Waterloo Catholics


Online This Week Archives 2010


 
Home   FAQ Mass Times Contact Us Site Map/Index

 

Online This Week

January - December, 2010

Online This Week is a selection of current Catholic resources, information and opinions available online.  Our purpose is to provide a cross-section of theological opinions which are consistent with Catholic teaching and reflect the legitimate diversity of Catholic thought.  The inclusion of references here does not constitute agreement or endorsement of the publications, authors or content by the pastors or staff of the Catholic Parishes or the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

   •   •

Online This Week
December 5-11, 2010

CELEBRATE...Advent
...the Vatican's official Advent homepage:
http://www.vatican.va/liturgical_year/advent/2010/index_en.html
...Pope Benedict's homily at Vespers for the First Sunday in Advent (Vatican):
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20101127_vespri-avvento_en.html
…a video reflection on the Second Sunday in Advent (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/video_detail.html?id=43
…a scriptural “tour” of Advent (Common English Bible Blog):
http://www.adventblogtour.com/
…an Advent reflection on Northumbrian Sequence No. 4 (America podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1218
…an Advent reflection on Crivelli’s
The Annunciation with Saint Emidius (Catholic Communications Network):
http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/Catholic-Church/Media-Centre/press_releases/press_releases_2010/New-Podcast-Series-Advent-Art
…a commentary on the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke (Catholica):
http://www.catholica.com.au/gc0/ie3/167_ie_021210.php
…this week’s prayer, study and action for Advent (PaxChristiUSA):
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs090/1011223557022/archive/1104010222146.html
…a  reflection on the theological significance of the virgin birth (Fr. Ron Rolheiser):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=542
…a spiritual map for Advent and Christmas (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/blogs/maps.php?id=20474
…what we can learn from John the Baptist (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20101202_1.htm

VIEW…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224447416-gospel-of-sunday-5th-december-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—Advent and Life (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Events/224447400-vatican-report.html
…Fr. John O’Malley on the context for Sacrosanctum Concilium (PrayTell):
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/12/04/sacrosanctum-concilium-at-47-john-o%E2%80%99malley-video/
…the meaning of Hanukkah, the Jerwish Festival of Lights (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/december-3-2010/hanukkahs-light/7597/

REFLECT ON...
…this Sunday’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-december-5-getting-ready-christmas
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
...what it means if you can't save the world (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.com/considerthis/outside-box/4you-cant-save-world
…the places where Francis and Clare lived (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=5&IssueID=17
…the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke (Boston College C21)
https://idesweb.bc.edu/c21online/minicourses/birth_of_jesus
…what works—the daily examen (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-39-the-examen

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT...
…the Retirement Fund for Religious (USCCB):
http://www.retiredreligious.org/
...how the Church combats HIV/AIDs in Africa (Where God Weeps):
http://www.wheregodweeps.org/breaking-news/africa-the-catholic-church-is-africa-s-primary-care-giver-for-aids-victims/
…the relationship between Eucharist and mission (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/campus/prayer-eucharist.shtml
…how critics are responding to the Pope’s comments on condoms (Chiesa News):
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1345793?eng=y

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1305
…a discussion of the “chosen people”—Israel and America (Interfaith Voices):
http://interfaithradio.org/node/1553

CONSIDER...
...the Pope's pastoral approach on the use of condoms (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/popes-condom-remarks-step-real-world
…John Allen’s view of a “conservative” who’s not so conservative (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/only-benedict-could-go-china
…why the economy is sacred (Religion Dispatches):
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/atheologies/3762/the_economy_is_sacred%2C_stupid/
…the church’s role in the public square (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/political-not-partisan

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…the moral implications of financial decisions (Associated Baptist Press):
http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/5913/53/
…the teaching authority of the bishops (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12614
…two kinds of pride (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0028.htm
…the fire of love (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/12/fire-of-love

READ...
...Pope Benedict's catechesis on Julian of Norwich (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-31132?l=english
…the U.S. bishops’ letter to Congress on immigration reform (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-227.shtml
…interesting perspectives on the institution of marriage (Mercator):
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/scholars_turn_their_minds_to_marriage/

