Catholic Roundup

When I started preparing the first Catholic New Media Advent Calendar in 2008, I had several objectives.  First I wanted to help people to reclaim a sense of Advent as a journey and a preparation for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.    Second, I wanted to create a collaborative project that showcased the work of many of the people who use new media to spread the Gospel.

This is the third year of the Catholic New Media Advent Calendar and I think we have succeeded on both those fronts.  I have personally been challenged, encouraged, and enlightened as I pondered upon the daily advent reflections prepared by our guest contributors.  This year, by my inexact count, we had around 70 people directly involved with producing material for the Advent Calendar.  Thanks to each one of you.

1. Send me your feedback on the blog at catholicroundup.com by email at catholicroundup.com> (catholicroundup@gmail.com) catholicroundup (at) gmail (dot) com or by calling 206-666-7374.
   .

2. Go to the Catholic New Media Advent Calendar

Subscribe to CNMR (RSS).

Subscribe on the Itunes Music Store

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:35 — 5.0MB)

To wrap up the Catholic New Media Advent Calendar, let me present a few Catholic New media personalities explaining the meaning of Christmas.

Toronto musician Blaise Alleyne went to Midnight mass at the Cathedral on Christmas Eve.  On the way out of the cathedral, he was interviewed by CP24 TV news about why he was there.

From the 2008 Catholic New Media Advent calendar, Mac and Katherine Barron from the Catholic in a Small Town podcast bring us breaking news of a religious conspiracy that claims to know the “true meaning” of Christmas.  Greg Willits from The Catholics Next Door on Sirius Satellite Radio, The Catholic Channel, makes a guest appearance as the ACLU rep, Mr. Cankorface.

And last, Father Jay Finelli, the ipadre, has released iPadre # 213 – Christmas Stories featuring Christmas reflections by a dozen Catholic New Media Personalities, including myself.  Thanks Father Jay.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:06 — 3.7MB)

Jerry Kohlobrand aka BroJer is active in prison ministry and is all over the Catholic social media sphere.  You can find him at CatholicPreachy.com and Bro Jer’s Blog.  Today he offers a podcast reflection about Christmas.  Thanks again to Jerry for his assistance in the background with this year’s advent calendar.

Joe Sales is a Canadian, Catholic blogger.  You can find his blog at iamjoesales.blogspot.com.  Today Joe brings us a very personal reflection on the meaning of Christmas to him.

When I first hear songs such as O Holy Night and Come All Ye Faithful, It really gets me excited for the Christmas season.

I honestly think with some people they get too caught up in the busyness and commercialization of Christmas. I wonder if there are people who lose sight of the real meaning behind Christmas.

In my heart and mind, I know that Christmas is the time where God sent his son to the world. There is nothing as joyous as witnessing the birth of Jesus.

Thinking of that last sentence about witnessing the birth of Jesus, I often wonder what it would be like to be one of the people in the world’s greatest miracle story ever. There’s the Shepherds, Three Wiseman, Joseph, Mary, and of course Jesus. It is so amazing just to know that this historic moment in time changed the world.

This season of Christmas has been a rough one for my family because it is the first Christmas without my Uncle Paul. I’ve done my best to be strong this holiday season for the sake of my family. There have been times when I’ve wanted to give up on everything around me that matters.

Just the other day, I took a walk to St Joseph’s parish which is located downtown and it was late at night. They have a really nice nativity scene display set up in front of the church. I prayed and I was a bit emotional but i focused on the baby Jesus. I found a lot of comfort in focusing on the baby Jesus. In that moment, the meaning of Christmas was re-ignited for me and came alive again in my own life.

I believe Christmas time should be a time to spend with family. Most importantly, it should be a time to focus on Jesus. This Christmas like any Christmas or holy day should be an invitation to return. When I say an invitation to return, I mean making things right with God. Go back to Church if you haven’t in a while, forgive others, just being Christ like in your own life.

