His Lordship Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB has given the followingmessageontheclosing oftheJubileeYear2025:
CLOSING OF JUBILEE YEAR
Over the last year we have regularly prayed the Jubilee Prayer and many communities undertook pilgrimages, planned special events, put aside time for devotions as Pilgrims of Hope.
While the year is coming to its close we are all urged to sustain the Hope and continue our pilgrimage invoking God’s grace to “transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel” in the hope that “those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth.” (Jubilee Prayer).
The formal closing of the Jubilee Year will be on Sunday 28th December 2025, (please turn to p2)
VaticanreturnsIndigenousartifactstoCanada - p2
Papal commission votes against ordaining women deacons, calls for more study - p3
A Christian Perspective on Social Issues - p4
Sunday Scripture - p5
Situation in Gaza remains critical - p6
Don’t be passive consumers of AI content, Pope says - p7
Children’s Page - p9
Growing in Grace Week 74 - p10
“Living Advent as Catholic Youths” session - p11
Advent: What every Catholic should know - p12
Catholic Memory Lane - p14
Bishop’s Engagements
Third Sunday of Advent:December14th
07:30hrs – Mass at St. Joseph the Worker, Linden
10:00hrs–MassatOur
Lady ofMount Carmel, Wismar
15:00hrs – Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes, Silver Hill
Monday, December 15th
05:00hrs – Novena at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception,Brickdam
Tuesday, December 16th
05:30hrs – Novena at OurLadyoftheMount, Meadow Bank
Wednesday, December 17th
05:30hrs –NovenaatSt. Teresa, Campbellville
13:00hrs – Attend Christmas Social, Life Centre, Cathedral Presbytery
Thursday, December 18th
17:30hrs – Novena at Sacred Heart, Main Street
Friday,December19th
05:30hrs – Novena at St. Pius X, West La Penitence
Saturday, December 20th
05:30hrs – Novena at Holy Spirit, North Ruimveldt
Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 21st
08:00hrs –Mass at St. Anthony of Padua, Bartica
Francis Alleyne OSB
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
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National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak places her hand on Indigenous and cultural artifacts Dec. 6, 2025, at Trudeau Airport in Dorval, Quebec, on their arrival from the Vatican. (OSV News photo/Graham Hughes pool via Reuters)
(CathNews) - A selection of Inuit artifacts returned by the Vatican is now at the Canadian Museum of History, after First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders for years called for the repatriation of Indigenous items.
Source: Crux.
Pope Leo XIV gave the artifacts –including a traditional Inuit kayak –and supporting documentation to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, which said it would return the items to Indigenous communities “as soon as possible”.
The 62 items ultimately will be returned to their communities as part of the Catholic Church’s reckoning with its role in helping suppress Indigenous culture in the Americas.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders welcomed the dozens of artifacts at Montreal’s airport on Saturday and Inuit leaders showed some of the
returned items to a small group of Indigenous representatives and journalists on Tuesday.
The Inuit kayak, elegantly hand-built from driftwood, sealskin and sinew, was one of the artifacts earmarked for repatriation.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Natan Obed said it’s not known how the kayak, an essential item to the life of the community and likely used for beluga hunting, ended up in the Vatican.
Along with the kayak, the items on display on Tuesday included a handful of smaller Inuit items, including a soup ladle, needle casings and an ulu knife.
Mr Obed said the items will not be on public display anytime soon as a group of Inuit advisers works to trace each artifact back to its community of origin. The artifacts will be kept
for now at the Canadian Museum of History in a secure facility with temperature controls.
For a century, the items were part of the Vatican Museums’ ethnographic collection, known today as the Anima Mundi museum.
Most of the items in the Vatican collection were sent to Rome by Catholic missionaries for a 1925 exhibition in the Vatican gardens.
The Vatican insists the items were “gifts” to Pope Pius XI, who wanted to celebrate the Church’s global reach, its missionaries and the lives of the Indigenous peoples they evangelised.
But historians, Indigenous groups and experts have long questioned whether the items could really have been offered freely, given the power imbalances at play in Catholic missions at the time.❖
Closing of Jubilee Year is Dec 28
Feast of the Holy Family. This holds for all of the Diocese throughout the world. As far as possible I would like all of the faith communities of our Diocese to do this together, just as we did for the opening of the year. What I’m asking is that all communities gather for Service or Mass at 09:00am on Sunday 28th December.
The Mass at the Cathedral will be steamed and where possible, where
internet is accessible and the equipment is available, communities can join and participate in the hymns, readings, prayers etc. If connection is not possible the communities can celebrate their Mass or Service at 09:00am at the same time with the rest of the Diocese.
Let us close our Jubilee year in communion with full participation and with a renewed disposition towards Mission. ❖
(From Front Page)
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - A commission set up by Pope Francis to study women deacons has voted against the possibility of ordaining women deacons while also supporting more study on the issue.
It also expressed hope that women's access to other ministries would be expanded.
Pope Francis established the "Study Commission on the Female Diaconate" in 2020 as a follow-up to a previous group that studied the history of women deacons in the New Testament and the early Christian communities.
Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi of Aquila, Italy, was chosen as president of the commission and Msgr. Denis DupontFauville served as secretary. Pope Francis had named 10 other members of the commission five women and five men, including two permanent deacons from the United States and three priests.
