Yearender – Happy New Year 2015

2014 Yearender; Let’s Welcome the New Year 2015!

http://opusdeitoday.org/2014/12/yearender-happy-new-year-2015/

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As I thought of what to blog about as we end 2014 and meet the New Year, I thought of selecting a couple of “The Year That Was” and “What’s In Store For The Year Ahead” pieces on the Net. I looked to NCRegister.com for faith-related articles. Here they are:

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Looking Ahead With Hope

It can be easy to look back at the last 12 months and dwell on the damage humanity has wrought: the continued, brutal persecution of Christians and minorities in the Middle East and Africa; the persecution of pro-life, pro-family Christians in the United States under the guise of universal health care and “marriage equality”; and the seeming refusal of U.S. politicians to come up with an adequate immigration policy that allows people to seek a better life while protecting national sovereignty. We also said farewell to a number of notable Catholics who fought the good fight, including my dear friends Penny Lord, Father Benedict Groeschel and Helen Hull Hitchcock.

Yet, in this year-in-review issue of the Register, you’ll see words and images of hope in the midst of these profound challenges. I pray that it provides a powerful reminder that we can’t allow ourselves to be dragged down by the things of the world and that we have an obligation, by our sonship in Christ, to reflect the Light of the World into all corners of darkness, no matter how difficult the road.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/looking-ahead-with-hope/#ixzz3NO2PklCF

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2014 in Review: Saintly Popes, a Synod on the Family and Curial Reform

Click HERE for a PDF of the year-end 2014 issue ofncregister.com news.

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…and, for the world of business, here’s IESE Business School for TRENDS IN 2015.

Jan. 4th, 2015 – Epiphany of our Lord

Jan. 4th, 2015 – Epiphany of our Lord (Dr. Scott Hahn’s ‘This Sunday’s Bible Reflections’)

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An “epiphany” is an appearance. In today’s readings, with their rising stars, splendorous lights and mysteries revealed, the face of the child born on Christmas day appears.

Herod, in today’s Gospel, asks the chief priests and scribes where the Messiah is to be born. The answer Matthew puts on their lips says much more, combining two strands of Old Testament promise – one revealing the Messiah to be from the line of David (see 2 Samuel 2:5), the other predicting “a ruler of Israel” who will “shepherd his flock” and whose “greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth” (see Micah 5:1-3).

Those promises of Israel’s king ruling the nations resound also in today’s Psalm. The psalm celebrates David’s son, Solomon. His kingdom, we sing, will stretch “to the ends of the earth,” and the world’s kings will pay Him homage. That’s the scene too in today’s First Reading, as nations stream from the East, bearing “gold and frankincense” for Israel’s king.

The Magi’s pilgrimage in today’s Gospel marks the fulfillment of God’s promises. The Magi, probably Persian astrologers, are following the star that Balaam predicted would rise along with the ruler’s staff over the house of Jacob (see Numbers 24:17).

Laden with gold and spices, their journey evokes those made to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba and the “kings of the earth” (see 1 Kings 10:2,25; 2 Chronicles 9:24). Interestingly, the only other places where frankincense and myrrh are mentioned together are in songs about Solomon (see Song of Songs 3:6, 4:6,14).

One greater than Solomon is here (see Luke 11:31). He has come to reveal that all peoples are “co-heirs” of the royal family of Israel, as today’s Epistle teaches.

His manifestation forces us to choose: Will we follow the signs that lead to Him as the wise Magi did? Or will we be like those priests and the scribes who let God’s words of promise become dead letters on an ancient page?

 

Yours in Christ,

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SUGGESTED INFO ABOUT ‘THREE KINGS’/'The Wise Men’/'MAGI’:

From NewAdvent.org

From Catholic.net

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Happy ‘Three Kings’!

