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Saint of the Day
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Faith Formation Update
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Saint of the Day — daily inspiration in your inbox

Our most popular Web feature since 1997 is now available free by e-mail! Learn about the lives of the saints one at at time, and be linked always to other saints resources, including a calendar and a list of patron saints. Even better, listen to a 90-second version of Saint of the Day from our own Franciscan Radio. It's all in your inbox every day.
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Catholic Greetings Premiere — new, free Catholic e-cards

Once a month, and on special occasions, Catholic Greetings Premiere comes to your inbox with links to new Catholic e-greetings from www.CatholicGreetings.org to send greetings for Sacraments, birthdays, holidays, celebrations and timely reminders of upcoming Catholic events.
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Minute Meditations — a quiet spot in your busy day

Peaceful, spiritual reflection that comes to your inbox at no cost. Drawing upon short, inspired thoughts from the popular books and periodicals of St. Anthony Messenger Press, the online edition of Minute Meditations brings directly to you a chance to take a moment from the daily hurry and worry to focus on the place of God in your life. Subscribe now!

Friar Jack's E-spirations

Each bimonthly free issue contains information and inspiration, and the latest happenings at AmericanCatholic.org "Friar Jack's Musings," on the message of St. Francis for today; and "Friar Jack's Catechism Quiz," a lively refresher course on Catholic basics.
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Catholic SAMPler — view free samples online!

Find out what's brand-new in the world of Catholic books, videos and audiotapes from St. Anthony Messenger Press (SAMP). Here's a new way to sample books, audios and videos, by simply clicking to view sample chapters and tables of contents, or listen to streaming media. We bring you new products, gift ideas for the season and resources to help you enrich your faith.
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Franciscan Radio

A radio ministry of the U.S. Bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign and the Franciscans, designed to help Catholics know their faith and grow in their faith, American Catholic Radio airs weekly throughout the country on Catholic radio stations. It also can be found at www.FranciscanRadio.org. Our bi-weekly e-newsletter highlights content from coming shows, two weeks out. Host Father Greg Friedman discusses his topics in his blog and alerts listeners and radio station staff to future projects. The e-newsletter is free and comes to your inbox every other week.
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Free E-Newsletters for Catechetical and Web Ministries

Faith Formation Update (for Catechetical leaders)

Help plan your religious-education and RCIA classes with our monthly free e-newsletter aimed at religious educators. Timed to work within the liturgical calendar, this newsletter will bring you ideas gleaned from experienced teachers.
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Web Catholic (for Web ministry leaders)

Improve your Web ministry with this free monthly e-newsletter exploring how Catholics use the Internet. Webmasters and communications professionals can keep up with what's new on the Web for Catholics and learn from their colleagues whose sites are featured. View past "Sites of the Month."
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Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary: The Church has celebrated Mary's birth since at least the sixth century. A September birth was chosen because the Eastern Church begins its Church year with September. The September 8 date helped determine the date for the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 (nine months earlier).
<p>Scripture does not give an account of Mary's birth. However, the apocryphal <i>Protoevangelium of James</i> fills in the gap. This work has no historical value, but it does reflect the development of Christian piety. According to this account, Anna and Joachim are infertile but pray for a child. They receive the promise of a child that will advance God's plan of salvation for the world. Such a story (like many biblical counterparts) stresses the special presence of God in Mary's life from the beginning.
</p><p>St. Augustine connects Mary's birth with Jesus' saving work. He tells the earth to rejoice and shine forth in the light of her birth. "She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley. Through her birth the nature inherited from our first parents is changed." The opening prayer at Mass speaks of the birth of Mary's Son as the dawn of our salvation and asks for an increase of peace.</p> Why do we speak of God as Father, Son and Spirit? God gives us the mystery of Mary the Immaculate Conception so that we will have the right way to approach all of reality. For everything that we do depends on how we conceive of things.

 
PICK OF THE DAY
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Sr. Briege McKenna reveals the transforming power of the sacraments!

 
CATHOLIC GREETINGS
Nativity of Mary
Send an e-card today to the women in your life who share the Blessed Mother's name or birthdate.



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