The seven-page report published Dec. 4 was a synthesis of the commission's work, which concluded in February, and was addressed to Pope Leo XIV. According to Vatican News, the pope requested the synthesis which was dated Sept 18 be made public.
The Vatican published the synthesis, including the results of votes the commission members took on eight different statements or "theses."
One proposition that showed members split exactly down the middle was: "The masculinity of Christ, and therefore the masculinity of those who receive Holy Orders, is not accidental but is an integral part of sacramental identity, preserving the divine order of salvation in Christ. To alter this reality would not be a simple adjustment of ministry but a rupture of the nuptial meaning of salvation."
When this statement was put to a vote among 10 members in February, it received five votes in favor, confirm-
cases skillfully argued, it cannot be considered the voice of the Synod, much less of the People of God as a whole."
The report noted the subject of a female diaconate is of "significant complexity" and lacks "sufficient consensus," as could also be seen in the discussion reports compiled during the October 2024 Synod on Synodality. However, the report noted some of the arguments being made in favor of women's ordination to the diaconate, citing how proponents have said excluding women from this ministry seems to contradict the biblical foundation of the equal status and dignity of "male" and "female" as images of God.
Because of that, some believe women should not only be allowed access to ordination as deacons, but also to the other degrees of Holy Orders: the priesthood and episcopate, the report said.
sis of a female diaconate; it also notes that if the admission of women to the first degree of Holy Orders were approved, exclusion from the others would become inexplicable."
For this reason, the cardinal wrote, continued study should focus on critically examining "the diaconate in itself that is, on its sacramental identity and its ecclesial mission clarifying certain structural and pastoral aspects that are currently not fully defined."
"The commission insisted on the urgency of valuing 'baptismal diakonia' as the foundation of any ecclesial ministry," he wrote.
In fact, he wrote, there are whole regions where the diaconal ministry is "almost nonexistent" and others where it is active with functions often "coinciding with roles proper to lay ministries or to altar servers in the liturgy."
ing its current form, while the other five members voted to remove it.
A statement that received six votes against, two for and two abstaining was: "The undersigned is in favor of the institution in the church of the female diaconate as understood as the third degree of holy orders."
In fact, during the commission's second session in July 2022, members agreed seven to one on the following statement: "The 'status quaestionis' of historical research and theological investigation, as well as their mutual implications, rules out the possibility of moving in the direction of admitting women to the diaconate understood as a degree of the sacrament of Holy Orders. In light of sacred Scripture, tradition and the church's magisterium, this assessment is strongly maintained, although it does not at present allow for a definitive judgment to be formulated, as is the case with priestly ordination."
The commission unanimously expressed support in 2021 for the establishment of new ministries that "could contribute to synergy between men and women. Their implementation would require the development of appropriate means of formation theological, practical, mystagogical and support." Pope Francis had announced several months before, in January 2021, that the ministries of lector and acolyte would be open to women.
During its last working session in February, the commission also reviewed materials it received after the Synod of Bishops had allowed anyone to contribute to the commission's deliberations.
"Although many interventions were submitted, the persons or groups who sent their writings numbered only 22 and represented few countries," the report said. "Consequently, although the material is abundant and in some
"The argument based on the masculinity of Jesus Christ is seen as a sexist and narrow view, leading to discrimination against women," it noted. "According to these views, the 'repraesentatio Christi' should no longer be linked to gender categories but should focus on the ministerial mediation of salvation through men and women."
Given the different arguments, the commission developed during its third and final session the thesis which saw the members split down the middle about the masculinity of Christ and those who receive Holy Orders as not being accidental but is "an integral part of sacramental identity" and "the nuptial meaning of salvation."
The commission then voted nine in favor and one against on a "preamble" that encouraged broadening "women's access to ministries established for the service of the community."
"It is now up to the discernment of pastors to evaluate what further ministries can be introduced for the concrete needs of the church of our time, thus ensuring adequate ecclesial recognition of the diakonia (service) of the baptized, particularly of women. Such recognition will be a prophetic sign, especially where women still suffer situations of gender discrimination," the preamble said.
Cardinal Petrocchi then added his own personal comment in the report's conclusion, noting the "intense theoretical and existential dialectic" between two theological standpoints.
The first maintains that the ordination of a deacon is for ministry and not for priesthood, which "would open the way toward the ordination of women deacons," he wrote.
The opposing stance, he wrote, insists "on the unity of the sacrament of Holy Orders, together with the nuptial meaning of the three degrees that constitute it, and rejects the hypothe-
"It should also be emphasized that the various commissions were unanimous in pointing out the need to expand 'communal spaces' so that women can participate adequately and share responsibility in the church's decisionmaking bodies, including through the creation of new lay ministries," the cardinal wrote.
While the report did not name the commission members taking part in the deliberations in 2021, 2022 and 2025, Pope Francis had named the following in 2020: U.S. Deacon Dominic Cerrato, director of deacon formation for the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois; U.S. Deacon James Keating, a former director of theological formation at the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. The other three men were priests: Father Santiago del Cura Elena, a priest of the Archdiocese of Burgos, Spain, and a professor and theologian who has studied and written extensively about priestly ordination; Father Manfred Hauke, a German-born professor at the Theological Faculty of Lugano, Switzerland, and author of a book examining the church's teaching on ordaining only men as priests; and Msgr. Angelo Lameri, a professor of liturgy and the sacraments at Rome's Pontifical Lateran University.
