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In the latest episode of The Break, I share my earliest memories of Christmas:
Click here to listen and to subscribe: http://thebreak.sqpn.com
What are your earliest Christmas memories? Share them in the comments below!
We start the fourth week of Advent. What has been your personal highlight of this year’s Advent time? Share your experience in the comments!
Nicki coming to the Christmas Eve Carol Service and Vigil Mass – and my prayesr that she would come more often,
This Advent the highlight was the return of my former pastor, Fr. Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conventual, on December 3rd, to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving. He was ordained as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Savannah on October 18. He also was wearing a beautiful set of Advent vestments that were a gift from his Province of Conventual Friars. I feel so blessed to witness such a rare event — he is the Priest who received me into the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil 1999. To see him raised to Order of Bishop was surreal. My other highlight is my new involvement coordinating the Family Catechumenate for my parish. I have children aged 7 to 14 who are preparing for reception into the church at Easter. The perspective of children is refreshing. We celebrated the Rite of Acceptance on the 3rd Sunday of Advent.
My advent highlight was attending the annual Family Mass at the Básilica de la Sagrada Familia and watching my son, Julian, take up the gifts to Lluís Cardinal Martínez-Sistach.
The rest of Advent was spent preparing for Him.
A highlight for me was attending a Christmas pageant at my daughters’ school. It was a wonderful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas (even if Mary did have to get up and walk Baby Jesus around the stage to quiet his cries).
This Advent Season has brought a lot of great changes. I am grateful for family, friends, SQPN, and that i can celebrate my faith as a Roman Catholic. In closing, Id have to say the new translation is another highlight of this Advent season.
This has been a wonderful Advent season. I’m hosting an Advent wiki for my fellow Catholic school teachers and their students. They are photographing scenes of Advent in their school and homes. I’m so proud of how well my little photographers have done taking their photos and sharing them.
http://advent-2011.wikispaces.com/
My highlights this advent is singing all together in early morning each sunday while
I’m grateful for the depth of this season. The readings and meditations are so nourishing. Now that we’re into the part where the O Antiphons are being prayed, it’s the best time of all!
I am enjoying spending time this Advent creating memories and seeing things afresh with my new husband. He’s not Catholic and doesn’t quite understand Advent yet, but we are still enjoying this time together.
I was excited to purchased this year a daily/weekly prayer guide and candles for my Advent Wreath. Sometime during week 2 one or more of my cats chewed the candles. OK, no more advent wreath, no more enthusiasm.
I’ve been searching for something to spark at least a little spiritual renewal in my life. Unfortunately, with the many views and rules and now the latest bad news from the Church in The Netherlands, I am even more disheartened and confused.
Why can’t The Church just keep it simple. Jesus did. And why doesn’t The Church just live by the adage, “What would Jesus do?”
Sorry Father, no “highlight” here, just a “lowlight” from a wandering soul.
But, I do thank you for SQPN. It’s gives me some hope.
This Advent, my personal highlight is having the opportunity to spend time with Jesus truly present in Adoration. And, for the SQPN community in leading the way in Catholic New Media. Many of the SQPN shows have been a great source of inspiration an encouragement for me to get into podcasting 3 years ago. And the CNMC 2010 in Boston that I attended was great to meet many new and old friends. I’m also grateful this season of Advent for the many blessings that God had granted me in my life, my family’s life and within the community of our Catholic faith as a whole.
My highlight is the nightly ritual our family has of doing the Jesse tree and then singing O Come, O Come Emmanuel. It is so special to hear my 4 children all singing about the coming of our Savior.
I am very grateful to be part of this worldwide family of the Catholic Church. I am grateful that I can experience and celebrate happy times with this family, like attending the CNMC in Boston a while ago, but also be sorrowful together with them in difficult times as the Church in the Netherlands faces now.
This Advent I’m thankful for gift of community. Without it, my life would be a lot bleaker than it is now.
This week’s episode of The Break talks about the recent DC/Marvel Superhero reboot, December movies and working at an Irish Pub for charity!
Listen here: http://thebreak.sqpn.com/2011/12/17/bfr-816-superhero-reboot/
Fr. Roderick reviews Rise of the Planets of the Apes and talks about Advent in the latest episode of ‘The Break’. So stop monkeying around, take a break and take a listen!
