"Keeping Your O" before Christmas, as Awesome Now As It Was Then.

This is a  Christmas Octave Novena from Catholic Media Coalition's Catholic Parents On-line.
A wonderful history lesson to keep us mindful of the Reason for the Season. 

There's time to jump into any novena...perfectionism is not for creatures, only the Creator.

The Mind of the Church...what a great place to be

What are the "O Antiphons"?

The "O Antiphons" refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours.

They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil.

The exact origin of the "O Antiphons" is not known. Boethius (c. 480-524) made a slight reference to them, thereby suggesting their presence at that time. At the Benedictine abbey of Fleury (now Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire), these antiphons were recited by the abbot and other abbey leaders in descending rank, and then a gift was given to each member of the community.

By the eighth century, they are in use in the liturgical celebrations in Rome. The usage of the "O Antiphons" was so prevalent in monasteries that the phrases, "Keep your O" and "The Great O Antiphons" were common parlance. One may thereby conclude that in some fashion the "O Antiphons" have been part of our liturgical tradition since the very early Church.

The importance of "O Antiphons" is twofold: Each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah of the coming of the Messiah. Let's now look at each antiphon with just a sample of Isaiah's related prophecies :
O Sapientia: "O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation." Isaiah had prophesied, "The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord." (11:2-3), and "Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom." (28:29).
O Adonai: "O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free." Isaiah had prophesied, "But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land's afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips." (11:4-5); and "Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us." (33:22).
O Radix Jesse: "O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid." Isaiah had prophesied, "But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom." (11:1), and A On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious." (11:10). Remember also that Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David's city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).
O Clavis David: "O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom." Isaiah had prophesied, AI will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open." (22:22), and "His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever." (9:6).
O Oriens: "O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death." Isaiah had prophesied, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown." (9:1).
O Rex Gentium: "O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust." Isaiah had prophesied, "For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace." (9:5), and "He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again." (2:4) .

O Emmanuel: "O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God." Isaiah had prophesied, "The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel."
(7:14). Remember "Emmanuel" means "God is with us."

According to Professor Robert Greenberg of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Benedictine monks arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one - Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia - the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning, "Tomorrow, I will come."

Therefore, the Lord Jesus, whose coming we have prepared for in Advent and whom we have addressed in these seven Messianic titles, now speaks to us, "Tomorrow, I will come." So the "O Antiphons" not only bring intensity to our Advent preparation, but bring it to a joyful conclusion.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Saunders, Rev. William. "What are the 'O Antiphons'?" Arlington Catholic Herald.
Reprinted with permission of the Arlington Catholic Herald.

THE AUTHOR

Father William Saunders is dean of the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College and pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Sterling, Virginia. The above article is a "Straight Answers" column he wrote for the Arlington Catholic Herald. Father Saunders is also the author of Straight Answers, a book based on 100 of his columns and published by Cathedral Press in Baltimore.
Copyright © 2003 Arlington Catholic Herald
What are the "O Antiphons"?

Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'"
 Mark 13:35-37

Archdpdx $$$..Where it Goes / Advent - Our Anticipation, maybe this year, His Expectation?

Dear Advocates for Life, Third Sunday in Lent - Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday - Pink Candle... This Sunday, the penitential season of Advent gives way to the joyful anticipation of Our Lord's Second Coming. When Christ comes again...no more anticipation exists, only the stark reality of His Expectations of us. Pray that we have kept the Faith, His Faith, having our priorities straight. Catholic employees paid with Catholic funds will certainly have many expectations. A Heavenly audit will be at hand. After four years, the Archdiocese of Portland has released the "Annual Financial Report" for 2008. Attached are comparisons of 2003-2003 (fiscal year 2004) and 2007-2008. Of the almost eight million dollars in 2002; the almost nine million dollars in 2003 and the thirteen million dollars it took to run the Archdpdx in 2008; the Respect Life Office is not mentioned in any budget. In this Archdiocese, it seems that Innocent human life is not a priority. However, funding the Office of Justice and Peace, IS a high priority with a budget of at least $107, 000 with more being spent for perks, a general retreat fund, travel to other countries and general expenses. Remembering the questions asked by the new Justice and Peace director of her board when hired by Mary Jo Tully in 2007... 1. "Why does the Office of Justice and Peace exist?" 2. "What do we hope to accomplish?" 3. "What are the values that guide us while we do that?" ...obviously a Justice and Peace office was not a matter of life and death...and souls/lives would have been saved with a Respect Life Office. However, groups like the "Saul Alinsky" Community Organizing Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good (MACG), dissident Call to Action (CTA) with a women priests, married priests focus, and the pro-homosexual/pro-abortion Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon connection are all connected to the Office of Justice and Peace, and firmly entrenched and protected by the Archdiocese. The 2002-2003 budget shows an Office of Marriage and Family Life but that office was eliminated when director Jay Wonacott left. There was also no replacement for the Pastoral Services when Father Michael Maslowsky left to work for the SAGE-FEDE Corporation. What could be more important than families, marriage and innocent human life? These fundamental needs are not met in the Archdiocese of Portland with any money from the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal or Catholic collection plates. The Respect Life Office and Office of Marriage and Family Life do have a web page and links to resources....why not have the Office of Justice and Peace have just a web page and links to be fair. There will be much to answer for to Our Lord for from this Archdiocese. Knowing that even the hierarchy can go astray, the laity has been given the authority from Holy Mother Church to address these concerns when they cause scandal. "The Christian faithful are free to make known their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires to the pastors of the Church." (Canon 212, P2) "In accord with the knowledge, competence and preeminence which they possess, they have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard for the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons." (Canon 212, P3) Persevering through the "Little Lent", making sure that we are in a state of Grace, in anticipation of His Return. God Bless you and yours, Carolyn "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." Luke 12:48 www.vocalnews.org for Archives / Vatican/ Archdpdx info. VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 503-769-4767 Member of the Catholic Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on-line with the World".

