Catholic Fire

May 29, 2013. (Romereports.com) During his weekly catechesis Pope Francis talked about the role of the Church. But before that, the Pope made his way through St. Peter's Square where about 90,000 people were gathered. Despite the rainy weather, the Pope maid a point to greet the crowds. POPE FRANCIS “I congratulate all of you for having the courage to come out in the rain. You're strong! Even if the weather wasn't ideal, there was time for some endearing moments like this one, where a boy gave Pope Francis a puppet that resembled  the Pontiff himself. During his catechesis the Pope addressed the popular notion of those who say they believe in Christ, but not in the Church. POPE FRANCIS “There are those who say, 'I believe in God, but not in priests. I believe in Christ, but not in the Church.' But it's the very Church that leads us to Christ. The Church is God's family. And yes, it's true that the Church also has human characteristics in its ...

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"There is no shadow, no matter how dark it is, that is capable of clouding the light of Christ. "Because of this, hope never falters in those who believe in Christ, not today either, faced with the great social and economic crisis in which humanity finds itself... What moves us and guides our activity, both in the good moments and in the bad, is the great hope founded in the promises of God...But precisely this is her joy, which no one can take away: to be the 'sign and instrument' of he who is 'lumen gentium,' light for the peoples." ~ Pope Benedict XVI, in his homily for the Mass on the feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 2009

Fr. Jeffrey, Catholic priest in the Society of St. Paul, embraces the holiday traditions surrounding Christmas but reminds the viewer to also embrace the Holyday essence of this great feast. The Knights of Columbus share some great ways to keep Christ in Christmas here. Internet Padre has a wonderful site here.

1. "They brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord...)" (Lk 2,22). Today, forty days after Christmas, the Church relives the mystery of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. She relives it with the astonishment of the Holy Family of Nazareth, enlightened by the full revelation of that "child", who - as the first and second readings have reminded us - is the eschatological judge promised by the prophets (Ml 3,1-3), the "merciful and faithful high priest" who came to "expiate the sins of the people" (Heb 2,17). The Child, whom Mary and Joseph lovingly brought to the Temple, is the Word Incarnate, the Redeemer of man and of history! Today, commemorating what took place on that day in Jerusalem, we are invited to enter the Temple, to meditate on the mystery of Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of the Father who, by means of his Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery, became the Firstborn of redeemed ...