The five women chosen had been: Catherine Brown Tkacz, a U.S.-born professor at the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv, who focuses on women in the Bible and in Christian tradition; Caroline Farey, a theologian and catechist educator who serves as "Diocesan Mission Catechist" for the Diocese of Shrewsbury, England; Barbara Hallensleben, a professor of theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and former member of the International Theological Commission; Rosalba Manes, a consecrated virgin and biblical scholar, who teaches at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University; and Anne-Marie Pelletier, a French biblical scholar.❖
A woman holds a sign in support of women deacons as Pope Francis leads his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Nov. 6, 2019. (CNS photo/ Paul Haring)
A Christian Perspective on Social Issues
Seasons colliding
By GHK Lall
There is the season of Advent that is just past the halfway point. There is the season of Novenas about to have their beginnings, some starting as early as 5 a.m. There is the season of Christmas, which in the minds of many Guyanese is already well underway Seasons rushing by, people rushing up, and time rushing along. What is a Roman Catholic to do?
There is Church and Advent and worship. But there are all those sounds of the holiday season intruding, often overwhelming. One going on, one on the way out, another one coming up. The seasons collide, and so also the sights and smells of the city in action. Mistletoe and silver bells, carols and jingle bells since late October, early November. Oh, and what a time of the year, now that there is some extra money in the hand. At the risk of upsetting some folks, and on behalf of the needy in Guyana, thanks be to God. It is good to get priorities right. This is the time of the Nativity, that one for all time - a glorious Virgin Birth. Inside the walls of the Church, it is all Jesus. Outside, it is jump up, jump around, and jump over anyone who is in the way. There is what is sanctifying and consecrating, and there is now the grand spectacle of commercializing. Eat, drink and be merry. Why worry! I would be. Advent is about advanced warnings from the mouth of Jesus himself, and the pages of scripture. Don’t be caught napping. There is shopping and baking and cleaning, which all falls into the bucket of napping. There is scrooge, and there are spoilsports. What’s a believer to do? Take a vow of silence. How about resistance to the many temptations, including spending money that may not be there?
Guyanese used to sing and talk about a White Christmas. Today, they dream all the time of a bright Christmas. There is one surefire guarantee that makes that possible. Twenty rectangular pieces of green paper with a number on them held tightly in the hand. How about a hymnbook, and a prayerbook, and the book that is the Word of the Lord clutched tightly to the bosom? There are lots of police patrols, but it is always sensible to remember
that the Badman is also on the loose on earth, and prowling. No Christian, no Catholic, no citizen should volunteer to be a victim. Believers still have the challenge of getting to and from the Church. Now, too often for comfort, there is a different kind of thug that has to be dealt with, the one behind the wheel. Motorcar, motorbike, sometimes it is the same difference, to quote an American sage. In the Church, it could be another type of battling. Who has it right? Who doesn’t know what they are doing wrong? In or out of the sanctuary, it is a rough world. No quarter given. Little by way of that vaunted Christian consideration visible or audible. Tough times, tougher people. What am I going to tell Jesus? Oh, it is just the way of the world, and the signs of the times. And if anyone should know about how dark the times can be, it is Jesus. Advent! Got to get to Church and kneel in the Mass. Got to get some shopping squeezed in, and avoid being
Oh come, O come, Emmanuel. Come and give us people some relief. A little oasis of peace. A place of prayer. A sanctuary with the kind of atmosphere that has clean, fresh air, and where it is free to breathe. Not too loudly, of course. I call all of this a blending of circumstances. Advent and Novena and Christmas all either jostling to occupy, or edging into, the same tight calendar space. What is a Roman Catholic to do?
Simply put, each one must get his or her priorities right. Try to please too many people at the same time, or running behind too many interests all at once, is a recipe for tying oneself into knots. Put things into perspective. Let good sense prevail. Give God the things that are due, and then make space for other considerations. It is a season of joy and goodwill. Spoiling it shouldn’t enter into the equation. There! that may not be the wisdom of Solomon. But, there should be the devotion that comes with being a
Gracious and loving God, we thank your for the gift of our priests. Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.
Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.
Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen
First Reading Isaiah 35:1-6. 10
God himself is coming to save you.
Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult, let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy.
The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God.
Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees and say to all faint hearts, ‘Courage! Do not be afraid.
‘Look, your God is coming, vengeance is coming, the retribution of God; he is coming to save you.’
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy; for those Yahweh has ransomed shall return. They will come to Zion shouting for joy, everlasting joy on their faces; joy and gladness will go with them and sorrow and lament be ended.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:6-10
Response: Come, Lord, and save us or Alleluia
1. It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever, who is just to those who are oppressed. It is he who gives bread to the hungry, the Lord, who sets prisoners free. Response
2. It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind, who raises up those who are bowed down, the Lord, who protects the stranger and upholds the widow and orphan. Response
3. It is the Lord who loves the just but thwarts the path of the wicked. The Lord will reign for ever, Zion’s God, from age to age. Response
Good news, Christian stewards we are gaining ground on our Advent mountain climb and it is time to take a moment to rejoice in the Good News that our Saviour will come again in
triumph one day. Today’s readings on this Gaudete (“Rejoice”) Sunday are filled with reminders of God’s final victory over suffering and injustice, and encouragement to remain steadfast in our mission to live as faith -filled disciples.
