Podcasts about christmas eve mass

The post Christmas Eve Mass 2024 appeared first on Spiritus Christi Church.

Fr. Anthony, Tony, and Cristina talk about the goings on, people in the Parish, and prayer, They discuss the beauty of the Christmas Eve Mass and the joy of seeing so many parishioners and participants at the Eve Mass.  They chat about carrying the joys through the Season of Christmas.   St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish

Sermon delivered by Bp. Stephen Scarlett on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.View Transcript:https://bit.ly/Sermon_2024-12-24_Christmas-Eve-Mass_Bp-Scarlett

Christmas Eve Mass

On this weeks podcast on the 4th Sunday of Advent, John and Shane have a brief reflection on how embracing the darkness of Winter prepares us to welcome the Light of the World at Christmas. We have a run through the up coming liturgical odds ends for the coming week with the obvious note that Christmas is on Wednesday and we enter into the Octave of Christmas. A reminder that the Holy Year begins with the  ceremony of the opening of the Holy Door in St Peter's Basilica during the Christmas Eve Mass and also that the Urbi et Orbi is on Christmas morning from Rome. We have our reflection on the Sunday gospel which is Luke's account of the Visitation by Mary to Elizabeth at Ein Kareen and the encounter of witness with the unborn Herald John the Baptist.Embracing the darkness of Winter to welcome the Light of the WorldOn the weekend of the Winter Solstice here in Ireland, a time which has  been full of spiritual significance to Irish people for millennia due to the events at the neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange. But for Christian's it is a mirror to the celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas.  On this important date in our calendars, let's look at the calendar more closely: The Church celebrates John the Baptist's birthday on June 24th – the longest day of the year, when the sun is at its brightest. You might recall that John said that he must decrease, and Jesus must increase. Well, every day since June 24th, the days have indeed been ‘decreasing'. They've been getting shorter, right up until today. But with the Saviour's birth, they become longer again, and so John's desire that he must decrease and Jesus must increase is mirrored in the beautiful rhythm of the Church's year.So, why did John the Baptist need to decrease? Because, as the Gospel says: he was not the light, but came to testify to the light. But we can't consign that role to the past: John the Baptist's mission is shared by all Christians: we are all called to bear witness to Jesus… to testify to the light. We are called to work and to pray that his Kingdom may come – on earth as it is in heaven. And so the beautiful season of Christmas, soon to dawn on us, is a lot more than carols, gifts, feasting and decorations. It is also a challenge to each of us. It is a challenge to live, speak and act in such a way that we truly are voices crying out in the wilderness of our culture, and bearing witness to Jesus, the Light of the World. It is a challenge to act with honesty, integrity and generosity, so that in the darkness of mid-winter, his light may shine ever more brightly.The Winter Solstice is a turning point in our planet's year. If we let it, it can be a turning point for each one of us too. How will you testify to the light this Christmas?Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com

Celebrate the Reason for the season at your choice of local churches, as several plan special Christmas services to honor the birth of Jesus Christ as well as New Year's services to ring in the new year. Following is a list of services around the area, published as a service to our readers seeking a place to worship. Adkins St. Mark Lutheran Church, 210-649-1370, invites the community to attend a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. Cestohowa Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 830-745-2633, invites you to its Christmas Eve Mass at 10 p.m. On Christmas Day, a...Article Link

 Mass bells ring at 6pm on Christmas Eve in Padova, Italy in Prato della Valle, the largest piazza in Italy, alongside local skaters getting their last practice in before Christmas.  Recorded by Cities and Memory. 

Because of Mary's "Yes" | Christmas Eve Mass | Fr. Witold Kaczmarzyk by Lourdes Denver

Pope Francis said Jesus' message of peace is being drowned out by what he called the "futile logic of war". Also: Serbia protestors try to storm Belgrade City Hall, and scientists develop unique ways of collecting information about smells -- to preserve them for future generations.

Bp. Scarlett

Fr. Dan's homily for Christmas Mass 2023.

Join us for a Christmas Eve Mass taken by Bishop Fintan Monahan.

Frank Murphy is joined by his friend Sarah Roberto, who says she is merry and bright, like the words on her sweatshirt. Frank is wearing a loud Christmas blazer that he bought at Kroger. Sarah notices the antique Christmas ornaments that were once owned by Jere's Aunt Dee.  Jere will sing at a Christmas Eve Mass. Frank signed up to read at the Midnight Mass after finally finding his password for the ministry app on his phone.  When Frank was a kid, his parents would buy their Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and keep it up into January. Frank wishes radio stations kept playing Christmas music until New Year's Day.  Brenda Lee's “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” is number one on Billboard's chart this week. Billboard changed the way they do their charts several years ago.  Frank's favorite Christmas song is “A Christmas Festival Overture” by the Boston Pops. Sarah's favorite Christmas song is "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" by Gayla Peevey. Hippos are the deadliest large land mammals.  Frank and Jere went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert at Thompson-Boling Arena. He says the audience sits through most of the show and the volume is not too loud. They sat close enough to feel the heat from the fire effects on stage.  Sarah asks about raucous concerts. Frank recalls a punk rock show where he slam-danced unenthusiastically. Sarah got injured at a Foo Fighters concert in Atlanta in 2000.  Frank is dissatisfied with the over-abundance of secular Christmas songs on American radio. He also dislikes down-tempo songs. Frank listens online to Ireland's ChristmasFM.  Sarah's favorite Christmas movies are National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Elf. She says It's a Wonderful Life is too depressing. She likes The Holiday and Last Holiday. Frank watched a Christmas rom-com last year that starred Lindsey Lohan.  Frank and Sarah both watched a Dolly Parton Christmas movie on NBC last year. It wasn't very good but it was fun to see many familiar faces from Sevier County. Frank and Sarah agree that The Polar Express is a creepy-looking movie.  Sarah says the twenty-foot skeleton on Frank's street has lost its head. Frank thinks his neighbor is probably removing its pilgrim hat to add a Santa hat. The skeleton is pictured on Google Street View.  Frank disliked the noise being made by a holly tree scraping against the house. As he pruned away the problem branches, his neighbor asked if he planned to put Christmas lights on the tree.  Frank recalls a time that Frank Jr. told Mark & Brian on KLOS that Grandma snores. She was unhappy when the man who owned the pool supply store said, “Hey Grandma, I heard that you snore!”  This episode is sponsored by BoneZones.com (don't forget the S). Buy books and other merchandise autographed by Body Farm founder Dr. Bill Bass at https://bonezones.com/ including Body Farm t-shirts. Contact BoneZones to hire Frank to give a presentation about Dr. Bass and the Body Farm.  Support the Frank & Friends Show by purchasing some of our high-quality merchandise at https://frank-friends-show.creator-spring.com  Sign up for a 30-day trial of Audible Premium Plus and get a free premium selection that's yours to keep. Go to http://AudibleTrial.com/FrankAndFriendsShow  Find us online https://www.FrankAndFriendsShow.com/  Please subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://YouTube.com/FrankAndFriendsShow  and hit the bell for notifications.  Find the audio of the show on major podcast apps including Spotify, Apple, Google, iHeart, and Audible.  Thanks!

