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MyCatholicSource.com Newsletter - January, 2014 [Plain text version]

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MyCatholicSource.com Newsletter - January, 2014

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IN THIS ISSUE:

* Greetings

* MCS News & Notes

* The Month of January: Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

* Prayer Resources for 2014

* A Few Reflections on the Purpose of Life

* Liturgical Feasts in January

* 'Catholic Trivia'

* Defending the Faith: "Apologetics Brief" - Doesn't the Galileo Episode Prove That the Catholic Church Isn't Infallible?

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Dear Friend,

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Col. 3:12-17)

Greetings to you and best wishes for a blessed 2014. May this new year be a holy & joyous new beginning filled with all good things.

At this time when many make resolutions for improved physical health and well-being, as a good Catholic, might you also consider making some resolutions for increased spiritual health? We know that our bodies are mortal while our souls are eternal, so any improvements on the spiritual level will long outlast any mere physical betterments. As a wise priest suggests, we should pray to the Lord for good health of soul, mind, and body -- in that order.

We wish you and your loved ones a blessed & holy new year and thank you for your support over the past years,

Your Friends at MyCatholicSource.com

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"Rejoice in the Lord, you just, and praise his holy name." (Ps. 97:12)

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MCS News & Notes

* Site Redesign Update: We are happy to report that we are now about 70% complete with our site redesign.* Also, all database-driven pages have now been completed. There are still many other pages left to go, but we hope to get going on these soon. As always, we welcome your feedback. Please submit comments at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/transition_feedback.htm [* Note: This estimate is based on a count of total number of pages]

* View / Search Page Update: We have updated the view / search help page at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/mcs_view_search_page_help.htm . Please see this page for information/assistance, tips & troubleshooting regarding our new view/search pages.

* 2014 Resolutions: For assistance with spiritual resolutions for the new year, please try the 'Spiritual Growth' Topic Page at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-spiritual_growth.htm

* Pro-Life Resources: January marks another anniversary of the terrible tragedy of 'legalized' abortion in the U.S. For pro-life resources on our site (including: Life is a Gift From God, Scope of Abortion, Abortion Kills, Abortion is a Grave Sin, Risks & Aftermath, The Abortion Procedure, and More...), please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-pro-life.htm

* Reminder: For your free 2014 liturgical calendar-flier (Jan.-Dec.), go to http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-catholic_liturgical_year.htm and click your choice of "fliers" links [Note: Fliers are based on the traditional calendar]

* Have something to sell? Want to promote your Catholic product or website? Looking to buy something? Want your ad to appear on MyCatholicSource.com for FREE? Request a free ad - 'no strings attached' at - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/ad_offer_notify_request.htm . Don't have anything to sell or promote? Please invite a friend to request a free ad.

* New Server Update: We are happy to report that it appears that our host has finally worked out some kinks with our new server (involving errors with backups) and we have also passed our PCI security scan. At this time, all seems to be going pretty well with the new server. Should you encounter any problems with our site, please let us know. If you attempt to report a problem and find that a form doesn't work, please call us, or use our chat feature (online or offline), or e-mail us. We appreciate - and count on! - your feedback. There are thousands of pages on our site and it would be very difficult (practically impossible) for us to manually perform comprehensive checks on every page. Therefore, we count on visitors to let us know if there are problems. Thanks for your help!

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MyCatholicSource.com App News...

* Have a new (or old) iPad®, iPhone®, iPod touch®, or Android™ device? Please consider purchasing Catholic apps in support of our site. For more information concerning currently available apps, please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/comrc/apps.htm (shortcut: www.MyCatholicSource.com/Apps ) [Note: For Android apps, please visit www.MyCatholicSource.com/AndroidApps ]

* Prepare early for Lent! Our 'most beautiful' app, iStations for Android, is a convenient devotional aid for privately praying the Stations of the Cross (Way of the Cross). It features beautiful images, two traditional methods, a handy audio option with optional auto-advance, selected prayers in English & Latin, easy navigation, and in-app help. It's great for Fridays, Lent, penitential times, family devotions, and daily meditation - any time you can't make it to your parish. Users of the app (both platforms) have called it "penetrating and profound", "excellent", "great", "simply beautiful", "wonderful", and "beautifully sublime". At least three reviewers have referred to a version of the app as the "best" stations app. Download it today at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bfsnet.istations or http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007014CYM (an iOS version is presently available at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/istations/id457131446?ls=1&mt=8 ). For more information & screen shots, please visit http://www.MyCatholicSource.com/Android (or http://www.MyCatholicSource.com/Apps for iOS apps)

* App Development Update: While we have suspended iOS app development, we are still planning to continue Android development, particularly for our Catholic Bible References app. However, given that we are so backlogged, we are considering third party assistance with this app. If you know of a good Catholic developer of Android apps, please let us know.

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* Please see our Notices page at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/notices.htm for dates of anticipated service delays through January 2014

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The Month of January: Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

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"And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins." (Mt. 1:21)

"And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." (Lk. 2:21)

"Jesus is the proper name of the God-man and signifies Savior: a name given Him not accidentally, or by the judgment or will of man, but by the counsel and command of God." (Catechism of the Council of Trent)

"[W]hatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, that will I do: that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask me any thing in my name, that I will do." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Jn. 14:13-14)

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Related Resources...

* Jesus (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-Jesus.htm

* Prayers to Jesus - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pr/prayers_and_hymns_Jesus.htm

* Jesus (Reflections) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/catholic_basics_reflections_Jesus_Christ.htm

* Jesus (Papal Writings) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pd/classic_encyclicals_by_category.htm

* Jesus' Teachings (A-Z) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pcs/jesus_teachings.htm

* Jesus' Emphasized Statements - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pcs/jesus_emphasized_statements.htm

* Jesus' Parables - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pcs/parables.htm

* Jesus' Miracles & Signs - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pcs/jesus_miracles_and_signs.htm

* Who Jesus is and Why You Should Believe - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pcs/who_jesus_is_and_why_you_should_believe.htm

* Fulfilled Biblical Prophecies Concerning Jesus - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pcs/biblical_prophecies.htm

* Who Jesus Is / The Divinity of Christ (Apologetics) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__Divinity_of_Christ.htm

* Jesus Christ, Our Lord (Crossword Puzzle) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/crossword_puzzle_Jesus.html

* Jesus Christ, Our Lord (Word Search) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pca/word_search_Jesus.htm

* Jesus (Coloring Pages) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_activities/catholic_fun_coloring_activities.htm

Looking For Something Else? Try Our Various Indexes For 15,000+ Entries - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/help.htm

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"With the Name of Jesus we shall overthrow the demons; we shall put them to flight." (Catechism of the Cure de Ars)

"I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, (rise and) walk." (St. Peter, Acts 3:6)

"Jesus! A sweet name, a delightful name! A name that comforts sinners and offers blessed hope. A name that is a joyful cry from the heart, that is music to the ear and honey in the mouth." (St. Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Church)

"Think upon the Name of Jesus, and it will break up thine enemies plans, conquer them, and put them to flight. This is the Name deserving of all honor, at which the wicked spirits ever tremble. This is the Name of salvation, and the wonderful consolation which comforts the sorrowful." (Bernardine de Bustis, as quoted by Dom Gueranger)

"It is during the first shedding of thy Blood, by the Circumcision, that thou didst receive this Name of Jesus, dear Lord! And it was fitting that it should be so, for this Name signifies Savior, and we could not be saved but by thy Blood. Our immortal life is to be purchased at the price of thy Death! This truth is expressed to us by thy Name, O Jesus! Savior! Thou art the Vine, and thou invitest us to drink of thy delicious Wine; but the heavenly Fruit must be first unsparingly pressed in the winepress of thy Eternal Father's justice; we cannot drink of its juice, until it shall have been torn from the branch and bruised for our sakes. May thy sacred Name ever remind us of this sublime Mystery, and may the remembrance keep us from sin, and make us always faithful." (Dom Gueranger)

"There is nothing which so restrains the impulse of anger, calms the swelling of pride, heals the wound of envy, represses the insatiability of luxury, smothers the flame of lust, quenches the thirst of avarice, and dispels the fever of uncleanness - as the name of Jesus. For when I pronounce this Name, I bring before my mind the Man, who, by excellence is meek and humble of heart, benign, sober, chaste, merciful, and filled with everything that is good and holy, nay who is the very God Almighty - whose example heals me, and whose assistance strengthens me. I say all this, when I say Jesus. Here have I my model for he is Man; and my help for he is God...believe me, it is wholesome, and good for every ailment thou canst possibly have. Ever have it with thee, in thy bosom and in thy hand; so that all thy affections and actions may be directed to Jesus." (St. Bernard, Doctor of the Church)

Prayer for Love of the Holy Name & Increase of Religion: "O God of all power, to whom belongs whatsoever is best: implant in our hearts the love of thy name, and grant us an increase of religion: that thou mayst nourish what is good in us, and, whilst we make endeavors after virtue, mayst guard the things thus nourished. Through Christ our Lord. Amen." (Collect)

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Prayer Resources for 2014

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According to the saints, it seems impossible to overstate the importance of prayer...

"Those who pray are certainly saved; those who do not pray are certainly damned." (St. Alphonsus, Doctor of the Church)

"There is, in fact, such a necessary link between holiness and prayer that the one cannot exist without the other." (Pope St. Pius X, "Haerent Animo", 1908 A.D.)

"All the damned are in hell because they have stopped praying!... They would not be there had they not stopped praying. " (St. Alphonsus, Doctor of the Church)

"All the saints are in heaven because they have prayed much. They would be less holy if they had prayed less, and they would not have been there at all, if they had not prayed " (St. Alphonsus, Doctor of the Church)

"I consider that it is obvious to everyone that it is impossible to live virtuously without the aid of prayer" (St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church)

"As our body cannot live without nourishment, so our soul cannot spiritually be kept alive without prayer." (St. Alphonsus, Doctor of the Church)

"It is morally impossible for him who neglects mediation to live without sin." (St. Teresa of Avila, Doctor of the Church)

"The air which we breath, the bread which we eat, the heart which throbs in our bosoms, are not more necessary for man that he may live as a human being, than is prayer for the Christian that he may live as a Christian." (St. John Eudes)

Likewise, Holy Scripture instructs...

"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thes. 5:17)

"Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer." (Rom. 12:12)

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God." (Phil. 4:6)

As a wise priest recently reminded, our prayers should embrace A-C-T-S, that is: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving & Supplication. Other useful tips & reflections concerning prayer, as well as 1000+ prayers and other prayer-related resources may be found at the following locations. We hope these resources may assist in deepening your prayer life this year.

* Catholic Prayers (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-catholic_prayers.htm

* Basic Catholic Prayers (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-basic_catholic_prayers.htm

* Daily Prayers (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-daily_prayers.htm

* 1,000+ Prayers - Categorized alphabetically & by topic - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pr/prayers_and_hymns.htm

* Prayer Tips & Insights - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/prayers_and_devotions/prayer_tips_and_insights.htm

* Prayers & the Bible (Includes: Prayers From the Bible, The Bible On Prayer, Jesus in Prayer) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/prayers_and_devotions/prayers_and_the_bible.htm

* Prayers of the Saints - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pr/prayers_of_saints.htm

* Reflections From Popes / Saints / Councils / Etc. on Prayer - Including: How to Pray, Benefits of Prayer, Necessity of Prayer, Contemplation / Meditation, Problems / Difficulties in Prayer, and More - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/prayers_and_devotions_reflections.htm

* Prayer Commitments / Prayer Counters (Catholic Fun & Activities Section) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_activities/catholic_activities_prayer_counters.htm