Such a day almost seems too good to be true, especially when we look around at the dire circumstances we face in our world at present. But by faith we know this day is coming. Lest we grow weary as we await the glorious day of Christ’s return,
Second Reading St James 5:7-10
Do not lose heart for the Lord’s coming will be soon. Now be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains! You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon. Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates. For your example, brothers, in submitting with patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation Is 61:1 Alleluia, alleluia!
The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor Alleluia!
GOSPEL Matthew 11:2-11
Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?
John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me’.
As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way before you.
‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.❖
St. James, in our second reading, offers wise counsel. “Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord Make your hearts firm Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged.”
This is excellent advice for us Christian stewards as we face the challenges of everyday life in our broken world, especially in the hectic days that precede Christmas, when stress can make us and those around us less than our best selves. St. James
reminds us that we can choose our response to both the great strains and the minor annoyances of life.
In other words, we can be good stewards of our attitude, “making our hearts firm” by practicing patience with others and refusing to give in to the temptation to complain.
We can choose to see and rejoice in God’s presence with us, no matter the circumstances surrounding us.❖
[www.catholicsteward.com/blog/ ]
Gospel Reflection
John the Baptist is in prison waiting for a brutal and senseless death. He is wondering about Jesus and wants to know if he really is the long awaited Messiah or had he, John, made a mistake in pointing him out. He has his own impression of how the Messiah will act and when Jesus does not do what he expects, the temptation is to reject him. We can readily identify with John. Many times we are anxious to know if the efforts we make have any meaning. Sometimes we reject people because they are not quite how we imagine they should be. We can experience moments of darkness, doubt and despair when things do not work out as we intended. This episode in John’s life is a challenge to us not to fix limits on ourselves and on God but to always be alert to new ways of seeing God’s purpose for us in this life.
We all want to live in peace. Some people work hard to bring about peace in society and in the world. But peace seems to be as far away as ever. There is every reason to be to grow tired of trying and to give up because there seems to be so little progress in this area. Some of the things happening in the world are frightening –natural disasters, wars, hunger and starvation, genocide. We wonder why God allows such things to happen. So many men, women and children live with no hope for the future. It looks as though nothing can be done. At times like these our faith experiences a severe shock. Our faith is really a delicate thing so we must not be surprised when we have doubts. It is at times like these that we need to hear and remember the words of Jesus: “Happy the person who does not lose faith in me.” ❖
[From: Journeying with the Word of God, The Religious Education Department, Diocese of Georgetown, Guyana ]
despite peace plan, say Catholic leaders
Displaced Palestinian children stand in flood water as they shelter at a flooded tent camp during a rainy day in Gaza City Nov. 25, 2025. (OSV News photo/ Mahmoud Issa, Reuters)
(OSV News) As Pope Leo XIV urged in Turkey Nov. 27 that “the future of humanity is at stake” with ongoing conflict in the Middle East and days after a United Nations Security Council endorsement of a U.S.-backed peace plan, Catholic leaders warn that conditions in Gaza remain grave, especially as winter approaches.
“The situation continues to be critical,” said Joseph Hazboun, regional director for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association-Pontifical Mission’s Jerusalem office.
In a message to OSV News, Hazboun said his agency’s ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food, psychosocial support and other necessities have been hampered by Israel’s “continued siege and blockade on Gaza hardly allowing serious relief efforts.”
Hazboun’s assessment echoed that of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, who in a Nov. 19 interview with Vatican News said that “everything remains to be done” in restoring daily life in Gaza.
“The only difference thanks be to God and to those who secured it is the end of the blanket bombing,” Cardinal Pizzaballa told Vatican News, adding that while “aid is entering more regularly than before, and more reliably,” the supplies are “still far from sufficient given the needs.”
“There isn’t much that we can do,” Hazboun admitted. “We provided a limited number of tents, but are unable to provide more, although there is a need, but tents are not available.”
In addition, he said, “you can imagine that they are not very useful when the streets flood because of the rain.”
Flooding from heavy rainfall has swept through Gaza in recent days, destroying tents, bedding, clothing and other essential items.
United Nations aid management workers in Gaza reported that flooding “remains a major risk,” the agency said in a Dec. 1 news update. Sandbags are in use at 41 displacement sites, said
Among the rubble is also “recyclable material,” he said, adding that the region’s youth might “come up with creative concepts to help with water desalination, alternative energy, cooking gas, maybe even alternative solutions for the tents.” He added, “Besides these very limited interventions, we continue to pray for an end to the war and the killing of people that has never stopped since the ceasefire.”
More than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
Catholic leaders have expressed grave concern for the region’s Christian communities, which have themselves come under attack in Gaza and in the West Bank.
the U.N., with paid teams “reinforcing drainage” and collecting “empty flour sacks to improve insulation.”
