The Plight of Bethlehem

I am going to try to keep the posts more upbeat and celebratory today. However I think it would be negligence not to take note of this. Go see the WSJ 's The Plight of Bethlehem

The Importance of the Proclamation of Christmas At Midnight Mass

THis is often my favorite part of the liturgy at Christmas Eve Mass. I love when it is sung. I was struck a couple of years back when Scott Hahn talked about this. He said:

One of the very first times I attended Mass as a non-Catholic, a Protestant, Christmas Eve; it was the Midnight Mass in a suburb of Pittsburgh, my home town. I got there just in time to hear this cantor stand up and before the actual Mass began, he began to sing a song. It is actually a part of the ancient Christmas liturgy. I asked for a copy afterwards and I got the Proclamation of Christmas. I won't sing it or you'll all flee my presence, but I will tell you what it says: "The twenty-fifth day of December in the 5,099th year of the creation of the world from the time in the beginning when God created the heaven and the earth, the 2,957th year after the flood, the 2,015th year from the birth of Abraham, the 1,510th year from Moses and the going forth of the people of Israel from Egypt, the 1,032nd year from David's being anointed king, and the 65th week according to the prophecy of Daniel and the 194th Olympiad, the 752nd year from the foundation of the city of Rome, the 42nd year of the reign of Octavius Augustus, the whole world being at peace, in the sixth age of the world, Jesus Christ, the Eternal God and the Son of the Eternal Father willing to consecrate the world by his most merciful coming, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and nine months having passed since his conception, (all kneel) was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary being made man (rise), the nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh."

I was a non-Catholic, but when I heard that, I wanted to jump up and shout because all of a sudden a panoramic, bird's-eye view of salvation history was given in song to approximately 900 uncomprehending Catholics who were sitting there. You know, if they could understand the words they were like, "What week of the prophecy of Daniel?" You could just see the looks on their faces. It's a beautiful song but the awareness, the understanding and the appreciation for how much went into preparing the world and the nations and the whole broken human family for the coming of Christ was lost to I would say the vast multitude that night and on many other Christmas Evening Masses.

It just highlights the importance for us as Catholics, as Christians, to enter into more fully the liturgical worship of the family of God, the Church; we need to know the Bible. It is not a Protestant book. It was written by Catholics in the Catholic Church and for Catholics. I am so glad Protestants and other non-Catholics have it. We can profit so much from mutual sharing back and forth. I don't want to say anything to gainsay the profit we can actually acquire from studying Scripture with non-Catholics. But it really is a most treasured family heirloom, and it's also a most neglected family heirloom. So it's important not only to bring them and to follow along, but also to study prayerfully in the days, the weeks, the months and years to come.

An Arab Christmas Carol to Start Out Christmas Eve

Pretty Breathtaking and Beautiful.

Dreher Slams Faux Huckabee Catholic "Controversy"

Rod at Crunchycon has the best post so far on this Faux Huckabee Catholic Controversy. What would you expect from an LSU Grad( Geaux Tigers). Anyway go see Huck contra Catholics. This is a great followup to another post of his I linked. That is Huck, Hagee and tolerance. Of significance is that he brings up that far right Catholic idol , Alan Keyes, appeared at Bob Jones and has a excerpt of his talk.

If you are a non Catholic or Catholic Huck supporter, I would be posting and linking this to major Catholic sites if this issue comes up. Rod was a Protestant that became Catholic and now is Eastern Orthodox. However his relationship and insight is still very respected by a lot of Catholics.

This shall be the last post I shall do on this subject unless there is attempt by certain folks to give this faux controversy legs. Looking at the early papers it looks PERHAPS that most media is not buying. SO we shall see.

Catholics Now Dominant Faith In Great Britian

Whispers in the Loggia has a very interesting post called Reformation, Undone . Roman Catholics have overtaken Anglicans as the country's dominant religious group. Well besides Tony Blair it appears people are Poping quite a bit.

and in an op-ed piece for the paper, the editor of The Tablet Catherine Pepinster writes on the new reality:
Speak to people who have been received into the Catholic Church and the comment they make is nearly always the same: "I feel as if I have come home".

It also appears that another person in the line for throne is having to be "ejected" out of the line of succession. We learn from Whispers:

The great irony in all this, of course, is that Catholics -- and Catholics alone, and anyone married to one -- remain barred from ascent to the British throne.While the UK monarch serves by law as supreme governor of the church of England, the 1701 Act of Settlement specifically prohibits the crown to be claimed by "papists" or the spouses thereof. No other religious group is similarly prohibited, and in keeping with the provision, several senior royals who have married Catholics have been forced to relinquish their places in the line of succession.The latest -- and, to date, highest-ranking -- disqualification will likely take place in May, as Queen Elizabeth's eldest grandchild marries a Canadian Catholic.Eleventh in line to the throne, Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly will wed in a royal -- read: Anglican -- ceremony at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel.

The firstborn of the monarch's only daughter, Princess Anne, Phillips' engagement to Kelly, a Montreal-born management consultant, has re-ignited the push to scrap the 18th century law crafted to protect the state-church (and, by extension, the kingdom itself) from the specter of Roman control.

I must say this. I hope if Anglicans are not using some of those magnificent Churches they just let us take care of them. No need to build any "modern" no doubt post Vatican II Churches for the new Catholics. Also I would love if they would throw in some of the those wonderful all boy Choirs that are so awesome

Anti-Catholics Can be Catholics' Brothers in Christ

Ok, I am glad to say the reaction to the Huckabee visit to Hagee's Church by Catholics and other Christians has been pretty sane so far. However there are a few bloggers(very small) out there(Catholic or Otherwise- I am noticing a few non catholics jumping in and saying I ashould be offended) that are on a mighty high horse and saying things that are not nice or Christian.. I have now done four posts on this subject. Links are contained at the post Reuters Doesn't Interview Pro-Huckabee Catholic Bloggers!!!

I am going to veer from the political Realm and talk about how we treat each other. David Armstrong is a person that has done more interaction with anti Cathoics than anyone else I have seen on the net. By the way I have no idea what his views are on this issue or who is supporting or if he is supporting anyone. However I thought he had a very good post here called How Anti-Catholics Can be Catholics' Brothers in Christ . It is a good read even though technically I think as per recent Vatican Clarification he might use "Christian Communities" in place of Church in some places. Good read!!! I suggest some Catholics and others read it!! Some of this we need to exclude "these people" not only is politically short sighted but has what I feel is an non Christian/Catholic undertone

Further I am seeing the term ANTI -CATHOLIC thrown around in a very liberal way out there. I really suggest that people read his other post(warning it is long) GO see- Use of the Term "Anti-Catholic" in Protestant and Secular Scholarly Works of History and Sociology . In that piece he says something important. Let me quote that:
ADDENDUM ON ANTI-PROTESTANTISM
I believe that anti-Protestantism or anti-evangelicalism is also a vast and disturbing social problem, coming largely from the left, the media, academia, and the entertainment industry, and including also the usual prevalent bias against "Southern conservative white guys" who are invariably stereotyped as troglodyte anti-intellectual fundamentalists -- the portrayal of the Scopes Trial, e.g., is a quintessential instance of this (and this itself is part of the common Northern bigotry against the South: and I say this as a Michigander, though one of my grandfathers was born in Alabama).
As to the relative prevalence of both, I don't have any particular strong opinion, nor do I think it matters much. The important thing is for conscientious Christians to condemn both.

