End of Days

(C) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America

Some said the Mayan calendar predicted the end of the world, but doomsday, December 21, came and went.  But not without incident.  In this part of the world, a beautiful rainbow painted a glorious arch across the early morning sky.  A sign perhaps.  As the story goes, after the Flood, the rainbow was given as a sign of the Creator's covenant with Noah for a New Beginning.  (Gen. 9:13-17.)  Only hours from now, if we open our hearts, we may find another sign of a New Beginning:  A Child in a manger.  (Luke 2:7.)  A sign of New Life.   Of Hope. 

Mary, Full of Grace - Patroness of the United States

Immaculate Conception - Side Altar, Basilica in Denver, Colorado (C) 2012 On Being Roman Catholic in America

 



On December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we celebrate Mary, full of grace.  We celebrate Mary's participation in salvation history by her faithful "yes"--her acceptance, fiat, of God's will.  On this day, of all days, we are reminded that our relationship with God, the Creator, begins at the moment of our conception.  We ask Mary, Patroness of the United States, to pray with us for an end to the evil that promotes a cultural of death, and especially to safeguard and protect the child in the womb.

Respect Life Sunday

Litany to Mary (click picture)

 

On "Respect Life" Sunday, we are reminded of the beautiful prayer of John Paul the Great, entrusting the cause of life to Mary, "Mother of the living."

Year of Faith Begins October 11

Click on the logo to learn more about the design

 

 

A “Year of Faith” begins October 11, 2012.  What is the “Year of Faith,” and why?  Read here and here.

 

 

Lino Under the Dome

"Touchdown Jesus" mosaic, University of Notre Dame (source:Lino Rulli Facebook page)

A part of today's American Catholic culture, Lino Rulli, the Catholic Guy, brings a special brand of Catholic humor to every event:  the Home of the Fightin' Irish, Notre Dame, being no exception when Rulli recently visited the campus and its icons and tweeted from the Michigan game.