The World Bank noted in 2023 that rainfall events in Gaza “have become more violent” in recent decades, causing flash floods.
“Water is needed of course but in Gaza ‘water’ often means mud in an already dire situation,” Cardinal Pizzaballa told Vatican News.
Hazboun said his team was also working to bolster medical services in Gaza, providing the Near East Council of Churches an ecumenical and interfaith organization “with equipment and tools for their main lab, so that they can resume their medical services.”
In addition, Hazboun said his office has awarded “a special grant to the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital to treat war-affected burn victims.
”
The U.N. said that as of Nov. 30, 224 out of 592 “functional health service points” in Gaza were now operational, including 19 out of 36 hospitals but of that 224, only 215 are “partially functional,” with just eight fully online. The slight increase in health service restoration includes the “gradual reestablishment” of a seven-bed pediatric intensive care unit at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, said the agency. Hazboun said his agency is distributing hygiene kits, material for which is “expensive and unaffordable by the local communities,” while coordinating with on-the-ground partners to offer food parcels and psychosocial support.
With “the blockade … expected to continue,” Hazboun and his team are also looking “to consult with the youth for creative solutions to the ongoing crisis.”
The Israel-Hamas war which began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing some 1,200 Israelis and abducting 251 hostages has seen Gaza heavily damaged, leaving “a lot of debris,” said Hazboun.
Holy Family, Gaza’s only Catholic parish, was struck in July by what Israel Defense Forces said was an errant mortar round. Three elderly persons were confirmed dead and more than 10 wounded. The church’s pastor, Father Gabriel Romanelli, sustained a leg injury.
In December 2023, a woman named Nahida and her adult daughter Samar were killed by Israeli firepower at Holy Family as they walked to the convent. In a statement at the time, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said they had been shot “in cold blood,” with “one killed as she tried to carry the other to safety.” Seven others were wounded in that attack.
In November, Hazboun reported that only 596 people, or 207 Christian families remain in Gaza, with 382 people 136 families sheltering at the Holy Family Church, and 214 people, or 71 families, sheltering at St. Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church, which was struck in both 2023 and 2024.
In his Vatican News interview, Cardinal Pizzaballa highlighted attacks on Christian villages such as Taybeh, located in the West Bank, pointing to “homes and cars vandalized, windows smashed, tires slashed.”
The situation “is worsening every day,” said the cardinal.
Hazboun said his office is “finalizing a survey on the Christian community, to get as much data as possible on their current status, who will remain in Gaza and who plans to leave upon opening of the Rafah crossing.”
The data will also assess housing needs for those planning to remain in Gaza, he said.
Speaking Dec. 2 after Mass in Beirut amid his apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon, Pope Leo said that “new approaches” were needed in the Middle East “to reject the mindset of revenge and violence, to overcome political, social and religious divisions, and to open new chapters in the name of reconciliation and peace.” “We need to change course. We need to educate our hearts for peace,” he said. “From this square, I pray for the Middle East and all peoples who suffer because of war.”❖
Don’t be passive consumers of AI content, Pope Leo says Journeying with the Word of God
MAKING THE WORD OF GOD YOUR OWN
Step 1: Lookattoday’sReadingsprayerfully.
1st Reading: Isaiah foresees better times for the long-suffering people. In God’s name, he invites them all to ‘have no fear’ for God will give them peace and joy.
Pope Leo XIV poses for a photograph with people taking part in a conference on AI in Rome during an audience at the Vatican Dec. 5, 2025. The conference was organized by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation and the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities. To the left of the pope is Bishop Claudio Giuliodori, general ecclesiastical assistant of the University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, Italy. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Human beings are meant to be actively involved in the world of creation, not just passive consumers of content generated by technology, Pope Leo XIV said.
“How can we ensure that the development of artificial intelligence truly serves the common good and is not just used to accumulate wealth and power in the hands of a few?” he asked Dec. 5.
The pope was speaking to people taking part in a conference held in Rome Dec. 5 organized by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation and the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities.
The conference, titled “Artificial Intelligence and Care of Our Common Home,” included the presentation of a book of the same name that compiles research by experts analyzing and assessing the impact of AI, especially in the fields of business, finance, education and communication, and proposes solutions to some of the most urgent challenges.
Pope Leo said, “The research carried out by Centesimus-SACRU represents a truly valuable contribution,” since “coordinated and concerted action involving politics, institutions, businesses, finance, education, communication, citizens and religious communities” is needed.
It is “essential to teach young people to use these tools with their own intelligence, ensuring that they open themselves to the search for truth, a spiritual and fraternal life, broadening their dreams and the horizons of their decision making,” the pope said.
“We support their desire to be different and better, because never before has it been so clear that a profound reversal of direction is needed in our idea of maturing.”
“We must pause and reflect with particular care upon the freedom and inner life of our children and young people, and the possible impact of technology on their intellectual and neurological development,” he said.
“The new generations must be helped, not hindered, on their path to maturity and responsibility,” he said. “The well-being of society depends on their ability to develop their talents and respond to the demands of the times and the needs of others, with generosity and freedom of mind.”
“The ability to access vast amounts of data and information should not be confused with the ability to derive meaning and value from it,” Pope Leo said.