I know many are already starting to plan out those days leading up to Christmas and considering which Christmas Mass to attend and because Christmas is on a Monday, there is some confusion. Some have asked if Christmas Eve Mass, on the Sunday evening also counts for the Sunday obligation. In short, it does not....

Mass bells heard at 7pm on Christmas Eve 2022 from multiple cathedrals at the same time in Padova, Italy. Recorded by Cities and Memory. 

Today, Eric (The Ambassador Of Common Sense) delivers a special message to Catholic priests and bishops across America who have been watching their parishes shrink and their flock dwindle. Please be strong, and defend your sheep against the forces of the left.VIEW ON APPLE PODCASTS VIEW ON GOOGLE PODCASTS VIEW ON AMAZON VIEW ON AUDIBLE VIEW ON CASTBOX VIEW ON PODCASTADDICT VIEW ON STITCHER VIEW ON BITCHUTE VIEW ON RUMBLE VIEW ON TUNE-IN VISIT US ON FACEBOOK

In a surprise statement at the end of his public audience on Dec. 28, Pope Francis appealed for “a special prayer” for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI because, he said, “he is very sick.” Just after the audience, Francis went to visit Benedict at his residence in the Vatican. On “Inside the Vatican” this week, veteran Vatican correspondent Gerard O'Connell and host Colleen Dulle give an update on the former pope's health. According to a Vatican spokesman, by the time of the podcast's release, his condition had stabilized somewhat overnight but remained serious. The rest of the podcast looks at three of Pope Francis' Christmas messages: His homily for Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, his Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi message, and his pre-Christmas address to the Roman Curia. Gerry first gives an inside look at Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Square where, he said, the crowds had nearly returned to their pre-Covid size. Colleen and Gerry unpack the pope's homily, which focused on the image of Jesus' manger and urged those present, including foreign dignitaries, to do “something good” this Christmas. On Christmas Day, the pope used his Urbi et Orbi address to draw attention to places of suffering in the world through the eyes of children. “May the Lord inspire us to offer concrete gestures of solidarity to assist all those who are suffering,” he said. “Tragically, we prefer to heed other counsels, dictated by worldly ways of thinking. Yet who is listening to the voice of the Child?” Finally, in his annual address to the Roman Curia, Pope Francis continued the theme of his addresses in past years, using insights from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola to call those who work in the Vatican's central offices to conversion. Links from the show: Pope Francis asks for special prayer for ‘very ill' Benedict XVI Vatican update: Benedict XVI is ‘lucid and alert,' but condition remains serious Pope Francis: Rediscover the meaning of Christmas in the manger Listen to the cries of the newborn Prince of Peace, pope says on Christmas Pope Francis compares Roman Curia to the Prodigal Son's ‘elder brother' in annual address Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Christmas, everyone! Here's my homily from the 5pm Christmas Eve Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul in Naperville. The post Drastic Measures | Christmas 2022 appeared first on Love Speaks..

Fr. Alex's homily for Christmas Eve 2022.

Fr. Gregg 4pm  The post Christmas Eve Mass 12/24/22 appeared first on Our Lady of the Valley.

On "EWTN News Nightly" tonight: Today marks the 5th day of Hanukkah and most of the candles on the Menorah are now lit. But for our Jewish brothers and sisters in New York and beyond, amid the Hanukkah lights, there is also the darkness of antisemitism. The New York Police Department reports antisemitic events nearly doubled in the past year alone. Rabbi Yaakov Menken, Managing Director of the Coalition for Jewish Values, joins us to provide insight into the antisemitic events happening in New York. All is set at the Vatican for the traditional Christmas celebrations. A busy two weeks for Pope Francis starts Saturday with Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Andreas Thonhauser, EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief, has more. From the North Star to the Virgin birth, Christmas is a time to take in both the wonder of science and the miracles that go beyond science. Dr. Dan Kuebler, Dean of the School of Natural and Applied Sciences and Professor of Biology at Franciscan University, joins us to discuss the scientific evidence for Jesus' birth over 2,000 years ago. With Christmas just days away, it is the perfect time to reflect on what it was like to be present at the birth of our Lord. We take a closer look at how one famous 15th century artist depicted the scene. Associate Professor at The School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America and author of 'Beauty of Faith,' Jem Sullivan joins us to discuss a masterpiece done by Giorgione depicting the birth of Jesus. Don't miss out on the latest news and analysis from a Catholic perspective. Get EWTN News Nightly delivered to your email: https://ewtn.com/enn

How could she miss the Christmas Eve Mass?Check out the Story Extras for this story at https://www.thunderrock.org/story-extras/the-christmas-eve-broadcast

When Dubliner Derek Scally goes to Christmas Eve Mass on a visit home from Berlin, he finds more memories than congregants in the church where he was once an altar boy. Not for the first time, the collapse of the Catholic Church in Ireland brings to mind the fall of another powerful ideology – East German communism. While Germans are engaging earnestly with their past, Scally sees nothing comparable going on in his native land. So he embarks on a quest to unravel the tight hold the Church had on the Irish.The Best Catholics in the World is the remarkable result of his three-year journey. With wit, wisdom and compassion Scally gives voice and definition to the murky and difficult questions that face a society coming to terms with its troubling past. It is both a lively personal odyssey and a resonant and gripping work of reporting that is a major contribution to the story of Ireland.Derek Scally has written for the Irish Times since 2000. He is based in Berlin. The Best Catholics in the World is his first book.Rachael English is a journalist and writer. She is presenter of Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1. Her latest book, The Paper Bracelet, is published by Hachette UK.The Dublin Festival of History is brought to you by Dublin City Council, and organised by Dublin City Libraries, in partnership with Dublin City Council Culture Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When Dubliner Derek Scally goes to Christmas Eve Mass on a visit home from Berlin, he finds more memories than congregants in the church where he was once an altar boy. Not for the first time, the collapse of the Catholic Church in Ireland brings to mind the fall of another powerful ideology – East German communism. While Germans are engaging earnestly with their past, Scally sees nothing comparable going on in his native land. So he embarks on a quest to unravel the tight hold the Church had on the Irish.The Best Catholics in the World is the remarkable result of his three-year journey. With wit, wisdom and compassion Scally gives voice and definition to the murky and difficult questions that face a society coming to terms with its troubling past. It is both a lively personal odyssey and a resonant and gripping work of reporting that is a major contribution to the story of Ireland.Derek Scally has written for the Irish Times since 2000. He is based in Berlin. The Best Catholics in the World is his first book.Rachael English is a journalist and writer. She is presenter of Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1. Her latest book, The Paper Bracelet, is published by Hachette UK.The Dublin Festival of History is brought to you by Dublin City Council, and organised by Dublin City Libraries, in partnership with Dublin City Council Culture Company. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sermon by The Rev'd Sabeth Fitzgibbons

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2022!John and Shane are delighted to welcome you to this weeks podcast as we continue to celebrate the Christmas season from Christmas Eve to the Baptism of the Lord - let no one tell you Christmas is only a day!So on this the second Sunday within  the Christmas season, we decided to take a flying visit to the Eternal City and see what Pope Francis has been saying over the Christmas period and in particular his reflections for Christmas Eve Mass and the Urbi et Orbi on Christmas Day.Just a liturgical calendar point/apology to our non-Irish listeners, but in Ireland we still keep Epiphany as January 6th - it is not moved around probably as much a cultural decision as anything else. We have our regular run  through the liturgical odds and ends including the saints of the coming week and of course a reflection on the gospel of the Sunday which is the Prologue to the gospel of St John.  General Audience 22 December 2022Homily from Christmas Eve Mass during the nightUrbi et Orbi Christmas 2021Rome reports does some good summaries. As of course does Vatican News as well. 

