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Advent's message in a time of terror | For those of us who are Christians, respect a special calling in this season, when we long not for a narrowly defined celebration of our triumph—but for the very fulfillment of history, for all people, the true advent of peace on earth. (James Carroll, The Boston Globe)

Newsday series onpriest shortage:

The evolving face of the church | Shifting work to lay people, offering Communion services instead of Masses in some cases, the church will be doing things differently in the years to come. (Newsday)

The young and the righteous | New priests are conservative, yearning for the era before the Second Vatican Council, and say they want to "clean up" or reform the priesthood (Newsday)

Staffing with foreign priests | As American Catholic churches face clergy shortage, help comes from abroad (Newsday)

More work, fewer hands | Ministering alone is a situation that has become more common. And some priests are even leading two congregations. (Newsday)

In Belle Harbor, double disasters | Powerful moments for Brooklyn priests after September 11 (Newsday)

A shortage of priests | Downsizing is changing the structure and actions of the Roman Catholic Church (Newsday)

Finding recruits | The parish priest has always been a model for young men, encouraging many to enter the clergy. Now, with fewer priests, that system doesn't work as well. (Newsday)

Christian relief agencies:

Franklin Graham focuses on kids' gifts | Evangelist says ministry plans to ship thousands of boxes to Afghanistan (The Charlotte Observer)

Church World Service launches new identity | National Council of Churches relief agency wants to de-emphasize Christian identity, broaden appeal to "socially conscious people of all faiths and persuasions to take action toward the common goals of human rights, world peace, and ending hunger" (NCC News Service)

Vienna church celebrates Mercer's return | Hundreds crowd Vienna Presbyterian Church to hear aid worker's testimony (The Washington Post, video available)

Other stories of interest:

Losing faith and lots more | Mormons who quit the church find themselves ostracized by friends, co-workers and even families. Annual gathering offers support, shared experiences. (Los Angeles Times)

Sacred mysteries | A Christian group for prisoners called Kainos may be allowed to carry on after all, it emerged this week, but without funding from the Home Office (Christopher Howse, The Daily Telegraph)

D.C. clergy decry date of marathon | Palm Sunday event may delay worshipers (The Washington Post)

Church defends poster campaign | Diocese attempts to appeal to young people through references to drugs and body piercing. (BBC)

Baptism on the box | Television make-over shows offer the illusion of a new you—like a teenager's new year resolutions (Decca Aitkenhead, The Guardian)

Spiritual nation | Rock musicians find a higher calling through faith (The Boston Globe)

Finding sanctuary behind bay doors | Garage is church's home during exile (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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December (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45