WORTH QUOTING...
"
While the secular world started Christmas months ago, we Catholics are caught up in a different spirit. We are in a gestating mood. We wait in joyful anticipation....  Learning to be still and stand in the mystery of the Incarnation is a catechetical moment. We must teach the sacred grace of waiting. Without it, we will miss all of life's amazing waits: waiting for a new sibling, waiting for supper, waiting for the movie to be released, waiting for our marriage and on and on."
-- Jeanne Hunt in St. Anthony Messenger Press's Faith Formation Update.

   •   •

Online This Week
Nov. 28-Dec. 4, 2010

CELEBRATE ADVENT...
…blessings and prayers for the season (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/advent/prayers.shtml
…an Advent Surprise daily calendar (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/advent-calendar-2010
…facts about Advent (American Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/default.aspx?id=20
... a booklet of Advent meditations and prayers, "Imagine Peace" (The Beatitudes Society):
http://www.feautor.org/id/12272568756
... Sr. Joan Chittister's reflection (National Catholic Reporter):
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_7_40/ai_111616658/=
...a reflection on the season, "Peace Made Flesh" (Franciscan Friars):
http://www.hnp.org/jpic/advent/index.cfm
...join your prayer to those of others (Shrine of St. Jude)
http://shrineofstjude.claretians.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ssj_advent_prayer_2010
... weekly video reflection (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/video_detail.html?id=41
…interactive Advent calendar (Explore Faith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_christianity/holy_days/advent/slow_
down/slow_down_advent_calendar.php

VIEW…
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (H20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/224447308-gospel-of-sunday-28th-november-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—24 new cardinals (H20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Events/224447309-vatican-report.html
…a trailer for the new book Light of the World--The Pope, the Church, and the Signs of the Times  (Ignatius Press):
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/11/watch-the-trailer-for-light-of-the-world.html

REFLECT ON...
…this Sunday’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/3scripture-reflection-november-28-where-did-year-go
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
...the meaning of hospitality--it's more than being pleasant (Faith & Leadership):
http://www.faithandleadership.com/multimedia/christine-d-pohl-grace-enters-the-stranger?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=headline&utm_campaign=FL_feature|
...what's happening now in Haiti (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/emergency/haiti/index.cfm

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT...
...the U.S. Bishops' annual fall meeting (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/dolans-election-overshadows-bishops-meeting
...Pope Benedict's recent Apostolic Exhortation on Scripture (Zenit):
(Part 1)  http://www.zenit.org/article-31038?l=english
(Part 2)  http://www.zenit.org/article-31048?l=english
…what we mean by “resurrection of the body” (Catholica):
http://www.catholica.com.au/gc0/ie3/166_ie_251110.php
…the original meaning of “social justice” (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/11/real-social-justice
...and the difference between social justice and socialism (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/church/2010/07/social-justice-same-socialism

LISTEN TO...
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1304
…author Mark Massa discuss The American Catholic Revolution (America Podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1216
…Tony Dispigno’s thoughts on “giving until it feels good” (Everyday Faith):
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/11/26_Time%2C_Talent_%26_Treasure_%28Tony_Dispigno%29.html

THINK  MORE ABOUT…
…immigration reform and the ‘Dream Act’ (USCCB):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2010/11/daring-to-dream.html
…the connection between faith, love and beauty (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/reach-beauty
…how storytelling defines who we are (New Scientist):
http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/culturelab/2010/11/storytelling-20-when-new-narratives-meet-old-brains.html
…the “odd couple”—profits and prophets (Boston College Magazine):
http://bcm.bc.edu/issues/fall_2010/c21_notes/the-odd-couple.html