This is the all local for Christmas morning brought to you by  Kathleen Marple Kalb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fr. Simon's homily for Christmas Eve 2021.

At the Christmas Eve Mass, Fr. Patrick Cahill discusses the real meaning of Christmas.   PAVING THE WAY HOME: Website: http://pavingthewayhome.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pavingthewayhome Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pavingthewayhome_ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com   SUPPORT PAVING THE WAY HOME: If you would like to financially support the work of Paving The Way Home so that we can keep on top of our costs and can continue to produce regular material, there are three possible methods: 1) Please visit http://pavingthewayhome.com/support-us/ for our bank account details 2) Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pavingthewayhome 3) PayPal: https://paypal.me/pavingthewayhome?locale.x=en_US Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.   HOLY FAMILY MISSION: Learn more about Fr. Patrick's work with Holy Family Mission and how to support them at https://www.holyfamilymission.ie/

Christmas Eve mass for the 24th of December 2021 as broadcast and recorded live at 7pm at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Scariff. Celebrated by Fr Joe McMahon.

Father Ben delivers a homily during this year's Christmas Eve Mass. Produced by Rogue Dialogue Productions (roguedialogue.com) Written and directed by Jack Marone and Bob Raymonda Cast: Casey Callaghan as Father Ben Jack Marone as Steve Adam Raymonda as Adam Sam Twardy as Emma Derek Emerson Powell as Tom Caroline Mincks as Emily Josh Rubino as Father Klem Krystal Osborne as Clara Script editing by Jordan Stillman Dialogue editing by Bob Raymonda Sound design and score by Adam Raymonda Logo by Sam Twardy (www.samtwardy.com) Follow @ForgiveMeShow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram Find a transcript of the episode here. For early access to episodes and bonus content become a patron at patreon.com/roguedialogue Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Soundscapes: Epcot Festival of the Holidays Part 1 Follow along with the show notes below! Want More Here With The Magic? Visit The Website: https://herewiththemagic.com Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/HereWithTheMagic Connect on social media: Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/herewiththemagic Facebook Community: https://www.herewiththemagic.com/community Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herewiththemagic/ We invite you to join us for Here With The Magic's 12 Days of Christmas! Beginning on December 12th, we will be covering over 8,000 miles and presenting 16 shows (4 of which will be exclusive to Here With The Magic Café Members) from exciting, festive locations! To learn more and to RSVP, click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2824527467846040   ---------- (4:17) For centuries, the Winter Solstice has marked the emergence of religious and cultural celebrations all around the world. For millennia, it has been a time of reverence for and connection with nature, a moment to align ourselves with the natural world, the seasons, and the spiritual connotations of the Earth. It has also served as a period of acknowledgement and gathering across diverse cultures and belief systems that exist in different parts of the world. As yet another calendar page reaches its end, we find ourselves once again in the imminence of the Winter Solstice, the holiday season, and all of the joy and anticipation it brings. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, the New Year or the age-old festival of the Winter Solstice, whether you participate in religious traditions or not, the act of gathering together with friends and loved ones to share a joyful, sensory experience is a recurring theme found the world over, in holidays both old and new. Here at EPCOT, the Festival of the Holidays promises that same feeling of joy in each of the eleven represented nations. Though each has its own unique culture and customs, a sense of familiarity propagates throughout every narrative. Weaving in and out of each story like the sweet aroma of holiday treats, the infectious, abundant merriment found Here could only inspire curiosity and an appetite for discovery. (6:00) Our yuletide celebration begins at the forecourt of the World Showcase, where an unseen orchestra welcomes us with a symphony of classic holiday carols. Encircling the vast Lagoon is a collection of the most renowned destinations, their talismans and notable landmarks towering high over the heads of awestruck travelers. Each have gathered for this International Festival of the Holidays, to share their cherished traditions and divulge the legends that have been passed down through the generations. With so many enchanting stories to step into, this crossroads begs the question: where to begin? Clockwise, of course! (7:12) The vibrant tapestry of color and music emanating from our left draws us into the heart of a joyous celebration in Mexico - ¡Feliz Navidad! All around us, the vibrato of mariachi song mingles with vivid hues of fuchsia and yellow to join the traditional red and green. Poinsettia flowers thrive in the warm, sun-bathed climate, and the intoxicating aroma of arepas, tamales, horchata and jalapeño engage our senses and hold us captive in their assertion. The Mayan pyramid which stands sentinel at the heart of the pavilion carries on the Navidad festivities with vivacious decor to echo the mood redolent throughout the pavilion. Inside the eternally twilit Mercado, we find a host of holiday merrymakers shopping and dining by the waterside canal, taking leisurely boat rides or sampling the nation's finest tequila. (9:00) This pavilion is alive with laughter and memories in the making, and we get to catch a glimpse of what it might be like to celebrate the season in Oaxaca or Mexico City, wandering the open air markets and listening to the animated excitement of the locals as they share their plans for the holiday with one another. (11:33) Back outside in the real-time sunshine, the talented vocalists and violinists of Mariachi Cobre regale us with beautiful holiday songs. Their jubilant geniality and heartwarming song lifts our spirits as their music soars and lilts around us. Dancers join the mariachi to tell the tale of Las Posadas. (12:34) Las Posadas is a ritual reenactment of a very select part of the Christmas story, wherein Mary and Joseph, imminently anticipating the birth of their son, earnestly seek lodging in Joseph's hometown of Bethlehem. As they are turned away again and again, their hope wavers even in the light of their great mission for God, until one kind soul offers the safety and warmth of a stable and a bed of sweet-smelling hay. Let's pause in this place for a moment to hear this beloved story, preserved through the ages and upheld by a melody to revive even the most enervated soul. Clap along and dance for joy; in Mexico, every day is a fiesta! (21:05) From ¡Feliz Navidad! to Good Yul! we make our way past the Royal Summerhus and onto the fjords of Scandinavia, bidding the last reverberating notes of Mariachi Cobre a fond farewell. Here, we find festive touches bundled up in fair isle sweaters and plenty of yuletide cheer to keep us warm on a long winter's night. Beloved for its picturesque winter scenes and mysterious legends of Norse gods and Vikings, Norway has a cozy, whimsical feel around the holidays. Sweeping fjords bordered by tiny kingdoms and towering stave churches lend an air of storybook Magic to this enigmatic part of the world. Frosted and gilded with glimmering icicles, Norway is a winter wonderland at the approach of the Solstice, with long, starry nights offering breathtaking views of the majestic Aurora Borealis. Here, St. Lucia's Day inspires a Festival of Lights to honor the Winter Solstice. Fires are lit to enliven the night and ward off sinister spirits, and young girls wear wreaths of candles on their heads to pay homage to St. Lucia's martyrdom for her faith. Here in this quaint Norwegian village, we find no shortage of festive decorations and inviting aromas. The Kringle Bakeri is warm and inviting, laden with sweetly spiced lefse, ornate kransekake, and skolebrød sprinkled with snowy coconut. Who could resist stopping in for a spell, to escape the cold and share a moment of sugary joy. Shops adorned in wreaths and holly are full of holiday bustle, while in the square outside, travelers gather to hear the story of a beloved holiday figure as he is known and loved by Norwegians. (21:40) Julenissen is the cunning and clever barn “Santa” who brings Christmas presents to children. In Scandinavian tradition, a nisse is a silly, temperamental spirit tasked with caring for and ensuring the prosperity of the family he watches over. In the mid-nineteenth century, Julenissen became the spirited and generous gift-bearer to not just Norwegians, but many Scandinavians. He embodies the jolly nature of our more well-known Santa Claus, with all the mystique and lore of a guardian spirit, though his love of porridge and hiding in hayloft is a bit of a departure from cookies and milk by the fireside. His antics delight visitors of all ages as he spontaneously appears while a local woman, Sigrid, retells the timeless story of Julenissen and his integral part in the Norwegian holiday season. Let your heart be light as you listen to the tale of this jovial holiday legend. (34:55) With the ringing of the Yule bell, our Christmas celebration in Norway comes to an end. A new year is just around the corner, and so we are invited to step into a very different narrative, one which dates back to ancient times and is highly revered by the people of China and their rich, enduring culture. (35:45:) Chinese New Year is a time of hope and reflection, of gratitude and resilient optimism. Also known as Lunar New Year, this ritual dates back over three thousand years to the Shang Dynasty, when it was observed as a winter festival to honor the gods and ancestors. In an effort to thwart the vicious agenda of the beast, Nian, people wore red clothes, burned bamboo, and made commotion to scare him away. Today, the celebration continues as a more entertaining endeavor. Chinese families gather to exchange gifts wrapped in red paper, set off firecrackers and fireworks, and stay up late enjoying delicious, “lucky” food at a reunion dinner. (37:00) One