially living overseas, we’ve realized that the culinary art is interpretive, interactive and immersive. For us, we love discovering meals that remind us of the saints and those we pray for (or with). So, we’ve amassed a number of Catholic cookbooks and I want to share some of my personal favorites with you, in case you’re on the hunt for last-minute Christmas gifts…
