Blair Converts To Catholicism

Former prime minister Tony Blair has converted to Roman Catholicism after years of speculation over his faith.

Mr Blair was received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor during Mass in the chapel at Archbishop's House in Westminster on Friday night.

The Cardinal said: "I am very glad to welcome Tony Blair into the Catholic Church.

"For a long time he has been a regular worshipper at Mass with his family, and in recent months he has been following a programme of formation to prepare for his reception into full communion.

"My prayers are with him, his wife and family at this joyful moment in their journey of faith together."

Mr Blair's wife Cherie was already a practising Roman Catholic.

• Link to original
• Flashback: Pope Has "Frank" Conversation With Tony Blair
  

Christmas Auld Lang Syne - Bobby Darin

Disney Christmas Song

Glendon Confirmed as U.S. Envoy to Holy See

WASHINGTON, D.C., DEC. 21, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The U.S. Senate confirmed President George Bush's nomination of Mary Ann Glendon as the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.

The Wednesday approval means that Glendon will succeed Francis Rooney, who has represented the United States before the Holy See since 2005. A date for her succession has not been set.

Glendon is the president of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and a law professor at Harvard University.

In 1994, Pope John Paul II appointed her to lead the Holy See delegation to the U.N. 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing.

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Christmas Message From the White House

Presidential Message: Christmas 2007

"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High...his kingdom will never end.'"

Luke 1:30-33

During the Christmas season, our thoughts turn to the source of joy and hope born in a humble manger on a holy night more than 2,000 years ago. Each year, Christians everywhere celebrate this single life that the world and continues to change hearts today. The simple and inspiring story of the birth of Jesus fills our souls with gratitude for the many blessings in our lives and promises that God's purpose is justice and His plan is peace.

At this special time of year, we give thanks for Christ's message of love and mercy, and we are reminded of our responsibility to serve. America is blessed to have fine citizens who reach out with a compassionate hand to help brothers and sisters in need. We also remember our brave men and women in uniform who have volunteered to defend us in distant lands. Many of those who have answered the call of duty will spend Christmas far from home and separated from family. We honor their sacrifice, ask God to watch over them and their families, and pray for their safe return.

Christmas is a time to rejoice and remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Laura and I pray your Christmas will be blessed with family and fellowship, and we wish you a day of glad tidings. Merry Christmas.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Blessings

Swissmiss sent me a blessing. How very thoughtful of her.

"The idea… it’s a game of tag with a difference, rather than looking inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for one blog friend. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a bloggin’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to. If you recieve a bloggin’ blessin’ please leave a comment on this thread here so that we can rejoice in just how many blessings have been sent around the world!"

May God bless:

Cathy for providing us all with an inspiring example of unwavering faith via her brilliant writing and humor.
Ray for his excellent reporting and volunteer work for the Church.


A Prayer for Cathy and Ray:

May the blessing of almighty God, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, come down upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.

"and that’s it, nearly…

So, all these three have have to do is to;

a) Bless 3 blog buddies each.
b) Include the ‘God Bless you’ image in their post.
c) Explain briefly why they are blessing the people they are blessing.
d) Pray/include in the post the prayer for the recipients of the blessing.
e) The recipient/sender of a blessing should type in the com box of Deb's original post that a blessing has been sent to them so we can keep track of how many blessings are being given. For easy reference a link to this post will make it into Deb's sidebar.

Sounds a bit confusing, I know. But it could be fun, we’ll soon see!

Thanks for playing along!

The larger ‘God Bless you’ image can also be sent as an E-Card from Deb's Credo Christian E-Cards website.

God Bless you!"

Ugliest Vestment Contest Winners are...

*Award graphic for C.C.'s consideration

Click here to see who won

Dean Martin Christmas Songs

Let it Snow

Silent Night

Silver Bells

White Christmas

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Logo Unveiled For Pope's U.S. Trip

"Christ Our Hope" Chosen as Theme

WASHINGTON, D.C., DEC. 19, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The message "Christ Our Hope" over an image of Benedict XVI before the dome of St. Peter's Basilica is the logo for the Pope's visit to the United States, April 15-20.

The papal visit will be highlighted by a trip to the United Nations, in response to an invitation from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The Pope will also visit the Archdioceses of New York and Washington, D.C..

