A Space for Seeking and Deepening

Everyone's Call to be an Apostle

2010-11-02T13:16:00.000-04:00

AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Pontifical Mission Societies National Director hopes Mission Congress will “call all baptized Catholics to be missionaries”

Albuquerque (Agenzia Fides) – Tomorrow, October 28, 2010, marks the opening day for the Mission Congress 2010 entitled “God’s Mission, Many Faces: A Portrait of U.S. Catholics in Mission,” which will meet October 28-31, in Albuquerque, New Mexico (see Fides 14/10/2010). The congress will include panel discussions, group dialogue and workshops on topics ranging from mission work in the U.S. to global trends, mission in other traditions, ecumenical perspectives on mission, international missionaries serving in the United States and other issues.

The congress is sponsored by the Catholic Mission Forum, an umbrella organization of leading US Catholic mission organizations, including the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Monsignor John E. Kozar, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States has sent the following personal statement on the relevance of this Congress for the PMS and the entire Church: “We look forward to attending the Mission Congress in New Mexico, offering our gratitude to the United States Catholic Mission Association for bringing together those committed to the Church’s missionary work. We are particularly glad to participate in this meeting along with our valued collaborator, the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In our own efforts for mission animation, we continue to see many opportunities to highlight the Church’s mission ad gentes with Catholics in our country, especially in the area of social / new media and on our website. May our time together be fruitful in energizing us as we call all baptized Catholics to be missionaries, to share their faith, to be active participants in bringing Jesus’ ‘Good News’ to a waiting world!” (AR) (Agenzia Fides 27/10/2010)

World Mission Sunday 2010

2010-10-20T11:04:00.000-04:00

“We are all missionaries and together we can make a difference.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - As Catholics, we have a wonderful responsibility, by reason of our baptism, to bring about change for the good in our world. But in order to do that, we need to become aware of the necessity to bring about change, first of all in ourselves, and then in our local parish communities. This is what we are asked to do this by the Holy Father, because people today, either consciously or unconsciously wish for change and they also want “to see Jesus”.

This is part of the central theme of the message: “Building Ecclesial Communion is the key to Mission” for the celebration of World Mission Sunday on the 24th of October. It encourages all of us at diocesan and parish level as well as the Institutes of Consecrated Life, Ecclesial Movements, and the entire People of God, to renew our commitment to proclaim the Gospel and give pastoral activity a greater missionary character.

The Holy Father says that each one of us should enrich our lives by an ever-greater awareness of God’s unconditional love for us and its experience, which transforms our lives. Then through us, our ever more divided societies can be changed into an ecclesial communion. We do this by our own active and creative support within the community and by inviting others, so that together we may promote “a new humanism, founded on Jesus’ Gospel”. “He Himself tells us: “He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” (Jn 14:21). “It is only from this encounter with the Love of God that transforms our existence, that we can live in communion with Him and among ourselves and offer our brethren a credible testimony, giving reason for our hope (cf. 1 Pet 3:15)”.

Today people are searching for something different in the everyday confusion of our world and many of them want to “see Jesus”. As a Christian community we can, and should, give them witness of our hope, “but that cannot be fulfilled in a credible manner without a profound personal, communal, and pastoral conversion”. The messages goes on to thank missionaries for their witness and asks all of us to help to bring about an “integral renewal and to an ever greater openness to missionary cooperation among the Churches, to promote the proclamation of the Gospel in the heart of every person, every people, culture, race, nationality, in every place.”

As Secretary General of the Propagation of the Faith, I am privileged to promote this Mission Sunday of the Holy Father and I would like to thank everybody who is cooperating, with our National and Diocesan Directors, in the successful realization of our special Mission Solidarity Collection to be taken up on that day. As I travel through Zambia on this missionary month of October, I can see at first hand how our missionaries, who do great work, are grateful, and I can see how poorer local churches need our help. Together we are Church and we are missionary by reason of our baptism; we are all missionaries and together we can make a difference.

Know that your kindness, generosity and prayers truly make a difference and it is greatly appreciate as I can see here in Zambia how the money you gave last year has been put to good use. Our Local Churches throughout the world could not survive without your support. So let us, “in spite of our economic difficulties” give generously on this Mission Sunday and may we continue, as one family in mission, to achieve by “prayer, meditation on the Word of God, and study of the truths of the faith” an ever-greater awareness of God’s unconditional love for all of us as brothers and sisters. Fr. Timothy Lehane Barrett, SVD, Secretary General of the Propagation of the Faith (Agenzia Fides 20/10/2010)

U.S. Catholics in Mission

2010-10-14T09:20:00.000-04:00

Mission Congress 2010: “God’s Mission, Many Faces: A Portrait of U.S. Catholics in Mission”

Washington, DC (Agenzia Fides) – “God’s Mission, Many Faces: A Portrait of U.S. Catholics in Mission” is the theme of Mission Congress 2010, which will meet this October 28-31, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The congress will include panel discussions, group dialogue and workshops on topics ranging from mission work in the U.S. to global trends, mission in other traditions, ecumenical perspectives on mission, international missionaries serving in the United States and other issues.

This year’s congress will feature keynote addresses by Father Gary Riebe-Estrella, SVD, associated professor of practical theology and Hispanic ministry at the Catholic Theological Union and president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians (ACHTUS); Sister Janice McLaughlin, MM, president of the Maryknoll Sisters; and Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, president of Caritas International and past president of CELAM (Council of Latin American Bishops’ Conferences). At least 16 U.S. bishops are scheduled to attend the meeting and Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, USCCB vice-president, will open the 2010 Congress with a liturgy.

The Mission Congress meets every five years and this is its third edition. It is sponsored by the Catholic Mission Forum, an umbrella organization of leading US Catholic mission organizations, including the Pontifical Mission Societies. (AR) (Agenzia Fides 14/10/2010)

Links:
For more information
http://www.missioncongress.org/

Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization instituted

2010-10-13T10:58:00.000-04:00

VATICAN - Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization instituted: “The whole Church presents herself to the contemporary world with a missionary thrust capable of promoting a new evangelization.”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The Church has the duty to proclaim always and everywhere the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” These are the opening lines of the Apostolic Letter written in “motu proprio” entitled “Ubicumque et semper” of the Holy Father Benedict XVI with which he instituted the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization. Although it was made public today, the Letter is dated September 21, 2010, Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist.

Faithful to the mandate entrusted to her by the Lord prior to His Ascension to the Father, the Church since Pentecost “has never tired of making known to the whole world the beauty of the Gospel, proclaiming Jesus Christ, true God and true man...Hence, the evangelizing mission, continuation of the work desired by the Lord Jesus, is for the Church necessary and irreplaceable, expression of her very nature.”

“This mission has taken on in history ever new forms and modalities according to the times, the situations and the historical moments,” the Pope continues. “In our time, one of its singular features has been to be confronted with the phenomenon of estrangement from the faith, which has manifested itself progressively in societies and cultures that for centuries seemed permeated by the Gospel.” The Pope then cited the social transformations that in recent decades “have modified profoundly the perception of our world”: progress of science and technology, of the expansion of the possibilities of life and the areas of individual liberty, the profound changes in the economic field, the process of ethnic and cultural mixes caused by massive migratory phenomena, the growing interdependence among peoples. “All this has not happened without consequences also for the religious dimension of man's life,” highlights Benedict XVI. Along with the the undeniable benefits of these transformations there is also “a worrying loss of the sense of the sacred, even calling into question those foundations that seem indisputable.”

The II Vatican Council, and later Paul VI and John Paul II, reflected further “on the need to find adequate ways to enable our contemporaries to continue to hear the living and eternal Word of the Lord.” Thus, Benedict XVI proceeds: “Assuming, therefore, the concern of my venerable Predecessors, I consider it opportune to offer adequate answers so that the whole Church, allowing herself to be regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit, present herself to the contemporary world with a missionary thrust capable of promoting a new evangelization. The latter makes reference above all to the Churches of ancient foundation, which however, live very different realities, to which different needs correspond, which await different impulses of evangelization.”

It is precisely the diversity of the situations that call for an intent discernment, the Letter says. To speak of "new evangelization" does not mean, in fact, to have to elaborate a single equal formula for all the circumstances. “And yet, it is not difficult to realize what all the Churches need that live in traditionally Christian territories, which is a renewed missionary drive, expression of a new generous openness to the gift of grace.”

The Pontifical Council has several specific tasks: to reflect on the theological and pastoral meaning of the new evangelization; to promote and foster the study, diffusion and realization of the papal Magisterium related to topics connected with the new evangelization; to make known initiatives linked to the new evangelization already under way in the various particular Churches and to promote their new realization, involving actively also the resources present in the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, as well as the aggregations of faithful and in the new communities; to study and foster the use of modern forms of communication, as instruments for the new evangelization; to promote the use of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/10/2010)

Social Media in Three Easy Steps

2010-10-11T14:41:00.001-04:00

Image and Reality

2010-10-08T12:21:00.002-04:00

To Participants of a Congress on Catholic Press, sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, in an audience with Benedict XVI on October 7.

"Help your contempoaries to be oriented to Christ, only Savior, to keep burning the flame of hope in the world. Renew your personal choice for Christ, drinking from those spiritual resources that the worldly mentality underestimates, despite the fact they are valuable, more than that, indispensable.”

In his address, the Holy Father has revealed the profound transformations taking place in the world of mass media, especially with the development of new technologies and multimedia products, which “seems to call into question the role of the more traditional and consolidated media.” Today, in communications there is a growing emphasis on the world of images, and the Pope mentioned the risk that this implies: “image can also become independent of reality; it can give life to a virtual world, with several consequences, the first of which is the risk of indifference to truth...the recording of an event, joyful or sad, can be consumed as a spectacle and not as an occasion for reflection. The search for the paths of an authentic promotion of man then takes second place, because the event is presented primarily to arouse emotions. These aspects sound like an alarm bell: They invite consideration of the danger that the virtual draws away from reality and does not stimulate the search for the true, for the truth. In this context, the Catholic press is called, in a new way, to express to the heights its potential and to give a reason day in and day out for its mission that can never be given up.”

"The Christian faith has in common with communication a fundamental structure: the fact that the means and the message coincide; indeed, the Son of God, the Incarnate Word, is at the same time message of salvation and means through which salvation is realized...Moreover the Church, Mystical Body of Christ, present at the same time everywhere, nourishes the capacity of more fraternal and more human relations, being a place of communion among believers and, at the same time, a sign and instrument of everyone's vocation to communion.

After recalling that the press evokes “the value of the written word,” and that “the Word of God has come to ua and has been given to us through a book, the Bible. The word continues to be the fundamental instrument and, in a certain sense, the constitutive instrument of communication.”

“The communicative challenge is, for the Church and for all those who share her mission, very involved. Christians cannot ignore the crisis of faith that has come to society, or simply trust that the patrimony of the values transmitted in the course of past centuries can continue inspiring and shaping the future of the human family.”

He then concluded, saying: “whoever works in the media, if he does not wish to be 'a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal' (1 Corinthians 13:1) -- as Saint Paul would say -- must have well-rooted in himself the underlying option that enables him to deal with the things of the world placing God always at the top of the scale of values.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 8/10/2010)

Mission must start from the Eucharist and lead to the Eucharist

2010-10-05T11:48:00.000-04:00

VATICAN - “The call to mission...is addressed to all the baptized, an essential element of their vocation,” Benedict XVI tells Brazilian Bishops

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The call to mission is not directed exclusively to a restricted group of members of the Church; rather, it is an imperative addressed to all the baptized, an essential element of their vocation.”

In his address, the Pope praised the efforts made by the Bishops in these regions “to bring the Good News of Jesus to all corners of the Amazon jungle” and addressing certain critique regarding “violation of religious freedom” with claims of “imposing” the truth of the Gospel, he mentioned what Paul VI affirmed in Evangelii Nuntiandi (no. 80): “It would, of course, be a mistake to impose anything on the conscience of our brothers and sisters, but propounding knowledge of the truth of the Gospel and the salvation of Jesus Christ, with absolute clarity and full respect for the free choice of conscience (hence without coercion or dishonest persuasion), ... far from being an attack on religious freedom, is a homage to that freedom, which can choose a route that even non-believers consider noble and edifying. ... To present Christ and His kingdom in a respectful way, more than a right, is a duty of evangelization. It is likewise the right of his fellow men to receive from him the proclamation of the Good News of salvation.”

“The will to preach the Gospel is born from a heart that has fallen in love with Jesus, that ardently desires that more people can receive the invitation to attend the wedding feast of the Son of God." One of the central commitments of the Fifth Conference of Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Aparecida in 2007, was precisely to "raise awareness among Christians of the need to become disciples and missionaries," and that has enhanced the missionary dimension of Church, called to the Continental Mission.

The Holy Father mentioned Blessed José de Anchieta, "who made sure that the Word of God was spread among Indians and Portuguese alike," as an example to help local churches to find the most appropriate means for the training of missionary disciples in the spirit of the Conference of Aparecida. In his speech to the Brazilian Bishops, Benedict XVI continued to focus on the mission: "The mission cannot be limited to a mere search for new ways to make the Church more attractive and capable of overcoming the competition of other religious groups or relativist ideologies. The Church does not work for herself. She is at the service of Jesus Christ and exists to ensure the Good News is accessible to everyone. The Church is catholic precisely because she invites all human beings to experience new life in Christ. Mission, then, is neither more nor less than the natural consequence of the very essence of the Church, a service of the ministry of unity which Christ wished to achieve in His crucified body.”

The Pope warned of the possible weakening of the missionary spirit, which "may not be due, so much, to the limitations and weaknesses of the external forms of traditional missionary activity, as to having forgotten that the mission must be nourished by a deeper core. This core is the Eucharist. As the presence of the human and divine love of Jesus Christ, the Eucharist always implies a continual shift from Jesus to the people who are his members, who will themselves become Eucharist. In summary, to be truly effective, the Continental Mission must start from the Eucharist and lead to the Eucharist." (SL) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2010)

Links:
Full text of the speech of the Holy Father, in Portuguese
http://www.fides.org/por/documents/AdL_Brasile_04102010.doc

Scripture and the Mission

2010-09-30T12:09:00.000-04:00

The National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States (New York) recently launched two new websites: http://www.missioninscripture.org/ offers reflection on Sunday readings in light of our vocation to evangelize; http://www.preachingmission.org/ with homily suggestions for the same Sunday readings with an evangelization theme. Commentary for the coming Sunday is posted on both websites the preceding Monday. There are also mission-based insights on both websites for non-Sunday Liturgical celebrations, such as, for the feast days of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (October 1) and St. Francis Xavier (December 3), and Christmas. The websites have a direct link to related Scripture passages from the “readings” page of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website http://www.usccb.org/.

Authenticity & Truth in a Digital Age

2010-09-29T11:01:00.001-04:00

THEME FOR WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

VATICAN CITY, 29 SEP 2010 (VIS) - Made public today was the theme chosen by the Pope for the forty-fifth World Day of Social Communications: "Truth, proclamation and authenticity of life in the digital age". His Message for the Day will be published on 24 January 2011, feast of St. Francis of Sales, patron of journalism.
An English-language note released by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications explains that the theme is "to be understood as focusing on the human person who is at the heart of all communicative processes. Even in an age that is largely dominated, and at times conditioned, by new technologies, the value of personal witness remains essential.

"To approach the truth and to take on the task of sharing it", the note adds, "requires the 'guarantee' of an authenticity of life from those who work in the media, and especially from Catholic journalists; an authenticity of life that is no less required in a digital age.
"Technology, on its own, cannot establish or enhance a communicator's credibility, nor can it serve as a source of the values which guide communication. The truth must remain the firm and unchanging point of reference of new media and the digital world, opening up new horizons of information and knowledge. Ideally, it is the pursuit of truth which constitutes the fundamental objective of all those who work in the media".

