Lenten Reading

This Lent how about a little more spiritual reading... for free. You can read any encyclical you want, on almost any subject you want... (dueling anyone?)
How about The Imitation of Christ? You can read it on-line or download the audio.

Our bishops have launched a national campaign to defend religious freedom, in particular against the Obama Administration's policy to force "almost every employer and insurer in the country to provide sterilization and contraceptives, including some abortion-inducing drugs, in their health plans." (USCCB President, Cardinal-Designate Timothy Dolan) To see a Dolan video and to find out what our bishops recommend we do, go here:

http://www.usccb.org/conscience

Last Semester we had theREVOLUTION: The Unveiling was held on campus on Sept. 22nd, we had close to 100 students there, it was a success for St. Mary's, our promo material was out all over campus and it attracted lots of students. We signed up 70+ students to be in TOB study groups led by leaders that went to the TotB training retreat. Tonight is our kick off for more TOB study groups. Monica Ashour from TOBET (www.tobet.org) will be back with us again. Join us @ 7 pm in the Student Center Suite B. Come & learn how to honor God with your body. Our goal is that those that do go through the program will be able to not only practice this in their own life, but go out and teach in other churches & parishes.

The New American Divide

This article might have some interesting information to add to a sociology paper...

The ideal of an 'American way of life' is fading as the working class falls further away from institutions like marriage and religion and the upper class becomes more isolated. Charles Murray on what's cleaving America, and why.

America is coming apart. For most of our nation's history, whatever the inequality in wealth between the richest and poorest citizens, we maintained a cultural equality known nowhere else in the world—for whites, anyway. "The more opulent citizens take great care not to stand aloof from the people," wrote Alexis de Tocqueville, the great chronicler of American democracy, in the 1830s. "On the contrary, they constantly keep on easy terms with the lower classes: They listen to them, they speak to them every day."

Americans love to see themselves this way. But there's a problem: It's not true anymore, read more...

The Christmas Story

A Digital Nativity

Come and See – Salesian Sisters

During the Christmas break we are having one of our “Come and See” opportunities. I was wondering if you could post the following information in this Sunday’s bulletin:



The Salesian Sisters wanted us to let everyone know about their Come & See Weekend...

Come and See – Salesian Sisters (Daughters of Mary Help of Christians)

Who: Single Catholic women ages 18-30

Where: San Antonio, Texas

When: January 6-8, 2012

For more information contact Sr. Jeanette Palasota FMA at palasota@hotmail.com www.salesiansisterswest.org

Day at the Monastery

Join us for a Day at the Monastery of the Infant Jesus in Lufkin on Saturday, December 3rd. We have planned a special day of reflection and fun at the Monastery for SFA students. • Sr. Mary John, the Prioress, will welcome the SFA students when they arrive at the Monastery of the Infant Jesus at 10 a.m. December 3rd. • After Sister’s welcome, we will have an opportunity for a little quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel or private prayer and reflection on the Monastery grounds. • At 11 a.m., we will join the Nuns for a celebration of Mass. • At noon, we will break for lunch, group discussion, and sharing. • From 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., we will visit with the Nuns and hear their inspiring stories. • At 2:40 p.m., we will join the Nuns in the Chapel for the rosary and mid-afternoon prayer.