“The latter requires a willingness to confront the mystery and core questions of our existence, even when these realities are often marginalized or ridiculed by the
prevailing cultural and economic models.”
Addressing this challenge, he said, “requires asking an even more fundamental question: What does it mean to be human in this moment of history?”
“Human beings are called to be co-workers in the work of creation, not merely passive consumers of content generated by artificial technology,” he said. “Our dignity lies in our ability to reflect, choose freely, love unconditionally and enter into authentic relationships with others.”
While artificial intelligence has opened “new horizons for creativity,” he said, “it also raises serious concerns about its possible repercussions on humanity’s openness to truth and beauty, and capacity for wonder and contemplation.”
“Recognizing and safeguarding what characterizes the human person and guarantees his or her balanced growth is essential for establishing an adequate framework for managing the consequences of artificial intelligence,” the pope said.
“This commitment comes before any partisan interest or profit, which is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few,” he said. “Only through widespread participation that gives everyone the opportunity to be heard with respect, even the humblest, will it be possible to achieve these ambitious goals.”❖
2nd Reading: St. James of Jerusalem stresses something that we all find hard to do today, namely, to have the quality of patience.
Gospel: Jesus has great words of praise for John the Baptist who is in prison for denouncing the sins of the powerful. The Gospel also shows Jesus at work.
1.Isaiah again presents a vision of what the future holds for God’s people. In your opinion what exactly is this vision he is presenting?
2.James advises patience while we wait for the coming of the Lord. How might the Lord have already come into your life in what you least expected?
3.John the Baptist seems disappointed with the Messiah he had pointed out. Why is this so? Do you feel like John sometimes?
4.Jesus did not answer John’s question about him being the Messiah with a simple “yes”, but asked the messengers to tell what they had seen. Why do you think Jesus answered in this way?
Step 3: Accepting the message of God’s Wordinyourlifeoffaith.
Those who trust in the living God need have no fear of anything the future holds. God holds our future in his hand and it is perfectly safe there. Even though we live in a world that has seen the light of Jesus, we can still experience moments of darkness, doubt, helplessness and despair. We therefore need to maintain our faith in Jesus.
Step 4: Somethingtothink&prayabout
1.We believe that Jesus is the one whom the prophets say is to come. There are many signs that the Kingdom of God is present in the world – the willingness of many countries o join together and work for the common good, the many people who work to bring an end to suffering, those who speak out against the abuse of women and children, those who work for the disadvantaged in society. What part do you also play (or can play) in making the Kingdom a reality?
2.Pray that you will be ready and willing to receive Jesus as he comes in so many ways in your life.❖
[From: Journeying with the Word of God, The Religious Education Department, Diocese of Georgetown, Guyana ]
The Gifts that Jesus brings
Dear Boys and Girls,
Today we learn that John, even though he was in prison, was hearing about all of the wonderful things that Jesus was doing. He sent a message to Jesus by some of his friends. "Ask Jesus if he is the Messiah we have been expecting, or should we continue to watch for someone else?"
When Jesus was asked the question, he answered, "Return to John and tell him what you have seen and heard. You have seen the blind receive their sight, the crippled and lame are able to walk, those with leprosy are being cured, the deaf are able to hear. Even the dead have been raised and the good news is being preached to the poor."
If you were blind, what better gift could you receive than to be able to see? If you were crippled, what better gift could you receive than to be able to walk? If you were dead, what better gift could you receive than the gift of life? The gift of life -that is the real meaning of Christmas. Jesus came to earth to give us life eternal life! What a gift!
Father, every good gift we receive comes from you and the greatest gift is eternal life brought down to us through your Son. Father, we thank you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen . ❖
Sacred Heart and Friends Youth Group holds
Dear Editor,
A novena is a series of prayers that are said for nine straight days, usually as a prayer of petition, but sometimes as a prayer of thanksgiving.
An early Greek and Roman custom performed by families consisting of nine days of mourning after the death of a loved one.
On Saturday December 6th, the youth group met for our Advent session and end-of-year celebration.
First, we visited a Society of St Vincent de Paul home for the elderly. There, we prayed with the residents, discussed the meaning of Advent, sang Advent hymns and Christmas carols, and decorated a Christmas tree.
We then returned to the Conference Room at Brickdam Cathedral’s presbytery where we spent time in Eucharistic Adoration. We prayed and sang worship songs, while several persons experienced Jesus' forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
We ended with snacks, games and fellowship. We also cut a cake with one of our members who was celebrating her birthday.
Praise God for such an incredible afternoon of reflection, prayer, fun and fellowship! ❖
(Adapted from Sacred Heart and Friends Youth Group – Guyana Facebook page)
Over time, members of the Roman Catholic faith began to place less emphasis on the number nine's connection to the pagan custom, and more on its association with the nine months Jesus spent in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The nine days that the Apostles and Mary spent in prayer for the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the most important prayer.
Christmas Novena or The Christmas anticipatory prayer is addressed to God himself, asking him to grant our request in the honour of the birth of his Son at Christmas.
born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn”. (Lk. 2:7-8)
Mother Mary probably did not realize that she just gave birth to the longawaited Messiah.
Leon Jeetlall
By Renika Anand
Keeping yourself open
Margaret Mead, a cultural anthropologist once said “Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For indeed that's all who ever have.”
