TUESDAY

January 6, 1998     vol 9, no. 4

     The unofficial feast of Epiphany is also the last day for anyone holding a $15 subscription. After today the ANNUAL PASSPORTS,Monthly Passes, or Quarterly Portals go into effect. We remind you the subscription for an ANNUAL PASSPORTS is less than a dime a day: Only $33. for 250 issues a year, plus access to all back issues over the past two years. Monthly Passes are $7. per month; Quarterly Portals are $15. for three months. Those who want to renew for the special 10% discount have until midnight Central Time TONIGHT to renew at that price. To renew or subscribe for the first time, Click on Subscribe.

     In honor of Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior, reported to be astrologers/astronomers from the east, we present a new look today. We've dispensed with the traditional borders and given the background a galaxy look. Let us know what you think of it and if we should continue with it in future issues or stay with what we've been using. Also, if you have any questions let us know, Click on Webmaster.

     Many have questions on why Epiphany is no longer celebrated on January 6th. After Vatican II, the liturgical calendar was changed - streamlined, if you will, and the feast of the Epiphany, once always celebrated on January 6th, was delegated to the first Sunday of January unless it falls on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, in which case it would be celebrated on the sixth. Church liturgists argue that by placing the feast on Sunday it gives it more importance and more of the faithful can celebrate the feast when the wise men arrived bearing gifts for the Christ-child. It was also traditionally the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas and the transition period to Ordinary Time beginning with the Feast next Sunday of the Baptism of the Lord leading to Lent. This will be the last issue we feature anything of Christmas for after today, creche sets are taken down and packed away for another year. Lights are stripped from the trees, ornaments neatly wrapped, and the tree discarded. It is a time to look ahead toward the Spring during this time of limbo known as winter. During this week, like the snow on the ground, the vestments are white. Today we celebrate the feast of the Canadian lay brother Blessed Andre Bissette and the miracles surrounding this holy man. Click on LITURGY OF THE DAY.

As we resume our regular series this week, we pick up where we left off in our on-going megaseries on Church history, leaving Pope Urban III where we left him - forgotten - we meet Pope Gregory VIII a holy pontiff who, in less than three months righted the ship and set the course for Holy Mother Church for years to come through his decrees and exemplification. For the fifty second installment, click onHISTORY OF THE MASS AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH

In the twentieth column entitled Loving the Revealer (part two) by Father John Hampsch, C.M.F. he hits home today on the essence of love and true faith exhibited by Jesus, present with us always in the Holy Eucharist. Yet there were many who rejected Him and His teaching and Fr. John warns us all we need to have "primary" and "secondary" faith in order to truly understand the truths the Revealer reveals to us and reap the rewards He has promised. Click on KEYS TO LIVING GOD'S WILL

In the sixty eighth Lesson/Meditation, LIVING THE EIGHTH BEATITUDE IN SUFFERING PERSECUTION the Blessed Mother reminds us that we must be committed to her Divine Son in suffering all in His name and for Him. If we do we will be rewarded as He promised. The lesson is short but powerful and contains the answers to withstanding all as a member of the Church Militant. Click on THE HIDDEN WAY

    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, Click on MEDJUGORJE

HEADLINES:

John Paul II reaches out to people of Assisi and surrounding regions

     This past weekend the Holy Father touched thousands in the mountain regions of Umbria where he traveled to personally offer his sympathies and support. He climaxed his short stint north of Rome with a visit to Assisi to console the Franciscans who lost fellow brothers in the late September earthquake, concluding with a private moment at the tomb of Saint Francis below the Basilica partially damaged by the tremors. Click on Assisi visit to read more.

Holy Father despises terror and killings in Burundi and Algeria, extends heartfelt condolences

      The terrible slaughters of over 400 people in Northern Africa from the continued terrorism of civil war was felt all the way to the Vatican when the Pope specifically called out to the world to help stop the senseless killings among tribesmen. He blamed the disregard for human life and the growing culture of death for fostering revenge among the peoples in this land. Click on Violence to read more.

Boys Scouts' Motto: Be Prepared! They better be in a fight to preserve spiritual values.

      The Boy Scouts of America, headquartered near Irving, Texas will be put to the ultimate test in California over the next three months when they are challenged by a small section of rabble-rousing gays and atheists, trying to topple this giant nurturer of boys for generations in the United States. The Boy Scouts, one of the last great secular bastions representing family values and and icon of wholesomeness for young men everywhere, is going to fight to preserve its integrity as well as its purposes, with God a central part of its organization. Click on Boy Scouts to read more.

      Lord our God, friend of the lowly, you gave your servant, Blessed Brother Andre, a great devotion to Saint Joseph and a special commitment to the poor and afflicted. Through his intercession help us to follow his example of prayer and love and so come to share with him in Your glory.

For all other standard features, articles and columns, click on Archives

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January 6, 1998 volume 9, no. 4         DAILY CATHOLIC