Five Things to Remember for Dec. 11

1.   The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is tomorrow, December 12. As the patroness of the Americas the Virgin of Guadalupe holds special meaning for people in the United States. Download a special prayer card to celebrate this feast and petition for regard for religious liberty.

2.  After setting up the Christmas tree that points upwards toward heaven, take time to bless this symbol of God’s evergreen love for us.

3.  Many believe that their odds for divorce are 50/50. But there are things couples can do to decrease the risk of a split. One study, The State of Our Unions, finds that “if you are a reasonably well-educated person with a decent income, come from an intact family and are religious, and marry after the age of 25 without having a baby first, your chances of divorce are very low indeed.”

4.  Hurricane Sandy’s devastation on the East Coast still has people out of their homes. The U.S. bishops have urged parishes to take up collections for victims of Sandy to address the needs for food, clothing, shelter and other basic needs. Collection money will go to Catholic Charities USA, the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church. Funds will go to respond to immediate emergency needs and long-term pastoral and reconstruction needs of the church.

5.  God Loves You.