Reaching a height of nearly 100 feet, the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square this year is adorned with handcrafted wooden ornaments made by the homeless, as well as children and other adults.
Before the Christmas tree lighting ceremony Dec. 11, Pope Francis said that he wanted the Christmas tree and nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square to be “a sign of hope” in a year marked by the coronavirus pandemic.
The “Great Conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn on Dec. 21 – dubbed the “Christmas Star” – was a pretty sight, but it is impossible to know for sure if it had any connection to the Star of Bethlehem, a Vatican astronomer said.
On Dec. 21, the planets Jupiter and Saturn appeared a tenth of a degree apart in the night sky, something called a “Great Conjunction.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Many Christmas Carols have fascinating backstories. The beloved Carol, Joy to the World, has one such interesting history. Isaac Watts, born in England in 1674, was reflecting one day on Psalm 98 and he was greatly moved by the fourth verse, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.” Watts took pen in hand and wrote a four stanza poem which he entitled, Joy to the World. The words fit the tunes of several hymn melodies of the day. However, many refused to sing the hymn because Watts dared to change the wording of the Psalm to suit his poem.
Father (Colonel) Robert F. Berger, KHS, died at his family home on December 14, 2020. He was a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg for 58 years.
He was born August 30, 1935, in Locust Gap, the son of the late George Francis and Josephine (Heiser) Berger.
Our Mother of Perpetual Help School in Ephrata made quite the debut in its foray into the Extraordinary Give last month. The PreK-8 school rang up an astounding $145,127 in Lancaster County’s annual day of giving on Nov. 20. The one-day marathon inspires donors to make online contributions to boost local non-profits and schools at the start of the holiday season. The event is an initiative of the Lancaster County Community Foundation.
Faculty, students and parents reveled as they watched the donations climb, and rejoiced in seeing the support for their school.
Three days before a snow storm encased central Pennsylvania in nearly two feet of snow, teenagers with the Diocesan Youth Council spread some warm holiday cheer to several dozen guests of the Cathedral Parish’s Sunday evening meal in Harrisburg.
Stationed behind tables stacked with Christmas gifts, cookies and hot chocolate, the teens offered the presents and treats to nearly 50 men and women on Dec. 13.
The life of Father Patrick Peyton, an Irish-American priest who traveled the world hosting hundreds of Rosary rallies and encouraging families to pray together, is the subject of a new film now available for online purchase.
The documentary-style film “PRAY: The Story of Patrick Peyton,” includes footage of Father Peyton, who lived from 1909-1992, as well as interviews with those who knew him.
My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As our world continues to suffer due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I ask that you join me in continuing to pray for an end to this pandemic. I also ask that you continue to offer prayers and gratitude for those in medical and emergency response professions. Their efforts have been nothing short of heroic during this year.
Rose Burns, a student at St. Leo the Great School in Rohrerstown, was selected from among thousands of young artists as one of 24 finalists in the 2019-2020 national Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) Christmas Artwork Contest.
Typically, winners’ artwork is displayed in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., throughout the Advent/Christmas season, complete with an awards ceremony at the Shrine. However, it will look a little different this year.
Father Vincent R. Capodanno Assembly 3167 of the Knights of Columbus honored two of their deceased members by presenting Mass kits in each of their names to be used by priests serving in Uganda.
Presented in memory of Sir Knight Stephen Reed and Sir Knight Ernest A. DeFrank, Jr., by Robert P. Hawley, Faithful Navigator of Assembly 3167, the kits were gifted to Father Bernard Wamayose, A.J., pastor of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Harrisburg and a member of the Apostles of Jesus. Father Wamayose will facilitate delivery of the kits to two priests of his congregation serving in Uganda – Father Raphael Owori and Father Bernard Bubolo.