BIG C CATHOLICS

Today, January 4th, is the Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first person born in America to be named a saint. She was canonized on September 14, 1975 by Pope Paul VI. She is regarded as being one of the driving forces behind the rise of parochial education in the United States. Elizabeth was the foundress of the American Sisters of Charity, the first order of sisters native to the U.S. Her road to sainthood was paved with difficulties that sound quite modern in their familiarity. Elizabeth's zeal to uplift the poor and downtrodden was unmatched. In starting the American Sisters of Charity, a community of teaching sisters which began Catholic schools throughout the United States, she and her fellow sisters helped educate and inspire underprivileged children. In so doing, Mother Seton laid the foundation of the American parochial school system. [See video below.] The Life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton She was born Elizabeth Ann Bayley, the second daughter of a prominent

During his apostolic visit to the United States this past September, His Holiness Pope Francis addressed a joint session of Congress . The Holy Father paid homage to America's tradition of democratic rule and commitment to liberty, human dignity and religious expression. He also singled out four citizens who personified these values in their lives': Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton. As we begin the year 2016, the following ten statements from Francis' remarks are worth bearing in mind. Let us not forget that while it is the nature of morals to decline, and cultural sensibilities are fickle, the truth as taught by Christ, and espoused by His Church, is immutable. Each son or daughter of a given country has a mission, a personal and social responsibility. *** A delicate balance is required to combat violence perpetrated in the name of a religion, an ideology or an economic system, while also safeguarding religious freedom, intellec

Via CatholicCulture.org Today the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors. Saints Basil and Gregory, along with Saint John Chrysostom, are the three Hierarchs of Orthodox Christianity . This is the ninth day of the Christmas season. St. Basil was a brilliant student born of a Christian family in Caesarea, Cappadocia [Turkey]. For some years, he followed the monastic way of life. He vigorously fought the Arian heresy. He became Bishop of Caesarea in 370. The monks of the Eastern Church today still follow the monastic rules which he set down. St. Gregory was also from Cappadocia. A friend of Basil, he too followed the monastic way of life for some years. He was ordained priest and in 381 became Bishop of Constantinople. It was during this period when the Arian heresy was at its height. He was called "The Theologian" because of his great learning and talent for oratory. The Life of St. Basil St. Basil was

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, our Lady's greatest title. This feast is the octave of Christmas. In the modern Roman Calendar only Christmas and Easter enjoy the privilege of an octave. From today's Gospel: The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. — Luke 2: 16-21 May you have a most blessed and holy New Year.

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◗ Pray more ◗ Read Scripture ◗ Keep holy the Sabbath ◗ Sin less ◗ Eat less ◗ Honor your father and mother ◗ Spend less ◗ Spend more time with family ◗ Read a Psalm a day ◗ Live more simply ◗ Find a patron saint ◗ Find a good Catholic smartphone app [and use it]

Today, the seventh day in the octave of Christmas, the Church celebrates the optional memorial of St. Sylvester I, pope and confessor. Little is known about his life and formative years. He ruled the Church during the reign of Constantine when the Arian heresy and the Donatist schism provoked great controversy. As Supreme Pontiff he convoked the first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. Sylvester did not attend the Council of Nicaea in 325, but he was represented by two legates, and he approved the council's decision. During his pontificate, the great Basilicas were founded in Rome by Constantine; [the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Old St. Peter's Basilica, and several others,] built over the graves of martyrs. Sylvester's papacy lasted from 314 until his death in 335. History testifies that only a strong, wise Pope could have preserved the essential autonomy of the Church in the face of a figure like Emperor Constantine. St. Sylvester I – A Con