SUNDAY'S LITURGY:

   Almighty, everlasting God, Who didst will to reinstate all things in Thy beloved Son, the Universal King; mercifully grant that the whole family of nations, rent asunder by the wound of sin, may be made subject to His most gentle reign. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

The DAILY WORD

"I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why dost thou question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; behold, these know what I have said."

   Today is the 1,601st anniversary of the death of Pope Saint Siricus, the 38th successor of Peter. His pontificate lasted from December 15, 294 to this day in 399. Ever wonder where the term "Pope" came from? It was a Latin anigram coined by Pope Siricus. It stood for "Petri Apostoli Potestatem Accipiens" which, of course was "Papa" translated to "Pope" in English. This was the most important achievement of his fifteen year pontificate, being most remembered for Saint Siricus being the first to assume the title of "Pope" or "Papa" from the Greek "Father." To read more of what happened today in Church History, see MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

They misunderstood the King in their midst

   They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".

"Jesus fed bread to the multitudes in the desert. Having fed the hungry masses, they 'sought to make Him king' (John 6: 15). It is ever in the human heart, when it loses its love of the spiritual, to worship those who promise full stomachs or economic power. They wished to make Jesus king in opposition to all the kings of the earth; instead of surrendering themselves to Him and His sublime doctrine about sin and redemption, they willed to have Him submit to them. They did not want to be drawn up to Him, but to draw Him down to them. However sincere and enthusiastic they were, they were, nevertheless, bent on pulling Divinity down to the level of the human."

Support Pro-Life and the DAILY CATHOLIC by signing-up with a Catholic Pro-Life Phone Company with GREAT RATES at PRO-LIFE COMMUNICATIONS
SUPPORT THE Artwork "I Knew You" by Shannon Wirrenga, Bismarck, ND. c 1998. All rights reserved

   We are grateful to the artist Shannon Wirrenga (701-255-7312) for permission to use the phenomenal and touching original painting above of Jesus smiling at a newborn babe full of life, a life that He allows. It is appropriately titled "I Knew You," taken from Jeremiah 1: 5. No entity, matter or energy can exist without God and He alone gives and takes life. Life is the most precious gift we have been given. That is why we dedicate this section to the Sanctity of Life for so few realize the treasures it holds from conception to the grave.

    Because the Pro-Life movement is so important to all Catholics, we are also very pleased to announce our association with PRO-LIFE COMMUNICATIONS, a telecommunications firm owned and operated by Joseph and Jane Dalton of St. Charles, Missouri. They are both devoted, staunch Catholics who have dedicated their lives to the Pro-Life cause for the sake of His little ones. We can't endorse their company and benefits enough. In addition, when you abandon AT&T, MCI, Sprint and all those others who contribute to abortion causes, you will not only be receiving better rates and people you can actually talk to rather than the ol' runaround, but for every person who signs up Pro-Life Communications will donate 100% of the net profits to help keep the DAILY CATHOLIC on line. It's a win-win-win situation that God richly blesses. It is not only a necessity to continue this ministry, but it's a necessity that every reader has the peace of mind of being with a phone company that is truly Pro-Life. We pray everyone will realize the need to make this commitment to help eradicate the culture of death.

    The elections are over, but the battle for life is not. We cannot give up the fight. Please continue to pray for the Sanctity of Life and pray for those pro-abort candidates who were elected that they will have a conversion of heart and recognize the evil of their ways. Remember, nothing is impossible with God. We encourage you to go to the Pro-Life links below to keep up to date on the great battle between life and death - the Sanctity of Life vs. the culture of death led by pro-abort candidates and those who would advance murder, immorality, sodomy, perjury, etc.