My dear friends,“’Twas the night before Christmas and

all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

We can all recite, at the very least, the opening words to this famous poem that has become a part of many fami-lies’ Christmas tradition.

But do we k now as well the opening words of Isa-

iah that will be read at midnight Mass on Christmas day? “The people who walked

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FloridaCatholicYour Faith. Your LiFe. Your CommunitY. oF miami

WWW.MIAMIARCH.ORG | Dec. 14 - Dec. 20, 2009

From THE arCHBiSHoP

John C. Favalora

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God’s word reminds us of Christmas’ true meaning

Mis queridos amigos:“Era la víspera de la Navidad, y no se

escuchaba un ruido en toda la casa, ni si- quiera un ratón.”

Esa es una traducción aproximada de las primeras palabras de un famoso poema que muchos podemos recitar, y que se ha con-vertido en parte de la tradición navideña de muchas familias en los hogares de habla inglesa.

Pero, ¿conocemos de igual manera las primeras palabras de Isaías que se leerán en la Misa de la Medianoche el día de la

La palabra de Dios nos recuerda el verdadero significado de la Navidad

BLANCA MORALESFlorida Catholic correspondent

MIAMI — All those who “labor and are burdened” now have a place to pray no mat-ter where they are, thanks to the virtual Blessed Sacrament chapel available on the

archdiocesan radio station’s Web site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Jesus’ words from Matthew 11:29 greet all who visit the online site at www.paxcc.org/adoration/adoration01.html, which

Jesus on your laptopPax Catholic Communications’ virtual adoration chapel enables people to pray before the Blessed Sacrament by simply going online

IMaGe COURTesY OF PaX CaTHOlIC COMMUNICaTIONs

This is what visitors see when they go to the virtual Blessed sacrament chapel available 24/7 online at Pax Catholic Communication’s Web site, www.paxcc.org.

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Navidad? “El pueblo que cami- naba en la noche divisó una luz grande; habitaban el oscuro país de la muerte, pero fueron iluminados.”

¿Y la narración de Lucas so-bre el nacimiento de Jesús, que también leemos en la Misa de la Medianoche?

“Por aquellos días salió un decreto del emperador Au-gusto, por el que se debía pro-ceder a un censo. … José tam-bién, que estaba en Galilea, en la ciudad de Nazaret, subió a Judea, a la ciudad de David, l la mada Belén, porque era descendiente de David; allí se inscribió con María, su esposa, que estaba embarazada”.

¿Y las palabras iniciales del Evangelio de Juan, que se leen en las otras misas el día de Na-vidad? “En el principio era el Verbo, y el Verbo estaba ante Dios, y el Verbo era Dios”.

Me imagino que asistir a la Misa en la Navidad es parte de sus tradiciones familiares, como lo son el árbol, el inter-cambio de regalos, y el com-partir la cena navideña o el festín de Nochebuena.

Pero, ¿prestan atención a las lecturas en la Misa? ¿O se en-cuentran tan preocupados por los atractivos materiales de la Navidad, que se les hace difícil concentrarse en la Palabra de Dios? ¿Será que han escuchado las lecturas tantas veces que ya no aprecian su significado?

Espero que no. Espero que se den cuenta de que dichas

lecturas son mensajes de Dios que nos recuerdan cuán ama-dos y cuidados somos, sin im-portar el tiempo que haya pa-sado, y cuán distante estemos unos de otros.

Su propósito es t raer nos buenas noticias, las mejores de todas: que Dios nos amó tanto, que envió su único hijo para que fuera como nosotros, que naciera y muriera y sintiera en su propia carne la esperanza y la dicha, el dolor y la agonía de nuestra existencia terrena.

¿Por qué no utilizar algunas de las escrituras para orar an-tes de la cena durante las fes-tividades? La madre, el padre o los niños pueden leer la na-rración de la Navidad antes de abrir los regalos, como recor-datorio de que Jesús es el ver-dadero regalo de la Navidad.

Todos los demás regalos de-ben recordarnos a Jesús. Leer las escrituras con anticipación puede aclarar dicho mensaje, pues las propias palabras de Dios nos recuerdan el signifi-cado de esta época santa.

