News from All Around:

In December, Pope Benedict issues his message for yesterday’s World Day of Peace, celebrated yesterday. Entitled Educating Young People in Justice and Peace, it is worth a full look. Here’s some pull quotes:

1. Attentiveness to young people and their concerns, the ability to listen to them and appreciate them, is not merely something expedient; it represents a primary duty for society as a whole, for the sake of building a future of justice and peace.

The Church looks to young people with hope and confidence; she encourages them to seek truth, to defend the common good, to be open to the world around them and willing to see “new things” (Is 42:9; 48:6).

2. May young people be taught to savour the joy which comes from the daily exercise of charity and compassion towards others and from taking an active part in the building of a more humane and fraternal society.

6. Dear young people, you are a precious gift for society. Do not yield to discouragement in the face of difficulties and do not abandon yourselves to false solutions which often seem the easiest way to overcome problems. . . Realize that you yourselves are an example and an inspiration to adults, even more so to the extent that you seek to overcome injustice and corruption and strive to build a better future.

The full text of the pope’s message is worth a read. American magazine offered commentary. <image source>

News from ‘Round Here:

The post-Christmas festivities hangover engaged one and all in a sleep-in Monday. I woke to do a major closet cleaning as well as an attempt to bring the kitchen back into order. Sherlock Holmes was the afternoon (liked it more than the original), and Monopoly was later in the day. (Son Clark clearly understands the military capitalist culture.) The older girls were over for late night ice-cream.  My family laughs pretty hard when they are gathered together!

Meghan was out first thing Tuesday morning and the airport was packed but also in a tired civil sort of mood. Clark was out reasonably early with girlfriend so most of the day was directed to repair efforts on apartment and car. The evening was spent hosting a wayward traveler for dinner. Wednesday was more of same with a haircut, doctor’s office consultation, and the take-down of the Christmas tree (the rest of the holiday decorations remain up.) A belated birthday party for Kristin Witte followed in the evening.

While I would like to report that I did anything on Thursday of some impact, the day was full of nothing.  Friday, however, was the evening wedding mass of parish youth minister Cassandra and Catholic Review reporter Matt (who you might remember from NCYC and WYD travels) They are so very much in love and witnessing their Sacrament was the Amazing Weekly Event (A.W.E.)

Saturday involved my run with Clark to the PX to stock up on staples.  We got a few lines of bowling in as well – – It was disastrous, age has deteriorated my game. It was a quiet New Year’s Eve.

Off to St. Agnes early Sunday morning – – light crowd. Over to the daughters for their annual brunch and then prep for a small gathering to celebrate the Raven’s win and playoff hopes. A good way to start 2011.