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Online This Week
August 29-September 4, 2010

CELEBRATE…Labor Day
…U.S. bishops’ annual Labor Day Message (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/labor_day_2010.pdf
…an editorial--”Give Labor Its Day” (America)
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12429

VIEW...
...a review of a new book on the origins of Islam (America podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/video/video-index.cfm?series_id=1190
…a retrospective on ethical issues and the war in Iraq (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/by-topic/middle-east/ethics-and-iraq/6892/

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
…Sunday’s Gospel – Pay to Pray (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-august-29-pay-play
…Mother Theresa, the “patron saint of boomers” (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/the-patron-saint-of-baby-boomers
…inspirational quotes about silence (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2010/01/Inspirational-Quotes-on-Silence.aspx
…Sr. Joyce Rupp’s Prayer for One Who Is Moving On (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/prayer-one-who-moving
...the history of the Sign of the Cross (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/praying/2010/08-24/making-the-sign-of-the-cross

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
...smart phone aps designed for Catholic prayer (U.S. Catholic):
http://uscatholic.org/culture/art-and-reviews/2010/07/ipray-smartphone-apps-faithful
…similarities between anti-Catholicism then and Islamophobia now (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/wrong-then-wrong-now
...why liturgy should "shake us up" a little bit (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/shaken-so-we-can-pour-ourselves-out
…what’s wrong with tabloid journalism (MercatorNet):
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/the_bewitching_ways_of_wickedness/
…women’s role in Catholic theology (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/vatican-voice-women-theologians

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=336
…viewpoints on the Vatican’s investigation of U.S. sisters (Interfaith Voices):
http://interfaithradio.org/node/1462
…the summer’s big publishing hits (America Podcast))
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1188
…an interview with singer/songwriter Audrey Assad (The Christophers):
http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=740
…what teens need to hear about chastity (Everyday Faith):
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/8/24_Chastity_%28Mary_Beth_Bonacci%29.html

CONSIDER…
…seven myths about clergy sexual abuse (Catholic Update):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/preview.aspx?id=242
…more opinions on the new Roman Missal
(The Tablet): http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/15169
(First Things): http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/08/the-liturgical-expertsrsquo-long-tassels
(National Catholic Reporter): http://ncronline.org/blogs/bulletins-human-side/reform-reform-secularizes-sacred
(PrayTell): http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/08/27/what-to-look-for-in-the-new-translation/
...what's wrong with Eat, Pray Love (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/spirituality/eat-pray-love-alas
…why Glenn Beck hates community organizers (Sojourners):
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj1009&article=why-does-glenn-beck-hate-community-organizers

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…Mother Theresa’s legacy (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/united-states/remembering-mother-teresa-reflection/
…how the face of global Catholicism is changing (Boston College Magazine):
http://bcm.bc.edu/issues/summer_2010/c21_notes/new-balance.html
…religious bias in New York City (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/blogs/religious-bias-in-new-york
…what Matisse's art teaches us about faith (America):
http://americamagazine.org/content/culture.cfm?cultureID=138

READ...
...Pope Benedict's message for Mother Theresa's 100th birthday (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30160?l=english
…the U.S. bishops’ statement on stem cell funding (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-152.shtml

WORTH QUOTING…
"As a young man, Nikos Kazantzakis, the famous Greek writer, contemplated becoming a monk and once spent a summer touring monasteries. Years later, writing on the experience, he recounts a marvelous conversation he had with an elderly monk, Fr. Makarios. At one point, he asked the old monk: 'Do you still wrestle with the devil, Father Makarios?' The old priest sighed and replied: "'Not any longer, my child. I have grown old now, and he has grown old with me. He doesn't have the strength.... [Now] I wrestle with God.' 'With God!' Kazantzakis exclaimed in astonishment. 'And you hope to win?' 'I hope to lose, my child,' the old man replied, 'My bones remain with me still, and they continue to resist.'"
-- Fr. Ron Rolheiser in his syndicated column, available online at:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=528

• • •

Online This Week
August 22-28, 2010

VIEW…
…an extended interview with bioethicist Christian Brugger (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/august-20-2010/christian-brugger-extended-interview/6840/

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
…Sunday’s Gospel—love and discipline (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/5scripture-reflection-august-22-about-love-and-discipline
…sending a child off to kindergarten (The Criterion
http://www.americancatholic.org/community/editorial.aspx?id=104
…St. Francis’ prayer before a crucifix (Friar Jack):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=39
…Sr. Joyce Rupp’s Blessing of the Body (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/blessing-body
…ten keys to getting “unstuck” (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2010/08/Ten-Keys-To-Unlock-Your-Life.aspx
…the Book of Revelation (Catholica):
http://www.catholica.com.au/gc0/ie3/153_ie_190810.php

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…Blessed John Henry Newman (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Sep2010/Feature1.asp
...why immigration reform isn't only a Catholic issue (USA Today):
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2010-08-16-column16_ST_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
...why some bishops are questioning the church's "clerical culture" (National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/some-bishops-questioning-clerical-culture
...young adults and the Church's teaching on marriage (U.S. Catholic
http://www.uscatholic.org/dating
...how to welcome Hispanic Catholics (Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Assn.
http://www.pncea.org/news/ee0810-fernandez-welcoming-hispanics.aspx?idevd=C3C82A1ECEE011DE932778A056D89593&idevm=a2d5a8a106ab4616ab5e80f5e3ed9978&idevmid=3290

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of Catholic Radio Weekly (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/audio/crw.shtml
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=335
…how the Church defines heresy (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/videoandaudio/definition-of-heresy
…Jacqueline Novogratz’s concept of “patient capitalism” (Speaking of Faith):
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/different-kind-of-capitalism-2/

CONSIDER…
…creating a sacred space (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/livingspiritually/spirituality_every_day/simply_satisfied/creating_a_sacred_space.php
…the difference between coincidence and consciousness (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/08/mysteries-of-consciousness
…Vatican II’s liturgical reforms (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6788/Msgr-M-Francis-Mannion-Defending-the-liturgical.aspx
…a former Evangelical Christian’s perspective on Catholic Spirituality (Ignatius Insight):
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2007/thoward_cathspirit_mar07.asp
…the theological vision of St. Ignatius (ThinkingFaith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100730_1.htm

THINK MORE ABOUT…
...reading the Bible as a living word (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/praying/2010/08-16/read-the-bible-me
…how God relates to us personally(Canadian Jesuits):
http://www.jesuits.ca/orientations/grace.htm
…the Catholic meaning of time (Patheos):
http://www.patheos.com/Library/Roman-Catholicism/Ritual-Worship-Devotion-Symbolism/Sacred-Time.html
...how to welcome Hispanic Catholics (Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Assn.
http://www.pncea.org/news/ee0810-fernandez-welcoming-hispanics.aspx?idevd=C3C82A1ECEE011DE932778A056D89593&idevm=a2d5a8a106ab4616ab5e80f5e3ed9978&idevmid=3290
…what young children need (Notre Dame Magazine):
http://magazine.nd.edu/news/16434-time-to-spoil-that-baby/

READ…
...the Pope's homily on the feast of the Assumption (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30066?l=english
…Fr. John Pawlikowski ‘s analysis of the state of Catholic-Jewish dialogue (Studies in Christian-Jewish Relations)
http://escholarship.bc.edu/scjr/vol5/iss1/9/

WORTH QUOTING...
"There's a tiredness that cannot be cured by a good sleep, a good vacation, or by the right time with the right friends with the right wine, and it's the deepest tiredness inside us…. This is a bone deep tiredness that isn't cured by a vacation, but only by forgiveness.… Before we die, we need to forgive. We need to forgive those who hurt us, to forgive ourselves for not being any better than those who hurt us, to forgive life itself for some of the things that it dealt us, and, not least, to forgive God for the fact that life is unfair, so as not to die with a bitter and angry heart. Gratitude is the fruit of that struggle.”
--Fr. Ronald Rolheiser in his syndicated column, online at:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=520

• • •

Online This Week
August 15-21, 2010

VIEW…
...images of the monasteries along the Red Sea in Egypt (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/photo_gallery/38/red-sea-monasteries-of-egypt.html
…a testimony to small town discrimination (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/busted-borders-miguel-mexico-video-2

REFLECT ON...
...the Muslim season of Ramadan (U.S. Catholic):
http://uscatholic.org/Muslim-Catholic_dialogue
…the importance of prayer (Catholic Education Resource Center)
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0997.htm
…Dorothy Day’s thoughts on the bombing of Hiroshima (The Catholic Worker):
http://www.catholicworker.org/dorothyday/daytext.cfm?TextID=554&SearchTerm=bomb
…what it means to be converted (Loyola Press):
http://deepeningfriendship.loyolapress.com/
…the meaning of the Beatitudes (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100813_1.htm
…Friar Jack’s thoughts about the Assumption of Mary (American Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=38
…Frederic Brussard’s “Spiritual Practices for Hot Weather” (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/features.php?id=20102

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT...
...the promises of new stem-cell technology that is consistent with Catholic teaching (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12420
…Fr. Virgilio Elizondo’s theology of “redemptive inclusion” (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/diversity-is-a-sign-of-the-new-creation
…the quality of Catholic health care (Thompson-Reuters):
http://thomsonreuters.com/content/press_room/tsh/catholic_and_other_church-owned_health_systems_deliver_better_quality_care
…turning to hope in difficult economic times (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6771/In-Focus-How-Catholics-can-employ-hope-in-times-o.aspx

CHECK OUT...
...a new webpage about religion in the 2010 elections (Pew Forum):
http://features.pewforum.org/politics/index.html
…what children should know about sexual abuse (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-147.shtml

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=334
…this week’s edition of Catholic Radio Weekly (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/audio/crw.shtml
…selections from The Pilgrim Journey, a CD commemorating Pope Benedict’s visit to Britain (Catholic Church in England and Wales):
http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/pilgrim-cd
…a conversation with Fr. Timothy Radcliffe (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=411203
…what Ramadan means to faithful Muslims (Speaking of Faith):
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/ramadan/

THINK MORE ABOUT...
…the “science” of morality (The Edge):
http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/morality10/morality.haidt.html
...how being Catholic makes a difference (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/whyitmatters
…not praying the rosary regularly (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/beads-on-call
…what we can learn from “doubting Thomas” (Catholica):
http://www.catholica.com.au/gc0/ie3/152_ie_120810.php
…what’s wrong with capitalism (MercatorNet):
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/capitalism_is_the_most_ethical_form_of_economics/

READ...
...Bishop Zavala's comments on the Arizona immigration law (Washington Post):
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/08/catholic_
bishops_cardinals_decry_arizona_immigration_law.html
…Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s annual column on suicide:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=526
…Fr. Eamon Duffy’s analysis of Pope Benedict’s attitude about the liturgy (The Tablet
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/15109
…a review of Tzvetan Todorov's In Defense of the Enlightenment (Spiked):
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/reviewofbooks_article/9365
…a review of Tony Judt’s Ill Fares the Land (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/last-testament

WORTH QUOTING...
"...[T]rue servant leadership in times of significant change requires a special set of skills. Parker Palmer...speaks to the importance of holding life’s tensions, what he calls the 'tragic gap' --'a gap between the way things are and the way we know they might be'.... Leaders should model patience in order to give time for others to 'come to know'; they should develop trust by maintaining a practice that some have called narrative imagination, or seeing the world through the eyes of the other; and they should avoid rushing to incomplete solutions while also recognizing the importance of short-term wins in order to maintain some sense of hope and confidence."
--Bill Laramee, in a blog for Faith & Leadership at:
http://faithandleadership.com/sermons/leadership-the-wilderness

• • •

Online This Week
July 25-31, 2010

VIEW…
…a video presentation of this Sunday's gospel (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224445998-the-gospel-of-sunday-25th-july-2010.html
…this week's Vatican Report--the Anglican decision to ordain women bishops (h20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-In%20the%20world/224445983-vatican-report.html
…a report on the spiritual implications of the Gulf oil spill (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/july-23-2010/spiritual-implications-of-the-oil-spill/6704/
…an interview with Archbishop Charles Chaput (Salt and Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/witness/index.php

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
…a sacramental moment in Yellowstone National Park (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Aug2010/Feature1.asp
…prayers for midlife and beyond (Canadian Jesuits):
http://www.jesuits.ca/orientations/midlife.htm
…21 ways to be happy (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Emotional-Health/2009/10/Simple-Ways-to-Be-Happy.aspx
…the sustaining power of (boring) ritual (Fr. Ron Rolheiser):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=522
…Sr. Joyce Rupp's prayer for a family reunion (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/family-reunion

DISCOVER…
…the most 'spiritually literate' movies of the year-so far (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/features.php?id=20046
…the importance of hope in difficult times (Explore Faith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/lifeissues/anxious_times/index.php

STUDY…
…a seminar on the future of Catholicism (Patheos):
http://www.patheos.com/Topics/Future-of-World-Religions/Catholicism.html
…the impact of living in a digitally 'connected' world (World Catholic Association for Communication)
http://www.signis.net/article.php3?id_article=4108

CONSIDER…
…Alice von Hildebrand's evaluation of Christopher West's theology of the body (Catholic News Agency):
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document.php?n=999
…Rachel Johnson's rebuttal to Glen Beck's theology of the cross (Sojourners):
http://blog.sojo.net/2010/07/21/glenn-beck-and-the-foolishness-of-the-cross/
…Archbishop Chaput's reflections on the structure of Scripture (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/07/fire-on-the-earth-godrsquos-new-creation-and-the-meaning-of-our-lives
…David Bruce's "spiritual review" of Inception (Hollywood Jesus):
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movieDetail.cfm/i/2427FC17-F958-E890-C16F7CEB76D9DF49/a/4
…what listening to talk radio does to your mind (Moral Landscapes):
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201007/listening-talk-shows-can-corrode-your-morality

LISTEN TO…
…the latest edition of Catholic Radio Weekly (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/audio/crw.shtml
…this week's edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=331
…an audio tour of the Roman Colliseum (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=409556
…an interview with a survivor of the Rwandan genocide (Everyday Faith):
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/7/18_Left_to_Tell_%28Immaculee_Ilibagiza%29.html
…Barbara Kingsolver's perspective on the ethics of eating (Speaking of Faith):
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/ethics-of-eating/

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…Ayn Rand and the culture of death (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0014.htm
…what it means to be converted (Loyola Press):
http://deepeningfriendship.loyolapress.com/
…the importance of the imagination (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/gods_imagination_is_ours_to_emulate_imagine_that/
…how secrecy made sex abuse possible (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/scandal-secrecy
…the ethics of unmanned drones (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6698/Catholic-scholars-weigh-ethics-of-military-drones.aspx
…Glenn Beck's misunderstanding of social justice (Religion Dispatches):
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/politics/2988/glenn_beck%E2%80%99s_%E2%80%98social_justice%E2%80%99_heresies

READ…
…the U.S. bishops' response to exclusion of abortion funding (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-142.shtml
…a new report on how the 1996 welfare reforms are affecting today's poor (Network):
http://www.networklobby.org/TANF_Report
…a excerpt from God and His Image-An Outline of Biblical Theology (Ignatius Insight):
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/07/god-the-author-of-scripture.html