AMen to that. I really think people are losing the Forest For the Trees Here

He had a very interesting post here at The Wickedness of Christian Division, Anti-Catholicism, & Anti-Protestantism. He said in part:
The piddly, petty, juvenile crap that goes on in many (not all, by any means) posts on this bulletin board and every other one I have found where Catholics and Protestants try to interact like adults, is not real life. It is scandalous, disgusting, an ego trip, an exercise in futility. Much of such "dialogue" (again, not all, but quite a bit) is a waste of time and an insult to any conscientious Christian's intelligence (on any side, including my Orthodox brothers and sisters). Real life is this country and world going to hell in a handbasket, with legal abortion for 30 years, and partial-birth infanticide, and now legal sodomy, and soon-to-be legal homosexual "marriage" and a homosexual practicing bishop in the Episcopal Church; broken families, pornography everywhere, sewer bilge piped into network TV, rotten schools, massive social and crime problems in the large cities (I'm right outside Detroit and grew up in a working-class neighborhood there), etc., etc. Meanwhile, fellow Christians (who actually agree on the great bulk of these social and moral problems) slug it out daily, so that Satan can win the victory. Divide and conquer. Let the nation go to hell. Let souls go to hell who are out there waiting to hear the Good News. Instead the lost in a lost world get to see Christians treating each other like morons. Let them all go to hell. Never try to work together with a Catholic brother (like myself) who has web pages on many things about which most of us here would agree: abortion, sexual and gender issues, atheism, the Trinity, the cults, racial issues, Judaism, defenses of the Resurrection of Jesus, etc. That would never do. No, instead we must have the accusations and insinuations and rank insults. You don't know me. You can't read my heart. You don't know what motivates me.

Just saying. People need to keep the eyes on the prize both in secular and non secular terms and not inflame division for political purposes. Anyway that is my rant

The Pope's Pre Christmas Angelus in Full

Thanks to the Ratiznger Forum for getting this translation of todays Holy Father's Angelus out so quick. In honor of the College Football Bowl season we shall quote in full in the awesome LSU purple and Gold colors since we all know the Pope is a LSU fan. (Geaux Tigers) By the way The Ratzinger Forum has pictures of the Pope today(kinda of cool with a Christmas tree in the shot) at the top of the page here.
ANGELUS OF 12/23/07

Dear brothers and sisters !

Just one day separates this fourth Sunday of Advent from Christmas Eve.

Tomorrow night, we shall reunite to celebrate the great mystery of love which never ceases to astound us: God became the Son of man so that we can become children of God. During Advent, from the heart of the church, we implored "come, Lord, to visit us with your peace, your presence, and fill us with joy." The evangelizing mission of the Church is the answer to the cry "Come, Lrod Jesus!" which runs throughout the history of salvation and continues to arise from the lips of believers.

Come, Lord, to transform our hearts so that justice and pace may spread throughout the world. This is the significance behind the doctrinal note on some aspects of evangelization, recently issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In effect, the document serves to remind all Christian - in a situation where, often the very reason for evangelization is no longer clear even to many faithful - that "the acceptance of the Good News in faith' by itself urges us to communicate the salvation we have received as a gift. Indeed,"the truth which saves one’s life inflames the heart of the one who has received it with a love of neighbour that motivates him to pass on to others in freedom what he has freely been given." (No. 7).

Having received it from the presence of God, who is particularly near us at Christmas time, it is a priceless gift. A gift that enables us to "live in the universal embrace of the friends of God" (ibid), in that "network of friendship with Christ that links heaven and earth' (ibid, 9), which impels human freedom towards its fulfillment and which, if lived in truth, will flourish in "a love that is freely given and which overflows with care for the good of all people" (ibid.,7). Nothing is more beautiful, urgent and important than to give back freely to other what we have freely received from God! Nothing can exempt or relieve us of this onerous but fascinating task.

The joy of Christmas, of which we already have a foretaste, fills us with hope but also urges us to announce to all the presence of God in our midst. The unequalled model of evangelization is the Virgin Mary who communicated to the world not an idea, but Jesus himself, the Word incarnate. Let us invoke her with confidence so that the Church may announce, even in our time, Christ the Savior. May every Christian and every Christian community feel the joy of sharing with others the Good News that "God so loved the world he gave his only Son so that the world may be saved through him" (Jn 3,16-17).

This is the authentic sense of Christmas, which we should always rediscover and live intensely.

After the Angelus prayers, he had this special message:

I address my heartfelt greeting to the personnel of the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, who are undertaking today in St. Peter's Square a gesture of solidarity for the children of Uganda. While I express my appreciation for the attention that the newspaper is giving to humanitarian emergencies in various parts of the world, I praise the fact that it finds expression in concrete gestures such as this [fund raising], for which I wish all success.

In English, he said:

I extend warm greetings to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Angelus. On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we contemplate God’s ancient promise to send us his Son, "Emmanuel" – "God is with us". As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, I pray that you may open your hearts to welcome him with joy. God bless you all!

Sad Louisiana Catholic Blogger News

Remember and Pray For Thomas Charles Danna

Toby Danna ,who was the Louisiana Catholic blogger at Astonished, Yet at Home! , Father passed away on Friday. Toby who over the past few months has cared for his father partly shut down his blog because his dad needed him. He sent out a very touching email that I have just received and it appears his father had what I guess could be called a "good death" and was able to tell the people around him how much he loved him. He give details about the arrangements.

My father, Thomas Charles Danna, passed away at 1:45 pm Friday. We will be having the wake Wednesday, December 26 from 5 - 9 pm at Rabenhorst Funeral Home at 825 Government Street in Baton Rouge, with a rosary and chaplet of divine mercy at 8 pm. Visitation on Thursday will be from 9am to noon when the memorial service will begin. Father Chris Decker will celebrate the rite of Christian burial.

Though I will not be able to attend I will post a reminder of this. I also hope that all that if Catholic will recite the rosary and chaplet of Divine mercy for his dad this week.If you are not Catholic pray in your own tradition as it dicates in times like this..

I was very struck my Tobais posts on his fathers last months. I felt very priviledged that he shared that with us. His post reminded me of a series of blog post that The Anchoress did on the death of her beloved Brother In Law From Aids. That series of post are here at My brother S . If you read them it is best to start from the first post date wise and move up to the last one. There are at times in blog land that posts make a difference to me. Those series of posts did to me. THe fear of death was greatly taken away from me after I read those entries and saw that journey.

Was her brother's a "good death" as the Anchoress describes it in all its gut wrenching details. I have pondered that and when in some ways I compare it to others, such as the recent pipeline explosion that killed two or the tragic murder of the two LSU students, I have to say yes. I often pray that the Lord give me the time to prepare to meet him when it comes. I am glad in some ways that Tobias and his Dad had that grace even though it was surely painful on a pure physical and mental level.

Anyway those are my thoughts. God Bless You Toby and God Bless your dad as we keep him in our prayers.

Reuters Doesn't Interview Pro-Huckabee Catholic Bloggers!!!

I am Astonished!!! I have written on this topic before of course this week. Go see Huckabee Disavows Hagee's Anti-Catholic Sentiments , and A Catholic and An Orthodox Not Upset about Huckabee , and The Faux Controversy Over Huckabee and Catholics .

The article that just came over the news wire is called Huckabee angers some Catholics. It of course is lacking in several aspects. It fails to note that both Catholics and non Catholic politicians often appear before Churches that don't think some of their separated breath en are correct in all things. It would have been interesting if the article had noted that Catholic Political Icon former Senator Rick Santorum had also shared a common stage with Hagee. However I go into all this in the links above. Here is the amusing part:

But Catholic bloggers on the Internet were mostly critical about Huckabee's visit. The Catholic News Agency ran the headline: "Mike Huckabee to speak at strongly anti-Catholic preacher's church."One Catholic blogger said while Huckabee was an eloquent spokesman for the "culture of life" -- code for the anti-abortion cause -- his visit to "a church pastored by a raving anti-Catholic bigot" was deeply troubling.

