NEW YORK. The untimely 2020 death of gifted actor Chadwick Boseman, aged only 43, was a blow to Hollywood in general and to the future of a potential “Black Panther” franchise in particular. As fans of that 2018 action adventure will recall, Boseman played its protagonist — so that his absence would necessarily require a significant shift of focus in any sequel.

La Palabra se hizo carne y habitó entre nosotros. Y nosotros hemos contemplado su gloria, gloria que recibe del Padre como Hijo único, lleno de gracia y verdad. - Juan 1, 14

COLORADO SPRINGS. Benedictine Sister Olive Therese Geiger died Nov. 28.

A vigil will take place Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. at Benet Hill Monastery. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Benet Hill, followed by interment in the monastery cemetery.

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only-begotten Son from the Father. -John 1:14

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Mass readings shift from the ministry of St. John the Baptist to the narrative of the birth of Jesus. This coming weekend we “prepare for landing” and brace ourselves for the amazing and scandalizing birth of Our Lord.