Week in review: December 11, 2009

Round two of our new recap of the week feature, and still no name?  Someone out there must have something! 

From around the web:  

• Nativity scenes [1] are my favorite Christmas decorations to see (and set up). [via Catholic Seeking [2]]
• We know Christmas isn't the only December holiday, but did you know about menorah parades [3]?
• Tuesday was Feast of the Immaculate Conception. [4] Or, as I like to call it, the Immaculate Misconception. Get it? It's about the conception of Mary, but everyone thinks it's about Jesus...
• Need more evidence of an ideological divide among Catholics?  The results of a Rutgers-Eagleton [5]Poll [5] conducted in early November were released this week and showed that nearly half (48%) of New Jersey Catholics support gay marriage, 40% oppose it, and 12% are undecided--something to take note of, no matter where you stand.
• What could unite us all? The shared sentiment that "it's not easy being green." [6] 
• Catholics may not believe in the Rapture [7], but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy a little Rapture kitch [8]!
• Yesterday was the anniversary of the death of Thomas Merton. America's James Martin shared a meditation [9] from past years.

 From our own pages:

• We also have a page dedicated to resources on Merton [10].
• I love this story [11] about the ever-growing nativity scene.
• Megan Sweas reminded us yesterday [12] that it was Human Rights Day ( the 61^st anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Human Rights [13]).
• Despite my love for new media, I cannot get comfortable with the idea of tweeting at a wedding--especially your own [14]!

 Photo credit: Julie Manzerova [15]