That is it one unnamed Catholic Blogger. I have been observing this situation over the past few days. I found that most Catholic bloggers that were non political had some questions but it was nothing approaching Anger on a wide scale.. I also can't help but notice that many Catholic Bloggers that were"angry" had Romney, Paul, or Thompson stuff on their blog :). I know how this works. NO doubt if Thompson appeared some Huckabee bloggers would be "upset". This was pointed out so well by conservative commentator Rod Dreher who admitted how silly this was when he wrote his "own angry screeds" when he was supporting McCain and was ranting about Bush going to Bob Jones University 8 years ago. Go see Huck, Hagee and tolerance.

It would have made an interesting article if they had interviewed some Catholic bloggers that were not angry. They would not be hard to find through google.. For instance what about Catholics For Huckabee . I don't think very devout Catholic Kevin Tracy is angry.

A blogger of note they could have talked too is Catholic Knight. In fact when I google "Catholic" and "Huckabee" he is one of the first things that come up. He would have been a interesting person to talk too. He has been talking about this all week. Through his efforts we find that in just a few short weeks a good many Catholics are involved in his Rosary For Huckabee campaign. Including me.

What about noted the Catholic Apologist that resides at Fighting Irish Thomas. I should also note he is a huge Pro-lifer that was very involved in fighting the opening of America's largest abortion clinic outside Chicago. Oh and look at what is at the top of his page currently. A beautiful post Spe Salvi—Will Hope Save Hughes and Huckabee? He also has a wonderful and beautiful site called Domers For Huckabee.Yes a Notre Dame Huckabee site.

The Catholic "blogsphere" is not angry. It is notable that most of the top 100 Catholic blogs are not even talking about it. Despite the fact that anti Huckabee folks have been feeding this story for 3 days.

Evangelization Answers Advent Prayer Pope Says Today

I am awaiting the english translation of the Pope's Angelus talk today. However this Catholic News Service has a brief overview at Evangelization Answers Advent Prayer, Says Pope-Reflects on Doctrinal Congregation Note.

I am very interested in this doctrinal note especially as to the issue of Catholics in Orthodox lands. From what I gather they will not be pleased. This will go especially for the loveable Russian Orthodox that deem our very presence in Mother Russia as an affront to their version of "Mom, Baseball, and Apple pie" More later.

Orthodox Dying out In Turkey?

This is depressing. I have to admit Turkey is a mystery to me. It is a land I would very much like to visit. There are great positives there as well as negatives. This though article in the Economist though is pretty infuriating at Why Christians feel under threat in today's Turkey.

Hereis an excerpt:
Respecting the religious freedom of non-Muslims is essential to Turkey's hopes of joining the European Union. Laws against Christians repairing their churches have been relaxed. Overriding objections from pious constituents, the ruling Justice and Development (AK) party has just restored an ancient Armenian church in eastern Turkey. School textbooks are being purged of an anti-Western bias.
Yet many Christian grievances remain. The prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, resists calls to reopen the Greek Orthodox Halki seminary on Heybeli island off Istanbul, shut down in 1971. Turkey refuses to recognise the ecumenical title of the Greek Orthodox patriarch, Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of over 200m Orthodox Christians. The patriarch, a loyal Turkish citizen, has lobbied hard for Turkey's EU membership. But this has only reinforced suspicions among ultra-nationalist detractors, who accuse him of trying to “Christianise” Turkey and wanting a Vatican-style state in the heart of Istanbul.
Never mind that the Greek Orthodox church in Istanbul has dwindled to 4,000 souls, many of them too old to follow their children abroad. Nor that the patriarch must under Turkish law be a Turkish citizen, a rule which is making it difficult to find a successor to Bartholomew I. “They [ie, the Turks] apparently won't regard the conquest of Constantinople as complete until the patriarchate ceases to exist and all Christians have been frightened away,” suggests one restorer of icons in Istanbul.
The government has yet to approve a draft bill to help non-Muslims recover thousands of properties that have been confiscated by the state and either sold or left to decay. The Aya Yorgi church in Istanbul's Edirnekapi district, which was badly damaged in an earthquake, is one sad example. Its walls are cracked, its roof is leaking; a marble angel lies in pieces on the floor. “All we ask is to be permitted to rescue our church, but we cannot hammer a single nail,” complains Bishop Dionysios, a Greek Orthodox prelate who still conducts services there.
Many Christians concede that AK has treated them better than its secular predecessors did. They blame the deep state for their recent troubles. But the excuse of the deep state's power is wearing thin after AK's big victory in July's general election. “With such a strong mandate, the government's failure to meet our demands can only mean one thing, that the deep state is still in charge,” says a Christian priest. Or perhaps that AK believes in religious freedom for Muslims, but not Christians.

This is a travesty. I understand that the whole Greek/Turkey thing is in the mix. But the Orthodox are dying out there. That is pretty unbelievable. All through what appears to be Govt action

LSU's DB Craig Steltz Is Quite A Fisherman

I have not forgot the most important thing coming up. That is the LSU game(Geaux Tigers) Nice little short Hnting and Fishing piece with cool pics on Craig Steltz who is just pretty awesome.

Huckabee Disavows Hagee's Anti-Catholic Sentiments

Well I was expecting this of course. To think Huckabee agrees with these aspects of Hagee's theology as well as others was silly. Go see Huckabee Disavows Anti-Catholic Sentiments At Church Where He Will Speak . Let me excerpt this part:
During an interview at his last campaign stop in Iowa before Christmas, Republican front-runner Mike Huckabee disavowed anti-Catholic comments and teachings made by the senior pastor of a Texas church where he will be speaking on Sunday.
Huckabee wrapped up an ambitious pre-Christmas tour of Iowa on Saturday with four appearances in the Fifth Congressional District, home to more than half of the state's registered Republicans. He returns to Iowa after celebrating Christmas with his family in Arkansas. But on the way home, Huckabee will make a stop in San Antonio where he will speak to members of the Cornerstone Church.
Cornerstone is one of the nation's largest churches, with nearly 17,000 members. John C. Hagee, senior pastor at the church, has told his congregation in the past that the Beast referred to in the Bible is actually the Catholic Church and the so-called Anti-Christ is the Pope.
"I have to say that I don't agree with those teachings," Huckabee told the Iowa Independent following a speech in Sheldon. "Several members of my staff are Catholic and have marched shoulder to shoulder many times in pro-life marches with people of the Catholic faith."
When he was asked if he was aware of Hagee's teachings about the Catholic Church, Huckabee said he wasn't. "There are things that he believes that I wouldn't agree with and I am sure there are things that I believe that he wouldn't agree with."

As I stated before I expect Huckabee will be talking the Israel issue tomorrow. Which of course Hagee is a big political player. Let me add some thoughts about some things that have been bothering me that are related but not really about Huckabee. First let me give the other posts on this subject I have done as to the Huckabee situation. They are:
The Faux Controversy Over Huckabee and Catholics

and

A Catholic and An Orthodox Not Upset about Huckabee

Now this has been largely a faux controversy. I am happy to report that despite a few Catholic blogs , with some exceptions, most of the "controversy" has been limited to those Catholic "Thompson" , "Romney", or "Paul" blogs(which of course have a obvious agenda) I have noticed quite a civil discussion elsewhere. I think this is because people are not stupid on this issue. Also they know that Catholics such as Pat Buchanan and Alan Keyes have made similar appearances talking on issues in churches where the pastor and lay folks don't think too highly of the Papacy. . Anyway something has bothered me about this issue and it is more long term. For those Catholics and others that said or still say that Huckabee or any other politician should not go to Churches like this hear me out.

