The nun who won The Voice Italy competition earlier this year has recorded her first album. Universal Music has released a promotional video for the album by Ursuline Sr Cristina Scuccia, who shot to worldwide fame with her version of Alicia Keys’ hit “No One”. The Italian bishops’ newspaper Avvenire reported the video features footage Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’
Santa walks into a bar: “Sorry, we’re claused”
Friday, December 20th, 2013
If sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, then punning must have a reputation almost as undesirable. A joke that can be greeted only with a groan or, better still, complete silence, can hardly be a real joke now, can it? Santa walks into a bar and the barman says: Sorry, we’re claused. But punning Read more
Is there a “war on christmas”
Friday, December 20th, 2013Nothing in evangelical Christian author Rachel Held Evans’ five years of blogging has gone as viral as her simple little flowchart to determine if one is being persecuted during the Christmas season. At last count, the post had attracted more than 700 comments, the vast majority in agreement with her. The idea that there’s a Read more
Church of the Nativity under renovation
Friday, December 20th, 2013
As visitors descend upon Bethlehem this holiday season, they will notice a different look for the Church of the Nativity. Wrapped in scaffolding, the basilica located at the traditional site of Jesus’ birth is undergoing a much-needed facelift after 600 years. Experts say that water is leaking from the rooftop and threatens to cause serious Read more
Bethlehem this Christmas
Friday, December 20th, 2013
“Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem…” (Luke 2:4) As we remind ourselves each year, Joseph and Mary made their long journey, compelled by a census. It became a journey of joy as Mary gave birth to a baby whom we call the Read more
Jesus and Santa were white men: Fact
Tuesday, December 17th, 2013Fox News host Megyn Kelly caused controversy last week when she said that that not only is Santa Claus white but Jesus Christ is too. On her Wednesday programme, while talking with a panel about a piece in Slate, “Santa Claus Should Not Be A White Man Anymore” (the author suggested Santa should be a penguin). Read more
Christmas miracle at airport
Tuesday, December 17th, 2013When passengers travelling on a Canadian airline arrived at baggage claim, instead of suitcases was everything they wanted for Christmas. The event was captured on hidden cameras and turned into a video which is quickly going viral. It shows passengers checking in at Toronto and Hamilton International airports, as a virtual Santa Claus asks them Read more
Long queues outside Auckland city mission
Tuesday, December 17th, 2013The Auckland City Mission began its annual distribution of food parcels and presents last week. City Missioner Diane Robertson said the lines for Christmas parcels first started forming at 4.30am. On Friday, the line stretched from the mission on Hobson Street to St Matthew’s Church. Ms Robertson said many people rely on the parcels. Auckland Read more
NZ Bishops – live more simply and reach out to others at Christmas
Tuesday, December 10th, 2013
New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops have challenged people to live more simply this Christmas and find ways to share what they have with neighbours, friends and those in need. “Our preparation for Christmas in the season of Advent is a time of waiting for a child who was born in poverty, in a stable because there Read more
Advent: Good news for the poor?
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013
As Christians we are often heard complaining about the ‘commercialisation’ of Christmas. And yet most of us would admit that, despite the frenetic pull towards consumerism, there is also an underlying ‘good will’ effect at this time of year which is mindful of those less well-off and puts a human face on poverty. There will Read more