of the most recognizable Chinese New Year traditions is the incredible Lion Dance, which is either watched or performed by Chinese citizens and in Chinese communities across the globe. In China, the Lion symbolizes good luck and prosperity, strength of body and mind. With the new year at hand, the Lion Dance is performed to chase away evil spirits and bring good fortune to all in the months ahead. Vibrant and astonishing to behold, this custom is unlike anything we experience in the Western world. While it evokes the same festive, whimsical persona as parade floats might do Here at Walt Disney World, the spiritual resonance and cultural significance of this tradition leave us awestruck at the millennia of history and heritage speaking through this majestic creature and the magnificent ceremony at hand. Let's pause, once again, before we travel back to Christmastime. Be Here With the Magic of this ancestral story and its sounds still echoing through the ages. (44:50) Across the bridge from China, a lively, percussive interlude meets our ears in the African Outpost. A space often overlooked by travelers on their way to the pavilion beyond, the Outpost has some of the most beautiful views of World Showcase Lagoon. A marketplace mottled with the crafts and creations of traveling artisans, the vibrant rhythm and fascinating array of trinkets make this the perfect place to find a stocking stuffer or Hanukkah present as we pass through on our way to the next holiday story. Move to the beat and feel the gentle breeze drifting across the lagoon as you stroll along with us to the Bavarian village adorned in Christmas charm. (46:20) Germany is the country wherein many of our most beloved holiday traditions find their origin. The first Christmas trees were decorated and displayed in German homes in the seventeenth century, laden with roses and apples, candies and other sweet delights. Hand-carved wooden nutcrackers said to protect families from danger were given as tokens of good luck, and still today are such an iconic symbol of the season. Christmas angels are found in nearly every German home, passed down through the generations as symbols of those talismans of Christmastime: hope, love, peace, joy, and togetherness. During the month of December, Christmas markets pop up in cities and towns all over the world, seeking to emulate the look and feel of the original Weihnachtsmarkt in Germany. Stalls huddled together beneath majestic pine trees are hung with holly and ribbons and draped in sparkling lights and, if you're lucky, a fresh blanket of snow. The cozy feel and evident yuletide cheer mingles with the inviting aroma of warm gingerbread and roasted chestnuts, like a Christmas scene right out of a Hallmark card or a Dickens novel. Friends and family meet to enjoy a glass of mulled wine or a sizzling bratwurst, exchange season's greetings, or browse the selection of handmade ornaments and decorations from local crafters. Here at EPCOT, a quaint Bavarian town has been transformed into an exquisite storybook village alight with holiday Magic. Red and gold baubles gleam from their garlands and wreaths adorning every shop and lampost, in every corner of this charming Alpine alcove. The smell of sweet caramel and savory schnitzel rises on the melody of a Christmas polka, inviting our senses to decide whether or not to assuage or deny our sweet tooth. Shouts of “Prost!” and the clinking of steins signify an exuberant celebration, as visitors share stories and laughter by the fountain in the center of the square, inside the Weinkeller, and in between bites of strudel. Children crane their necks to watch in awe the confectioners and glass blowers at work on their beautiful (and often delicious) creations. A chink of warm light spills into the square from the Die Weihnachte Ecke, the Christmas Corner where German Christmas decorations and centuries-old traditions are displayed and sold year-round. Find a blown glass Christmas pickle to hide in your tree on Christmas Eve, an Advent calendar to count down the days with your family, or an ornately hand-crafted Nutcracker to stand sentinel on your mantel, waiting for Der Weihnachtsmann - Santa Claus! Encumbered by gifts and treats and a pretzel the size of wagon wheel, it is time to wish a Frohe Weihnachten (Merry Christmas) to Germany, the Weihnachtsmarkt, and all the Magic of the season in this European Christmas fairytale come to life. As we bid Auf Wiedersehen to the merry tunes, luscious sweets, and joyful memories we've made Here, we can hear the accordion music shift and crescendo as we continue our whirlwind holiday tour in…Italy! (50:40) Residing in Southern Europe and bordered by the Mediterranean, Italy's diverse landscapes, ornate architecture, and largely Roman Catholic population make it an international destination during the holiday season. From the snow-capped Alps in Northern Italy to the romantic canals of Venice and the sovereign grandeur of Rome, every region offers its own idiosyncratic customs and cuisine to accompany the merriment. In the North, the joy of Christmas morning begins at midnight with a torch-lit ski trip down the mountains. In Rome, Italians attend Christmas Eve Mass at the Vatican, where the Pope himself presides over the congregation to relay a message of peace and goodwill while a choir fills the palatial space with glorious song. One of the most eminent hallmarks of Italian culture is the importance of gathering together with friends and loved ones to share a meal and purvey gratitude for the gift of life and each other. At Christmastime, this ritual takes on an even greater meaning. Deliciously irresistible delicacies and traditional feasts are at the heart of the holiday for Italians during this month-long celebration. On Christmas Eve, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is a traditionally meatless custom that includes seven (yes, seven!) courses of seafood to begin the holiday on a pure and healthful note. Then, all is undone by the plethora of regional sweets that adorn holiday tables in homes across the country. Panettone is the perfect accompaniment to a Christmas morning cappuccino, while a Roman breakfast spread might include spiced mostaccioli pastries. In Siena, cavallucci flavored with almonds, anise, and bejeweled with candied fruit dance of the palette and recall sweet memories of holidays past. All throughout Italy, tables groan under the weight of such tantalizing treats, while laughter rings from the rafters and glasses are raised high in hope and joyous revelry. Here at EPCOT, we find a replica reminiscent of a Christmas scene in Piazza San Marco, complete with garland and lights strung up along the archways of Doge's Palace and wrapping the wrought iron lampposts casting halos of light onto the stone benches and the towering Campanile. The genuine counterpart of this Venetian square also plays host to a multi-story tree comprised entirely of golden lights, with a gleaming Star of Bethlehem burning brightly into the night from on high. (51:20) Here, the square remains open and inviting, elegant and refined. The raised platform at the center serves as a sort of stage to welcome our final guest of honor, a most enigmatic and benevolent figure called La Befana. Her story is legend, dating back to as early as the eighth century, and helps to account for the reason why, in Italy, Christmas is celebrated well into January. As she tells her tale of Christmas, of how she has searched in earnest for the Christ child each Epiphany Eve for more than two thousand years, listen to the yearning in her voice, the longing to complete her quest, and the generosity of spirit that she has displayed throughout her journey. La Befana leaves gifts and sweet treats for Italian children on the evening of January 5th, hoping that she will find the Christ child in her travels. In exchange, families leave a glass of goccia di grappa (Italian brandy) a wedge of cheese to fortify as she goes. And although she declined the invitation of the three wise men to accompany them on their way to visit the baby Jesus, she has never given up her dream of finding him and paying homage with her own humble offerings. Legend tells of her diligence and unwavering faith, her kindness, and the hope that guides her on her way. She is undeterred and tenacious; her spirit cannot be broken at the notion of her dream finally being realized someday, somehow. La Befana's story is the perfect place to pause on our holiday tour of nations. Listen to her words, the passion in her voice as she inspires us to seek the desires of our hearts, to say “yes” in the year to come - to new adventures, chance encounters, and quiet moments of joy and reflection at all of the wonders that surround us. The holiday season is a time to turn back time and contemplate, not just the triumphs and trials of the year gone by, but the moments in between. These are the moments of waiting, of wondering, of wishing and willing reality to pan out half as well as our daydreams. They are the moments of pause and peace and utter contentment that stand out in our memory as prominently as our highs and lows. They are the “before;” before the sun comes up, before the day winds down, before the clock strikes midnight and we welcome in a brand new year. Let's create more of those moments this holiday season. Let's find more Magic in the mundane, more wonder in the waiting. Like La Befana waiting in wistful longing for the appearance of the Christ child, like the anticipation of a season of joy and togetherness, or of the arrival of a sprightly barn Santa, these moments of “before” are charged with such a palpable energy, it could only be described as the Magic of the holiday season. And so, until we continue our yuletide expedition around the world, we hope you'll find a moment to step into these timeless and beloved holiday stories. Find a narrative that resonates with you, that fills you with a sense of nostalgic joy or curiosity. Listen to the sounds of the season, both near and far, and let your heart be comforted by the holiday traditions that never fail to find us and bring us home, year after year. As our holiday journey continues, we hope you'll come along and be a part of it all. Let us bring you into the realms of enchantment that live Here, onto the pages of this living storybook that spans the generations. Let your heart be light. Let your spirit be lifted up, adorned with Christmas cheer, and Here, as always, With the Magic.