Using Talents Online

2010-09-22T16:10:00.000-04:00

If we want more people to use the Internet for mission, we need to get more of our best teachers and preachers online. Look around, speak with your colleagues. Is there someone whom you can you invite to this important ministry? Go to them and make your case.
http://www.catholicwebsolutions.com/?p=357

Baptism Starts Mission

2010-09-20T11:36:00.000-04:00

BAPTISM IS THE START OF A CHRISTIAN'S MISSION

VATICAN CITY, JAN 9, 2005 “The mission of every Christian also begins with Baptism," said the Holy Father. The rediscovery of Baptism, through appropriate itineraries of adult catechesis, is thus an important aspect of the new evangelization. Renewing in a more mature fashion one's own adherence to the faith is the condition for a true and full participation in the Eucharistic celebration that is the summit of ecclesial life." ANG/BAPTISM/... VIS 050110 (210)

Papal Visit Live!

2010-09-17T11:34:00.001-04:00

Follow Pope Benedict LIVE as he journeys through the United Kingdom.

Live Streaming Video:
http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/The-Visit-Live

10 Suggestions for Using Social Media

2010-09-15T20:20:00.002-04:00

10 Suggestions for Using Social Media at Catholic Organizations
by Craig Berry
This is not an attempt to convince you that ‘Social Media’ is a worthwhile endeavor. I’m assuming you’ve already passed from denial into acceptance that this new form of communication is here to stay. Still, if you need convincing, try this and this.

Link here:
10 Suggestions for Using Social Media at Catholic Organizations – Social Media Management, Internet Marketing and Web-Based Strategies

Seek New Methods of Evangelization

2010-09-14T15:49:00.007-04:00

Seek New Methods of Evangelization

VATICAN CITY, 11 SEP 2010 (VIS) - At midday today Benedict XVI received participants in a congress for recently-consecrated bishops, regularly organised by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
The acceptance and the fruit of the proclamation of the Good News are closely linked to the quality of faith and prayer. Those called to the ministry of preaching must believe in the power of God which is released in the Sacraments and which accompanies them in their duty to sanctify, govern and announce. They must believe and live what they proclaim and celebrate.

You must not give in to pessimism and discouragement, because it is the Holy Spirit that guides the Church and gives her ... the courage to persevere and seek new methods of evangelization, so as to reach areas as yet unexplored.

The Christian truth, is attractive and persuasive because it responds to the profound need of human existence, convincingly announcing that Christ is the one Savior of all of man and of all humankind. This announcement remains valid today, just as it was at the beginning of Christianity when the first great missionary expansion of the Gospel took place.

The Internet a Millieu Shaping Us

2010-09-09T22:03:00.002-04:00

The Internet a Millieu Shaping Us

Globalization and Christian Hope

2010-09-07T20:18:00.001-04:00

VATICAN - Benedict XVI tells the youth: “In our age of globalization, be witnesses of Christian hope all over the world.”
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Christ is not a treasure meant for us alone; he is the most precious treasure we have, one that is meant to be shared with others. In our age of globalization, be witnesses of Christian hope all over the world. How many people long to receive this hope!” These are the words addressed by Benedict XVI to the youth of the entire world in his Message for the XXVI World Youth Day.

The Pope mentions that the upcoming World Youth Day will take place in Madrid, Spain, in August 2011, on the theme “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith" (cf. Col 2:7) and that it will be celebrated “at a time when Europe greatly needs to rediscover its Christian roots.” Part of being young is “desiring something beyond everyday life and a secure job, a yearning for something really truly greater...Because human beings are made in the image of God, we do this in a unique and special way. We reach out for love, joy and peace...In some parts of the world, particularly in the West, today’s culture tends to exclude God, and to consider faith a purely private issue with no relevance for the life of society.” The Pope warns of the “a growing mentality of relativism, which holds that everything is equally valid, that truth and absolute points of reference do not exist. But this way of thinking does not lead to true freedom, but rather to instability, confusion and blind conformity to the fads of the moment.”

Commenting on the text from St. Paul chosen as the theme of the World Youth Day: “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith" (cf. Col 2:7), the Pope notes that “grammatically all three terms in the original text are in the passive voice. This means that it is Christ himself who takes the initiative to plant, build up and confirm the faithful.” Benedict XVI then exhorts the youth to build their house on the rock, to try to follow Christ's word every day. “Listen to him as a true friend with whom you can share your path in life. With him at your side, you will find courage and hope to face difficulties and problems, and even to overcome disappointments and set-backs.”

In the cultural context in which we live today, “Indeed, there is a strong current of secularist thought that aims to make God marginal in the lives of people and society by proposing and attempting to create a 'paradise' without him. Yet experience tells us that a world without God becomes a 'hell': filled with selfishness, broken families, hatred between individuals and nations, and a great deficit of love, joy and hope. On the other hand, wherever individuals and nations accept God’s presence, worship him in truth and listen to his voice, then the civilization of love is being built, a civilization in which the dignity of all is respected, and communion increases, with all its benefits.”

Benedict XVI exhorts the youth to learn to “see,” to “meet” Jesus in the Eucharist, in the Sacrament of Penance, in the poor, the sick, in those in difficulty, in a personal dialogue with Him in faith, through reading the Gospels and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in prayer. “Our personal faith in Christ, which comes into being through dialogue with him, is bound to the faith of the Church. We do not believe as isolated individuals, but rather, through Baptism, we are members of this great family; it is the faith professed by the Church which reinforces our personal faith,” the Pope says. “There have been, and still are, many Christians who are living witnesses of the power of faith that is expressed in charity. They have been peacemakers, promoters of justice and workers for a more humane world, a world in accordance with God’s plan. With competence and professionalism, they have been committed in different sectors of the life of society, contributing effectively to the welfare of all... In the same way, if you believe, and if you are able to live out your faith and bear witness to it every day, you will become a means of helping other young people like yourselves to find the meaning and joy of life, which is born of an encounter with Christ!” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 4/09/2010)
Links:

Complete text of the Holy Father's Message, in English

http://www.fides.org/eng/documents/Msg_XXVI_GMG_ingl_04092010.doc

Complete text of the Holy Father's Message, in Spanish

http://www.fides.org/spa/documents/Msg_XXVI_GMG_spa_04092010.doc

Jesus the Christ e-Conference

2010-09-02T12:00:00.001-04:00

Meeting Jesus on the internet, E-Conference: “Jesus the Christ: Fully Human, Truly Divine”

Sydney (Agenzia Fides) – Fr. Gerald O'Collins SJ will be the headline speaker at the Broken Bay Institute's next National E-Conference, 'Jesus the Christ: Fully human, Truly divine', on Thursday 16 September 2010. The e-conferences began in 2009, and have proved an innovative new way to bring Catholic communities across Australia together for groundbreaking talks from renowned international and local speakers. Communities across the country have hosted the talks via internet feed. These gatherings can follow the talks online, and then participate in sharing and discussion among themselves, and send email questions direct to the speakers. Previous e-conferences have explored the Year of St Paul, St Luke, and Mary - First Disciple. The latest focuses on the central figure of our faith, Jesus Christ. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 1/9/2010 )
Links:
http://jesus.vividas.com/

Real Faith. Real Radio.

2010-09-01T12:13:00.001-04:00

Catholic Radio Network

GRN Alive, part of the Guadalupe Radio Network, is a live Catholic radio show broadcasting every Monday night from 8-9pm Central Standard Time. Our studios are located in San Antonio, Texas. Listen to us old school (KJMA 89.7 FM in South Texas) or new school (via the 'Listen Live' link above).
You are a vital part of GRN Alive, because our cast and crew created this show for you. We want to know what drives you crazy, what makes you laugh so hard that your drink shoots out your nose, where you love to hang out, your big 'what if' questions, and the YouTube video you can't get enough of. Call us live, send an email, leave a voicemail, write on our wall, text us (210.646.4GRN), tweet us, or leave a comment on the front page blog. Let's make radio fun again.

GRNAliveRadio.com | Real Faith. Real Radio.

New Media and Evangelization

2010-08-29T15:32:00.000-04:00

Blessed James Alberione is known as "the first apostle of the new evangelization" John Paul II. Following are his original writings on what was new media in his time, the press, and then an update of his reflections showing how Pauline Spirituality (Paul alive today) is perennial in addressing the needs of today and the means that brings gospel healing and hope to each person:

The Press - Program from Donec Formatur, 1932 (James Alberione)To write: it is to preach, to comment on, to popularize, and to apply to life the Holy Gospel. Just as God spoke and wrote, just as Jesus Christ spoke and made others write, just as the Apostles spoke and wrote. The printed preaching is in a better position, in its principal part, to reach all.
To print: Herein technology is embraced in order to make things faster, better, independently. It is the preparation of the elements, scientific organization, typesetting, printing, and binding. In this, it is not an art, not an industry, but utilizes industry; and raises art and industry to the height of apostolate.
Diffusion: let it reach everywhere, to all, according to needs. a) The nature of the needs determines the nature of the initiative. b) The aim is to reach all, including those who have access to the Church.
New Media - Program (Charismatic Language Update 2010)
To write: it is to preach, to review, to write scripts, radio programs, articles, to write blogs to use social media and marketing, to apply to life the Holy Gospel. Just as God spoke and wrote, just as Jesus Christ spoke and made others write, just as the Apostles spoke and wrote. Media preaching is in a better position, in its principal part, to reach all.
To create: Herein technology is embraced in order to make things faster, better, independently. It is the preparation of the elements, scientific organization, e-books, apps, printing, and books on demand, html, websites, and videos. In this, it is not an art, not an industry, but utilizes industry; and raises art and industry to the height of apostolate.
Diffusion: let the Word of God reach everywhere, to all, according to needs and in the language of the medium employed a) the nature of the needs determines the nature of the initiative. b) The aim is to reach all in whatever way and in whatever place people are in today’s global society.

Jesus' New Lifestyle

2010-08-25T18:34:00.000-04:00

As the Apostle Paul demonstrated the authenticity of his apostolate with the persecutions, the wounds and the torments suffered (cf. 2 Corinthians 6-7), so persecution is also proof of the authenticity of our apostolic mission. But it is important to recall that the Gospel "takes shape in human consciences and hearts and expands in history only in the power of the Holy Spirit" (John Paul II, encyclical "Dominum et Vivificantem," 64) and the Church and missionaries have been made ideal by him to fulfill the mission entrusted to them (cf. Ibid., 25). It is the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Corinthians 14) who unites and preserves the Church, giving her the strength to expand, filling Christ's disciples with an overflowing wealth of charisms. It is from the Holy Spirit that the Church receives the authority for the proclamation and the apostolic ministry.

Because of this, I wish to strongly reaffirm what I already said in regard to development (cf. "Caritas in Veritate," 79), that is, that evangelization needs Christians with arms raised to God in a gesture of prayer, Christians moved by the awareness that the conversion of the world to Christ is not done by us, but is given. The missionary endeavor requires an ever more profound union with him who is the One Sent by God the Father for the salvation of all; it requires sharing that "new lifestyle" that was inaugurated by the Lord Jesus and that the Apostles made their own (cf. Address to the Participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Congregation for the Clergy, March 16, 2009).

The Real Facebook

2010-08-20T16:05:00.001-04:00

How is it possible to return to people's faces today?" asked Benedict XVI. Quoting from his own Encyclical "Caritas in veritate", he explains how the media can have a civilising effect "not only when, thanks to technological development, they increase the possibilities of communicating information, but above all when they are geared towards a vision of the person and the common good that reflects truly universal values.

To achieve goals of this kind, they need to focus on promoting the dignity of persons and peoples, they need to be clearly inspired by charity and placed at the service of truth, of the good, and of natural and supernatural fraternity.

Only in these conditions can the epoch-making change we are experiencing be rich and fruitful in new opportunities. ... More than by our technical resources, necessary though they are, we wish to identify ourselves by inhabiting the [digital] universe with a believing heart which helps to give a soul to the endless flow of communications on the Internet.

This is our mission, the indispensable mission of the Church. The task of all believers who work in the media is that of 'opening the door to new forms of encounter, maintaining the quality of human interaction, and showing concern for individuals and their genuine spiritual needs. They can thus help the men and women of our digital age to sense the Lord's presence'".

What Works: Gossip - Busted Halo

2010-08-16T14:55:00.001-04:00

follow link for full article:
What Works: Gossip - Busted Halo
This is nothing new. In the Middle Ages, instead of Perez Hilton, its purveyors were roving minstrels (the French medieval term jongleur actually means “gossip”), but people have always been attracted to lurid news. I think it’s worse now because of the information age — the obsessive focus on information to create an illusion of control.

Need Faith? There's an App for That

2010-08-10T12:31:00.000-04:00

Need Faith? There's an App For That

The Daughters of St. Paul, who run the Pauline Books and Media Center in Manhattan, are among the many Catholic groups using social media like Facebook and ...

www.cny.org/archive/ld/ld1072910.htm

Faith by Phone
Below is a list of some Catholic apps available for download, along with the Web site addresses for more information.
The Vatican: Vatican Observatory Foundation iPhone app, "Daily Sermonettes with Father Mike Manning," features Father Manning, author and television personality from "The Word in the World," which runs on Trinity Broadcasting Network, and his daily reflections inspired by Scripture. http://www.dailysermonettes.com/
Daughters of St. Paul: "Saint a Day" app, which features short meditations each day and a listing of saint's biographies, and "Rosary" app, featuring an audio rosary, slideshows for inspiration and music selections for praying the Rosary. www.pauline.org

Magnificat: "Daily Prayer" app, featuring morning, evening and night prayers inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours, and readings and prayers for each daily Mass. www.magnificat.com

Ave Maria Press: "Stations of the Cross" app, features a prayer companion based on Pope John Paul II's Bible-based interpretation of the stations. Available in iPhone and iTunes App Store.

Touched by the Gospel

2010-08-04T14:18:00.002-04:00

In the years since entering the Daughters of St. Paul, I’ve served in our communications apostolate in Boston, New York City, and Toronto, both in our publishing house and in our Pauline Books & Media Centers. I studied theology and philosophy and graduated with a B.A. in English Communications from Emmanuel College in 2008. I’ve spent time with our sisters in Venezuela, Brazil, and Italy, and had the opportunity to meet other Daughters of St. Paul from all around the world, all engaged in the same mission — to bring the good news of the Gospel to everyone through the media. Today, I serve in our publishing house in Boston, Pauline Books & Media, as a children’s book editor. It is a service filled with endless creative possibilities, as I work and pray that young people will be touched by the Gospel and find in Jesus their true friend.
Click here for the whole article:
Youngstown native to make final vows

Prayer in a Digital Age

2010-08-03T12:08:00.001-04:00

Prayer of an Evangelizer in the Digital Age

Oh, Lord my God and my Creator, source of all things, I adore you and offer you each breath, each heart beat, each drop of blood that flows in my body, each moment as an act of love and surrender, in abandonment to you for your glory and the salvation of all people.

You are my Father and Savior. You are all good, merciful, compassionate, tender, passionate Lover of all humankind. You can do all things and you care for all your creatures. You have led people to discover the secrets of creation, especially in the media of social communication with their wondrous capacity of reaching out to the whole world in split seconds. And you have called me, [ as a Daughter of St. Paul,] to be an apostle in this digital age. Through the electronic signals I can send a message of love: I can send the message of Jesus who is Truth, Way, Life. You have called me to be a beam, a little signal shooting out to the universe, carrying Jesus and the message of his Father’s love for us all. This beam, this signal, runs through the atmosphere and consecrates the air and the electronic waves as it circles the earth in a never ending way that enables the Holy Gospel to reach millions upon millions of your sons and daughters in all the nations of the earth. We fulfill, in ways unknown to other generations, your command to “go out to the whole world and tell the Good News!”

I offer you, in union with Jesus through whom you created the universe, each fiber of paper, each pixel of the computer, each and every transmission generated by mankind’s ingenuity through these devices; each sound, each image. I offer every atom of all that exists back to you as acts of love and gratitude for the praise of your glory and the good of the vast human family.

Bless me and receive my love and gratitude, my promise to respect and use the communications media only for your glory and the salvation of everyone. Amen.
Written by Sr. Sharon Anne Legere, fsp, August 1, 2010

Anne Rice & the Church Home for all Peoples

2010-07-31T11:59:00.006-04:00

Benedict XVI Prayer Intentions for August and Anne Rice's Statement of Leaving Christianity

"That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties. That the Church may be a 'home' for all people, ready to open her doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries".

While this intention has been send out across the social media sphere Anne Rice, the author of vampire stories, a two volume Life of Jesus and a new metaphysical series, has sent out her own statement of disbelief. I attended a Christmas party hosted by Anne about three years ago. She was a gracious host and she was living this prayer intention for a "home for all people..." This was a faithfilled reponse to the One who opened his heart and gave his life for all of us irregardless of our failures, sins, pride, wealth, poverty.

Anne could be considered a sincere seeker. The important thing for all of us seekers to remember is that we are not the one's who are seeking. God is coming toward us. Many mystics and saints experienced this reality of God's approach through darkness, suffering, misunderstanding, and confusion. How do we allow God to come close? Can we even "allow" God to come close? We have the gift of a free will to respond to God and God's love is not conditioned by our response. So we can "allow" God to come close. Jesus showed us what that looks like. In the Beatitudes Jesus calls blessed all those who respond, and tells us what following him in this response will look like (Matthew, Chapter 5). The Beatitudes encourage us, as Christians, to open our home and hearts to all people. Embracing these beatitudes, as signs of what a "new heart" looks like, we embrace Christ.

The world may not be ready to receive the gospel because it doesn't look like good news. To be honest each of us are a tagline and the slogan for the gospel - and that is humbling since we are going to remain imperfect bearers of the image of Christ. Followers of Christ won't "fit in" not because they are exclusive or prone to judgement, not because they follow certain rules that don't make sense - Christians are called to live the life of Christ: poor materially and/or spiritualy, groaning and mourning, as does all of creation, waiting for fulfillment, powerless, hungering and thirsting for being in right relation with God and others, merciful, living from a pure heart, bringing about reconcilation, persuing commuion and persecuted.

Our spiritual life as Christians is not "how did I do" or "what degree of prayer am I in now." It is not focused on us. It is about Christ. We are in Christ, we are a new creation, so we can "rejoice and be glad" even as we enter into the stuggle of kenosis - until it is Christ who lives, not I (Gal. 2:20). Anne is called, as are each us, to love as God loves. Jesus shows us what God's love looks like and what leads to the promise of blessedness. God has a passion to connect, a desire for relationship with us. The church as the body of Christ seeks together to deepen this relationship: "Amen," (meaning "I put my trust in you God. I take my stand here") "Teach me how to respond to your love."

You Are Never Alone

2010-07-27T12:23:00.000-04:00

One Who Prays is Never Alone

The disciples asked Christ to teach them how to pray. Jesus raised no objections, He used no strange or esoteric formulae but with great simplicity said: 'When you pray, say: Father ... And he taught them the Our Father.

This prayer also comprehends and expresses the material and spiritual requirements of human beings. ... And precisely because of our everyday needs and difficulties, Jesus exhorts us: ... 'Ask and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you'.

This is not a request for our own desires to be satisfied, but for our friendship with God to be kept alive. This was the experience of the ancient Desert Fathers, and of contemplative people in all times who, through prayer, became friends of God. In this context he quoted words of St. Teresa of Avila who encouraged her nuns to "beseech God to deliver us from these perils for ever and to keep us from all evil! And although our desire for this may not be perfect, let us strive to make the petition. What does it cost us to ask it, since we ask it of One Who is so powerful?"

Each time we pray the Our Father, our voice mingles with the voice of the Church, because one who prays is never alone. ... May the Virgin Mary help us rediscover the beauty and profundity of Christian prayer.
Benedict XVI

Listening to the Word: Lectio Divina

2010-07-20T11:52:00.002-04:00

Without love, even the most important activities lose value and fail to bring joy. Without profound meaning, whatever we do is simply activism, fruitless and haphazard. And who gives Love and Truth if not Jesus Christ?

Reflecting on Luke 10: 38-42, we read that Martha and Mary welcome Jesus into their home giving first place to what is effectively most important in life, listening to the Word of God, There is no scorn for active life, and certainly no scorn for generous hospitality; instead this gospel reminds us that the only thing, really necessary, is other: listening to the Word of the Lord; and the Lord, at that moment was there, present in the Person of Jesus! Everything else will pass away, it will be taken from us, but the Word of God is eternal and gives meaning to our daily activity. (Cf. Bendedict XVI)
Have you prayed the Word through Lectio Divina? Follow this link to divine reading of God's Word. Daily read God's word, said a Rabbi, when your heart breaks the Word falls in.

http://gospellives.blogspot.com/ (Gospel Lives in Me).

Life in Christ Jesus

2010-07-19T13:39:00.001-04:00

Fr. James from the Apostleship of Prayer talks about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Worlds Oldest Illustrated Bible Found

2010-07-13T15:02:00.001-04:00

The world's earliest illustrated Christian book has been saved by a British charity which located it at a remote Ethiopian monastery.
The incredible Garima Gospels are named after a monk who arrived in the African country in the fifth century and is said to have copied them out in just one day.
Beautifully illustrated, the colours are still vivid and thanks to the Ethiopian Heritage Fund have been conserved.
Abba Garima arrived from Constantinople in 494 AD and legend has it that he was able to copy the gospels in a day because God delayed the sun from setting.

Gospel in Everyone's Hearts

2010-07-10T22:35:00.000-04:00

There is a new "movement" in the 21st century that is just developing. Pope Benedict speaks about it as well. It is the understanding that not only are we able to grow but that our growth as humans calls us to greater solidarity (from I to we or I-Thou), self-giving (emptying of self ), recognition that the indwelling Spirit- love has been poured into our hearts (Romans). The broader message of this movement has Christian overtones and sounds new since it is bringing the language of deeper spiritual life and practice, ie. dying to self, and loving others as yourself, into the common arena.

This message is something we already have as a gift. Maybe when it becomes a movement in the Western world more people will remember that it has been there all along. We will be called upon to speak of what we already know and take the basket off of the burning light of the gospel so that all can see and rejoice.

"From its origins, Christian people have clearly recognized the importance of communicating the Good News of Jesus to those who do not yet know Him. In recent years the anthropological, cultural, social and religious framework of humanity has changed; today the Church is called to face new challenges and is ready to dialogue with different cultures and religions, seeking ways to build peaceful coexistence, along with all people of good will. The field of the 'ad gentes' mission appears much broader today, and can no longer to be defined on the basis of geographic considerations alone. Indeed, it is not only non-Christian peoples and distant lands that await us, but also social and cultural milieux and, above all, human hearts which are the real goal of the missionary activity of the People of God." Benedict XVI

Preparation for the new evangelization is prayer, silent contemplation, going out toward others. Prayer is of the heart, in the Liturgy, in the home, with words, with praise, with petition. Silent contemplation is centering prayer, can begin with the rosary, may be sitting and waiting on the hands of our Master, Jesus. Going out towards others is being there with others without judgement, treating others as we treat ourselves, visiting the sick, the imprisoned. Living the gospels through the gift of grace through Jesus in the Spirit is evangelization. In the gospels we will find all of the instructions for facing the new challenges and entering into dialogue with others in the various ways we encounter each other today.

Evangelization Exchange

2010-07-06T14:17:00.001-04:00

Paulist newsletter for evangelization:
http://idevmail.americaneagle.com/message.aspx?d=203&m=519&e=Mkerry@paulinemedia.com&r=16071

Real Issue of Evangelization

2010-07-05T14:13:00.000-04:00

"How many times do you ask yourself the great question: where is humanity heading, how is it moving, toward what goal is it aiming as it continually renews itself on the face of the earth? Humanity is like a great river flowing into eternity. Will it be saved? Will it be lost forever?" (Blessed James Alberione, Founder of the Pauline Family)

The real issue of evangelization in our time ruled by the technological mindset, especially in the communication field, is to proclaim Christ as challenging the presumption of human pride and self-sufficiency by the fact that he, as the incarnate Word and Son of God, is the only Master, the Way, the Truth and the Life for all humanity. (Sr Veritas Grau, fsp)

Challege of Evangelization & St Paul

2010-07-01T14:35:00.000-04:00

Blessed Alberione took up the Challenge of the New Evangelization

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “There are regions in the world that still wait for a first evangelization; others that received it but need more profound work; others still in which the Gospel put down roots a long time ago, giving place to a true Christian tradition, but where in the last centuries -- with complex dynamics -- the process of secularization has produced a grave crisis of the sense of the Christian faith and of belonging to the Church.” These were the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI during the Celebration of First Vespers for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, which he presided in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls on the afternoon of June 28.

Near the sepulcher of St. Paul I repeat: The Church is an immense force of renewal in the world, not because of her strength, but because of the force of the Gospel, in which the Holy Spirit of God breathes, the God Creator and Redeemer of the world. The challenges of the present age are certainly beyond human capacities; they are the historical and social challenges, and with greater reason, the spiritual challenges...Man of the third millennium also desires an authentic and full life, he has need of truth, of profound liberty, of gratuitous love.

Also in the deserts of the secularized world, man's soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Because of this John Paul II wrote: 'The mission of Christ the Redeemer, entrusted to the Church, is still very far from its fulfillment,' and he added: 'a look on the whole of humanity demonstrates that such a mission is still at the beginning and that we must commit ourselves with all our strength to its service' (Redemptoris Missio,1).”

Re-Evangelization

2010-06-30T14:35:00.001-04:00

POPE CREATES A DEPARTMENT FOR NEW EVANGELIZATION

VATICAN CITY, 28 JUN 2010 (VIS) - This evening in the Roman basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls, the Holy Father presided at first Vespers for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul Apostles.

The ceremony was attended by a delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, sent by His Holiness Bartholomew I and composed of His Eminence Gennadios (Limouris), metropolitan of Sassima; His Eminence Bartholomaios (Ioannis Kessidis), bishop of Arianzos and assistant to the metropolitan of Germany, and Deacon Theodoros Meimaris of the patriarchal see of Fanar.

In his homily the Pope reflected on the Church's missionary vocation. He began by recalling how Servant of God Giovanni Battista Montini, when elected as Peter's Successor, "chose the name of the Apostle of the Gentiles". In the year 1974 "he called an assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme of evangelisation in the modern world, and about a year later published the Apostolic Exhortation 'Evangelii nuntiandi'".

Turning then to consider the figure of the Venerable John Paul II, Benedict XVI highlighted how, "with his apostolic trips and the insistence of his Magisterium on the urgent need for a 'new evangelisation', he was the living embodiment of the missionary nature of the Church. ... It is obvious to everyone that my predecessor gave extraordinary impulse to the mission of the Church, not only because of the distances he covered, but above all because of the genuine missionary spirit that moved him and that he left us as inheritance at the dawn of the third millennium.

"Taking up this inheritance", the Pope added, "at the beginning of my Petrine ministry I affirmed that the Church is young, she is open to the future. And I repeat as much today at the tomb of St. Paul: the Church is an immense force for renewal in the world, not by her own power but by the power of the Gospel".

"The challenges of the present are certainly beyond human capacities", said the Holy Father. "Not only is there physical hunger, there is also a more profound hunger which only God can satisfy. Man in the third millennium also seeks an authentic and full life; he needs truth, profound freedom and gratuitous love. Even in the deserts of the secularised world man's soul thirsts for God, for the living God".

Benedict XVI pointed out that "there are regions of the world that still await their first evangelization while others have already received it but need more profound attention. In others again, the Gospel has long standing roots and has given rise to an authentic Christian tradition but - over recent centuries and following complex dynamics - the process of secularisation has led to a serious crisis of meaning in Christian faith and in membership of the Church".

And he went on: "It is in this perspective that I have decided to create a new organisation, in the form of a Pontifical Council, with the fundamental task of promoting renewed evangelization in countries where the first announcement of the faith has already been heard and where there are Churches of ancient foundation, but where a progressive secularisation of society is being experienced, a kind of 'eclipse of the meaning of God'". These countries, he said, "are a challenge to us to find the adequate means to re-present the perennial truth of the Gospel of Christ".

The Holy Father concluded by affirming that "the challenge of the new evangelization calls to the universal Church, it asks us to remain committed to the search for full unity among Christians. In this context, one eloquent sign of hope are the reciprocal visits between the Churches of Rome and of Constantinople on the feasts of their respective patrons. For this reason we today welcome, with renewed joy and recognition, the delegation sent by Patriarch Bartholomew I".

Freedom and Love

2010-06-28T13:27:00.001-04:00

FREEDOM AND LOVE COINCIDE IF WE ABANDON ALL FOR CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, 27 JUN 2010 (VIS) - The Pope focused his remarks prior to praying the Angelus on this last Sunday of June to the theme of the call of Christ and the requirements it brings.

Addressing thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope said that "a young man or young woman who leave their family, their studies or their work to consecrate themselves to God" represent "a living example of the radical response to the divine vocation".

"One of the most beautiful experiences a person can have in the Church is that of being able to see and touch the work of the Lord in people's lives, of experiencing the fact that God is not some abstract entity, but a reality so great and strong as to fill man's heart to overflowing; a living Person Who is close to us, Who loves us and asks to be loved".
Benedict XVI highlighted how the requirements for following Christ "may seem very harsh, but in reality they express the novelty and absolute priority of the Kingdom of God which is present in the Person of Jesus Christ. They are, in the final analysis, the radical commitment that is due to the Love of God, which Jesus Himself was the first to obey".

"A person who renounces everything in order to follow Christ enters a new dimension of freedom", he continued. "Freedom and love are the same thing, while obeying one's own egoism leads to rivality and conflict".

The Holy Father concluded by inviting everyone "to contemplate the mystery of the divine-human Heart of the Lord Jesus. ... People who fix their gaze on that Heart, pierced and ever open with Love for us, feel the truth of the following invocation: 'Be you, my Lord, my only good', and are ready to abandon everything in order to follow the Lord".

After praying the Angelus, the Pope recalled how in Lebanon this morning a beatification ceremony was held for Etienne (ne Joseph) Nehme, religious of the Lebanese Maronite Order who lived in Lebanon between the end of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. "My heartfelt congratulations go to our Lebanese brothers and sisters", he said, "and with great affection I commend them to the protection of the new blessed".

"On this Sunday which precedes the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul Apostles", the Holy Father concluded, "Italy and other countries are celebrating the Day of the Pope's Charity. I express my gratitude to people who, with prayer and offerings, support the apostolic and charitable activity of Peter's Successor, in favour of the universal Church and of so many of our brothers and sisters, both near and far".

Scripture and Eucharist

2010-06-19T11:35:00.001-04:00

Sacred Scripture and the Eucharist: -life-blood of Christian life
The initiative of encouraging “Regular reading of Holy Scripture and devout Eucharistic Adoration” was launched at the beginning of this year 2010 in the parish of Xiao Dian, diocese of Tai Yuan, Shan Xi province. According to a report sent to Fides Agency, on Sundays before Mass priests help the faithful to read the Scripture readings of the day, share impressions, while the priests explain the meaning and answer questions. On every important Liturgical feast day the parish community participates in Eucharistic Adoration for an hour before a solemn Mass. The parish priest said this “is a way of living the life of faith, fostering deeper devotion and respect for the Holy Eucharist and learning to put total trust in the Lord Jesus”. In fact “Sacred Scripture and the Eucharist are the life-blood of our Christian life ”. Every liturgical solemnity is an opportunity for the parish to organise community adoration and a procession with the Blessed Sacrament. Our faithful have adopted the good habit of reading the Bible together also before week day Mass. In this way, the parish priest concluded, “we help those who have little time for reading the Bible alone, to become more familiar with Holy Scripture, to reflect more deeply and grow ever closer to the Lord”. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides)

Personal Gospel: Jesus

2010-06-03T11:59:00.001-04:00

VATICAN - The true meaning and purpose of any genuine missionary journey: to give people the living and personal Gospel, the Lord Jesus Himself

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – "In the Virgin Mary who goes to visit her relative Elizabeth, we recognize the clearest example and the truest meaning of our way as believers and the way of the Church herself. The Church is missionary by nature, called to proclaim the Gospel everywhere and always, to transmit the faith to every man and woman, and in every culture." These were the words spoken by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on the evening of May 31, before the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens, at the end of the celebration held for the closing of the Month of May. Referring to the liturgy of the day, the feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, the Pope said that "Mary's is a true missionary journey. It is a journey that leads her far from home, leading her into the world, in places foreign to her daily activities; it makes her reach, in a sense, to the very ends of where she can reach. It is precisely here, for ourselves as well, wherein lies the secret of our lives as mankind and as Christians. Our existence, as individuals and as a Church, is a life that is projected outside of us. As was the case with Abraham, we are asked to come out of ourselves, emerge from the places wherein lies our security, to go towards others, into diverse places and environments. It is the Lord who asks us... It is always the Lord who, on this path, places Mary beside us as a traveling companion and caring mother."

According to St. Luke the Evangelist, Mary stayed with Elizabeth, now elderly, for nearly three months, "in order to offer her an affectionate assistance, a concrete help and all those daily services she needed. Elizabeth became the symbol of so many elderly and sick, indeed, of all people in need of help and love," said the Holy Father. However, Mary's love "reaches its highest point in giving Jesus Himself, as Luke points out: "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb" (Lk 1:41). The Pope then continued: "We thus arrive at the heart and summit of the mission of evangelization. We have reached the truest meaning and the most genuine purpose of any missionary journey: to give people the living and personal Gospel, the Lord Jesus Himself. This is implies a communication and a donation which, as evidenced by Elizabeth, fills the heart with joy ... Jesus is the true and only treasure that we must give humanity. It is for Him that the men and women of our time have a deep longing, even when they seem to ignore or reject Him. He is the one that the society in which we live, Europe, and the entire world have such a great need of.”

Benedict XVI concluded his speech by stressing that "we are entrusted with this extraordinary responsibility" and urging all to live it “with joy and commitment, so that our civilization is really a civilization in which truth, justice, freedom, and love reign as the fundamental and indispensable pillars of a truly orderly and peaceful coexistence." (SL) (Agenzia Fides 01/06/2010)

Painting by (c) Sr Julia Mary, fsp

Conference on Migration

2010-06-02T18:11:00.000-04:00

Migrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking: people like ourselves, human beings with a name, hopes and dreams, fears and disappointments

Washington (Agenzia Fides) - “The starting point for ministering to migrants, refugees, trafficked persons is to understand their situation and all its components, personal, social, economic, political in the light of God’s Word and to recognize its commitment to get involved. Naturally it also has to address those factors that cause their uprootedness. In this commitment the Church is guided by the 'permanent principles' of its 'social doctrine [that] constitute the very heart of Catholic social teaching.'” This was affirmed today by the President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, Archbishop Antonio Maria Veglio, in his opening speech at the Regional Consultation of the American Bishops' Conferences on Migration being held in Washington, DC, June 2-4, on the theme: “Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice.” The Consultation is focusing on responding better to the needs of migrants and refugees in the Americas, confronting the deeper causes of migration through a more efficient coordination of services, pastoral care, and advocacy policies.

Archbishop Veglio pointed out that the United States is home to 38 million immigrants and “the USA has been shaped by the efforts of migrants, in former days but also nowadays. Many immigrants arrive to the U.S. with economic goals, expectations and their contribution. Migrants have become essential for the US economy. They make up a large part of the national workforce.” However the changes seen in society – the rapid growth in the Spanish language spoken in the churches, pastoral work that largely depends on foreign priests, the concentration of ethnic restaurants in a given area - “do not reflect an increased acceptance of “otherness” and a willingness to a mutual - reciprocal change. A change in the person arriving, but also a modification in the receiving society.”

Referring to the issue of “undocumented immigrants,” the Archbishop explained that many of them “have been living in the country for years, working and contributing to the economy and the social security system.” The number of deportations in 2008 surpassed 350,000 people, and “one of the not foreseen results in Central America has been the increase of gang-based violence by youngsters.” The children of immigrants, who have been raised in the USA, the only country they really know, see their future threatened by not being able to continue their studies. The Church supports them through the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors), working for the regularization of the approximately 12 million undocumented migrants. However, Archbishop Veglio said, this should be united to immigration reform and “in order to achieve this, the necessary political will is required to address humanely undocumented migration.” Over the last thirty years more than 2 million refugees were allowed to settle, spontaneously or in a resettlement process, in the USA. “The Reception and Placement Programs of the Department of State supports them for a relatively short time, with a one-time grant,” the Archbishop said. After this period they are considered to have become sufficiently integrated to take care of themselves and be self-sufficient. It is more than evident that this does not work. They lack sufficient support. Many end up with hardly any money left after paying their rent and will join the American poor and end up in the same situation. “One has to note that the process of resettlement cannot be the same for each individual or for each community. In order to be realistic, one has to take into account the unique needs and experiences of the individual, which will result in different programmes, also with a request for a different and, most probably, a longer period of support. This should lead to self-sufficiency, employment and in the end integration in the country to become participants in society.”

The drama of human trafficking is present in almost every country, “whether it is sexual exploitation, forced labour or bonded labour, child soldiers, or abusive ways of adoption.” The Archbishop continued: “The root causes of trafficking are not just poverty and unemployment in developing countries. The demand for cheap labour, low priced products or 'exotic or unusual sex' is also a root cause of trafficking than must be addressed. The different forms of trafficking constitute human rights violations, which demand distinct approaches and measures in order to restore the dignity of the victims.”

A new form of displacement is now on its way, the President of the Pontifical Council for Migrants said: “People are moving away, since they can no longer make a living as a results of desertification and growing water scarcity, increasing sea-levels and 'salinisation' of agricultural land. Climate change is also increasingly causing natural disasters, like flooding and storms. As a result conflicts about resources increase. This new form of displacement will have enormous consequences for decades to come. The frequently cited and accepted estimates of 200 million24 climate induced displaced persons by 2050 indicate the gigantic dimension of the problem. Human migration will undoubtedly be one of the most significant consequences of the change in climate.”

In concluding his address, Archbishop Veglio recalled how the Church and dioceses have been active in this area, promoting a series of projects, activities, etc. This is why “the risk exists that we are so much taken up by our involvement that we just perceive those in migration as work, cases or a job.

Hospitality can protect us from such behavior. Hospitality is not so much a task as a way of living our lives and of sharing...Welcome, compassion and equal treatment are all part of an appropriate Christian response, which will break down social barriers. It is a response to the needs of persons, but also a recognition of their worth and common humanity.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 2/06/2010)

Links:

Complete text of the address, in English

http://www.fides.org/eng/documents/ConsAmerMigr_02062010_ingl.doc

Complete text of the address, in Spanish

http://www.fides.org/spa/documents/ConsAmerMigr_02062010_spa.doc

Extra-Ordinary Ordinary Time

2010-05-31T09:31:00.000-04:00

Trinity Sunday in a certain sense recapitulates the revelation of God in the Paschal mysteries, the liturgy returns to ordinary time. However, this does not mean that the commitment of Christians must diminish; quite the contrary, having entered divine life through the Sacraments, we are now called to remain open to the action of Grace in order to grow in love towards God and neighbor."

"The human mind and human language are inadequate to explain the relation that exists between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Nonetheless the Fathers of the Church sought to explain the mystery of the One and Triune God by putting it into practice with profound faith in their own lives. The Blessed Trinity comes to dwell in us on the day of Baptism", and each time we make the sign of the cross we remember the name of God in which we were baptised. ... The sign of the cross and the name of the living God contain, then, the announcement that generates faith and inspires prayer. And what Jesus promises the Apostles in the Gospel ('when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth'), comes about in the Sunday liturgy when, week after week, priests dispense the bread of the Word and the Eucharist." Benedict XVI

Prayer of St. Hilary of Poitiers:

"Keep, I pray, this my pious faith undefiled, and even till my spirit departs, grant that this may be the utterance of my convictions: so that I may ever hold fast that which I professed in the creed of my regeneration, when I was baptised in the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit".

New Pentecost

2010-05-24T21:07:00.001-04:00

"The Church experiences countless 'Pentecosts' which enliven local communities: the liturgies, especially those experienced at special moments in community life, in which the power of God is perceived particularly clearly, infusing souls with joy and enthusiasm.

There is no Church without Pentecost. And, I would like to add, there is no Pentecost without the Virgin Mary. So it was at the beginning, in the Cenacle. ... So it is always, in all places and times. I myself witnessed as much a few days ago in Fatima, Portugal. What did that immense multitude experience on the esplanade of the shrine, if not a renewed Pentecost?". Pope Benedict XVI

Mary, Queen of the Apostles of All Times

2010-05-22T12:36:00.000-04:00

Mary, the valiant woman was in the very heart of the Pentecostal community and assumed the responsibility of the children of God as their “Mother, Teacher and Queen.” The biblical inspiration was drawn by preference from Luke, the more “Pauline” and “Marian” of the Gospels and from two specific episodes in the New Testament: Mary’s investiture at the foot of the cross, as mother of the world in (Jn 19:25-27) and her prayerful presence in the Cenacle, in the midst of the Apostles in expectation of the Holy Spirit (Act 1:13-14).

“The first devotion that we find in the Church,” Blessed James Alberione loved to say, “is the devotion is the devotion to the Queen of the Apostles, as portrayed in the Cenacle.” Noting that this devotion had “diminished and been neglected in the past” his exhortation was: “Yours is the sweet task of rallying the faithful around Mary Queen of the Apostles; yours, to re-awaken this devotion; yours, to carry out this most pleasant office in the Church.” This means “to reawaken apostolates, stir up vocations.” And he concluded forcefully: “Let us return to the source. At the source we shall find Mary, Queen of the Apostles.”
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http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddg9bd5k_5fx3r94hca reflection on New Apostles, New Pentecost, New Evangelization

Faith Formation Online Courses

2010-05-21T20:16:00.001-04:00

Sr. Rose Pacatte: If you have ever wondered how to navigate media culture, here are two online courses that will renew your faith in our media world and give you skills to educate, form, and minister to others: Deadline to register 5/26 Intro to Media Literacy (I will facilitate) and Church and Communication:
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The Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF) is a growing initiative to offer adult religious education and faith formation anytime and anywhere via the internet. The goal is to support the church's professional ministry of religious education and faith formation in cyberspace.
The VLCFF is coordinated and sponsored by the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives (IPI) at the University of Dayton - a Catholic Marianist Institution.
Our mission is to mobilize the resources of the University of Dayton for partnerships with the Church that create and implement innovative pastoral initiatives designed to meet the needs of the Church and to articulate faith within the context of contemporary culture.

http://vlc.udayton.edu/

Arlington Catholic Herald - Church ascends into digital age - catholicherald.com

2010-05-20T19:48:00.001-04:00

Praying is now so 21st century.
Instead of a paperback missalette, there’s iMissal. Instead of prayer cards, there’s a touch screen Saint A Day. Instead of randomly jotting down prayer requests, there’s a digitally organized list in PrayerSteward.
These three apps (as in, “The Catholic Faith: There’s an app for that”) only scratch the surface of faith-related digital materials available in Apple’s App Store and, to a lesser extent, the Android Market and Palm Pre App Catalog. With these digital Catholic resources comes the undeniable convenience of modern-day prayer.

Hitting the road and want to pray to St. What’s-His-Name for a safe trip? Grab your phone and access not only St. Christopher’s name, but also his biography, a daily meditation and a few prayer ideas. Want to take advantage of a quiet lunch and skim today’s liturgical readings (or tomorrow’s or next year’s)? IMissal can make it happen at the touch of a button. Forgot the Hail, Holy Queen or the Apostles Creed while praying the rosary? Quickly look up the prayers in the Daughters of St. Paul’s Rosary Miracle Prayer App. Or, even better, pray the rosary along with the sisters’ audio recording.
“I know people who before they even get out of bed they have their iPod Touch or their iPhone in their hand,” said Sister Kathryn James Hermes, a Daughter of St. Paul and director of digital publishing for Pauline Books and Media, in a recent interview. “You could be looking at the psalms or the morning meditation.”

Read the whole article here:

Arlington Catholic Herald - Church ascends into digital age - catholicherald.com

Pentecost Preparation

2010-05-17T17:43:00.000-04:00

Here is a collection of documents from the vatican, with everything you need to know about the Feast of Pentecost, which is coming up this Sunday May 23rd. Happy Birthday Church! http://www.vatican.va/liturgical_year/pentecost/2009/pentecoste_en.html

Holy Rosary - How to Pray the Rosary

2010-05-16T18:39:00.001-04:00

Rosary Links on the Web

Holy Rosary - How to Pray the Rosary Prayers and mediation on the beads of the rosary with the mysteries of the life of Jesus for each day of the week.

http://www.comepraytherosary.org/ Prayer the rosary with a worldwide community while viewing video of the HolyLand for each mystery.

http://www.virtualrosary.org/ A virtual rosary: Pray for the world and ask the world to pray for you! This is the goal of PrayerCast, to gather together a global prayer network.

http://www.rosaryprayerguide.com/ How to prepare for and pray with the rosary.

Fatima: Mystical Confidences

2010-05-13T11:00:00.001-04:00

VATICAN CITY, 13 MAY 2010 (VIS) - At 10 a.m. today, liturgical memory of Our Lady of Fatima and the tenth anniversary of the beatification of the shepherd children Francisco and Jacinta, the Pope celebrated the Eucharist on the esplanade of the shrine of Fatima in the presence of 500,000 people.

In his homily the Holy Father made it clear that he had "come to Fatima to rejoice in Mary's presence and maternal protection; ... to pray, in union with Mary and so many pilgrims, for our human family, afflicted as it is by various ills and sufferings; ... to entrust to Mary's maternal protection priests, consecrated men and women, missionaries and all those who [who do] good works".

Referring then to "mystical confidences of the shepherd children", the Holy Father noted how "one might look at them with a touch of envy for what they were able to see, or with the disappointed resignation of someone who was not so fortunate, yet still demands to see".

But "the Scriptures invite us to believe", he explained. "God can come to us, and show Himself to the eyes of our heart. Moreover, that Light deep within the shepherd children, which comes from the future of God, is the same Light which was manifested in the fullness of time and came for us all: the Son of God made man. ... Henceforth our hope has a real foundation: ... Jesus of Nazareth".
"Faith in God opens before us the horizon of a sure hope, one which does not disappoint; it indicates a solid foundation on which to base one's life without fear; it demands a faith-filled surrender into the hands of the Love which sustains the world", he said.
The shepherd children "offered their whole lives to God and shared them fully with others for love of God", said the Holy Father, highlighting how "we would be mistaken to think that Fatima's prophetic mission is complete. ... Mankind has succeeded in unleashing a cycle of death and terror, but failed in bringing it to an end. In Sacred Scripture we often find that God seeks righteous men and women in order to save the city of man and He does the same here, in Fatima, when Our Lady asks: 'Do you want to offer yourselves to God, to endure all the sufferings which He will send you, in an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended and of supplication for the conversion of sinners?'.
"At a time when the human family was ready to sacrifice all that was most sacred on the altar of the petty and selfish interests of nations, races, ideologies, groups and individuals, our Blessed Mother came from heaven, offering to implant in the hearts of all those who trust in her the Love of God burning in her own heart", he added.

Benedict concluded his homily by expressing the hope that "the seven years which separate us from the centenary of the apparitions" may "hasten the fulfilment of the prophecy of the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to the glory of the Blessed Trinity".

At the end of the Mass, the Holy Father addressed some words to the sick people present, and to those following the event by radio and television.

"In all human suffering", he said, "we are joined by One Who experiences and carries that suffering with us". In other words, it is possible to "overcome the feeling of the uselessness of suffering which consumes a person from within and makes him feel a burden to those around him when, in reality, suffering which is lived with Jesus assists in the salvation of your brethren".

"The divine Master, instead of explaining the reasons for suffering, preferred to call everyone to follow Him, saying: 'Take up your cross and follow me'. Come with me. With your suffering, take part in the work of salvation which is realised through my suffering, by means of my cross. As you gradually embrace your own cross, uniting yourself spiritually to my cross, the salvific meaning of suffering will be revealed to you. In suffering, you will discover an interior peace and even spiritual joy".

The Holy Father invited the sick to welcome the call of Jesus "and entrust to Him every setback and pain that you face, so that they become - according to His design; a means of redemption for the whole world. You will be redeemers with the Redeemer, just as you are sons in the Son. At the cross stands the Mother of Jesus, our Mother".