In closing, I would like to wish you all a blessed Christmas and a spirit filled new year.

1. Send me your feedback on the blog at catholicroundup.com by email at catholicroundup.com> (catholicroundup@gmail.com) catholicroundup (at) gmail (dot) com or by calling 206-666-7374.

2. Go to the Catholic New Media Advent Calendar

Subscribe to the Catholic Roundup (RSS).

Subscribe on the Itunes Music Store

1. Send me your feedback on the blog at http://catholicroundup.com by email at (catholicroundup@gmail.com) catholicroundup (at) gmail (dot) com or by calling 206-666-7374.

2. Go to the Catholic New Media Advent Calendar

Subscribe to CNMR (RSS).

Subscribe on the Itunes Music Store

Today we have two advent reflections.  Be sure to also read Trees, Wreaths, Kings and Imogene by Chris Capolino.

Lyn Francisco is a research chemist and church organist, so naturally her blog is entitled Organ-ic Chemist.   Today she is sharing with us about: Simbang Gabi—A Filipino Advent Tradition

I had written this story for the now-defunct newsletter forImmaculate Conception Church back in December 2003. For the Catholic New Media Advent Calendar, I am reproducing that article here, with a few additions.

Among Catholic Filipinos, one of the most-beloved and much-awaited religious events after the festivities of Holy Week are the nine consecutive pre-Christmas dawn Masses known as Simbang Gabi(Night Mass), which traditionally start on December 16.

This tradition originated in Mexico when, in 1587, Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, petitioned the Pope for permission to hold Christmastide Masses outdoors because the church could not accommodate all the people who attended the dawn services. After the request was granted, these Masses came to be known as Misa de Aguinaldo (Mass of the Gift).

In the sixteenth century, Pope Sixtus V decreed that these pre-dawn Masses be held in the Philippines starting every December 16. This Novena of Masses expressed the sentiments of the people towards Mary, and the readings, prayers and chants of Simbang Gabi reflected the celebration of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Father’s eternal word, the fruit of Mary’s womb. These Masses were celebrated in the early morning hours, mainly because most Filipinos at the time were mostly farmers or fishermen who either began or ended their day at dawn.

After Mass, people greet their parents and older relatives with amano (customary greeting by bringing the elder’s hand to the forehead as a sign of respect). Then they share a light merienda (snack), which consists of typical Simbang Gabi fare like hot salabat (ginger tea), bibingka (rice cakes) or puto bumbong (finger-shaped violet-coloured glutinous rice steamed in banana leaves and served with sugar and grated coconut).

Simbang Gabi ends on Christmas Eve with Midnight Mass, known as the Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster), after which the families will gather together for a hearty post-midnight meal called Noche Buena. This feast gathers together all members of the family to offer gifts to each other and to pay respect to their elders.

The Archdiocese of Manila has a page dedicated to the Simbang Gabi, which you may read by clicking here. Why is it that Filipinos, both in the Philippines and abroad, have continued with this tradition that started in the mid-nineteenth century?

Simbang Gabi has become one of the most popular traditions in the country. But it is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members but also because it is the time where our faith is intensified. This is the time where we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. It does not matter if one has the stamina to complete the novena or not, what really matters is what is inside the heart. The blessing does not depend on the number of mass attended, but what is important is the disposition of the person who receives the Lord’s blessing.

This tradition has been brought to the United States and all over the world wherever Filipinos live. Here in central North Carolina, this tradition has been on-going for the past eight years. We don’t do the entire Novena of Masses, but will be celebrating one Mass on Friday, December 17 at Immaculate Conception Church, with a Mass to take place at 7:00 p.m. in the church, followed by a reception in the gymnasium featuring typical Simbang Gabi fare. All are welcome to attend.

I will end this post with the Collect that is prayed during the first of the nine Novena Masses. May you all continue to have a Blessed Advent.