The Far East Magazine is published 10 times a year by St Columbans Mission Society. It features articles and photographs by Columban Missionaries from those countries where the missionaries work. The magazine was originally launched to promote mission interest in Catholic homes in Australia and New Zealand. The Far East Magazine is a major fundraiser for Columban Missionaries and was first published in Australia on 15th October, 1920. The Far East podcast is narrated by John Doherty. Subscribe to the Far East magazine at goo.gl/5ukmQX

The sermon preached at the church of Saint Cecilia at the Christmas Mass in the Night celebrated at Midnight, December 25, 2020 in Wisconsin Dells.

Deacon Chuong sings Angels We Have Heard on High before the 10pm Christmas Eve Mass

Christmas Eve Mass for 2020

The post Christmas Eve Mass appeared first on St. Patrick's Church.

Today, Eric (The Ambassador Of Common Sense) delivers a special message to Catholic priests and bishops across America who have been watching their parishes shrink and their flock dwindle. Please be strong, and defend your sheep against the forces of the left.

Christmas: The Compassion of God

DAY 9: It's the last day before Christmas. Tonight at Christmas Eve Mass, we will hear once more that line in the Gospel, “And there was no room for them in the inn.” Let us rewrite that line. Let us clean up, clear up, and spruce up the inn of our hearts that Jesus may find in it a warm and welcome lodging. Prayer: May the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts. Amen. Read the full text version of this reflection written by Fr. Joel Jason from Sabbath 2020 at www.feast.ph/ocome Thank you for joining our nine-day pause and prayer. May the joyous season of Christmas remind you of God's faithfulness and love. Have a blessed Christmas and an amazing New Year!

Thursday, December 24, 2020

"Via Dolorosa(Painful Path)"-Indonesia Version.mp4 // 1 Korintus 1 15:1 Dan sekarang, saudara-saudara, aku mau mengingatkan kamu kepada Injil yang aku beritakan kepadamu dan yang kamu terima, dan yang di dalamnya kamu teguh berdiri. 15:2 Oleh Injil itu kamu diselamatkan, asal kamu teguh berpegang padanya, seperti yang telah kuberitakan kepadamu--kecuali kalau kamu telah sia-sia saja menjadi percaya. 15:3 Sebab yang sangat penting telah kusampaikan kepadamu, yaitu apa yang telah kuterima sendiri, ialah bahwa Kristus telah mati karena dosa-dosa kita, sesuai dengan Kitab Suci, 15:4 bahwa Ia telah dikuburkan, dan bahwa Ia telah dibangkitkan, pada hari yang ketiga, sesuai dengan Kitab Suci; 15:5 bahwa Ia telah menampakkan diri kepada Kefas dan kemudian kepada kedua belas murid-Nya. 15:6 Sesudah itu Ia menampakkan diri kepada lebih dari lima ratus saudara sekaligus; kebanyakan dari mereka masih hidup sampai sekarang, tetapi beberapa di antaranya telah meninggal. 15:7 Selanjutnya Ia menampakkan diri kepada Yakobus, kemudian kepada semua rasul. 15:8 Dan yang paling akhir dari semuanya Ia menampakkan diri juga kepadaku, sama seperti kepada anak yang lahir sebelum waktunya. Christmas Eve Mass on December 24, 2019/ Parish of Sto Fransiskus Assisi KAMS

