The Catholic Church Standardize Mass

Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome

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Catholics attending church in the English-speaking world on Sunday; the first Sunday of Advent, heard a new version of Mass (liturgy). That’s because as of Sunday, churches across the globe are required to do the same mass.

These changes may cause some to use cheats sheets as their churches adopt a more formal translation of the original Latin service. But according to the Vatican, the changes were necessary to more accurately reflect the original Latin version, based on a principle called “formal equivalence.”

Thus, instead of saying Jesus “was born of the Virgin Mary,” Catholics will say he “was incarnate of the Virgin Mary.”

Instead of saying, “I have sinned through my own fault,” they will say, “I have greatly sinned,” and add, “through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.”

Instead of saying Jesus is “one in being with the Father,” they will say that he was “consubstantial with the Father.” Consubstantial, which comes from the Latin word “consubstantialis,” which means: having the same substance or essential nature.

Some of the more noticeable changes for churchgoers include the much-used response “And also with you” being replaced by “And with your spirit.”

“It’s a historic moment in the life of the Church and the English-speaking world,” Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast told the Catholic Register earlier this month.

Prendergast was the Canadian representative on the Vox Clara Committee, formed to oversee the new English translation of the Roman Missal.

“The hope is that the higher register of the vocabulary and the restoration of biblical allusions will enrich our life of prayer, heightening reverence and making the liturgy more solemn, more beautiful,” Prendergast said.

The prayer that has undergone the most change is the Gloria, said Prendergast. “When translators translated it in the 1970s, they not only abbreviated it but they rearranged the wording,” he said.

What was lost in translation was the going overboard with praise of God, he said. “We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you” has now been added.

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How to cross the Jordan River in your life

The Children of Israel Crossing the Jordan (il...

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Every one of us, at some point or another, goes through difficult times in our life. It’s like you have come to the Jordan River but cannot cross, because the river has overflows its banks. And all you can do is gaze yonder and imagine what life is like on the other side.

From your vantage point, you can see the lush green grass and the blooming flowers, fruits hanging from trees, cattle grazing, and men working, and women and children playing. Life is good on the other side, you thought to yourself. If only I could get yonder, my life would be better.

But did you ever stop and think that your stumbling block could have been a test from God? Sometimes it is not meant for you to overcome the adversary, until you are fully ready for the challenges ahead. You may have too many baggage that is weighting you down, or you may not be ready, physically, spiritually and mentally for the rough journey through the thorns and thistles. For “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the jungle of the Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5)

Still, you crossing the Jordan may not be in God’s plan. Moses did not cross. God gave him a glimpse of the promised land but that was it.  God told Moses to: “Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see” (Deuteronomy 3:27-28)

Whatever your situation, whether a den of hungry lions or a fiery furnace; or a swelling Jordan, God can deliver you. He is always there with an outstretched hand courting and begging you to cast your cares upon Him. He says in His words: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:6)

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Bill O’Reilly Attacks OWS with Contempt

Bill O’Reilly makes no secret about his disdain for OWS protesters. So, it’s not surprising that he continues to attack them with contempt. He seems to forget that OWS protesters have the right to protest–just like he had the right to protest in a TV studio, some years ago.

In his recent article on Townhall.com, titled, “Memo to the Occupiers,” Mr. O’Reilly continues his subtle but vicious attack on the movement, referring to protesters as “you protest people,” and “hypocrites.” He even interject Cuba in his argument, as if to say if protesters did not like it here, they should go to Cuba.

This is how O’Reilly addressed the OWS movement:

Listen up, you protest people! You have gone and alienated Newt Gingrich, who wants you to take a bath and get a job. Or vice-versa. And his words were greeted with applause from coast to coast. You guys should take notice.

A couple of months ago, the polls showed that many Americans sympathized with your movement. After all, who likes greed-head Wall Street folks manipulating the financial markets? They bathe, but so what? They’re corrupt, and you are right to demand that the government provide oversight on them.

But that point has been largely lost because the Occupy movement is now perceived as radical and incoherent. The loons moved in, and the sincere protesters ceded the spotlight. All of a sudden, the Sons of Anarchy were getting all the camera time. Most Americans are willing to listen, but not to guys with scorpions tattooed on their necks. And then there were the ugly displays of police-baiting and mindless destruction.

The result: According to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, just 28 percent of Americans now approve of the Occupy movement, and James Carville will no longer take their calls.

But the primary reason this correspondent has turned bearish (sorry) on the Occupy Wall Street movement is hypocrisy. Recently, the feds announced that executives at the near bankrupt Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac agencies would receive close to $100 million in bonus money. Also, the guy who ran Solyndra into bankruptcy got a nice departure package despite the fact that the solar-panel company wasted about $500 million of taxpayer money.

So where are you on those things, Occupiers? Why are you besieging a Burger King in San Diego when the real corruption is in Washington, D.C.?

What Bill O’Reilly and his heartless conservative friends at Fox News, and elewhere fail to understand is this: OWS protesters or( the 99%) are the 99ers, who have lost their jobs, homes and personal belongings as a result of reckless behaviour on Wall Street. These are the same people who had their unemployment benefits ran out because Republican in congress refused to extend them. These protesters are hurting, and they are crying out for help. Politics and government have failed. The only alternative is to take to the streets in protest.

Read article here:  http://townhall.com/columnists/billoreilly/2011/11/26/memo_to_the_occupiers

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What are you thankful for?

United States of America

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Lord, I am thankful for today. I thank you for your Son Jesus, who gave His life that I can live. You said in your Words: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Lord, I believe in Him, and I have committed myself to serve Him. The songwriter said:

“Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face,
There to sing forever of His saving grace;
On the streets of glory let me lift my voice,
Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.”

Lord, I thank thee for the United States of America, and all its people. We are an exceptional nation of many different backgrounds, culture and ethnicity, political and religious persuasions. And even though our people have various religious, political and social views–we are still the greatest nation on earth. We never fail to lend a helping hand to anyone who will accept it. Many people around the world look to this great nation for help and inspiration.

Lord I thank you for our leaders, past and present. I thank you for our president and his cabinet and the different agencies of government. I thank you for the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive branch. Grant our leaders wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Prevent them from leaning on their own understanding. Remind them dear God, of your words in Proverbs 3:5-6: ” Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight. Guide their hands O God, and let them exercise wisdom in their judgement–just like Solomon did to settle the dispute between two mothers (1 Kings 3:16-28).

Lord, I commit this great nation into your care. I pray that you will speak to the hearts of our leaders and all people. Remind us one and all, what made this country great in the first place. History has shown that it was not the effort of any one ethnic group or political party, but it was a joint effort of all people. Remind us heavenly father that irrespective of our color class or creed, we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all… Thank you Lord.

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Happy Thanksgiving America

The First Thanksgiving, painted by Jean Leon G...

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Giving Thanks

by Author Unknown

Giving Thanks
For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home –
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the workingman’s hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought –
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blest,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea;
The land that is known as the “Land of the Free” –
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

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