Hagan espacio para Dios en sus vidas durante esta Navidad. Escuchen cuidadosamente las palabras de las Escrituras. Que la lectura de la Palabra se con-vierta en parte de su tradición anual en los días festivos, no sólo al ir a Misa, sino también en sus hogares.

Y que las palabras de los ángeles a los pastores se con-viertan, hoy y siempre, en su bendición Navideña: “Gloria a Dios en las alturas, y paz en la tierra a quienes ama el Se-ñor”.

¡Feliz Navidad! n

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in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone.”

How about Luke’s infancy narrative, also to be read at midnight Mass?

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be en-rolled. … And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethle-hem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his be-trothed, who was with child.”

Or how about the opening words of the Gospel of John, to be read at the other Masses on Christmas day? “In the begin-ning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

I imagine going to Mass on Christmas is as much a part of your family’s traditions as

the tree, the exchange of gifts and sitting down to Christ-mas dinner or a Nochebuena feast.

But do you really hear the readings at Mass? Or are you so preoccupied with the ma-terial trappings of Christ-mas that you find it difficult to concentrate on the word of God? Could it be that you have heard those readings so often that you no longer savor their meaning?

I hope not. I hope you re-alize that those readings are

messages from God. They are meant to remind us that we are loved and cared for, no matter how much time has passed or how distant we are from one another.

They are meant to bring us good news, the greatest news of all: that God so loves us that he sent his only Son to be like us, to be born and die and feel in his own f lesh the hope and joy, the pain and agony of our earthly ex-istence.

Why not use some of these

Scriptures as prayers before ou r hol iday mea ls? Have mother, father or children read the Christmas narra-tive before opening the gifts as a reminder that Jesus is the real gift of Christmas. All other gifts are supposed to remind us of Jesus. Reading the Scriptures beforehand can make that message very clear.

Let God’s own words re-mind us of the meaning of this holy season.

Ma ke room for God i n your life this Christmas. Lis-ten carefully to the words of Scripture. Make the read-ing of his word a part of your annua l hol iday t radit ion, not just at Mass but in your homes as well.

And may the words of the angels to the shepherds be-come your Christmas bless-ing now and always: “Glor y to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Merry Christmas! n

Here are more news stories you can read in the News Center at www.miamiarch.org:

• Radio Peace relaunched as Spiritonline, 24-hour internet station.

• Bishop Fernando Isern’s ordination, installation as bishop of Pueblo, Colo.

• Christmas activities in parishes and schools.

• News about the Church in the United States and the world.

MORE ONLINE‘Make room for God in your life this Christmas. Listen carefully to the words of Scripture. Make the reading of his word a part of your annual holiday tradition, not just at Mass but in your homes as well.’

Page 3 www.miamiarch.org

Deadline for Calendar listings

The Florida Catholic welcomes calendar items of parish/organization events that are open to the whole archdiocese. There is no charge but items must be in the Miami office at least six weeks before the event. To list an event both on the Web site and in the newspaper, go to www.miamiarch.org, click on the banner “announce your event for free” and follow the instructions. Notices may be sent by e-mail: arsoto@theadom.org; fax: 305-762-1132; mail: The Florida Catholic, 9401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33138.

CONCERTSLa Coral Cubana

Christmas concert, sunday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m., Blessed John XXIII Parish, 16800 Miramar Parkway, Miramar. Carols in english, spanish, latin. 954-392-5063.

Christmas concert, Dec. 20, 2 p.m., st. sebastian Parish, 2000 s.e. 25 ave., Fort lauderdale. 954-524-9344.

Christmas festival of song, sunday, Dec. 20, 3 p.m., st. Richard Parish, 7500 s.W. 152 st., Miami. Features children’s musical, “Calling all angels,” seasonal carols and Christmas choral music. Free-will offering. 305-233-8711.

Advent lessons and carols, a service of light, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 7 p.m., Church of the little Flower, 2711 Indian Mound Trail, Coral Gables. Performed by the schola Cantorum, the service retells the story of God’s love through scripture and song. 305-446-9950.

Cathedral concert series, St. Mary Cathedral, 7525 N.W. second ave., Miami. Free. 305-759-4531 or www.cathedralofstmary.com: Thursday, Dec. 24, 11 p.m., “Prelude of lessons and Carols,” performed by cathedral choir, directed by suzie Vidal arsenault, with master organist stephen Kolarac. Followed by Christmas eve midnight Mass.

