November 19.  Tracy shared,  “We have some Jewish children in our class at school and we asked them to explain some of their celebrations, traditions and practices with us. It is very interesting that most of their feasts are to do with something in their history, e.g. Passover is to do with their escape from slavery in Egypt. I like Hannukah,  the Festival of Light which celebrates victory over foreign rulers in their land that we are reading about in these books of the Maccabees. Imagine that the Jewish people have been celebrating this and their other feasts every year for more than 2000-3000 years, even before Christianity was born. It must be really important for them as the way not to lose their culture.”

In those days Judas and his brothers said “ behold our enemies are crushed, let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it.” All the army assembled and they celebrated the dedication of the altar, decorated the temple and offered burnt offerings and sacrifices of deliverance and praise with music and great gladness.   Then Judas and his brothers determined that every year at that season the dedication of the altar should be observed with gladness and joy for eight days. 1 Mac 4. Pope Francis:  In the face of the so-called culture of death, the family is at the heart of the culture life.  We first learn how to show love and respect for life; we are taught the proper use of things, order and cleanliness, respect for the local ecosystem and care for all creatures. In the family we receive an integral education which enables us to grow harmoniously in personal maturity. LS 213   Popular piety enables us to see how the faith, once received, become embodied in a culture and is constantly passed on.  EG 123.