Link: http://thebreak.sqpn.com
this is a great movie! wish they’d make a follow-up.
I thought you might use an audio feedback I sent, recommending a couple of TV shows. I sent it to thebreak@sqpn.com. Is there a better address? Was it too long? I can do it shorter. The subject was “Audio Feedback – Star Trek New Voyages and MI-5”. It was sent on 11/27.
God Bless.
Site looks great, Father!
Thanks Keith!
I came across this wonderfully creative website with lots of photos of Kermit the Frog, including one of Kermit in Church.
Which made me wonder.. what would Kermit pray during this time of Advent? Post your captions in the comments!
I saw these captions on Facebook:
Peter Palumbo:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Carrie Rogers Corscadden:
Kermit would pray something for others. He’s always watching out for the whole Muppet gang. And maybe also for peace on earth….
Quentin Lewis:
Pray, pray? Oh yes, I always pray……but right now I am planning my dive into the Baptismal Font!
Kermit is a simple soul, so he would pray in the way of St. Therese – he would simply show the great God what was in his little green heart, and our God would always understand him (because we know He speaks frog.
Thank you for my many blessings especially the gift card to my favorite restaurant: IHOP.
Lord help me I have no thumbs
” Please forgive me Lord, I called my wife a pig “
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from alligators. Amen.”
Its not easy being green Lord!
Lord, please help me learn how to blink.
“Is it I, Lord, who will slowly boil to death?”
“Ord-Lay, ear–hay y-may rayer-Pay.” Pig Latin, of course!
“Hi-ho, Kermit the Frog here,
Why are there so many songs about rainbows? And what’s on the other side?”
Lord, still need that rainbow connection…
More Grover, less Elmo.
Dear God,
i’m waiting in joyful hope for you
For an aveternal soul ?
“Lord, give me a hand, I’m swamped”
Thank-you, Lord for making me green.
Pray, pray? Oh yes, I always pray……but right now I am planning my dive into the Baptismal Font!
“O Lord, please don’t let me mess up with this new Mass Translation.”
Dear God: Please change the hearts of mankind, to love you and your commandments. Thank you. Amen.”
What do Colonial Williamsburg, the new Missal, the Muppets, Twilight, and Advent have in common? They are all topics in Mac and Katherine’s new episode of Catholic in a Small Town!
Click here to subscribe in iTunes or click on the player to listen online!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
I love the relationship you guys have. Sounds so wonderful. 
I’m in my 30s and still I have not found my missing rib.
I LOVE audibles.com. Got lots of stuff from them. The last one I downloaded was Charles Higson’s a Young James Bond Adventure SilverFin. Have you guy listened to any Adventures In Odyssey?
Dan, 
Robert F and 7 others are discussing. 
Marnie and 10 others are discussing. 
malani, 
Steve Jess, 
Fr. Roderick and one other person are discussing. 
Chris, 
Robert F 5:49 pm on December 30, 2011 Permalink |
It is truly tradgic to hear the news, esp. when it is released at this time of year, .
Have heart Fr. Roderick, and remember the prayer for the Church:
Defend oh Lord< thy servants, we humbly beseech thee, from all dangers of body and soul, and by the prayers of the Glorious Virgin Mary, of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, of Benedict XVI , and all thy Saint,s, grant us the mercies of peace and safety. That all adversities and errors being removed, thy Church may serve Thee in secure liberty, through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
My best childhood Christmas was not getting a Red Ryder 200-shot range model air rifle but a Daisy Golden Eagle air rifle. ')
Sean McCarney 2:36 pm on December 30, 2011 Permalink |
My earliest Christmas memory is a smell. Back in the early 70s when I was a small boy, we had a 6ft artificial Christmas tree, which had a brown plastic trunk and branches and green leaves. It had such an unique, clean, ‘plastic’ smell, which faded as the tree was left up over Christmas but intensified again as the tree was boxed up and left in the attic for the next 11 months. That smell, when putting up the tree especially, is branded on my mind and is all my childhood Christmases and memories of my family rolled into one. My brother still has the tree, though not the room to put it up. Maybe one day I’ll see that tree up again and smell that smell and be transported back 40 years……
Dan Hyatt 8:43 pm on January 2, 2012 Permalink |
Hey Sean! Happy 2012! Only 11 months until the “end of the world as we know it!”