Christmas Eve Mass

Christmas Eve Mass, 10 PM, 2019 - The Word Became Flesh - Fr. Brian Larkin by Lourdes Denver

Fr. Patrick Setto - Christmas Eve Mass by Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle USA

"Tenderness is not gratification in the feelings we have, but abandonment, feeling oneself taken over by the love that has taken hold of us, by Him who has taken hold of us, feeling ourselves taken hold of by this Presence, feeling ourselves taken hold of by what has happened, the presence of what has happened." - Liugi Guissani Paragraph 2 (http://archivio.traces-cl.com/dic05/christmas.html ) of Christmas: The Mystery of God's Tenderness Christmas Mass at Night - Fr. Derek Thome

Kids wanting & Christmas Eve Mass 2019. Don’t be alone please ring 116123 don’t suffer alone. https://www.samaritans.org/

Merry Christmas from Color! We hope that you will enjoy this recording of O Holy Night. This song was a tradition at Christmas Eve Mass for many years at Our Lady of the Rosary RC Church in Barbados. May God Bless you and your family. Color Music Ministry

Fr Chris Findley Sermon for Christmas Eve on December 24, 2019

December 25, 2019. Christmas Eve (Mass during the Night) homily by Fr. Matt Lowry about how Christ comes to be our savior. He comes to meet us where we are with the gentleness of a baby. He invites us to open the door and make room for Him in the inn of our lives.

Christmas is a stressful time of year for a preacher. Sometimes it’s even tougher for a preacher’s daughter.

Scripture Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/122418.cfm

The Nativity of the Lord – Christmas Mass During the Night

Friar Rick delivers a beautiful message during our Christmas Eve Mass inviting the Lord Jesus into our lives. Often times, we lose sight of what Christmas is all about; that it’s less about big and beautiful, but humble and pure. When we allow Him into our lives, we receive the peace of God and a wonderfull life. Connect with us online: assumptionsyr.org --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/assumption/message

Homily preached by Fr. Eric Sternberg, Pastor, Saint Cecilia Catholic Church, Wisconsin Dells at the Christmas Eve Mass in the Night on December 24, 2018

Fr. Chris Findley Sermon for the Christmas Eve Mass on December 24, 2018.

The Nativity of the Lord – Christmas Mass During the Night

Dec. 24, 2016 - "Christmas Eve Mass" - Fr. Kevin by Mary Queen of Peace - WA

Download | Subscribe (Free) In this episode, Rev. Beverly Gibson and Johnny Gwin recap the well-known Christmas story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus. First thru the eyes of Christ Church Cathedral kid's pageant, then from insights of English-writer Jeanette Winterson, and finally from the personal experiences of the show hosts. Examining all of the complex events that had to happen to make the birth of Christ happen and fulfill an ancient messianic prophecy is stunning and fascinating. Have you ever taken the time to re-read this story and look at the logistics and all the conscious choices these people had to make to get to that moment, that stable, that birth, and the broadcast of the news that billions of people celebrate each year? And we think our build up to Christmas is full of drama. Plus, Beverly and Johnny discuss Joseph's kindness, Mary's grace, and their simpatico relationship that endured immense struggle and pressure. Lastly, Beverly shares how Christmas Eve Mass can be a mystical and spiritual moment of rebirth for all of us. Click to read Rev. Gibson's full worship notes Help support Pulpit To Pew with our Patreon campaign {Editor's note: This is an excerpt from Rev. Gibson's worship notes} Perhaps the greatest gift our children will give us this Sunday is the gift of time-time given and spent in attention to one another, concentrating on what is precious, worth our loving, and worth our whole lives. This gift is the best gift you can give anyone this Christmas season, to be spent telling and listening to stories, setting aside differences and enjoying laughter and good company. If you were to read this week's lessons from scripture, you would find: Isaiah's prophecy that God would send a sign to the house of David in the young woman who would bear a son she would name Immanuel; Paul's confirmation to the Church in Rome that Jesus Christ was this prophesied son; and, Matthew's recounting of the appearance of an angel in a dream to Joseph, telling him that the child in Mary's womb is that prophesied Emmanuel, "God with us." The angel's message to Joseph changed all his plans. He did marry Mary, and he named the child Jesus, as the angel had instructed. But those changes in plan were only the beginning! God is always about changing our plans, even though we resist change at every turn.  Accept God's life-changing gifts this Christmas, thankfully and joyfully. What You Will Hear: > The luxurious Joesph beard and the Christ Church Cathedral's Kid's Christmas Pageant recap >What does Noel mean? Christmas in French. > The talking shepherds and the quiet angels > Angels are blue and yellow ghosts > The frightening biblical description of angels > The retelling of the dreaded "lump of coal" story as a myth > Chris Kringle, Santa Claus, and St. Nicholas > Joseph's dream and visit from the Angel (Mathew > Emmanuel and Immanuel - the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy > Joseph and Mary's engagement and the virgin pregnancy > The kindness and grace of Joseph - how he handled the news of Mary's pregnancy and him quietly "letting her go" > Annunciation of Mary - the realities of a 13-14-year-old girl questioning the Angel Gabriel how can this be? > Mary and Joseph's choice to go forward with the birth of this miracle child > Mary's acceptance and embracing this reality as it has appeared to her > Joseph and Mary as a couple and on the frequency > The instability of a young couple with a baby fleeing a chaotic system > Jesus the precious little scamp > Seeing the reality of Joseph and Mary as 3-dimensional characters that really existed - not two-dimensional characters in just a story > The Sorrows of Mary > The dangers and the life expectancy of the world of early Christian word compared to the world we have today > Angels, shepherds, the star - the whole world was being drawn to this point in time and place > What did all these look like? Sound like? > Jeanette Winterson's insights on the importance of Bethlehem and the call for the Roman census > Roman decree that we need to tax the whole world and the context in which all of these events happens > What started with a man's request for money ends with God's gift to mankind > The misconception and the reality of what type of Messiah Jesus was and will be > Grace - a gift from God to have the ability to say "Yes" to God and to follow through on some things > Grace vs. Intuition - the difference > Control and relinquishing control to God because of freewill, acceptance and earned trust in Him > The great complexity of being a human being > Jesus came to live and die as one of us > Interplay of instinct, genetic makeup, consciousness, and unconsciousness, choice and suffering > Faith building rereading of well-known scripture to notice all the choices these people made to stay on the path > The hectic onion of Christmas chaos and still taking the time to focus on the realization that this all started with the birth of a baby > The reason and the purpose of the "dark church" > Christmas Eve is a mystical and special nice that > Church as a place to slow down and find some "peace" > The drama of the seats and saved seats of Christmas Eve mass with all the people > Creating a spiritual environment in the Church that feels like floating in this island of timelessness > Giving yourself over to this spiritual experience that transforms you and connects you with all these people Christmas events, other Christians worshiping all over the world, the people to come in the future. > Rev. Gibson's understanding why some people come to Christmas Eve Mass when they don't come to other services throughout the year Weekly Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 What do you think about Pulpit To Pew?
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GOSPEL: Luke 2.1-20Revised Common Lectionary Year B