WORTH QUOTING…
"Father, Son, and Holy Spirit you sow and you harvest and you are seed for us all… You are Word and you are Action, you are Provider and Provision; you are Creator and Redeemer, you are Life itself… Creator Father, spring in us the beauty of your grace. Plant seeds of hope and of faith deep in our hearts. May we grow deep roots in the soil you have prepared; and may we recognize the weeds that grow alongside what's bearing fruit… Prune in us what is dead, what bears no fruit; and help us to be fruitful according to your will. Give us the tools to tend our soil and that of our communities. Send oh Lord, workers to the vineyard, to tend the garden, to plant the seeds, to water, to help with the weeds!"
Mirya Roach in a reflection posted on the blog My Catholic Faith at:
http://mycatholicfaith.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=62:the-golden-bowl-of-praye

• • •

Online This Week
July 11-17, 2010

VIEW…
…a video presentation of this Sunday’s Gospel (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224445845-the-gospel-of-sunday-11th-july-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report – a busy summer in Rome (h20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/224445831-vatican-report.html
…an interview with ethicist Paul Root Wolpe on the ethics of the Gulf oil spill (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/july-9-2010/gulf-oil-spill-ethics/6634/
…life in Gaza, an open-air prison (Troicaire):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Rqiu10WJM&feature=player_embedded

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
…this week’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-july-11-head-heart
… images of Mother Teresa, marking the centenary of her birth (The Tablet):
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/page/exhibition

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…what Catholics believe about life and death (Catholic Church in England and Wales):
http://www.dayforlife.org/Day-for-Life/Resources
…incense – just about everything there is to know (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/videoandaudio/incense
…the Catholic connection to health care (Catholic Update):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/preview.aspx?id=240
…Haiti, six months after the earthquake (Caritas International):
http://www.caritas.org/includes/pdf/HaitiSixMonths.pdf
…Fra Angelico and Gothic figurative art (The Way of Beauty):
http://thewayofbeauty.org/2010/07/05/fra-angelico-and-the-annunciation/#more-764

CONSIDER…
…South African Bishop Kevin Dowling’s assessment of the Church today (Independent Catholic News):
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=16465
…and Fr. James Martin’s commentary on Bishop Dowling’s talk (America blog):
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=16465
…the best spiritual books of 2010--so far (Spirituality and Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/features.php?id=20045
…Glee creator Ian Brennan’s account of being Catholic (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/raking-leaves-racked-with-skepticism

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…how to recognize the Holy Spirit in your life (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/livingspiritually/spirituality_every_day/how_to_recognize_the_
holy_spirit_in_your_life.php
…the way(s) Christ is present in the Eucharist (Notre Dame Center for Liturgy):
http://liturgy.nd.edu/webcatechesis/zimmerman/zimmerman3.html
…the cost of being socially independent (Moral Landscapes):
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201007/americans-the-marlboro-people-self-reliance-comfort-in-abundance
…the debate over immigration (American Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/community/editorial.aspx?id=91
...and how Our Lady of Guadalupe could help bridge the opposing views (America podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1182
…the pros and cons of living together before marriage (Everyday Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=230

DISCOVER...
…more about the Pope’s summer home at Castle Gandolfo (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=406384
…twelve ways to recover from a relapse (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Emotional-Health/2009/11/How-to-Come-Back-After-a-Relapse.aspx
...a new website on the church and immigration (Catholic University of America):
http://libraries.cua.edu/achrcua/immigration/immigration_wel.html

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=329
…Fr. Richard Rohr’s reflections on Homer’s The Odyssey (Center for Action and Contemplation):
http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/conferences/webcast/2010-series/the-odyssey/
…a sample from Mark Thidbideaux’s The Armchair Mystic (St. Anthony Messenger Press):
http://www.catholicsampler.com/sample.aspx?id=A16964
…Krista Tippet’s interview with John Paul Lederach on how people transcend violence (Speaking of Faith):
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/art-of-peace/
…Fr. Brian Gannon’s discussion of morality in American culture (Spirituality for Today):
http://www.spirituality.org/

READ…
…Pope Benedict’s Wednesday catechesis on John Dons Scotus (Vatican):
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20100707_en.html
…an excerpt from Christopher Dawson’s Christianity and the History of Culture (Ignatius Insight):
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2008/cdawson_focchap2_oct08.asp

WORTH QUOTING…
“I don’t think we’ve forgotten, in the present day, the failure of our senses or the need for faith. But I think that sometimes we forget what faith means and are struck by a hopeless nostalgia for what (we think) we can never have: the clear vision of God’s unalterable and saving truth, through our own eyes…. For the early church, the Eucharist was a kind of discipline, a stretching of our own eyes towards the eyes of God, in which we practice seeing the body of Christ not only in the elements on the altar, but also in our invisible brothers and sisters. There is no magic required for such vision, but only unconditional love formed from gratitude for the forgiveness of sins.”
--Kimberly Hope Belcher in an entry on the PrayTell blog at:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/07/08/may-we-taste-and-see/

• • •

Online This Week
July 4-10, 2010

CELEBRATE…the Fourth of July
…a reflection on Independence Day (American Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/community/editorial.aspx?id=88
…an interview with the author of The Founding Fathers and the Place of Religion in America (Interfaith Voices):
http://interfaithradio.org/
…a perspective on the Catholic voice in the public square (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100702_1.htm
…resources from ExploreFaith:
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_christianity/holy_days/holidays/independence_day/index.php

VIEW…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224445719-the-gospel-of-sunday-4th-july-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—new bishop appointments (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/224445696-vatican-report.html
…an interview with Fr. James Martin SJ on summertime spirituality (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/live
…an interview with Pam Greenberg, author of The Complete Psalms (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/july-2-2010/pamela-greenberg-extended-interview/5955/
…images from Debra Band’s Illuminated Psalms (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/by-topic/poetry/illuminated-psalms/5861/
…a video invitation to “come awake” and join the resurrected Lord (Catholic Media House):
http://www.catholicmediahouse.com/store/details/?pid=MM-IGN-0062

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
…Sunday’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-july-4-people-mission
…how one person is making a difference in Haiti (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Jul2010/Feature1.asp
…the worldview of the Gothic cathedral (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/culture.cfm?cultureid=129
…Carravagio’s “Call of St. Matthew” (Commonweal Blog):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=8946

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…the U.S. bishops’ new initiative, “Marriage—Unique for a Reason” (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-124.shtml
...what the Pope has in mind for reforming the liturgy (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/what-benedict-means-new-liturgical-movement
…the Vatican’s long hot summer (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1002755.htm
…St. Ignatius Loyola (Loyola Press):
http://www.loyolapress.com/31-days-of-st-ignatius.htm

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS...
...on what makes you proud to be an American Catholic (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/life/2010/06/proud-be-american-catholic

THINK ABOUT…
...Richard Gaillardetz’s perspective on the limits of bishops' authority (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/limits-authority
…the challenge of providing justice for juvenile offenders (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12367
…what is the sacred and whether it can be saved (Religion Dispatches):
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/2361/does_the_sacred_need_saving
…why the pro-life movement can’t call a truce on abortion (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/07/the-signpost-at-the-crossroads

DISCOVER...
...16 ways to share your faith with younger generations (Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association):
http://www.pncea.org/news/ee0610-boucher-generations.aspx?print=y
…21 tips for how to help a grieving friend (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2010/05/21-Ways-to-Help-a-Grieving-Friend.aspx
...a new website from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate:
http://cara.georgetown.edu/

ENTER INTO…
…a discussion of Ross Douthat’s controversial article on the future of the Catholic Church (Commonweal Blog):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=8929

READ...
…Peter Kreeft’s essay on human identity (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0011.htm

WORTH QUOTING…
“In the last analysis what I am looking for in solitude is not happiness or fulfillment but salvation. Not ‘my own salvation’ but the salvation of everybody…. I am here [in the solitude of the hermitage] for one thing: to be open, to be not ‘closed in’ on any one choice to the exclusion of all others: to be open to God's will and freedom to His love, which comes to save me from all in myself that resists Him and says no to Him. This I must do not to justify myself, not to be right, not to be good, but because the whole world of lost people needs this opening by which salvation can get into it through me.”
-- Thomas Merton in Learning to Love, posted online at:
http://www.jesuits.ca/orientations/newstuff.html

• • •

Online This Week
June 27-July 3, 2010

WATCH…
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224445557-the-gospel-of-sunday-27th-june-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—Italy and the Church (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/224445512-vatican-report.html
…Fr. Paul Turner’s discussion of the biblical sources for the new missal translations (Notre Dame Center for Liturgy):
http://liturgy.nd.edu/webcatechesis/turner/turner1.html
…an inspiring video about God’s presence (Catholic Media House):
http://www.catholicmediahouse.com/store/details/?pid=MM-MED-0005

CONSIDER…
…”conversion ethics” as a solution to poverty (Ekklesia):
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/why-conversion-ethic-solution-persistent-uk-poverty
…what we’ve learned about "mindful morality" (Moral Landscapes):
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201006/love-your-intuitions-lose-your-addiction-trying-mindful-morality-part-6
...what Catholics think makes a great parish (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/church/2010/05/what-makes-parish-great

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…having a conversation with God (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/category/what_works
…the Church’s dialogue with non-believers (Chiesa News):
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1343816?eng=y
…the myth of “Pope Joan” (Ignatius Insight):
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/06/the-syndney-morning-herald-reports-that-a-german-movie-about-pope-joan-has-been-making-some-waves-in-europeher-story-was-con.html
…David Adam Richards’ Search for Faith in a Secular World (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/rebel-cause-1
…the Cathedral in St. Paul (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article%20/cathedral_is_catechism_in_stone_and_glass/

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Service):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
…this week’s scripture readings (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/5scripture-reflection-june-27-lord-will-i-love-myself-enough-follow-you
…how the Eucharist prepares us for mission (St. Anthony Messenger)http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Jul2010/Feature2.asp
…St. Francis’ Canticle of Brother Sun (Friar Jack’s E-Inspirations):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=36

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=327
…Fr. Dave Dwyer’s response to “bored by Mass” (BustedHalo Radio):
http://bustedhalo.libsyn.com/i_m_catholic_spiritual_and_dislike_mass
…the story of monks who brew ale for a living (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/trappist-ales
…this week’s World Report—Relief in Haiti (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/newsroom/world-report/
…an interview with Mark Hart, author of The “R” Father (Christopher Closeup):
http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=740

DOWNLOAD…
…a copy of Practical Guide to the Spiritual Care of the Dying Person (Bishops Conference of England and Wales):
http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/Catholic-Church/Publications/Practical-Guide-to-the-Spiritual-Care-of-the-Dying-Person

REGISTER FOR...
...a July 17 online discussion, "When Families and Children Don't Go to Church" (Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association):
http://www.pncea.org/events/csowhenfamilieschildrendontgotochurch.aspx

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…discovering life from the inside out (Speaking of Faith):
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/holding-life-consciously/
…living as a undocumented immigrant (BustedHalo video):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/busted-borders-irving-mexico-video-1
…having more children (Wall Street Journal):
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704289504575313201221533826.html
…finding God at the World Cup (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/god-and-the-world-cup

JOIN…
…an online retreat, “Living the Eucharist” (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/programs/onlineRetreat/living-the-eucharist-week-one
…an online summer Catholic book discussion (Aquinas and More):
http://www.catholicsummerreading.com/

READ…
…the U.S. bishops’ clarification on the Church’s teaching on abortion (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/doctrine/direct-abortion-statement2010-06-23.pdf
...Pope Benedict's catechesis on the Eucharist (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-29633?l=english
…an excerpt from Ironies of Faith (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/arts/al0409.htm
…Archbishop Chaput’s reflection on the connection between liturgy and evangelization (Archdiocese of Denver):
http://www.archden.org/index.cfm/ID/4113
…and a discussion of Archbishop Chaput’s address (PrayTell):
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/06/25/liturgy-according-to-the-world-a-dead-end/

WORTH QUOTING…
“The celebration of the Eucharist invites us to become the One we honor with our song; the One we raise up in a blessing; the One we carry in procession. That very One lived a humble life of love for the poor and of service unto the cross. He is the One we are to follow, to imitate and to become. He is the one we carry in procession. These processions are not only to be processions with the Body of Christ they also are a procession of the Body of Christ.”
--Johan van Parys in a posting on the blog site PrayTell at:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/06/23/with-corpus-christi-fresh-in-our-memory/

• • •

Online This Week
June 20-26, 2010

CELEBRATE…Fathers’ Day
…with a video reflection on fathers around the world (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatholicRelief

WATCH…
...this week's Vatican Report--Concluding Ceremonies for the Year for Priests (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/224445361-vatican-report.html
…an update on Catholic Charities’ relief work in the Gulf (America video):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/video/video-index.cfm?series_id=1178

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
…this Sunday’s scripture readings (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-june-20-who-do-you-say-i-am
…Msgr. Bruce Harbert’s discussion of the first Eucharistic Prayer (Notre Dame Center for Liturgy):
http://liturgy.nd.edu/webcatechesis/harbert/harbert3.html

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…the Catholic response to the oil spill in the Gulf (USCCB):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2010/06/gulf-oil-spill-catholic-response.html
…the value of inquiry over advocacy (Center for Courage and Renewal):
http://www.couragerenewal.org/blog/103/249
…why they say boys don’t cry (Sojourners):
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj1007&article=boys-don-t-cry

CONSIDER…
… Fr. Brian Hehir's perspective on the health care debate (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1002486.htm
…Fr. Kevin O’Rourke’s commentary on the abortion controversy in Phoenix (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12348
…the five moral flaws of capitalism (Jubilee Centre):
http://www.jubilee-centre.org/document.php?id=346
…Joseph Bottoms on the execution of Ronnie Lee Gardner (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/06/they-did-it

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…the various sources and kinds of truth (Fr. Ron Rolheiser):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/archive_display.php?rec_id=518
…what’s complicating the controversy between the bishops and the Catholic Hospital Association (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/elephants-room-catholic-health-care-debate
…being Catholic in the face of crisis and scandal (Sojourners):
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj1007&article=out-of-the-dark-night
…the future of the church with fewer priests (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6532/In-Focus-Facing-a-future-with-fewer-Catholic-prie.aspx

SUBSCRIBE NOW TO…
…a 40-day online retreat with the late Irish author and spiritual guide Fr. John O’Donohue (Spirituality and Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=96

DOWNLOAD…
…...a free copy of What's Your Decision, based on the Ignatian process of discernment (Loyola Press):
http://ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/whats-your-decision-free-ebook/?utm_campaign=e-magis-June-2010&utm_medium=email&utm_source=e-magis&utm_content=whats-your-decision

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=326
…a discussion with Parker Palmer on learning to be whole (EverydayFaith):
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/6/18_Rejoining_Soul_%26_Role_(Parker_Palmer).html
…an interview with Rabbi Sandi Eisenberg Sasso on the spirituality of parenting (Speaking of Faith):
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/spirituality-of-parenting/

READ…
...Pope Benedict's catechesis on Thomas Aquinas, philosophy and faith (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-29626?l=english
…a chapter from Romano Guardini’s The End of the Modern World (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0989.htm
…a glimpse into the soul of Cardinal John Henry Newman (Ignatius Insight):
http://ignatiusinsight.com/features2010/zeno_newman_june2010.asp

