THREE DOGMATIC

ASPECTS OF THE

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

 

The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary,          patroness of the United States of America, falls on December 8.  It is a holy day of obligation for the faithful.  The New Preface of the mass for the day summarizes three dogmatic aspects of this solemn celebration.

 

 

First, the Christocentric dimension relates to her preservation from every sin, including original sin, to her fullness of grace and her divine maternity.  Secondly, the soteriological aspect relates the innocent Lamb of God, the Savior, to the purity of Mary and thirdly, the eschatological aspect relates to the      predestination of Mary to be the advocate of grace and the model of sanctity for the People of God.

 

The definition of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854 was said to be confirmed by the heavenly apparitions of the Blessed Virgin to St.             Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France in 1858.

 

 

IN FRATERNAL CHARITY, LET US REMEMBER THE NINE VICTIMS OF THE OMAHA SHOPPING MALL SHOOTING TRAGEDY IN OUR PRAYERS, ALONG WITH THOSE        INJURED AND ALL OF THEIR FAMILIES.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAKING STOCK

 

A voice cries out in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths”. 

 

One of the primary preparations of this advent season, for all of us, is ‘taking stock’ of our Christian Life.  We thank God for all the blessings freely received and humbly and honestly do our soul-searching  to  claim  our  faults  and  sinful  actions  and  to  seek  God’s mercy.  If we do not do use the Church’s

Advent season for the acknowledgement or cleansing of sin, we may become habitually comfortable with a sinful lifestyle, be de-sensitized to the works of Satan in us and worse still presume we have no sin in us!  Please check the Advent opportunities available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (bring the kids too!) and worthily prepare to receive all the graces of the holy season of Christmas.

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IMPORTANT UPDATES!!

 

 

+ CAMPAIGN BUILDING PROGRESS ON ST. PATRICK’S & ST. MARY’S

We  have  just  signed  RADEC  CONSTRUCTION  CO.  from  Hartington to work with our architects, PETERS &

ASSOCIATES from Omaha, to begin the renovation and construction work. We have mailed out a Letter Update to all our parishioners thanking God for those who have generously given gifts to make this a reality for generations to come.   We  have  also  enclosed  an  opportunity  for  those  who  were unable to join us last year but are in a better

position to do so this year.

 

 

 + REMOVAL OF TWO RESERVED ADORATION PARKING STALLS ON 4TH STREET

Last month the police politely and firmly visited with us to have the reserved parking spots for our parishioners to park near the Adoration Chapel alongside the handicap ramp on 4th street and two teachers parking spots (temporary for the construction phase) removed.  We had the reserved signs in question removed immediately.  Subsequently it was discussed at the Parish Council meeting and we decided to make an appeal at the next City Council meeting to have only the two adoration spaces reserved.   Jim Shoemaker of our Parish Council was appointed to represent St. Patrick’s at the next City Council Meeting.

“A regular meeting of the Mayor and the City Council of O'Neill was held at the City Hall in said City on the 3rd day  of  December,  2007  at  7:30  P.M.  Jim  Shoemaker  requested  two  parking signs for the St. Patrick’s Church

Adoration Committee as well as three handicap parking stalls.  After discussion, the Council tabled the agenda item to the January regular meeting to allow for the City Attorney to research the request further.” (From City of O’Neill Archives of Council Minutes)

We apologize for any inconvenience to our parishioners.   

 

 

+ CATHOLIC BISHOPS STATEMENT  ON MOVIE "The Golden Compass"

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for Movie Reviews has sent out a statement on the movie. (allow me to paraphrase) When movies which are potentially harmful to our children or adults because of the anti-Church or anti-God themes, or because of excessive violence, bad language, explicit sexual scenes or heresy or because they have the potential to sow doubts and confusion on those whose faith knowledge is weak, the Catholic  faithful  are  warned  of  the  dangers.  Movies  like  The  Last  Temptation  of  Christ,  The DaVinci Code,

Elizabeth and the like have had these warnings issued.  The Golden Compass has the least amount of venom but the next two in the trilogy will progressively lead to more atheistic rhetoric and imagery to contend with (as evident in the  books).   This  movie  rejects  any  authority  (even God!), is anti-clerical and projects the Church Magisterium/

 Hierarchy as a repressive agency.  The Church in charity and concern asks that if one must see this genre of movies that they do not allow their faith or Catholic values to be eroded or compromised by the media.