Philip Kosloski on St. John Paul II's Guide to a Fruitful Advent

"At times, Advent can be a difficult season in which to remain focused. We may be distracted by a flurry of obligations or simply by the commercial nature of the Christmas season.

"The good news is that the Church has a rich treasury of resources that can help you keep the spirit of Advent alive in your heart.

"One such treasure is the vast number of homilies and audiences of St. John Paul II. He spoke eloquently each year about the Advent season, and left us many insightful reflections to guide us on our Advent journey."

In a recent commentary, writer Philip Kosloski reflected on some of Pope John Paul II's homilies and audiences that left a blueprint for a blessed Advent.

To access Mr. Kosloski's complete post, please visit:

Aleteia; Philip Kosloski: St. John Paul II's guide to a fruitful Advent (28 NOV 20)

Reflection Starter from Thomas Jefferson

"Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching." - Thomas Jefferson

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

December is being observed as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month (also known as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month), and a number of communities in this region are striving, in some way, to make injuries and deaths from impaired driving less of a threat.

An average of approximately 30 people are killed in drunk driving accidents and almost 8700 are injured each day throughout the U.S. During National Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month and throughout the year, communities, health and safety organizations, and residents are being encouraged by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work to prevent these tragedies.

Communities are asked to encourage residents to heed these recommendations:

• Designate a driver before going out.
• Don’t allow impaired family or friends to get behind the wheel.
• When you host a party, look out for your guests.
• If you’ve been drinking or using drugs, get a cab, take public transit, or call a friend or family member to pick you up.

Background information:

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Impaired Driving

U.S. Dept. of Transportation: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Traffic Safety Facts: 2017 Data: Alcohol-Impaired Driving

Atwater Donnelly: "I've Been A Foreign Lander"

One of the treasures of New England is the great variety of music in our region. Some of this music (of whatever genre) is provided musicians from the region; other music is provided by artists visiting the region from other areas.

One such example is the Rhode Island-based Atwater~Donnelly from Warren. 

Background information: 

Atwater~Donnelly 

In this video, the Atwater~Donnelly Trio is presenting "I've Been A Foreign Lander":

 

Thank You, Lord

 Thank you, Lord, for the blessing for good pharmacists and their assistants.

Fr. Patrick Briscoe, O.P., on Evaluating Our Hardness of Heart

"Lockdown, quarantine, pandemic, sickness . . . this is just the beginning of the things that occupy space in our hearts. How will I get what is important to me? How will I see the ones I love? Each of us has been forced to ask these questions. Throughout the pandemic each of us has had to consider life's priorities anew. We've had to take stock and inventory what is and isn't central to life.

"Believers must make value judgments based on our faith. Our love and expression of our desire for God comes first. To fall away from the Lord, to begin to seek comfort and consolation in things other than Him, causes our hearts to harden. We become less and less capable of loving if we fail to love the one who is most loveable. God, the origin of all love, pours love into our hearts and thereby gives us the ability to love in return.

". . . As we begin this Advent season, we are called to a new examination. To prepare our hearts to relive the holy mysteries of God's love, we must look into the depths of our inner selves and cast out all that is an obstacle to love. We must exercise our hearts, stretching them, keeping them ever able to spread life and love."

In a recent commentary, Father Patrick Briscoe, O.P., reflected on some of the ways in which we may know if we have a hardened heart (including asking ourselves if we are bitter, proud, and/or indifferent).

To access Fr Patrick's complete post, please visit: 

Aleteia: Fr. Patrick Briscoe, OP: 6 Questions to determine if your heart is hard (27 NOV 20)

Reflection Starter from Helen Hayes

"Always aim for achievement, and forget about success." - Helen Hayes

Holy Father's Prayer Intention for December

The Holy Father's prayer intention for December is:

For a Life of Prayer: "That our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer."

Harlem Gospel Choir: "Holy, Holy, Holy"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of the Harlem Gospel Choir presenting "Holy, Holy, Holy":

 

Thank You, Lord

 Thank you, Lord, for the specific mission in life You give individually to each of Your people.

Br. Cornelius Avaritt, O.P., on Being Presnt During the Pandemic

"The holiday season is upon us, and with that usually comes big family gatherings. These gatherings give us a chance to catch up with one another, rejoice in each other's joys, and grow in familial love for one another. This year, however, is different: the ongoing pandemic has forced some of us to stay home, avoid travel, and protect ourselves and others. Big family gatherings and holiday meals may not happen for many this year, but that doesn't mean we can't still strengthen the familial bond of love. The demands of the pandemic offer us a chance to reflect on the true meaning of family love and what it means to be present to one another. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Brother Cornelius Avaritt, O.P., reflected on ways one can be present to a loved one during the pandemic..

To access Br. Cornelius' complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: It’s all in the Family (26 NOV 20)

Reflection Starter from Viktor Frankl

"Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone's task is as unique as his specific opportunity to implement it." - Viktor Frankl