WORTH QUOTING…
“…[P]rinciples are empty if they are not applied to the specifics of evidence, information and data. Unfortunately, it is the resistance to evidence and information that marks so much of our present moral discourse. That is why the 'marketplace' of ideas, or the 'public square' has become so segmented and rigid…. As for those who aspire to form the consciences of Catholic believers, they too must do more than make pronouncements. They must engage the evidence and data offered by those who dissent from their opinion. To refuse to inspect hostile data or listen to challenging information is to reveal a conscience that has capitulated to ideology. If a nation or church forms its people to accept assertions blindly, without supporting evidence, it will form a community not of moral agents but of menaces. They may be sincere, but they will be sincerely dangerous.”
-- Fr. John F. Kavanaugh SJ in his column for America magazine, online at:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12357

• • •

Online This Week
June 13-19, 2010

CELEBRATE…
…the feast of St. Anthony (June 13) (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/default.aspx?id=17

WATCH…
…the video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (h2oNews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224445219-gospel-for-sunday-june-13-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—the Pope in Cyprus (h2oNews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224445185-vatican-report.html
…the experience of pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/june-11-2010/pilgrimage-to-chartres/6442/

DISCOVER…
...a new Bible search engine in English and Spanish (Catholic Net):
http://www.bible.catholic.net/
…the spiritual power of silence (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-29-enjoy-the-silence
…six ways to live “ordinary time” (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/OSV4MeNav/ChurchSeasons/OrdinaryTime/SixWaystoLiveOrdinary
Time/tabid/7413/Default.aspx
…what Johnny Cash teaches us about dying (Sojourners):
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj1006&article=
johnny-cash-s-final-songs

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…the challenges facing Catholic Charities across the country (Catholic Charities USA):
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=2067
…the practice of meditation (ExploreFaith.com):
http://www.explorefaith.org/prayer/meditation/questions_and_answers_about_meditation.php
…what makes parishes great (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/church/2010/05/what-makes-parish-great
…the significance of words (America Video):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/video/video-index.cfm?series_id=1176

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week (CRS):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
…Friar Jack’s suggestions for fathers (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=35
... the environmental disaster in the Gulf (Pax Christi USA):
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs090/1011223557022/archive/1103463878970.html
...one individual's experience of being a Christian in the Middle East (Opus Dei):
http://www.opusdei.org.sg/art.php?p=34525
…the dignity of work (Catholic Charities USA):
http://www.thinkandactanew.org/
…“rummaging for God—praying backwards through the day” (Ignatian Spirituality):
http://ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/rummaging-for-god-praying-backward-through-your-day/

LISTEN TO...
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=325
…five meditations inspired by the World Cup competition (Jesuit Media Initiatives):
http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/Worldcup2010.htm
…music chosen to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=399879
…an interview with Matthew Kelly on building better families (Everyday Faith):
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/6/8_Building_Better_Families_2_(Matthew_Kelly).html

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…the challenges of Africa to the rest of the world (Center of Concern):
http://www.coc.org/system/files/Henriot+Lecture+Final.pdf
…the connection between faith and reason since the Enlightenment (Fordham Center on Religion and Culture):
http://www.fordham.edu/images/faith_reason//FRTransc_SessIIIKeynote.pdf
…how Jesus might have responded to Arizona’s immigration law (Washington Post):
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/georgetown/2010/06/
what_would_arizona_do_to_jesus.html#more
…the moral significance of To Kill a Mockingbird (Mercatornet):
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/a_magical_classic_turns_50/

READ...
…Pope Benedict’s homily at the Mass closing the Year for Priests (Vatican):
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_
20100611_concl-anno-sac_en.html
...conclusions of the Pastoral Conference on Care of the Deaf (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-29517?l=english
…an excerpt from Priestly Identity and Mission in the Theology of Pope Benedict XVI (Ignatius Insight):
http://ignatiusinsight.com/features2010/cburgwald_priesthd1_june2010.asp
…an interview with James Davison Hunter, author of To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World (Christianity Today):
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/may/16.33.html

WORTH QUOTING...
"Having a sense of humor is a mark of life-giving leadership, if for no other reason than that laughter is theologically profound. Laughter testifies to the finitude of tears. It beckons us physiologically, spiritually -- even if for just a moment -- into the reality that all shall not be lost, that we shall be saved. In this way, laughter instantiates hope.... Laughter is, in fact, quite serious: It is a primary way that human beings -- uniquely, so far as we know, among the animals -- proclaim the victory of life, utter forth joy in the face of suffering and death, and offer foretastes of the time when every tear shall be wiped away.... In short, laughter is the difference between life and death. Its seriousness is its refusal to give in to brokenness and its stubborn insistence on joy as the final reality of the world."
--C. Kavin Rowe in a column for Faith & Leadership at:
http://faithandleadership.com/content/humor-mark-life-giving-leadership

• • •

Online This Week
June 6-12, 2010

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/224444978-gospel-for-sunday-june-6th-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—the Church and sports (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Events/224444959-vatican-report.html

THINK ABOUT...
…same-sex parents and Catholic schools (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6483/Samesex-parents-and-Catholic-schools.aspx
...putting our faith in God, not money (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/life/2010/05/god-we-trust
…reclaiming gems from our Catholic past (Boston Magazine):
http://bcm.bc.edu/issues/spring_2010/c21_notes/recycling.html
…the role of a faithful Catholic media (USCCB):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2010/06/bishop-zavala-on-catholic-media.html
…the framework for a new world economy (Center of Concern):
http://www.coc.org/node/6539
…the tension between continuity and discontinuity in the Church (PrayTell):
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/06/04/continuity-and-discontinuity-part-197/

CHECK OUT…
...May Catholic bestsellers (Publishers Weekly):
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/book-news/religion/article/43235-may-2010-catholic-bestsellers.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly%27s+Religion+BookLine&utm_campaign=77d2ed5e98-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email
…Carl Olson’s list of the 20 best music CDs so far this year (Ignatius Insight):
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/06/music-lovers-i-will-now-identify-without-prejudice-the-finest-music-of.html
…summer courses available at St. John’s School of Theology in Collegeville:
http://www1.csbsju.edu/sot/summer/2010courses.htm

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week (CRS):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
...this Sunday’s scripture readings (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/3scripture-reflection-june-6-fish-and-loaves
…the mystery of the Trinity (Ronald Rolheiser):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/archive_display.php?rec_id=516
…some inspiring quotes about patience (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2010/04/Quotes-on-Patience.aspx
…the mystery of the Trinity in the art of Elizabeth Wang (Radiant Light):
http://www.radiantlight.org.uk/image_show.php?id=16&gallery=18
…an abuse victim’s reflections on coming home (Inside Catholic):
http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8230&Itemid=100

REGISTER NOW FOR…
…Fr. Richard Rohr’s June 19 podcast, “The Odyssey—The Further Journey” (Center for Contemplation and Action):
http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/conferences/webcast/2010-series/the-odyssey/
…Boston College’s C21 summer online course “Spiritual Practices” June 21-July 2:
http://www.bc.edu/schools/stm/c21online/courses/spiritual-practices.html

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT...
…what Catholics believe about the Anti-Christ (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/let_there_be_light_on_the_antichrist/
…fighting slavery in India (CRS):
http://www.crs.org/india/trafficking-prevention/
...apologetics for the Facebook generation (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-29407?l=english
...why mindfulness is important (Greater Good):
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_mindfulness_matters/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Communications):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=324
…America’s summer film preview:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1175
…Walter Brueggeman on neighborliness and the common good (WJK Radio):
http://wjkradio.wjkbooks.com/2010/04/wjk-radio-15-walter-brueggemann-posits-neighborliness-as-a-way-toward-a-greater-common-good.html
…a Facts of Faith segment on J.R.R. Tolkien (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/j-r-r-tolkien

READ…
…Pope Benedict’s catechesis on Thomas Aquinas (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-29447?l=english
…the latest News Notes, “Hope for Troubled Marriages” (The Christophers):
http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=1172
…an Italian Jesuit journal’s view on U.S. health care reform (CNS):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1002303.htm

WORTH QUOTING…
Teacher to First Communion class: What is the first thing you must do to make a good confession?
Schoolgirl: Commit some sins.
--Posted on the PrayTell blog at:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/06/05/joke-of-the-day/

• • •

Online This Week
May 30-June 5, 2010

CELEBRATE...Trinity Sunday
…how we talk about the Trinity (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100528_1.htm
…commentary on the readings (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-may-30-solemnity-most-holy-trinity
…Cardinal Newman’s poem set to music (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=396187

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224444836-gospel-for-sunday-may-30th-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224444832-vatican-report.html
…an national guard chaplain’s discussion of moral responsibility for war (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/may-28-2010/lt-col-eric-olsen-extended-interview/6388/
…”Saints and Sleuths--Catholic Life in Literature” (Seton Hall University):
http://www.shu.edu/shutube/video.cfm?customel_datapageid_68659=268203
…a conversation about Sex and the City 2 (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/thinking-out-loud-sex-and-the-city-2

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT...
…St. Anthony of Padua (Friar Jack’s E-inspiration):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=34
…being religious or spiritual (Everyday Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=229=
…Facts of Faith -- Ordinary Time (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/videoandaudio/ordinary-time
…”Men as Learners and Elders” (Center for Contemplation and Action):
http://www.malespirituality.org/
…Jesuit anthropologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (Explorefaith.com):
http://www.explorefaith.org/faces/saints_prophets_and_spiritual_guides/pierre_
teilhard_de_chardin.php
...Michaelangelo's hidden anatomical drawings in the Sistine Chapel (Scientific American):
http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=michelangelos-secret-message-in-the-2010-05-26

REFLECT ON...
…what the world is praying for this week (CRS):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
...why we celebrate Memorial Day (Loyola Press):
http://www.loyolapress.com/why-we-celebrate-memorial-day.htm?utm_campaign=3-minute-retreat-daily-email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=3min&utm_content=memorial-day
…Francisco Ayala’s perspective on evolution and faith (Standpoint):
http://www.standpointmag.co.uk/node/3073/full
…the gifts of the Spirit for the 21^st century (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/spirituality/new-gifts-spirit
…the consequences of moral “mindlessness” (Moral Landscapes):
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201005/underwater-world-mixed-morality

CONSIDER...
...ethicist David Gushee's perspective on "illegal" immigrants (Washington Post):
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/david_gushee/2010/05/illegal_immigration_
and_christian_values.html
…the possibility that religious orders are a model for the future of the Christian Church (Faith & Leadership):
http://faithandleadership.com/multimedia/michael-kinnamon-denominations-are-wonderful-adjectives-idolatrous-nouns
...what the bishops don't understand about health care reform (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/episcopal-oversight
…what works – solo “playdates” (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-28-solo-play-dates
…seven keys to marriage (Catholic Update):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/preview.aspx?id=239
…12 ways to be a better listener (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Healthy-Living/How-to-Be-a-Good-Listener.aspx

LISTEN TO...
…a few minutes of Bach’s Magnificat (People for Others):
http://peopleforothers.loyolapress.com/2010/05/24/magnificat/
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=323
…this week’s edition of Interfaith Voices:
http://interfaithradio.org/
...what novelist Mary Gordon has learned about Jesus (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1173
…Parker Palmer’s discussion of discerning a vocation (Everyday Faith):
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/5/24_Let_Your_Life_Speak_(Parker_Palmer).html
…the connection between the body and the mind (Speaking of Faith):
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/bodys-grace/

REGISTER FOR...
...Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association's summer online course, "Faithful Celebration of the Mass":
http://www.pncea.org/events/event.aspx?F_d=06%2f21%2f2010&F_y=2010&F_m=6&EventId=63&F_c=2

READ...
…a summary of a new study of Catholic deacons in the United States (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/cclv/diaconate-post-ordination-report2009-2010.pdf
…Archbishop Mark Coleridge’s pastoral letter on sexual abuse (Archdiocese of Canberra
http://www.cg.catholic.org.au/about/default.cfm?loadref=86
...Jean-Luc Marion's reflection on seeing (and leading) from God's point of view (Faith & Leadership):
http://faithandleadership.com/qa/jean-luc-marion-seeing-the-point-view-god?page=full&print=true
…Cardinal Ratzinger’s understanding of the essential nature and purpose of the Church (Ignatius Insight):
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2007/ratzinger_churchgatw_july07.asp

WORTH QUOTING...
“Being ‘spiritual’ does not do us any good. …[I]t works fairly well when you are healthy and have enough money to enjoy life, and just want from your spirituality the feeling that all is well with the universe, particularly your corner of it. But it doesn’t help you much when things go from good to bad. The man wasting away from pancreatic cancer will get no help nor comfort from the ‘spiritual,’ which will seem a lot less friendly and comforting when he feels pain morphine won’t suppress. He has no one to beg for help, no one to ask for comfort, no one to be with him, no one to meet when he crosses from this world to the next. He wants what religion promises…. To paraphrase Pascal, dying men want not the God of spirituality, but the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
-- David Mills in a blog for First Things’ “On the Square,” online at:
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/05/spirituality-without-spirits

• • •

Online This Week
May 23-29, 2010

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224444660-gospel-for-sunday-may-23rd-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report – the Pope’s trip to Portugal (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224444616-vatican-report.html
…interviews from Soldiers of Conscience (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/video/video-index.cfm?series_id=1172
…an undocumented worker’s story (BustedHalo.com):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/category/bustedborders

CONSIDER…
…how the church prays for the dying (Friar Jack):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=33
…why the sex abuse crisis could undermine centralization in the church (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/autonomy-bishops-and-suing-vatican
…what Christians can learn from Muslims (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/worldreligions/wr0003.htm
…the role of literature and memory (Boston College Magazine):
http://bcm.bc.edu/issues/winter_2010/linden_lane/assigned-reading.html

DISCOVER…
…the U.S. bishops’ new website devoted to Catholic Social teaching (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/campus/
…the connection between fasting and financial freedom (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2010/05/21-Ways-to-Financial-Freedom.aspx

EXPRESS YOUR OPINION…
…on why being Catholic makes a difference (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/whyitmatters

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…

…why the Dalai Lama thinks things are getting better, not worse (David Gibson):
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/05/20/dalai-lama-at-radio-city-mankind-is-becoming-more-mature/
…myths and facts about immigration (Lutheran Immigration and Refuge Service):
http://www.lirs.org/atf/cf/%7BA9DDBA5E-C6B5-4C63-89DE-91D2F09A28CA%7D/FactSheetSFWMythbuster20100503.pdf?msource=SW100518&tr=y&auid=6298645
…efforts in Britain to clarify end-of-life care issues (The Tablet):
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/14729
…ten signs a marriage is in trouble (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Relationships/2010/04/Signs-Your-Marriage-is-in-Trouble.aspx

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=322
…Krista Tippet’s conversation with astrophysicist Mario Livio (Speaking of Faith):
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/who-ordered-this/
…little known “Facts of Faith” (BustedHalo.com):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/category/facts-of-faith/
…the connection between drugs and crime (America)
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1171

