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December 13, 2016 Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr Reading 1 Zep 3:1-2, 9-13 Thus says the LORD:Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted,to the tyrannical city!She hears no voice,accepts no correction;In the LORD she has not trusted,to her God she has not drawn near. For then I will change and purifythe lips of the peoples,That they all may call upon the name of the LORD,to serve him with one accord;From beyond the rivers of Ethiopiaand as far as the recesses of the North,they shall bring me offerings. On that dayYou need not be ashamed of all your...

December 13, 2014Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr    Reading 1 Sir 48:1-4, 9-11 In those days,like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijahwhose words were as a flaming furnace.Their staff of bread he shattered,in his zeal he reduced them to straits;By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavensand three times brought down fire.How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!Whose glory is equal to yours?You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,in a chariot with fiery horses.You were destined, it is written, in time to cometo put an end to wrath before the day...

As I prepared to write this blog entry, my contact lenses were killing me, and my left eye in particular felt like it was on fire. How fortuitous, then, to find not one, but two saints who had a direct connection with eye healing or vision intercession, the popular St. Lucy and the insightful St. Odilia. First, St. Lucy ... Though celebrated in song (“Santa Lucia”) and dance (notably the Swedish “Festival of Light” on her feast day), as well as commemorated in the First Eucharistic Prayer, not a lot is known of her life other than the fact...

December 13, 2006 Memorial of Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr Psalm: Wednesday 49 Reading 1Is 40:25-31 To whom can you liken me as an equal?says the Holy One.Lift up your eyes on highand see who has created these things:He leads out their army and numbers them,calling them all by name.By his great might and the strength of his powernot one of them is missing!Why, O Jacob, do you say,and declare, O Israel,“My way is hidden from the LORD,and my right is disregarded by my God”? Do you not knowor have you not heard?The LORD is the eternal God,creator of the...

December 13, 2005Memorial of Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr Psalm: Tuesday 1 Reading IZep 3:1-2, 9-13 Thus says the LORD:Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted,to the tyrannical city!She hears no voice,accepts no correction;In the LORD she has not trusted,to her God she has not drawn near. For then I will change and purifythe lips of the peoples,That they all may call upon the name of the LORD,to serve him with one accord;From beyond the rivers of Ethiopiaand as far as the recesses of the North,they shall bring me offerings. On that dayYou need not be ashamed of all your...

Group of Baptist families face possible loss of children to state "German Christians who choose to homeschool their children are coming under continued enforcement action by the government, with one group of families fearful they may lose custody of their kids..." [ Snip ] "...The families are part of one of two Baptist denominations in the area that reportedly split over the issue of whether or not to continue homeschooling the younger generation..." [ Snip ] "...Guenther says if the parents' attempt to negotiate with government officials fails, the parents could have their children removed from their homes. Thirteen children...

December 13, 2004Memorial of Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr Reading INm 24:2-7, 15-17a When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe,the spirit of God came upon him,and he gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor,the utterance of a man whose eye is true,The utterance of one who hears what God says,and knows what the Most High knows,Of one who sees what the Almighty sees,enraptured, and with eyes unveiled:How goodly are your tents, O Jacob;your encampments, O Israel!They are like gardens beside a stream,like the cedars planted by the LORD.His wells shall...

December 13, 2003Memorial of Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr Psalm: Saturday 52 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel Reading ISir 48:1-4, 9-11 In those days,like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijahwhose words were as a flaming furnace.Their staff of bread he shattered,in his zeal he reduced them to straits;By the Lord's word he shut up the heavensand three times brought down fire.How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!Whose glory is equal to yours?You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,in a chariot with fiery horses.You were destined, it is written, in time to cometo put an end...

December 13, 2002Memorial of saint Lucy, virgin and martyr Psalm: Friday Week 52 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Gospel Families Schools Adults Reading IIs 48:17-19 Thus says the Lord, your redeemer,the Holy One of Israel:I, the Lord, your God,teach you what is for your good,and lead you on the way you should go.If you would hearken to my commandments,your prosperity would be like a river,and your vindication like the waves of the sea;Your descendants would be like the sand,and those born of your stock like its grains,Their name never cut offor blotted out from my presence. Responsorial PsalmPs 1:1-2, 3, 4...