Prayer for Our Church

2010-05-11T16:34:00.000-04:00

click here: Prayer for Our Church

Pauline Books and Media has provided resources for parish and private prayer and reflection for people during these difficult days in the Church. The recent resurgence of allegations, the situation in the Church in Ireland, and media articles focusing on clerical sexual abuse can raise personal struggles of faith, memories of past abuse, disillusionment, and anger and confusion. Among the resources are downloadable prayers for parish and private use, a litany of deliverance, reflective prayers for those who have experienced sexual abuse, and a prayer for one who desires to remain in the Church. Praying with Our Church in Difficult Times can be found at www.pauline.org.

Enthusiasm ἐνθουσιασμός

2010-05-07T13:52:00.001-04:00

Holy Father's Missionary Intention for May 2010: “That ordained ministers, religious women and men, and lay people involved in apostolic work may understand how to infuse missionary enthusiasm into the communities entrusted to their care.

Commentary

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The word "enthusiasm" comes from the Greek ἐνθουσιασμός, and has several genres or meanings. One of these genres refers to the prophets, who were "full of God," inspired by Him when they spoke on His behalf. In a way, when we say that a person is enthusiastic, we are saying that "he is full of God," and we feel moved by a great zeal and courage in his words and his actions. This enthusiasm is like a fire that consumes all in its path with its flames.

In order for ordained ministers, religious men and women, and lay people to be able to convey enthusiasm, they must themselves be enthusiastic for their own vocation, their life, and especially enthusiastic about Christ, in love with Christ. Those who come to Jesus with faith, in quiet listening to His Word, in Eucharistic adoration, in the sacramental reception of His Body, feel the fire of His presence burning in their hearts. The disciples of Emmaus experienced that their hearts burned within them as they listened to the Lord. They recognized Him in the breaking of the bread and immediately returned to Jerusalem to tell the Eleven that they had seen the Risen Christ (cf. Lk 24, 33). Whoever meets Christ truly becomes a missionary, because he cannot contain the love that burns inside him.

Similar is the experience of St. Paul. As a persecutor, the Risen Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Since then, his life took a radical departure. From that moment, for him, his "life is Christ" (Phil 1:21), and this conviction makes him exclaim: "Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel" (1 Cor 9:16). Pope Benedict XVI presents him as a model of an evangelizer full of enthusiasm: “Let us look at this great evangelizer, who with bold enthusiasm and apostolic zeal brought the Gospel to many different peoples in the world of that time. His teaching and example inspire us to go in search of the Lord Jesus. They encourage us to trust him, because that sense of emptiness, which tends to intoxicate humanity, has been overcome by the light and the hope that emanate from the resurrection” (Urbi et Orbi Message, Easter 2009).

Youth is the age of enthusiasm, but we must not think only in physical youthfulness. When we lack the enthusiasm of faith, it means that we have prematurely "aged,” that we are on our way to death. Although from a biological standpoint, the years roll by inexorably, we must live a constant spiritual rejuvenation, growing in love for Christ and enthusiasm to bring Him to everyone. St. Paul said: "Although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day" (2 Cor 4:16).

Let us contemplate the story of a young woman who is full of God: Mary. She received the announcement of the angel Gabriel and agreed with docility and obedience to what God asked. Through Her Fiat, the Word of God became flesh in Her virginal womb. The young woman, who was "enthusiastic" - literally "full of God" - "got up and went with haste to the mountain, to a city of Judah" (Luke 1:39). Goodness and love spread themselves, they contain within their very essence this need of being conveyed. Mary brings Jesus in Her womb. She cannot keep the love that has taken on flesh in Her flesh, to herself. She feels the need to bring Elizabeth the great news of Christ's presence in the world.

This May, we ask Mary to renew the enthusiasm and joy of the faith in our hearts, along with the certainty of the victory of the Risen Christ and His love for mankind. May She also bring consolation to our fellow missionaries who often suffer from loneliness and discouragement for a lack of results. Mary makes us understand that the branch cannot bear fruit unless it is attached to the vine (cf. Jn 15:4) and that we cannot convey enthusiasm if we do not live with enthusiasm. (Agenzia Fides 04/29/2010)

Laity and Evangelization and the Media

2010-05-07T10:34:00.001-04:00

Archbishop Gomez's pastoral letter on evangelization and the laity, You Will Be My Witnesses:

http://www.archsa.org/documents/anv_en.pdf

“By definition, the laity are on the frontlines of the culture, living in the very heart of the world.”

Rome Pilgrimage to Birthplace of Pauline Family

2010-05-06T14:45:00.000-04:00

http://specialapc.blogspot.com/

Music Opens Minds and Hearts

2010-04-30T20:34:00.000-04:00

"I am happy to observe that it is music that can open minds and hearts to the spiritual dimension and lead people to raise their eyes to heaven, to open themselves to absolute Goodness and Beauty which have their ultimate source in God. Likewise, the festive nature of song and music are a constant invitation for believers, and for all men and women of good will, to work so that humankind has a future rich in hope. Furthermore, ... the undertaking not 'to play alone', but to ensure that the various 'colours' of the orchestra - each maintaining its own characteristics - fuse together; the shared search for the best expression; all this is an excellent exercise, not only artistically and professionally, but also in overall human terms". Benedict XVI

Visit the Pauline Choir on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/DSPchoir

or at http://www.pauline.org/

Live Streaming Pontifical Mission Meeting

2010-04-27T19:21:00.001-04:00

Chicago (Agenzia Fides) – As directors, coordinators and staff of diocesan Pontifical Mission Societies offices come together for a national meeting in the Chicago Archdiocese April 27 to 29, they can be joined by those in this “one family in mission” unable to journey there – and by those interested in the mission ad gentes worldwide. This is what Fides learned from a press release issued by the National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the USA. The PMS will live stream presentations during their annual national meeting in Chicago through a special website: www.pmsnatmtg.org, thus hoping to open their doors to all those dedicated to the missions nationwide and worldwide, even if they may not be able to physically participate on site.

“We truly are ‘one family in mission,’ and this is a concrete way to show that,” says Monsignor John E. Kozar, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States. “We invite all to be with us, in solidarity and prayer, as we focus on our mandate to support the local mission churches as they help the poor and suffering of the Developing World come to experience the love and ‘Good News’ of Jesus.”

Using live streaming video takes the use of technology for this particular gathering a step beyond what was done at the 2009 national meeting of the Pontifical Mission Societies. At that meeting in St. Louis, videos were made of presentations; these videos and blog commentary were added during the three-days of presentations. That will be done as well during this year’s Chicago meeting, but the live streaming allows viewers to see presentations from start to finish, right as they are happening. (AR) (Agenzia Fides 25/04/2010)

Links:
PMS Meeting in Chicago
http://www.pmsnatmtg.org/

Epic Evangelization

2010-04-22T12:26:00.000-04:00

Evangelizing Young Adults on an E.P.I.C. Scale
Handout by John Boucher with Dennis Mahaney
Dennis Mahaney, Office of Parish Life, Diocese of Buffalo, writes, “St. Paul lived large. He traveled extensively, spoke multiple languages, and lived an adventurous life. He paid attention to people wherever he went…. Paul also engaged people using the technologies of the day to paint a vibrant picture of faith.” He had a knack for listening to God’s Word with one ear and God’s world with the other, and then bringing the two together. He served a God-sized purpose, with an approach that was EPIC in scale. If Facebook would have been around, he would have had a multitude of friends from many different countries. Download this handout. http://www.pncea.org/UserFiles/file/EvangExch/EPICHandout-EvangelizingYoungAdults.pdf

For Your Vocation Website

2010-04-21T17:23:00.000-04:00

http://www.foryourvocation.org/
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations is initiating a new website on April 25 to be a resource for both laity and clergy in the promotion of vocations. The launch date is both the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and Good Shepherd Sunday.

In response to Pope Benedict XVI’s 2010 Theme for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Witness Awakens Vocations, the site also hosts videos of priests and religious men and women giving witness to their vocations, as well as testimonies from family members. Read the Pope's Message here:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/vocations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20091113_xlvii-vocations_en.html

Witness and Mission: National Catholic Education Conference

2010-04-19T22:00:00.000-04:00

Witness and mission at the heart of Catechetical Gathering co-sponsored by Pontifical Mission Societies

Minneapolis (Agenzia Fides) – “Never underestimate the power of your own witness to our faith in Jesus,” said Monsignor John E. Kozar, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the United States. His message was from his keynote presentation at Catechetical Leadership Day, April 7, a part of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA)/National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors (NPCD) annual convention, also sponsored by the PMS of the USA. That meeting, held this year in Minneapolis, Minnesota, brought together more than 8,000 Catholic educators, parish religious education directors, catechists, and others engaged in formation. The National Office of the PMS in the USA, which sent a note to Fides on the recent event, recalled that in his address, Monsignor Kozar pointed to the critical role of the personal “faithful witness” of those gathered and spoke, too, of his encounters with such witnesses in the Missions. “In my travels, I meet those who lead others to this experience of our Lord and teach them about our Catholic faith,” he said. “But even more than a source of information about the faith, these mission catechists are ‘faithful witnesses’ who inspire and teach by the example of their lives.”

Monsignor Kozar also described the life’s witness of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, former National Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. “Archbishop Sheen taught us so well and faithfully about the preeminence of Christ in all that we do,” he said. He spoke of Archbishop Sheen’s fidelity to a daily Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.

Above all, Monsignor Kozar offered words of encouragement to these faith formators. “You are heroic in your efforts, despite the challenges and difficulties,” he said. “You are true missionaries.”

At the conclusion of Monsignor Kozar’s address, Monica Yehle, editor of MISSION magazine in the United States, spoke about the “witness of the moment.” “Every missionary knows that every moment counts...Missionaries know that the Lord lives in every moment, awaiting our encounter and our embrace,” she said. “And we need to be in that moment, with our faith in Him and our love for our neighbor.”

There is continuing collaboration between the national office and the national Catholic formation organizations in the United States. Diana Dudoit Raiche, Executive Director of the Department of Religious Education of the NCEA, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Pontifical Mission Societies on these important initiatives on behalf of the Church.” (AR) (Agenzia Fides 16/4/2010)

Holy See Press Office concerning Sexual Abuse Stormy Waters

2010-04-11T11:29:00.000-04:00

FR. LOMBARDI ON DEBATE CONCERNING SEXUAL ABUSE

VATICAN CITY, 9 APR 2010 (VIS) - Given below is a text entitled "Following Holy Week, Holding Our Course", written by Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. and published today on the website of Vatican Radio.

"The debate concerning sexual abuse, and not only that committed by the clergy, continues with news items and comments of various kinds. How can we sail through these stormy waters while maintaining a secure course and responding to the evangelical motto 'Duc in altum - Put out into the deep'?

In the first place, by continuing to seek truth, and peace for the victims. One of the most striking things is that today so many inner wounds are coming to light, wounds that also date to many years (sometimes decades) ago, but evidently still open, Many victims do not seek financial compensation but inner assistance, a judgement on their painful individual experiences. There is something that we have yet to fully understand; perhaps we need a more profound experience of events that have had such a negative impact on the lives of individuals, of the Church and of society. One example of this, at the collective level, is the hatred and violence of conflicts between peoples which are, as we see, so difficult to overcome in true reconciliation. Abuse opens wounds at a deep inner level. For this reason, certain episcopates were right when they courageously resumed developing ways and places in which victims could express themselves freely, listening to them without taking it for granted that the problem had already been faced and overcome by the workshops established sometime ago. For this reason also, other episcopates and individual bishops were right to intervene paternally, showing spiritual, liturgical and human concern for victims. It seems certain that the number of new accusations of abuse is falling, as is happening in the United States, but for many people the road to profound healing is only now beginning, and for others it has yet to start. In the context of this concern for victims, the Pope has written of his readiness to hold new meetings with then, thus sharing in the journey of the entire ecclesial community. But this journey, in order to achieve profound effects, must take place in respect for people and the search for peace.

Alongside concern for victims we must continue to implement, decisively and truthfully, the correct procedures for the canonical judgement of the guilty, and for collaborating with the civil authorities in matters concerning their judicial and penal competencies, taking the specific norms and situations of the various countries into account. Only in this way can we hope effectively to rebuild a climate of justice and complete trust in the ecclesiastical institution. It has happened that a number of leaders of communities and institutions, through inexperience or unpreparedness, have not had a ready understanding of the protocols and criteria for intervention which could have helped them intervene decisively even when this was very difficult or painful for them, also because they were often surprised by the accusations. But, while civil law intervenes through general norms, canon law must take account of the specific moral gravity of an abuse of the trust placed in persons who hold positions of responsibility within the ecclesial community, and of the flagrant contradiction with the conduct they should show. In this sense, transparency and rigour are urgent requirements if the Church is to bear witness to wise and just government.

The formation and selection of candidates for the priesthood, and more generally of the staff of educational and pastoral institutions, is the basis for an effective prevention of the risk of future abuses. Achieving a healthy maturity of the personality, also from a sexual point of view, has always been a difficult challenge, but today it is particularly so, although the best psychological and medical knowledge is of great help in spiritual and moral formation. It has been observed that the greatest frequency of abuses coincided with the most intense period of the 'sexual revolution' of past decades. Formation must take account of this context and of the more general context of secularisation. In the final analysis, this means rediscovering and reaffirming the sense and importance of sexuality, chastity and emotional relationships in today's world, and doing so in concrete, not just verbal or abstract, terms. What a source of disorder and suffering their violation or undervaluation can be! As the Pope observed in his Letter to Irish Catholics, a Christian priestly life today can respond to the requirements of its vocation only by truly nourishing itself at the wellspring of faith and friendship with Christ.

People who love truth and the objective evaluation of problems will know where to seek and find information for a more overall comprehension of the problem of paedophilia and the sexual abuse of minors in our time, in different countries, understanding its range and pervasiveness. Thus they will be able to achieve a better understanding of the degree to which the Catholic Church shares problems that are not only her own, to what extent they have particular gravity for her and require specific interventions,and, finally, the extent to which the experience the Church is going through in this field may also be useful for other institutions or for society as a whole. In this context, we truly feel that the communications media have not yet worked sufficiently, especially in countries in which the Church has a stronger presence and in which she is more easily subject to criticism. Yet, documents such as the national US report on the mistreatment of children deserve to be better known in order to understand what fields require urgent social intervention, and the proportions of the problem. In the U.S.A. in 2008 alone, 62,000 people were identified as having committed acts of abuse against minors, while the proportion of Catholic priests was so small as not to be taken into consideration as a group.

The protection of minors and young people is, then, an immense and unlimited field, which goes well beyond the specific problem concerning certain members of the clergy. People who sensitively, generously and attentively dedicate their efforts to this problem deserve gratitude, respect and encouragement from everyone, especially from the ecclesial and civil authorities. Theirs is an essential contribution for the serenity and credibility of the education and formation of young people, both inside and outside the Church. The Pope rightly expressed words of great appreciation for them in his Letter to Irish Catholics, though naturally with a view to a vaster horizon.

Finally, Pope Benedict XVI, a coherent guide along the path of rigour and truth, merits all respect and support, testimony of which is reaching him from all parts of the Church. He is a pastor well capable of facing - with great rectitude and confidence - this difficult time in which there is no lack of criticism and unfounded insinuations. It must be said that he is a Pope who has spoken a lot about the Truth of God and about respect for truth; and he has become a credible witness of this. We accompany him, learning from him the constancy necessary to grow in truth and transparency, continuing to open our horizons to the serious problems of the world and responding patiently to the slow and gradual release of partial or presumed 'revelations' which seek to undermined his credibility, and that of other institutions or individuals of the Church.

This patient and solid love of truth is necessary, in the Church, in the society in which we live, in communicating and in writing, if we wish to serve rather than confuse our fellow men and women".
OP/ABUSE DEBATE/LOMBARDI VIS 20100409 (1290)

Know the voice of Jesus through transmission of the Gospel

2010-04-07T16:50:00.000-04:00

"Over these days the Church is celebrating the mystery of the Resurrection and experiencing the great joy that arises from the good news of Christ's triumph over evil and death. A joy that lasts not just for the Easter Octave but stretches over fifty days until Pentecost".