REFLECT ON…
…discerning a vocation (The Way of Beauty)
http://thewayofbeauty.org/2010/05/21/discerning-my-vocation-as-an-artist/#more-421
…the scripture readings for Pentecost (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-may-23-pentecost-sunday
…John Churchman’s vision of “open awareness” (Catholica):
http://www.catholica.com.au/gc3/jc/005_jc_230510.php
…why God created the world (Word on Fire):
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/05/fr-barron-on-the-question-why-was-the-world-created.html
…the voices we hear at Mass (Catholic Media House):
http://www.catholicmediahouse.com/store/details/?pid=MM-FLO-0043
…the moral anguish of soldiers (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12324
…key themes in the Gospel readings (The Pastoral Review):
http://www.thepastoralreview.org/cgi-bin/archive_db.cgi?priestsppl-00172
…why Flannery O’Connor matters today (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/women/teaching-chicken-walk-backwards
…what it means to say “I do” (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12326
…the best images of priests in the movies (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Jun2010/Feature2.asp

READ…
…the U.S. bishops’ May 21 statement on health care (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-104.shtml
...Cardinal Tauran's message to Buddhists:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_
doc_20100517_vesakh-2010_en.html
…Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s column on passion and purity
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/index.php
…a discussion of the abortion debate in Phoenix (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=8437
…and Michael Liccione’s reservations about the Phoenix decision (First Things Online):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/05/excommunicating-intentions
…Fr. Donald Cozzens’ perspective on the sex abuse crisis (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/examining-crisis/dont-expect-accountability-last-feudal-system-west

WORTH QUOTING…
“In a way, I suppose, it’s easier for us to think of Jesus having disappeared off into the heavens than to look at one another and say, “I find Jesus in this person or that person, or even in the person who has hurt me.” Jesus lives among us and we really have to try to recognize that and have profound respect for every person, all of creation, because Jesus is here sanctifying each of us, sanctifying our world, our planet, sanctifying all of creation. That’s the truth that challenges us, not a phenomenon of Jesus, floating up into the sky. Jesus now lives with God in glory, but he is also here on earth among us, and it’s our task to discover Jesus every day, wherever we go, see Jesus living in our midst and responding to Jesus living in our midst.”
--Retired Bishop Thomas Gumbleton in his “The Peace Pulpit” column at NCR Online:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/peace-pulpit/being-believing-people

• • •

Online This Week
May 16-22, 2010

CELEBRATE…the Feast of the Ascension
…commentary on Luke’s Gospel (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100513_2.htm
…from The Cloud of Unknowing:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=8338
…a reflection on the Ascension (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-may-16-ascension-lord

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (h2onews.org):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224444483-gospel-for-sunday-may-16th-the-
ascension-of-the-lord.html
…this week’s Vatican Report – the Vatican’s role in international diplomacy (Catholic News
Service):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224444451-vatican-report.html
…excepts from an interfaith prayer service to end nuclear weapons (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/by-topic/international/praying-for-an-end-to-nuclear-weapons/6263/
…a review of Pope Benedict’s first five years (Salt & Light Television
http://www.saltandlighttv.org/catholicfocus/

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…the Church’s procedure for resolving allegations of sexual abuse (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-094.shtml
…how Pope Benedict has changed the tone of the sex abuse discussion (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/examining-crisis/crisis-benedict-xvi-changes-tone
…the Vatican’s opinion about nuclear weapons (Georgetown on Faith):
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/georgetown/2010/05/vatican_questions
_nuclear_deterrence.html#more
…the Catholic ethicist on President Obama’s bio-ethics commission (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article%20/the_presidents_franciscan_ethicist1/
…Matteo Ricci’s loving patience (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100511_1.htm

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=321
…a discussion of the mystery and meaning of autism (Speaking of Faith):
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/being-autistic/
…Fr. Dave Dwyer’s interview with scripture scholar N.T. Wright (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.libsyn.com/interview_n_t_wright_bishop_scripture_scholar_author
…Fr. Ron Rolheiser on reaching out to the unchurched (Everyday Faith):
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/5/14_Secularity_is_Our_
Child_(Ron_Rolheiser).html
…a discussion of the common good with scripture scholar Walter Brueggeman (WJK Radio):
http://wjkradio.wjkbooks.com/2010/04/wjk-radio-15-walter-brueggemann-posits-
neighborliness-as-a-way-toward-a-greater-common-good.html

DISCOVER…
…the U.S. bishops’ new vocations website (USCCB):
http://www.foryourvocation.org/
…blogger Brian Coyne’s ideas for a “vibrant Catholicism” (Catholica Forum):
http://www.catholica.com.au/forum/index.php?id=47246
…the seven top “Catholic moments” on Lost (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6384/Top-7-Catholic-moments-on-Lost.aspx

CONSIDER…
…what’s wrong with America’s prison policy (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12311
…the moral implications of the Greek financial crisis (Center of Concern):
http://www.coc.org/node/6535
…whether the “new atheism” is a passing fad (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2010/04/believe-it-or-not
…Glen Beck and a culture of “moral tantrums” (Moral Landscapes):
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201004/tantrum-
morality-tea-party-and-glenn-beck

THINK ABOUT…
…why getting outdoors is important, spiritually and physically (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/category/what_works

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week (CRS):
http://www.crs.org/united-states/prayerline5-10/
…what it means to be compassionate (Explorefaith.org):
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_the_bible/david/comfort_and_care.php
…the care that care-givers themselves need (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/May2010/Feature3.asp
…the meta-narrative at the heart of Christian faith (Fr. Ron Rolhesier):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/archive_display.php?rec_id=513
…ten ways to stop worrying (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2010/03/10-Ways-You-Can-Stop-Worrying.aspx
…the painting of Catholic artist Henry Wingate (The Way of Beauty):
http://thewayofbeauty.org/2010/05/09/the-paintings-of-henry-wingate/#more-312

READ…
…Thomas Massaro’s review of Robert Vischer’s Conscience and the Common Good (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12303
…G.K. Chesterton’s three stages of conversion (Ignatius Press):
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/05/chesterton-on-the-three-stages-of-conversion.html
…an excerpt from Thomas J. Oord's Defining Love (Brazos Press):
http://www.brazospress.com/Media/MediaManager/Excerpt_9781587432576.pdf

WORTH QUOTING…
“Catholicism is not only a religious identity, it is also a rich range of cultural and ethnic identities—Italian, Polish, Mexican, Irish, Haitian, Vietnamese, Austrian, and so on. Catholicism is a universal without being uniform…. Catholics need to be better stewards of their cultural and intellectual traditions. Too often, they seem either ignorant or apologetic about their own legacy. Catholics also feel they need to cultivate humility and charity at the expense of culture, which is seen as a dispensable luxury. I think many Catholics feel especially virtuous for excluding the arts—as if having better music at services might be a luxurious indulgence that would morally undermine their commitments to homeless shelters and food kitchens. The poor do not live by bread alone.”
-- Poet Dana Gioia, recipient of the University of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, in an interview with Commonweal magazine, online at:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/public-catholic

• • •

Online This Week
May 9-15, 2010

CELEBRATE…the month of Mary
…resources from Loyola Press:
http://www.loyolapress.com/marian-resources.htm

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224444282-gospel-for-sunday-may-9th-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—the Vatican’s response to the sex abuse crisis:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224443737-vatican-report.html
…a Religion & Ethics Newsweekly segment on “The Priest and His People”:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/may-7-2010/the-priest-and-the-people/6240/
…a video tribute to the victims of sexual abuse:
http://video.catholica.com.au/
…a video tour of the rare book archive at St. John’s Abbey:
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/preserving-words/ss_
arcaartium/index.html#slideshow
…David Bruce’s video review of the new documentary, Babies:
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movieDetail.cfm/i/22C9A553-0F9D-96FE-5E7248861CB7C490/ia/70D7AFAB-B995-E8B8-CE3703B17E308C90

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…the U.S. bishops and nuclear disarmament:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12299
…on how U.S. Catholics are responding to the sex abuse crisis in Europe:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1001912.htm
…the Catholic tradition and health care:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/May2010/Feature6.asp
…the tragedy of human trafficking:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/the-blind-project/
…a Caritas International campaign to protect domestic workers:
http://www.caritas.org/activities/women_migration/MigrantDomesticWorkersCampaign.html
…how to make an icon corner:
http://thewayofbeauty.org/2010/05/03/how-to-make-an-icon-corner/
…meditating with art:
http://www.explorefaith.org/prayer/meditation/art/index.php
...the history of the Swiss Guards:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/swiss_guard/swissguard/storia_en.htm

REGISTER FOR…
…Fr. Richard Rohr’s May 22 webcast on Christ and the new cosmology:
http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/conferences/webcast/2010-series/christ-cosmology/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=320
…this week’s edition of Interfaith Voices:
http://interfaithradio.org/
…this week’s Speaking of Faith feature on the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library at St. John’s Abbey:
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/preserving-words/
…a reflection on Jesus, the Good Shepherd:
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/audio/robin-ryan-cp-christ-good-shepherd
…an America magazine podcast—the Pope and the labor movement:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1168
…an Everyday Faith podcast on religious identity:
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/5/6_Spiritual_Identity_(Rebecca_Laird).html

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week:
http://www.crs.org/sudan/prayer-lines-5-3/
…how we experience the Paschal Mystery in everyday life:
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/outside-box/4paschal-mystery-discernment-action
…Sr. Joyce Rupp’s six gestures of morning praise:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/six-gestures-morning-praise
…how our images of God affect our prayer:
http://www.jesuits.ca/orientations/image.htm
…why being faithful is more important than being successful:
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0005.htm
…the faces of immigrants:
http://www.facesofimmigrants.org

READ…
…Pope Benedict’s message for World Communications Day May 16:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20100124_44th-world-communications-day_en.html
…Our Sunday Visitor’s Q&A on immigration with Bishop Wester:
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6361/Bishop-answers-readers-tough-questions-about-immi.aspx
...Archbishop Mahoney's address on immigration reform:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12286
…Composer Fr. Marty Haugen’s reflections on his Mass of Creation 25 years later:
http://www.giamusic.com/pdf/MoC_article2.pdf
…Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s reflections on letting go of anger:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/archive_display.php?rec_id=512
… an America magazine editorial on what the Church needs now:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12295

WORTH QUOTING…
"When I’ve thrown my books aside, being petulant and weary,
   And have turned down the gas, and the firelight has sufficed,
   When my brain’s too stiff for prayer, and too indolent for theory,
   Will You come and play with me, big Brother Christ?
"Will You slip behind the book-case? Will you stir the window-curtain,
   Peeping from the shadow with Your eyes like flame?
   Set me staring at the alcove where the flicker’s so uncertain,
   Then suddenly, at my elbow, leap up, catch me, call my name?
"Or take the great arm-chair, help me set the chestnuts roasting,
   And tell me quiet stories, while the brown skins pop,
   Of wayfarers and merchantmen and tramp of Roman hosting,
   And how Joseph dwelt with Mary in the carpenter’s shop?
"When I drift away in dozing, will You softly light the candles
   And touch the piano with Your kind, strong fingers,
   Set stern fugues of Bach and stately themes of Handel’s
   Stalking through the corners where the last disquiet lingers?
"And when we say good-night, and You kiss me on the landing,
   Will You promise faithfully and make a solemn tryst:
   You’ll be just at hand if wanted, close by here where we are standing,
   And be down in time for breakfast, big Brother Christ?"
--“Christ the Companion”, a poem by Dorothy Sayers, posted by Fr. Paul Brian Campbell on his blog, A People for Others:
http://peopleforothers.loyolapress.com/

• • •

Online This Week
May 2-8, 2010

CELEBRATE…May, the Month of Mary
…Catholic Update, “Mother of God and Our Mother”:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU.aspx

WATCH…
…the video presentation of this week’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/224444075-gospel-for-sunday-may-2nd-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—the sex abuse crisis:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224443737-vatican-report.html
…a Religion & Ethics Newsweekly interview with Catholic convert Mary Karr:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/april-30-2010/mary-karr-extended-interview/6190/

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…the U.S. bishops’ response to immigration reform:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-084.shtml
…Bishop Wester’s response to the Arizona law:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-080.shtml
…practicing peace in an unpeaceful world:
http://www.explorefaith.org/livingspiritually/practicing_peace/index.php
…what really divides the church:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/bulletins-human-side/what-truly-divides-church-isnt-traditionalists-and-progressives
…the future of ministry:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/american-catholic-demographics-and-future-ministry

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week:
http://www.crs.org/haiti/prayerlines-4-26/
…the beauty of silence:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2010/01/Inspirational-Quotes-on-Silence.aspx
…the pain of coping with infertility:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=228
…why we love the Church:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12279
…a testimony to living with a chronic disease:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/May2010/Feature1.asp

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=319
…Krista Tippet’s interview with Bishop Desmond Tutu:
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/tutu/
…theologian Stanley Hauerwas discuss his memoir, Hannah’s Child:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1166

MORE ON THE SEX ABUSE CRISIS…
…Bishop Cupich on what the Church has learned:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12272
…Jame’s Martin on Reconciliation as a model for the Church’s response:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/video/video-index.cfm?series_id=1165
…Joseph Bottum on the “permanent scandal” of Catholicism:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/anti-catholicism-again
…and a response to Bottum from John Martens:
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=1&entry_id=2803
...what’s wrong with the New York Times’ coverage:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/church-%E2%80%98times%E2%80%99

THINK ABOUT…
…the connection between prayer and environmental action:
http://www.uscatholic.org/culture/environment/2010/02/religious-nature-interview-keith-warner-ofm
…where the pro-life movement goes from here:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/abortion-and-health-care-reform/
…the difference between “old” priests and “new” priests:
http://www.uscatholic.org/church/2010/03/men-same-cloth-old-priests-vs-new-priests
…the Church’s need to find a new way of speaking in the public forum:
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100428_1.htm

READ…
…Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s column on learning to forgive our differences:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/archive_display.php?rec_id=511
…E.J. Dionne’s analysis of what’s wrong with Wall Street:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/how-wall-street-creates-socialists
…a chapter from J. Budziszewski’s The Line Through the Heart:
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0003.htm

WORTH QUOTING…
“The 'odd hysteria' [which characterizes reaction to sex abuse of minors] is not 'anti-Catholicism,' but the longings of the world to know that the Catholic Church will not give lip service to the Truth but will live it out. It is the Hope of this world, whether the world wants to admit it or not. I think that in the challenges to the Church from those whom we often see as despisers, we hear the cry of a lost world asking that the bearers of the Truth deliver on the Hope. This side of God wiping away every tear from our eyes it is an ongoing struggle, that began with Adam not in the last 50 years or so, but we can fight harder and better and deep down the world knows it."
--John W. Martens in his “The Good Word” blog for America magazine at:
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=1&entry_id=2803

• • •

Online This Week
April 25-May 1, 2010

OBSERVE…Earth Day
…a reflection on the integrity of creation:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/the-integrity-of-creation/
...the pope and the environment:
http://www.zenit.org/article-28959?l=english
…resources from U.S. Catholic:
http://www.uscatholic.org/earth_day
…a new series from Explorefaith, “and God saw that it was good”:
http://www.explorefaith.org/livingspiritually/honoring_creation/reflections_on_our_earth.php

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…health care -- a St. Anthony Messenger special issue:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/May2010/default.asp
…the miracles that surround us:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2010/03/25-Quotes-On-Miracles.aspx
…St. Mark’s Gospel:
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100422_1.htm

REFLECT ON…
…what the Church is praying for this week:
http://www.crs.org/united-states/prayerlines-4-19/
…a gay parent’s experience of being Catholic:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/sins-admission
…Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s insights on science and faith:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/

VIEW…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224443896-gospel-for-sunday-april-25th-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—the Pope’s trip to Malta:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224443892-vatican-report.html
…a trailer for Monseñor: The Last Days of Oscar Romero:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/video/video-index.cfm?series_id=1162

CONSIDER…
…Archbishop Quinn’s advice to discouraged priests:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12258
...an overview of the Pope's first five years:
http://www.zenit.org/article-28968?l=english
...theologian Hans Kung's six points for reforming the Church:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0416/1224268443283.html?via=rel
,,,British playright Dave Hare’s thoughts on the value of theater:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/apr/17/david-hare-theatre-fact-fiction

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=318
…what different faiths believe about heaven, and a lesson in rapture theology from Interfaith Voices:
http://interfaithradio.org/
…a Speaking of Faith segment about the human and spiritual meaning of Alzheimer’s:
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/alzheimers/
[text at: http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/alzheimers/transcript.shtml ]
…Jesuit author Gregory Boyle discuss his new book, Tatoos on the Heart:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1161

SUBMIT…
…petitions for the national novena to St. Jude April 24-May 2:
http://shrineofstjude.claretians.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ssj_novena_prayer

CATCH UP…on the sex abuse crisis:
...Fr. Thomas Doyle’s perspective:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/examining-crisis/revising-history-vatican-style
…David Gibson’s analysis of how the Vatican is responding:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/04/18/a-failed-papacy-how-benedict-xvi-got-into-this-mess?icid=sphere_politicsdaily_inline
…Fr. Bob VerEecke’s homily at Boston College:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/had-enough/
...Frank Wessling,'s column in the Davenport Catholic Messenger:
www.waterloocatholics.org/adultfaith/sexualabusereflections.htm#”Focused_on_the_fundamentals,
…a Religion & Ethics Newsweekly interview with Margaret Steinfels:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/april-23-2010/laity-and-the-catholic-sex-abuse-scandal/6170/

READ…
…the English bishops’ new document on inter-faith dialogue:
http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/catholic_church/media_centre/press_releases/press_
releases_2010/new_teaching_document_on_interreligious_dialogue_from_the_bishops_
conference_of_england_and_wales
…how the Italian press summed up the Pope’s first five years:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/04/24/giving-pope-some-love-on-anniversary-italian-media-have-differe/
...Nicholas Lash's review of a new edition of then-Fr. Joseph Ratzinger's Theological Highlights of Vatican II:
http://ncronline.org/node/17871
...Pope Benedict's analysis of Vatican II from a 1973 interview with U.S. Catholic:
http://www.uscatholic.org/benedict73
…a chapter from Aidan Nichol’s book, Rome and the Orthodox East:
http://ignatiusinsight.com/features2010/anichols_romeorthodoxeast_apr2010.asp

WORTH QUOTING…
“Remember the times you thought you couldn’t endure the pain or the loss any longer? It seemed too much to bear. Maybe you are in a situation like that now. At such time it’s difficult to believe that grief and suffering will be turned into joy. Others can assure us that the pain will pass with time, but usually everything in us doubts this. That’s why we need to celebrate Easter continually. We need to recall and welcome the Easter story much more than just once a year. We celebrate Easter every time we look closely at the little surprises of joy in our lives. Each time we announce these joys to ourselves or to others, we are like the angels at the empty tomb announcing resurrection.”
--Sr. Joyce Rupp in her “Spiritual Reflections” column:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/easter-moments

• • •

Online This Week
April 18-24, 2010

LATEST...on the sex abuse crisis
...text of Vatican guidelines on handling sex abuse allegations:
http://www.vatican.va/resources/resources_guide-CDF-procedures_en.html
...new Vatican resource page:
http://www.vatican.va/resources/index_en.htm
…Vatican clarification on comments linking homosexuality and pedophilia:
http://www.zenit.org/article-28910?l=english
…signs of hope in the Vatican’s response:
http://www.ncregister.com/register_exclusives/change_in_vatican_culture/
...what the U.S. Church has learned about abuse:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-066.shtml
…how young Catholics respond to the scandal:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/street-seekers-the-never-ending-story/
…the Pew Center’s survey of American Catholics:
http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=513
...former National Review Board member Anne M. Burke's perspective:
http://www.uscatholic.org/church/2010/03/truth-shall-set-us-free-responding-sex-abuse-crisis
…an indepth look at the cause of the crisis by an English Jesuit, Fr. Brendan Callaghan:
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100415_1.htm
…Sandro Magister’s effort to "decode the accusations":
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6251/Decoding-accusations-against-Pope-Benedict.aspx

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224443747-gospel-for-sunday-april-18th-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report – the abuse crisis:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224443737-vatican-report.html
…Fr. William Barry’s discussion of friendship with God:
http://www.bc.edu/church21/webcast.html
…Joan Borysenko’s discussion of the healing power of forgiveness:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Video/Preachers-and-Teachers/Holistic-Spirituality/Joan-Borysenko/Joan-Borysenko-The-Healing-Power-Of-Forgiveness.aspx
…Religion & Ethics Newsweekly’s interview with Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/by-topic/international/tariq-ramadan/6111/

THINK MORE ABOUT...
…liturgy as a counter-cultural place:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/04/14/countercultural-courtesy-and-clothing/
...John Allen's analysis of Pope Benedict's first five years:
http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/can-teaching-pope-get-his-house-order
...Nicholas Cafardi's perspective on the bishops and health care reform:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12239
...the spiritual roots of racism:
http://www.ethicsdaily.com/news.php?viewStory=15899

REGISTER FOR…
…Spirituality & Practice’s e-course on intercessory prayer with Jane E. Vennard, author of Praying for Friends and Enemies:
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=93&key=sp
…Joe Paprocki’s free catechist self-evaluation webinar April 27:
http://www.loyolapress.com/news-events-and-more.htm

LISTEN TO...
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=317
…this week’s Interfaith Voices program--the African-American church, nuclear weapons, and the bible:
http://interfaithradio.org/
…a musical selection from Angloa Prison Spirituals:
http://www.explorefaith.org/resources/music/grace_notes/finding_the_sacred.php
…a BustedHalo interview with Fr. Paul Turner:
http://bustedhalo.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=599427
...author Scott Korb discuss life in Jesus' time:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1160

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week:
http://www.crs.org/united-states/prayerlines-4-11/
…a bit of Latin chant for the Easter Season, “Mitte manum tuam,” from monks at St. John’s Abbey:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/04/14/do-not-be-unbelieving-but-believing/
…Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s advice on living with frustration:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/archive_display.php?rec_id=509
…an inspirational video, “Come Awake”:
http://www.catholicmediahouse.com/store/details/?pid=MM-IGN-0062

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT...
…how to get started in Ignatian Spirituality:
http://ignatianspirituality.com/3806/getting-started-in-ignatian-discernment/?utm_campaign=e-magis-April-2010&utm_medium=email&utm_source=e-magis&utm_content=Getting-Started+&utm_term=link
…how our posture affects our prayer:
http://deepeningfriendship.loyolapress.com/
...the holy shroud of Turin:
http://www.sindone.org/the_holy_shroud__english_/00024122_The_Holy_Shroud.html
…the reality of eternal life:
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=31
…the last of the Shakers:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/the-last-of-the-shakers/

READ…
…an excerpt from his autobiography about Pope Benedict’s first year as a priest:
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/04/pope-benedict-xvis-rookie-year-as-a-priest.html
…Fr. James Martin’s defense of the celibate life:
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6269/Is-celibacy-healthy.aspx
…an Italian professor ‘s rebuttal to Archbishop Chaput’s version of the church’s role in politics:
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1342853?eng=y
…the National Catholic Reporter’s series on the Legion of Christ founder Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado:
http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/money-paved-way-maciels-influence-vatican

WORTH QUOTING...
"The Church did not collapse over turmoil in the past and the Church will not collapse now. But it will have to change and because of your baptismal calling, you need to step up to the plate and be an important part of this dynamic, changing, improving Church.... So, it’s a privileged time to be Catholic: helping the Church to make changes for the sake of future generations. Come to the Eucharist this morning and pray for the grace to see how you can bring your gifts and talents to promote the improvement of the Church. It will not be easy. For the journey, like Thomas, be skeptical but don’t become cynical and more than all, take courage and with courage work and pray that our Church may become something of beauty once again. For in the presence of beauty - we feel more alive."
-- Fr. Robert Beloin, Catholic Chaplain at Yale University, in a homily April 14. Online at:
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=1&entry_id=2758

• • •

Online This Week
April 11-17, 2010

PERSPECTIVES...on the sex abuse crisis
…Fr. Lombardi’s editorial on Vatican Radio:
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1342846?eng=y
…an Interfaith Voices interview with Fr. Thomas Reese SJ:
http://interfaithradio.org/node/1290
...Fr. Timothy Radcliffe's explanation for why he's not leaving the Church
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/14543
…discussion of Fr. Radcliffe’s article on the Commonweal blog:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=7779
…Elizabeth Scalia’s NPR post, “Why I Remain a Catholic”:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125493179
…an Italian sociologist’s perspective on pedophilia as a “moral panic”:
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/mora/
…Sander Magister’s analysis, “The Passion of Pope Benedict”:
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1342796?eng=y

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/224443620-gospel-for-sunday-april-11th.html
…this week’s Vatican Report – pilgrims in Rome:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Events/224443619-vatican-report.html
…John L. Allen’s perspective on how Rome views the American Church:
http://www.bc.edu/church21/webcast.html

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…the experience of undocumented immigrants living in prison:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/souls-on-ice/
…Mary’s Magnificat:
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=30
…the spirituality of working:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=227
…being “spiritual” but not “religious”:
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_your_journey/is_it_all_right_to_be_spiritual_without_
being_religious.php
…praying the way Jesus prayed:
http://deepeningfriendship.loyolapress.com/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=316
…an interview with Fr. Paul Turner on changes in the Mass:
http://bustedhalo.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=599427#
…a Christophers podcast, “The Power of the Powerless”:
http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=740

REFLECT ON…
…the 50 days of Easter:
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_christianity/holy_days/easter/calendar/easter_calendar.php
…entering into the mystery of the resurrection:
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100407_1.htm
…the resurrection of creation:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/
…the hope of “Eastering”:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/hope-%E2%80%9Ceastering%E2%80%9D
…resurrecting cracked and broken hearts:
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_christianity/holy_days/easter/jesus_is_here_resurrecting_
broken_hearts.php

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…reconstruction in Haiti, three months after the quake:
http://www.crs.org/haiti/3-months-post-quake/
…the Vatican’s investigation of events in Medjugorje:
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6229/A-look-at-unprecedented-Medjugorje-commission.aspx
…Jim Wallis’ “Covenant for Civility”:
http://blog.sojo.net/2010/04/08/a-covenant-for-civility/
...an essay on the spiritual roots of the Catholic Worker movement:
http://www.fespinal.com/espinal/llib/en135.pdf

MEDITATE…
…with music:
http://www.explorefaith.org/prayer/meditation/music/index.php

READ…
…the U.S. bishops’ statement on nuclear disarmament:
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/2010-04-08-let-card-george-pres-obama.pdf
…the March, 2010 edition of The Woodstock Report, “A Catholic Approach to Immigration Reform”:
http://woodstock.georgetown.edu/report/Woodstock_Report_96_March-2010.pdf
...an interview with the Templeton Prize winner:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627546.800-templeton-prizewinner-we-need-science-plus-morality.html
…John Haught’s review of The Faith Instinct:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/hard-wired-god
…a Spirituality & Practice review of Wayne Muller’s A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough:
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/books.php?id=19783
…a Radical Grace issue on “Emerging Christianity”:
http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/rg/issues/2010/1/RG_2010_Q1.pdf

WORTH QUOTING...
"Touch and believe; the two go hand in hand. We meet the risen Jesus when we touch the wounds of the world -- the wounds of the poor, the wounds of the suffering…. And this encounter not only gives us new life and hope, it changes our lives. This is a consistent Gospel pattern. …[O]nce you encounter the risen Christ by touching his wounds in the world's poor, you set off on a different route. Thereafter you're prone to speak up, to advocate for justice, to accept being embroiled in legal trouble. Christ rises in you, and you begin a new resurrection life. And it soon becomes political -- [doubting Thomas] sees, he touches. And now believing, he utters his first subversive words. 'My Lord and my God'"
-- Fr. John Dear in his column, “The Road to Peace” at:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/doubting-thomas

• • •

Online This Week
April 4-10, 2010

CELEBRATE...Easter
...Pope Benedict's homily for Easter Sunday:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2010/index_en.htm
…a short video reflection on the resurrection:
http://www.catholicmediahouse.com/?ct=store.details&pid=MM-MED-0007
... Fr. Jack Mahoney’s commentary on St. Luke’s account of the resurrection:
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100401_1.htm
…Vatican Radio columnist Jill Bevilacqua’s readings and reflections for Easter Sunday:
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=368989
...an Everyday Faith interview with Fr. Ronald Rolheiser:
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/3/28_Paschal_Mystery_Applied_(Ron_Rolheiser).html
…Scripture scholar N.T. Wright’s explanation for the resurrection:
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Why-Believe-in-the-Resurrection-of-Jesus.html
…a Religion & Ethics Newsweekly report on “Easter in Haiti”:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/april-2-2010/easter-hope-in-haiti/6005/
…reflections from Beliefnet:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Easter/Easter-Quotes.aspx

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Easter Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224443512-gospel-for-easter-sunday-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—Pope Benedict and youth:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Events/224443511-vatican-report.html
…a Religion & Ethics Newsweekly interview with Pamela Greenberg, author of The Book of Prayer Songs:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/by-topic/poetry/pamela-greenberg-extended-interview/5955/
...an interview with peace activist Tom Cordaro, author of Be Not Afraid:
http://www.youtube.com/user/soundslikesouth1?feature=mhw5#p/a/AE30D7A160E33819/0/-O_Ktg0lFHY

LEARN MORE ABOUT...the Church's sex abuse crisis
…round-up of comments and analysis from the USCCB blog:
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2010/03/here-comes-everybody-speaking-out-on.html
…statement from the U.S. bishops:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-058.shtml
…Fr. Thomas Reese's analysis of what Europe can learn from the U.S:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12225
…Cardinal Leveda’s perspective from Rome:
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2010/03/levada-on-clergy-sexual-abuse-pope.html
…text of a “confession” read in Vienna Cathedral by Cardinal Schönborn March 31:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/03/31/a-confession-of-sin/
…Cardinal Schönborn’s homily:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/03/31/when-the-victims-speak-god-speaks-to-us/
...Brian Cones' U.S. Catholic blog, "The Absolute Wrong Response":
http://uscatholic.org/blog/2010/03/absolute-wrong-response-sex-abuse
…an editorial in Commonweal:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/benedict-dock
…prayers for healing
http://www.litmus.dublindiocese.ie/secmenudisp.php?MID=154