CONSIDER…
…Fr. Thomas Reese’s take on the recent U.S. bishops’ meeting (Georgetown on Faith):
http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/georgetown/2010/11/catholic_bishops_tilt_to_right.html#more
...John Allen's preview of Light of the World  (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/pope-talks-condoms-sex-abuse-resignation-and-movie-nights
…what the new book shows us about Pope Benedict (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/7212/In-Focus-Book-reveals-Pope-Benedicts-quiet-stren.aspx
…David Gibson on the Pope and health care (Politics Daily):
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/11/19/pope-is-no-tea-partier-benedict-backs-guaranteed-health-care-fo/

READ...
...the Vatican's official statement on the Pope's published comments about condoms (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-31024?l=english
...Pope Benedict's Wednesday catechesis on St. Catherine of Siena (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-31070?l=english
…excerpts from Light of the World: The Pope, the Church, and the Signs of the  (Cheisa News):
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1345667?eng=y
...November's bestselling Catholic books (Publishers Weekly):
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/book-news/religion/article/45301-november-2010-catholic-marketplace-bestsellers.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly%27s+Religion+BookLine&utm_campaign=c6b85b08a9-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email

WORTH QUOTING…
"
We do live in a time when there's this turmoil everywhere. In the church, in our society, in our lives. That is why we need to listen carefully to the assurances that Malachi gives to us, 'that the sun of justice will heal.' We need to listen to the assurances that Paul gives the people of Thessalonica, 'It's OK. The end time is not here. We must continue to work and build community.' And we must listen to Jesus in the gospel reminding us, 'I am with you even until the end of the world'….  This is not a time to give up, to be in despair. It is a time to renew our sense of awareness that Jesus lives within us and that we are moving toward that fullness of God's reign. And have that confidence even now once more to be the witnesses that we are called to be.”
-- (Retired) Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, commenting on the readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, in his column “The Peace Pulpit” online at:

http://ncronline.org/blogs/peace-pulpit/not-time-give

   •   •

Online This Week
November 21-27, 2010

VIEW…
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (H20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224447231-gospel-of-sunday-21th-november-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—the new evangelization (H20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/224447230-vatican-report.html
…a conversation with Brother David Steindl-Rast (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/november-19-2010/brother-david-steindl-rast-extended-interview/7512/

CELEBRATE...Thanksgiving
…start with What Works—A Gratitude List (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-16-the-gratitude-list
...a week of prayerful reflections for gratitude (Loyola Press):
http://peopleforothers.loyolapress.com/tag/week-of-gratitude/
…five ways to be more thankful (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/5-ways-to-celebrate-a-thankful-thanksgiving
…tips for getting along when the family gathers (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/forming-a-more-perfect-union
…a prayer of gratitude (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/prayer/prayer/guided_prayer/an_audio_prayer_of_gratitude.php

PREPARE FOR...Advent
daily reflections for the season from Pope Benedict XVI (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/advent/AdvChr.pdf
…take “A Joyful Journey—Advent Day-by-Day” (Catholic Update):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/preview.aspx?id=244
...download an Advent Ignatian Retreat and find other resources (Ignatian Spirituality):
http://ignatianspirituality.com/advent/
...checkout prayers, retreats and activities for Advent (Loyola Press):
http://archives.subscribermail.com/msg/0ac0798e628b433a8683f1a8d1df0917.htm
…read “Advent in a Crumbling Empire”  (Sojourners):
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj1012&article=advent-in-a-crumbling-empire

REFLECT ON...
…this Sunday’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-november-21-solemnity-christ-king
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
…how to live the Serenity Prayer day by day (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Prayer/2009/09/Living-the-Serenity-Prayer.aspx
...an unusually perceptive assessment of the Church today (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30952?l=english
...a daily photo reminding us of God's presence in the world (Ignatian Spirituality):
http://picturinggod.ignatianspirituality.com/
…the 30th anniversary of the death of American women in El Salvador (Maryknoll):
http://www.maryknollogc.org/documents/Something_worth_living_for.pdf

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…how Catholics make sense of suffering (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/holy-wholly-healthy.aspx?IssueID=16
…how moral philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre evaluates global capitalism (Prospect):
http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/2010/10/alasdair-macintyre-on-money/
…the difference between chance and spontaneity (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0026.htm
…why we can’t hear Wagner’s music anymore (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2010/11/why-we-cant-hear-wagnerrsquos-music

