Time to light the advent wreath candle for Week One!
      While you're observing the ritual of Advent, take a moment to read the reflection on Sacred Scripture by Cyndi Cain entitled "Putting on the mantle of virtue". Click on "Come Unto Me"

Dressed to kill!
      The sacred garments of religious help to kill the vices satan offers so tantalizingly to the world. For centuries the cassocks and habits, often black, were a sign that the person wearing this uniform of the cloth had totally renounced the world and its values for a higher calling. Today, especially many nuns, have lost that edge because rather than dressing to kill the seven deadly sins, they have opted to expose themselves to the wiles of the devil by discarding the habit. In today's editorial entitled Kicking the Habit wasn't the answer! we give our pewpoint on why vocations have slipped so drastically and the faithful have lost their sense of direction Click on CATHOLIC PewPoint

'Tis the season for giving!
      One nun who has her head on straight as well as her holy habit is Sister Mary Lucy Astuto, a traditional religious who realizes the vitality and virtueality of her vocation. In her weekly column GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER she reminds us of the precious gift we have in our supreme pontiff and how, with Christmas just around the corner, we can reciprocate with a special gift for him. Click on A Gift for the Holy Father

No matter what you call it, call it right!
      One of the biggest problems with miscommunication within liturgical circles and among the faithful is the terminology of duties and observances. The Instruction on the Role of the Laity in Assisting the Priests, issued by the Vatican on November 13, helps to clarify many misnoners. We continue our daily installments of this entire 37-page document with the tenth installment, beginning the PRACTICAL PROVISIONS with Article 1 entitled Need for an Appropriate Terminology. Click on THE VICAR OF CHRIST SPEAKS

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NEWS
& VIEWS
with a Catholic slant HEADLINES:

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Saints be praised, sure n' begorrah, Ireland 'tis a safer place today!
      Thanks to the countless prayers of this tiny emerald isle and the good conduct of the IRA and Protestants in Northern Ireland, British authorities are convinced peace can be achieved - thus pulling their troops out of the Catholic areas in the western section of Belfast. Click on Belfast to read more.

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Poles apart come together in Solidarity at the Vatican
     The newly elected prime minister of Poland, whose victory was assured by the Catholic vote, was warmly accepted by fellow countryman Pope John Paul II on Thursday in a show of support for the solidarity program in Poland which is seeking to reunite the masses, beginning with a better relationship with the Holy See. Click on Poland to read more.

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Parents in Mexico say "no" to scum TV
      Backed by the President of Mexico, a strong contingent of pro-family organizations have succeeded in affecting viewing in the Mexico City area by pressuring Mexican television networks to cancel questionable programming. Click on Parents to read more.

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Acknowledgment:
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Medjugorje Monthly Message
November 25th Message     Dear children: Today I invite you to comprehend your Christian vocation. Little children, I led and am leading you through this time of grace, that you may become conscious of your Christian vocation. Holy martyrs died witnessing: I am a Christian and love God over everything. Little children, today also I invite you to rejoice and be joyful Christians, responsible and conscious that God called you in a special way to be joyfully extended hands toward those who do not believe, and that through the example of your life, they may receive faith and love for God. Therefore, pray, pray, pray that your heart may open and be sensitive for the Word of God. Thank you for having responded to my call!
For more on Medjugorje, Click on MEDJUGORJE

PROVERB OF THE DAYVirtue is the benchmark of Vocations "The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves the man who pursues virtue." Proverbs 15: 9

To review past articles, click on Archives to read text or the following articles in graphics for November are available if you click on NOVEMBER ISSUES

Coming MONDAY: Another "Golden Chalice Award" will be given to a Significant Site of the Week Father Stephen Valenta's Column More on the on-going Synod of America 11th installment of Vatican Document on Laity ...and much, much more!