volume 8, no. 61
FRI-SAT-SUN
December 26-28, 1997
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Is this weekend for the Birds?
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You bet it is! And in the best of senses for it is the Days after Christmas and a chance to reflect on the glorious birth of Our Lord and Savior Who is the "Partridge" in the pear tree. As we indicated in our Christmas issue, the actual Twelve Days of Christmas were a secret "catechism" code sung by persecuted Roman Catholics from the Protestant Reformation through the French Revolution in which the faithful could communicate much in the sense the early Christians did via symbols. The symbolism will be explained on each of the twelve days in these pages. The first four symbols refer to God's feathered friends and Saturday is the Feast of Saint John the Evangelist, symbolized by the eagle. So one would definitely have to say this weekend is for the birds - in a very good sense!
Friday, December 26
"On the second day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, two turtledoves."
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The two turtledoves represent the Old and New Testaments - the Word of God which over the years has been so watered down by "interpretations and political correctness" that often it loses its true meaning.
Saturday, December 27
"On the third day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, three French hens."
 = FAITH, HOPE & CHARITY
The three French hens represent the Three Theological Virtues of FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY which enabled Catholics to stay in the state of grace by practicing and promulgating these vital virtues when the sacraments were not readily available.
Sunday, December 28
"On the fourth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, four calling birds."
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The four calling birds represent the four Gospels where truly the Word of God through Jesus and His life for all of us to emulate was recorded. Since Catholics were not allowed to keep bibles or preach during those times, they reinforced others through the song to read the Gospels in private and live it.
Monday, December 29
"On the fifth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me, five Golden Rings."
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The five golden rings represent both the first Five Books of the Old Testament which reminded fellow Catholics of the roots and, after the devotion became more widespread and known, the Five Decades of the Rosary.
Those times of persecution could return as we face the pivotal times ahead, but if we are prepared, we can outrun the devil and win the race as we point out in this weekend's commentary.
CATHOLIC PewPOINT
United we kneel,
divided we're prey!
For the ravages of satan and his desperate measures in these last few years before the millennium. In today's reflection on Sacred Scripture, Cyndi Cain reflects on one passage that says it all in the fact that the Blessed Mother kept it all in her heart and pondered everything, always giving her fiat, no matter what obstacles and sorrows lie ahead, to Almighty God. This fiat was unanimous among all in the Holy Family. "Come Unto Me"
 The Holy Family is our model
This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family and an opportunity to emulate the patience of Joseph, the obedience and humility of Jesus, the modesty and motherly love of Mary. In addition, we celebrate the Church's first martyr - Saint Stephen on Friday and on Saturday the Feast of the Beloved Disciple Saint John the Evangelist and Apostle, author of the Fourth Gospel, Epistles, and the Book of Apocalypse/Revelation. For this full weekend, LITURGY OF THE DAY
Medjugorje Monthly Message for December 25th
 Dear children! Also today I rejoice with you and I call you to the good. I desire that each of you reflect and carry peace in your heart and say: I want God in the first place in my life. In this way, little children, each of you will become holy. Little children, tell everyone, I want the good for you and he will respond with the good and, little children, good will come to dwell in the heart of each man. Little children, tonight I bring to you the good of my Son Who gave His life to save you. That is why, little children, rejoice and extend your hands to Jesus Who is only good. Thank you for having responded to my call! For more on Medjugorje, MEDJUGORJE
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Weekend Issue
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Feast of the Holy Family
____ also feasts of St. Stephen & St. John
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 NEWS
& VIEWS
with a Catholic slant
HEADLINES:
The Holy Father Reviews the Year of Christ
As is his custom on the last week of the year just before Christmas Pope John Paul II talked about all that has occurred in the Church over this past year - the first of the trilogy leading to Jubilee 2000, reminiscing with the Curia on the joys and sorrows of 1997. 1997 to read more.
"In God we trust." Do we really?
From a new poll just released...and no, it's not Gallup...the answer is "Yes!" According to the Pew Research poll 71% believe in the existence of God. That's an increase of 11% over the same poll taken ten years ago. Even of greater significance was the findings that the number of those who believe in Heavenly miracles increased dramatically in a decade - from 47% to 61%. Maybe our prayers are working. Religious Poll to read more.
Phony priests popping up south of the border
As if Mexico doesn't have enough problems with the poverty, weather and terrorism, now word comes that there could be at least seventy men posing as priests in three states. They are exploiting the poor and wealthy as well and spreading heresies, not to mention scandal. The dioceses are on the alert and soon they will be ferretted out. phony priests to read more.
Acknowledgment:
 To subscribe to Catholic World News Service, available daily by e-mail, click on the CWN icon .
PRAYERS & DEVOTION
Prayer to the Holy Family
Lord Jesus Christ, being subject to Mary and Joseph, You sanctified family life by Your beautiful virtues. Grant that we, with the help of Mary and Joseph, may be taught by the example of Your holy Family, and may after death enjoy its everlasting companionship.
Lord Jesus, help us ever to follow the example of Your holy Family, that in the hour of our death Your glorious Virgin Mother together with Saint Joseph may come to meet us, and we may be worthy to be received by You into the everlasting joys of Heaven. You live and reign forever. Amen.
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PROVERB OF THE DAY"Wealth quickly gotten dwindles away, but amassed little by little, it grows." Proverbs 13: 11
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To review past articles, click on Archives to read text or the following articles in graphics for November are available if you NOVEMBER ISSUES
To read the graphics version of the December issues,
DECEMBER ISSUES
Coming
MONDAY:
Golden Chalice Award to a Significant Site of the Week
The Meaning of the Fifth Day of Christmas
Father Stephen Valenta, OFM Conv. brings us Hearts to Heart Talk
...and more!
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