We also had a fake tree when I was a lad. Then somewhere between high school and college, my parents started getting real ones. Once you go real, you don’t go back to plastic! What did Caitie get from Santa this year? Did Niki like her pink “wellies”? And what Lego book did you get, Harry Potter or Star Wars? TTFN! Dan
Sean McCarney 1:49 pm on January 4, 2012 Permalink |
Hi Dan! Happy New Year! We went back to a real tree this year – it was lovely. The book was The Lego Ideas book – may mention it on the next JACD!
John Clem 10:57 pm on December 23, 2011 Permalink |
When I was young I was obsessed with getting up early to open the gifts, but in aging have found the wisdom to know what Christmas is REALLY about–the gift of Jesus Christ becoming human so we can all be holy and share in the Kingdom of Heaven. I wrote a bit about the true meaning of Christmas in my blog with many useful links to video and music: http://www.calltoholiness.us/?p=695
God Bless,
John
John 6:03 am on December 23, 2011 Permalink |
My dad was a radio DJ and had to go to work early in the AM. We would listen to his Christmas show and he would dedicate songs to us but the entire time we were dying with anticipation until we would arrive home.
I do remember one time trying to make it through midnight mass but I don’t quite think I made in those years.
Jan - Stfrancisgirl 12:00 am on December 23, 2011 Permalink |
I remember exchanging gifts with my cousins on Christmas Eve at my grandparent’s house. When I got home I was allowed to open one gift — it was always a new set of pajamas. When I woke on Christmas morning, there was always sign on the closed door to the living room that told me to wake my parents before opening the door. My parents always took a photo of my first reactions to my presents.
Theuna Huitema 6:48 pm on December 22, 2011 Permalink |
My earliest Christmas memories is: A festival of Lessons and Carols in the Martinichurch (11 dec 2011) and the O-Antifonen in the Francicuschurch both in Bolswrard, Holland. Very beautyfull
Max 2:11 pm on December 22, 2011 Permalink |
My earliest memo’s go back to the Augustinus church in Utrecht. A very large X-mas stall. With real actors as Maria and Joseph. Great atmosphere. Christ is born. I will never forget. Now being in my late 60-ties, I still thinking of Him and the love Hè gave us. Peace with all of you.
Steve 12:26 pm on December 22, 2011 Permalink |
My Christmas memories usually include two things. First, waking up Christmas morning with a great deal of excitement, rushing out to the living room and seeing all the gifts that had appeared overnight, including the bulging stockings around the fireplace.
Second, there was always a lot of squinting. My dad had an 8mm movie camera that required the use of two very bright spotlights. Capturing the moments of opening presents usually came at the risk of a sun burn from those lights. We should have had sunglasses but never thought about it.
Dan 1:35 am on December 23, 2011 Permalink |
I’m right in line with you Steve! I’d always rush into my parents room 1st thing in the morning to wish them Merry Christmas, then downstairs to see how much Santa left. “The Rule” was to only open the stocking stuffers, then wait for Mom and Dad to come down. Since I’m an only child I usually didn’t have to wait long. It was always a HUGE deal at my house, because 12/25 was also my birthday (I know, not bad company to share the day with, right!?!
. ).
Now being married w/three kids of my own, I get to relive those times through their eyes, create new memories for them. For example, Santa also finishes decorating the tree for us by hanging silver angel hair tinsel on the branches, so it’s extra sparkly for the kids when they come down in the morning. Like your dad, I too video the morning festivities, although between the sun in the windows and the tree lights, I don’t use the “flood lights” on the kids. As far as I know, no eye damage thus far!
Merry Christmas and Happy 2012 to you and everyone at SQPN! As a heads-up, I made an early resolution to be more involved in Catholic New Media next year, in preparation of “the year of faith” starting in October. I’ll pray for you, will you pray for me?
Peace,
Dan
Scott 11:59 am on December 22, 2011 Permalink |
My earliest childhood memories are of how long Christmas eve was. We’d go to the 4pm Children’s Mass. Then have dinner and a gift exchange at a hall rented by my mom’s side of the family. Then ~9 o’clock we’d drive over to my dad’s father and see that side of the family. Typically not getting home until midnight or later. Then I’d wake up the next morning and see the “explosion” under our Christmas tree.
Looking back now as a father of five, I’m not sure how my folks didn’t spend Christmas day napping… catching up on their lack of sleep.