Are the Gospels a Myth?

One of the most common pronouncements by the atheists is that “Christianity is a myth.”
Are they right? Is Christianity a myth? Are the gospels myths?
In a sense the gospels function like a myth. However, most of the atheists making this comment do not seem to have a very knowledgeable understanding of myth and how it works. They don’t seem to understand the richness and the ambiguity of the term “myth.” When they say “myth” what they mean is “fairy tale.” Even the term “fairy tale” has far deeper and richer levels of meaning than they are aware of. They use…

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/longenecker/are-the-gospels-a-myth

ARYL DAILEY FREE LUNCH

SVDP round One hundred twenty-eight meals were provided at the November Free Lunch. We were overwhelmed by the generous donations of cookies, fruit, cereal bars and items of warm clothing. One first-time visitor remarked that she took a long time to eat her meal because “it was such a happy place with everyone smiling and visiting with one another.” Thank you for helping us to make all of this possible.

The December meal will be Saturday, December 15. We will need cookies/bars and fresh fruit. If you can provide any of these items, contact Mary Koppi at 815 232-4687.

We wish all a Blessed Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.

Vocation Corner

We are in the second week of Advent and as we continue to journey closer to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, I sit here wondering how many of us know what Advent truly is and why it is celebrated.
To begin, the word Advent comes from two Latin words; ‘Ad’ and ‘Venire.’ Ad means ‘to’ and Venire means ‘come,’ therefore, Advent means ‘to come.’ But what exactly is to come? Or maybe the better question is: who is to come? The obvious answer is, of course, Jesus! Continue reading “Vocation Corner”

II Domingo de Adviento ciclo C 2018

En adviento se hacen realidad nuestras esperanzas. El profeta Baruc dirige su palabra a una ciudad, Jerusalén, que sufre la opresión de sus vecinos. Ahora es todavía una realidad humilde y sin brillo, pero está destinada a ser la lumbrera de todas las naciones. El profeta invita a Jerusalén a despojarse del duelo y a vestirse como una mujer que se engalana para una fiesta. La ciudad devastada y desposeída de sus hijos, que fueron llevados al cautiverio de Babilonia; la ciudad desconsolada como una viuda, sin hijos y sin esposo que la cuide, puede y debe alegrarse ahora como una novia y como una madre feliz que espera el pronto retorno de sus hijos. Yahvé, su esposo, le ha preparado como vestido el “manto de su justicia” y como diadema “la gloria perpetua”. Anticipando el momento glorioso, el profeta invita a la ciudad a ponerse de pie y a subir al monte, sobreponiéndose a sí misma con la esperanza. Se acabó la diáspora, porque Dios se acuerda de Jerusalén y le han devuelto sus hijos. La Jerusalén prometida por Dios no es la que los judíos han empezado a reconstruir después del destierro, sino la Jerusalén del fin de los tiempos. Dios le dará un nuevo nombre: “paz en la justicia”. Tres veces se repite en el capítulo 5 de Baruc la palabra “justicia”. Es la justicia de Dios, basada en la misericordia y conducente a la paz. Este es nuestro sueño también para nuestro mundo, sueño que queremos hacer realidad. Continue reading “II Domingo de Adviento ciclo C 2018”

FACC Christmas Basket Blessing

RACC Christmas BasketThe Freeport Area Church Cooperative has completed the sign-up for its annual Christmas Basket Blessing. St Joseph Church is being asked to provide 250 boxes of macaroni and cheese and St Mary Church is being asked to provide 250 cans of green beans to help fill the baskets. Any excess items will be incorporated into FACC’s food pantry, which is desperately low on food. Additionally, if you are interested in supplying gifts for the baskets, please call Robert Varner at FACC at 815-233-0435 (ext. 1). Please bring your donations to church by Sunday, December 16.
Delivery of the baskets to those who signed up will be Saturday, December 22, from 10:00am until completed. We will deliver from Holy Family Community Center. Volunteer delivery drivers are needed.
If you have any questions concerning this year’s Christmas event, contact Dean Wright at FACC at 815-233-0435 or by email at deanfacc@aeroinc.net.  

Eucharistic Adoration Holy Hour of Healing

Are you hurting? Do you need quiet reflection time? Time alone with Jesus? Join us for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration with a healing service on Friday, December 7, at 5:00pm in St Mary Church.

PRESENTS FOR PRESENCE

Presence Mittens Please make Christmas brighter for the residents at Presence St Joseph Center. Support our parishes in the annual effort to provide Christmas gifts to each and every resident. Take a mitten or two (or three!) from the basket at the altar and play Santa. Kindly wrap presents or place in gift bags and return to church by Sunday, December 16. Remember to tape the mitten with the side showing the name and/or room number of the recipient to the front of your gift bag or package.
Thank you in advance for your kind generosity!