One of the most beautiful traditions of our country is THANKSGIVING. Once a year we all give thanks to God for all He is giving us. We did not have such a national celebration when I was growing up in Southern France. My first experience took place in Tampa, Florida, in 1967. I was then a graduate student and research assistant at the University of Florida in Gainesville. As my English was poor (and is still poor 57 later...) I had decided to spend a summer immersion living with an American family before entering my Master's Degree program. The Levinson family was a most generous host, and they invited me to return for the Thanksgiving vacation. It was my first discovery of enjoying in family a full Thanksgiving Dinner with a huge turkey, amazing stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potato and pumpkin pie. Traditions are important...

In last week's Gospel, JESUS gave us very powerful words: “Heaven and earth will pass away but MY WORDS WILL NOT PASS AWAY" (Mark 13-31). Nothing on earth lasts. ONLY JESUS DOES NOT CHANGE: BE ROOTED IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND YOU WILL FIND PEACE AND EVERLASTING JOY! We celebrate NOVEMBER as BLACK CATHOLIC HISTORY MONTH. This year, we have chosen to focus on the evangelization of African Americans: MOTHER LANGE, FATHER TOLTON AND FATHER MARTIN. The three of them first were uprooted from their place of origin and then they FOUND ROOT IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! They chose to give their own life to Christ so as to bring others to Christ. They accepted many hardships and sufferings. They had a great Zeal to Evangelize, to bring the Good News of Our Lord Jesus Christ to those at the margin of the Society. They had no fear! They knew what God wanted them to do. They trusted in God's Mercy, Love and Providence. MOTHER LANGE (1789-1882): She was born in Cuba. Her parents were Haitian refugees. She moved to Baltimore and in 1829, she founded the order of Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first order of Black Sisters in...

WHEN IS JESUS CHRIST COMING BACK? As we come to a close of our Liturgical Year, the Church has chosen readings focusing on the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST! Is He coming back soon? It is possible. But "nobody knows the hour nor the time, but only the Father" (Mark 13–32). His Second Coming will mark THE END OF TIME. Today, we reflect on the tribulations and meaning of the End of Time before entering into the ADVENT SEASON, THE FIRST COMING OF CHRIST: GOD BECOMING MAN AT CHRISTMAS so that "man can become God". This is the Good News of our Salvation!” Most people seem to be afraid of the End of Time. They remember the apocalyptic visions in the Bible:...

"LOVE GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength!” This is the first commandment that Jesus asks us to follow. Then He adds that the second is: “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12: 28-29). How can we follow these two great Commandments of LOVE? It is not easy. We cannot do it alone. Only the HOLY SPIRIT can help us. It is a lifetime challenge to LOVE GOD AND OUR NEIGHBOR with all our heart. We can do it from time to time. But we need to do it all the time to become and stay a true Disciple of Christ. It’s all about Love, the Unconditional Love (Agape in Greek) that unites us with God. To understand the meaning of...