Association Of Catholic Bloggers

Today is New Year's Eve. It's also Saint Sylvester's Day, the 420th anniversary of the British East India Company's charter and the 141st anniversary of Thomas Edison's incandescent light demo. But mainly, I figure, for most Americans, today is New Year's Eve.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

  Adoration of the Magi Blessed Fra Angelico [ Web Gallery of Art ] In most countries where English is widely used The Epiphany is celebrated on this Sunday, 3 January 2021. However, in Ireland, where it is a holy day of obligation, the feast is observed on its traditional date, 6 January, Wednesday. Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel  Matthew 2:1-12 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,   saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”   When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;   and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enqui...

I'm seeing "The Best of," "Top 10" and "2020 Top" headlines in my news feed: as usual for late December. Instead of waiting for someone else to highlight this year's science news stories, I'm making my own 'top 10' list. Each item is something that caught my attention, seemed important, or has been lurking in my 'to do' folders. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

  Altar of Our Lady Jörg Zurn [ Web Gallery of Art ] Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God The Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord This is a Holyday of Obligation in the Philippines, the USA and some other countries. Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel  Luke 2:16-21 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) The shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.   And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.   And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.   But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.   And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Adoration of the Shepherds Murillo, painted 1650-55 [ Web Gall...

As the song says, "I'll be home for Christmas...." Here's a 74-second video I enjoyed this Sunday morning. Maybe you will, too..... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

    St Joseph and the Christ Child El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 2:22-40 [or 22, 39-40] ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they [the parents of Jesus] brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord  [(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)   and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons”.   Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.   And it had been revealed to h...