Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Five things to Remember on Dec. 4



1.  Pope Benedict XVI officially launched a Twitter account yesterday. Actually, he launched eight of them… one in English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, French, Arabic and Italian. His handle is in a ninth language, Latin: @pontifex


3.  Today is the anniversary (49th) of the Vatican II Constitution on Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium. The document emphasized that the Mass is a participatory celebration of Christ, and it opened the way for the celebration Mass in the language of the people. The Mass involves the whole assembly and a variety of ministries, including not only thepriest, but deacons, lectors, servers, cantors, and others.  Education on the liturgy is essential andshould always emphasize that the liturgy is the “source and summit” of theChristian life (see paragraph 10).

4. The UN’s decision to upgrade Palestine to observer "non-member state" was welcomed by the Vatican and criticized by the U.S. and Israel. Some Americans want to cut U.S. humanitarian and development assistance to Palestinians in retribution. The chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on International Justice Peace objects. “Such legislation would not be consistent with U.S. efforts to seek a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land; it would distract and detract from this goal,” said Bishop Richard E.Pates of Des Moines, Iowa. Such assistance is essential for “building capacity for a future Palestinian state. Cutting aid will only harm the peace process.This is not in the interests ofeither Israelis or Palestinians who long forpeace.”
5. God loves you.

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