This week in The Criterion
December 19, 2008 issue
The latest edition of The Criterion has been printed and is on its way to subscribers! But with this e-newsletter, you'll get a preview of that issue -- and access to certain stories right now.
The contents of this newsletter are:
- A listing of the full contents of the print edition
- Items of Interest
- Web-only Features
- National and World News you may have missed
- Links to the daily readings
Note: This e-newsletter is our last of the year. The next edition will be on January 7.
Full Contents
Local stories:
- Archbishop’s cancer diagnosis tops local news stories for 2008
- The meaning of Christmas:
Restoration of Nativity scene at cathedral transforms lives
- Rosary is inspiration for Eagle Scout project at St. Michael School
- Proceeds from Little Flower Christmas CD to assist school families in need
- Criterion is now selling
photograph reprints online
- ‘We’re No. 1!’:
Catholic high school teams earn three state championships
- Fifth annual African Mass celebrates archdiocese’s various cultures
- Patroness of the Americas:
Our Lady of the Greenwood School and Parish celebrate
the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12 (photo gallery)
- Final Advent penance services scheduled at archdiocesan parishes
- Cathedral and Saint Meinrad
announce Christmas liturgies
- The Criterion and Catholic Center are closed
from Dec. 24 to Jan. 4 for Christmas holiday
Christmas Supplement
- The Infancy Gospels: More than the birth of Jesus
- Readers share their favorite Christmas memories
- Church ladies teach poor
children about God’s love
- Christmas Eve
Mass offers
glimpse of
mystery of God
- Christmas teaches children about gifts of faith and joy
- Family continues tradition of decorating tree on Thanksgiving
- Teenager is stunned to ‘get’
the true gift of Christmas
- Mother’s sacrifice was
wonderful gift of love
- Connecticut abbey’s centuries-old creche restored, back on display (Catholic News Service)
- Make time for others at Christmas this year and every year (Catholic News Service)
- True meaning of Christmas is giving of oneself to others in countless ways (Catholic News Service)
- Astounding news was brought by unexpected visitors at Christmas (Catholic News Service)
- At last, a comfortable cup of Christmas tea for Father Steve! (Catholic News Service)
- You can find good presents without spending a lot this Christmas (Catholic News Service)
Regular local features:
- Seeking the Face of the Lord: ‘Do not be afraid!’ is message that rings loud and clear this Christmas
- Buscando la Cara del Señor: ‘¡No teman!’ es el mensaje que resuena fuerte y claro en esta Navidad
- Editorial: Bethlehem in 2008
- From the Editor Emeritus: Possible saints - Mary Virginia Merrick
- The Joyful Catholic: How a difficult person can be your ‘assignment’
- Faithful Lines: Finding little treasures prior to the Christmas season
- Faith and Family: The birth of a
child is at the
heart of our faith
- Indiana Knights: What if there were no tomorrows?
- Letters to the Editor
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul thanks
volunteers, donors and benefactors
- Events Calendar
- High school
collects thousands
of food items
- Obituaries
- My Journey to God: Light of the World
Catholic News Service:
- Elections, economic crisis top stories of 2008, pope top newsmaker
- Document warns certain new research violates moral principles
- Officials say Vatican document is not an attack on modern science
- Cardinal Dulles recalled for brilliance, simplicity, kindness
- The Sunday Readings: Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Question Corner: Christmas is first recorded in a
Roman calendar composed in 339
FaithAlive!
- Parishioners learn new ways to bring Christ to others
- Act of giving to others spreads
love and hope in the world
- Discussion Point: Helping the poor is part of Christmas
Items of Interest
Here are a few items that may be of particular interest to you -- and you can get them online right now!
Archbishop’s cancer diagnosis tops local news stories for 2008
The announcement that Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein had been diagnosed with cancer was voted the top news story for the archdiocese this year, a story followed closely by the ordination of the archdiocese’s first-ever class of permanent deacons and local pilgrimages to see Pope Benedict XVI in New York and Washington. (Page 2)
Read the story | Links to coverage from the top ten stories
Christmas Supplement
Read an article about the Infancy Gospels from our editor emeritus, John F. Fink, or browse through several "Christmas memories" that readers submitted to The Criterion. Alos, be sure to check out several Catholic News Service stories that are only available in the print edition. (Pages 15-22)
Go to the supplement
The meaning of Christmas: Restoration of Nativity scene at cathedral transforms lives
For Phil Schouten, the recently restored Nativity scene at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis brings back fond memories of his father, John, an immigrant who came to the United States through the help of the Church, an immigrant who volunteered to set up the crèche each Christmas as a way of giving thanks for the Church’s help to his family. (Page 7)
Read the story
Web-only features
The Criterion is now selling
photograph reprints online
Our reporting staff takes dozens of high-quality photos at many major archdiocesan events—events that either have historical significance (like the canonization of St. Theodora Guérin in 2006) or that your family might have attended (like an ordination at the cathedral). Now these photos are available for purchase on our website in a variety of sizes. We also have pictures of the archbishop and the cathedral, as well as full-size prints of front pages from The Criterion from major events and our Christmas and Easter issues.
Get more information | Go to the online store
Photo Gallery: Fifth annual African Mass celebrates archdiocese’s various cultures
Five years ago, Catholics from African countries who live in the archdiocese began celebrating their unique heritage, varied cultures and shared faith as a community. With their children and grandchildren, they gathered at St. Rita Church in Indianapolis on Dec. 7 to offer thanks to God for his love, kindness and mercy during a festive fifth anniversary Mass concelebrated by nine African priests.
Go to the photo gallery | Read the story
National and world news you may have missed...
Here's a sampling of some news stories that ran on our website this past week or so that you may have missed. Click the headline to see the story:
Daily Readings
Wednesday, Dec. 17
Genesis 49:2, 8-10
Psalm 72:3-4, 7-8, 17
Matthew 1:1-17
Thursday, Dec. 18
Jeremiah 23:5-8
Psalm 72:1, 12-13, 18-19
Matthew 1:18-25
Friday, Dec. 19
Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a
Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17
Luke 1:5-25
Saturday, Dec. 20
Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-6
Luke 1:26-38
Monday, Dec. 22
1 Samuel 1:24-28
(Response) 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-7, 8a-d
Luke 1:46-56
Tuesday, Dec. 23
John of Kanty, priest
Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24
Psalm 25:4bc-5ab, 8-10, 14
Luke 1:57-66
Wednesday, Dec. 24
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29
Luke 1:67-79
Vigil of Christmas
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29
Acts 13:16-17, 22-25
Matthew 1:1-25
or Matthew 1:18-25
Thursday, Dec. 25
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Midnight
Isaiah 9:1-6
Psalm 96:1-3, 11-13
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14
Dawn
Isaiah 62:11-12
Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:15-20
Day
Isaiah 52:7-10
Psalm 98:1-6
Hebrews 1:1-6
John 1:1-18
or John 1:1-5, 9-14
Friday, Dec. 26
Stephen, first martyr
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Psalm 31:3-4, 6-8, 17-21
Matthew 10:17-22
Saturday, Dec. 27
John, Apostle and evangelist
1 John 1:1-4
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
John 20:2-8
Sunday, Dec. 28
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14
Psalm 128:1-5
Colossians 3:12-21
or Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 2:22-40
or Luke 2:22, 39-40
Readings homepage | Podcast (audio files)