I suppose being a Catholic convert where one has significant family as Seventh Day Adventists , especially My beloved Grandmother that loves me to death, helps put this all in its proper place. Seventh Day Adventists make Hagee look like a lay follower of the Order of St Benedict.

I think there is perhaps a fatal disconnect going on among people that don't why understand Huckabee or other politicians are going to Hagee’s Church or similar ones. I think this disconnect is occurring on a religious , social, geographical and perhaps even more important an economic level.

As I have stated before the last few days, I am from a state that has a number of white or mixed ethnic Evangelical Churches that invite politicians in. Of course the Black Church has always had that here. That being said I have escorted Catholic Politicians to some of these Churches that to say the least at times do not give very Catholic friendly sermons.I guess it hit me today what people are missing. I follow anti Catholics a good bit. Hagee to be honest has never interested me that much because his anti Catholic thoughts are a sideline to his main project of support of Israel. Even though they are related as to his strange theology.

Anyway have we gone from a era from where Catholic Politicians are not trusted to where Catholic Politicans are invited to speak to now some Catholics saying "oh no they don’t pass the theology test don’t go there"?

What strikes me is this ,and let me be clear that I don’t want to offend people of these Churches. You can’t put all of these "particular" Evangelicals in a box as to theology or economics . But many places where these doctrines among others are taught the Church is everything. It is the center. I suppose it can compared to what a Catholic Parish was in the 50’s before we all got rich and moved to the Burbs.

Well again not to say this always the case, but if you go you will often see a whole much of have nots or people really struggling. They don’t care if the politician is Catholic or Methodist or whatever when they invite them in. They just want to hear him and more importantly have him or her listen to them. Also I will be blunt. I think it is a honor to be invited into a place that is deemed so important to them.

Many people would be surprised ,but it is just not social issues being discussed there. People are talking about other struggles.I thinking from a Catholic politician standpoint because I have seen that in action here as to these Churches. Have we got to the point that we are so secure we don’t go to them. We say "Sorry your beliefs are too UN PC and we just don't like them".and "If you want to talk to me and you come on down to where I am at".

I know many people are not thinking about this but I am. See some of these people at these Churches that have invited us to speak have given Catholic politicians their votes. I wonder if a theology test of who politicians can and can not speak to is very right. Politicians are servants. They need to go to where the people are at. For many people feel the most comfortable talking these issues in this environment and interacting there. To start putting up roadblocks to people that are our countrymen and in fact are in real need seems well -very UN Catholic.

So my position remain what it was before this. Whether its Senator Mary Landrieu, Jeb Bush, Alan Keyes, Huckabee , or Romney let them go the people. Their job is not to be commander in chief of correct and unoffensive Theology.

New York Times Great Article on How Iraqis Took Iraq Back!!!

Major tip of the hat to the Strata- Sphere on this must read New York Article that is a map of how Iraqis took back their Country region by region. Of course there is work to be done but what a good end of the year read. It is stunning.

It is pretty amazing to see what has happened in one year. We can thank the political leader of Bush, and important members of Congress in standing firm and providing the opportunity for so many brave service people and Coalition partners to make this happen. All the while so many forces wanted to surrender.

AJ does a lot of good work reporting this new every day. I was really struck by another post he wrote called Democrats Revolt Against Leadership On Iraq. It appears sanity is coming back to DC.

Great News!!-Senate confirms Mary Ann Glendon as U.S. ambassador to Vatican

Very exciting. What a great quality choice especially for this very important year. This is a news story on the confirmation. This nomination appeared to be in a slight bit of trouble earlier in the week.

Earlier this month Robert Novak reported that
President Bush's nomination of Harvard Law School professor Mary Ann Glendon as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican is being held up in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, raising the possibility that the post may be vacant when Pope Benedict XVI visits the United States in April.
The selection of anti-abortion advocate Glendon is opposed by Catholics for a Free Choice. No official holds on her confirmation have been filed, but failure to schedule a hearing blocks her confirmation. She is caught up in blanket Democratic opposition to Bush's final nominees.
Business tycoon Francis Rooney, current ambassador to the Holy See, has resigned and is expected to be gone by the time of the pope's American visit.

On a 2008 political note I would point out that she was a advisor to Governor Romney on several issues which is interesting.

This article gives more info. Note there were concerns about the nomination just days ago.

I think she is a wonderful choice and will represent the interest of the United States well at the Vatican.

Protestants To "Worship" at St Paul's Outside the Walls In Rome

Canterbury Tales has a very interesting post up called St Paul's Outside the Walls becomes St Paul's Without the Walls. St Paul's Outide the Wall's is one of the most historic and Holy Sites in Rome. Quite a buzz happened last year when the "casket" that might contains some of the remains of St Paul were found there. Next year is of course been designated The Pauline year. A year that will of course present opportunities for reconcilliation with various non Catholic Christian communities.

As you can see Rome , and I assume with Papal approval has taken a major step. That is an "ecumenical chapel" in the basilica's baptistery will be prepared so that "non-Catholic Christian communities [can] come and pray at the basilica and celebrate liturgy. As you can see Canterbury Tales finds this a tad unsettling and asks people's viewpoints. I can see his point. However because it is a "Pauline" year my gut and heart is telling me this is a grand idea. In fact it seems a very proper thing to do. GO and comment and tell him your thoughts. I also note in the news article he produces that a Schedule of events for the Pauline Year was given to the Holy Father on Monday. I shall try to find some details on that.

Huckabee Supporters Need To Thank Bryon York

If you have looked at my last few Huckabee posts it seems I am in a snit over the National Review and National Review Online. Well I am a tad. However I do think that Huckabee supporters should write a email to Bryon York and thank him for being fair. Telling people you appreciate their efforts in being even handed is just as important as the complaints. His email is byork@nationalreview.com. As I mentioned before he seems to be the only one interested in why the Club for Growth seems to have it out for Huckabee. Today he did good work in correctly a misleading Drudge report headline.

Yesterday Huckabee and his supporters had to endure the wildest attack by Rush. The whole episode started on some blurb quoting some unknown person that likes Huckabee in DC. Rush for some reason did not call the Huckabee campaign before he went on his tear. IT was the buzz of the net last night. The ONLY place where I got some facts to refute that was from a blurb he did yesterday located here. I will reproduce that:
The Huckabee Campaign on Rush [Byron York]
I just talked to Huckabee campaign manager Chip Saltsman, who describes himself as a "huge fan" of Rush Limbaugh. Saltsman told me he "doesn't have a clue" who the Washington-based Huckabee ally quoted by the Atlantic is. "Unfortunately, anybody who gets the ear of a reporter can say they're a Huckabee ally, but that's not the view of the campaign," Saltsman told me. "We're big fans of Rush Limbaugh and have been for years, and I can tell you that's not what we think at the Huckabee campaign in Little Rock. We have nothing but respect for Rush Limbaugh and know that he's a big part of the conservative movement in this country. That's one person's opinion in DC, but it doesn't represent the view of the Huckabee campaign. I can only hope we'll get a chance to talk to Rush and make sure that he knows that's not coming from us."
12/21 01:49 PM

Now I am not saying that Mr York is a big Huckabee fan!!! However I find it refreshing that perhaps he is just trying to be objective to everyone. The Corner Blog is read by a lot of folks so I hope Huckabee supporters take a tiny 2 minutes and thank him for trying to get facts out.

