VIEWS

The scene is one you might share from your own memory. It is the image of a mother, father and two children delighting in the sweet innocence of an infant.

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, Advent is a time to watch and prepare for the coming of Christ just as vigilantly as we scan the skies for those first tentative signs that the days are slowly but surely getting longer.

At one point in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program each year I ask participants a seemingly simple question: “Is it possible to know God?” There is usually discussion and then concern that it is an impossible question to answer.

Santa Claus is real. More precisely commemorated as St. Nicholas (in Dutch, “Sinterklass,” later anglicized to “Santa”), the Church celebrates this fourth-century bishop every Dec. 6 for his holiness of life and zeal for souls.

As the Diocese of Phoenix marks its 50th anniversary we have an opportunity to look back on our history. And in this era of incredible technological advancement, that’s a good thing.

NEW YORK (CNS) — In 2007, Franz Jagerstatter (1907-1943), a devoutly Catholic Austrian farmer martyred by the Nazis for his stance as a conscientious objector, was declared blessed.

NEW YORK (CNS) — A long time ago, in a world that now seems far, far away — to wit, Earth in spring 1977 — George Lucas wowed audiences with the original “Star Wars” film.

During this Advent-Christmas Season, we remember Ebenezer Scrooge, the famous protagonist of Charles Dickens’ master literary work, “A Christmas Carol.”

Durante estas Tiempos del Adviento y la Navidad, recordamos a Ebenezer Scrooge, el famoso protagonista de la obra literaria maestra de Charles Dickens, “Cuento de Navidad”. Tenía un objetivo en la vida: ganar mucho dinero.

I’ve now served in the Catholic press for 12 years. I use the term “serve” because those of us in the field consider this to be a vocation.