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  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Why religion matters at the EU-Balkans summit today

In a strongly secular European Union, the Balkans’ complex religious reality plays an important role as officials and diplomats gather on Wednesday to discuss the membership plans for six nations.

The EU-Western Balkans summit on Dec. 17 brings together European Union representatives and their counterparts from six Western Balkan nations: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

As officials discuss EU enlargement and current challenges, religious leaders and analysts underscore that the churches — deeply woven into the region’s national identities, geopolitics, and social fabric — will be crucial to the success of both European integration and regional stability.

The EU considers itself the main trading partner, investor, and donor for the Western Balkans and provides substantial assistance and financial support to the region. However, the religious landscape — marked by Orthodox majorities, significant Muslim populations, and Catholic minorities — reflects complex historical, ethnic, and political tensions that shape the region’s future.

Continued below.

The Rule of Life: A Path to Sainthood

Whether at the beginning of a new liturgical year, or any other time during the year, we can benefit from taking a look at where we are spiritually. Looking over the past months or year, where have I cooperated with God’s grace and taken advantage of spiritual growth opportunities that He’s given me? Am I on or off the path to sanctity?

Christian religious education in Northern Ireland ruled unlawful; bishops respond

A U.K. Supreme Court ruling has found that Christian religious education taught in schools in Northern Ireland is unlawful.

In its judgment, the court found that the current approach lacks an “objective, critical, and pluralistic” framework and leans more toward indoctrination than fostering a diverse understanding of beliefs.

Responding to the ruling, which does not apply to Catholic schools, Bishop Alan McGuckian, SJ, of the Down and Connor Diocese firmly challenged the idea that Christianity should be given no priority in all schools, stating that anyone seeking to do so is “cutting off their nose to spite their face.”

The landmark ruling follows a case brought by an unnamed father and his daughter who attended a non-Catholic state-controlled primary school in Belfast. The girl received nondenominational Christian religious education and took part in Christian worship.

Continued below.

Truly Repent this Advent Season

It is also important for us Catholics to be careful lest we too approach the sacraments as a way to avoid the deep conversion of heart that the Lord demands from us. We too can attend many Masses, say many prayers, and receive the sacrament of Reconciliation while holding onto our sins and sinful tendencies. We can use these sacramental rites as a way of feeling good about ourselves without allowing God to actually transform our hearts from within.

Vogue magazine includes Pope Leo XIV on its list of best dressed of 2025

Although “papal fashion,” meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail, has evolved over time, the popes’ attire still holds profound symbolism that continues to capture the attention of many.

Proof of this is the recent naming of Pope Leo XIV as one of the 55 best-dressed people of 2025 by Vogue magazine, one of the most prestigious and recognized fashion and beauty publications in the world.

Pope Leo XIV shares this distinction with athletes, actors, singers, politicians, and models, including Rosalía, Rihanna, Bad Bunny, actress Jennifer Lawrence, and tennis player Venus Williams.

The American magazine, founded in 1892, highlights in its annual ranking that Leo XIV has broken “with the humble tastes of his predecessor,” Pope Francis, preserving “the papal legacy of impeccably crafted liturgical vestments.”

Continued below.

The Evidence of Affirmation

Every so often we must examine our intellectual patterns of thinking with the humility to admit that we can be wrong—and the wisdom to know where firm certainties of truth are found.

is there a TV show from back from 80s and 90s you miss?

I want to know why there are no streaming services that offer Little House on the Prairie or The Waltons.

They are both on Peacock, frndly, and
Apple TV.

Melissa Gilbert has an online business called The Modern Prairie. She sells things for the kitchen and clothing. She posts videos on Facebook.
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What does the Bible teach about the role of men?

Being an example to an evil person doesn't change him.
This means what is possible with God.
For example > 1 Peter 1-4. This means how God has this working, using our example. As you say >
God does the conforming.
Define honor. We don't honor evil.
honor him in order to encourage him to do what is good. Be a good example.
Instead of only hating and dissing the person, honor the person by being respectful and kind to the person. Jesus says to treat others the way you want to be treated, right? Be an example of how to treat people. Have hope for the evil person. Having hope for someone is honoring, but not approving.

Could we say Jesus honored us, by suffering and dying for us? But He did not approve of us the way we have been in sin. But, also, it was an honor, to have Jesus come to us.

And Jesus is our example. God does use the example of Jesus. Among other things, how Jesus was loving on the cross is our example which we are expected to follow >

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)
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Third Week of Advent (Ember Days)

December 17, 2025

Our Morning Offering – 17 December – Let Me Sing the Song of Love By St Thérèse


One Minute Reflection – 17 December – ‘… Speak the word which is transitory and embrace the Word which is everlasting!’