The theme reflects the Holy Father's new encyclical, "Spe Salvi," an invitation for people to personally encounter Jesus Christ. In the encyclical, the Pontiff said that faith in Christ brings well-founded hope in eternal salvation, the "great hope" that can sustain people through the trials of this world.

The logo features a full color photograph of Benedict XVI waving both hands. Behind him is a yellow-screened image of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. In black type running at the top and over the cupola of the dome are three lines of type reading "Pope Benedict XVI/Christ Our Hope/Apostolic Journey to the United States 2008."

Logo designer Donna Hobson, director of publications at the Catholic University of America, explained her goal with this design.

"I wanted to incorporate the papal colors -- yellow and white," she said, "and my vision was to show a welcoming, arms-open, smiling Pope Benedict."

Links:

• Logo Unveiled For Pope's U.S. Trip
• Pope Benedict XVI: Christ Our Hope
  

Oh Holy Night

Hat tip to Mrs Jackie Parkes MJ

Billy Idol: White Christmas

I got the impression that some readers didn't care for the Bing Crosby/Frank Sinatra rendition of White Christmas. (Cathy liked it though). So here's another:

A bonus one for Swissmiss (Jingle Bell Rock):

Stressed Singaporeans Crack Down on Thieving Monkeys

With monitor lizards, snakes, and bats prowling their parks, residents of tropical Singapore are no strangers to the occasional animal ambush.

But it's not the iguanas or squirrels that have locals up in arms -- it's the monkeys.

Gangs of long-tailed macaque monkeys have been causing havoc in housing estates bordering nature reserves; stealing food and brawling on the streets.

"They roam the estate in groups of up to 20 &- rampaging the estate and turning over dustbins," one irate local wrote to the national paper in October.

"They enter the house, open cupboards, steal food and soil the premises".

Picnics are spoiled and snacks are snatched from bags while golfers tee off. Even the British Club has armed staff with brooms to shoo monkeys away from the gourmet buffet.

"It's a very weird situation," said Sharon Chan, the National Parks official tasked with managing the macaques.

"It's not that they want to attack. They just think, if you have the food, why don't you share it? Why are you eating and not sharing? Can I have some? They cross the line".

• Link

Russian Patriarch: Solve Orthodox Disputes Before Dialogue With Rome:

Moscow, Dec. 19, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexei II believes that the world's Orthodox leaders should settle their internal disputes before proceeding with ecumenical talks with the Catholic Church, the Interfax news agency reports.

During a meeting in Moscow with the Czech Orthodox Metropolitan Christopher, Patriarch Alexei expressed concern that the last two meetings of a joint Catholic-Orthodox theological commission have been marred by disagreements among the Orthodox representatives.

This year, Russian Orthodox officials walked out of the joint commission meeting in Ravenna, Italy, in a protest over the seating of a delegation from the Estonian Orthodox Church. The Moscow patriarchate does not recognize the Estonian Orthodox Church.

"We think such issues ought to be settled in dialogue [among Orthodox leaders] and not discussed in the presences of the Catholics," Patriarch Alexei said.

The walkout in Ravenna marked the second consecutive time that the Russian Orthodox delegation has sparked a dispute at a meeting of the joint Catholic-Orthodox commission. During the last previous meeting, the Russian delegates protested a statement which, they argued, implied that the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople held a position analogous to that of the Roman Pontiff, as the acknowledged leader of the Orthodox world.

In the Ravenna meeting, the Russian Orthodox delegates were again challenging the authority of the Patriarch of Constantinople, since it was the Ecumenical Patriarch who had recognized the canonical independence of the Estonian Orthodox Church.

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Anglican Archbishop Says Nativity 'a Legend'

The 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and his wife, Jane Williams

The Archbishop of Canterbury said yesterday that the Christmas story of the Three Wise Men was nothing but a 'legend'.

Dr Rowan Williams has claimed there was little evidence that the Magi even existed and there was certainly nothing to prove there were three of them or that they were kings.

He said the only reference to the wise men from the East was in Matthew's gospel and the details were very vague.

Dr Williams said: "Matthew's gospel says they are astrologers, wise men, priests from somewhere outside the Roman Empire, that's all we're really told. It works quite well as legend."

The Archbishop went on to dispel other details of the Christmas story, adding that there were probably no asses or oxen in the stable.