RETREATS /DAYS OF REFLECTION

MorningStar Renewal Center, 7275 s.W. 124 st., Pinecrest. Registration required for all programs. 305-238-4367, ext. 102; or visit www.morningstarrenewal.org.

•  Last session of “The Three Comings of Jesus” advent series, Monday, Dec. 21, 9:30-11:30 a.m., facilitated by sue DeFerrari, Verline Moore and Oblate Father Bill Mason. $10; reservations required.

•  Prayer for MorningStar, 

Monday, Dec. 21, 5:30-6 p.m. Join in prayer for the effort to retain Morningstar Renewal Center.

•  New Year’s Eve retreat, Thursday, Dec. 31, 6-9:30 p.m., featuring dinner, presentation, Mass. $30.

MASSES /PRAYER SESSIONS

Advent reconciliation service (confessions), Monday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 22, 7:30 p.m., Our lady of lourdes, 11291 s.W. 142 ave., Miami. 305-386-4121.

Communal penance service in english and Spanish, Dec. 23, Our lady of Mercy Parish, 5201 N. Military Trail, Deerfield Beach. Mass and penance service in english only at 9 a.m.; in english and spanish at 7 p.m. Individual confessions can be arranged upon request. 954-421-3246.

Annual Migration Mass, celebrated by archbishop John C. Favalora, sunday, Jan. 3, 2010 (feast of the epiphany), 10 a.m., st. Mary Cathedral, 7525 N.W. second ave., Miami. 305-759-4531 or www.cathedralofstmary.com.

Songs and prayer in the spirit of Taizé, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, 7:30 p.m., Barry University, Cor Jesu Chapel, 11300 N.e. second ave., Miami shores. Chant, scripture, silent reflection, intercessory prayer. 305-899-3650 or 305-458-9919.

CHRISTMAS EVE/CHRISTMAS MASSES

St. Mary Cathedral, 7525 N.W. second ave., Miami. 305-759-4531 or www.cathedralofstmary.com. Thursday, Dec. 24: confessions, 4:30 p.m.; vigil Mass in english, 5:30 p.m.; Christmas concert, 11 p.m., followed by pontifical midnight Mass, celebrated by archbishop John C. Favalora. Friday, Dec. 25: latin Mass (ordinary rite), 6:30 a.m.; Kreyol Christmas Mass, 8 a.m.; english choir Mass, 10 a.m.; spanish Christmas Mass, noon.

St. Catherine of Siena, 9200 s.W. 107 ave., Miami. Christmas vigil Mass: Thursday, Dec. 24, 6:30 p.m. (english); choir performance (bilingual),

11:15 p.m., followed by midnight Mass. Christmas Mass: Friday, Dec. 25, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. (english); 12:30 and 6 p.m. (spanish). 305-274-6333.

Our Lady of Lourdes, 11291 s.W. 142 ave., Miami. Thursday, Dec. 24, vigil Masses for Christmas: children’s english Mass, 4 p.m.; spanish Mass, 6:30 p.m.; Christmas choir concert, 11:30 p.m.; bilingual Christmas Mass, midnight. Friday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day: 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. in english; 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in spanish. 305-386-4121.

Korean Apostolate Christmas eve Mass, Thursday, Dec. 24, 9 p.m., the Retreat Center, 3781 s.W. 39 st., West Hollywood. Join the Korean apostolate for the Christmas evening Mass followed by a big meal. 954-474-9091.

Vietnamese Apostolate Christmas Day Mass and celebration, Friday, Dec. 25, 2 p.m., st. Helen Parish, 3033 N.W. 33 ave., lauderdale lakes. Children will perform a Christmas scene before Mass; reception after Mass with traditional food, entertainment and famous artists from Thuy Nga agency. 954-714-9860.

“Wigilia” supper and midnight Mass, Thursday, Dec. 24, Our lady of Czestochowa Polish Mission, 2400 N.e. 12 st., Pompano Beach. Join the Polish community in the Wigilia supper, served at 10 p.m. on Christmas eve, traditionally the most important family celebration during the Christmas season in Poland. Father Klemens Dabrowski, society of Christ, will celebrate the midnight Mass afterward. 954-946-6347.