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Francis: The Pope from the New World

www.popefrancisdocumentary.com - Documentary “Francis: The Pope from the New World”

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Francis: The Pope From the New World traces the remarkable rise of Jorge Mario Bergoglio who has become the first pope from the Americas, the first pope who is a Jesuit, and the first to take the name Francis. The hour-long program features interviews from around the world, with close friends, fellow priests, co-workers, his biographer, and the poor of Buenos Aires. Most of the interviews and much of the film were shot on location in Argentina.

“This documentary arrives as the world realizes that a very special man has assumed the leadership of the Catholic Church, and this begins — but does not end — with his gestures of humility and care for everyone,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, one of the documentary’s executive producers. “Still, what remain largely unknown to the public are many details of Pope Francis’ life, the work he has done and the ways in which he has defended the voiceless and Catholic principles. This documentary delves into those stories.”

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Please pray for Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to the Philippines this January!

http://papalvisit.ph/

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WATCH THE POPE FRANCIS DOCUMENTARY, HERE!

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Journal of Polian Studies - maiden issue

My Polo paper has just gotten published in the maiden issue of Journal of Polian Studies! DEO GRATIAS! LAUS DEO!

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http://www.leonardopoloinstitute.org/issues.html

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The Journal of Polian Studies aims to encourage scientific cooperation and communication between researchers and academics concerning important themes of anthropology, metaphysics, and theory of knowledge. The Journal of Polian Studies focuses on and is inspired by Leonardo Polo’s profound, wide-ranging and original philosophical proposals. Our principal aim is to publish articles that are models of interdisciplinary work and scientific accuracy, thus allowing readers to keep abreast of the central issues and problems of contemporary philosophy.

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Who was Leonardo Polo?

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What was his philosophy all about?

It is not possible to describe completely Polo’s philosophical proposal in a brief blog like this, but I summarized it in a slide presentation, HERE.

Polo scholars have come to call his philosophical proposal “transcendental anthropology”, given that ―using the method of abandonment of the mental limit― he made available 4 great themes in relation to man: on the one hand, the act of being and essence that lie outside the mind, and on the other hand, the act of being and essence of the human being. As can be seen, the abandonment of the mental limit leads us to go deep into the real distinction between being and essence vis-à-vis that proposed by Thomas Aquinas for created beings. Effectively, Polian literature does not study act of being in a manner parallel to the act of being of the universe, because the latter belongs to metaphysics, whereas Polo’s interest is strictly with anthropology.

(His thought is, nevertheless, not limited to philosophical anthropology, as his works cover a wide range of fields including psychology, neuroscience, philosophy of science, philosophy of language, social ethics, political economy, and economic theory, among others. In any case, we can say that Polo’s methodological proposal for philosophy is meta-theoretic.)

Having distinguished between act of being in metaphysics and act of being in anthropology, Polo’s works then proposes 4 “anthropological transcendentals”, namely:

• 1) Personal Co-existence

• 2) Personal Freedom

• 3) Personal Intellect/Knowing, &

• 4) Transcendental Love (Self-Gift ).

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Leonardo polo transcendental anthropology from Aliza Racelis

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My paper is entitled “The leader as friend: Implications of Leonardo Polo’s Friendship in Aristotle for humanistic corporate governance” (Abstract shared below):

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Holy Family

Happy Feast of the Holy Family!!!

http://opusdeitoday.org/2014/12/holy-family/

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Why did Jesus choose to become a baby born of a mother and father and to spend all but His last years living in an ordinary human family? In part, to reveal God’s plan to make all people live as one “holy family” in His Church (see 2 Corinthians 6:16-18).

In the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, God reveals our true home. We’re to live as His children, “chosen ones, holy and beloved,” as the First Reading puts it.

To continue reading Scott Hahn’s reflections, click HERE.

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A devotion to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is encouraged for all Christian families. The lives of the Holy Family on earth serve as models for both the individual and the family.  God offers his grace through the Holy Family of Nazareth to encourage a devotion and reflection on their lives.  We are challenged to make their way of life, our way of life.  They are a source of virtue, they enlighten our minds and they show us how to love through sacrifice.

