The Golden Compass starring Nicole Kidman is a heavily-promoted movie which will soon open in general release world wide. It is based on the trilogy written by well-known atheist author P. Pullman in which young children try to kill God. To learn the messages Pullman is promoting, please consider reading this speech presented  by  Pullman.

We are finishing up the review of the first part of the Mass, the Gathering Rite, by praising Christ with the Kyrie and Gloria, and by listening to the opening prayer.  Who would have thought the first 5 minutes of Mass would take weeks to review! (Learn more)

We'd planned to continue our consideration of "Getting Happy the Catholic Way", but decided, instead, to comment on a recent experience which reminded us how important it is to live our Catholic faith. We'll continue with happiness next week!

This past week we represented our parish at an interfaith Thanksgiving prayer service. The music was beautiful, the preachers were energetic, the prayers were politically correct. Too politically correct. At one point we were asked to beg for the wisdom to understand the teachings of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, and Joseph Smith. We found it rather disturbing to equate God's Revelation with the teachings of fallible men, but as usual, found attending a non-Catholic service a useful reminder of just how lucky we are to be Catholic.

Our music may not always be top notch, our priests may not all be gifted orators, but it does not make any difference. We have what the others are missing: the fullness of the Truth. It is those very things which make us Catholic that are constantly under attack, including:

• The Real Presence in the Eucharist
• The Sign of the Cross
• The Blessed Virgin Mary
• The Pope

It is our duty as Catholics to protect and defend these precious gifts of our faith. If we don't, who will? As we celebrate the end of our liturgical year let's recall the words of Pope Pius XI when he instituted the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King:

The right which the Church has from Christ himself, to teach mankind, to make laws, to govern peoples in all that pertains to their eternal salvation, that right was denied. Then gradually the religion of Christ came to be likened to false religions and to be placed ignominiously on the same level with them.(Quas Primas #24)

While nations insult the beloved name of our Redeemer by suppressing all mention of it in their conferences and parliaments, we must all the more loudly proclaim his kingly dignity and power, all the more universally affirm his rights. (Quas Primas #25)

• Use your green candle Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday to celebrate  Ordinary Time.

  Holiday recommendation:
  Why not read Lives of the Saints this season?
• Sunday, November 25 use a white candle for the solemnity of the Our Lord Jesus Christ the King. For more information on this special day, click here.
   
• Friday, November 30 use a red candle to commemorate the feast of St. Andrew, apostle. He was the brother of Peter who spread the Good News to Greece, and possibly as far as Russia. He was martyred by crucifixion.

A solemnity is a day of greatest importance. The celebration starts the evening before the actual solemnity. Easter is our most important solemnity. A feast is the next most important day. It commemorates Mary, the apostles, martyrs and other saints, and the events associated with them. Mass readings often reflect the special feast day. A memorial is a special day, but often an optional celebration. The scripture readings for Mass may or may not be specially selected for the memorial.
 

Celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King on November 25th!
(For more information on the history and celebration of this feast, click here)

Starting Monday it's time to prepare for Advent! There are so many wonderful traditions. Do your favorite, or try something new. It is a beautiful season of preparation, expectation, and excitement. We always have an Advent wreath and an Advent calendar. We also be decorate a Jesse Tree, on which we place ornaments each day of Advent; the ornaments trace the family history of Jesus from the creation to the Incarnation. We'll provide more details in our next newsletter! 

Also consider a reflective activity, such as readings from:
Advent and Christmas With Thomas Merton
(Redemptorist Pastoral Publication) 

Proclaim Christ our Lord is King!

Jesus, from the royal house of David, is king. With His crown of thorns, throne of the Cross, and jeering subjects He overcame all sin and death. Earthly kings are eventually condemned by their own weaknesses. Jesus showed His strength in His weakness. What would have happened if Jesus had miraculously removed Himself from the Cross as the crowds demanded? He probably would have ended up like every other earthly king - praised by His fans and condemned by His detractors. It was only through an ignominious death and rising from the dead that He sowed us the Heavenly glory which completely changed the world.

The first reading is from the second book of Samuel. It is the story of King David's rise to power. It was King David who united the tribes of Israel into the great kingdom of Israel. Likewise, it is the Messiah, a descendant of David, who came to unite all kingdoms and to show us His ultimate glory.

Paul's letter to the Colossians reiterates the Kingship of Christ. Jesus existed from all eternity and is the reason we all exist. He is the King of both the earthly and Heavenly worlds. He is the Head of the Church. In spite of His all-encompassing Being, He is present with each of us every moment.

Luke's Gospel detailing the Crucifixion may be startling on this feast which celebrates Christ's Kingship. Yet how could Christ have shown His conquering of death if He had not first died a human death? He had raised Lazarus from the dead, but even that did not bring understanding to His followers. Only His own death and Resurrection could have completed His Revelation. It worked.
 

Lectionary readings for the 34th Week of Ordinary Time: