Features

The end of Daylight Savings has come upon us again! Many people favor the practice of the clocks being turned back an hour; you gain an extra hour of sleep! But you lose an hour of sunlight during the day. You see, Daylight Savings was created with the goal of making better use of the amount of light we have during the day. Recent controversy has taken place over the years because of its central idea: many believe that with the clocks being set back, there are more negative than positive aspects than was first anticipated. Studies suggest the phenomenon has more of an effect than we can see, including fatal health conditions and car accidents that increase because of the time change. Other cases show the demand for energy skyrocketing. Many argue over the efficiency daylight savings has today; we have advanced enough as a society that the traditional law has become unnecessary.

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead is a 2- day long celebration beloved by many. It originated in Mexico but is now celebrated all over the world. Dia de los Muertos is a tradition used to celebrate your ancestors and loved ones who have passed on. It is believed that the holiday will reunite the living and the dead. The first night of the celebration starts at midnight on November 1st and for the first 24 hours, we celebrate Dia de los Angelitos or Day of the little angels. People use this time to remember their children who have passed on. This is normally done by creating Ofrendas (offerings) or altars decorated with photos of their children, beautiful marigold flowers, candies, food that their children once loved, toys, and candles to show all the beautiful memories. People will also place decorations around their graves. It is believed that by doing this their children will come to be with them for those 24 hours. Then, on the second night, we celebrate Dia de los difuntos or Day of the adults. Like the night before they celebrate by putting up Ofrendas and beautifully decorating their graves. One of the most important things about the celebration is that it is a happy, joyous occasion, not a sorrowful one. There is dancing and music, face painting, dressing up, and great food. Dia de los Muertos is a beautiful reminder to keep our ancestors love and spirit alive and to be thankful for our families. 

Golden Mass is a big, exciting thing for Notre Dame and many others in our community. We have been celebrating Golden Mass since 1955. Golden Mass is a way for all Catholics and non-Catholics to get together and for more and more people to learn about the Catholic faith and the service we do. We celebrate Golden Mass a couple of days before Christmas. We enjoy taking the time to help those we love and are in need. Golden Mass is a great way to get to do plenty more acts of kindness and to connect with God while doing so. Mass is a great thing all around and many people enjoy and thrive on it.

The American Cancer Society says that on the Third Thursday of November each year we should plan to quit smoking. They call this day the “Great American Smoke Out." Anyone who smokes should be inspired to try to quit on this day. Quitting smoking can be very tough because nicotine and other products are very addictive, but the American Cancer Society has resources to help people understand the benefits of quitting and to get support when they try. Smokes have some extremely dangerous chemicals and metals that can destroy your lungs, heart, and especially brain. Smoking can cause cancer, heart disease, strokes, lung disease and diabetes. The best way to stop smoking is not to start. So many people have died from smoking when it can be easily avoided.