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=315
…Krista Tippet’s interview with Br. Guy Consolmagno and Fr. George Coyne of the Vatican Observatory:
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/asteroids/
…an America podcast with Richard Gaillardetz on the unfinished agenda of Vatican II:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1158

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week:
http://www.crs.org/united-states/prayer-lines-3-28/
…artist James Tissot’s vivid Christian imagination:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/culture.cfm?cultureid=109
…26 reasons to be grateful:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Holistic-Living/Gratitude/The-Ultimate-Gratitude-List.aspx
…the importance of Sabbath:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-24-a-day-of-rest/
…Hollywood Jesus’ "spiritual review" of Alice in Wonderland:
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movieDetail.cfm/i/17C58A3F-0934-308E-BCD24B64C8970BB5/a/4
…Hans Urs Van Balthasar’s reflection, “The Cross—for Us”:
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2005/hub_crossforus_mar05.asp
…the theological significance of “March Madness”:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/young-voices/what-does-church-teach-about-march-madness

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…the Corporal Works of Mercy, this month’s Catholic Update:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1158
…the spirituality of work:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=227
…the 2010 Catholic Home Missions Appeal:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-059.shtml
…what Catholic Relief Services is doing to promote peaceful elections in Sudan:
http://www.crs.org/sudan/election-education/
…the dangers of economic inequality:
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/11641

READ...
…an overview of Pope Benedict’s first five years in office:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1001369.htm
…Pope Benedict’s Chrism Mass catechesis on the elements of Catholic sacramentality:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20100401_messa-crismale_en.html
…Fr. James Heft’s reflections on what makes Catholic universities different:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/distinctively-catholic
...an excerpt from Dale Kuehne's Sex and the iWorld: Rethinking Relationships Beyond an Age of Individualism:
http://www.bakeracademic.com/Media/MediaManager/Excerpt_9780801035876.pdf
...Publisher's Weekly Catholic bestsellers for March:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/454730-Catholic_Bestsellers_March_2010.php?nid=2287&source=title&rid=16791584

WORTH QUOTING...
"So they left the tomb quickly with…great joy, and ran to tell his disciples (Mt 28:8)
Risen One, Bringer of Joy, plant the seeds of great gladness deep in the soil of my being. May I enjoy life, begin each day with enthusiasm, and become ever more aware of you.
"They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.… (Luke 24:2)
Risen One, Tomb-Opener, you are the power I need. Roll away the stones of unloving. Push back the rocks of discontent. Shove aside the boulders of worry. Untomb me and set me free.
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but he has risen… (Lk 24:5)
Risen One, Carrier of Memories, you have revealed many things to me through events and people, in the pages of scripture, and in the quiet of my heart. Carry me back to savor your revelations.
"But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. (Lk 24:12)
Risen One, Source of Amazement, I run to the tomb of life, I hurry to see for myself. When I look with eyes of faith, I am amazed at what I find. That which seems dead and forsaken fills with wisdom and teachings for my life.
-- "Resurrection Prayers by Sr. Joyce Rupp in her Spiritual Reflections blog at
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/resurrection-prayers

• • •

Online This Week
March 28-April 3, 2010

OBSERVE… Holy Week
…with resources from Loyola Press:
http://www.loyolapress.com/3-Minute-Retreat-changing-directions.htm?updatedate=3/26/2010%207:00:13%20AM&utm_campaign=3-minute-retreat-daily-email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=3min-linkenglish
...and Explorefaith.org:
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_christianity/holy_days/holy_week_and_good_friday/index.php
...watch the premiere of Amish Grace Sunday evening at 7:00pm on Lifetime:
http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/amish-grace?cmpid=Consumer-AmishGrace-Yahoo&-amish%2Bgrace-amish%2Bgrace%2Bfilms&utm_source=ltd_yahoo_amishgrace&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=amish%20grace&utm_term=amish%20grace%20films
…meditate on Jesus’ seven last words:
http://www.loyolapress.com/the-seven-last-words.htm?ftm=ocf
…reflect on Fr. Jack Mahoney’s commentary on St. Luke’s Passion:
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100324_1.htm
…pray a Kenyan Way of the Cross:
http://sacredspace.ie/en/kenyan-way-of-the-cross-list-of-stations/
...take a virtual tour of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem:
http://www.360tr.com/kudus/kiyamet_eng/index.html
…watch a short video, He Was:
http://www.catholicmediahouse.com/store/details/?pid=MM-BLU-0007
…sign up for a daily three-minute retreat this week:
http://www.loyolapress.com/3-Minute-Retreat-changing-directions.htm?updatedate=3/26/2010%207:00:13%20AM&utm_campaign=3-minute-retreat-daily-email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=3min-linkenglish
…read Pax Christ’s reflection for Palm Sunday:
http://www.paxchristiusa.org/news_Events_more.asp?id=1993
…accompany BustedHalo’s laptop pilgrims along the Camino del Santiago:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/a-laptop-pilgrimage/
…consider BustedHalo’s tips for a strong finish:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/5-ways-to-make-a-strong-finish/
…watch a U.S. Catholic video on how to braid palms into a cross:
http://www.uscatholic.org/video/palm-sunday-crafts

CATCH UP ON…health care reform
…statement from the U.S. Catholic bishops:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-054.shtml
…roundup of Catholic response to health care legislation:
http://ncronline.org/news/politics/health-care-vote-reaction-round
…David Gibson’s analysis of the bishops’ role:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/03/22/how-the-bishops-lost-even-as-their-cause-prevailed/
…Fr. Thomas Reese’ suggestions on where the bishops go now:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/georgetown/2010/03/health_care_what_should
_the_bishops_say_now.html
…Rep. Bart Stupak’s frustration with the pro-life movement:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/03/24/stupak-calls-bishops-anti-abortion-groups-hypocrites-on-hcr/
… a call for charity and civility:
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2010/03/in-all-things-charity.html

WATCH…
…a video presentation of the Gospel for Palm Sunday:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224443322-gospel-for-palm-sunday-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report, the Medjugorje investigation:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224443305-vatican-report.html
…Religion & Ethics Newsweekly’s interview with Fr. Thomas Reese on the clergy sex abuse crisis:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/march-26-2010/thomas-reese-extended-interview/5988/
…a Boston College webcast, “Praying Through the Season”:
http://www.bc.edu/church21/webcast.html

REMEMBER…Archbishop Oscar Romero
…resources from U.S. Catholic magazine:
http://www.uscatholic.org/oscar_romero
…Robert E. White’s personal remembrance:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/romero-remembered
…programs on Archbishop Romero from Vatican Radio:
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/index.asp
…a website devoted to his life and legacy:
http://www.romerotrust.org.uk/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=314
…an America magazine podcast with Anthony Bacevich, “Illusions in Afghanistan”:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1156
…Dr. Lawrence Cunningham’s reflections on forgiveness:
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Lent/Entries/2010/3/20_Forgiveness_(Larry_Cunnningham).html

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…causes of sexual abuse by clergy:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-james-martin-sj/how-could-it-happen-traci_b_514965.html
…the Vatican’s new Twitter feed (in six languages):
http://www.zenit.org/article-28707?l=english
…resources for Earth Day from the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change:
http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Ways-to-Celebrate-Earth-Day-10.pdf
…the “Sabbath Manifesto”:
http://www.sabbathmanifesto.org/about
…why psychiatry can’t heal a guilty conscience:
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/who_can_heal_a_guilty_conscience/

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week:
http://www.crs.org/sudan/prayerlines-3-21/
…the symbolism of the Holy Week Chrism Mass:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/03/26/ridiculously-rich-lavish-and-downright-wonderful/
…Pamela Greenburg’s translation of Psalm 135, the “Great Hallel”:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/by-topic/poetry/a-psalm-for-passover/5933/
…how to identify your “core sin”:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2010/02/Discover-Your-Core-Sin.aspx
…the Center for Contemplation’s holy week reflection, “All Creatures Great and Small”:
http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/lenten/2010/week6/

READ…
…Cardinal Roger Mahoney’s argument for immigration reform:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/03/a_moral_immigration_policy.html
…Dr. Thomas Plante’s article, “Six Points You Don’t Hear About Clergy Sexual Abuse”:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/do-the-right-thing/201003/six-important-points-you-dont-hear-about-regarding-clergy-sexual-abus
…Our Sunday Visitor’s special issue on Pope John Paul II, on the fifth anniversary of his death:
http://www.osv.com/Portals/0/images/pdf/JPII_InFocus.pdf
…an interview with John Polkinghorne on the intersection of faith and science:
http://incharacter.org/features/john-polkinghornes-unseen-realities/
…an interview with The Liar’s Club author Mary Karr:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/busted-mary-karr/
…Rand Richards Cooper’s review of The White Ribbon:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/it-takes-village
…a forum on medieval ecumenism between St. Francis and the Sultan:
http://www.fordham.edu/images/undergraduate/centeronreligionculture/Feb%2017%20Saint%20Sultan__Transcript.pdf
…an excerpt, “The God in the Cave,” from G. K. Chesterton’s The Everlasting Man:
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features/chesterton_godinthecave1.asp

WORTH QUOTING…
"The Church, like Jesus, has to go on denouncing sin in our own day. It has to denounce the selfishness that is hidden in everyone's heart, the sin that dehumanizes persons, destroys families, and turns money, possessions, profit, and power into the ultimate ends for which persons strive. And, like everyone who has the smallest degree of foresight, the slightest capacity for analysis, the church has also to denounce what has rightly been called 'structural sin:' those social, economic, cultural, and political structures that effectively drive the majority of our people onto the margins of society. When the church hears the cry of the oppressed it cannot but denounce the social structures that give rise to and perpetuate the misery from which the cry arises."
—Archbishop Oscar Romero, Aug. 6, 1977. Quoted by U.S. Catholic online at:
http://www.uscatholic.org/culture/social-justice/2009/02/the-church-called-repentance-called-prophesy

• • •

Online This Week
March 21-26, 2010

WATCH...
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224443132-gospel-for-sunday-march-21st-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/224443119-vatican-report.html
...video of a Wisconsin hermit's life:
http://www.wsaw.com/home/headlines/86986747.html
...theologian Michael Lee's analysis of liberation theology:
http://www.uscatholic.org/video/5-questions-michael-lee-liberation-theology

CATCH UP ON…the sex abuse crisis in Europe
...text of the Pope's pastoral letter to the people of Ireland:
http://ncronline.org/news/text-popes-letter-catholics-ireland
...update on the Church's response:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1001083.htm
...John Allen's analysis of Pope Benedict's response:
http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/will-ratzingers-past-trump-benedicts-present
...Sr. Joan Chittister's opinion on the root of the crisis:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/where-i-stand/divided-loyalties-incredible-situation
…Nicholas Cadarfi’s Commonweal article, “Lessons from the Irish Sex Abuse Crisis”:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/fraternal-correction
…Religion & Ethics Newsweekly’s interview with David Gibson:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/march-19-2010/catholic-sex-abuse-scandals-in-europe/5929/

REFLECT ON...
…what the world is praying for this week:
http://www.crs.org/sudan/prayerlines-3-14/
...a prayer for immigrants:
http://leviticustwentyfour22.blogspot.com/2009/04/prayer-for-immigrant.html
…Fr. Jack Mahoney’s reflection on this week’s Gospel:
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100317_1.htm
...a cancer victim's Stations of the Cross:
http://www.uscatholic.org/2010/02/dolorosa
…Sr. Joyce Rupp’s Lenten prayer for a clean heart:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/clean-heart
…Friar Jack’s column on Lent and forgiveness:
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=29

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=313
…Vatican Radio’s profile of St. Patrick:
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=365059
…an America magazine interview with Lisa Miller, author of Heaven—Our Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1154
…an interview with Joseph Pearce, author of Digging Into the Bard’s Beliefs:
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/03/digging-into-the-bards-beliefs-a-conversation-with-joseph-pearce.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT…
…World Water Day March 22:
http://crs.org/water-sanitation/world-water-day/index.cfm
…the Church’s teaching on evolution:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU.aspx

CONSIDER…
…St. Anthony Messenger’s take on the new Roman Missal:
http://www.americancatholic.org/community/editorial.aspx?id=57
…Fr. James Martin’s perspective on being “spiritual but not religious”:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/spiritual-but-not-religious-not-so-fast/
…Jonathan Tuttle’s experience of gradual conversion:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/connecting-the-dots/
…C.S. Lewis’ insights on changing the language of worship:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/03/19/c-s-lewis-on-the-language-of-worship/

REGISTER FOR...
…Spirituality & Practice’s five-week e-course on Intercessory Prayer:
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=93
...My Catholic Faith's four-week online course, "Confession--Five Sentences That Will Change Your Life":
http://www.mycatholicfaith.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=664

READ…
…the U.S. bishops’ latest statement on health care reform:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/health-care-life-all.shtml
...the Catholic Health Association's support for health care legislation:
http://www.chausa.org/home/
…Fr. Thomas Reese’s perspective on divided Catholic opinion:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/georgetown/2010/03/naive_sisters_or_paranoid_
bishops.html#more
…the Christophers’ NewsNotes, “Working Through a Tough Economy”:
http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=1136
...an excerpt from Terence Nichol's new book, Death and Afterlife:
http://www.brazospress.com/Media/MediaManager/Excerpt_9781587431838.pdf

WORTH QUOTING…
"The journey of life is difficult and filled with crosses, as it is filled with blessings. But sometimes, the crosses seem to overshadow the blessings; the darkness seems to overshadow the light; the suffering seems to overshadow the signs of resurrection; death seems to have dominion. At times, we find ourselves without hope. In precisely these moments, God plants a seed of hope in our hearts and 'makes a way in the wilderness' for us to continue the journey…. That is the power of today’s Gospel, of the woman taken in adultery. The law proscribed that she should be stoned to death. But Jesus unmasks the hypocrisy of a law whose only purpose was to protect the power and privileges of men. Jesus’ message was one of forgiveness: 'Go and sin no more' (John 8:11). God is going to do something new in history: Life, not death, will have the last word."
-- Scott Wright and Jean Stokan, reflection for the fifth Sunday in Lent online at:
http://www.paxchristiusa.org/news_events_more.asp?id=1989

• • •

Online This Week
March 6-13, 2010

WATCH...
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/22445388-gospel-for-sunday-march-7th-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report, pending sainthood for Pope John Paul II:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/22445389-vatican-report.html
...a U.S. Catholic interview with the president of the Catholic Health Association:
http://uscatholic.org/video/5-questions-sister-carol-keehan-dc-health-care-reform

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…learning to turn the other cheek:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-22-can-you-turn-the-other-cheek/
… “what every Catholic needs to know” about Catholic social teaching:
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6085/In-Focus-What-Every-Catholic-Needs-to-Know-about.aspx
…the context for the new Roman Missal:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/03/02/the-genius-of-the-roman-rite-by-keith-pecklers-sj/
…Pope John Paul II’s theology of the laity:
http://www.acu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/225395/Hai_Christifideles_GH.pdf