• Archbishop Says Nativity 'a Legend'
  
• Pope Gets Radical and Woos the Anglicans
  

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Discusses Angels

Part I

Part II

Part III

Caroling

Apparently Terry was able to snap a pic of a few caroling bloggers.

Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra Sing White Christmas

6- year-old on Way to Sainthood

Pope Approves Decree of Heroic Virtue

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 18, 2007 (Zenit.org).- A 6-year-old Italian girl who cheerfully endured the amputation of her leg and offered it in union with the sacrifices of Christ might someday become the youngest canonized non-martyr saint.

Benedict XVI approved Monday the decree recognizing the heroic virtue of Antonietta Meo, who died of bone cancer. Along with the recognition of Meo's virtue, the Pope approved six decrees recognizing miracles, and seven other decrees affirming lives of heroic virtue.

Born in 1930, Antonietta was diagnosed with bone cancer at age 5 after a fall caused by a knee injury would not heal.

The girl formed the habit of leaving a letter at the foot of a crucifix every night. At first, she dictated these notes to her mother; later she wrote them herself. The more than 100 letters and her diary reveal an intense mysticism and a surprising level of theological reflection, albeit hidden in simple phrases.

"Dear Jesus," one of the letters says, "I love you very much. I want to abandon myself in your hands [...] I want to abandon myself in your arms. Do with me what you want. [...] Help me with your grace. You help me, since without your grace, I can do nothing."

Her letters were written to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. In a letter to Mary from Sept. 18, 1936, she said, "Dear little Virgin, you who are very good, take my heart and bring it to Jesus."

Antonietta died July 3, 1937, five months before her 7th birthday.

In 1981, the Vatican Congregation for Saints' Causes removed the norm restricting "heroic virtue" only to those who had lived a "period of maturity." The change in the norm permitted the visionaries of Fatima, Jacinta and Francisco, to be beatified in 2000.

Holiness from a wheelchair

Benedict XVI also approved the decree of heroic virtue attributed to Manuel Lozano Garrido, a Spanish journalist who spent 28 years in a wheelchair.

Lozano Garrido (1920-1971) entered the Catholic Action group at age 11. During the Spanish civil war, he distributed holy Communion to the imprisoned.

His long illness began in 1942 and just one year afterward, he began to need a wheelchair. Twenty years later, nearly 10 years before his death, he lost his sight.

From his wheelchair, with progressive paralysis affecting more and more of his body, he became a recognized writer and journalist. His professional life led to many publications, including reports for the Associated Press and nine books on spirituality. When his right hand became paralyzed, he learned to write with his left. When that hand, too, lost movement, he would dictate his words.

Decrees

Besides the decrees pertaining to Antonietta and Lozano Garrido, Benedict XVI authorized the publication of decrees of miracles obtained through the intercession of the following Servants of God:

-- Michael Spocko, Polish priest (1888-1975).

-- James Ghazir Haddad (born Khalil), Lebanese professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins and founder of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of the Cross in Lebanon (1875-1954).
-- Maria Maddalena dell'Incarnazione Sordini (born Caterina), Italian founder of the Order of Sisters of the Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (died 1824).

-- Jeanne Emilie de Villeneuve, French foundress of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (1811-1854).
-- Vincenza Maria Poloni (born Luigia), Italian foundress of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona (1802-1855).
-- Maria Giuseppina di Gesu Crocefisso Catanea (born Giuseppina), Italian professed nun of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (1896-1948).

The Pope also approved decrees of heroic virtue for the following Servants of God:

-- Francesco Mottola, Italian priest and founder of the Secular Institute of the Oblates of the Sacred Heart (1901-1969).
-- Serafino Morazzone, Italian priest (1747-1822).
-- Raphael Louis Rafiringa, Madagascan professed religious of the Institute of Brothers of Christian Schools (1856-1919).

-- Stephen Nehme (born Joseph), Lebanese professed religious of the Order of Maronites (1889-1938).
-- Anna Maria Marovich, Italian member of the Sisters of Reparation to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Immaculate (1815-1887).
-- Maria Piera De Micheli (born Giuseppa Maria), Italian professed sister of the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception of Buenos Aires (1890-1945).

• Link

Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema Join With MGM to Produce "The Hobbit"

Los Angeles, CA (Tuesday, December 18, 2007) Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson; Harry Sloan, Chairman and CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM); Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of New Line Cinema have jointly announced today that they have entered into the following series of agreements:

MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit” and a sequel to “The Hobbit.” New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.

Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on “The Hobbit.” New Line will manage the production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously.

Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the “Lord of the Rings” (LOTR) Trilogy...

More (click here)

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on Loneliness

First Missionary in Outer Space?

Padre Giovanni Trigilio

Holy Father Says World "Hungry" For Hope

Addresses Japanese Bishops on the Fulfillment of the Human Heart

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The deception caused by the glamour of modern culture, which so often leads youth to despair and even suicide, can be overcome with the hope Christ gives, Benedict XVI told Japanese bishops.

The Pope spoke today about the hope for which the world longs when he received in audience bishops from Japan, in Rome for their five-yearly visit.

"Indeed the world is hungry for the message of hope that the Gospel brings," the Holy Father said. "Even in countries as highly developed as yours, many are discovering that economic success and advanced technology are not sufficient in themselves to bring fulfillment to the human heart. Anyone who does not know God 'is ultimately without hope, without the great hope that sustains the whole of life.'

"Remind people that there is more to life than professional success and profit. Through the practice of charity, in the family and in the community, they can be led toward 'that encounter with God in Christ which awakens their love and opens their spirits to others.'

"This is the great hope that Christians in Japan can offer their compatriots; it is not foreign to Japanese culture, but rather it reinforces and gives new impetus to all that is good and noble in the heritage of your beloved nation."

Promoting vocations

The Pontiff particularly encouraged the bishops to instill hope in the young.

"Young people especially are at risk of being deceived by the glamour of modern secular culture," he said. "Yet, like all the greater and lesser hopes that appear on first sight to promise so much, this turns out to be a false hope -- and tragically, disillusion not infrequently leads to depression and despair, even to suicide.

"If their youthful energy and enthusiasm can be directed toward the things of God, which alone are sufficient to satisfy their deepest longings, more young people will be inspired to commit their lives to Christ, and some will recognize a call to serve him in the priesthood or the religious life.

"Invite them to consider whether this may be their vocation. Never be afraid to do so. Encourage your priests and religious likewise to be active in promoting vocations, and lead your people in prayer, asking the Lord to 'send out laborers into his harvest.'"

Benedict XVI also applauded the example of peace that Japan has given in the last 60 years.

"You have made the voice of the Church heard on the enduring importance of this witness, all the greater in a world where armed conflicts bring so much suffering to the innocent," he said. "I encourage you to continue to speak on matters of public concern in the life of your nation, and to ensure that your statements are promoted and widely disseminated, so that they may be properly heard at all levels within society.

"In this way, the message of hope that the Gospel brings can truly touch hearts and minds, leading to greater confidence in the future, greater love and respect for life, increasing openness toward the stranger and the sojourner in your midst. 'The one who has hope lives differently; the one who hopes has been granted the gift of a new life.'"

• Link

Schoolhouse Rock

Mother Necessity - Where would we be?

Interplanet Janet - She's a galaxy girl!

Conjunction Junction - What's their function?

The Preamble - We the People!

Interjections! - Hey! That's not fair, givin' a guy a shot down there!

I'm Just a Bill - I hope and pray that they will, but today I am still, just a bill...

Elbow Room - It's the West or bust, in God we trust.

The Body Machine - I'm a machine, you're a machine...

The Shot Heard 'Round the World - was the start of the revolution...

Lolly Lolly Lolly - get your adverbs here.

Mass at the Sabine Farm Chapel

Father Z. posted a video (wow! 1001 downloads so far...):

Click here to see it.

Top 10 Meme

Cathy tagged me for the Top 10 Meme.

"Vin: I'm curious what you believe your Top 10 images are."

1. Laurel and Hardy (aka Terry & Ray), Color Version

2. Cheers

3. Chillin' the Veuve

4. Father Richtsteig's Modern Art Smiting Spectacular

7. Cathy's Sisterhood Slumber Party (larger)

6. Motu Reloaded

7. Father "Snape" Richtsteig

8. Jawa Sand Crawler

9. WDTPRS Meme

10. Z Man

Bonus (Edit: I had trouble choosing ten, and forgot about many of them):

The Nuns of Hazzard
Snowball Fight!
Another Fine Mess?
Nun Karate
Cathy Hoarding Veuve
Father Z.'s Veyron
Reform of the Reform
Terry's Family

I think that everyone's been tagged by now.