20+ min ago (612+ words) Are you familiar with the Divine Office, also called the Liturgy of the Hours?" This prayer is rooted in the Church's history, and is beautiful and powerful." The Divine Office is a participation in the unceasing praises of God in heaven. It is an act of earthly union with the saints in heaven." Drawn from the Psalms and Old Testament, it is an ancient tradition in which the whole Church says certain prayers together at Morning, Evening, and Night each day (with a few other optional times of prayer throughout the day and night)." Here is how it's described in the constitution on the sacred liturgy from Vatican II: Christ Jesus, high priest of the new and eternal covenant, taking human nature, introduced into this earthly exile that hymn which is sung throughout all ages in the halls of heaven. He…...

52+ min ago (435+ words) Thursday night saw the lighting of the national Christmas tree from the White House by President Donald Trump along with First Lady Melania Trump. Although this tradition has been going on for more than 100 years, Trump's speech at the ceremony was an exceptional one for our time. The president did not provide an anodyne message of "thankfulness" or "holiday cheer." He decided to correctly focus the attention of the crowd on one true reason for Christmas " our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. "During this holy season, Christians everywhere rejoice at the miracle in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago when the Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, came down from Heaven to be with us," the president said to cheers. In response to the cheering crowd, he gave a simple, "you're right." "Full of grace and truth, he…...

1+ hour, 22+ min ago (1388+ words) Home / Living / Religion & Belief Archdiocese of Dubuque plan to address shortage of priests and declines in attendance raise concerns as feedback period closes Dec. 7, 2025 5:30 am Dan Goedken attended a meeting this month at the church where he is a member, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Petersburg, Iowa. When he got home, his wife, Mary Goedken, was struck by Dan's dejected demeanor as he described the meeting, an informational and feedback session about the Archdiocese of Dubuque's ongoing Journey in Faith process. "I could hear the defeat in his voice," Mary recalled. The archdiocese this fall released proposed models for future parish collaboration as part of the ongoing planning initiative. Under the proposals, archdiocesan parishes would merge to form pastorates, with one or more churches in each pastorate designated as "recommended Sunday Mass locations," though the remaining churches still…...

1+ hour, 46+ min ago (627+ words) To lead the family in prayer and meditation. (Adapted and blended from several prayer books.) In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Amen. Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray (together): Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread." And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Some, or all, of these Scripture passages may be read: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in…...

1+ hour, 51+ min ago (666+ words) We cannot celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas without Mary. Nor can we observe Advent without the Blessed Mother." "Among creatures, no one knows Christ better than Mary; no one can introduce us to a profound knowledge of his mystery better than his Mother," wrote St. John Paul II in his apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (The Most Holy Rosary)." During Advent, then, as we get ready to welcome Jesus at Christmas, we also must joyfully take the time to celebrate and prepare with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her intense and joyful waiting for her Son to enter the world is a model for all who want the fullness of Christ's presence in their lives, as reflected in a quote often attributed to St. Teresa of Calcutta, "No Mary, no Jesus." These Advent days are marked by Marian devotion....

1+ hour, 52+ min ago (250+ words) A devotional for week two of Advent Stand firm then . . . with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. The moment we accept the gift of Jesus we have access to complete peace. This undeserved and unexplainable peace deepens in us as we walk in faith, yet there are times when we do not feel at peace. Jesus understands our human default towards anxiousness, and He is gentle with us when we falter. What compassion! What love! We can fully trust, fully rest, and fully surrender because He is our peace. God accepted us at our worst. He saw our most despicable moments'our wretched thoughts and wounding words'yet the invitation to go deeper with Him remains. He extends and expands this same welcome to all peoples and nations'a peace-bringing welcome that comes only from the…...

3+ hour, 21+ min ago (216+ words) John the Baptist takes center stage in the Gospels in all three Lectionary cycles on the Second and Third Sundays of Advent. Advent with the Saints: John the Baptist John the Baptist takes center stage in the Gospels in all three Lectionary cycles on the Second and Third Sundays of Advent. He strides dramatically onto the scene, preaching in the desert and calling people to baptism. His camel's hair clothing and diet of locusts and honey make him what a friend called "the kind of person who causes parents to draw their children closer as he passes." John's message is indeed one of challenge. He makes it clear that to prepare for the coming of the promised Messiah, we must repent and make his paths straight. Here he echoes his Old Testament counterpart, and fellow Advent prophet, Isaiah. John appears…...

5+ hour, 3+ min ago (344+ words) Those aliens would also note that, in modern times, these "Houses of God" and the number of people who worship within them are in serious decline. Here in Western New York, this is all too clear as so many Catholic churches have gone dark and locked their doors. Especially as Christmas approaches, worshippers carry the burden of a lost past and struggle to keep the faith. But some of the most exquisite edifices still remain open. Below is an excerpt from my short story "Dressing for a Funeral" in which I take a close look at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna. As we walked across the parking lot toward the church, there was a shout from behind. "Father," hollered a slightly hunched man with a US Marine-style brush cut and wire-rim glasses. He pointed accusingly at the priest's…...

6+ hour, 44+ min ago (160+ words) I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down... "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have…...

7+ hour, 37+ min ago (159+ words) At Utah Valley Institute devotional, Elder Ronald A. Rasband Rasband counsels to "form loving friendships, and find wise and faithful mentors." At packed Utah Valley Institute devotional, Elder Rasband counsels to "form loving friendships, find wise and faithful mentors" Apostle also says students "peacefully reflected the light and love that Jesus Christ has" following Sept. 10 UVU shooting OREM, Utah " Using examples from the scriptures and early Church history as well as personal experiences, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles extolled the virtues and impacts of good friends and mentors as he spoke to a standing-room-only devotional Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Utah Valley Institute in Orem, Utah. "I counsel all of you tonight: form loving friendships, and find wise and faithful mentors," he invited. Elder Rasband singled out Jesus Christ as "our most cherished friend," saying "In friendship,…...