CCHD: Collection Plate Parasite / Nov.15th 2008. Meet CCHD National Director in PDX

The USCCB has finally stopped, for a while at least, funding ACORN with Catholic Campaign for Human Development money in the US. The attachment above (CCHD ends funding, etc will inform you. There is also a CCHD 2008 Informational flyer from Catholic Media Coalition attached above)


With these strange bedfellows, you should know some things before donating your hard-earned money starting November 23rd to CCHD. Listed at the bottom are the programs given this summer. Look them up on your own...see what they're all about then start asking questions. REMEMBER:


The CCHD is NOT a MANDATORY COLLECTION, no one is going to starve, it will only slow down the community organizing/voter registration of anti/non Catholics waiting for us to throw them some of our money.
We don't know who is on the Committee to hand out these grants of at least $5,000. Our pro-life budget is nil...where is the Justice? We aren't supposed to give money to groups that undermine our Church/why do we do it?
The grants handed out during the summer were just in time to register the homeless/minorities/low income voters to the democrat party? Very interesting timing.
Saul Alinsky groups are being given large sums of money from the National CCHD campaign. Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good (MACG) is the offspring of Portland Organizing Project, an Alinsky Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) group, about five years old and in Oregon Catholic Churches.
When's the last time any Respect Life Committees got an Archdiocesan funded yearly Lecture series, like Justice and Peace Tobin Lectures series...NEVER, NO MONEY. Only Justice and Peace and Cat Willett (the director) can have their friends spread their message.
This has been going on for about forty years. Catholic Money to anti-Catholic groups. We cannot afford, in more ways than one, to be compliant and assume, because programs are from the USCCB or the Archdiocese that they are necessarily for the betterment of our Soul or those of others.
The Faith in Public Life/Saul Alinsky/Jim Wallis/George Soros/World Bank/Bono/ONE/Oprah/JustFaith etc., movement is set to destroy the Holy Mother Church.
******************************************
WHAT'S GOING ON....Find out who's running the show, CCHD. Ralph McCloud is the National Executive Director and he's coming to town. "While there is value in registering low-income voters, I am concerned that the whole ban on partisanship has been violated," Ralph McCloud, the new executive director for the CCHD, said Monday.

Mr. McCloud said he could not reassure Catholics that the funds donated before 2008 were not used in voter fraud.

"There is no way we can tell," he said. "All our applications go through a rigorous screening, and we ask each organization to commit to being nonpartisan. The overwhelming reality is most of the groups we fund do tremendous work." (Ask to see the statistics on success VOCAL)
The CCHD draws $9,439,000 a year in "second collections" from Catholic churches, the next one slated for Nov. 23. CCHD funds go to groups that fight poverty, interfaith associations, peace and justice groups, immigrant aid groups, environmental coalitions, cooperatives, housing coalitions and labor rights groups. (these are community organizing groups that in most cases undermine the Teachings of the Catholic Church with their connections VOCAL)

Although Bishop Morin said USCCB money was not knowingly misused, the CCHD grants were doubled from $465,000 in 2006 to the $1 million in 2007, according to the National Catholic Register, paralleling ACORN's dramatic rise in its efforts to register 1.3 million voters.
The group ended up registering about 450,000 voters, mostly among poor and minority communities in battleground states.
Charles Jackson, communications director for ACORN, said no one from the Catholic Church has contacted his group.

"We've had no communication from Catholic investigators," he said. "ACORN's board has started its own forensic audit to look into all these matters."