REGISTER FOR...
...Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association's 12-week online course based on Fr. Robert Rivers' book, From Maintenance to Mission:
http://www.pncea.org/events/frommaintenancetomission.aspx

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s editi0n of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=311
…Fr. James Martin’s introduction to Ignatian spirituality, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1149
…Vatican Radio’s interview with Fr. Timothy Radcliffe:
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=361866
…a Christopher’s podcast with author Steven Covey:
http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=740
…Lou Nanni’s reflection on a life dedicated to service:
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Lent/Entries/2010/3/6_Christian_Service_(Lou_Nanni).html

REFLECT ON...
…a contemporary Way of the Cross from CatholicIreland:
http://www.cilent.ie/waycross
…”Brothers Wind and Air,” week three in Fr. Richard Rohr’s Lenten Retreat, Falling in Love with Creation:
http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/lenten/2010/week3.php
…stories of hope, compiled by The Christophers:
http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/lenten/2010/week3.php
…Linda Douty’s “litmus test for letting go”:
http://www.explorefaith.org/resources/books_books/litmus_tests_of_letting_go.php

CHECK OUT…
...NCR's profile of "a very 21st Century bishop":
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/him-or-not-denvers-chaput-very-21st-century-bishop
…the Iowa Catholic Conference’s latest legislative update
http://www.iowacatholicconference.org/bins/site/templates/splash.asp?NC=812X
…resources for understanding the new Roman Missal from the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy:
http://liturgy.nd.edu/webcatechesis/

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…details of the Vatican’s upcoming visitation to religious communities of women:
http://ncronline.org/news/women/apostolic-visitator-details-site-visit-guidelines
…how George Carlin’s Catholic heritage shaped his career as a comic:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/george-carlins-last-words/
…Holden Caulfield’s moments of grace:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/holden-caulfields-moments-of-grace/

READ…
…the National Catholic Reporter's five-part series on the controversy over liturgy:
http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/battle-lines-liturgy-wars
...Pope Benedict's Wednesday catechesis on St. Bonaventure:
http://www.zenit.org/article-28527?l=english
…Barbara Mujica’s profile of St. Teresa of Avila, a saint for our times:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/teresa-%C3%A1vila
…the March issue of Catholic Update, “Evolution and the Catholic Church”:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU.aspx
…Ilia Delio’s review of John Haught’s new book, Making Sense of Evolution:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12171
…a Fordham Center on Religion and Culture forum on Donna Frietas’s book, Sex and the Soul:
http://www.fordham.edu/images/undergraduate/centeronreligionculture/oct%2028%20sex%20soul_transcript.pdf

WORTH QUOTING...
“’About suffering they were never wrong, the Old Masters: how well they understood its human position; how it takes place while someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along. (W. H. Auden, Musée des Beaux Arts)’ What Auden wrote about suffering and art is also true of art and miracles. To portray a miracle convincingly, an artist needs to understand its human position, how it takes place amid the ordinary business of living. While it’s happening, someone walks dully past it, and someone else nearby is ‘eating or opening a window.’ Real miracles…do not compel the whole world’s attention, much less its credence. Something changes, but few notice, and even fewer believe. Meanwhile, everything else goes on as before.”
--Matthew Boudway in a review of Lourdes, online at:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=7121

• • •

Online This Week
February 28-March 6, 2010

MORE LENTEN RESOURCES…
…the meaning of the Transfiguration:
http://thinkingfaith.org/index.htm
…the Center of Concern’s daily calendar of Lenten reflections:
http://www.coc.org/
… Friar Jack’s Stations of the Cross:
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=28
… the daily readings for Lent seen through the lens of contemporary movies:
http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/catholic_church/events/lent_and_easter/lenten_reflections
…weekly Lenten reflections on our commitment to peace and justice:
http://www.osjspm.org/lentenreflection.aspx
… a self-directed "Intimate Path" to deeper faith:
http://lifeaftersunday.com/intimatepath
…suggestions on how to create a “quiet space” for prayer:
http://www.explorefaith.org/resources/books/contemplative_by_design.php
…a guide to journaling through Lent:
http://www.explorefaith.org/resources/books/contemplative_by_design.php

WATCH…
… a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/22445304-gospel-for-sunday-february-28th-2010.html
… this week’s Vatican Report on the Pope’s Lenten retreat:
http://www.h2onews.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=14
…a Boston College C21 webcast about mixed-faith marriages:
http://www.bc.edu/church21/webcast.html

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…the power of art to move the soul:
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=13
…the spiritual value of self-mortification:
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6055/Sacrifices-of-the-flesh.aspx
…the danger of economic inequality:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/02/21/its_money_that_matters/?page=full
... the need to understand the role of religion in world affairs:
http://www.thechicagocouncil.org/taskforce_details.php?taskforce_id=10
…the economic impact of immigration reform:
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/01/raising_the_floor.html
… the dangers of mixing religion and sports:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/02/22/time-for-a-separation-of-church-and-sports/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=310
…Coach Lou Holtz’s “gameplan for faith”:
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Lent/Entries/2010/2/28_Gameplan_for_Faith_(Lou_Holtz).html
…this week’s Speaking of Faith discussion of “Einstein’s God”:
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/einsteins-god/

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
… Christianity’s modern-day martyrs:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,680349,00.html
…what life’s like when you’re living on food stamps:
http://blog.sojo.net/2010/02/26/real-life-on-food-stamps/
… the most influential English-language blogs that discuss faith and public life:
http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/religion-blogosphere/religion-blogosphere-3/

TAKE TIME TO REFLECT ON…
…why we can’t live without mysticism:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/dry-bones
…20 quotes that inspire healing:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/2010/02/Quotes-About-Healing.aspx
…21 ways to give up a bad habit:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2009/09/21-Ways-to-Give-Up-a-Bad-Habit.aspx
…death and dying through the eyes of a ten-year-old:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/living-and-dying-with-tuck-everlasting/
…a Catholic perspective on consumption:
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/ejp/articles/goodlife.shtml

REGISTER FOR…
…Fr. Richard Rohr’s March 27 webcast “In the Footsteps of St. Francis, Awakening to Creation”:
http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/conferences/webcast/2010-series/footsteps-of-francis/index.html

READ…
…the U.S. bishops’ latest letter to Congress on health care reform:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-035.shtml
…E.J. Dionne’s column on why health care reform is stalled:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/elephant-health-care-summit
…Rand Richard Cooper’s review of Crazy Heart:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/pitch-perfect
…Martin Marty’s call for a “faithful conversation on sexuality”:
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/11344
… an excerpt from Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s book, What to Do When Life Doesn’t Make Sense:
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2006/bgroeschel_ardsinners_dec06.asp
…the transcript of the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture’s symposium on how Latino Catholics are transforming the American church:
http://www.fordham.edu/images/undergraduate/centeronreligionculture/latino%20transcript%20slides%20ed.pdf
... Patrick Deneen’s defense of being “religious not spiritual”:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/georgetown/2010/02/spiritual_not_religious.html#more

WORTH QUOTING...
"A fast is not the same as a reducing diet. A diet wants a visible, personal return at the end: Will I be slimmer, more youthful, healthier, more attractive? Will people see me as a success or as a 'big, fat loser,' as the popular television show would suggest? A fast—especially the kind the prophets prefer—asks a different set of questions: Will this help me to love God with all my heart, mind and soul? Will I be better able to love my neighbor as myself? Will this enable me to recognize my neighbor in those that others ignore? Giving up food is the standard procedure for fasting, as hunger pangs are a ready reminder of our inability to sustain ourselves, of our reliance on God and the divine generosity of creation. But we can also shape our spiritual side by giving up behaviors and actions that weaken our discipleship and by taking on new practices that transform us into more loving people. This Lent, inform your fast with a prayerful examination of conscience. How are you being called to love God and the world more deeply? What must you let go of? What must you embrace? Lent is the perfect time to be spiritually creative. The goal isn't a perfect life, but rather a life that is more beautiful and more loving."
--From Operation Rice Bowl's weekly reflection on Lent, available online at:
http://donate.crs.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=16602.0

• • •

Online This Week
February 21-27, 2010

LENTEN RESOURCES…
Sr. Joyce Rupp's weekly Lenten reflection:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/open-my-eyes-what%E2%80%99s-important
PaxChristi USA's weekly Lenten reflections:
http://www.paxchristiusa.org/news_Events_more.asp?id=1969
…Lenten reflection series from the Paulist Fathers:
http://www.paulist.org/reconciliation/lent_ash_wednesday.php
…Paula Huston’s essays on the ancient practices of lent:
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_christianity/holy_days/lent/lenten_practice/index.php
…week one of Fr. Richard Rohr’s Lenten series “Falling in Love with Creation”:
http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/lenten/2010/
…Explorefaith’s “Lenten Toolbox”:
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_christianity/holy_days/lent/lenten_toolbox.php
…week one of the Days of Deepening Friendship Lenten Retreat:
http://deepeningfriendship.loyolapress.com/
…week one of the Seven Weeks for the Soul Lenten retreat:
http://ignatianspirituality.com/lent/seven-weeks-for-the-soul-first-week-of-lent/
…Lenten resources from U.S. Catholic magazine:
http://www.uscatholic.org/lent
...Iowa Interfaith Power and Light's prayer and action guide for Lent:
http://www.iowaipl.org/sr_lenten_caring_for_creation_carbon_fast.htm

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/22445178-gospel-for-sunday-february-21st-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report: the church and sports:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/22445163-vatican-report.html
…Fr. Rosica’s reflections on the meaning of Lent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qlhW5gTkQE&feature=player_embedded
…Thomas O’Connor’s presentation, “Shaping the Church of the Future”:
http://www.bc.edu/church21/webcast.html

TAKE TIME…
…to find out why meditation works:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-21-why-to-meditate/
…and learn more about contemplative prayer:
http://www.explorefaith.org/faces/holy_lives/contemplative_prayer_with_thomas_keating/index.php

REGISTER FOR...
...Boston College c21's two week mini course on catholic spiritual practices
http://www.bc.edu/sites/c21online/spiritual_practices.htm

LISTEN TO…
…Fr. Pat McGrath’s Lenten reflections:
http://jesuits-chgdet.org/lent2010/
…Fr. Gerald O’Collins’ “Waiting for Faustus”:
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=357866
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=309
…part one of America Magazine’s annual Oscars podcast:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1146
…Krista Tippet’s interview with an Israeli and Palestinian who are tired of taking sides:
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/no-more/
…an Everyday Faith podcast on how to “refocus” on marriage:
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/2/19_A_Lens_For_Marriage_(Mary_Jo_Pedersen).html
…Craig Detweiler’s discussion of faith and video games:
http://wjkradio.wjkbooks.com/2010/01/wjk-radio-12-craig-detweiler-offers-his-expert-take-on-video-games-and-religion.html

THINK MORE ABOUT…
...results of the Pew Forum's new study on the religious attitude of the "millennial generation":
http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=510
...a Vatican theologian's perspective on the veneration of relics:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7027842.ece
…the lessons of Shutter Island:
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movieDetail.cfm/i/E6BD057A-915B-4CC4-EAE7600DF84D3881
…conversation as a paradigm for theological reflection:
http://www.acu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/225385/Ranson_Tracys_Response_GH.pdf

READ….
…John Allen’s conversation with “the most talked about nun in America”:
http://ncronline.org/news/women/mother-millea-speaks-about-visitation
…David Gibson’s analysis of the sex abuse scandal in the Irish Church:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/02/17/after-clergy-abuse-scandals-ireland-needs-a-new-st-patrick/
…Gary Smith’s perspective on the faith of America’s founding fathers:
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/02/the-founders-how-christian-were-they.html
…Elizabeth Drescher’s counterpoint to the Pope’s message on social communication:
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/mediaculture/2293/the_pope_and_social_media%3A_a_digital_counter-reformation__
…a chapter from Mary Healy’s Men and Women Are From Eden:
http://www.catholicsampler.com/viewer.asp?prodID=T16700&ref=2&sample=Chapter&page=1

WORTH QUOTING...
"Some years I look forward to the ashes…. Other years, when I know there might be a major transformation around the corner, I hesitate when Lent approaches. I know I’m ripe for some major internal work. Maybe I have to forgive someone for doing something that seemed to ruin my life. Maybe I have to let go of something (or someone) being taken away. Whatever it is, I know it’s time for me to dive in… and I know it’s not going to be pleasant. At least not at first. It’s going to shock my system. But the time for standing on the shore is over. I need to plunge in. I need the waves to knock me silly. I need to stroke, stroke, stroke until I start to feel right again… because it’s been a long time since I exercised my soul."
--Lisa Calderone-Stewart, in a blog for U.S. Catholic at:
http://www.uscatholic.org/blog/2010/02/dont-sit-edge-pool-plunge-lent

• • •

Online This Week
February 14-20, 2010

GET IN THE MOOD FOR LENT…
…Fr. Jack Mahoney’s overview of the Lenten season:
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20100211_1.htm
..."Lent Lived after the Ashes":
http://www.loyolapress.com/lent-lived-after-the-ashes.htm?utm_campaign=on-the-horizon_feb-2010&utm_medium=email&utm_source=oth&utm_content=lent-lived-article
...Friar Jack's e-inspiration on Lent:
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=27
…Christophers News Notes on "Finding the Joy in Lent":
http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=291
…Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s reflections on fasting and prayer:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/archive_display.php?rec_id=500
…Joe Popracki’s “40 Ideas for 40 Days”:
http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2010/02/09/lent-40-ideas-for-40-days/
…how fasting fuels spiritual growth:
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6016/How-fasting-fuels-spiritual-growth-charity.aspx
…”Seeing the Word,” a unique verbal and visual commentary on the Sunday readings during Lent:
http://www1.csbsju.edu/sot/seeingtheword/WeeklyResources.htm

REFLECT ON...
…watching the Olympics as a spiritual practice:
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/features.php?id=18309
…how not to talk about God:
http://www.uscatholic.org/node/5076
...Annie Karto's "Come Home (to the Father)":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yo2nI2ING0
...the work of Catholic Relief Services in Lesotho:
http://orb.crs.org/countries/lesotho/

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/22445060-gospel-for-sunday-february-14th-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report on the World Day of the Sick:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/22445052-vatican-report-world-day-of-the-sick.html
…a Religion & Ethics Newsweekly report on the debate over reiiki:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/february-12-2010/reiki-and-the-catholic-church/5683/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=308
…a USCCB staff member’s analysis of the prospects for health care reform:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1144
…Vatican Radio’s update on Haiti, one month after the quake:
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=356507

CHECK OUT…
…a list of Jesuit classics:
http://predmore.blogspot.com/2010/01/recommended-jesuit-readings.html

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…the daily examen:
http://ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/
…the latest survey of Catholics under 30:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1000600.htm
…how world religions explain human suffering:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1000585.htm
…what we have learned from the financial crisis:
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj1002&article=a-bad-morality-play

REGISTER FOR...
...Paulist Evangelization Training Institute's four-week e-course, "Paul: the Man and His Mission":
http://www.pncea.org/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=210&DEPARTMENT_ID=68
…the University of Dayton Virtual Learning Community’s seminar on adult faith formation:
http://vlc.udayton.edu/calendar/course.php?course=23

