Jeanie Hannaman

By Stephen Beale, Catholic Exchange - During Lent, reflecting on the reasons why Jesus died is a fruitful exercise in devotion. Likewise, during the Advent and Christmas seasons, we ought to wonder why Christ was born... The answer isn’t as obvious as you might think. Two reasons probably leap to mind: (1) because He loves us, and (2) to earn for us our salvation on the Cross.

By Stephen P. White, The Catholic Thing - As for my dear patron, Stephen, his feast has been celebrated on this date, the day after Christmas, since the early fifth century. He, of course, was a deacon and the first martyr. His story is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. One of the seven men “filled with the Spirit and wisdom” chosen by the community to serve as deacons, Stephen was ordained for that ministry by the Apostles themselves.

By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, Catholic Culture - We’ve heard it said, “I love humanity. It’s my fellow man I detest.” The cynical realism of the quip shouldn’t distract us from our obligation to love humanity... In the closing week of Advent, we celebrate the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary: The Annunciation and the Visitation, with Christmas as the grand finale—the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. But these Gospel accounts may not be as compelling as, for example, the crime of the century—if we can remember it.