Merry Christmas!

Crossing the Tiber

There's an old saying for when an Anglican sees the light and joins the Catholic Church that they've 'swum the Tiber' . . . last week might not have been a good time to do that, as days becoming weeks of incessant rain caused the Tiber to flood its banks, threatening some of the bridges joining East and West.


















Father Manuel brings us these vivid photos of a river swollen past recent records. Amongst other moments of excitement, the word was that several moored boats broke loose and were wedged up against one of the bridges, potentially requiring dynamite to break them apart to avoid damaging the bridge.
















Happily, after the heights seen in these photos, the rain remitted, and the river followed course shortly thereafter.

















Photos by P. Manuel A. Hurtado Puebla

Feliz Dia!

It was good times and great oldies on the Second Sunday of Advent: the students of the Mexican College, who know how to throw a party when called upon, held their huge annual celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Opening with Mass that led into a procession of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we walked to the college from the nearby parish, where festivities continued with mucha comida and mucha musica--including the mariachi!






Photo by P. Manuel A. Hurtado Puebla

Embarking

OK, it's been a little while, but to bring you up to speed I need to glance back to Saturday of the First Week of Advent:

I was able to witness 13 sisters on Saturday as they launched into a new chapter of life; on a crisp, clear December afternoon, these Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa's order made their final profession at the Church of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem.

Walking from the Basilica of John Lateran:
















Already having begun their journey in the first stages of discernment, living in the community as beginners, they had arrived at the point of launching into a lifelong commitment.

Walking to the church where the Mass would take place, we passed the statue of Saint Francis shown arriving in the city with his brothers. Seen from the front he is shown in the joy of arriving, but when seen from behind, his upraised hands are apparent as holding up the Basilica of John Lateran.















So also are these sisters, who arriving a new point of arrival, in making this commitment form the vital support to the neediest in the Church and in the world.

The Church of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem houses the relics of the true cross in Rome. What an appropriate image as these sisters, who pray daily before a crucifix that has beside it the words, "I Thirst", affirm that true love is deepest in the deepest of suffering.

Blessed Advent!

In many ways this is the most peaceful time of year--if you listen to the prayers of the season instead of the commercials of the vendors. You'd never know from Main Street the stillness that precedes the Silent Night. Even from the liturgy, however, you might not catch that this is a peace-filled season. During these first weeks of preparing for Christ's coming, the focus is on his Second Coming: the theme popularly known as the Apocalypse or Armageddon, whichever term brings about more images of total disaster.

But the prayers and readings of Advent recognize that the End of the World is seen by the Church as the bride sees the return of her husband--an event of eager anticipation.

As the weeks progress, Christ the Bridegroom is remembered for his original arrival--the chorused baby in the manger. Neither coming brings anxiety for a disciple--both reconfirm the abundance of God's care.

If you feel these privileged days are slipping by too quickly, the blog at Half a Dozen Productions has been posting ideas on 'How to Make Advent More Like Advent and Less Like Christmas'. Take a look--these days are yours for the savoring!

That Takes Spirit

The Catholic Spirit publishes out of the Twin Cities, and it caught the story here of 8-year-old Freya who was at Mass and heard about the ongoing violence in Darfur and decided to do something about it. Freya tapped into the resources of the patroness of missions and started making and selling St. Therese prayer beads, sending the profits to help combat the genocide in Sudan. You can follow her blog, Deeds for Darfur, as well as supporting her by buying a $5 set requested from Deedsfordarfur@ymail.com. She's already raised almost 500 dollars, and plans to continue forging ahead!

St Therese, pray for us!