Wednesday in Ember Week of Advent propers (EF)

Wednesday of Ember Week commentary & prayer (EF)

Advent Embertide

O Antiphons of Advent

Advent Weekday readings & commentary (OF)

Advent: December 17th O Wisdom (O Sapientia); Ember Wednesday readings & commentary (OF)
Other Commemorations: St. John of Matha, Priest; St. Josep Manyanet y Vives, Priest

Daily Gospel

ADVENTCAzT 2025: 18 – Ember Wednesday – 3rd Week of Advent – Embers and O and Golden Mass

Saint Olympia of Constantinople Widow and Deaconess

St. Olympias

Saints of the Day

O Sapientia (December 17)
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Audio version of Gueranger
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Is Hell Annihilationism or Eternal Torment

I just asked the Lord Jesus for a new Ferrari, but He didn't hear me and He didn't give me a nice red Ferrari either.
" You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:14

He will teach, he is here to show Himself to people.
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Obamacare is collapsing. Republicans should let it

Twenty years ago, I wrote my first book with the late Bishop Harry Jackson, Personal Faith: Public Policy. Among the major issues we examined were immigration and health care. And here we are — two decades later — still listening to the same debates. Some issues in Washington are like that proverbial leaking roof: everyone knows it needs fixing, and every storm reminds us of the problem. But instead of grabbing a ladder and repairing it, the buckets just get moved around.

The current storm was created when Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer used the manufactured COVID-19 crisis as cover to spend billions more taxpayer dollars to prop up the failing Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Many predicted this back in 2010, when Nancy Pelosi famously declared, “We have to pass it so we can read it,” as she pushed it through Congress without a single Republican vote. The so-called Affordable Care Act quickly became what many warned it would become — the unaffordable care act.

Democrats doubled down in March 2021 and again in August 2022, passing the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, again without a single Republican vote. The first bill created temporary subsidies to mask the ACA’s structural failures, and the second extended this bailout until December 2025. Not only has the Affordable Care Act proven unaffordable — contrary to President Obama’s promises — it was deliberately crafted to bypass the longstanding bipartisan Hyde Amendment, which kept taxpayers out of the abortion business.

That brings us to the present dilemma for Republicans, who now find themselves the property managers of this leaking roof. They have inherited a failed, government-driven health system that funds abortion and pays for controversial experimental drugs and surgeries used in gender transitions.

Continued below.
And what about pre- existing conditions? This was a big part of the ACA. People tend to forget this .

AI Generated
Prior to the Affordable Care Act , people with pre-existing conditions faced significant difficulty obtaining individual health insurance, as insurers could legally deny them coverage, charge them substantially higher premiums, or exclude coverage for their specific health issues.

Now let's look at why the the spike in premiums. Republicans caused it......

AI Generated
The ACA's foundational financial stability rested on the Individual Mandate, which was intended to force young and healthy people into the insurance risk pool to subsidize the costs of covering sicker individuals with pre-existing conditions. When the Trump Administration effectively eliminated the Mandate's tax penalty in 2017, this critical financial mechanism was broken. This action, combined with measures like expanding less comprehensive plans, effectively gutted the intended financial basis of the ACA by disproportionately retaining sicker, more expensive enrollees while allowing healthier, lower-cost participants to exit the system, leading directly to higher premiums in the individual market.

Thanks for sharing!
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Christmas Novena (short version)

Day 2 — December 17

Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem in piercing cold.

In that hour, vouchsafe I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayers and grant my petitions through the merits of Jesus Christ and of His most blessed Mother. Amen

(Mention your intentions here)

PRAYER

O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!

Our Father....
Hail Mary....
Glory be....
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PUTTING THE MASS BACK IN CHRISTMAS...

From and article first published back in 2018 by Rev. Dr. Timothy Teuscher, our Lutheran Church Canada President. Since then, a lot has happened in the world, and yet our National Bishop's message is as relevant now as it was then.

"...in order to put Christ back into Christmas, we need, above all, to put the “Mass” back into Christmas. After all, that is what the word “Christmas” literally means: “the Mass of Christ.”
St Peters Ev. Lutheran, Stratford Ontario, 2024.
1765974505830.png


Full article can be found here:

Blessings and peace to all!!

Donald Trump Says US To Launch Land Action in Venezuela ‘Very Soon’

Well, we gotta make sure we check all the boxes in the playbook. It's 2003, right?

Iraq Venezuela has terrorists and WMDs and they need regime change to remove their mustachioed dictator and bring peace and stability to the region. Oh, and also oil.

....with a bit of 1823 flavor (Monroe Doctrine).
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Colonoscopy on Thursday, prayers please...

I pray for you to be strong and prep. It’s uncomfortable bt many have already handled it before you and ask for a sedative. I pray you will take it moment by moment and be glad. Put yourself in Gods hands and He will see you through. And laugh. Take joy in this and laugh. A little stressful, please lord overcome in Jesus Name.
Thank you!
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