In June, ACORN disclosed the embezzlement of $948,607 from the organization in 1999 and 2000 by Dale Rathke, brother of ACORN founder Wade Rathke. The embezzlement was kept secret from most of ACORN's board members until a whistleblower publicized the matter, and Dale Rathke subsequently was dismissed from the national board.

He still organizes ACORN's international nonprofit arm.

The USCCB has finally dumped ACORN, for now, when the the media revealed that Wade Rathke's "SDS (Students for a Democratic Society - ACORN FOUNDER "Wade Rathke's brother in 1999-2000 embezzeled one MILLION dollars from ACORN. The Catholic's apparently hadn't picked up on it for almost ten years. (see attachment for more about this VOCAL).

November 23rd is the Oregon Catholic kick-off for the

2008 Catholic Campaign for Human Development to fund 2009.

2008 Tobin Lecture

This year's theme is "Hear the Voice of the Poor: Standing in Solidarity with the Poor in Our Community."(Get out your hankys VOCAL) We are lucky enough to have Ralph McCloud, national director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, join us as the keynote speaker. There will also be presenters from a number of community organizations throughout the Archdiocese.

2008 Tobin Lecture Details:
When: November 15th, 9:00am-12:00pm (doors open at 8:30am)
Where: All Saints Catholic Church (3847 NE Glisan St., Portland, OR)
Admission is free and open to the public. Continental breakfast will be provided.

**********
The African American Catholic Community of Oregon will also be hosting a public reception for Ralph McCloud on Friday, November 14th, from 5:30-6:30pm. It will be held in the St. Andrew's Community Center (806 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR).

For more information on either of these events, please contact the Office of Justice and Peace at 503.233.8361 or justiceandpeace@archdpdx.org

Thank you for your support of the Tobin Lecture,

Cat Willett
Director, Office of Justice and Peace
Archdiocese of Portland
*************************************************************************************Bottom Line: Oregon Catholics have the power to dramatically slow down the culture of death in Oregon by NOT giving money to Campaign for Human Development, which is NOT a mandatory collection. We are smart enough to tithe to Culture of Life ministries on our own. The salaries needed for the management of this campaign could be put to better use..

"For Us, the Church is mater et magistra (Mother and Teacher) : for dissenters, she is a source of jobs, or Marty Haugen music, or opportunities for self-display, or political soapboxes. "

Diocenes "TAPEWORMS, or Why "loyal" dissent is impossible in the Church."

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Just for Fun....then to work.... Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are http://www.theonion.com/content/video/obama_win_causes_obsessive?utm_source=EMTF_Onion copy and paste God Bless you and yours, Carolyn "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting...it has been found difficult and left untried." GK Chesterton What's Wrong with the World The Faith, gives a man back his body and his soul and his reason and his will and his very life." GK Chesterton The Thing www.vocalnews.org VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 503-769-4767 Member of the Catholic Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on-line with the World".

VOCAL Voter's Guide / Where to go for "40 Days", etc./ Plenary Indulgence for Poor Souls

