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This is a bad situation. But it could have been a lot worse.... ...I'd hoped that three non-life-threatening injuries was the extent of casualties. As of early evening of Christmas Day, that seems unlikely. "...Possible human remains..." does not sound hopeful. Motive is also an apparently-unknown part of the puzzle.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

(My corner of small town America around noon, Christmas Eve.) It's Christmas Eve afternoon here in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Weather, Wind Chill, Memory and Deciding Wednesday's blizzard became a wind chill advisory, which has since retreated to lands north and west of my home. ...What we do each year, and how we do it, matters. But it's not nearly as important as why we get together and celebrate.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

          Para entender lo que puede implicar para nosotros los católicos el hecho normal y médico de vacunarse contra el COVID 19.  Documento del Vaticano https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/es/bollettino/pubblico/2020/12/21/nota.html  Y aquí una orientación de la Federación Internacional de Asociaciones de Médicos Católicos sobre la vacuna Pfizer / BioNTech COVID-19 no presenta problemas éticos para los católicos: https://es.aleteia.org/2020/12/22/la-vacuna-pfizer-es-segura-y-etica/ Por: QNTLC  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy7ymPH4VQc&feature=youtu.be  

(Wednesday noon, December 23, 2020; my webcam's view of Sauk Centre's south side.) Tuesday afternoon's winter storm warning for my part of central Minnesota became a blizzard warning in the evening. We were promised a chance of freezing rain. But I didn't notice any Wednesday morning. On the other hand, wind was picking up and by noon snow wasn't coming down. It was coming across. I'd probably have got out to the Eucharistic Adoration chapel for my 2:00-3:00 Wednesday afternoon turn, if my wife hadn't said I should think about it. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Adoration of the Shepherds Murillo, painted 1646-50 [ Web Gallery of Art ] The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord  has four different Mass formularies, each with its own prayers and readings. Any of the four fulfils our obligation to attend Mass. These are: Vigil Mass , celebrated 'either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer) of the Nativity'; that means starting between 5pm and 7pm. Mass During the Night , known before as 'Midnight Mass'. Mass at Dawn . Mass During the Day . The readings from the Jerusalem Bible for the four Masses are all on one page but with links to each individual Mass. When you click on 'Readings' below from the New American Bible you will find links to the readings for each of the four Masses.   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   (Mass During the Night)  Luke 2:1-14  ( English S...

(Now that I have your attention.) Last Sunday's homily included mention of the 'wheat and tares' parable. Or was it Sunday before last? Either way, that parable didn't fit the Gospel reading. But the off-season reference put wheat, weeds and questions on my mind's front desk. And reminded me of a 'Wheat and Tares' post I wrote about a half-dozen years back. Then, a few days ago, I was told that the Catholic Church is a terrorist organization. I started writing about that, added a revised version of the old 'wheat and tares' post, and wound up with this: Belonging to an (allegedly) "Terrorist Organization" ?? Beware the Satanic Papal Octopus: Legacy, Cycle A and an Angry God God: Large and In Charge The Beginning of Wisdom Fear of the Lord and Karaoke To Seek, Know, and Love God Wheat and Weeds More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

The first shipments of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine arrived in America this week. Folks are getting immunized, including health care workers. I think that's good news.... As I see it, all that's good news. I'd prefer focusing exclusively on the 'up' side. But there's an ethical problem with the new vaccines. I'll be talking about that, and why getting immunized when it's my turn still makes sense. COVID-19 Vaccines and a Little History Ethical Concerns HEK 293 Donor: RIP Options and "The Mark of the Beast" Statistics and Death Love, Neighbors and the Common Good Remembering, and Learning From, Our Past First Vaccines Arrive: "...Healing is Coming" The Inevitable Link Lists (and resources, too) From the USCCB My stuff More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

    The Annunciation  (1595-1600) 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 1:26-38 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,   to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.   And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favoured one, the Lord is with you!”   But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.   And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.   And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.   He will be great and will b...

Advent started November 29, a couple Sundays back. It's my faith's Christmas warmup. I'll get back to that. My culture's Christmas begins after Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.... ...Today I'll be talking about Advent's serious side: a song that's been sung at funerals, a Nativity painting's crucifix, introspection and shortcomings. Also ♪ magi on Segways with Amazon cartons. ♪ (Try singing it to the tune of "My Favorite Things," from "Sound of Music:" The bit that goes "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens....") Anyway, these are today's headings: "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel" — Plainsong, Burial Chant and Advent Hymn Heaven's Peace: a Work in Progress Advent: Ordinary Folks, Unique Events Something Odd O Hipster Night Illustrators and Illustrations Joy and Shadow Joseph's Options News: Not Entirely Bad; Unsettling; and Disbelieved Herod,...

  The “Come Holy Spirit” prayer really hit me the other day in the midst of the darkness surrounding us due to the pandemic, especially this line: “Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.” As I sat with scripture and my lighted Advent wreath, I reflected on the fact that God is, in fact, renewing the face of the earth!   My candles brought light into the cloudy day and I felt comforted by God’s presence. In the midst of this virus that is running rampant, the best thing we can do is protect ourselves from hopelessness. I remember on various occasions, my Mom would tell me she had to turn off the news because it was too depressing.   For those who lived through September 11, 2001 and watched the replays of the planes hitting the twin towers, you know what I mean.   You can only take so much bad news. It occurred to me the other day after I watched yet another account of a family who lost a loved one, that w...

    St John the Baptist Donatello [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   John 1:6-8, 19-28 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.   He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.   He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”   He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”   And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”   So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about your...