The Irony of the Conservative Media and Huckabee

I very much like reading From Burke to Kirk and Beyond... . He always has a bunch of very interesting posts that I need to start linking more. He has post up called Mike Huckabee makes Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney more attractive .

I of course disagree with that :).

However this blogger is of the type that is pretty rational and Huckabee supporters should be trying to win over. I think also his post shows that Huckabee opponents are scoring some points.

Now I am leaving a comment there that of what I feel about the Peggy Noonan article. I am not impressed with it. It is a very clever slam piece. If you read the whole thing she starts off with the whole Cross nonsense. Thus putting in the readers mind that Huckabee is one sneaky little Christian SOB with his subliminal messages. The rest of her article when you think about it is very light on facts. She makes lots of statements and backs then up with very precious little. It is almost like Huckabee being a Governor for 8 years did not exist. However that is not he focus of this post. let me quote Burke's commentary:

The cardinal rule for a Republican nominee is that he must control the Right but not be controlled by it, just as a Democrat must control the Left but not be controlled by it. Perception becomes reality. Those who break the rule most egregiously finish second in the national election.
I cannot speak for anyone but me, but I sense that most Americans would rather be governed by an agnostic who can fix an air conditioner than by a Baptist preacher who can eloquently pray for cooler temperatures.

Now as I mentioned Burke is not or does not strike me as a overly partisan person. The fact that he perceives Huckabee as a "preacher"that basically prays for cooler temperatures and not a widely successful Governor that actually did great things in Arkansas is a tad concerning. Note this is the impression that Noonan's article wants to give. I think Huckabee will be able to overcome this but we need to start working on it now. However I wish to focus on this part:
The cardinal rule for a Republican nominee is that he must control the Right but not be controlled by it, just as a Democrat must control the Left but not be controlled by it. Perception becomes reality. Those who break the rule most egregiously finish second in the national election.

I very much agree with that. People that are passionate about politics on either the right or the left if not "controlled" must be guided in a very responsible way. Le me say there has been precious little of that lately. The Right has just become a out of control as the left. What I find ironic is that Peggy Noonan and several parts of the conservative media are now all in a huff over a problem they very much help create.

I really thing the the far right has become as self indulgent as the far left. They at times have gotten 70 to 75 percent of what they wanted from President Bush and proclaim that as insufficient. Ronald Reagan could not survive the current political climate if you ask me.

I am a critic of much of the conservative media because it seems to me that they just thrown red meat to the wolves. I saw this in several incidents. I thought the conservative pundits acted in a very irresponsible manner during the Dubai Terminal lease controversy, the 06 midterms, and finished off in a orgy of self destructive behavior during the emotional immigration debate of last year.

The immigration debate and how people acted from Rush, to Hannity , to Michelle Malkin, to the National Review, and the thousands of blogs that parrot them very much might have lost us a much of the Hispanic vote we have gained over the past decade. I fear we shall lose the upcoming election because of it. I know many of my readers were in the amen corner with them on that issue. However my view is my view. The pure level of hate in that debate was disturbing. I know because I ,a loyal Republican ,was called a traitor, a quisling, and that was the light stuff. I can't imagine what Hispanics thought. By the way ever been called a "traitor"? Ever had your faith slammed because you took a stance on a political issue? Well countless thousands of us conservatives that supported comprehensive immigration reform had that happen to us for 2 unbearable years. There were casualties that many don't know or acknowledge. I wonder if Peggy Noonan that is writing about how Huckabee is dividing will talk about her role in that saga. I am not holding my breath.

I can't help but note The Corner Blog is very upset that Huckabee is talking about Wall Street and Business interest and they are now saying "Huckabee is dividing the party!!!!" Horrors. I sent a email to NR and NRO Guru Rich Lowery yesterday as to this. I never got a response back. I wrote in part:

Anyway a few observations. First as to Huckabee talking about big business and Wall Street. That seems to have yall's goat. Well remember in the ancient days of NRO and NR(Like this summer) when its was NRO against Wall Street on Illegal immigration. Big Business and Wall Street were trying to get AMNESTY through- Cue Dark Scary music.
Boy yall were really getting the masses upset against those big boys. It seemed that Mrs Lopez and other were leading the pack with pitchforks in hand. I wonder. When NRO was doing a lot of that over the talk rhetoric did they ever consider it might have spill over effect.? I sort of warned about that back then......I am a Huckabee fan but I am not entirely thrilled about Huckabee's statements about Bush foreign policy. However , I must say the defense of the President you are doing sounds great but a tad hollow. Were not many of the President's same defenders today so gleefully talking about the "Great Divorce" that was going to happen between poor ole Compassionate Conservative Bush and legitimate conservatives. I am glad that did not happen by the way. Especially when we were in a war....Anyway I am still a fan of NRO. I am tad dispppointed thought that the Corner and the people that comprise it don't take a deep breath more often before hitting that submit button. As I have emailed before I live 15 miles from Arkansas. How Huckabee actually governed there appears quite different from what I am reading here. I wonder. Much like the illegal immigration issue will NRO's naplam bombing of any and all opposition(even if they are friends) as to Huckabee become a problem. What if he wins? Well as I have noted NRO seems to have no problem doing a 180 pretty quick. SO perhaps there will be no problem.
But someone anyone need to perhaps to do some ground rules or else we shall eat our own. If not NR and NRO then who.

Now I don't want to pick on the Corner. In fact before I turn to other non political matters , I am going to to do a post how Huckabee supporters should be thanking one of its and National Review main people. However the Corner as well as Noonan as well as the various pundits and conservative organizations helped create the situation that they are now complaining about.

As to Huckabee. The people he is speaking too have legitimate gripes. The GOP better listen to that or those people might just vote dem. I get the impression that the conservative establishment does not quite get it yet. However Huckabee strikes me as a person that can control and guide that segment of the conservative base in a responsible manner. I get a sense that Huckabee thinks that there has been a tad too much over the top partisanship lately. If you watched President Bush's last press conference I am struck how he still refuse to lash out. Huckabee and I am betting on this can do what Bush for a variety of reasons could not. That is bridge the partisan divide and lower the temperature a good bit. We need that as a country right now.

Huckabee is currently showing he knows there are problems. He is acting that on the campaign trail very well. He believes what is saying no doubt. However Huckabee knows that just getting the masses upset will not win the election. He knows this election cannot just be anti Hillary. He will have to offer solutions and a alternative vision. I get a sense that some of the conservative pundits that so operate in sound bites are a tad wary of it. My advice to them. Chill a little. Let Huckabee develop it. There is a important part of this primary process that is often not talked about. That is Presidents don't fall down from Heaven all wrapped up for the Oval Office. The listening that people like Huckabee, Rudy, and Romney are doing is just as important as the speeches they give. Out of these bunch , a future President is being made and developed. So Conservative pundits and media. Take a break and let it happen a tad. I know you will not let it develop. But you should. These are the people speaking and they rarely get a voice in all the National politics. Electing a President is a intense personal choice for many people. In their choice they are voicing their concerns. Like Huckabee take time to listen

Huge Metor Shower Tonight and Sunday

I saw this earlier this at Father Z's blog and wanted to highlight this today. Tonight we have the URSID METEOR shower. Father Z has all the cool details plus a update with pics of that cool like Mars rover we got limping around on the Red Planet.!!!! I am looking at my window and it is very very very cloudy in my part of the World :(. Hopefully that will cahnge tonight:)

Tony Blair Becomes Catholic!!!