Growing up often means learning to see things in a new light. For example, when we rewatch our favourite childhood movies, we may realise that there are hidden lessons within them that we may have missed when we were children. Similarly, as we grow up and see the world with a more mature understanding, we see hidden issues and problems that we would have missed as children. This sudden shift can be frightening. As a response, we tend to close ourselves off. After all, if we never notice the suffering and the problems in our world, we would never need to be upset by them.
However, if we refuse to face the problems for fear of being hurt by them, then we are also refusing ourselves a chance to create a solution for them. Let us not stop caring for our world simply because it is not perfect. We must keep ourselves open so that we can see the things we are meant to change.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. -
Proverbs 3:27. ❖
O Antiphons
December 17
O Sapientia
O Wisdom of our God Most High, guidingcreationwithpowerandlove: come to teach us the path of knowledge!
December 18
O Adonai
O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!
December 19
O Radix Jesse
O Root of Jesse’s stem, signof God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!
December 20
O Clavis David
O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!
December 21
O Oriens
O Radiant Dawn, splendour of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.
December 22
O Rex Gentium
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
December 23
O Emmanuel
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: cometosaveus,LordourGod! ❖
An Advent session for young people was held virtually on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, under the theme “Living Advent as Catholic Youths.” Over 50 Young Persons attended. The session was conducted by Fr. Joel Thompson, SJ.
During his presentation, Fr. Joel reflected on the deeper meaning of Advent. He explained that Advent is “a time to sharpen our axes,” a moment to prepare for the coming of Christ. It is a season of waiting and intentional preparation, reminding us that Christmas is not here yet. He noted that Advent also invites a spiritual
cleansing of our hearts.
Fr. Joel highlighted that this season calls for increased prayer, repentance, and conversion. He cautioned that “if you are cleaning your house and not your heart, you are not preparing for Christmas,” encouraging the young people to focus on their interior readiness just as much as their outward preparations.
He further invited the youths to use Advent as a time to make a personal list of the things they hope to leave behind in the new year. Acts of charity, he emphasized, should form a significant part of the Advent journey,
as the season urges believers to look outward in love and service.
Additionally, Fr. Joel reminded participants that Advent is not only preparation for Christmas but also a time to ready ourselves for the second coming of Christ.
As the session concluded, he encouraged all young people to attend the Christmas Eve Mass/ Service, noting that Christmas Eve holds deep significance in the life of the Church. It is the vigil that ushers in the celebration of Christ’s birth.❖
(Catholic Media Guyana FB)
Commission offers formation opportunities
The Faith Formation & Liturgical Commission of the Diocese of Georgetown is pleased to announce a series of training initiatives to support our parishes and to assist all the faithful in deepening their love for the Church’s liturgy and teaching.
1. Liturgical Training: General Lay Ministry Workshops are designed for lectors, decorators, altar servers, and parish teams, focusing on reverence, confidence, and the celebration of beautiful and meaningful liturgies.
2. Catechist & Faith Formation Training
Practical and engaging sessions for catechists, youth leaders, and all who desire to grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith.
3. Training of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Service Leaders
Helping candidates serve faithfully at the altar and lead Sunday and other Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest, with sound theological and practical preparation.
4. Spiritual Enrichment
Retreats, days of reflection, and ongoing formation opportunities to nurture personal prayer, deepen discipleship, and strengthen our Christian witness.
5. Music & Liturgy Workshops
Support for parish choirs and musicians, offering guidance, resources, and formation to enrich the Church’s worship and sacred music. We look forward to journeying with you as together we grow in faith, unity, and service to the People of God.
Please let us know how we can assist your parish or community. For more information, please contact the Religious Education Department: on 610-5706 or 688-9586.❖
Advent
What every Catholic should know and how to live it well
By Fr Joel Thompson SJ
At every Mass and service, we pray for the coming of God’s Kingdom and its king during the Lord’s prayer. Advent is the Church’s sacred season of preparing our hearts for that coming.
Advent is not just “the time before” Christmas or a countdown to it. It is a holy season of waiting, hope, repentance and preparation. The Church invites us during Advent to slow down, listen, and make room for the Lord. During Advent, Christ comes to us in three ways:
•In history (at Bethlehem)
•In mystery (in the sacraments and daily grace)
•In glory (at the end of time)
Here are 5 essential things every Catholic should know about Advent and how to live them:
1. Advent is a Season of Waiting (not Christmas yet!)
Advent invites us to slow down and stay spiritually alert. “Advent makes present the ancient expectancy of the Messiah.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, §524). We are invited to slow down, pray, and prepare our hearts. “Be watchful! Be alert!” (Mark 13:33) How to live it?
• Spend quiet time with God each day and pray with the daily readings
• Light the Advent wreath at home or church
2. The Gloria is Not Sung
We omit the Gloria to create spiritual space for the great moment when it returns at Christmas, echoing the angels: “Glory to God in the highest!” (Luke 2:14)
This silence helps us feel the joy of Christmas more deeply.
3. AdventisaSeasonofConversion
Though gentler than Lent, Advent still calls us to repentance, confession, and renewed hearts.