"Christ's Easter is the supreme and insuperable act of God's power. It is an absolutely extraordinary event, the most beautiful and mature fruit of the 'mystery of God'. ... Yet it is also a real historical fact, witnessed and documented. It is the event upon which all our faith rests. It is the central point in which we believe and the principal reason for which we believe".

"All our faith rests on the constant and faithful transmission of the 'good news'" that Christ is risen, said the Holy Father. This, he explained, "requires the work of enthusiastic and courageous witnesses. Each disciple of Christ, each one of us, is called to be a witness. This is the precise, demanding and stimulating command of the risen Lord".

Like the Apostles, we too "are certain that the Lord, today as yesterday, works with His witnesses. This is a fact we can recognise whenever we see the seeds of a true and lasting peace germinate, wherever the commitment and example of Christians and of men and women of good will is animated by respect for justice, patient dialogue, convinced respect for others, disinterestedness, and individual and community sacrifice. Unfortunately, we also see much suffering, violence and misunderstanding in the world. The celebration of the Paschal Mystery ... is an appropriate moment to rediscover and profess ... our trust in the risen Lord, Who accompanies the witnesses of His word, working prodigies with them.

"We will truly and fully become witnesses of the risen Christ when we allow the prodigy of His love to transpire in us", the Holy Father added; "when in our words, and even more in our deeds - in full coherence with the Gospel - it is possible to recognise the voice and hand of Jesus Himself".
And we will be witnesses of the Lord "only on the basis of, and with constant reference to, the experience of Easter", said the Pope. "In this personal encounter with the Risen One lies the unshakeable foundation and the central issue of our faith, the fresh and eternal wellspring of our hope, the ardent dynamism of our charity. Thus will our own Christian lives fully coincide with the announcement: 'Christ the Lord is truly risen". Benedict XVI

Easter Blessings!

2010-04-03T16:53:00.001-04:00

Happy Easter!

Deep joy in our Risen Savior who lived and loved, suffered and died, went into the tomb, rose to new life, descended into hell and ascended into heaven to show us that God is found in all places and in all circumstance of our daily life.

Heavenly Father, grant that as you raised our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, from death, so may we too know the joy of eternal life. Thank you for the glories of Easter and for the promise of resurrection on this joyous morning. Thank you for the love that you have shown us in the immeasurable gift of your Son. May we draw closer to him, and be able to extend your love to others.

Good Friday Psalm Prayers

2010-04-01T22:22:00.000-04:00

We enter into the mystery of anguish and suffering, the pain of our sisters and brothers in countries at war, in areas of natural disaster, those who are sick, who are in prison, those who are homeless and seek shelter, those who have lost jobs, who are hungry, who suffer from rejection and loneliness. Let us bring our intentions silently to the foot of the cross. We release our fear of entering into this suffering that reveals the true face of Jesus.

Psalm 2

How can we understand that the One who is dying on the cross, in poverty and rejection – the One who keeps trusting in spite of rejection, is indeed blessed by God? Aren’t we scandalized by the experience of failure? there is a deep and intimate unity between the cross and resurrection. Jesus makes all things new.

Psalm 22

Jesus welcomes everything that is broken. If we give him our weakness he will transform it into a source of life. All the competence in the world will never heal all the world’s anguish, mend all those who are broken, We remain close to them, like Mary, learning how to offer it to God with her, in union with Jesus, to give life to the world.

Psalm 38

Those who are weak and broken are a sacrament rendering Jesus present. It is the great mystery of our faith that we have been saved by a condemned man and we have been healed by his wounds. With Mary we put aside our anger and disappointment, our bitterness and fear. With her at the foot of the cross we reach out toward Jesus and say “I trust in You.”

Cf Jean Vanier

Step toward sainthood for Mother Henriette Delille « CNS Blog

2010-03-29T10:52:00.000-04:00

Step toward sainthood for Mother Henriette Delille « CNS Blog

Profound, personal, communal conversion

2010-03-28T17:56:00.000-04:00

VATICAN - Pope's Message for the 84th World Mission Sunday
“It is only from this encounter with the Love of God that transforms our existence, that we can live in communion with Him and among ourselves and offer our brethren a credible testimony, giving reason for our hope.” This is what the Holy Father Benedict XVI affirms in his Message for the 84th World Mission Sunday, which will be celebrated on October 24 of this year, with the theme: “Building Ecclesial Communion is the Key to the Mission.”

Every World Mission Sunday offers us all “an occasion for renewing their commitment to proclaim the Gospel and give pastoral activity a greater missionary character.” The Pope then mentions that the commitment and task of announcing the Gospel belongs to the entire Church, which is “missionary by her very nature,” and he continues: “In a multi-ethnic society that experiences increasing forms of solitude and alarming indifference, Christians should learn to offer signs of hope and become universal brothers, cultivating the great ideals that transform history and, without false illusions or unnecessary fears, work to make the planet a home for all peoples.”

After mentioning that “so too the men of our time, perhaps at times unconsciously, ask believers to not only 'speak' of Jesus but to 'make Jesus visible,' to make the Redeemer’s Face shine in every corner of the earth before the generations of the new millennium and especially before the youth of every continent,” the Pope's message continues: “These considerations regard the missionary mandate that all the baptized and the entire Church have received, but that cannot be fulfilled in a credible manner without a profound personal, communal, and pastoral conversion. In fact, the awareness of the call to announce the Gospel not only inspires every individual believer, but all the diocesan and parochial communities, to an integral renewal and to an ever greater openness to missionary cooperation among the Churches, to promote the proclamation of the Gospel in the heart of every person, every people, culture, race, nationality, in every place.”

Benedict XVI then recalls the constant commitment of the pastoral workers in promoting ecclesial communion, “so that the phenomenon of “interculturalism” may be incorporated into a framework of unity in which the Gospel is leaven of liberty and progress, a source of fraternity, humility, and peace.” It then highlights that “ecclesial communion is brought about through the encounter with the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who through the Church’s preaching reaches out to all men and establishes them in communion with Himself and therefore, with the Father and the Holy Spirit” and that “the Church becomes “communion” starting from the Eucharist in which Christ, present in the bread and wine, with His sacrifice of love establishes the Church as His Body, uniting us to the one Triune God and among each other.” This love that we celebrate in the Sacrament cannot remain only for ourselves and “by its very nature it demands to be shared with all.” Therefore, “an authentically eucharistic Church is a missionary Church.”

In the concluding part of the Message, the Holy Father exhorts us to be aware that we are “active participants in the Church’s task of proclaiming the Gospel,” and renews “my invitation to prayer and, in spite of the economic difficulties, to fraternal, concrete aid in support of the younger Churches.” Expressing his gratitude for the valuable service carried out by the Pontifical Mission Societies in their support of priests, seminarians, and catechists in the most far off missionary lands and in encouraging the young ecclesial communities, the Pope affectionately acknowledges “who offer their testimony to the Kingdom of God in the most far off and difficult places, often at the cost of their own lives.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 26/3/2010)
Links:

Complete text of the Holy Father's Message, in Italian

http://www.fides.org/ita/documents/Msg_GMM_2010_ita.doc

Complete text of the Holy Father's Message, in French

http://www.fides.org/fra/documents/Msg_GMM_2010_franc.doc

Complete text of the Holy Father's Message, in English

http://www.fides.org/eng/documents/Msg_GMM_2010_ingl.doc

Complete text of the Holy Father's Message, in German

http://www.fides.org/deu/documents/Msg_GMM_2010_ted.doc

Complete text of the Holy Father's Message, in Spanish

http://www.fides.org/spa/documents/Msg_GMM_2010_spa.doc

Complete text of the Holy Father's Message, in Portuguese

http://www.fides.org/por/documents/Msg_GMM_2010_port.doc

Mary of Nazareth Home Page

2010-03-25T10:07:00.001-04:00

A new web site devoted to Mary from Nazareth
Marie de Nazareth: Home

Cardinal v. Atheist: Without God We Are Nothing

2010-03-22T13:36:00.001-04:00

Cardinal v. Atheist: Without God We Are Nothing

Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, and atheist Dan Barker debated the topic: Without God We Are Nothing, at Macquarie University. A vigorous and lively debate was had, with over 300 people in attendance. The debate was structured so that each speaker received ten minutes to present their case, then had a chance at rebuttal, and finishing off with a few minutes to directly cross examine the other. There was then time for questions from the audience. Part 1 of this audio presents the main arguments and rebuttal, with part 2 presenting the (very lively) cross examination, and some hard hitting questions from the audience.

Library – Xt3 – More Than A Social Network

You will be my witnesses: Christian mission to evangelize

2010-03-18T19:40:00.001-04:00

anv_en.pdf (application/pdf Object)

A pdf file from Jose H Gomez, Archbishop of San Antonio

Nations Largest Religious Congress Join in LIVE!

2010-03-17T11:13:00.003-04:00

http://www.recongress.org/live/

Faithfulness of Christ; Faithfulness of the Priest

2010-03-15T15:12:00.000-04:00

Communiqué on the Internet transmission of the International Theological Convention "Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of the Priest"

Rome, March 11-12, 2010 The International Theological Convention "Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of the Priest", promoted by the Congregation for the Clergy, to be held at the Aula Magna of the Pontifical Lateran University on March 11-12 2010, will be transmitted on the web page http://www.annussacerdotalis.org/ on which it will be possible to follow proceedings of the various conferences.

Lent "Desert Prayer Reflection" Video with Stabat Mater

2010-03-13T17:20:00.000-05:00

Watch "Desert Prayer Reflection" Video at Pauline Charism Live

Spiritual but not religious — Not so fast! - Busted Halo

2010-03-11T09:17:00.000-05:00

Everybody seems to be spiritual these days — from your college roommate, to the person in the office cubicle next to yours, to every other celebrity interviewed. But if “spiritual” is fashionable, “religious” is unfashionable. This is usually expressed as follow: “I’m spiritual but just not religious.” It’s even referred to by the acronym SBNR.

The thinking goes like this: being “religious” means abiding by arcane rules and hidebound dogmas, and being the tool of an oppressive institution that doesn’t allow you to think for yourself. (Which would have surprised many thinking believers, like St. Thomas Aquinas, Moses Maimonides, Dorothy Day and Reinhold Niebuhr.)

Read the article here:
Spiritual but not religious — Not so fast! - Busted Halo

Facebook | Pauline Books & Media

2010-03-09T19:04:00.000-05:00

Facebook | Pauline Books & Media

Seeds of Faith for the Spread of the Gospel

2010-03-09T11:09:00.000-05:00

Day of Prayer and Fasting for Missionary Martyrs on March 24

Rome (Agenzia Fides) – On March 24, 1980, Archbishop Oscar A. Romero of San Salvador was assassinated. Since 1993, this date was chosen by the Youth Missionary Movement of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Italy to be a day each year on which to recall all the missionaries killed in the world, with a "Day of Prayer and Fasting in Remembrance of the Missionary Martyrs." The initiative, now in its eighteenth year, was soon extended to many dioceses and several religious institutions in the world, that devote special efforts to remember their slain missionaries, together with all those who shed their blood for the Gospel.

In this year 2010, the 30th anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Romero, the day is dedicated to him, with the theme being his expression: "My life belongs to you." "Any martyrdom, any murder, any assassination carries with it the bitter taste of injustice and abuse, of the worst in man being acted out," writes Don Gianni Cesena, National Director of the PMS, in the preparatory material for this day. "Yet every Christian martyrdom belongs to the 'Beatitudes' of Jesus ... On the seed of Romero, like that of the ancient and contemporary Christian martyrs, every Christian community regains the deep meaning of life according to the Gospel, and often the courage of an 'active' memory that is not resigned and is inspired to continue on the journey with greater momentum.

The parish communities and consecrated life, seminaries, novice houses, are all invited to use the guidelines for the Vigil: Stations of the Cross, Eucharistic Adoration, ecumenical services, all prepared for this occasion, not only on March 24, but on the days preceding and following it. There are also ideas like set apart a corner of the Church for Martyrs, using a cross, a red cloth (that could also be on the front door as well), and an olive branch with the names of missionaries who have been killed; ring the bells at 3:00pm on March 24, inviting the people to meditate on Christ’s sacrifice and on the many men and women who have offered their lives; and plant a tree in memory of those who have given everything for love. Families can place lit candles in their windows or place a red cloth on display, as a visible sign of the commemoration; take part in an act of reconciliation: among members of the same household, between neighbors or members of the extended family, etc. and offer a donation from fasting, in support of the help project proposed for this year. The sick are encouraged to offer their suffering in memory of the missionary martyrs and for the spread of the Gospel, and to sustain missionaries and to ask the Lord for the gift of new holy missionary vocations. The young people are encouraged to give blood and visit those in the hospital, those who are alone, in prison...

This year, the solidarity project that will be supported with the offerings from the fast on March 24 is that of the construction of a youth center run by the Canossian Fathers in the district of Tondo, one of the poorest and most desolate areas of Manila. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 9/3/2010)

Guadalulpe's Largest Pilgrimage in History

2010-03-06T18:20:00.000-05:00

AMERICA/MEXICO - Basilica of Guadalupe receives largest pilgrimage in history: 100,000 pilgrims

Toluca (Agenzia Fides) – The largest pilgrimage in history, nearly 100,000 pilgrims, has made its way to the Hill of Tepeyac. After three intense days of walking, at dawn on Wednesday, February 24, a pilgrimage from the Diocese of Toluca reached the Basilica of Guadalupe. With great faith, devotion and love, many believers have come here to venerate the Mother of God. The nearly 95,000 pilgrims from different municipalities belonging to the State of Mexico have completed a course of about 50 kilometers. Together with the pilgrims from the Diocese of Toluca, there are also many communities of faithful from the Diocese of Atlacomulco and on this occasion, for the first time, the new Archdiocese of Tenancingo.
The last part of the trail began at the community of Cuajimalpa. The march started at approximately 10pm on Tuesday, February 23, to reach the doors of the Basilica at 6am on Wednesday, February 23. On the day of arrival, the pilgrims rested near the Shrine of Guadalupe and attended the morning Mass presided by the Bishop of the Diocese of Toluca, Bishop Francisco Javier Chavolla Ramos. In this celebration, the pilgrims sought the intercession of the Virgin of Guadalupe in obtaining God's blessing on the diocesan activities, for the permanent mission, and for the lives of the individual believers.
The Diocese of Toluca sent Fides the text used for the preparation of the pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe, which helps to understand the meaning and significance of the pilgrimage, and offers a reflection on encountering Jesus through Mary. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 26/02/2010)
Links:
“Caminando hacia el Tepeyac” (in Spanish)
http://www.fides.org/spa/documents/Caminando_hacia_el_Tepeyac.doc

24 Hours Sacrament of Reconcilation in 52 Churches

2010-03-05T13:32:00.000-05:00

AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Archdiocese of New York offers “24 Hours of Confession” in 52 churches, for Lent

New York (Agenzia Fides) – The Cathedral of Saint Patrick Young Adults and 51 churches of the Archdiocese of New York, have announced the 2nd Annual “24 Hours of Confessions” project for the 2010 Lenten Season. First held in Lent 2009 with the involvement of 20 Manhattan parishes, this year the Archdiocese has announced that 51 parishes will open their doors from 7:00am Friday, March 5 to 7:00am Saturday, March 6. These participating parishes have extended their hours for hearing confessions, targeting those Catholics who have not yet found the time to receive the Holy Sacrament of Reconciliation, keeping their doors open for a grand total of over 275 hours in this 24-hour period.

Mario Bruschi, Director of the Cathedral of Saint Patrick Young Adults, commented on the importance of the initiative: “Catholics need to know that confession is all about God’s forgiveness and love and that the priest is there for them. In this Year of the Priest, the priests of the Archdiocese of New York are making a tremendous sacrifice to hear people’s confessions, to counsel them, and to give them comfort...reminding people that confession can restore us when we sin. They are living the great example of St. John Vianney and St. Padre Pio, by bringing people back to Jesus Christ through this sacrament.”