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1303
…the Amish way of life (Interfaith Voices):
http://interfaithradio.org/node/1539
…author Deborah M. Jones’ discussion of her book, A Roman Catholic Theology of Animals (America Podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1213

THINK MORE ABOUT...
…the relationship between beauty and truth (Commonweal blog):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=10988
...the religious issue at the heart of political polarization (The Washington Post):
http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/susan_brooks_thistlethwaite/2010/11/got
_anxiety_religion_and_political_polarization_today.html

...where the U.S. bishops stand in the thicket of American politics (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12576
…the ethical issues involved in end-of-life decisions (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12585

READ...
...Pope Benedict's comments on the role of agriculture in the world economy (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30955?l=english
...Cardinal George's address to the U.S. conference of bishops (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30977?l=english
…a review of Avery Cardinal Dulles—A Model Theologian (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12578

WORTH QUOTING...
"Health is a precious good for the person and society to promote, conserve and protect, dedicating the means, resources and energies necessary so that more persons can enjoy it. Unfortunately, the problem still remains today of many populations of the world that do not have access to the necessary resources to satisfy fundamental needs, particularly in regard to health.  …[I]ntegral of each one's existence and of the common good, is to establish a true distributive justice that guarantees to all, on the basis of objective needs, adequate care."
-- Pope Benedict XVI, in a message to the 25th international conference of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, online at:
http://www.zenit.org/article-31001?l=english

•   •   •

Online This Week
November 14-20, 2010

VIEW...
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (H20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224447132-gospel-of-sunday-14th-november-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—the Pope in Spain (H20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224447126-vatican-report.html
...six lessons from the life  of Dorothy Day (Dominican Province):
http://www.op-stjoseph.org/blog/6_lessons_from_the_life_of_dorothy_day/
...Mary's story and find out more about the U.S. bishops' Campaign for Human Development (USCCB):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6kja5wENwU

LEARN MORE ABOUT…
…ten tips for creating a spiritual pilgrimage (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Islam/2008/11/10-Tips-for-Performing-a-Spiritual-Pilgrimage.aspx
…a twentieth century mystic, Teilhard de Chardin (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/faces/saints_prophets_and_spiritual_guides/pierre_teilhard_de_chardin.php
…death with dignity and Catholic moral principles (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/culture/ethic-life/2010/09/internal-medicine
...what the mid-term elections tell us about the moral fabric of U.S. society (EthicsDaily):
http://www.ethicsdaily.com/what-do-results-of-160-ballot-questions-say-about-moral-state-of-america-cms-16985

REFLECT ON...
…Sunday’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-november-14-fearless-testimony
... our wounds as "scars of hope" (Faith and Leadership):
http://www.faithandleadership.com/sermons/scars-hope?page=full&print=true
…the need for more prudence in the Church (Institute for Politics & Catholic Studies):
http://ipr.cua.edu/blogs/post.cfm/strengthening-the-virtue-of-prudence
…a “mutual engagement” between science and theology (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20101105_1.htm

DISCOVER…
…what Catholics think about animal rights (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12571
…why marriage is out of reach for the under-educated (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/pure-sex-pure-love-120-happily-never-after
…everything you ever wanted to know about the American bishops (CARA):
http://nineteensixty-four.blogspot.com/2010/11/brief-read-ahead-for-bishops-fall.html
…seven habits for a happy marriage (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/marriage/mf0138.htm

PLAN AHEAD...for Christmas
...with this "Guide to Gifts That Matter" (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/sites/files/Christmasgiftguide2010.pdf

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1302
…Jesuit Fr. Matt Malone’s take on the mid-term elections (America Podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1211
Facts of Faith—the Gregorian Calendar (BustedHalo podcast):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/videoandaudio/gregorian-calendar
…a discussion with Tim Gray about scripture in modern life (Christophers podcast):
http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=740
…suggestions on how to forgive (Everyday Faith):
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/11/8_Forgiveness_%28Larry_Cunningham%29.html
…how religion divides and unites Americans (Interfaith Voices):
http://interfaithradio.org/node/1535

