Sid Childers

In the light of the Nativity of the Lord, let us continue to pray for peace. Today, in particular, let us pray for families suffering because of war, especially for children, elderly and the most vulnerable. Let us entrust ourselves together to the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

We had a special visitor come by the parish before Christmas. He told us “This Church and you all are a major reason why this happened.” Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Congratulations, Fernando and a Merry Christmas!

On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, may we ask for the prayers of Mary our Mother so we too can offer our “yes” to the Lord’s divine plan for us, even when it is seemingly daunting. Be reassured by the promise Mary heard: “Nothing will be impossible for God.”

After a good Thanksgiving meal yesterday, today may be a good day for a long walk. As you do, reflect on the path you are currently traveling in your spiritual life and any redirections needed. This is a good way to prepare for the Advent season we are about to enter.

The poor widow who offered her two coins to the treasury teaches us that nothing we give to God in faith and with love is ever “too small.” Our Lord assures us that he will use our sacrifices and gifts in extraordinary and miraculous ways. So, give him your all!

Pope Leo encouraged young Catholics at NCYC 2025, telling them: “During Eucharistic Adoration, you can look at Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and you know He looks at you with love.” Tonight, more than 16,000 youth gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium to adore Jesus together after an inspiring digital encounter with Pope Leo, marking a profound moment of faith and unity for the Church in America.

“The blade was aimed straight for the deputy’s neck. He never saw it coming, but his partner did. Deputy Lawson has been with the department for 12 years. He’s trained to be observant, to be quick, and to never show fear. But for the last four years, his confidence hasn't come from his training. It’s come from K9 Titan. They were serving a high-risk warrant on a fugitive. Standard procedure. Lawson cleared the front room, moving toward a closet door at the end of the hall. He reached for the handle, unaware the suspect was waiting just on the other side, armed with a serrated hunting knife. The door flew open. The suspect lunged. Lawson didn't have time to draw. He didn't even have time to flinch. But Titan was already in the air. The 85-pound Shepherd didn't hesitate. He intercepted the attacker mid-lunge, taking the blade deep into his flank—a blow meant for Lawson’s jugular. The suspect was subdued instantly by backup, but Titan was on the floor, whimpering softly. Lawson, a man who hadn't cried since he was a child, scooped his partner up and ran. He ignored protocol, speeding to the emergency vet with sirens screaming, one hand on the wheel, the other pressing down on the wound. "Don't you quit on me," he begged the entire ride. "Not today." The vet team swarmed them the second they burst through the doors. They worked for three hours to stop the internal bleeding and repair the damage. Lawson refused to leave the room. He stood right there at the metal table, his tactical vest still heavy on his chest, weeping openly as he whispered to the dog who had just traded his life for his. "I'm here, buddy. I'm right here." When Titan finally let out a deep breath and thumped his tail weakly against the metal table, Lawson collapsed in relief. He walked out of that clinic knowing he owed every future breath he took to the dog sleeping in recovery.” Credit: Daily Stories

Christ the King stands knocking at the door of our hearts and desires that we allow him to enter. He promises to free us from the burden of our sins and the crosses we endure. His rule and commands bring us freedom and joy. Welcome him this day into every part of your life!

Make tomorrow special. Just because. Dress your family up for church as if it’s Christmas. Invite others to join. Bring your Bibles. Go get a reset and renewal by God’s word and get battle ready for the week ahead. And at the end of the night, ask your spouse how you can better serve them. …for Charlie.

Meet Davyon Johnson, an 11 year old from Muskogee, Oklahoma, who saved two lives in a single day. ❤️ At school, a classmate began choking on a bottle cap. Davyon sprang into action, didn’t hesitate & performed the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge it. That same afternoon, Davyon spotted a house engulfed in flames with an elderly woman trapped inside. He charged toward the fire & guided her out to safety. No cameras. No script. Just pure courage & a heart full of compassion. Because one boy’s decision to act, two lives were spared to see another sunrise. True change doesn’t require fame or wealth. It starts with kindness in motion & love that steps forward. Repost to make him famous & keep humanity’s flame alive. ❤️

A newly ordained Catholic priest weeps as his mother places the maniple on him, kisses his hand, and he embraces her in return. Video: Francisca Sousa