READ...
...Cardinal Kasper's assessment of the state of ecumenical relations:
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/14286
…a review of Ladislas Orsy’s new book, Receiving the Council:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/02/09/ladislas-orsys-new-book-receiving-the-council-theological-and-canonical-insights-and-debates/
...an interview with German theologian Manfred Hauke on concerns about the Marian apparitions in
Medjagorie:
http://catholiclight.stblogs.org/archives/2010/02/hauke-on-medj.html#more
…Robert J. Daly’s update on the theology of sacrifice:
http://www.praytellblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Daly_Spring09.pdf
...an excerpt from Merold Westphal's Whose Community? Which Interpretation?
http://www.bakeracademic.com/Media/MediaManager/Excerpt_9780801031472.pdf

WORTH QUOTING...
"Our Catholic identity is rooted not in a political ideology, a policy position, or a social affiliation. It is created by one thing only: our common initiation--the Baptism that creates us as God's people, the Confirmation that seals the grace of Baptism, and the Eucharist that deepens our communion as the Body of Christ. Finding our Catholic identity in anything else, even positions on certain moral problems sometimes referred to as "non-negotiables"--an expression that does not appear in official church teaching--is less than Catholic and at worst sectarian.... We can debate which groups best exemplify our Catholic tradition--and tempers may flare--but what none of us can do is exclude those on the other side from the church. Charity further demands that we presume each other's good will."
-- Editor Bryan Cones in the March, 2010 U.S. Catholic magazine online at:
http://www.uscatholic.org/church/2010/01/certifiably-catholic

• • •

Online This Week
February 7-13, 2010

GET READY FOR LENT...
...read Pope Benedict's Lenten message:
http://www.zenit.org/article-28253?l=english
...join the Lenten carbon fast:
http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Lenten-Carbon-Fast-Calendar-2010.pdf
…read Susan Mountin’s reflection on the meaning of Lent:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12127
…think more about unhealthy attachments:
http://deepeningfriendship.loyolapress.com/
…sign up for Operation Rice Bowl’s weekly email reflections:
http://newsletters.crs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=email_orb_signup
…register for an online Lenten Retreat from the Days of Deepening Friendship, a spirituality blog sponsored by Loyola Press:
http://deepeningfriendship.loyolapress.com/lenten-retreat/
...register for Spirituality & Practice's Lenten e-course, "Practicing Spirituality with Ed Hays":
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=94&key=sp

PUT THE SUPER BOWL IN PERSPECTIVE...
…with this background report and links:
http://www.religionlink.com/tip_100202.php

REMEMBER HAITI…
…the challenge of protecting Haiti's children:
http://ncronline.org/news/global/protecting-haitis-children
…the challenge of incorporating local expertise:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12114

CHECK OUT…
…the U.S. bishops’ new website on immigration:
http://justiceforimmigrants.org/index.html
…Beliefnet’s “ultimate gratitude list”:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Holistic-Living/Gratitude/The-Ultimate-Gratitude-List.aspx

WATCH…
…the video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/22444940-gospel-for-sunday-february-7th-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/22444935-vatican-report.html
…Cardinal Schoenborn’s Catholic University address on the church’s role in the world:
http://live.cua.edu/ACADEMICS/PHIL/card-schoenborn.cfm
…a U.S. Catholic interview with author Karen Armstrong:
http://www.uscatholic.org/node/5454
…Hollywood Jesus’ “spiritual review” of Avatar:
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movieDetail.cfm/i/04D88DD8-A968-B460-4695E330AEF0231A/a/4

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=307
…Vatican Radio’s tribute to Cardinal John Newman:
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=354440
…a musical version of Psalm 23, “Shepherd Me O Lord”:
http://www.mycatholicvoice.com/media/XzSANU

THINK MORE ABOUT...
…the freedom of commitment:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-20-nonnegotiables/
…faith beyond belief:
http://blog.sojo.net/2010/02/05/faith-beyond-belief-dogma-without-deeds-is-dead/
…what is and isn’t socialism:
http://blog.sojo.net/2010/02/05/what-is-and-isnt-socialism/
...the long-term impact of the national debt:
http://ncronline.org/news/politics/rising-debt-could-cripple-economy-analysts-say
…how immigration reform could help all American workers:
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/01/raising_the_floor.html
…the cost of personal "security":
http://ncronline.org/news/spirituality/we-dare-call-god-lamb
…kids who are “wired out of creation”:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/by-topic/popular-culture/richard-hague-wired-out-of-creation/5635/

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…the Sisters of Life:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Jan2010/Feature1.asp
… what’s happened to love in the (post)modern world:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20100208/markowitz/single
…how you can cope with workplace stress or depression:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Emotional-Health/Depression/12-Workplace-Depression-Busters.aspx

READ…
…Fr. Ed Hays’ take on “holy consumerism”:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/holy-consumerism
…Fr. James V. Schall’s essay on “why anything and everything exists”:
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2010/schall_freewill_feb2010.asp
…E.J. Dionne’s Hecker Lecture on Catholics in politics:
http://www.paulist.org/pressroom/hecker-lecture-2010-e-j-dionne-jr/
…Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s open letter to inactive Catholics:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/archive_display.php?rec_id=499
…Rita Ferrone’s observations on welcoming back “lapsed” Catholics:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/02/03/gathering-the-scattered/
…Frederic Brussat’s review of If the Church Were Christian:
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/books.php?id=19643

WORTH QUOTING...
"What then is the justice of Christ? Above all, it is the justice that comes from grace, where it is not man who makes amends, heals himself and others.... [H]ere we discover divine justice, which is so profoundly different from its human counterpart. God has paid for us the price of the exchange in His Son, a price that is truly exorbitant. Before the justice of the Cross, man may rebel for this reveals how man is not a self-sufficient being, but in need of Another in order to realize himself fully. Conversion to Christ, believing in the Gospel, ultimately means this: to exit the illusion of self-sufficiency in order to discover and accept one’s own need – the need [for] others and God, the need [for] His forgiveness and His friendship."
-- Pope Benedict XVI. 2010 Lenten Message online at:
http://www.zenit.org/article-28253?l=english

• • •

Online This Week
January 31-February 6, 2010

CATCH UP...on health care reform:
...text of the U.S. Bishops' latest letter:
http://www.usccb.org/healthcare/HC-Letter-to-Congress-012610.pdf
...dealing with the complexity:
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2010/01/complexity-of-health-care-reform.html
...Commonweal magazine editorial:
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/prolife-yes-pro-reform
...David Gibson's analysis:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/01/27/catholic-bishops-to-congress-ditch-the-politics-pass-health-ca/

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/22444793-gospel-for-sunday-january-31st-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/22444796-vatican-report.html
…BustedHalo’s latest segment of Busted Borders:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/busted-borders-benita-mexico-video-2/
…Historian Thomas O’Connor’s view of the Church in Boston:
http://www.bc.edu/church21/webcast.html

THINK AHEAD…
…and order fair-trade chocolate for Valentine’s Day:
http://www.crsfairtrade.org/products/chocolate-overview/buy-chocolate/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=306
…a Speaking of Faith segment on “patient capitalism,” a third way between investing for profit and aid:
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/different-kind-of-capitalism/
…Fr. Ronald Rolheiser’s recipe for taming restlessness:
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/1/27_Taming_Our_Restlessness_(Ron_Rolheiser).html

REFLECT ON…
…nothing:
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2010/01/Famous-Quotes-About-Nothing.aspx
…and everything:
http://peopleforothers.loyolapress.com/
…Fr. Ed Hays’ “Psalm for a Stalled Heart”:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/psalm-stalled-heart
…author Mary Gordon’s experience of “reading Jesus”:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/busted-mary-gordon/

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…”praydreaming,” the key to discernment:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/preview.aspx?id=235
…Phil Lenahan’s strategy for managing debt:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=225
…the risks of doing good:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/unintended-consequences/

DOWNLOAD…
…a February calendar of Saints:
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/bydate.aspx

CONSIDER…
…The Tablet’s opinion on “Vatican II’s irreversible changes”:
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/14221
...Fr. John Bartunek’s article on why people of faith still doubt:
http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2010/01/27/47-why-do-we-doubt-mt-1422-36
…Carl Olson’s perspective on truth and religious relativism:
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/01/we-have-met-the-confused-the-indifferent-and-.html
…religious perspectives on President Obama’s State of the Union address:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/category/blogs/one-nation-religion-politics-2008/
…Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s view on Haiti and God’s love:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/

SUBSCRIBE…
…to weekly Lenten reflections by Sr. Joyce Rupp:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/psalm-stalled-heart
…to a Lenten e-course on Benedictine spiritual practices offered by Abbey of the Arts, a virtual monastery:
http://abbeyofthearts.com/teaching/lenten-e-course-benedictine-spiritual-practices/

READ…
…Fr. Thomas Reese’s commentary on “compassion fatigue”:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/georgetown/2010/01/despair_and_compassion
_fatigue.html#more
… Molly McGuire’s review of Matthew Kelly’s Seven Levels of Intimacy:
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/recommended-readings/3book-review-seven-levels-intimacy-matthew-kelly
…Sandro Magister’s commentary on a step forward in discussions between Rome and the Orthodox Church:
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1341841?eng=y
…Fr. Anscar Chupungco’s concerns about the “reform of the reform” of the liturgy:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/01/25/fr-anscar-chupungco-osb-on-%e2%80%9creform-of-the-reform/

WORTH QUOTING...
“Much of society votes horizontal but thinks vertical. Our political process offers choices of left, right, and center, but our assessment of social reality often stands in the vertical middle between top and bottom, constantly looking up in aspiration to power and blaming down in eschewing policies that affect the least of these. The president is right: service, not ambition ought to be leadership’s aim. But ambition is the aim of the American middle, which can never settle for being anything less than number one. Why should leadership be any different? The painful awareness that those on the margins, for whom Hebrew and Christian scriptures declare God’s special affinity, could only peek through the cracks of the address says something more about us than it does the president or the address itself.”
-- Theologian Harold Dean Trulear’s commentary on the State of the Union address for Religion and Ethics Newsweekly’s "One Nation" blog at:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/by-topic/politics/harold-dean-trulear-%e2%80%9cof-the-middle-by-the-middle-and-for-the-middle%e2%80%9d/5575/

• • •

Online This Week
January 24-30, 2010

DON'T FORGET...the disaster in Haiti:
…latest updates, resources and information about how to help:
www.waterloocatholics.org/adultfaith/haiti.htm

REFLECT ON...the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision:
…a nun’s reflection on the state of the debate:
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/pro-life-or-pro-active/
…National Catholic Reporter’s coverage and commentary:
http://ncronline.org/news/justice/pro-life-challenges-change
…change in attitudes and tactics:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/01/roe_anniversary
_new_opportunity_for_civility_and_common_ground.html
…time for a new approach:
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/node/21386

WATCH…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/22444658-gospel-for-sunday-january-24th-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report:
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/22444666-vatican-report.html
…a history of the Creed:
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=ee1b9b41b6ac40dea83a

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio:
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=305
…an America magazine podcast on relief efforts in Haiti:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1141
…an Everyday Faith segment on “Spirituality—Our Link to Life”
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/1/19_Spirituality%3A_Our_Link_to_Life_(Michel_Drisdelle)_.html

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…how to pray:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC.aspx
…how to promote vocations:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-008.shtml
...the U.S. bishop's campaign for immigration reform:
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/5863/US-bishops-set-sights-on-immigration-reform.aspx
…the Church’s response to the sexual abuse of children by clergy:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Feb2010/Feature2.asp
…what’s happening to the “Pope’s newspaper”:
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/01/16/the-popes-newspaper-goes-pop/

REGISTER…
…for Joe Paprocki’s Feb. 9 Lent “webinar” and daily Lenten blogs:
http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/lent-webinar/

SHARE YOUR OPINION…
…about the morality of nuclear weapons:
http://www.uscatholic.org/nuclear

EXPLORE…
…the Smithsonian Institution’s new exhibit about American sisters, “Women and Spirit”:
http://www.womenandspirit.org/index.html
…ExploreFaith’s guide to contemporary saints, prophets and spiritual guides:
http://www.explorefaith.org/faces/saints_prophets_and_spiritual_guides/index.php

READ...
...Pope Benedict's affirmation of the Church's commitment to ecumenism:
http://www.zenit.org/article-28080?l=english
...the Pope’s call for healing between Catholics and Jews:
http://www.zenit.org/article-28074?l=english
…Thomas Reese’s tribute to religious women in America:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/georgetown/2010/01/women_spirit_catholic_sisters_in_
america.html#more
...Russel Shaw's analysis of the President's first year and his relations with Catholics:
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/5873/The-good-and-bad-of-Obamas-first-year.aspx
…Church 21’s spring issue, “Growing faith for an evangelizing church”:
http://issuu.com/church21/docs/spring-2010
...a chapter from John Howard Yoder's posthumous book, The Blood of the Lamb:
http://www.brazospress.com/Media/MediaManager/Excerpt_9781587432606.pdf
…Monica Helwig’s reflection on “A Spirituality of Action”:
http://ignatianspirituality.com/what-is-ignatian-spirituality/a-spirituality-of-action/?utm_campaign=e-magis-jan-2010&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cff&utm_content=spirituality-of-action&utm_term=link

WORTH QUOTING...
"It is clear that if relativism is considered an essential element of democracy, one risks viewing secularity solely in the sense of excluding or, more precisely, denying the social importance of religion. But such an approach creates confrontation and division, disturbs peace, harms human ecology and, by rejecting in principle approaches other than its own, finishes in a dead end. There is thus an urgent need to delineate a positive and open secularity which, grounded in the just autonomy of the temporal order and the spiritual order, can foster healthy cooperation and a spirit of shared responsibility. Here I think of Europe, which, now that the Lisbon Treaty has taken effect, has entered a new phase in its process of integration.... Noting with satisfaction that the Treaty provides for the European Union to maintain an "open, transparent and regular" dialogue with the Churches, I express my hope that in building its future, Europe will always draw upon the wellsprings of its Christian identity."
--Pope Benedict XVI, Address to the Vatican diplomatic corps, Jan. 12, 2010. Online at:
http://www.zenit.org/article-28011?l=english

• • •

Online This Week
January 17-23, 2010

RESPOND TO...the earthquake in Haiti
…latest updates from Catholic Relief Services:
http://www.crs.org/
…U.S. Bishops’ statement:
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-009.shtml
…Archbishop Hanus’ letter:
http://www.arch.pvt.k12.ia.us/home.html
…Pope Benedict’s appeal:
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=25801&lan=eng
…Apostolic nuncio’s testimony:
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=25793&lan=eng
...destruction by the numbers:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CB_HAITI_BY_THE_NUMBERS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
…vignettes of what's happening:
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1000179.htm
…images of the devastation:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/slideshows/haiti/index.html
…how Catholic relief agencies are responding:
http://ncronline.org/news/global/catholic-agencies-prepare-long-term-relief
…a short history of Haiti: one disaster after another:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/01/14/the_unluckiest_country?page=full
…how to donate to Catholic Relief Services’ relief efforts:
• Online at