* Defense of Prayer / Indulgences - Includes Topics: Lengthy / Repetitive Prayers, Praying For the Dead, Praying to Saints, Indulgences [Non-Catholics Section (apologetics)] - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__prayers_indulgences.htm

* Aspirations / Short Prayers - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pr/prayers_and_hymns_aspirations.htm

* Prayers for Certain Occasions / Times - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pr/prayers_and_hymns_for_certain_occasions_times.htm

* Holy Eucharist / Mass Prayers - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pr/prayers_and_hymns_Mass_Holy_Eucharist.htm

* Prayers in Latin - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pr/prayers_and_hymns_latin.htm

* Prayers & Devotions Section (Includes: Prayer Exchange, Daily / Monthly Devotions, Sacramentals, Pious Practices, Indulgence Information, and More... - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/prayers_and_devotions.htm

* Prayer Requests Section (Request Prayers / Pray For Others) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/prayer_requests.htm

* Answered Prayers Section (Includes User Posts, Answered Prayers From the Bible) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/answered_prayers.htm

* How to Pray the Rosary (Topic Page) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-how_to_pray_the_rosary.htm

* Holy Rosary Section (Includes: History, Tips, Promises, Facts, and More...) - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/holy_rosary.htm

Looking For Something Else? Try Our Various Indexes For 15,000+ Entries - http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/help.htm

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"There is no duty which Christ and His Apostles more emphatically urged by both precept and example than that of prayer and supplication to Almighty God. The Fathers and Doctors in subsequent times have taught that this is a matter of such grave necessity, that if men neglect it they hope in vain for eternal salvation." (Pope Leo XIII, "Fidentem Piumque Animum", 1896 A.D.)

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A Few Reflections on the Purpose of Life

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"The end for which man was created is none other than God himself." (St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church)

Q: "Why did God make you?" A: "God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next." (Baltimore Catechism)

"It is on this condition that we are made to exist: that we pay the debt of service justly owed to the God who makes us to exist, and that we recognize and follow only Him." (Lactantius, c. 304-310 A.D.)

Q: "What do we mean by the 'end of man'?" A: "By the 'end of man' we man the purpose for which he was created: namely, to know, love, and serve God." (Baltimore Catechism)

"Life on earth, however good and desirable in itself, is not the final purpose for which man is created; it is only the way and the means to that attainment of truth and that love of goodness in which the full life of the soul consists. It is the soul which is made after the image and likeness of God" (Pope Leo XIII, "Rerum Novarum", 1891 A.D.)

"If you would be wise, recognize that you were created for God's glory and your own eternal salvation, that this is your end, this is the center of your soul, this the treasure of your heart. If you reach this end, you will be happy. If you fall short of it, you will be wretched." (St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church)

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Ref. http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/catholic_basics_reflections_cont_3.htm

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"For surely our whole life is involved in a constant battle in which our salvation itself is at stake" (Pope Leo XIII, "Inimica Vis", 1892 A.D.)

"...a sublime reward is in store for the labors of a Christian life." (Pope Leo XIII, "Sapientiae Christianae", 1890 A.D.)

"Behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me the recompense I will give to each according to his deeds." (Rv. 22:12)

For more reflections, please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/qt/reflections_categorized.htm

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Liturgical Feasts in January

The following is a listing of all liturgical feast dates for January as they appear at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/saints/feasts.htm

Note: (T) = Traditional, (N) = New (Novus Ordo)

Reminder: Feasts may be superseded / transferred / etc.