Welcome Renegade Nation, Hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas. You need to listen to what this Catholic Bishop said at Christmas Eve Mass in England. Happy Birthday to T in Japan and of course thank you to Dollar Shave Club and Amazon. Richie and Marla Renegade Talk Radio http://www.renegadetalkradio.com

GOSPEL: Luke 2.1-20Revised Common Lectionary Year B

Here is the audio of my homily from the Christmas Eve children’s Mass.

Summary of today's show: Fr. Joseph Scorzello has been a priest-secretary for two cardinals, a parochial vicar, a pastor, and now a seminary professor. He joins Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O'Connor to talk about attending seminary in Rome just after the Second Vatican Council closed; serving in several of Boston's Italian parishes; being asked to become a priest-secretary by Cardinal Humberto Medeiros and his successor, Cardinal Bernard Law; and ultimately ending up at St. John's Seminary where he teaches philosophy and imparts his decades of pastoral experience upon the young men who will follow him into the priesthood. Listen to the show: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O'Connor Today's guest(s): Fr. Joseph Scorzello Links from today's show: Today's topics: Priest Profile: Fr. Joseph Scorzello 1st segment: Scot Landry welcomed Fr. Chris O'Connor back to the show and notes that they are recording today at St. John Seminary. He noted that the seminary is called the heart of the Church and asked Fr. Chris what that means. Fr. Chris said this place and its purpose serves as the lifeblood of any diocese. As Cardinal Seán has said, without priests, there is no Eucharist and the Eucharist is at the heart of our Catholic existence. The seminary provides priests and those who will minister throughout the Archdiocese. While the principal purpose is to form priests, they also offer all sorts of programs to the laity as well, in order to shape and form them to be co-workers with the priests. The parish is only as good as the pastor who empowers the people around him to assist him in running the parish and in evangelization. Evangelization is a big part of our agenda. It involves every man, woman, and child in a parish so they offer programs to educate the laity in such a way that they know him in a deep and profound way and transmit that to others. Scot said The Theological Institute for the New Evangelization and St. John Seminary are able to do this work because of the great work of the faculty, including Fr. Joseph Scorzello. He asked Fr. Chris to tell listeners about Fr. Scorzello. Fr. Chris described Fr. Joe as a great mentor to him. He said he's a man of deep prayer and is always present in the seminary and values the work of seminary formation. He said when bishops from others dioceses ask why they should send their seminarians to St. John's, Fr. Chris notes it's a regional seminary forming men from around New England and building those relationships among the priests and it has a great faculty, who are all united on the right stuff and who value and treasure the priesthood. 2nd segment: Scot and Fr. Chris welcomed Fr. Joseph Scorzello. Scot said Fr. Joe has had an interesting priestly life. He asked him about his background. Fr. Joe said he was born and lived for 10 years in East Boston and attended Most Holy Redeemer Church. They moved to Hyde Park and went to Most Precious Blood Parish and attended St. Raphael's school. From there he went to Christopher Coilumbus High School in the North End and graduated from there in 1962 and entered Cardinal O'Connell college seminary in Jamaica Plain. After two years there, he came to St. John Seminary and studied Philosophy at St. Clement's Hall. After two years there, he received a bachelor's degree and was appointed by Cardinal Cushing to theological studies at the North American College in Rome and the Gregorian University. He was there for four years until 1970 and was ordained in Rome on December 19, 1969. They were ordained at the end of the first semester of the fourth year of theology which was unusual, but which was allowed for seminarians at the Gregorian University. He was ordained by Bishop Hickey, who became the cardinal archbishop of Washington, DC. Scot asked what it was like to be studying in Rome during Vatican II. He said it was exciting academically speaking. Many of the faculty were members of the commissions that put together the draft documents for the Council. Fr. Joe said it was all part of the course material he was studying. They would refer to the documents in their courses on Scripture and fundamental theology and more. He was there just a couple of years after the close of the council. Bishops came to visit who were members of the council. In 1968, Pope Paul VI wrote the important encyclical Humanae Vitae. Scot asked about the change in the liturgy and whether Fr. Joe was trained in both the old and new rites. Fr. Joe said at his ordination they had the new English translation of the Mass in a binder on the altar because it was so new. He also offered Mass in Italian. His first Christmas Eve Mass was in Italian with the workers at the North American College. Fr. Chris said there are two basic systems for seminary formation, the French system and the Italian system. St. John's follows the French system, having been founded by the Sulpician order, where the faculty live with the men. Fr. Joe explained the Italian system, in which the college is a living space. At the NAC, all the Americans from all over the states would live together, eat together, pray together, and do some formation together. Their intellectual formation was done at a university. Most went to the Gregorian University, but there were others as well, including the Angelicum. after ordination, during the second semester, the new priests celebrated Mass at the college, and during Lent they went out to the hospitals in Rome to hear confessions. Next to the college is a hospital for children, where the sickest children are sent. Many of them die there. He would go over to pray with the family at the death of their children. He never wanted to hear the phone ring. Scot asked whether the change in the liturgy was controversial among the seminarians or were they in favor of the change to vernacular. Fr. Joe said most of the men were happy to see the vernacular, but there was tension as well and its true in himself. It's difficult to leave what you were brought up with and familiar with. Now there was a new way of doing something. His concern, even now with teaching the Tridentine rite, we have to celebrate the Eucharist and it has to be prayerful. If we're doing it in a language we're not familiar with, it may not be as prayerful as it could be, especially as the priest-celebrant leading it. As the president of the assembly, the priest has to lead the assembly in prayer. He said some of the men in his class didn't have as much Latin as others and were happy to go into the vernacular. Certainly Gregorian chant was irreplaceable. Overall, everyone was happy with the change, if perhaps not as happy with all the translations. He said the new translation is a bit more reverent and using a language that is a bit different from regular day-to-day language so it lends itself to a prayerful environment. Scot noted that it often takes several generations after a Council for the Church to appropriate all aspects of it. Fr. Joe said he returned home to Boston in July 1970 and celebrated his first Mass here on July 19. His first assignment was St. Mary's Italian Church in Salem, which had a small Italian community. The monsignor who was there was a wonderful first pastor. He was very respectful of Fr. Joe. At one point, he was in charge of religious education and when concerns came up about the textbook, he accepted Fr. Joe's decisions on the matter. He was prayerful and concerned about his people as well. He was then assigned to Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton. They also had a large Italian community there. There were four priests there at the time. They had a grammar school and a high school, where he taught for a year. He also visited the grammar school often