"...the buck stops with me."

NEWSREEL
This new "Newsreel" feature is a summary of news that has recently caught my attention. The title of the feature refers to the segments that appeared before films in movie theatres in the first half of the twentieth century, a major source of news for the people of the era. My opinions, where applicable, have been written in plain text and italicised.

The President comments on attacks
President Barack Obama gave a press conference to address the results of inquiry and investigation regarding the recent terrorist attacks and attempts on our nation, especially the Christmas Day attempt on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. He commented that a plan is in motion to improve communication between intelligence agencies and avoid further mistakes. Among these comments he said, "We are at war with Al Qaeda."

Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary, led a press conference with Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, among others. Helen Thomas, a member of the White House Press Corps, asked among other things, why Al Qaeda wishes to attack us. The government officials tap danced around the issue.
Source: Fox News

Benedict XVI encourages youth in vocations
At the Thanksgiving Vespers December 31st at St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged vocations among the youth, that they should not be afraid of living out God's will for their lives. The 25th anniversary of World Youth Day will be celebrated 25 March 2010.
Source: EWTN

New Jersey defeats gay marriage bill
The New Jersey Senate defeated the gay marriage bill on 7 January. Supporters of the bill worked to push the bill through before Republican Governor-elect Chris Christie takes office 19 January. Outgoing Governor Jeff Corzine vowed to sign the bill while Governor-elect Chris Christie will veto the bill if it reaches his desk.
Source: Fox News

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord this Sunday
This Sunday the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The conclusion of Vespers that day marks the end of Christmastide. Pope Benedict XVI, continuing in tradition, will celebrate Mass and the Sacrament of Baptism in the Sistine Chapel this Sunday. EWTN will broadcast the Mass at 3am CT with an encore at 11am CT.

The Proclamation of the Date of Easter on Epiphany

Dear brothers and sisters, the glory of the Lord has shone upon us,
and shall ever be manifest among us, until the day of his return.
Through the rhythms of times and seasons
let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation.

Let us recall the year's culmination, the Easter Triduum of the Lord:
his last supper, his crucifixion, his burial, and his rising, celebrated
between the evening of the 1st of April
and the evening of the 4th of April.

Each Easter - as on each Sunday -
the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed
by which Christ has for ever conquered sin and death.

From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy.
Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, will occur on the 17th of February.
The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on the 13th of May.
Pentecost, the joyful conclusion of the season of Easter, will be celebrated on the 23rd of May.
And this year the First Sunday of Advent will be celebrated on the 28th of November.

Likewise the pilgrim Church proclaims the passover of Christ
in the feast of the holy Mother of God, in the feasts of the Apostles and Saints,
and in commemoration of the faithful departed.

To Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come, Lord of time and history,
be endless praise, for ever and ever.
Amen.

January Intentions of Pope Benedict XVI

The intentions of the Holy Father for January 2010:

Young People and Media. That young people may learn to use social communication media for their personal growth and in preparation to serve society. (General)

Christian Unity. That every believer in Christ may understand that unity among all Christians is necessary for effective proclamation of the Gospel. (Mission)

www.apostleshipofprayer.org

Catholics Come Home

Our world is crying out for Truth. Our world is looking for something concrete. The only way to stop the hurt is to sanctify our world and sanctify our lives.

Whether you used to be Catholic, are Christian, non-Christian, or even a devout practicing Catholic, visit "Catholics Come Home" and explore just what Catholicism is all about.

Welcome home.

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Dioceses around the United States are participating in the Catholics Come Home campaign. In this new year, I hope to help reach out to those who want to learn more about Catholicism, misunderstand the Church, or are searching for answers in their life.

21!

I have reached that great American milestone and marked it by attending Mass on the Feast of the Holy Innocents (and a Benedict's Bock beer at Granite City Brewery). I used to hate the fact that my birthday coincided with the memorial of Herod's slaughter of Jesus' generation but I've come to cherish it; they are the patron saints of choir boys and great intercessors for the current holocaust. Hopefully they will help me keep and cultivate a childlike innocence as I head further out into the world, to be in it but not of it.

I would also like to share what will be consuming future entries of this journal and increase readership I expect!

On 5 February 2010 I will be leaving to study abroad at the Angelicum in Rome, Italy through the Catholic Studies Rome Program at the University of Saint Thomas. While there, I will study bioethics, poetry, art and architecture, Latin, and conversational Italian as well as soak up all of Italian culture, living each day as a Roman, and absorbing all kinds of Catholicism in the Eternal City. Pray for me. I will pray for you throughout the various pilgrimage sites. Stay tuned for various updates and pictures coming from around Italy and Europe through June 2010.

His Holiness, Benedict XVI; Christmas 2009

Midnight Mass
Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord
24 December 2009
Saint Peter's Basilica
Homily of His Holiness Benedict XVI

Urbi et Orbi Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI
25 December 2009
Saint Peter's Square

The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ

Today, the twenty–fifth day of December,
unknown ages from the time when God created the heavens and the earth
and then formed man and woman in his own image.

Several thousand years after the flood,
when God made the rainbow shine forth
as a sign of the covenant.

Twenty–one centuries from the time of Abraham and Sarah;
thirteen centuries after Moses led the people of Israel
out of Egypt.

Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the Judges;
one thousand years from the anointing of David as king;
in the sixty–fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel.

In the one hundred and ninety–fourth Olympiad;
the seven hundred and fifty–second year from the foundation
of the city of Rome.

The forty–second year of the reign of Octavian Augustus;
the whole world being at peace,
Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father,
desiring to sanctify the world by his most merciful coming,
being conceived by the Holy Spirit,
and nine months having passed since his conception,
was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary.

Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.