In an effort to increase availability of this Sacrament, several other American dioceses are also opening confessionals for additional hours during the time of Lent. Hopefully, these positive initiatives will continue even during the rest of the liturgical year, as the need is always present. (AR) (Agenzia Fides 05/03/2010)

Links:
For full list of participating parishes
http://cspya.org/

Human Longing, Segue to Hope

2010-02-24T20:11:00.000-05:00

Spes Salvi describes how our human longing provides a segue into hope: “We want only one thing – the ‘blessed life,’ the life which is simply ‘happiness.’ In some way we want life itself, true life, untouched even by death; yet at the same time we do not know the thing toward which we feel driven. This unknown ‘thing’ is the true ‘hope’ which drives us, and at the same time the fact that it is the unknown is the cause of all forms of despair and also of all efforts, whether positive or destructive, directed toward worldly authenticity and human authenticity” (11-12). When human hopes are fulfilled it becomes clear that we have need of a hope which goes even further. Only something infinite and unchanging will suffice. A perfect world seems to be achievable but always out of reach.

I am reading a book called The Misfit by Larry Lewis, a Maryknoll missionary. Upset by the death of his father, Fr. Lewis felt compelled to teach in mainland China as he dealt with loss. He was there during the student pro-democracy demonstration in Tiananmen Square, consequent government crackdown and massacre of many students by the Chinese military. Hope is a refrain throughout this book. The Chinese government hoped for a perfect society achieved through Marxist Communism, placing faith in the truth of here and now. Party members believed redemption could be found by controlling the school staff and students. In this misplaced hope for the kingdom of man freedom was taken away. Fr. Lewis hoped to reveal the deeper reality of being human to the students through his American literature course. “Their appreciation of the void,” describes Fr. Lewis, “brought them to the threshold of the liberating mystery.” Hope was instilled in the students as they looked through the void to God. They discovered their capacity for relatedness with the truth, their soul (259).

The human person desires boundless fulfillment. The suffering that Fr. Lewis experienced in his life led him to truly love and be with others in their suffering. In doing so he introduced them to truth and freedom in the kingdom of God. Entering the void and the doubt that accompanies faith is a suffering that allows us to be with those who have no hope; we don’t limit ourselves to asking “how can I save myself?” No one is saved alone. Heaven is a stranger to isolation since it is the un-ruptured self-communion of the body of Christ. The encounter with Christ is the encounter with his whole body. “We come face to face with our own guilt vis-à-vis the suffering members of that body (232). Purgatory is that inwardly necessary process of transformation in which a person becomes capable of Christ, capable of God and thus capable of unity with the whole communion of saints. Jesus’ descent into Hell in that freedom of his own love is a challenge to us to suffer in the dark night of faith, to experience communion with Christ in solidarity with his descent into the night (217). Christ descended into Hell and is therefore is close to all those on the edge of despair.

The communists who opposed the students at Tiananmen Square misplaced their hope in building a kingdom of man without God (22). Man’s great, true hope is that through Jesus we have become certain of God who has loved us and continues to love us. There is a new truth for man, the truth of being loved by truth (206). If we are in relationship with him who does not die, who is Life itself and Love itself, then we are in life (28). His love gives us the possibility of following his way and persevering day by day in a world which by its very nature is imperfect. Christ is way, truth and life (John 14).

Sr Margaret
Quotes: Benedict XVI
Spes Salvi (double digit) &
Eschatology: Death and Eternal Life (triple digits)

Mother Thecla's Birthday

2010-02-20T09:49:00.000-05:00

Venerable Mother Thecla Merlo is the co-founder of the Daughters of St. Paul. She was the first Superior General. She was also "a mother" the fledgling Society of St Paul and Sister Disciples through uplifting thoughts, prayer and through generous assistance in whatever way it was needed. She was born on February 20, 1894. She grew up in a town in Northern Italy. Her family lived by the Gospel exhortation to "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his justice." She lived the Gospel in a radical way. Her trust was total as she worked along side of Blessed James Alberione in a very new apostolate of the press and media. Her self-gift to God was total - though joys and sorrows, tears and laughter. The belief that God will give us all that we need sustained her. She reminded us often: "the rest will be given to you!" She offered her life for the holiness of everyone in the Pauline Family. (Photo: Mother Paula Cordero, Blessed James Alberione, Mother Thecla Merlo).

How to Put into the Deep for Evangelization

2010-02-18T20:26:00.000-05:00

Activity Handout: Dealing with Discouragement
by John M. Boucher

It doesn’t take long for Catholics evangelizers to experience discouragement. Diocesan and parish evangelization plans seem to move forward like glaciers and frequently stall. Local programs and projects burst forth with fire and fervor, but over a few months or years seem to sputter or burn out. One-to-one evangelizing encounters with others bubble up with great joy, but can take unexpected turns or seem to go nowhere. Temptations to give up sharing our faith with others swarm around us like mosquitoes and seem to drain our commitment to continue “the essential mission of the Church.” (Pope Paul VI, On Evangelization in the Modern World, 14) Recall Simon’s (St. Peter’s) words, “…[Jesus] said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing.’” (NRSV Lk 5:4&5)

Download this handout.

From Paulist Evangelization

http://www.pncea.org/news/ee0210-boucher-discouragement-handout.aspx?idevd=C3C82A1ECEE011DE932778A056D89593&idevm=7f1f3c5ecfa84536b499540d7b3e2df8&idevmid=4170

Renewing Life in Lent

2010-02-17T09:25:00.000-05:00

The distribution of ashes "is an invitation to spend the time during Lent as a more aware and more intense immersion in the paschal mystery of Christ, in his death and resurrection, through participation in the Eucharist and a life of charity that is born of the Eucharist and which finds its fulfilment in it. "With the distribution of ashes", he concluded, "we renew our commitment to follow Jesus, letting ourselves be transformed by his paschal mystery so that we may conquer evil and do good, so that we can let our 'old selves', tied to sin, die and let the 'new person' be born, transformed by the grace of God". Benedict XVI

Using Facebook to Evangelize

2010-02-16T11:43:00.000-05:00

OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - The Church using “Facebook” to evangelize

Sydney (Agenzia Fides) – Meet young people, encourage dialogue, and exchange on issues of morality and social themes, show the Catholic Church as an institution that is "close" to people using new media for evangelization.... As Fides learns from the local church, these are some of the main objectives of the new initiative launched by the Bishops' Conference of Australia: the Church's presence on the social network Facebook.

The Facebook page includes photographs, images, and texts about the life of the Church in the nation, structured in a lively and dynamic manner, suited to Web users, especially young people: you can interact with priests, discover events promoted by the Church, dialogue with and contact Catholic communities and ecclesial movements throughout the country.

"Social networks are now a resource and a means by which young people share ideas and enter in contact," the Australian Church told Fides. "So, we decided to meet them on their turf and sow the seed of the Gospel in Facebook." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/02/2010)

Links:
Australian Bishops' page on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Braddon-Australia/Australian-Catholic-Bishops-Conference/298533192266?ref=ts

St Paul on Love (Happy St Valentine's Day)

2010-02-12T19:41:00.001-05:00

Profession of Sr. Neville Christine

2010-02-10T10:16:00.001-05:00

My Catholic Blogspot - an encouraging post

2010-02-09T10:47:00.000-05:00

Even more special than the merchandise, however, were the Pauline sisters who ran the bookstore. The Daughters of Saint Paul is a religious congregation of consecrated women founded more than 100 years ago to spread the Gospel through the printed word. Blessed Fr. James Alberione, its founder, is quoted on the Sisters’ website describing his vision of the Pauline Sisters. “An apostle is one who carries God in her soul and radiates him around herself.”

http://yimcatholic.blogspot.com/2010/02/because-of-daughters-of-st-paul.html

Digital Workshops Online Resources for Parents and Educators

2010-02-04T20:51:00.000-05:00

Digital Workshops Online Resources for Parents and Educators

Learn how to be a better parent, teacher or caregiver to the “digital natives” in your life and gain the knowledge and skills for understanding, analyzing and participating in our technology-infused world.
WATCH the featured videos from Digital Nation.
PARTICIPATE in online quizzes and polls to reflect on your digital life.
RATE your agreement or disagreement with controversial issues in “Where Do You Stand?”
READ more about “digital natives” from our parenting and educational experts.
COMMENT on the ideas explored in this program.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/resources/

Tweets on Evangelization and Mother Thecla Tweets

2010-02-04T12:41:00.001-05:00

Check out these twitters
www.twitter.com/motherthecla
www.twitter.com/kerrygma

World Day of Commucations Message

2010-01-30T18:10:00.000-05:00

Download - Pope's message for 44th World Day of Communications

The priest and pastoral ministry in a digital world: new media at the service of the Word.

http://www.xt3.com/library/view.php?id=1201&categoryId=31

Needed: A New Evangelization

2010-01-27T11:59:00.000-05:00

"In a world characterized by religious indifference and even by a growing aversion towards the Christian faith, what is needed is new and intense evangelizing activity, directed not only at peoples who have never known the Gospel, but also at those among whom Christianity is present and has become part of their history.” This is was the affirmation made by the Holy Father Benedict XVI during the celebration of Vespers, which he presided in the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls on the afternoon of January 25, Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, at the end of this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The event was attended by a number of cardinals and bishops, as well as by representatives of other Churches and ecclesial communities present in Rome.

In his homily, the Holy Father recalled that the recent celebration of the Year of St. Paul has offered us the possibility of “deepening in our knowledge of his extraordinary work of herald of the Gospel, and...our call to become missionaries of the Gospel.” Thus, commenting on the Gospel passage of the disciples of Emmaus, which had just been read, he highlighted that our witness, “then as now, is born from the encounter with the Risen Christ, is nourished by the constant relationship with Him, is animated by a deep love for Him... This is why Jesus promises His disciples and each of us a powerful support from on high, a new presence, that of the Holy Spirit [who is] the gift of the risen Christ, who leads us into the entire truth ... The Eleven spent their whole lives proclaiming the good news of the death and resurrection of Christ and most of them sealed their testimony with the blood of martyrdom, fertile seeds that have produced an abundant harvest.”

Making reference to the theme chosen for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, "You are witnesses of these things," (Lk 24:48) the Pope showed that it is an invitation to “offer shared witness of the risen Christ in accordance with the mandate He entrusted to His disciples,” linked "to the hundredth anniversary of the missionary conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, which many consider as a decisive event for the birth of the modern ecumenical movement.”

Benedict XVI did not conceal the existing questions that still separate Christians from one another, “and that we hope may be overcome through prayer and dialogue,” however, there is "a core content of Christ's message that we can announce together: the paternity of God, Christ's victory over sin and death with His cross and resurrection, and trust in the transforming action of the Spirit.” Lastly, the Pope called for a common testimony in light of the challenges of our time: secularization and indifference, relativism and hedonism, delicate ethical questions concerning the beginning and end of life, the limits of science and technology, and dialogue with other religious traditions. He also mentioned that other fields in which we must already show our joint witness are: protecting creation, promoting peace and the common good, defending the centrality of the human person, and the commitment to defeat the poverties of our time such as hunger, indigence, illiteracy and the unequal distribution of wealth. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 26/01/2010)

Photo: Mission San Francis Xavier established by Fr. Kino, S.J.(Arizona).

The Christian Laity and Evangelization

2010-01-25T10:39:00.000-05:00

The Christian Laity by Jordan Aumann, O.P.

http://www.domcentral.org/study/aumann/xianlaity.htm

Fr. Jordan Aumann, O.P. former Director of the Institute of Spirituality at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, is an honorary professor of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, where he has been giving special courses in spirituality since 1977.

During and after the Second Vatican Council the lay members of the Church have been called repeatedly to assume their rightful place among the People of God and to perform the apostolate that is their responsibility. This in itself constitutes a remarkable change in the traditional under standing of the role of the laity in the life and ministry of the Church. And one of the after-effects of this change is a somewhat different concept of the Church, which is no longer seen as the exclusive domain of the clergy.

Ever faithful in implementing the decrees issued by Vatican Council II, Pope John Paul II issued his Apostolic Exhortation, Christifideles Laici, on December 30, 1988. This followed on the heels of the 1987 Synod of Bishops, which had as its topic: "The Vocation and Mission of the Laity in the Church and the World Twenty Years after the Second Vatican Council." To appreciate the significance of these events, it is necessary to review briefly the historical development of the new theology of the lay Christian faithful, which prepared the way for new canonical legislation.

Read the document: http://www.domcentral.org/study/aumann/xianlaity.htm

From: PHILIPPINIANA SACRA, Vol. XXVIII, No. 83 (1993), pp. 321-334

Jan 21-22 March for Life and Prayer Vigil

2010-01-21T11:30:00.000-05:00

AMERICA/UNITED STATES - January 21-22: Prayer Vigil and March for Life

Washington (Agenzia Fides) – This year marks the 37th anniversary of the January 22, 1973 Roe v. Wade, the US Supreme Court decision that ruled abortion to be a right guaranteed by the Constitution.

As in past years, this January 21-22, thousands of pro-life supporters from all over the United States will gather in the capital city to protest this legalization of abortion in the country, with a Prayer Vigil on January 21 and the March for Life on January 22.

The National Prayer Vigil for Life, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, will begin with a 6:30 p.m. EST Mass Jan. 21 and conclude with a 7:30 a.m. EST liturgy Jan. 22. Both will be broadcast live on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston will celebrate the evening Mass. Immediately following the act, priests will be available to hear confessions until midnight and there will be the recitation of a National Rosary for Life. After the Rosary, there will be a moment of prayer in the Byzantine Rite, followed by turns of Eucharistic Adoration lasting until 6am of the following day. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services will be the principal celebrant for the morning Mass.

As usual, the main event will begin with a noon rally Jan. 22 on the National Mall (in Washington, DC), followed by a march along Constitution Avenue that will end at the U.S. Supreme Court. Other events taking place on these days in the capital city include: Masses, prayer meetings, rosaries, Eucharistic Adoration, conventions, rallies, and testimonies.

This year’s pro-life march may be the most important since it began, as it is taking place during an intense political struggle over the role of abortion and conscience protections in the final health care bill to be voted on by both houses of Congress. In this regard, the US Bishops' Conference has repeatedly reaffirmed that while health care reform may be necessary, it must never compromise on the protection of human life in all its stages.

A poll conducted in May 2009 as part of the annual “Gallup Values and Beliefs” survey found that a majority of Americans (51%) described themselves as "pro-life" with respect to the abortion issue, while only 42% said they were "pro-choice." This marked the first time since Gallup began asking the question in 1995 that more respondents said they were pro-life than pro-choice. (AR) (Agenzia Fides 20/01/2010)

Links:

National Prayer Vigil
http://www.usccb.org/prolife/prayervigil/index.shtml

March for Life website
http://www.marchforlife.org/

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

2010-01-19T13:59:00.000-05:00

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: January 18-25, “constitutes, for believers in Christ, a propitious time to revive the ecumenical spirit, to meet each other, to get to know each other, to pray and reflect together.” Making reference to the Bible theme chosen this year: “You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:48), the Pope affirmed that “our proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus will be much more credible and effective the more that we are united in his love, as true brothers. Thus, I invite parishes, religious communities, ecclesial movements and associations to pray unceasingly, in a special way during Eucharistic Celebrations, for the complete unity of Christians.” Benedict XVI

The week of prayer is during the novena of St. Paul's Transformation (Conversion). The painting here is of Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd. Jesus is feeding his sheep with Sts Peter and Paul.

Evangelization and Media Literacy

2010-01-16T17:44:00.001-05:00

2010 World Summit on Media For Children & Youth will be held June 14-18 in Karlstad Sweden. The Summit provides a forum for producers, broadcasters and regulators of media for children and other professionals and community leaders committed to the improvement of quality media for children.[learn more]

NAMLE 2011 Conference · Experience media literacy education in Old Philadelphia-America's Most Historic Square Mile. The conference will be held July 22-25, 2011 at the Sheraton Society Hill. Be art of the organization, presentations, networking and professional development. Step outside to walk to Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell. If you want to be involved in any aspect of the conference planning, contact Deb Parker, Conference Chair [namle@insight.rr.com]. Want to help plan the program? Contact Vanessa Domine, Program Chair [vdomine@namle.net]

Northeast Media Literacy Conference 2010 The 8th Annual NMLC will be held March 26 at the University of Connecticut. This year's conference theme is Media Literacy: A Critical 21st Century Skill. Keynote speakers include Dr. Susan Linn (author, and Director of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood; and Frank Baker, author, and internationally known media literacy leader). [learn more]

2010-01-11T16:05:00.000-05:00

Signposts for a Renewed Consideration of the Priesthood of the Laity
by Sr Margaret Kerry, fsp

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B-PIh0MeUzvnNzQ4MTI5OTAtZjU2NS00MjI2LTgwODAtYjZlMWMxYTk1YTky&hl=en

Laity in the Apostolate

2010-01-08T11:42:00.000-05:00

Any takers for this in the United States? by Paulines?

