The CatholiCity Message

Volume V, Number 28 – December 12, 2001

Dear CatholiCity Citizen,

We know Our Lord is showering you with unperceived graces on this Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. We have only a few quick items for you today, lots of quotes, and a prayer for us all...

1. STILL TIME
Because we ship everything the day we receive your request, there's still time to get free Mary Foundation CDs and tapes and free copies of our novels for "stocking stuffers." To request online, or get the addresses to send in your request by postal mail, go here:

Free Novels:
https://secure.catholicity.com/order.html

Free Tapes:
https://secure.catholicity.com/order.html

2. DON'T FORGET HIS FATHER
Advent must be Saint Joseph's favorite time of year. We don't think he minds that the focus is on Jesus and Our Lady, but let's not forget that Joseph wasn't merely the foster father of Our Lord, but his human father in all things but biology. Both Our Lady and Jesus submitted themselves to his authority within the Holy Family, trusted him implicitly, and relied on him as we rely on our own fathers for shelter, sustenance, protection, and yes, fatherly love. When you look upon nativity scenes this Christmas, take a closer gaze at Joseph, and imagine what it must have been like to be him.

3. FIRST ANNIVERSARY
Just one year ago today, 12 December 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the vote certification in Florida during the presidential elections was legal, effectively ending the controversy. What a different world it would be today if things had turned out differently.

4. OKAY, WE'LL ADMIT IT
Christmas Day doesn't "feel" any different to some of us here than any other day. We're only writing this because we know many of you are the same way. And that's okay. Don't get us wrong; we love the presents, the traditions, the wonderful Masses, and gathering with myour friends and relatives. Maybe we just lack emotion. Most times we believe our "every day is the same" nature is a blessing. If you're like we are, we just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"You go on being worldly, frivolous, and giddy because you are a coward. What is it, if not cowardice, to refuse to face yourself?"
Blessed Josemaria Escriva

"Faced with crisis, the man of character falls back on himself."
Charles de Gaulle

"From my heart, I say: America, with all thy faults, I love thee still."
Cardinal Gibbons

"The American Constitution does resemble the Spanish Inquisition in this: that it is founded on a creed. America is the only nation in the world that is founded on a creed. That creed is set forth with dogmatic and even theological lucidity in the Declaration of Independence."
G.K. Chesterton

"Most Americans are born drunk. They have a sort of permanent intoxication from within, a sort of invisible champagne. Americans do not need to drink to inspire them to do anything."
G.K. Chesterton

"I am the Immaculate Conception."
Our Lady of Lourdes to Saint Bernadette Soubirous

"Though you have recourse to many saints as your intercessors, go especially to Saint Joseph, for he has great power with God."
Saint Teresa of Avila

"There are three distinct comings of the Lord of which I know: His coming to men; His coming into men; and His coming against men."
Saint Bernard

JOKE OF THE WEEK
A teenaged girl won a prize trip to Washington to meet President Coolidge. As she shook his hand, she said, "Mr. President, my dad bet me ten dollars I wouldn't get three words out of you." President Coolidge replied, "Dad wins."

5. 70,000 CITIZENS IN PRAYER
Please join your fellow CatholiCity Citizens in a prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

"Lady of the Americas, we offer our fathers to you today. Please take your tilma and lovingly wrap it around them. Help them to be virtuous. Help them to be brave as they lead us against enemies, visible and invisible. Help them to be open to life. Help them to be spiritually ready for death. Help them to be like Saint Joseph, who was strong though meek, and decisive though humble. We pray for the eternal destinies of their souls! Our Lady of Guadalupe, Immaculate Queen, pray for our fathers! Saint Joseph, help us to get to know you better, and to love our fathers more and more, and in doing so, keep us close to Mary and your son. Amen."

Enjoy Advent.

With Christ,

Your Friends at CatholiCity