December 17, 2012. (Romereports.com) Benedict XVI visited the parish of St. Patrick on Sunday morning. The Catholic Church uses that time, the third Sunday of Advent, to invite Catholics to be joyful since Christmas is near. The Pope invited all Catholic faithful to feel Jesus' support, since God does not asks us to do extraordinary things.

BENEDICT XVI
“We should be happy that He is near, because his presence and understanding that He is besides us will bring us closer to the reality of God's kindness, the joy that He is with us.”

The Pope said Christmas helps bring out God's kindness, which, despite its rejection by mankind, remains close by and merciful.

BENEDICT XVI
“Let's ask God what he expects from us, what he wants us to do, and we being to understand that he doesn't expect extraordinary things from us, but to live an ordinary life in rectitude and kindness.”

The parish that the Pope visited opened nearly 50 years ago, but the permanent church was inaugurated in 2007. The Pope used his time to greet the catechists, the elderly and the sick. He also encouraged those present to continue working evangelize the neighborhood during this Year of Faith.


RCG
CTV
-VM
-BN