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December 2019

December 19

New diplomats to Vatican meet with Pope Francis

December 19, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Peace requires setting aside indifference and fear so that a feeling of mutual respect may grow and flourish, Pope Francis told diplomats.

Authors: Media coverage misleads on Vatican finances

December 19, 2019

WASHINGTON -- Recent media coverage that points to potential financial misdealing at the Vatican is creating misperceptions about corruption and fails to adequately explain how the fluid world of financial investing works, said the authors of an article published in a University of Notre Dame journal.

Bethlehem has a special hold on family

December 19, 2019

BETHLEHEM, West Bank -- Brothers Peter and Eli Hosh grew up knowing that their hometown was not only the place where they went to school and ran down to the corner market for their mother, but the town where Jesus was born.

Teens sentenced to two years probation for sex assaults at St. Michael’s College School

December 19, 2019

Three former students at Toronto’s St. Michael’s College School were sentenced to two years probation on Dec. 19 for their part in sexual assaults committed on campus in 2018.

Luke Stocking: Statuette creates an Advent moment

December 19, 2019

I am holding a statuette. It came to our office from the Indigenous Missionary Council (CIMI) of Amazonas state in Brazil. It is a naked Indigenous woman with long black hair. She is kneeling. A child is visible in her red womb.

Covenant House fights the lonely battles

December 19, 2019

Over the past 24 years, Carol Howes has seen a lot of teens face Christmas alone in a shelter, wondering where they belong and whether they have a future.

December 20

Faith roots run deep among 12 siblings

December 20, 2019

Christmas was always special in the D’Cruz family — that tends to happen when there are 12 kids — but through the decades they have never let the secular overtake the religious in celebrating the season.

Pope Francis records video of Christmas wishes with U.N. chief

December 20, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis and the secretary-general of the United Nations said that, like millions of people around the world, during the Christmas season their thoughts turn to yearnings for peace and for the well-being of those in need.

Lights, camera ... and holiday cheer: The best of Christmas spirit on film

December 20, 2019

’Tis the season to be jolly, light the Advent wreath (I mean light the candles on the Advent wreath), dive into the amazing daily Advent Scripture readings, send out Christmas cards and newsletters, donate to the Salvation Army, re-gift fruitcake AND … watch a bunch of holiday movies with family and friends!

Gerry Turcotte: Truce of 1914: A glimpse of man’s good

December 20, 2019

It truly does seem, at times, as though the news of the world is relentlessly despairing.

‘Silent Night’ sends timeless message

December 20, 2019

WASHINGTON -- One of the most beloved Christmas carols of all time is now into its third century.

December 21

The three (or four) men of mystery

December 21, 2019

As mysterious to the three wise men as the light that appeared in the western heavens, so too is the mystery surrounding these magi who followed that star to Bethlehem and bore gifts for the newborn Jesus.

Jesuits will name ‘credibly accused’

December 21, 2019

OTTAWA -- Canada’s Jesuits are planning to do what no other Catholic religious order in the country has done — release the names of priests “credibly accused” of sexual abuse of minors.

Mary’s Meals puts on a virtual feast

December 21, 2019

You are cordially invited to join the biggest Christmas dinner table in the world … and feed a child for a whole school year at the same time.

Scheer can only blame himself, say critics

December 21, 2019

OTTAWA -- The Dec. 12 resignation of Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer was ultimately caused by his reluctance to more vigorously champion social conservative values based on Catholic faith, claim pro-life and social conservative groups.

Cathy Majtenyi: Christmas sets the tone for our faith journey

December 21, 2019

As Catholics, we all know Christ is the reason for the season. We try our best not to let the materialism of the moment eclipse the birth of Christ. Many of us manage to carve out time to attend midnight Mass and even participate in Advent prayers and events.

Network dreaming of green Christmas

December 21, 2019

This year, as in each and every year, the Green Church Network is wishing one and all a Green Christmas.

December 22

God's Word on Sunday: A Spirit-filled life begins with family

December 22, 2019

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Dec. 29 (Year A) Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 Where and how do we learn compassion and gratitude?

Christ’s birth sheds light on reconciliation

December 22, 2019

The following is an edited version of the annual Christmas message from the president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Richard Gagnon of Winnipeg:

The art of the season

December 22, 2019

The works of renowned Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz will be prominent over Christmas at Washington, D.C.’s Museum of the Bible.