A surprising answer. Sorry, I didn't see this earlier.
From Calculating Christians by William J. Tighe:
"Many Christians think that Christians celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25th because the church fathers appropriated the date of a pagan festival. Almost no one minds, except for a few groups on the fringes of American Evangelicalism, who seem to think that this makes Christmas itself a pagan festival. But it is perhaps interesting to know that the choice of December 25th is the result of attempts among the earliest Christians to figure out the date of Jesus’ birth based on calendrical calculations that had nothing to do with pagan festivals.
Rather, the pagan festival of the “Birth of the Unconquered Son” instituted by the Roman Emperor Aurelian on 25 December 274, was almost certainly an attempt to create a pagan alternative to a date that was already of some significance to Roman Christians. Thus the “pagan origins of Christmas” is a myth without historical substance."
Wednesday, January 7, 2004
An Example of Another Way Bishop's are Named
Here we have a model that is still practiced by Eastern Catholics and could greatly benefit Latin Catholics:
From VIS:
Pope John Paul II
- Approved the election canonically carried out by the Synod of Bishops of the Church Armenian Catholic Church, which met in Bzommar, Lebanon from September 1-9, 2003, of Fr. Kricor-Okosdinos Coussa, pastor of Holy Cross
Parish in Alep, Syria and of Holy Martyrs Parish in Rakka, Syria, as bishop of the eparchy of Alexandria of the Armenians (Catholics 1,276, priests 1, religious 5), Egypt. The bishop-elect was born in Alep in 1953 was ordained
a priest in 1980.
Notice the number of priests he has under him, as well as laity!
From VIS:
Pope John Paul II
- Approved the election canonically carried out by the Synod of Bishops of the Church Armenian Catholic Church, which met in Bzommar, Lebanon from September 1-9, 2003, of Fr. Kricor-Okosdinos Coussa, pastor of Holy Cross
Parish in Alep, Syria and of Holy Martyrs Parish in Rakka, Syria, as bishop of the eparchy of Alexandria of the Armenians (Catholics 1,276, priests 1, religious 5), Egypt. The bishop-elect was born in Alep in 1953 was ordained
a priest in 1980.
Notice the number of priests he has under him, as well as laity!
New Co-adjutor for Kansas City
From the VIS:
Pope John Paul II
- Appointed Bishop Joseph F. Naumann, auxiliary of St. Louis, U.S.A. as coadjutor archbishop of the archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (area 32,425, population 1,174,500, Catholics 197,752, priests 159, religious
756), U.S.A.
Notice the number of secular priests verss religious in this diocese, is that right?
Pope John Paul II
- Appointed Bishop Joseph F. Naumann, auxiliary of St. Louis, U.S.A. as coadjutor archbishop of the archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (area 32,425, population 1,174,500, Catholics 197,752, priests 159, religious
756), U.S.A.
Notice the number of secular priests verss religious in this diocese, is that right?
Interesting Read, Novel by Cloistered Nun
What makes Amata Means Beloved most interesting is that the author herself is a cloistered religious. So this is not a story written by a clever researcher but rather a tale about what goes on behind the cloister walls written by someone who lives there.
One can imagine that not a few of the stories told about the sisters in the novel reflect the stories of the actual nuns living with Sister Mary Catharine in their Monastery in N.J.
The story is a quick read and a real page turner, plus here is a way to contribute to a community of nuns that are praying for you day and night...
One can imagine that not a few of the stories told about the sisters in the novel reflect the stories of the actual nuns living with Sister Mary Catharine in their Monastery in N.J.
The story is a quick read and a real page turner, plus here is a way to contribute to a community of nuns that are praying for you day and night...
How the New Bishop of Phoenix Spent His Christmas Eve
Praying Outside an Abortuary (Thanks to Pat Madrid at Envoy for linking to this story...see I told you they were orthodox over there).
From How the New Bishop of Phoenix Spent His Christmas Eve - Praying Outside an Abortuary:
"Only days after taking on his new position as the Bishop of Phoenix, Thomas J. Olmsted, joined some 200 pro-lifers in praying outside a Planned Parenthood abortuary - on Christmas Eve. The Arizona public reported it as the bishop's first public non-liturgical act as the new bishop.
The bishop's participation, although kept quiet, swelled the numbers at the prayer rally to the largest in several years.
Commenting to the media on his presence at the prayer rally Bishop Olmsted said:
'Christmas is a celebration of God becoming one of us, entering fully into our human life, especially as an unborn child in his mother's womb. I am here to pray, not to protest. I am here to pray for the mother and the unborn child, especially those in difficult situations, that they get the help they need.'
In an especially powerful statement Bishop Olmsted said, 'This is Calvary, an innocent victim is dying here.'"
From How the New Bishop of Phoenix Spent His Christmas Eve - Praying Outside an Abortuary:
"Only days after taking on his new position as the Bishop of Phoenix, Thomas J. Olmsted, joined some 200 pro-lifers in praying outside a Planned Parenthood abortuary - on Christmas Eve. The Arizona public reported it as the bishop's first public non-liturgical act as the new bishop.
The bishop's participation, although kept quiet, swelled the numbers at the prayer rally to the largest in several years.
Commenting to the media on his presence at the prayer rally Bishop Olmsted said:
'Christmas is a celebration of God becoming one of us, entering fully into our human life, especially as an unborn child in his mother's womb. I am here to pray, not to protest. I am here to pray for the mother and the unborn child, especially those in difficult situations, that they get the help they need.'
In an especially powerful statement Bishop Olmsted said, 'This is Calvary, an innocent victim is dying here.'"
Make a Donation to Envoy Magazine
If you haven't picked up a copy or seen the great work that Envoy does in presenting the Faith in a way that is both orthodox and entertaining, check out there site. Give them a donation too...
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Tuesday, January 6, 2004
Who Introduced a Quote by Mahatma Gandhi
By saying, "you know, he ran a gas station down in St. Louis"?
ABCNEWS.com ::
After being approached by The Associated Press to clarify the remarks, XXXXXX suggested in a statement late Monday that she never meant to fuel the stereotype often used as a comedic punch line that certain ethnic groups run America's gas stations.
First of all, yes she did.
Secondly, if you read the piece you find that unlike most people who would be crucified and their political careers ruined--she is given a pass.
Who is it?
Go to ABC News and find out.
ABCNEWS.com ::
After being approached by The Associated Press to clarify the remarks, XXXXXX suggested in a statement late Monday that she never meant to fuel the stereotype often used as a comedic punch line that certain ethnic groups run America's gas stations.
First of all, yes she did.
Secondly, if you read the piece you find that unlike most people who would be crucified and their political careers ruined--she is given a pass.
Who is it?
Go to ABC News and find out.
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