Let your tireless grace accompany us, Lord God, let it go before us and follow after, that in union with the Blessed Virgin Mary, we who long for the coming of your Son may be sustained by your love in this life and in the life to come. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Join us tomorrow for more reflections produced by great Catholic New Media personalities as we journey through the advent.

1. Send me your feedback on the blog at catholicroundup.com by email at catholicroundup.com> (catholicroundup@gmail.com) catholicroundup (at) gmail (dot) com or by calling 206-666-7374.

   .

2. Go to the Catholic New Media Advent Calendar

Subscribe to CNMR (RSS).

Subscribe on the Itunes Music Store

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:55 — 2.7MB)

Mercedes and Edgar produce the Spanish podcast: Lecturas Del Dia (daily readings).  For the 2008 Advent Calendar shared a wonderful history of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  For the 2009 calendar, Edgar explained the Latin American tradition of Las Posadas. Today, Edgar brings us a reflection upon the origins and symbolism behind the Christmas Tree. The original text can be found in spanish @ http://www.churchforum.org/arbol-navidad.htm.  Music “Vespers 2: If I Could Touch You” used under creative commons licence by Lionel Valdellon and Ray Sisson.

Edgar and Mercedes live in Mexico City with their infant daughters Anna and Teresa.

Join us tomorrow for more reflections produced by great Catholic New Media personalities as we journey through Advent.

1. Send me your feedback on the blog at catholicroundup.com by email at catholicroundup.com> (catholicroundup@gmail.com) catholicroundup (at) gmail (dot) com or by calling 206-666-7374.

   .

2. Go to the Catholic New Media Advent Calendar

Subscribe to CNMR (RSS).

Subscribe on the Itunes Music Store

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (8.2MB)

Today is the Feast of Juan Diego.  Our friend Deacon Tom Fox from Catholic Vitamins brings us an audio reflection about Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Last year, Deacon Tom and his wife Dee shared Vitamin N- Nativity on December 25 for our advent calendar, and on December 28, 2008 Deacon Tom shared about Epiphany Gifts.

Saint Juan Diego has been a popular recurring character on past year’s advent calendars.  Check out the the  entries from December 9,2008 with Paul Camarata from The Saintcast, and from December 12, 2008 featuring Mercedes and Edgar from the Spanish podcast: Lecturas Del Dia (daily readings).

Join us tomorrow for more reflections produced by great Catholic New Media personalities as we journey through the advent.

1. Send me your feedback on the blog at catholicroundup.com by email at catholicroundup.com pan class=”26ffbd1″> (catholicroundup@gmail.com) catholicroundup (at) gmail (dot) com or by calling 206-666-7374.

   .

2. Go to the Catholic New Media Advent Calendar

Subscribe to CNMR (RSS).

Subscribe on the Itunes Music Store

Maria Johnson refers to herself as a podsquatter because she is a frequent guest on other’s podcasts but does not have one of her own.  The reality is that Maria has been very active for many years behind the scenes with the Rosary Army and SQPN apostolates. She was a writer for That Catholic Show and is one of the co-hosts for the Secrets of Harry Potter and Catholic Weekend.

We have known each other online for many years.  When we walked into the Catholic New Media Celebration in Boston this summer, a lovely lady with a big smile greeted my wife and I warmly.  I did not recognize Maria until she partially obscured her face with a coffee mug to resemble her twitter profile picture.

You can find Maria over at her blog, Another Cup of Coffee.  Here is her 2009 Advent Calendar reflection on patience and waiting during Advent. Without further introduction, here is Maria reflecting on one of her own experiences with the Nativity.

One of my favorite memories from Advent is from twenty years ago. It was early fall, and our second child, Christy, was just a few months old. Our parish announced that they were recruiting families for a Christmas pageant to be held in early December, so I dutifully gathered the flyer and went on with my life. It was to be a full re-creation of what Bethlehem might have looked like 2000 years ago (or maybe, what the set-builders and actors thought it would look like).