Well after all the rumors ex UK Prime Minister Tony Blair came in into full Union with the Catholic Church yesterday . Congrats!!! Father Z has the story and some commentary. If i see any UK Catholics highlighting this today I shall update.

Updates below-
Vox Nova has a short post with links to the major UK media stories on the event

A Catholic and An Orthodox Not Upset about Huckabee

That Catholic being me and that Eastern Orthodox being the very important commentator on conservative politics and religion the Eastern Orthodox Rod Drehrer. By the way Louisiana readers, Rod is from St Francisville and is a LSU grad( Geaux Tigers).

Anyway I talked why I was not offended at my earlier entry The Faux Controversy over Huckabee and Anti Catholicism. Rod has his must read piece here called Huck, Hagee and tolerance.

Mr Dreher in his fun sort of way also shows the big double standard of the National Review Corner Blog Crowd and the always loveable Mrs Lopez. He sort of shows her up which really kind of made my night. Mrs Lopez is a piece of work. I like her though. She is like an attack dog that just bites bites bites. She also thinks the whole world will have amnesia and forget what she wrote 6 months ago .

As Rod points out Mrs Lopez has written an article that puts her in the role of defending Holy Mother Church. I have to note that about 6 months ago she was absent in that role as people were talking about Catholic plots for "open borders" and they just wanted illegals here for the money. She was very much in the Amen corner on that one. So to say the least Mrs Lopez is no National Review Joan of Arc over there. Oh well, Like I said she knows most people will forget what she writes as she moves on to her next victim. This month it is Huckabee and next month who knows.

Anyway Rod is a good gauge of things. Hagee anti Catholic statements are very much related to his weird view of the Jews and their current state via his own views of Christian Theology. Hagee goes way back and bashes all the ancient Church Fathers East and West as being anti Jewish. Since the Orthodox revere the Fathers more than even Catholics do his opinion has some weight.

Good Read.

The Faux Controversy Over Huckabee and Catholics

Update- I want to retiterate a offer. . Arkansas has a significant Catholic and powerful minority. Especially in the Northern part. If anyone can show me that Mike Huckabee did not reach out to Catholics, include them in Government, or showed any signs of anti Catholicism during his tenure as Lt Governor and two terms as Governor I shall withdraw my support from Huckabee today!!!! I suspect you can't find any because I know his record shows the OPPOSITE!!!! But go ahead. I am listening!!!

In case you have not heard various forces are trying to make a big production out of Mike Huckabee speaking at the Cornerstone Church in Houston which is pastored by Hagee. Hagee is still one that has an outdated view on Catholics. It is a part of his theology. Huckabee is of course going there not to pick up the tiny "anti Catholic Vote" but to talk about things that bind Catholics and Evangelicals together. That is our common moral outlook on Life etc. Also I suspect he will be talking about his support for the State of Israel which is by far a more concern to Hagee and his congregation than Catholics are.

Now I really recommend that people go and visit Catholic Knight and get his take on the situation. I agree with that 100 percent. He also reminds us that George Bush spoke at the mecca of Anti Catholic thought that was Bob Jones University. George Bush in my view is the most Catholic friendly President we ever had. Bush went there to speak to Evangelicals on issues that all bring us together. He was not there to endorse whatever their particular view on Catholics, Anglicans, or Methodist were. Again go see the Catholic Knight's post.

Let me add a couple of things
Do Catholics question the faith and intentions of Catholic Convert and the new Governor Elect of Louisiana Bobby Jindal? Bobby Jindal , as is custom in Louisiana, visited many churches here in Louisiana. He even spoke form the altar. Several of these needless to say are not very Catholic sermon friendly.

However I will note that when the state democrat party ran anti Catholic ads targeting Jindal up in the Protestant part of Louisiana many of these same pastors thought a line was crossed and spoke against that. While much of the Catholic world and media in the US was silent!! I have escorted and been with numerous Catholic people running for office in some of these Churches. They wanted to hear what we had to say. Often our pro-life vison was a common bond.

By the way I used to be very involved in the Pro-life movement as on the frontlines . That involved interacting and working with people from "anti Catholic Churches". Catholics did that by the millions over the past decades. Were we wrong?

One of the major Christian Communities in the USA is the Missouri Synod of Lutherans. In their statement of faith they say the Office of the Papacy is the anti Christ. (BY THE WAY I AM NOT PICKING ON LUTHERNS_ I AM TRYING TO MAKE A POINT) .Can a person ask for their vote? Can they go their Churches or communities where they are at in great numbers? Are they different because they are more "mainstream" and common that Hagee's followers? I hope people are seeing the point. I have no interest in opening up the box of who is theologically correct to associate with in the political realm. Catholics should see this as an opportunity , while Huckabee is talking about what for many of us is a common vision, in interacting and making Apologetic arguments against what is now an outdated viewpoint in many ways for certain Evangelicals.

I would be very much more concerned if Pastor Hagee was ranting against Bush putting Catholic Judges on the Supreme Court or ranting against Catholic politicians. He appears to be concerned more about his own view of symbolism that is contained in the book of Revelation.

I really urge Catholics not to take the bait here. When Catholics and Evangelicals started working together it was not always easy. As I stated before we often were working side by side even when we thought the other side is wrong. What came out of that for the most part was a deeper appreciation of Catholicism and openness by Evangelicals and Protestants that not too long ago had huge misconceptions.

Talking To Catholics That Are More Catholic Than the Pope

I really enjoy a quite entertaining blog called The Bob Catholic Show from Australia. He is a convert too and like many I encounter had to give up more for his conversion to the Faith than I.
He also shares a common fascination with the whole Catholic subculture of extreme traditionalists and the even more extreme Sedevacantist. He has a excellent review of a book on this subject at More Catholic Than the Pope. Now Louisiana Catholic readers will be aware that I am big fan of the catholic underground podcast that is put on by 3 of our Louisiana bloggers. Note he references a interview and provides a link to a recent episode where these Louisiana Catholic Bloggers interview the author!!! Good Stuff.

The Pope Has A Busy Christmas Schedule!!

Well I guess that is understandable. Like all Priests he shall be putting in some "overtime". The Ratizinger Forum had this new article that showed the upcoming events.

Much of this can be watched on EWTN that is of course can be viewed via the net if one does not have it one cable!! I also think that the rest of this can be viewed through Vatican TV which can be located at my Vatican Radio and Vatican State links

Pope in busy Christmas schedule Vatican City, 21 Dec. (AKI) - Pope Benedict XVI will on Monday begin his usual flurry of activity during the Christmas season this year, celebrating Midnight Mass in the Vatican Basilica of St Peter's, the Vatican has announced.

On Tuesday - Christmas Day - he will at noon from the central balcony of the Vatican Basilica deliver his Christmas message to the world and will impart the traditional "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.

On 31 December - New Year's Eve - Benedict will preside at first Vespers on the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God in St Peter's. This will be followed by the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the singing of the traditional "Te Deum" hymn of thanksgiving for the year's end, and the Eucharistic blessing, the Vatican's Office of Liturgical Celebrations said.

On 1 January - New Year's Day - the Pope will celebrate Mass in St Peter's at 10 am local time. It is the 41st World Day of Peace which has as its theme: 'The Human Family, a Community of Peace.'

On 6 January, he will once again hold mass at 10 am local time at St Peter's to mark Epiphany. This Christian feast commemorates the revelation of Jesus to humanity, specifically the visit of the Magi or 'Wise Men'.

