This old English carol is the processional at our parish this weekend. Fittingly, for this Sunday devoted to the Holy Family, the words tell of each member of that family:  The snow lay on the ground, The stars shone bright, When Christ our Lord was born On Christmas night. Venite adoremus Dominum; Venite adoremus Dominum. Refrain: Venite adoremus Dominum; Venite adoremus Dominum; Venite adoremus Dominum; Venite adoremus Dominum; ‘Twas Mary maid, so young and strong, Who welcomed here the Christchild... Read more

Details: An unassuming Manassas office park Forestwood Lane once served as a flashpoint in the abortion debate, with an abortion clinic and a center designed to dissuade women from choosing the procedure sitting side-by-side in a squat, brown building. These days, both businesses are gone, and it’s been years since crowds of protesters packed the clinic parking lot. But recent changes have put the building back in the spotlight. A Catholic charity has opened a free medical clinic in the... Read more

This story about the “Prayer of the Donkey” reminded me of a carol from my childhood. I first learned this over 50 years ago, but you rarely hear it performed or sung anymore. Some background: “The Friendly Beasts” is a traditionalChristmas song about the gifts that a donkey, cow, sheep, camel, and dove give to Jesus at the Nativity. The song seems to have originated in 12th-century France, set to the melody of the Latin song “Orientis Partibus”. The current... Read more

This year, in the United States, no. The USCCB notes on its liturgical calendar: Since the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God on January 1, 2018 falls on a Monday this year, it is not observed as a Holy Day of Obligation. Catholic Answers explains:   In accord with the provisions of canon 1246 §2 of the Code of Canon Law, the USCCB has ruled: “Whenever January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15,... Read more

This is a lovely Christmas gift for television viewers, from the NBC Nightly News. Watch and enjoy. And check out their website, too! Read more

A remarkable and unexpected vocation story: After an anti-clerical childhood and adolescence, filled with hatred for the Church, Father Juan José Martínez says he discovered “that God exists and wants me as his priest.” “Sunday mornings I would peer out of the balcony of my house, and when the people were going by on their way to Mass, I would spit on them. I told them that the Church was a sect that wanted their money,” explained the priest, who... Read more

This is surprising and uplifting, from her new Hulu series “I Love You, America.” The conversation circles around gang violence, politics, respect, love and much more. Check it out.   Read more

I was wondering about this the other day—and how this could impact the church. Here’s one answer from the founder of a non-profit in The Los Angeles Times:  Unfortunately for nonprofits, the new rules are going to discourage charitable donations. At a time when discretionary government services are diminishing, and as deeper cuts are contemplated, the role of nonprofits in filling the holes in the social safety net is becoming more essential. Charities have been stepping up to provide emergency... Read more

My friend Father Gregory West has recently unveiled the stunning designs for the church his parish will be building soon in Charleston:  Daniel Island’s Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church silenced song and prayer to unveil their new design plan for their future parish that is planned for the island community in 2021. After four years of faithfulness, parishioners will finally have a place of prayer to call home. Their prayers have been answered, according to Father Gregory West, Pastor... Read more

Ladies and gentlemen, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Jim Gaffigan. When was the last time you saw a standup comic doing that? This is a screen shot from Instagram, where his proud wife posted a short video showing her husband distributing the Eucharist during the Mass at Christmas. Keep up the good work, Mr. Gaffigan. Next thing you know, someone will ask you if you’ve ever thought of becoming a deacon… So…have you??? Read more