as well. He also taught religious education. He celebrated funerals and weddings in Italian and heard confessions in Italian and had Communion calls in Italian, about 20 or 30 per month. He was also on call at the hospital for the occasional Italian patient who didn't speak English well. After eight years he moved again to St. Anthony's in Revere, another strongly Italian parish. St. Anthony's had four priests as well. This was about 10 or 11 years in the priesthood for Fr. Joe so he was the senior curate in the house, that is the most senior of the priests not the pastor. Fr. Joe was put in charge of the parish band even though he's neither a musician or singer. He was there for about 2–1/2 years and one day got a call from Bishop Thomas Daily who asked him to come in. Cardinal Medeiros wanted him to come in and meet on Friday. The whole week from Monday to Friday he wondered what it was about. On Friday, the cardinal told him he wanted to appoint him as his secretary. Fr. Scorzello thought it was a mistake at first, but the cardinal insisted that it would be a good fit. The Cardinal asked if he needed time to think about it, but Fr. Joe said that if it was the wish of the archbishop then he didn't have to think about it. He was asked not to talk about it until he got the official appointment, except for his pastor. The next week, Fr. Joe got a call from the cardinal himself who told him to call his parents and tell them first. Scot said he can't recall any personal memories of Cardinal Medeiros. Fr. Joe said he's known many priests and bishops and says from his own judgment that he was a bishop who was holy, intelligent, and perceptive. He had them to a higher degree than anyone else he's known. He knew the diocese well, he loved the people and priests, he was intellectually acute. At the time, Fr. Joe was studying for his comprehensive exams in philosophy, and the cardinal was hospitalized for a week and every night the cardinal quizzed him on the work. Scot asked what the cardinal's legacy is in the Archdiocese. Fr. Joe said he stabilized the archdiocese's finances certainly, but his legacy is really his gentleness, his love of his priests, and the lasting memory of him among the people. He said the funeral Mass for the Cardinal was incredible. They celebrated memorial Masses for him all week and the cathedral was filled for all of those Masses. Fr. Chris said one of his earliest memories is of standing in the huge line at the cathedral for the wake. The line went out the cathedral doors and they had to wait more than an hour and a half to go by. He remembers the reverence and love and outpouring of the people. Bishop Daily was appointed administrator and then out of the blue a bishop from Missouri was being sent to Boston. Fr. Joe said Bishop Bernard Law was named in January 1984 and came up for the news conference and met with the auxiliary bishops of Boston, the secretaries, and the bishops of the metropolitan region. He asked Fr. Joe to return to Springfield-Cape Girardeau to help him transition to Boston. He stayed there for six weeks. Fr. Chris noted it was only supposed to be 10 days originally. When he was told he needed to stay for six weeks, Fr. Joe told Bishop Law that he'd have to make a few phone calls, to Bishop Daily, of course, but more importantly to his mother so she wouldn't worry. Fr. Joe said his mother was delighted to hear from him. Much later, after Cardinal Law had retired to Rome, after the death of Fr. Joe's sister, he called Fr. Joe's mother to extend his own sympathies to her. Scot said he has heard from many, many people about Cardinal Law that when somebody was ill or in the hospital or somebody had died that was close to one of his priests or to somebody that worked in the chancery, that the cardinal was tremendous in those moments. Scot said that for the archbishop, there is so much administration and so much ceremony that there isn't a lot of time for simple pastoral ministry of a priest. Fr. Joe said while he was with the cardinal as his secretary,one time as they traveled from Worcester, the cardinal wanted to go to Ipswich because there was a nun there who was dying that he wanted to visit. It was already after 8pm and the house was secluded and once they were there the cardinal gave the anointing and visited for a while and they didn't get home until after 11pm. The Cardinal came to Fr. Joe's dad's wake and funeral too. He continued the tradition set by Cardinal Medeiros. They both had a great deal of affection for the priests and the people. After his time as priest-secretary, Cardinal Law asked him to become administrator of Most Precious Blood in Hyde Park. Bishop Riley was the pastor there and was getting on in years so he had very much on his plate as auxiliary bishop and pastor of parish and school. This was after the cardinal's first year in Boston. It worked out for Fr. Joe very well to go back to his home parish. While Fr. Joe was there was when his own father got sick and died so it was a blessing to be close to home. After 5–1/2 years, he asked not to become pastor and asked for sabbatical for six months to write his dissertation. He went up to St. Anselms College abbey to live with the monks and wrote a rough draft of his dissertation. After that he was assigned to St. Mary's in Brookline with Fr. Jack Ahern and Fr. Richard Lennon, now the bishop of Cleveland, and Fr. Joseph Trainor, He taught school there again and religious education. He continued working on his doctoral dissertation and celebrated his 25th anniversary of his priesthood while there. He took his mother and sister to Rome to celebrate. They visited with friends in the city every night and had a wonderful time. Cardinal Law got them very good audience tickets to greet Pope John Paul II. The Friday of the week, December 17, he got a call from the Vatican inviting them to celebrate Mass in the private chapel with Pope John Paul on the following morning. They went to the early Mass with the Pope and met him afterward. He was at St. Mary's for another after that and then he was appointed Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Medford. Scot noted that you can see it from Route 93. After six years there, Fr. Joe was asked whether he wanted to stay or apply to another position. He wasn't happy with all the administrative work of the pastor so he asked to be made a parochial vicar. The cardinal asked him to come in and talk about it. The cardinal said he would respect his decision given that Fr. Joe had always been obedient and said yes to the bishop's requests. So he appointed him as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes in Brockton. after a couple of years, he got a call from Fr. John Farren, a Dominican priest he didn't know. Fr. Farren asked Fr. Joe to come and teach at the seminary. Fr. Joe said the first year, he came from Brockton twice per week to teach, which was a bit difficult. At the end of the year, he said he couldn't keep it up any longer at 60 years old doing two jobs. Fr. Joe asked Cardinal Seán to appoint him full-time to the seminary or to the parish. That was 7 years ago. Fr. joe said the great gift of working at the seminary is the priestly fraternity with the faculty. Most priests live alone in their rectories or with one other priest, but in the seminary there are many more priests. Then the young men in the seminary are very courageous and inspiring to dedicate themselves to Christ and His Church. Fr. Joe said he's always enjoyed being a priest, but the seminary is a very special assignment. Scot said it's unusual for a priest serving many years in parishes to come onto the seminary faculty as a professor late in life. Fr. Joe said that was one of the reasons Fr. Farren asked him to come to the seminary. He wanted him because of his pastoral experience. Most of the priest-faculty have only spent a limited amount of time in the parish, so in classes and at meals, the students are intent on talking about his pastoral experiences. Fr. Chris said Fr. Joe really shines in those lunches in which he imparts his wisdom in both the good and bad, the dangers and what to look out for and watch for as a priest.

Christmas Eve Mass