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…why it’s important to keep things in perspective (American Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=46
…the connection between action and contemplation (Center for Action & Contemplation):
http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/getconnected/rr_thoughts/The_Greatest_Art_Form.pdf
…why Catholicism was once thought incompatible with democracy (Boston Review):
http://www.bostonreview.net/BR35.6/muller.php
…how children suffer the most from the lack of immigration reform (God’s Politics):
http://blog.sojo.net/2010/11/11/in-the-immigration-debate-the-children-suffer-most/

READ...
…a summary of Pope Benedict’s apostolic exhortation on the Word of God (USCCB):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2010/11/benedict-on-bible.html
…full text of the Pope’s exhortation (Vatican):
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20100930_verbum-domini_en.html
…Sean Michael Winter’s analysis of the mid-term elections (The Tablet):
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/15516
…an except from Roots of the Faith (St. Anthony Messenger Press):
http://www.catholicsampler.com/viewer.aspx?id=1505&sample=chapter

WORTH QUOTING…
Over the decades, there has been a continued deepening of the meaning and role of solidarity.  Pope John Paul II interprets solidarity as the totality of economic, cultural, political and religious links binding human beings together and prompting them to help each other to achieve the common good of society….   From his socio-religious analysis, the Pope sees the obligation to solidarity coming from an absolutely binding ethic; therefore solidarity is not an option, but a duty.
-- Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See's Permanent Observer at the United Nations in Geneva, in a recent speech on the role of the common good in international affairs, posted online at:
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/thecommongoodforum.html

•   •   •

Online This Week
November 7-13, 2010

VIEW…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (H20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224447027-gospel-of-sunday-7th-november-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—cleaning and restoring the Vatican’s art collection (H20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Events/224447006-vatican-report.html

…videos of people who are putting their faith into action (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/video/faithworks.shtml#homeboy

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT...
…the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-198.shtml
…comforting a grieving friend (Everyday Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=234
...what the Bible says about creation (Little Rock Scripture Study):
http://www.littlerockscripture.org/en/wtbsa_create_the_world.html
…the morality of “do not resuscitate” orders (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30838?l=english
…the November U.S. bishops’ meeting (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1004488.htm

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/5scripture-reflection-november-7-resurrection-what-do-we-really-believe
…Blessed John Newman’s vision of hope (Newman Friends International):
http://www.newmanfriendsinternational.org/newman/?p=353
…ten ways to calm down (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2010/05/10-Simple-Secrets-for-a-Calmer-and-Happier-You.aspx
…praying with beads (PrayTell):
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/11/06/beads-of-praye/
…the month of All Saints and Souls (Catholic Education Resource Center):
 http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re1021.htm

PREPARE FORAdvent
…resources from the U.S. Bishops Conference (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/advent/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio)
http://www.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1301
…an interview with “the Pope’s Maestro” (America podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1210
…how the Bible came to be (BustedHalo podcast):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/videoandaudio/biblical-manuscripts
…how people of faith cope with economic hardship (Interfaith Voices):
http://interfaithradio.org/node/1530

REGISTER NOW…
…for a two-week online workshop, “Encountering Jesus in the Scriptures (C21Online/Boston College):
http://www.bc.edu/schools/stm/c21online/courses/encountering_jesus_in_the_scripture.html
…an online journey through Advent and Christmas (Abbey of the Arts):
http://abbeyofthearts.com/classes/online-classes/birthing-the-holy-a-creative-journey-through-advent-christmas/

CONSIDER...
...what the prophet Jeremiah might think about the midterm elections (EthicsDaily):
http://www.ethicsdaily.com/what-might-jeremiah-say-to-midterm-elections-cms-16960
…why Catholics lost the election (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12548
…the unhappy fate of  pro-life Democrats (Politics Daily):
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/11/03/the-demise-of-pro-life-democrats-be-careful-what-you-pray-for/
…Jim Wallis’ analysis of the political future (God’s Politics):
http://blog.sojo.net/2010/11/04/it-takes-a-movement-a-post-election-analysis/

