Five Things To Remember On Dec. 17

 

1. Child advocacy, health, parents, privacy, and consumer organizations wrote Dec. 13 to urge the Federal Trade Commission’s to update its rules under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The act protects children’s privacy and lets parents decide how their children will interact with companies on the Internet, and creates a clear set of principles and practices that have guided the development of the online children’s marketing industry. The letter says the need for rule changes is urgent since they address techniques that are swiftly becoming commonplace, including: “cookies” and other “persistent identifiers” for following a child online, mobile and geo-location tracking, facial recognition software, and behavioral advertising. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is among the signees.

2.  The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut, underscores the prevalence of violence in society. All need to address this culture of violence in contemporary society.
 
3. The O Antiphons begin today. The Roman Church has been singing the "O" Antiphons since at least theeighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well. Their repeated use of the imperative "Come!" embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah.
 
4. Want to increase your chances for marital success and long-term happiness? Try religion! Research shows the benefits that come from shared religious practices, even though the couple may be of different religions. The rate of satisfaction in marriage is higher for husbands and wives when both regularly maintain religious attendance and feel that God is the center of their marriage. (The State of Our Unions 2011)
 
5.  God loves you.