"O Holy Night"

As our Christmas celebration continues, I offer this version of Josh Groban singing "O Holy Night":

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of sacramentals and for the many ways in which You work through them.

On Keeping the Christmas Spirit Going Throughout the Year

"The best day of the year is behind us once more. December 25 has come and gone, the presents are all unwrapped, Christmas Mass is over, and soon the 12 Days of Christmas will be behind us too. As if that isn't enough, Walmart and the gang are already moving on to Valentine's Day.

"BUT, no one is saying we have to ditch the Christmas Spirit.

"In fact, it's a pretty darn good idea to keep that spirit alive long after the tree is down and the lights are put away. Those Christmas songs talking about the baby Jesus and the newborn Savior of the world? They're more than just sentimental tunes we turn on once a year. There's power in those words, and there's something greater - Someone greater - that we can attach ourselves to permanently, should we be up to the challenge."

A recent Mountain Catholic post offered a number of ways (including intentionally thanking someone each day and continuing to read and share stories) we can keep the Christmas Spirit going throughout the year.

To access the complete post, please visit:

Mountain Catholic: 5 Ways to Keep the Christmas Spirit Year-Round (and Forever) (1 JAN 15)

Reflection Starter from St. André Bessette

"It is with the smallest brushes that the artist paints the most exquisitely beautiful pictures." - Saint André Bessette, whose memory the church celebrates today (6 January)

A Ministry to Westerly/Stonington Homeless

"Like clockwork, for the past 10 years, the Chili Man has been found at the WARM Center's soup kitchen, cooking dinner on the first Friday of every month.

"The Chili Man is Scott Piscatelli, who first started cooking the meal as part of a three-person church-group effort. He transitioned into a solo venture when the other church members were unable to continue.

“In addition to cooking meals for those who visit the Westerly shelter's soup kitchen, Piscatelli cooks for a population of homeless people who live in tents in the woods. It's this subset of the region's homeless who came up with his nickname."

A recent Westerly Sun article reported on Scott and Danielle Piscatelli's ministry to the homeless in the Westerly, RI/Stonington, CT area.

To access the complete Westerly Sun report, please visit:

The WesterlySun: The Piscatellis take a hands-on approach to helping the area’shomeless population (4 JAN 15)

Background information:

Facebook: WARMCenter, Westerly, RI

Wikipedia:Stonington, Connecticut

Wikipedia:Westerly, Rhode Island

"Do You Hear What I Hear?"

As our Christmas celebration continues, I offer this version of the Harry Simeone Chorale singing "Do You Hear What I Hear?":

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for Your mercy.

Kentucky Priest Gets Surprise After Paying It Forward

Deacon Greg Kanda recently posted an inspiring item about an unexpected donation received by a Kentucky priest who had been "paying it forward" by giving away thousands of dollars before Christmas.

To access Deacon Greg's complete post, please visit:

The Deacon's Bench: After "paying it forward," Kentucky priest gets a surprise donation (1 JAN 15)

Reflection Starter from St. John Neumann

"Everyone who breathes, high and low, educated and ignorant, young and old, man and woman, has a mission, has a work. We are not sent into this world for nothing; we are not born at random; we are not here, that we may go to bed at night, and get up in the morning, toil for our bread, eat and drink, laugh and joke, sin when we have a mind, and reform when we are tired of sinning, rear a family and die. God sees every one of us; He creates every soul, . . . for a purpose. He needs, He deigns to need, every one of us. He has an end for each of us; we are all equal in His sight, and we are placed in our different ranks and stations, not to get what we can out of them for ourselves, but to labor in them for Him. As Christ has His work, we too have ours; as He rejoiced to do His work, we must rejoice in ours also." - Saint John Neumann (in his sermon: "God's Will the End of Life"), whose memory the Church celebrates today (5 January)

"We Three Kings of Orient Are"

As our Christmas celebration continues, I offer this version of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "We Three Kings of Orient Are":

The Epiphany of the Lord

Today the Church celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord. The assigned readings are Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; and Matthew 2:1-12. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 72 (Psalm 72:1-2, 5-8, 10-13).

The Gospel reading is as follows:

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage."

When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage."

After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Epiphany of the Lord (January 4, 2015)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Epiphany of the Lord (January 4, 2015)

Msgr. Charles Pope: From Magi to Wise Men – A Homily for Epiphany (3 JAN 15)

The Deacon's Bench: Homily for January 4, 2015: The Epiphany of the Lord (3 JAN 15)

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio: The Epiphany Revealed!

The Sacred Page: Epiphany! (2 JAN 15)

Word on Fire: Feast of the Epiphany (Solemnities * Epiphany)

Dr. Scott Hahn: Newborn King (January 4th 2015 - Epiphany of the Lord)

CWR Blog: Mary, true Seat of Wisdom and true Mother of the King, presents the Redeemer of all peoples (3 JAN 15)

Spirituality of the Readings: Into the Hands of Love (The Epiphany of the Lord)

The Word Embodied: First the Savor, Then the Sending (The Epiphany of the Lord)

Historical Cultural Context: Bestowing Honor (The Epiphany of the Lord)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Leo the Great (The Epiphany of the Lord)

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Feast of the Epiphany (2 JAN 15)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many ways in which You work through the traditions in our lives.