Matt Boswell and Matt Papa: "Sing We the Song of Emmanuel"

As our Christmas celebration continues, I offer this version of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa presenting "Sing We the Song of Emmanuel":

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many ways in which You work through silence.

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS, on Silence and God's Closeness to Us

"Fr. Ken McKenna, OSFS, my Novice Director, once told us that God's first language is silence. This insight was puzzling to me since I had just memorized the Canticle of Zechariah and the Canticle of Mary from the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours). These long prayers contain a lot of words. What does Fr. Ken mean that God's first language is silence?"

In a recent commentary, Father Joe Newman, OSFS, reflected on why God's first language is silence and on His closeness to us

To access Fr. Newman's complete post, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: Silence (28 DEC 23)

Reflection Starter from Mahatma Gandhi

"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." - Mahatma Gandhi

André Rieu: "O Holy Night"

As our Christmas celebration continues, I offer this version of André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra presenting "O Holy Night":

 

Birthday Blessings, Will!!!

Birthday greetings to Will Geoghegan, husband of Myrna's daughter Robin, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for Your great love for each of us.

Br. Linus Martz, O.P., on the Feast of St. Stephen

"If today English-speakers still hear about 'the feast of Stephen,' we can probably thank one man: John Mason Neale.This nineteenth-century English churchman and poet once chanced upon the felicitous rhyming of the name 'Stephen' and the adjective 'even.' Thus, we presume, was born 'Good King Wenceslas,' the lively Christmas carol. Thus also was commemorated the liturgical feast of Saint Stephen, whom we celebrate . . . the day after Christmas (For an excellent Dominicana post about the carol, see here).

"Why do Roman Catholics celebrate Stephen . . . the day after Christmas? It seems to make no sense at all."

In a recent commentary, Brother Linus Martz, O.P., reflected on why we celebrate the memory of the first martyr on the day after Christmas..

To access Br. Linus' complete reflection, please visit:

Dominicana: On the Feast of Stephen (26 DEC 23)

Reflection Starter from the First Letter of John

"In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him." - 1 John 4:9

"Good King Wenceslas"

As our celebration of Christmas continues (and as the Church celebrates the memory of Saint Stephen), I offer this version of "Good King Wenceslas":

 

Belated Birthday Blessings, Robin!!!

Belated birthday greetings to Myrna's daughter Robin, whose birthday was yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of Christmas trees.