© Copyright 2014 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Celebration of the Vespers and the Te Deum
The Pope's last liturgical celebration of 2014 is the traditional Te Deum prayer. Celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica, it's a way for the Church to give thanks to God for the entire year. Afterwards the Pope will visit the Nativity Scene that stands in St. Peter's Square.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
From Pope Francis - December 24, 2014
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Saint Peter's Square
- Wednesday, 24 December 2014 -
Pope Francis' short guide to Christmas
POPE FRANCIS
"Every Christian family, can welcome Jesus just like Mary and Joseph did. They can listen to Him, talk to Him, protect Him, grow with Him. And in doing so, they can change the world. Let's make room in our hearts and in our day, to welcome Jesus.”
Pope Francis stresses that during Christmas, Christian should rejoice and share their joy with others. But not only with parties.
POPE FRANCIS
December 14, 2014
"Some will say, 'Father we organized a party and everyone is happy.' This is fine. Parties are good, but they are not the core of the Christian joy we're talking about.”
Traditionally, Christmas is the moment for giving and receiving gifts...Pope Francis warns against the dangers of giving in to consumerism.
POPE FRANCIS
December 22, 2014
"Don't let Christmas become a celebration of consumerism, appearances and pointless gifts, or superfluous waste. Rather, let it be the feast when one joyfully welcomes the Lord in the manger of the heart.”
But what is Christmas all about? Pope Francis has repeatedly called it the "feast of poverty,” and has asked Christians to celebrate it accordingly.
POPE FRANCIS
December 22, 2014
"This is the true Nativity: the feast of poverty, of God who annihilated Himself, assuming the nature of a slave; of God who served at the table; of God who hid Himself from the intelligent and the wise and instead revealed Himself to the smallest, the simple and the poor.”
With these advice, Pope Francis calls on everyone to re-discover the real meaning of Christmas.
© Copyright 2014 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Bus trip to Sands Casino, Bethlehem, PA
January 15, 2015
The next trip is Thursday, January 15th. The bus will leave at 9:30 am sharp and will return after six hours at the casino. Please make check payable to St. Columba in the amount of $35. If you decide to go on that day, the cost is $40. Please bring check to the rectory during office hours or drop in the convent mail slot. Please spread the word to all you think may be interested. See you on the bus!
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
From Pope Francis - December 17, 2014
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Saint Peter's Square
- Wednesday, 17 December 2014 -
Pope's General Audience: The family is a gift, that should be cherished
n his weekly general audience, Pope Francis talked about the importance of the family. He explained that Jesus chose to be part of a family. Just like Mary and St. Joseph welcomed Jesus, he called on all Christian families to truly embrace Jesus and His message.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In preparation for next October’s meeting of the Synod of Bishops on the vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the world, our weekly catecheses will be devoted to the theme of the family. This Advent season of prayerful expectation for the Lord’s coming invites us to consider how God’s original gift of the family was taken up and confirmed in the mystery of the Incarnation.
The Son of God chose to be born into a human family, in an obscure town on the periphery of the Roman Empire. Although the Gospels tell us little about the first thirty years of his life, we can imagine that Jesus led a very "normal” family life.
He was raised in an atmosphere of religious devotion, he learned from the words and example of Mary and Joseph, and he grew in wisdom, age and grace (cf. Lk 2:52). In imitation of the Holy Family, every Christian family must make a place for Jesus in its home. For it is through the love of such "normal” families that God’s Son quietly comes to dwell among us, bringing salvation to our world.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
December 17th - “Our Tainted Nature’s Solitary Boast: Mary, the Mother of God”
The film “Our Tainted Nature’s Solitary Boast: Mary, the Mother of God” will be shown on Wednesday,
December 17th at 7:00 PM. Enter through the rectory. Collation and discussion follow.
A following is a short clip from "Our Tainted Nature's Solitary Boast - Mary, the Mother of God".
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve - Wednesday, Dec. 24th
5:00 PM
12:00 AM – Midnight – Bilingual
Christmas Day - Thursday, Dec. 25th
9:00 AM
10:30 AM – Spanish
12:00 PM – Noon
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
From Pope Francis - December 10, 2014
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Saint Peter's Square
- Wednesday, 10 December 2014 -
Pope Francis explains what happened during the Synod of the Family
During his weekly general audience, Pope Francis shed light on the recent Synod of the Family, which took place back in October.
The Pope said Bishops were free to discuss all topics since there was no censorship to limit them. He went even further adding that no one in the Synod, questioned the 'fundamental truths about marriage.'
SUMMARY OF THE POPE'S CATECHESIS
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This morning we begin a new series of catecheses devoted to the family. As you know, the pastoral challenges involving the family were discussed in a recent meeting of the Synod of Bishops in preparation for the next Ordinary Assembly of the Synod in October, 2015.
The meeting began with a very frank discussion of those serious challenges, in the light of the fundamental truths about the sacrament of Matrimony – its indissolubility, unity, fidelity and openness to life.
The fruits of this period of discussion and discernment were collected in a preliminary report, which was then discussed in smaller groups.
The observations and suggestions which emerged were incorporated in a Final Report, which served as the basis for the Final Message of the Synod Fathers. The Final Report is being sent to the Bishops throughout the world, and the results of this consultation will be brought to the Synod meeting next October.
I ask all of you to pray, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, that the Synod process will result in pastoral decisions truly beneficial to the family, the Church and society.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, including the groups from Denmark, Nigeria, Australia and the United States of America. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke joy and peace in the Lord Jesus. God bless you all!
© Copyright 2014 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Christmas Caroling
St. Columba Church and the Church of the Guardian Angel
are going caroling. Bringing Christmas to our Chelsea
neighbors with song!
All are welcome! Come and sing your favorite carols!
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2014
3-4:30 PM
We Will Meet at 2:45 pm at
St. Columba Church
343 West 25 Street NYC
Refreshments will be served at the
Church of the Guardian Angel
193 Tenth Avenue, NYC
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
From Pope Francis - December 3, 2014
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Saint Peter's Square
- Wednesday, 3 December 2014 -
Pope reflects on his recent trip to Turkey
During his weekly general audience, Pope Francis reflected on his recent three day trip to Turkey. He said, he hopes the apostolic visit will trigger a deeper relationship among Catholics, Orthodox Christians and Muslims.
He also highlighted the declaration he signed with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, adding that hopefully it will strengthen their ecumenical path towards complete unity.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I thank God for the blessing of my recent pilgrimage to Turkey, and I pray that it will contribute to an ever more fruitful dialogue and relationship with our Orthodox and Muslim brothers and sisters. Turkey is a land dear to us for its rich Christian history.
Religious belief has an important place in the life of this predominantly Muslim nation. In my visit to Ankara, I wished to stress the importance of ensuring its free exercise by all, and the need for Christians and Muslims to work together in promoting solidarity, peace and justice.
In Istanbul, at Mass with the Catholic faithful and the leaders of Turkey’s various Christian communities, we implored the Holy Spirit’s continued guidance and help for our efforts to grow in unity and fidelity.
On Sunday, at the solemn liturgy for the feast of Saint Andrew, I joined Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomaios in signing a Joint Declaration reaffirming our commitment to the restoration of full communion.
I ask you to join me in praying for these intentions and for the Church’s zeal in proclaiming, in respectful and fraternal dialogue, Christ’s message of truth, peace and love.
© Copyright 2014 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Monday, December 1, 2014
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