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Today marks the start of a special

MARIAN YEAR FOR THE FAMILY

convoked by Bishop-Prelate Javier Echevarria

to end on the Feast of the Holy Family in 2015.

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Resources on the FAMILY on the opusdei.org Web site:

• The Family’s Educational Mission

• Temperance and Self-Mastery

• Guiding the Heart

• Parents’ Right to Educate Their Children

• Leisure and Free Time

• Parental Authority

• Educating for Life

• OTHERS.

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HAPPY FEAST DAY!!!

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Pray by the Crib like one of the characters in the scene

http://opusdeitoday.org/2014/12/pray-by-the-crib-like-one-of-the-characters-in-the-scene/

Pray by the Crib like one of the characters in the scene

http://www.josemariaescriva.info/article/how-to-pray-by-the-crib-like-one-of-the-people-there

“My advice is that, in your prayer, you actually take part in the different scenes of the Gospel, as one more among the people present. First of all, imagine the scene or mystery you have chosen to help you recollect your thoughts and meditate. Next apply your mind, concentrating on the particular aspect of the Master’s life you are considering — his merciful Heart, his humility, his purity, the way he fulfils his Father’s Will”.
Friends of God, 253

To contemplate the Birth of Jesus, you can download passages by St. Josemaría, in pdf, epub and kindle.

Christmas music

Christmas music

RomeReports.com tells us that each year American Christian singer Matthew West, releases a Christmas song…This year, it sounds like this… 

LISTEN TO "A CHRISTMAS TO BELIEVE IN" :-)

Marian Year for the Family

On December 28, 2014, a Marian year for the family will begin in Opus Dei, to pray to our Lady for all the families in the world.

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The Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarría, has convoked a Marian year that will begin on December 28 to pray for families. This date is the liturgical feast of the Holy Family. The Marian year will end on the same feast day in 2015, which will be held on December 27.

The Prelate said that the aim of this year is “to place in our Lady’s hands all the needs of the Church and of mankind, and to follow faithfully the Pope’s intentions.”

He has extended this invitation to all those who receive Christian formation through activities organized by the Prelature.

Among other possible ways to live this Marian year, the Prelates suggests praying as a family and with special devotion the traditional prayers dedicated to the Mother of God, such as the Rosary and the Angelus. “Through our Lady,” Bishop Echevarría said, “our Lord will pour forth abundant graces for the Church and for society.”

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“Jesus chose to be born in a pious and hard-working Jewish family”

On Wednesday December 17, his 78th birthday, Pope Francis began a series of general audiences on the topic of the family.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!

The Synod of Bishops on the Family just held was the first stage of a journey, which will end next October with the holding of another Assembly on the theme “The Family’s Vocation and Mission in the Church and in the World.” The prayer and reflection that must accompany this journey involves the whole People of God. I would also like the usual meditations of the Wednesday Audiences to be inserted in this common journey. Therefore, I have decided to reflect this year with you precisely on the family, on this great gift that the Lord has made to the world since the beginning, when He conferred on Adam and Eve the mission to multiply and fill the earth (Cf.Genesis 1:28) — that gift that Jesus has confirmed and sealed in his Gospel.

To continue reading, click HERE.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2014 - Merry Christmas!

IMAGES ABOVE, FOUND HERE:

http://www.opusdeialdia.es/opus_dei/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=14302

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CHRISTMAS NEWS/UPDATES:

Christmas Midnight Mass with the Pope

Novena for Serenity in ENGLISH

Official translation to ENGLISH of the Novena for Serenity to Blessed Alvaro del Portillo

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We give you HERE the Novena for Serenity in ENGLISH.

[click on the link to the googlepage, then scroll down to the attachments section for .doc file]

Translation is courtesy of HELENA SCOTT, 1 of the authors of ‘Power of Humility’:

http://www.ctsbooks.org/alvaro-del-portillo/

Video Christmas greeting by the Prelate of Opus Dei

Video Christmas 2014 greeting by the Prelate of Opus Dei

Christmas 2014 - Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas 2014 - Merry Christmas!!!