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January 1 - Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ (T) *

January 1 - Octave Day of Christmas (T)

January 1 - Octave of Christmas (N)

January 1 - Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God (N) *

January 2 - St. Basil the Great (N)

January 2 - St. Gregory Nazianzen (N)

January 3 - The Most Holy Name of Jesus (N)

January 4 - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (N)

January 5 - St. Telesphorus, pope (T)

January 5 - Vigil of the Epiphany (T)

January 5 - St. John Neumann (N)

January 6 - Epiphany of Our Lord (T)

January 6 - Epiphany [Note: Epiphany is celebrated on 1/6 in the universal calendar, but in the U.S. it may be transferred to the Sunday after the first Saturday in January] (N)

January 7 - St. Raymond of Penyafort (N)

January 11 - St. Hyginus, pope (T)

January 13 - St. Hilary of Poitiers (N)

January 14 - St. Felix of Nola (T)

January 14 - St. Hilary of Poitiers (T)

January 15 - St. Maurus (T)

January 15 - St. Paul the First Hermit (in Thebaide) (T)

January 16 - St. Marcellus I, pope (T)

January 17 - St. Anthony the Abbot (T)

January 17 - St. Anthony the Abbot (N)

January 18 - Chair of St. Peter the Apostle at Rome (T)

January 18 - St. Paul (T)

January 18 - St. Prisca (T)

January 19 - St. Canute (T)

January 19 - Sts. Marius, Martha, Audifax & Abachum (T)

January 20 - St. Fabian, pope (T)

January 20 - St. Sebastian (T)

January 20 - St. Fabian, pope (N)

January 20 - St. Sebastian (N)

January 21 - St. Agnes (T)

January 21 - St. Agnes (N)

January 22 - St. Anastasius (T)

January 22 - St. Vincent (T)

January 22 - St. Vincent (N)

January 23 - St. Emerentiana (T)

January 23 - St. Raymund of Pennafort (T)

January 24 - St. Timothy (T)

January 24 - St. Francis de Sales (N)

January 25 - Conversion of St. Paul (T)

January 25 - St. Peter (T)

January 25 - Conversion of St. Paul, apostle (N)

January 26 - St. Polycarp (T)

January 26 - Sts. Timothy & Titus (N)

January 27 - St. John Chrysostom (T)

January 27 - St. Angela Merici (N)

January 28 - St. Agnes (T)

January 28 - St. Peter Nolasco (T)

January 28 - St. Thomas Aquinas (N)

January 29 - St. Francis de Sales (T)

January 30 - St. Martina (T)

January 31 - St. John Bosco (T)

January 31 - St. John Bosco (N)

* Holy Day of Obligation

Please Note: Above may exclude moveable feasts. For moveable feasts, see below and try here: http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/latin_mass_and_tradition/traditional_liturgical_calendar.htm . For other feasts, try the MCS Daily Digest each day at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/mcs_daily_digest.asp

Also... 

1/5/14 - Holy Name of Jesus (T)

1/5/14 - Epiphany (N)

1/12/14 - Feast of the Holy Family (T)

1/12/14 - Baptism of the Lord (N)

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'Catholic Trivia'

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Hint: All answers this month begin with the letter 'a'.

Trivia too easy? Let us know. Share your thoughts at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/fdb/newsletter_feedback.htm

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1. What word may mean a curse or excommunication?

2. What prayer is traditionally recited daily at 6:00 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m. (except during Paschaltime when the Regina Caeli is said instead)?

3. Who does the following refer to...? "A designation of Christ's chief antagonist, who will precede [Christ's] second coming and the end of the world, and whose activity will be directly connected with a widespread apostasy from the Christian [that is, Catholic] faith. He will be an individual human personality, marked by utter lawlessness, self-deification, hatred of Christian truth, and rivalry with Christ through mock-miracles. He will cause the fall of many, but be destroyed by Christ." (Catholic Dictionary)

4. What word may refer to a Christian voluntarily giving up the faith or to the desertion of one's state in life (e.g. when a cleric abandons the ecclesiastical state)?

