Much rejoicing in Packerland last night. Their uniforms might represent “ordinary time,” but their second-half play proved to be extraordinary.

Was there any doubt? It would have made no sense for Time magazine to choose anyone other than Pope Francis as its Person of the Year. His words, actions and smile have touched people throughout the world and have helped them understand the term “Vicar of Christ.”

Reminder: Pope Francis turns 77 tomorrow, Dec. 17.

Where Midnight Mass is actually at midnight: Not only is Midnight Mass – liturgically speaking, Mass During the Night — at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist at midnight, but this year it is also being televised live by Channel 12. Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki will be the principal celebrant. I wonder if competing stations will counter-program with taped versions of the pope’s Mass from St. Peter’s Basilica and Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan’s Mass from St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Catholic quote of the week: In an interview with Andrea Tornielli of the Italian daily La Stampa and the website Vatican Insider, Pope Francis, responding to a question about women as cardinals, said, “…women in the church must be valued, not clericalized. Whoever thinks of women as cardinals suffers a bit from clericalism.”