SHARE YOUR OPINION...
...about the relationship between faith and science (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/faithandscience

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…the connection between food and faith (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=3&IssueID=16
…dealing with the end of daylight savings time (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-38-sad-that-dst-is-ending
…reforming the “pro-choice market” in health care (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/11/Reforming-the-Pro-Choice-Market
…the need for prudence in the Church today (Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies):
http://ipr.cua.edu/blogs/post.cfm/strengthening-the-virtue-of-prudence

READ...
...this week's Iowa Catholic Conference newsletter (Iowa Catholic Conference):
http://www.iowacatholicconference.org

WORTH QUOTING…
“The liturgy of Nov. 2 and the pious exercise of visiting cemeteries remind us that Christian death is part of the journey of assimilation to God, which will disappear when God is everything in all. Although separation from earthly affection is certainly painful, we must not be afraid of it, because when it is accompanied by the prayer of suffrage of the Church, it cannot break the profound bonds that unite us to Christ. In this connection, St. Gregory of Niza said: ‘He who has created everything with wisdom, has given this painful disposition as instrument of deliverance from evil and possibility to participate in hoped for goods.’”                                     
-- Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus Message on the Feast of All Saints, Nov. 1; online at:
http://www.zenit.org/article-30827?l=english

•   •   •

Online This Week
Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2010

VIEW…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (H20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224446944-gospel-of-sunday-31st-october-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—the Middle East Synod (H20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/224446934-vatican-report.html
…Pope Benedict’s reflections on Ramano Guardini (H20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-The%20Pope/224446940-pope-remembers-theologian-guardini.html
…David Bruce’s “spiritual review” of Hereafter (Hollywood Jesus):
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movieDetail.cfm/i/825E6596-DAFB-B321-EDF051F0383CAEB2/a/4

REFLECT ON…
…this week’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/5scripture-reflection-october-31-2010-what-would-today%E2%80%99s-zacchaeus-look
…the Feast of All Saints (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=4&IssueID=16
…saints who loved to cook (St. Anthony Messenger Magazine):
http://www.americancatholic.org/messenger/Nov2008/Feature2.asp
…how to develop a discerning heart (Canadian Jesuits):
http://www.jesuits.ca/orientations/bob/heart.html

CATCH UP ON...
...the recent Synod on the Middle East (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/mideast_synod
…the latest developments in dialogue with non-Catholic churches (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-190.shtml
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-189.shtml
…how the pro-life agenda will fare next Tuesday (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pro-life-prognosis/
…the best new books on nonviolence (Sojourners):
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj1011&article=celebrate-the-peace-parade

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
...St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/saints/2010/10-08/st-margaret-mary-alacoque
...what Catholics think about Halloween (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/church/2009/09/dont-be-scared-halloween-readers-share-frightful-memories
…music that lifts our souls (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Emotional-Health/Bipolar/Music-to-Soothe-Soul.aspx
…what we can do to help the poor (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good):
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/home/thecommongoodforum.html
…how the Catholic Church understands the Bible (Ignatius Insight)
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2008/bashley_dvmorals_feb08.asp

REMEMBER...Your Loved Ones
...Prayer to St. Jude for Eternal Life (National Shrine of St. Jude):
http://shrineofstjude.claretians.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=35641.0&dlv_id=50293&s_Affiliate=ssj_
…Sr. Joyce Rupp’s  personal prayer for loved ones who have died (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/personal-prayer-all-souls%E2%80%99-day
…resources for remembering the dead (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/

SIGN UP…
…for weekly emails on “practicing gratitude” (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/connections/practicing_gratitude.php

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1300
…why Catholics pray for the dead (BustedHalo podcast):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/prayers-for-the-dead
…Fr. Richard Rohr on the spirituality of the 12 Steps (Everyday Faith):
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/10/17_Spirituality_of_the_12_Steps
_%28Richard_Rohr%29.html