As the date for the pageant approached, the pleas for a couple with an infant became a bit more pressing, and finally, my husband and I attended one of the meetings. I had very long black hair at the time, and my husband had a full beard. When the spunky little nun who was running the show saw us she declared that we were the Holy Family and wouldn’t even need any make-up. We laughed, were fitted for our costumes, and took the only direction we’d need for the evening: Joseph, you’re going to escort your wife to the city gates, sign the census, and find a place to stay.

That was it.

As it happens, it was one of the coldest nights on record in South Florida. I handed off Christy to her godmother, andJohn Joseph and I began the rather uncomfortable trial of finding a place to stay. The market was bustling with people, there were animals everywhere, vendors selling their wares, Roman soldiers and beggars at odds with each other. And everywhere we went, we were turned away. At one point, we tried to get something warm to drink, and we were scorned.

I can tell you we were getting a little desperate to find our kid and return to the welcoming warmth of our own home, but as they say, the show must go on. Finally, one of the innkeepers took pity on us and led us to a stable (conveniently located on a stage in a field behind the market), and the Angel of the Lord appeared, in resplendent glory, hanging from a cherry picker high above the crowd and read the story of the Nativity.

Was it kitschy? You bet. But it was also amazingly well done, and for a moment, I had walked in Mary’s footsteps, and felt closer to her than I had ever before. We were both young mothers, trying to take care of our babies, focused on their warmth and safety at the moment while trusting that our husbands would take care of us and find what we needed.

That common humanity that we shared with the Holy Family that night changed me in small ways. It opened my heart, interestingly enough, to Mary, and to the immensity of her submission to God. Her “yes”  and, we often forget, Joseph’s “yes” , together set the stage, with each playing their parts, for my our salvation.

That pageant changed the way I looked at Christmas. It was no longer an end, but a beginning. Those days leading up to Christmas day became, at first, a period of reflection as I thought about the difficulty of Mary’s journey to Bethlehem. I lived in a constant state of discomfort in that last trimester — how much more did she go through? It became, for me, a deeply personal journey of discovery about my own faith — taken in baby steps, led along the path by Mary and other faithful people who have come in and out of my life  and shared their own journeys.

I can’t say that I understood it all that night. I had a moment of insight, but perhaps that’s all I needed to get me going. After all, the Holy Spirit just needs a chance, right?

But something changed for me that night — perhaps the way I understood Advent. We understand it to be a time of reflection, waiting, and especially reconciliation, but it is much more.

During this season we wait and prepare for the coming of our Lord as a child, but it was my realization that night many years ago as I held my own child up for the world to see, that it was only the beginning. That the mystery of the Incarnation was a necessary step in a grander scheme, and that what we are preparing for is not under a tree in a creche or a brightly decorated box, but in Jesus Christ — that we may know the depth of God’s love.

“In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him” (1 Jn 4:9).

When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor’s birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (CCC 524).

And so we wait, and prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christ’s birth, but also, the anticipation of His return.

Join us tomorrow for more reflections produced by great Catholic New Media personalities as we journey through the advent.

1. Send me your feedback on the blog at catholicroundup.com by email at catholicroundup.com pan> (catholicroundup@gmail.com) catholicroundup (at) gmail (dot) com or by calling 206-666-7374.
   .

2. Go to the Catholic New Media Advent Calendar

Subscribe to CNMR (RSS).

Subscribe on the Itunes Music Store

Join us tomorrow for more reflections produced by great Catholic New Media personalities as we journey through the advent.

1. Send me your feedback on the blog at catholicroundup.com by email at catholicroundup.com pan> (catholicroundup@gmail.com) catholicroundup (at) gmail (dot) com or by calling 206-666-7374.
   .

2. Go to the Catholic New Media Advent Calendar

Subscribe to CNMR (RSS).

Subscribe on the Itunes Music Store