Adult / Couple
Pray
Pray the O Antiphons
From December 17-23, the series of antiphons that introduce the Canticle of Mary (the Magnificat) during the Evening Prayer of the Church are referred to at the O Antiphons. They are a series of names of the Messiah, found in the book of the prophet, Isaiah. To learn more about them, click here, and read the cover of the December 15 bulletin, found on our website. Join in the prayer of the whole Church on these days by incorporating these names of Jesus into your daily prayer.
Learn
What Parents Can Learn from Mary
We Catholics are very familiar with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. We know the stories, we pray the prayers inspired by her, we ask her to intercede with God on our behalf. Do we ever try to put ourselves in Mary's shoes -- or sandals? Have we ever thought about what we can learn from Mary as parents? Here is an article that considers Mary as the mother of Jesus, who was a very human little boy. The author reflects upon her own motherhood in light of what she understands of Mary's experience. I would suggest that Dads read the article too.
Do
Civilize It
Last year, in this space, we shared a link to an article that talked about how to have peaceful discussions when family members get together for the holidays. Rather than avoiding discussions of religion and politics, it offered guidelines for respectful listening and dialogue.
A year later, we are still struggling as a nation, and as communities and families, with a terrible polarization of principles and ideas. We, here in Iowa, are anticipating the very important caucus process and what that can mean for the future of our communities -- from our neighborhoods to our global community and everything in between. The bishops of the United States, recognizing this struggle for civil dialogue and the importance of our political process, have launched the "Civilize It" project. It is based upon the recognition that every person is a beloved child of God with inherent dignity -- even, and maybe especially -- those with whom I disagree. Go here to learn more.
A year later, we are still struggling as a nation, and as communities and families, with a terrible polarization of principles and ideas. We, here in Iowa, are anticipating the very important caucus process and what that can mean for the future of our communities -- from our neighborhoods to our global community and everything in between. The bishops of the United States, recognizing this struggle for civil dialogue and the importance of our political process, have launched the "Civilize It" project. It is based upon the recognition that every person is a beloved child of God with inherent dignity -- even, and maybe especially -- those with whom I disagree. Go here to learn more.