5. Who is "one claiming to be pope in opposition to a true pope canonically elected"?

6. Who is "one who is sent forth"?

7. What is...? "The episcopal see of Rome, founded by the Prince of the Apostles, Peter, and in virtue of his primacy the ultimate seat of authority for the whole Church of Christ." (Catholic Dictionary)

8. What is "an inordinate love of the goods of this world"?

9. What is...? "The washing of the thumbs and index-fingers of the [priest] at Mass after [Holy Communion], in order to remove any particles of the Blessed Sacrament that may be adhering thereto." (Catholic Dictionary)

10. What is the expression of praise from the Hebrew "Glory to Him who Is"?

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Answers:

1. Anathema

2. Angelus

3. Antichrist

4. Apostasy

5. Anti-pope

6. Apostle

7. Apostolic See

8. Avarice

9. Ablution

10. Alleluia

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For more information concerning the topics above, try our General A-Z Index at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/help.htm

Like trivia? You might enjoy our crossword puzzles located at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/pc/catholic_activities/catholic_fun_crossword_puzzles.htm

You might also be interested in the Q & A and historical information which may be found each day on the MCS Daily Digest at http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/cg/mcs_daily_digest.asp

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Defending the Faith: "Apologetics Brief" - Doesn't the Galileo Episode Prove That the Catholic Church Isn't Infallible?

It is good for Catholics to be able to defend their faith against attacks (or even simple questions) from those outside the Church. We therefore hope you may find the following "apologetics brief" helpful.

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Note: Text below is taken from http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/nc/non_catholics__church_history.htm

The following may be used as discussion points when discoursing with those outside the Church (or even among Catholics).

Topic: Doesn't the Galileo Episode Prove That the Catholic Church Isn't Infallible? [Note: Topic is directed at Protestants]

Consider:

* Galileo "ran afoul of the Church for expounding unproven theories." Would you also criticize a modern school if it would not permit an instructor to teach unproven theories as if they were true?

* The Galileo incident never involved an infallible pronouncement.

* Galileo was wrong in many of his theories.

* Galileo's case involved false evidence.

* The Church has never claimed to be infallible in matters of science. 

* The Church has never claimed to be infallible in disciplinary measures. 

* Galileo was said to suffer only a "minor reproof", contrary to what some claim.

* When the Church took action against Galileo, remember that his research was unproven (he could provide no conclusive proof). In fact, believe it or not, the matter may still not be fully resolved. Modern science is notorious for putting forward its theories as fact - even though there is contradictory evidence!

Note: For information regarding papal infallibility and its limits, visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/tp/topic_page-infallibility.htm

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"But since in this very age, in which the salutary efficacy of the apostolic duty is especially required, not a few are found who disparage its authority, We deem it most necessary to assert solemnly the prerogative which the Only-begotten Son of God deigned to enjoin with the highest pastoral office. And so We, adhering faithfully to the tradition received from the beginning of the Christian faith, to the glory of God, our Savior, the elevation of the Catholic religion and the salvation of Christian peoples, with the approbation of the sacred Council, teach and explain that the dogma has been divinely revealed: that the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra, that is, when carrying out the office of pastor and teacher of all Christians, by virtue of his supreme apostolic authority he defines a doctrine regarding faith or morals to be held by the universal Church, through the divine assistance promised him in blessed Peter, possesses that infallibility with which the divine Redeemer willed that His Church be endowed for defining doctrine regarding faith and morals; and so such definitions of the Roman Pontiff of themselves, and not from the consensus of the Church, are irreformable. But if anyone presumes to contradict this definition of Ours, which may God forbid: let him be anathema." (Vatican Council I, 1870 A.D.)

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For more apologetics resources, please visit http://www.mycatholicsource.com/mcs/non-catholics.htm

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In Closing...

"You, Lord, are near to all who call upon you, to all who call upon you in truth." (Ps. 145:18)

"[The New Year is] a gift fresh from the hand of God, like a parchment rolled, unsullied, unmarked by good or bad." (Manual of the Catholic Church, 1906 A.D.)

"In the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:10-11)

"However great the temptation, if we know how to use the weapon of prayer well, we shall come off conquerors at last; for prayer is more powerful than all the devils." (St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church)

"God gave men only ten commandments and one of the ten has for its sole object the reverence due to His Name." (St. John Vianney)

"Blessed be the Name of Jesus. (Benedictum Nomen Iesu.)" (From the Divine Praises) [English / Latin]

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