For nine months, my wife, Brooklyn, carried our baby boy. And for nine months, we lived in a place between hope and heartbreak. Early in the pregnancy, we learned something was terribly wrong. Around the three- to four-month mark, doctors told us our son had severe hydrocephalus — fluid building so rapidly in his brain that it pushed everything aside. They used to call it “water on the brain,” but the simplicity of the name didn’t soften the reality. We were eventually referred to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where some of the best fetal specialists in the country met with us. And they gave us the kind of news no parent is ever prepared to hear. His condition was so severe, so extreme, that they stopped measuring. There was no point, they said. The MRI images were devastating. We were told there was a greater than 90% chance our son would either: • Die shortly after birth, or • Survive with such profound cognitive impairment that life — real life — would not be possible. We sat through meetings no parent should ever sit through. Conversations about breathing tubes. About how long to try. About the moment we might have to make the decision to let him go. Brooklyn moved to Cincinnati to be close to the hospital. I drove back and forth — working, caring for our daughters Sophie and Lily, and trying to keep our home standing while our world felt like it was falling apart. Then came July 8th. Just 15 minutes before Brooklyn’s C-section, we sat with doctors again and discussed when — not if — we might have to remove life support and let our son go to heaven. I don’t have words for that kind of pain. And then — Charlie Edward Schnarr entered this world crying. A strong, loud, defiant cry. The most beautiful sound I have ever heard. He stayed in the NICU until yesterday… and now we are home. Together. Holding him. Loving him. Watching him breathe. Watching him live. He has mild ventricular enlargement we will keep an eye on — but otherwise? He is thriving. Eating. Wiggling. Yawning. Gripping our fingers. Looking around at a world that was never supposed to be his. The doctors have no explanation. They said his brain somehow cleared the blockage on its own — something none of them have seen in a case this severe. The word that kept echoing through the NICU from seasoned nurses and top specialists was the same: “Miracle.” “Divine intervention.” They said it. Not us. We know thousands of people — family, friends, coworkers, strangers — were praying for our son. I believe with everything in me that God heard those prayers. That He placed His hand on Charlie. That He said, not this one. I will spend the rest of my life thanking Him. To every person who prayed for us — every text, every message, every whispered intention — thank you. You carried us when we were too exhausted to carry ourselves. Prayer is real. God is real. And miracles… they still happen. With a full and grateful heart, —Nick

To every veteran who raised their right hand and answered the call — thank you. Today, and every day, we honor you. We are free because of you.

In these last few days, we have prayed for the dead and among these, unfortunately, are many who were killed in combat and bombings, even though they were civilians, children, elderly, or sick people. If we truly want to honor their memory, we must stop the wars and put all of our efforts into negotiations. #Peace

The world needs honest and courageous entrepreneurs and communicators who care for the common good. We sometimes hear the saying: “Business is business!” In reality, it is not so. No one is absorbed by an organization to the point of becoming a mere cog or a simple function. Nor can there be true humanism without a critical sense, without the courage to ask questions: "Where are we going? For whom and for what are we working? How are we making the world a better place?"

WEDNESDAY - “The Struggle” Honestly, there are days that I don’t want to do anything. Some days I doubt. Some days I want to quit because carrying people’s burdens feels too heavy. Some days are just exhausting — physically, emotionally, spiritually. Some days, I truly wonder if I’m really cut out for this. But then God reminds me why I said yes — and He does it in ways I never expect: In the smile and hug of one of my students. In the kindness of a family’s homemade meal. In laughter shared with friends. Or in a moment of quiet peace when I realize that, somehow, He’s working through me — even on the days I feel empty. Every vocation has its crosses. But it’s in carrying them that we find Christ — and in finding Christ, we find the strength to keep saying yes. #nationalvocationsawarenessweek

For 14 years, the boy had bounced between foster homes, believing he was unwanted. Today, he stood in court for the last time, and the judge gave him the news that changed his life. Judge Harrison had seen 14-year-old David's file cross his desk more times than he could count. "Failure to place," "Runaway risk," "Returned from foster home." For the last six months, after running away from a group home, David had been in a juvenile facility, wearing the standard-issue orange uniform. Today was supposed to be just another placement hearing. David stood before the judge, expecting to be told he was being moved to yet another facility. "David," Judge Harrison said, looking over his glasses. "I see here you've had a regular visitor for the last six months. A Mr. and Mrs. Gable." David tensed. The Gables were an older couple who had volunteered as mentors at the facility. They brought him books and just... talked to him. He figured they were just another assignment. "Well," the judge continued, "it seems they've filed some extensive paperwork." He paused, then took off his glasses. "David, they're not here today as mentors. They're here to finalize your adoption. This is your last day in the system." The boy just stared, his mind unable to process the words. "What... what do you mean?" The judge smiled, his voice thick with emotion. "I mean, you're going home, son. They're waiting outside for you." It was too much. The 14 years of fear, of loneliness, of believing he was the problem—it all broke at once. David's tough exterior shattered, and he just sobbed, his entire body shaking with a relief so deep it was painful. The bailiff looked on, unsure what to do. Judge Harrison, seeing a boy not as a case number but as a child finally being saved, stepped down from the bench. He didn't offer a handshake. He just opened his arms. David collapsed into the hug, clinging to the judge as if he were the only solid thing in the world. This photo, taken by his new mother from the courtroom door, wasn't a moment of judgment. It was the moment a boy finally found out he was loved

St. Charles Borromeo teaches us how to grow in holiness and live a virtuous life: Pray consistently. Do penance. Avoid distractions. Refrain from evil discussions and useless chatter. Maintain good and healthy friendships. Stay quiet with God this and every day.