The Pope will wrap up his Christmas schedule on 13 January , when he will celebrate a mass in Rome's Sistine Chapel at 10 am local time to mark the Feast of Baptism of Christ. The pontiff will baptise a number of infants on this occasion, the Vatican said.

How A Hispanic Christmas Tradition Is Becoming Part of the Fabric of American Catholicism

I was very struck by this post at Whispers in the Loggia this morning entitled There's Always Room for "the Inns" . It is another reminder how this new wave of immigrants .like the IRiahs and Italians before them, will contribute not only to the Catholic American scene and spiritual life but the overall American one. What a wonderful tradition. GO learn more about the the Hispanic rite of Las Posadas .

Is Huckabee Anti Catholic?

THere is going to be some posts on this today. I have some readers that don't give a darn about Presidential Politics so I am going to put a few non Huckabee post up first. There is a slight controversy brewing that I largely think is a faux one as to Huckabee and Catholics. I saw this coming yesterday and I was too fixated on the Navy/Utah game last night to write a post on it. Anyway that is coming.

Before I post that I have a offer. Arkansas has a significant Catholic minority. Epsecially in the Northern part. If anyone can show me that MIke Huckabee did not reach out to Catholics, include them in Government, or showed any signs of anti Catholicism during his tenure as Lt Governor and two terms as GOvernor I shall withdraw my support from Huckabee today!!!! I suspect you can't find any because I know his record shows the OPPOSITE!!!! But go ahead. I am listening!!!

Is There Misinformation on Huckabee and Home Schools?

I wanted to get a very well thought out and informative post out on Huckabee and the HomeSchooling issue.

In any campaign there are thousands of "special interest" groups. They all have valid concerns as to how person x will effect them if they are in office. A lot of stuff that is in play among these groups goes beneath the radar of those running campaigns. Thus sometimes a misunderstanding can cause problems that should not have occurred.

Now I know nothing about homeschooling. The closest I get to that is reading the Louisiana Catholic blogs of Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks , Full Circle , and of course Footprints on the Fridge . However I know Huckabee has a lot of homeschoolers support.

There appears to be some information that might be out there that is painting Huckabee as not being friendly to Homeschoolers. This seems to center around a law that was passed in Arkanas during his administration. This law though we find out was written by a home schooling dad.

EverFaith is a blogger that is not only a Home Schooler but a former public school teacher. She is defending the Huckabee record on Home Schooling and brings her own unique viewpoint. I thought it was a very good post that should get out there. Again she is responding to a blog that might or might not be reacting to something that is circulating which misleading. Any way please read her entry This Homeschooler is still for Huckabee.

Louisiana Catholic Blogger Update For December 20

I really wished I did this earlier so to give my Louisiana Catholic bloggers publicity. Something, I don't know what is generating excitement or at least some, as I am looking at my blog hits. Well perhaps they will come back

Well we do indeed need to start out with For The Greater Glory!!!!! He took note of my complaints that he was not updating enough. He sort of defends himself in this post Grumpy and Opinionated Catholic. Yeah it looks like he has been busy and productive so we shall give him a pass. TO make matters worse I take the day off and he goes into a blogging frenzy. Go see this very interesting Huckabee related post Should We be Afraid of Mike Huckabee?. He alerts me to the the comments of another Catholic blogger I like and support. I thing For the Greater Glory is right on. I think I shall try to return to this later. He also has a post on Race for the White House right here.

Staying in the Diocese of Baton Rouge we go to Full Circle. He has a post up called Truth is important ... Pseudo-knowledge . I think this a great post. It really throw old myths on their head. He talks about the myth of "pagans" and Christmas. He also tells us that whole Luther nailing things on the Church door is a tad myth too. Pretty cool post. On a more non Catholic note he tells us that Using Firefox 3 ... its WAY faster . I liked this entry Family Mans Creed. This post he did yesterday should probably be read in tandem with the first entry I highlighted of his. Go see The date of Christmas and its so called pagan origins .

Alive and Young tells us he is not going to blog till after Christmas so he can get more into the in the Advent spirit and prepare for the coming Christmas season. Go see No Blogging Till After Christmas

We now got the Diocese of Lafayette. Catholic Underground(I will highlight this in a separate entry) has their new podcast up. It is called Episode 62: Load Up the Ark, ‘Cause We Got A Zoo.. By the way three of our Louisiana bloggers(our two priest bloggers and one lay blogger from Lafayette) do this podcast. The description is:
The special format episodes continue as we devote a whole show to backchats we have received over the course of the year. We promise we'll give some time to some of the audio backchats we have received! We talk about orthodoxy once more, papal primacy a bit, ministering to one's family, and why Joshua works well with animals.
Also, listen for a special announcement in the CU news portion!

It appears that this little ole Catholic podcast from Louisiana is growing more and more each day. They have a cool news release here at Catholic Underground First of Five New Podcasts to Join SQPN. Congrats!!!!!!

Staying in the Diocese of Lafayette we go to From The Recamier. She has her always fun post for the day here. She always at the end of her post highlights the person that died on todays date. Yesterday it was Emily Brontë amd she has a lot of info on her.

We go to Catholic Tube next. I am figuring out his new and exciting format here. These are new vids that he has since I last checked in on Tuesday
Faith and Politics-How are the Republican presidential contenders, particularly Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, applying faith in their campaigns? Fox News contributor and religion analyst Father Jonathan Morris offers perspective into the matter of faith, religion and the presidential race, as well as on-going concerns about Mitt Romney’s Mormonism.

A Spiritual Bootcamp- an informational video for the Institute for Priestly Fromation Summer Program for diocesan seminarians.

Enter The Narrow Gate-a new site by a church parish

Jesus is the Bread of Life-An excerpt from EWTN which parallels the Eucharistic Sacrifice in the mass, to experiencing daily Christmas. Watch the video to see what he is speaking of.

We next go the Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks. I keep getting confused if she is in the Diocese of Lafayette or Diocese of Lake Charles. I think it is Lafayette. Anyway she has a lot of post that fun. Go see this very special birthday post at Birthday Blessings. She her post Yeah! What She Said! and A Cup of Love Overflows . I also liked this one It's God's Call...Not Ours which is really a quite touching post that all Catholic mom's and dads should take a look at if they got boys. The possible call to a Vocation sometimes takes root early!!!

A Number of Things has a post called A House Full of Secrets.

Thoughts & Ruminations from Fr. Ryan has some very interesting thing on today's entry. He has a quote I saw earlier today. It is in reference to a controversy over some remarks that the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury made about Christmas. Anyway I find the quote interesting too.

We end with the Brown Pelican Society. His post and news links are
A Christless Christmas Is Senseless, Says Pope
What Part of "God Created..." Don't We Understand?
Bush Sells Out America at U.N. Conference
Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave...Online Pornography Business is Booming
FRC's Pat Fagan Delivers on Teen Birth Analysis
The Currency of Faith: How One Man Put God Into Circulation(this is a pretty interesting part of Civil War era history here in the US)
Translation of the Reflection on Christmas that Benedict XVI Delivered Today at the General Audience: On the Birth of Christ
Of Pro-Lifers and Faux-Lifers
Huckabee Camp Slams Media For 'Creating Controversy' Over Christmas Ad
Perkins Says 'Value Voter' Issues Still a Large Factor in Campaign
TODAY'S GOSPEL & MEDITATION - The True Coming
Worldwide Initiative: Vatican Lauds UN Death Penalty Moratorium
TODAY'S SAINT - St. Dominic of Silos (c. 1000-1073)
Advent: Waiting in Joyful Hope: Third Thursday of Advent
New Colorado Initiative Seeks to Define Embryos as Human Persons Under the Law (The Power of the Initiative Lies in Its Simplicity)

President Bush Visits Little Sisters of the Poor- Media Ignores

Since this is a Catholic Blog and a blogger that loves the current President I thought I would give this link to a nice event the President did yesterday. Go see the Anchoress 's post Bush on volunteerism, uncovered.

