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6+ min ago (540+ words) December 4, 2025 By IMB A frozen body lay not far from where Anahita and her family huddled together." They shivered, trying to stay warm enough to survive the night. The person was most likely a refugee, following the mountainous route Anahita's family was, but they never made it to a safe haven. This wasn't the trajectory Anahita saw her life taking. Anahita, with her husband and children, escaped their homeland in Central Asia, traveling through several countries, sometimes on foot, with the goal of reaching a country in western Europe. It took her family four years of traveling and living in refugee camps to reach the country where they'd finally settle. One of a mother's worst nightmares became a devastating reality when Anahita miscarried a baby. International Mission Board missionary Freshta Aziz said the emotional pain, combined with culture shock, plunged…...

20+ min ago (53+ words) I was thinkin': "Is the value of Life truly appreciated in the Hunger Games books?" After all, this is a book & movie series about a nation that thought it necessary to literally have children fight to the death on national government sponsored TV. It may try to hint at God supporting certain......

28+ min ago (538+ words) December 4, 2025 / 8:14 AM CST / CBS Minnesota As the "Miracle on Ice" happened in 1980, a different kind of miracle was happening in Minnesota." North Stars enforcer Bill Butters, whose play on the ice earned him the nickname "despicable," was experiencing something he never thought he would " and it would transform his life forever. A White Bear Lake Native, Bill Butters lived a hockey life through and through " playing for coach Herb Brooks at the University of Minnesota before embarking on a pro career throughout most of the 1970s with the Minnesota Fighting Saints and the Minnesota North Stars. Butters was an enforcer " and fighting characterized his game. Off the ice, life was tumultuous. "I'm a hockey guy who was the worst of the worst. The most sinful, despicable. Whatever adjective you want to put in front of my name, I was him," Butters…...

31+ min ago (289+ words) Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula has direction religious congregations and lay faithful to continue to recite the "Oratio'Imperata'for Integrity, Truth, and Justice" during mass until January 1, 2026. The special prayer has been recited in various worship venues such as parishes and shrines since October 4, 2025 as a "prophetic cry of indignation and outrage against the evil of corruption, as well as a resounding call to contrition and conversion." In the latest circular signed by Chancellor'Fr. Carmelo P.'Arada, Jr., the prayer shall continue to be recited in shrines, parishes, oratories, and chapels within the Archdiocese of Manila until 1 January 2026. However, there is a specific instruction on which part of the mass the prayer will be added. In previous weeks, some parishes opted to recite the prayer or a variation of it to replace the "Prayer of the Faithful" or the part of the…...

34+ min ago (720+ words) Peggy Pugh remembers coloring at 3 years old. She remembers how her parents would argue in the background and how, despite the chaos in the home, she'd find her own little pocket of peace. One that was all hers. A blank canvas she could color with whatever colors she'd like. "Coloring is very healing," Pugh said. "We focus a lot on how joyful the holidays are: people out shopping and spending time being with family," Pugh said. "That's one side of the story. There's another side of the story, where some people don't know where their family members are or their family members have given up on them." During the holidays, for people who don't have the money they wish they had, "it ends up being a sad kind of day." Not all women have been fortunate enough to leave environments…...

36+ min ago (325+ words) 10,000 participants expected to arrive in Israel in the coming weeks from 40 countries. Birthright launches first post-war Israel trip season 10,000 participants expected to arrive in Israel in the coming weeks from 40 countries. Birthright Israel announced on Thursday the launch of its 2025/26 winter season, the organization's first since the end of the war in Gaza. The new season signals a strong resurgence in global interest in visiting Israel despite a complex international climate. Running through March 2025, the winter season is expected to bring over 300 groups from around the world, totaling approximately 10,000 participants, most of them young Jewish adults. About 5,000 participants will take part in Birthright Israel's traditional 10-day educational trip, while others will join volunteering programs, community engagement initiatives, and internship opportunities across the country. Participants this season will arrive from 40 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany,…...

38+ min ago (175+ words) Advent is precisely this season of wonder: a time to behold with awe the mystery of God who draws near to us in love " born of a woman, held in her arms. Each meditation uses lectio divina (divine reading) and visio divina (divine seeing), supported and structured by six simple steps: Step 1"Prepare the Way: A brief introduction to themes, context, and imagery. Step 2"Behold the Word: Read a Scripture passage that anchors the meditation. Step 3"Consider the Scene: Enter into the Gospel moment with Scripture and Tradition. Step 4"Pray with Lectio Divina: Open your mind and heart to God through the Word. Step 5"Contemplate with Visio Divina: Dwell prayerfully with original artwork by Anastassia Cassady to let Mary shape your gaze. Step 6"Follow Mary Today: Encounter a saint whose life embodies the same faith and love Mary models. Want…...

40+ min ago (339+ words) The issue of female diaconate has been effectively deep-sixed by the second commission set up by Francis." "The first commission was historical and this one was more theological." The first said, there isn't conclusive evidence of female diaconate (so" no!). The conclusions of the second committee were issued to in a letter to Pope Leo, including the votes on the various theses they discussed. The letter, in sometimes impenetrable Italian, signed by Card. Petrocchi, is found in today's "Bollettino"." After the breakdown of the voting, there are Final Considerations." To wit (with my emphases and comments): I add a personal comment after having carefully informed myself (also thanks to the contribution of my collaborators) on the main conceptual trends emerging in the vast material as well as in the texts drafted by the various Commissions. It should also be emphasized…...

40+ min ago (421+ words) Ayodhya: As the North Indian winter tightens its grip, temples in Ayodhya and Mathura have shifted into full seasonal mode. Woolen clothing, hot water baths and heating arrangements have become part of the daily routine for Ram Lalla and Krishna to guard them from the cold. In Ayodhya, Ram Lalla is revered in the form of a young child. The temple staff is taking no chances with dipping temperatures. Warm water is now used for his morning bath and soft velvet and woolen clothes have become his regular winter attire. Priests monitor the sanctum closely, switching on blowers when the cold intensifies. Santosh Tiwari, who has served Ram Lalla for 34 years, said the care offered to the deity mirrors that of a real child. "We make sure he stays warm at all times. His bhog also changes with the season....

40+ min ago (421+ words) Ayodhya: As the North Indian winter tightens its grip, temples in Ayodhya and Mathura have shifted into full seasonal mode. Woolen clothing, hot water baths and heating arrangements have become part of the daily routine for Ram Lalla and Krishna to guard them from the cold. In Ayodhya, Ram Lalla is revered in the form of a young child. The temple staff is taking no chances with dipping temperatures. Warm water is now used for his morning bath and soft velvet and woolen clothes have become his regular winter attire. Priests monitor the sanctum closely, switching on blowers when the cold intensifies. Santosh Tiwari, who has served Ram Lalla for 34 years, said the care offered to the deity mirrors that of a real child. "We make sure he stays warm at all times. His bhog also changes with the season....