Each innocent life lost in the December 2 violence in San Bernardino was precious.

Advent is a season of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. Every Christmas reminds us that God so loved the world that he sent his only son to be born as one of us, in order to redeem and renew creation.

Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) are vital programs that assist many thousands of needy children.

Here at home, as we get ready for Christ the King Sunday (Nov. 22) and the end of the Church year, it’s a good time to ponder these two events — the World Meeting of Families and the synod of bishops – and take strength from what they achieved.

I ask the clergy and people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to pray in a special way in the coming days for the families of all those killed in Paris.

As with any other family, life in a local Church goes on, even after a wonderful visit from the Pope and an important world synod of bishops. For most Catholics, faith is learned and lived at the parish level.

Como con cualquier otra familia, la vida en una Iglesia local continúa, incluso después de una maravillosa visita del papa y un importante sínodo mundial de obispos. Para la mayoría de los católicos, la fe es aprendida y vivida en el ámbito parroquial.

In less than a week I’ll be home in Philadelphia and hopefully – finally – back to the normal life of a great diocese. I use that word “great” deliberately. What makes Philadelphia unique is not its legacy, or industries, or universities, or cultural centers. All these things are important, but they’re just words until we remember the people who give them life.

En menos de una semana estaré en casa en Filadelfia y espero –finalmente– de regreso a la vida normal de una gran diócesis; uso deliberadamente la palabra «gran». Lo que hace único a Filadelfia no es su legado, o industrias o universidades o centros culturales. Todas estas cosas son importantes, pero son sólo palabras hasta que recordamos a las personas que les dan vida.

Throughout his recent visit to Philadelphia, Pope Francis showed great sensitivity to the beauty and challenges of everyday family life, and people rightly responded with gratitude and enthusiasm.