OCEANIA/AUSTRALIA - Laity taking on roles in apostolate, inspired by Saint Ignatius

Sydney (Agenzia Fides) – A special program of study and training to lay people dedicated to making them protagonists of the apostolate: this is the initiative launched in 2010 by the Jesuits in Australia, aimed at strengthening the role and activity of the laity in pastoral and evangelization. "The laity are fundamental to the Christian presence and proclamation of the Gospel in society and secular structures. They need to understand their role better and become effective evangelists," overcoming resistance and shyness, the Jesuits in Australia tell Fides.

The program will focus on the figure of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, as a model and reference point for spiritual formation lived in the world and being ready to be a missionary. "Ignatius made his journey in life: each of us is called to do the same, according to the mission God has entrusted to him," says Martin Scroop, Director of the Loyola Institute, in presenting the training program.

The program will be open to the different provinces in Australia, involving many religious, theologians, and members of local churches. There is also a part of "field training,” with specific public missionary initiatives in several cities. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 5/01/2009)

Monthly Prayers for 2010

2010-01-06T11:45:00.000-05:00

The Holy Father's Intentions for 2010

JANUARY
Young people and Social Communications Media
General: That young people may learn to use modern means of social communication for their personal growth and to better prepare themselves to serve society.
Missionary: That every believer in Christ may be conscious that unity among all Christians is a condition for more effective proclamation of the Gospel.
FEBRUARY
General: For all scholars and intellectuals, that by means of sincere search for the truth they may arrive at an understanding of the one true God.
The Church’s Missionary Identity
Missionary: That the Church, aware of its own missionary identity, may strive to follow Christ faithfully and to proclaim His Gospel to all peoples.
MARCH
World Economy
General: That the world economy may be managed according to the principles of justice and equity, taking account of the real needs of peoples, especially the poorest.
The Churches in Africa
Missionary: That the Churches in Africa may be signs and instruments of reconciliation and justice in every part of that continent.
APRIL
General: That every tendency to fundamentalism and extremism may be countered by constant respect, by tolerance and by dialogue among all believers.
Missionary: That Christians persecuted for the sake of the Gospel may persevere, sustained by the Holy Spirit, in faithfully witnessing to the love of God for the entire human race.
MAY
Human Trafficking
General: That the shameful and monstrous commerce in human beings, which sadly involves millions of women and children, may be ended.
Priests, Religious and Committed Lay People
Missionary: That ordained ministers, religious women and men, and lay people involved in apostolic work may understand how to infuse missionary enthusiasm into the communities entrusted to their care.
JUNE
Respect for Human Life
General: That every national and transnational institution may strive to guarantee respect for human life from conception to natural death.
Missionary: That the Churches in Asia, which constitute a “little flock” among non-Christian populations, may know how to communicate the Gospel and give joyful witness to their adherence to Christ.
JULY
Justice in Electing those who Govern
General: That in every nation of the world the election of officials may be carried out with justice, transparency and honesty, respecting the free decisions of citizens.
An Urban Culture of Justice, Solidarity and Peace
Missionary: That Christians may strive to offer everywhere, but especially in great urban centers, an effective contribution to the promotion of education, justice, solidarity and peace.
AUGUST
The Unemployed and the Homeless
General: That those who are without work or homes or who are otherwise in serious need may find understanding and welcome, as well as concrete help in overcoming their difficulties.
Victims of Discrimination, Hunger and Forced Emigration
Missionary: That the Church may be a “home” for all people, ready to open its doors to any who are suffering from racial or religious discrimination, hunger, or wars forcing them to emigrate to other countries.
SEPTEMBER
The Word of God as Sign of Social Development
General: That in less developed parts of the world the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people’s hearts, encouraging them to work actively toward authentic social progress.
The End of War
Missionary: That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the numerous wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world.
OCTOBER
General: That Catholic Universities may more and more be places where, in the light of the Gospel, it is possible to experience the harmonious unity existing between faith and reason.
World Mission Day
Missionary: That the World Mission Day may afford an occasion for understanding that the task of proclaiming Christ is an absolutely necessary service to which the Church is called for the benefit of humanity.
NOVEMBER
Drug Addicts and Victims of Every Form of Dependence
General: That victims of drugs or of other dependence may, thanks to the support of the Christian community, find in the power of our Saving God strength for a radical life-change.
The Continent-wide Mission in Latin America

Missionary: That the Churches of Latin America may move ahead with the continent-wide mission proposed by their bishops, making it part of the universal missionary task of the People of God.

DECEMBER
The Experience of Personal Suffering as a Help to Others who Suffer

General: That our personal experience of suffering may be an occasion for better understanding the situation of unease and pain which is the lot of many people who are alone, sick or aged, and stir us all to give them generous help.

Opening Our Doors to Christ

Missionary: That the peoples of the earth may open their doors to Christ and to His Gospel of peace, brotherhood and justice.

Evangelization Blog on Retreat until January 6, 2010. Happy New Year!

2009-12-25T17:26:00.000-05:00

May your New Year be filled with blessings and gifts of God's great love. You are in my prayers.

In the Child God's Love Manifest

2009-12-23T14:42:00.000-05:00

THE LOVE OF GOD MANIFEST
At the beginning of his catechesis the Holy Father explained that "the Church's liturgical year did not initially develop on the basis of Christ's birth but on that of faith in His resurrection. Hence, the most ancient feast of Christianity is not Christmas but Easter. The resurrection of Christ is what founded the Christian faith, underpinned the announcement of the Gospel and brought the Church into being".
"The first person to make the clear affirmation that Jesus was born on 25 December was Hippolytus of Rome in his commentary on the Book of Daniel, written around the year 204", said the Pope.
"In the Christian world, the feast of Christmas assumed a distinct form in the fourth century when it took the place of the Roman feast of the 'Sol invictus', the sun unconquered. This highlighted the fact that the birth of Christ is the victory of the true light over the darkness of evil and sin. Yet the particular and intense spiritual atmosphere that now surrounds Christmas developed during the Middle Ages, thanks to St. Francis of Assisi who was profoundly enamoured of Jesus the man, of the God-with-us".
"This particular devotion to the mystery of the Incarnation was the origin of the famous Christmas celebration in Greccio. ... St. Francis with his nativity scene highlighted the defenceless love, humility and goodness of God, Who in the Incarnation of the Word shows Himself to mankind in order to teach them a new way to live and love".
"In that Child", the Holy Father added, "God-Love becomes manifest: God comes unarmed and powerless, because He does not intend to conquer, so to say, from the outside; rather, He intends to be accepted by man in freedom. God becomes a defenceless child to overcome man's pride, violence and thirst for possession. In Jesus, God assumed this poor and disarming condition in order to triumph over us with love and lead us to our true identity".
"His being a Child likewise indicates to us that we can meet God and enjoy His presence", the Pope concluded. "People who have not understood the mystery of Christmas have not understood the decisive element of Christian existence: that those who do not accept Jesus with the heart of a child cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven. This is what St. Francis wished to tell the Christian world of his time and of all times, even unto today".

Twitter for Evangelization

2009-12-21T20:07:00.000-05:00

Twitter for Evangelization

http://stephencuyos.com/use-twitter-for-evangelization/

and ten nuns who tweet plus three

http://stephencuyos.com/10-nuns-to-follow-on-twitter/

and follow:

Hopetweets (Sr Sharon Anne) Crabbimystic (Sr Mary Lea) PaulineNYC (Margie Skeels, Pauline Cooperator)

St Paul and the new Areopagus

2009-12-15T16:21:00.000-05:00

The issue you have addressed in this meeting, "St. Paul and the new Areopagus," in light of the Year of St. Paul recently concluded, helps to relive the experience of the Apostle of the Gentiles in Athens when, after preaching in many places he went to the Areopagus, and there proclaimed the Gospel in a language that today we might call 'inculturated' (cf. Acts 17:22-31).

That areopagus, which was then the cultural center of the learned people of Athens, today - as my venerated predecessor John Paul II said – "it can be taken as a symbol of the new sectors in which the Gospel must be proclaimed." (Redemptoris Missio , 37). In fact, the reference to that event is a pressing invitation to learn to interpret the "Areopagus" of today, where the great challenges of evangelization are confronted. You intend to analyze this issue realistically, taking into account the many social changes that have occurred, with a realism sustained by the spirit of faith that sees history in the light of the Gospel, and with the certainty that St. Paul had in the presence of the risen Christ. Comforting for us are the words that Jesus spoke in Corinth: "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you" (Acts 18:9-10). The Servant of God Paul VI said that it is not only about preaching the Gospel, “but also of affecting and as it were upsetting, through the power of the Gospel, mankind's criteria of judgment, determining values, points of interest, lines of thought, sources of inspiration and models of life, which are in contrast with the Word of God and the plan of salvation."(Teachings XIII, [1975], 1448).

We must look at the "new Areopagus" in this spirit, some of them in the current globalization, have become common, while others are specific to certain continents, as was seen in the recent Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. The Church's missionary activity should therefore be geared towards these nerve centers of society of the third millennium. Nor can we underestimate the influence of a widespread culture of relativism, for the most part lacking in values, which enters the sanctuary of the family, infiltrates in education and other areas of society and contaminates them, manipulating consciences, especially those youth. At the same time, however, despite these pitfalls, the Church knows that the Holy Spirit is always in action. New doors are opened to the Gospel and the yearning for an authentic spiritual and apostolic renewal begins spreading throughout the world. As in other periods of change, the pastoral priority is to show the true face of Christ, the Lord of history and the one Redeemer of man. This requires that every Christian community and the Church as a whole offer a witness of fidelity to Christ, patiently building up the unity willed by Him, and prayed for by all His disciples. The unity of Christians will, in fact, make it easier to evangelize and to face the cultural, social and religious challenges of our time.

In this missionary venture, we can look to the apostle Paul, imitating his "style" of life and his same apostolic "spirit" totally focused on Christ. With such complete adherence to the Lord, Christians will be more likely to transmit to future generations the legacy of faith, transforming even difficulties into opportunities for evangelization. In my recent Encyclical Caritas in Veritate, I wanted to emphasize that the economic and social development of contemporary society needs to regain the attention to spiritual life and a "a serious consideration of the experiences of trust in God, spiritual fellowship in Christ, reliance upon God's providence and mercy, love and forgiveness, self-denial, acceptance of others, justice and peace... Christians long for the entire human family to call upon God as “Our Father!” (no.79).

I invoke upon you and upon those who take part in this Plenary Assembly, God's help and the protection of the Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelization, and I cordially send my blessing to everyone.
From the Vatican, November 2009. BENEDICT XVI PP
(Agenzia Fides 16/11/2009)

(c) Drawing of Paul, Sr. Elaine Penrice, fsp

Pope Benedict on Evangelization

2009-12-06T11:49:00.000-05:00

http://www.christlife.org/resources/articles/popequote.html

Quotes & Podcast on Evangelization

"One of the promising indications of a renewal in the Church's missionary consciousness in recent decades, has been the growing desire of many lay men and women to cooperate generously in the 'missio ad gentes.'

Peace on Earth Concert – 12/1/09 : Currents

2009-12-04T13:25:00.000-05:00

Peace on Earth Concert – 12/1/09 : Currents

Jesus Communication Platform Is the Human Person

2009-12-02T13:52:00.001-05:00

Jesus' Communication Platform Is 'the Human Person' http://www.americancatholic.org/news/report.aspx?id=1924

Texting: sent the original Christian text message: "IHS."

"You should recognize this one," Bishop Soto said. "It is the oldest text message anywhere. It is the text for the holy name of Jesus."

New forms of electronic communication are everywhere and being reinvented again rapidly, but God doesn't care, Bishop Soto said.

"God does not buy a new iPhone or get a new app (mobile application). His communication platform is the human person," he said.
The explosion of electronic communication, he continued, is merely a reflection of the yearning in the human heart to have what Jesus offers—a connection to love.
"The Lord Jesus Christ is tapping on the homepage of your heart," he said. "He wants to text the truth of God's mercy on your soul. Jesus is the word, the ultimate Facebook of God, and invites you to be his friend."
"Jesus does not Twitter," the bishop said. "Rather he humbled himself so that he could meet you, connect with you and serve you in charity and in truth. He is the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the way, the truth and the life."

Go Forth and Baptize. The Wager of the Argentine Church

2009-11-30T14:46:00.000-05:00

Go Forth and Baptize. The Wager of the Argentine Church

A Space for Seeking and Deepening

Everyone's Call to be an Apostle

World Mission Sunday 2010

U.S. Catholics in Mission

Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization instituted

Social Media in Three Easy Steps

Image and Reality

Mission must start from the Eucharist and lead to the Eucharist

Scripture and the Mission

Authenticity & Truth in a Digital Age

Using Talents Online

Baptism Starts Mission

Papal Visit Live!

10 Suggestions for Using Social Media

Seek New Methods of Evangelization

The Internet a Millieu Shaping Us

Globalization and Christian Hope

Jesus the Christ e-Conference

Real Faith. Real Radio.

New Media and Evangelization

Jesus' New Lifestyle

The Real Facebook

What Works: Gossip - Busted Halo

Need Faith? There's an App for That

Touched by the Gospel

Prayer in a Digital Age

Anne Rice & the Church Home for all Peoples

You Are Never Alone

Listening to the Word: Lectio Divina

Life in Christ Jesus

Worlds Oldest Illustrated Bible Found

Gospel in Everyone's Hearts

Evangelization Exchange

Real Issue of Evangelization

Challege of Evangelization & St Paul

Re-Evangelization

Freedom and Love

Scripture and Eucharist

Personal Gospel: Jesus

Conference on Migration

Extra-Ordinary Ordinary Time

New Pentecost

Mary, Queen of the Apostles of All Times

Faith Formation Online Courses

Arlington Catholic Herald - Church ascends into digital age - catholicherald.com

Pentecost Preparation

Holy Rosary - How to Pray the Rosary

Fatima: Mystical Confidences

Prayer for Our Church

Enthusiasm ἐνθουσιασμός

Laity and Evangelization and the Media

Rome Pilgrimage to Birthplace of Pauline Family

Music Opens Minds and Hearts

Live Streaming Pontifical Mission Meeting

Epic Evangelization

For Your Vocation Website

Witness and Mission: National Catholic Education Conference

Holy See Press Office concerning Sexual Abuse Stormy Waters

Know the voice of Jesus through transmission of the Gospel

Easter Blessings!

Good Friday Psalm Prayers

Step toward sainthood for Mother Henriette Delille « CNS Blog

Profound, personal, communal conversion

Mary of Nazareth Home Page

Cardinal v. Atheist: Without God We Are Nothing

Cardinal v. Atheist: Without God We Are Nothing

You will be my witnesses: Christian mission to evangelize

Nations Largest Religious Congress Join in LIVE!

Faithfulness of Christ; Faithfulness of the Priest

Lent "Desert Prayer Reflection" Video with Stabat Mater

Spiritual but not religious — Not so fast! - Busted Halo

Facebook | Pauline Books & Media

Seeds of Faith for the Spread of the Gospel

Guadalulpe's Largest Pilgrimage in History

AMERICA/MEXICO - Basilica of Guadalupe receives largest pilgrimage in history: 100,000 pilgrims

24 Hours Sacrament of Reconcilation in 52 Churches

Human Longing, Segue to Hope

Mother Thecla's Birthday

How to Put into the Deep for Evangelization

Activity Handout: Dealing with Discouragementby John M. Boucher

Activity Handout: Dealing with Discouragement
by John M. Boucher