Denver Catholic

3 DENVER CATHOLIC | DECEMBER 10-23, 2016 Vatican Notes Experience the warmth and joy that comes from helping others Your Christmas donation to the Samaritan House will provide warm meals, warm blankets and temporary housing. It's amazing how the kindness of others can bring such joy to those in need. SamHouseDenver.org/christmas Please give generously and learn how your family can help decorate the Christmas tree at Samaritan House by visiting: …I readily offer my support for your work with the Center for Natural Law and pray that God will bless your work. " " Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila (April 4, 2014) …I readily offer my support for your the Center for Natural Law and pray that God will bless your work. " Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila Center for Natural Law / Natural Law Academy An affordable, convenient, on line academy; Degrees Conferred Learn about the Cardinal Virtues, Ethical Realism and Natural Law. "Excellence by Design" REGISTER @ www.CenterforNaturalLaw.org, "Distance Learning" page Questions? CONTACT greg@centerfornaturallaw.org A fter a plane crash in Colombia claimed the lives of 71 people, including the majority of Bra- zil's up-and-comingš Chapecoense soccer team, Pope Francis o˜ ered his prayer and solidarity for the victims and their families. "Deeply distressed to learn of the sad news of the serious plane accident which has caused many victims, [Pope Francis] raises his prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased," a Nov. 30 telegram signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin read. Addressed to Bishop Fidel Leon Cadavid Marin of Sonson-Rionegro in the province of Medellin, Colombia, the letter asked the bishop to convey the Pope's "sentiment of condolences" to the families of the victims and to all those "who cry for so grievous a loss." Francis o˜ ered his a˜ ection, and prayed that those mourning would fi nd "solidarity and counsel." He asked that the Lord pour out on all those a˜ ected by the tragedy "the gifts of spiritual serenity and of Christian hope," and gave his apostolic blessing. On the evening of Nov. 18 in Colom- bia, LAMIA Flight 2933 crashed into a Colombian mountainside with 77 people on board, only six of whom sur- vived the accident. The majority of the passengers were either players, coaches or guests from Brazil's Chapecoense soccer team, as well as some 20 journalists traveling to cover the fi rst leg of the team's journey through the South American Cup fi nals, set to take place Wednesday, Nov. 30. In a separate telegram, the Pope asked Cardinal Dom Sergio Da Rocha, president of the Brazilian Bish- ops Conference, to convey his con- dolences and "participation in the pain" of all those who are su˜ ering. SOURCE: CNA T he bishops of the United States are urging Catholics to dedicate Dec. 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, to prayer for the plight of immigrants and refugees, according to a statement from the U.S. bishops' conference. "As Christmas approaches, and especially on this feast of Our Lady, we are reminded of how our savior Jesus Christ was not born in the comfort of his own home, but rather in an unfamiliar manger," said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston and newly elected president of the confer- ence. "To all those families separated and far from home in uncertain times, we join with you in a prayer for comfort and joy this Advent season." Catholics are invited to o˜ er prayers wherever they may be, particularly the rosary.š "So many families are wondering how changes to immigration policy might impact them," added Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, and vice-presi- dent of the conference. "We want them to know the Church is with them, o˜ ers prayers on their behalf, and is actively monitoring developments at the dioc- esan, state, and national levels to be an e˜ ective advocate on their behalf." Pope Francis o ers prayers after Colombia plane crash Faithful urged to pray for immigrants on feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

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