I think it would have been nice to see some snippet of this. THe Sisters of the Poor should have been highlighted for the work they do in the nation's capital as well as elsewhere. Be sure to check the links. The white House has a nice video of the event that is just about two minutes long.

THe Pope Talks Christmas At His Wednesday Audience

I did not blog yesterday but I did not forget the Holy Father had his weekly Wednesday Audience. The Holy Father did not talk about the Church Fathers as he has been for the last year during this weekly talk. Instead he used it to spread the "true meaning of Christmas"

As Usual I will post this in full Thanks again to the RatzingerForum for the translation and pics!!!

Dear brothers and sisters!

In these days, as we come nearer to the great feast of Christmas, the liturgy urges us to intensify our preparation, offering for our disposition several Biblical texts from both the Old and New Testaments which stimulate us to focus properly on the sense and value of this annual occasion

If, on one hand, Christmas reminds us of the incredible miracle of the birth of God's Only Son to the Virgin Mary in that cave in Bethlehem, on the other hand, it exhorts us to await, in vigilance and prayer, our Redeemer who on the he last day "will come to judge the living and the dead'.

Perhaps, today, not even we believers truly await the Judgment, but all men expect justice. We see so much injustice in the world - in our small world, in the home, in our neighborhood, as well as in the large world of states and society. And we expect justice to be done.

We expect someone to come forth who can concretely render justice. And in this sense, we pray: 'Come, Lord Jesus Christ as Judge, come in your own way'. The Lord knows how to enter the world to create justice. Let us pray that the Lord, as Judge, answers us and truly creates justice in the world. We expect justice, but this cannot be only the expression of certain demands with respect to others.

To expect justice in the Christian sense means, first of all, that we ourselves start to live under the eyes of the Judge, according to his criteria - that we begin to live in his presence by doing justice in our own lives. Thus, by doing justice ourselves, placing ourselves in the presence of the Judge, we can truly hope for justice.

This is the sense of Advent, of vigilance. The Advent vigilance means living under the eyes of the Judge and thus preparing ourselves and the world for justice. By living under the eyes of God as Judge, we can open the world for the coming of his Son and predispose our hearts to 'The Lord who is coming'.

The Baby, who, two thousand years ago, the shepherds adored in a cave that night in Bethlehem, never tires of visiting us in our daily life, as we proceed like pilgrims towards the Kingdom of God. In waiting for him, the believer becomes representative of the hope of all humanity. Mankind yearns for justice, and so, even if unconsciously, it awaits God - it awaits the salvation that only God can give us.

For us Christians, this waiting is marked by assiduous prayer, as indicated by the particularly evocative series of invocations which are proposed to us, in the nine days preceding Christmas - in the Mass and in the Gospel, as well as in the celebration of Vespers before the Magnificat is sung. Each of the invocations, which ask for the coming of Wisdom, of the Sun of justice, of God-with-us, contains a prayer addressed to the

One who is awaited by all peoples, that his coming may be hastened. But to invoke the birth of the promised Savior also means committing ourselves to prepare the way, to prepare for him a dwelling worthy not only in the environment around us, but above all, in the spirit.

Allowing ourselves to be guided by the evangelist John, let us seek to address our minds and hearts these days to the eternal Word, Logos, the Word which became flesh and from whose fullness we have received grace upon grace (cfr 1,14-16). This faith in the Logos-Creator, in the World which created the world, in Him who came as a Baby, this faith and its great hope appear today, unfortunately, to be remote from the reality of life lived daily, whether public or private.

The reality seems too huge, and we ourselves have been trying to adapt as best we can, or so it seems. But in this way, the world only becomes more chaotic and even violent, as we can see every day. And the light of God, the light of truth, becomes extinguished. Life becomes dark and without a compass. How much more important then that we should be truly believers, and as believers, to reaffirm forcefully, with our life, the mystery of salvation which brings with it the celebration of Christ's Nativity!

In Bethlehem, the Light which illumines our life was made manifest to the world; the Way which leads to the fullness of our humanity was revealed to us. If we do not acknowledge that God became man, what sense is there in celebrating Christmas? The celebration would be empty. We Christians above all should reaffirm the profoundly felt conviction of the truth about Christ's birth, in order to testify to all our awareness of the unprecedented gift not only for us but for everyone.

From this comes the duty to evangelize, which means precisely the communication of this 'eu-angelion', this 'good news'. This was referred to in the recent document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, called "Doctrinal Note on some aspects of evangelization", which I wish now to pass on for your reflection and to study in depth, personally as well as communally.

Dear friends, in these days when Christmas is imminent, the prayer of the Church is ever more intense that the expectations of peace, salvation and justice, which the world urgently needs today, may be realized. Let us ask God that violence may be overcome by the power of love, that conflicts give way to reconciliation, that the will to overcome be transformed into a desire for forgiveness, justice and peace.

May the wishes for goodness and love that we exchange these days reach into all the areas of our daily life. May peace be in our hearts that we may be open to the action of God's grace. May peace dwell in all families so they may spend Christmas together before the creche and a lighted Christmas tree. May the message of brotherhood and hospitality that comes with Christmas contribute to create deeper sensitivity towards the aged and the new forms of poverty, towards the common good in which we are all called upon to take part. May all the members of the family - above all the children, the aged and the weaker ones - feel the warmth of this feast, and may that warmth spread out through every day of the year.

May Christmas be for all a feast of peace and joy - joy at the birth of he Savior, Prince of Peace. Like the shepherds, let us hasten on our way to Bethlehem. And in the heart of that Holy Night, in our hearts, even we will contemplate the "babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, who lies in a manger" (Lk 2,12-16).

Let us ask the Lord to open our spirits so that we can enter into the mystery of his Nativity. May Mary, who gave her virginal womb to the Word of God, who looked at him as an infant in her arms, and who continues to offer him to everyone as the Redeemer of the world, help us to make of this Christmas an occasion to grow in the knowledge and love of Christ. This is the wish I affectionately have for all of you who are present here, for your families and those who are dear to you.

Later, the Holy Father synthesized his reflections in English:

Dear Brothers and Sisters, In this Advent season, the Church invites us to reflect on Christ’s birth and to prepare ourselves, in watchfulness and prayer, for his second coming. Advent is thus a time of joyful expectation that our hope, and indeed the hopes of all humanity, will find fulfilment in the peace and salvation which only God can give.

"Waiting in joyful hope" for the Lord’s coming also means preparing his way, and welcoming him as the incarnate Son of God, the Truth which gives meaning to every human life. How important it is, then, to proclaim this mystery in all its saving power: the Son of Mary, born in Bethlehem, is the Light which illumines our life, the Way that leads to human fulfilment. The Good News of our salvation in Christ must be made known to a world which longs for this message of reconciliation, solidarity and hope.

May this Christmas be for everyone a celebration of peace and joy: joy at the birth of the Prince of Peace. Together with Mary and Joseph, let us contemplate the new-born Child lying in the manger. Through the prayers of the Virgin Mother, may we grow in the knowledge and love of Christ the Saviour. A happy Christmas to you and your families!

I am pleased to greet the English-speaking pilgrims and students present at this Audience, especially those from the United States of America. Upon you and your loved ones, I invoke the Lord’s blessings of health and joy during this holy Season.