We often miss Advent's power because these December weeks are full of preparations for Christmas.  Each year, the busyness of this season serves to distract us from having an Advent season that truly prepares us for the celebration of Christmas, with all its meaning. This site offers simple ways to enter into this Advent season, week by week, in the midst of our everyday lives. 

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ORIGIN AND PURPOSE OF OUR “FRATRES IN UNUM” GROUP

Following Vatican Council II perhaps the most progressive diocese in the United States was that of Oklahoma City-Tulsa.  After that Ecumenical Council, the diocese of Oklahoma City-Tulsa called together what they called the LITTLE COUNCIL.  Delegates were elected from each parish from around the entire state.  There were many young priests, and most were very proud of the idea of having elected representatives implement the theology, philosophy, and insights of Vatican II into the life of the Catholic parishes in Oklahoma.  The bishop of the era was Victor J. Reed who had his roots in the state and had served there as a parish priest prior to becoming our bishop.  He was permissive of new ways and experiments but not a firebrand.

But many of the laity were not so enthusiastic.  For instance, the diocesan newspaper was uniquely privately owned and edited by one of the more liberal priests and his articles were often at odds with the conservative leanings of a group of loudly opposed laity.  So before long the Little Council took aim at that paper, and it was no longer the official diocesan paper. The paper was sold, and the owner-editor moved to California to exercise his ministry. 

A LIFE LIVED: Reflections on Life, Love and the Human Condition by Someone Who Has Been There

by Hank Mattimore

Paperback
$10.95
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About the Author:
Hank Mattimore likes to sum his life in the words of an Old Afro American friend of his. “Life is a grow’n thing. Ya grows or yu dies”. This author has done a lot of “growi’n’” from his childhood days as the youngest of five kids born and raised in a Irish-Catholic neighborhood in South Buffalo, New York. His seminary years and eventual ordination to the priesthood as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate. His six years as missionary priest in Japan was life changing, opening his eyes to a culture and a people far different than he has ever experienced.
His “growin time” continued when still a priest, he volunteered to work as the white pastor of a mission in predominate black ghetto area in Florida. He loved the work and learned a new respect for the black community but after three years he found the celibate life of a priest too difficult to bear.
At 85 years of age, Hank Mattimore has done a lot of living. He hopes to continue his living and writing as long as he is able to because he keeps close to his heart the words of his old friend. “Life is grow’n thing. Ya grows or yu dies.”

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