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Merry Christmas!

“Every time Christmas comes around, I love to look at representations of the child Jesus. Statues and pictures which show a God who lowered himself remind me that God is calling us. The Almighty wants us to know that he is defenseless, that he needs men’s help. From the cradle at Bethlehem, Christ tells you and me that he needs us. He urges us to live a christian life to the full — a life of self-sacrifice, work and joy.” (Christ Is Passing By 18, 1)

Taken from the selection of Christmas quotes/lines from the writings of St Josemaría Escrivá.

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*Image of the Nativity Scene on the ‘greeting card’ above is used with permission from Colegio Irabia-Izaga (school in Pamplona) – first prize winner, 8th Family Belen Contest.

To Colegio Irabia-Izaga: congratulations on your 50th year anniversary!!!

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Journal of Polian Studies

Journal of Polian Studies – Leonardo Polo Institute of Philosophy

The Journal of Polian Studies aims to encourage scientific cooperation and communication between researchers and academics concerning important themes of anthropology, metaphysics, and theory of knowledge. The Journal of Polian Studies focuses on and is inspired by Leonardo Polo’s profound, wide-ranging and original philosophical proposals. Our principal aim is to publish articles that are models of interdisciplinary work and scientific accuracy, thus allowing readers to keep abreast of the central issues and problems of contemporary philosophy.

The maiden issue (December 2014) of the Journal of Polian Studies is coming out SOON!!! :-)

CONTACT:

The Leonardo Polo Institute of Philosophy
1121 North Notre Dame Ave.
South Bend, IN 46617

Leonardo Polo’s Transcendental Anthropology

Leonardo Polo’s Transcendental Anthropology

I’ve developed a “summary/simplified” slide presentation on Leonardo Polo’s ‘Transcendental Anthropology’, here:

Leonardo polo transcendental anthropology from Aliza Racelis

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Important Leonardo Polo sites on the Web:

• Leonardo Polo Web site

• Section of Leonardo Polo Web site in ENGLISH

• Complete Works of Leonardo Polo (all works available electronically)

• Blog Estudios Polianos

• Blog Preguntas Polianas

• Blog Leonardo Polo

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Pope addresses European Parliament

Pope Francis: Address to the Council of Europe

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Pope Francis on Tuesday called on Europe’s leaders to work diligently and continuously for creative solutions to divisions and conflict for a peaceful continent.  In a wide-ranging speech to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Pope Francis observed that “peace continues all too often to be violated” in many parts of the world where conflicts “continue to fester.” Tensions also continue to exist on the European continent, the Pope noted, which “yearns for peace but which so easily falls back into the temptations of the past.”

Welcoming Pope Francis, President Schulz pointed out that Pope Francis’s words have tremendous significance, not only because he is a religious leader, but because they speak to all of us, of themes that concern all of us: “they are universal – he said – and provide a guide at a time of lack of leadership, reminding us we have a common task and that we are stronger united than taken separately”. And in the two discourses in which the most recurrent words and concepts were “democracy”, “human rights” and “rule of law”, Pope Francis also spoke of the Church as being – in Pope Paul VI’s words  – an expert in humanity; he spoke of the legacy of Christianity in the social and cultural formation of the continent and of the contribution it desires to offer today and in the future; he reminded members of the Council of Europe that European bishops have an essential contribution to make. 

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Pope coming to Philly!

Pope coming to Philadelphia for World Meeting of Families, September 2015!

The WMF2015 organizers are excited to share that they have received official confirmation that the Holy Father will be joining us in Philadelphia in September 2015 for the World Meeting of Families! We look forward to welcoming Pope Francis not only to Philadelphia for the first time, but to the U.S!

For official Press Release, click HERE.

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