Dear Advocates for Life, For those of you who have asked and for those of you who are interested, here is a "Votes Of Catholics Advocating Life" voter's guide. The suggestions are from Oregon Right to Life Voter's Guide, Oregon Family Council and Oregon Citizens for a Sound Economy PAC, with my two cents. President - John McCain and Sarah Palin, Vice President Why? What do They support? John McCain Barack Obama Partial Birth Abortion ? NO YES Parental Involvement Laws? YES NO Taxpayer Funded Abortion? NO YES Human Cloning? NO YES Same-Sex Unions? NO YES Gambling Off Reservation? NO YES Decency in Libraries - Internet filters YES NO Reducing Taxes? YES NO Religion - conscience clause? YES YES Education - YES unclear (state licensing of private /homeschool? teachers) US Senator from Oregon - Gordon Smith (we need him in the US Senate) US Representatives from Oregon by District 2 - Greg Walden 3 - Delia Lopez 5 - (I wrote in Kevin Mannix, he's the only pro-life option) Mike Erickson was NOT endorsed by ORTL Secretary of State - Rick Dancer State Treasurer - Allen Alley Attorney General - no suggestions from ORTL, but John Kroger was a bi-partisan pick over the others. There was a major concern over a large contribution from special interest groups that was believed to engage in the very unethical, but currently legal practice of commingling of Political Funds that are gathered at Public expense. (Yes on 64 to end this.) Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries - State Senators by District 1 - Jeff Kruse 2 - Dennis Atkinson 9 - Fred Girod 12 - Brian Boquist 14 - Lisa Michaels 17 - no one 18 - John Wight 23 - no one 25 - Dave Kim 27 - Chris Telfer not against abortion but better on marriage, PRC protection, Conscience for religion, etc. 29 - David Nelson 30 - Ted Ferrioli State Representatives by District 1 - Wayne Krieger 2 - Tim Freeman 3 - Ron Mauer 4 - Dennis Richardson 5 - no one 6 - Sal Esquivel 7 - Bruce Hanna 9 - Al Pearn 12 -? 15 - Andy Olson 16 - no one 17 - Sherrie Sprenger 18 - Vic Gilliam 19 - Kevin Cameron 20 - no one 22 - Tom Chereck, Jr. 23 - Jim Thompson 24 - Jim Weidner 26 - Matt Wingard 27 - no one 28 - no one 29 - no one 30 - Andy Duyck 32 - Tim Bero - no response on pro-life, but yes on PRC/marriage/conscience. etc. 33 - Jim Ellison 34 - no one 35 - Tony Marino 36 - ? 37 - Scott Brunn 38 - ? 39 - Bill Kennemer 40 - no one 41 - Randy Uchytil 42 - no one 45 - no one 49 - John Nelson 50 - John Lim 51 - Linda Flores 52 - Matt Lindland 53 - Gene Whisnant 54 - Chuck Burley 56 - Bill Garrard 57 - Greg Smith 58 - no one 59 - John Huffman 60 - Cliff Bentz County Commissioners Benton - #3 Christopher Nusbaum Clackamas - #4 Dave Mowry Clatsop - #2 Patricia Roberts - questionable on abortion, supports prc/marriage/conscience/no gambling Columbia - #1 Glenn E. Dorschler Crook - #1 Ken Fahlen for abortion but supports prc/marriage/conscience/no gambling Curry - #2 George Rhodes no comment on abortion question? yes on marriage/prc/conscience, etc. Marion - #2 Sam Brentano Gilliam - toss up/both candidates are for abortion but for traditional marriage Jackson - Dennis CW Smith Josephine - #3 Dwight F. Ellis Lane - no one Lincoln - no one Linn - #3 Will Tucker Multnomah - no one Tillamook - Charles J. Hurliman Umatilla - Democrat Glenn Youngman questionable on abortion, supports prc, traditonal marriage, conscience, Republican Dennis Doherty declined to answer OFC questionnaire Union - no one Wallowa - no one Yamhill - #2 Leslie Lewis Marion County Clerk Randy Franke *************************************************************************************** BALLOT MEASURES 54 - YES 55 - YES 56 - NO 57 - NO - This needs to be NO. It is from the Legislature to stop #61 and #62 which will protect us. 58 - YES - English as a second language is big business, this helps move education along and reduces waste 59 - YES 60 - YES - Children's education at taxpayers expense will improve with teacher excellence. 61 - YES 62 - YES 63 - YES 64 - YES - no Commingling of political funds with funds collected at public expense 65 - OFC Recommends NO/ PAC has no opinion This information is great, but the prayers, fasting, vigils and processions for Life and Victory are what will make the difference. ******************************************************** 40 Days for Life Date: Sunday, November 2. Event: Closing prayer vigil and lunch for 40 Days for Life. Time: Prayer vigil begins at 1:00 PM, and lunch is at 2:00. Location: Vigil will be on MLK Blvd, at the location of the future Planned Parenthood there, and lunch will be in the Parish Hall of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Portland. Special Note: Please bring a small snack or side dish to share. ******************************************************** Holy Rosary Catholic Church 327 NE Clackamas St. Portland OR EVERY DAY - Monday, October 27 through Tuesday, Election Day November 4. 11:30 AM - Rosary for Our Lady of Victory begins, followed by The Litany in Response to Abortion. (Parishioners have already signed up to lead the rosary.) 12:00 Noon - Mass God Bless you and yours, Carolyn Indulgences for the Poor Souls Current regulations in force by Pope Benedict XVI I On All Souls' Day (Nov. 2) a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Poor Souls, is granted to those who visit any parish church or public oratory and there recite one Our Father and one Credo. II On all the days from November 1 though November 8 inclusive, a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Poor Souls, is granted to those who visit a cemetery and pray even if only mentally for the departed. Conditions for both indulgences: 1. Only one plenary indulgence can be granted per day. 2. It is necessary to be in the state of grace, at least by completion of the work. 3. Freedom from attachment to sin, even venial sin, is necessary; otherwise the indulgence is only partial. (By this is meant attachment to a particular sin, not sin in general.) 4. Holy Communion must be received each time the indulgence is sought. 5. Prayers must be recited for the intentions of the Holy Father on each day the indulgence is sought. (No particular prayers are prescribed. One Our Father and one Hail Mary suffice, or other suitable prayers. 6. A sacramental confession must he made within a week of completion of the prescribed work. (One confession made during the week, made with the intention of gaining all the indulgences, suffices.) www.vocalnews.org VOCAL Voice Of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 503-769-4767 Member of the Catholic Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on-line with the World".