John the Baptist’s Advent message is clear: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” (Mark 1:3) Penance services, personal confession and the novena help us to prepare spiritually for the coming of Christ. Acts of charity and reconciliation should be part of our Advent preparation. Who do I need to forgive? What do I need to change in my life before Christmas? Who can I help? Preparing our hearts spiritually is the best gift we can offer Jesus.
4. Don’t rush to Christmas
The world celebrates Christmas early, but the Church invites us to live Advent. The Church reminds us: “A time of preparation… with a twofold character: preparing for Christmas and for Christ’s second coming.” (Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year, 39)
This means:
• Advent hymns during Advent
• Christmas songs begin at Christmas,
• Encourage Christmas plays, nativity dramas, and big celebrations after December 24, not in the middle of Advent (small concerts can perhaps be done in the spirit of preparing our hearts)
The Christmas season (liturgically) actually lasts until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and is not just one day. Don’t skip waiting!
5. The Advent Wreath
The four candles symbolize the growing light of Christ: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
Jesus says: “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12). Each candle reminds us to walk steadily toward that Light.
Advent invites us to slow down, listen, repent, and make room for Christ. Let us resist the rush and allow God to prepare our hearts for the true joy of Christmas. ❖
LOOKING FOR NEW TEAM MEMBERS!
St. John Bosco Orphanage is seeking dedicated, reliable, and motivated individuals to join our team. If you are passionate about caring for others and thrive in a dynamic environment, we invite you to apply.
How to Apply:
Send your application to juliemat63@yahoo.com or St. John Bosco Orphanage, 3 Victoria Road, Plaisance, ECD
Deadline: December 19th, 2025
Caregivers – St. John Bosco Orphanage for Boys
Do you have a passion for helping children grow in a safe, structured, and loving environment? Join our team!
We’re looking for caring, patient, and responsible individuals to support the boys in our care with daily routines, supervision, homework, and emotional guidance.
Key Duties:
• Supervision & emotional support
• Daily routines & hygiene
• Homework & activities
• Meal assistance
• Escorting children when needed
• Maintaining a safe, clean environment
Requirements:
• Experience in caregiving/childcare is an asset
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to stay calm and flexible
• Must pass background checks
• First Aid/CPR is a plus Shifts: Mornings, evenings, weekends & holidays
Positions: Full-time or part-time
Cook – St. John Bosco Orphanage for Boys
Do you love cooking and want to make a meaningful impact? We’re looking for a skilled and caring Cook to prepare nutritious, child-friendly meals for the boys in our care.
• Support food prep for special events Requirements:
• Experience in cooking or food service
• Knowledge of nutrition for children
• Food Safety & Handling Certification
• Good time-management and teamwork
• Must pass background checks
Shifts: Mornings, afternoons, weekends & holidays
Positions: Full-time or part-time
Laundress – St. John Bosco Orphanage for Boys
Do you have a heart for service and enjoy creating a clean, organized environment? We are looking for a reliable and caring Laundry Worker to help ensuretheboysinourhomealwayshavecleanclothing,uniforms,andbedding
Key Duties:
• Wash, dry, fold, and iron clothing and linens
• Sort and label items to avoid mix-ups
• Keep the laundry room clean and orderly
• Track inventory & monitor clothing conditions
• Organize donated clothing
• Coordinate with caregivers to ensure boys have clean items daily Requirements:
• Laundry or housekeeping experience
• Good organization & time-management skills
• Able to lift, bend, and stand
• Reliable, kind, and detail-oriented
• Must follow child-protection standards
Shifts: Mornings, afternoons, weekends & holidays
Positions: Full-time or part-time
By Francis Canzius
150 Years –
Our Lady of the Mount Meadow Bank
Bishop James Etheridge SJ blessed the new Meadow Bank Church on December 12th 1875. The first Mass was celebrated by Fr. Benedict Schembri SJ on December 16th - in those days Novena began on December 16th.
In the following years, Meadow Bank would develop its own
devotions, such as lighting up of graves on All Souls night when families would bring lighted candles to place on the graves of relatives, and Passion Sunday processions (two processions) along the East Bank road which would meet at the fourth station of the Cross.
Meadow Bank, being one of the early settlements of the Portuguese, would have many religious customs brought to this country by them.
The photo above shows the first church at Meadow Bank which was destroyed by fire in 1939.❖
Saint of the Week
December 14th: St John of the Cross
John was born in Spain in 1542. After he joined the Carmelite order, Saint Teresa of Avila asked him to help her reform movement. John supported her belief that the order should return to its life of prayer. But many Carmelites felt threatened by this reform, and some members of John's own order kidnapped him. He was locked in a cell 3m by 2m and beaten three times a week by the monks. There was only one tiny window high up near the ceiling. Yet in that unbearable dark, cold, and desolation, his love and faith were like fire and light. He had nothing left but God and God brought John his greatest joys in that tiny cell.
After nine months, John escaped. He hid from pursuers in a convent infirmary. From then on his life was devoted to sharing and explaining his experience of God's love. A remarkable poet and mystic, he died in Andalusia in 1591. John left us many books of practical advice on spiritual growth and prayer that are just as relevant today as they were then. These books include: Ascent of Mount Carmel, Dark Night of the Soul and A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ ❖