NEW YEAR MASSES

Cathedral of St. Mary, 7525 N.W. second ave., Miami. New Year’s vigil Mass, Thursday, Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m. (in english). Friday, Jan. 1, solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. in english; Kreyol National Mass, 10 a.m. 305-759-4531 or www.cathedralofstmary.com.

St. Catherine of Siena, 9200 s.W. 107 ave., Miami. Bilingual Mass to welcome

the New Year, Thursday, Dec. 31, 11:15 p.m; vigil Mass in spanish, 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: 10:30 a.m., english; 12:30 and 6 p.m., spanish. 305-274-6333.

FAITH EDUCATION

“Living Pentecost: A Process of Spiritual growth,” saturday, Dec. 21, 9:30 a.m., english; 11 a.m., spanish, st. Catherine of siena, 9200 s.W. 107 ave., Miami. adult formation for parish ministers. 305-274-6353.

Natural family planning classes, various locations, offered by Couple to Couple league. $75, includes course fee, materials, subscription to Couple-to-Couple league follow-up publication. www.southfloridanfp.org.

“Being Catholic” study circle, Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Our lady of Mercy Parish hall, 5201 Military Trail, Deerfield Beach. For those interested in learning about the faith or those who want to delve deeper into it. 954-421-3246 or reginaedmonds@bellsouth.net.

VOCATIONSDiscerning a vocation to

the priesthood? Meeting Monday, Dec. 21, in english and spanish, Pastoral Center, 9401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. 305-762-1137 or vocations@ theadom.org.

FloridaCatholicYour Faith. Your LiFe. Your CommunitY. oF miami

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welcomes all to post their prayer intentions as they pray before the Blessed Sacrament.

The virtual adoration chapel allows homebound individuals, those who are sick in hospitals, or anyone constrained by distance or time to pray before the Blessed the Sacrament and place their petitions from anywhere at any time.

Necessity is the mother of in-vention, and in this case it com-bined with divine inspiration to give birth to the idea for this on-line service.

At 3 a.m. one day, struggling with a difficult situation, Gonzalo Penagos felt the need to visit the

Blessed Sacrament. Penagos is director of operations for PaxNet, a satellite programming service that comes under the umbrella of Pax Catholic Communications, whose flagship station is Radio Paz 830 AM.

Penagos remembers searching the Web hoping to find a 24-hour broadcast of the Blessed Sacra-ment.

“All I found were photos, but nothing live,” he said.

He felt that there should be a place on the World Wide Web that allowed individuals in need of prayer to speak to Jesus face to face, if only in cyberspace.

He shared his idea with Isaúl Gonzalez, chief operations offi-cer for Pax Catholic Communica-tions, and they both approached Father Jaime Acevedo, pastor of

Mother of Our Redeemer Parish in Miami.

Father Acevedo was more than willing to help out by setting up a camera and Internet connection in Mother of Our Redeemer’s Holy Family Chapel, where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.

The chapel lent itself perfectly for the project, Penagos said. It is visually appealing yet simple, and has excellent lighting for re-cording.

The tabernacle in which the Eucharist is reserved is also per-fect: Nontraditional in design, it has two little windows, or flaps, which can be opened up to re-veal the Eucharist. This keeps the Blessed Sacrament visible yet protected, since it cannot be un-attended while it is exposed.

The design allows it to be vis-

ible to the camera even when it is not exposed, said Penagos, who set up the equipment and contin-ues to oversee its operation.

The Web site features a virtual wall on which prayer requests can be posted. Radio Paz’s inter-cession ministry, along with the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, an archdiocesan religious community, pray for the posted intentions.

Approximately 1,000 prayer re-quests are e-mailed to the site on a daily basis. Visitors come from all over Latin America, Spain and the U.S.

The service, which was first announced on Radio Paz, drew an even larger number of visi-tors after Gonzalez mentioned it on EWTN, the Catholic television network. n

IMaGe COURTesY OF PaX CaTHOlIC COMMUNICaTIONs

shown is a close-up view of the Blessed sacrament at Mother of Our Redeemer Parish in Miami as seen in the virtual chapel available 24/7 online at Pax Catholic Communication’s Web site, www.paxcc.org.

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