…Krista Tippet’s conversation with the Dalai Lama (Krista Tippet on Being):
http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/pursuing-happiness/
…Brahm’s “Let Nothing Ever Grieve You” (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/prayer/meditation/music/let_nothing_ever_grieve_thee.php

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…what it means to be “100% Catholic” (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=1&entry_id=3450
…why ecumenism is still important (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12544
…why some people like war (Chronicle of Higher Education):
http://chronicle.com/article/Inherently-Violent-Why/125023/
…the dangers of pornography—“sexual obesity” (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/sexuality/se0214.htm

READ...
...the U.S. bishops' official report on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-188.shtml
...the latest newsletter from the Iowa Catholic Conference (Iowa Catholic Conference):
www.iowacatholicconference.org
…Pope Benedict’s address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (Vatican):
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2010/october/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20101028_pont-academy-sciences_en.html

WORTH QUOTING...
"...[M]y contacts with countless thousands of Catholics have yet to lead me to a Catholic who claims not to believe in the real presence.  Sometimes the issue is words -- if people can't explain the mystery according to official Catholic teaching, the conclusion is that they don't believe.  In most cases I suspect this is a wrong conclusion.  I interact with the dear, dear people who come to Sunday Mass week after week so faithfully, and if I asked them what is happening at the consecration and Holy Communion, without hesitation they would tell me that the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of our Lord.  Pushed to say more, they can't.  But this doesn't mean they don't believe."
--Sr. Joyce Ann Zimmerman, in a video prepared by the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy online at:
http://liturgy.nd.edu/webcatechesis/zimmerman/zimmerman3.pdf

•   •   •

Online This Week
October 24-30, 2010

VIEW…
…a video presentation of this Sunday’s Gospel (H20news)
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/224446812-gospel-of-sunday-24th-october-2010.html
…the story of a new Canadian saint, Brother Andre Bessette (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/catholic_stories/cs0477.htm
…an update on new cardinals appointed by Pope Benedict (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/october-22-2010/the-popes-new-cardinals/7327/

REFLECT ON…
…this Sunday’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-october-24-not-rest-humanity
…the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/editorial.aspx?IssueID=16
…prayers about jobs and money (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2009/01/Prayers-For-Jobs-and-Money.aspx
…what doesn’t work – revenge (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-revenge-is-not-sweet

CELEBRATE…the 65th anniversary of The Christophers
…view the classic film, You Can Change the World (The Christophers):
http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=1245

PREPARE…to vote
…the Iowa bishops’ statement, Faithful Citizenship (Iowa Catholic Conference):
http://iowacatholicconference.org/bins/site/content/documents/FC%202010%20bw.pdf?_resolutionfile=ftppath|documents/FC%202010%20bw.pdf
…what Catholics mean by “the common good” (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good):
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/home/thecommongoodforum.html
…what you should know about taxes (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/tax-myths
…what our tax dollars pay for (The Christian Century):
http://www.christiancentury.org/blogs/archive/2010-10/what-our-taxes-pay
…two perspectives on abortion:
-- an effort to dialogue (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/culture-war-dispatch
-- why it’s not negotiable (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/abortion/ab0164.htm
…an outsider’s view of what’s really wrong (MercatorNet):
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/americas_mad-hatter_politics/

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT...
...why Catholic hospitals make a difference (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/measuring-quality-care
…the Catholic Church’s role in the Middle East (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=3434
…answers to the tough political questions about immigration (Immigration Policy Center):
http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/docs/Giving_Facts_a_Fighting_Chance_100710.pdf
…what Catholics believe about angels (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/videoandaudio/puti-angels

CONSIDER…
…a quick guide to different types of Catholic spirituality (Life4Seekers):
http://www.life4seekers.co.uk/spirituality-prayer/
…Richard Sipe’s analysis of recent developments in the Church’s response to clergy sexual abuse (Catholica):
http://www.catholica.com.au/gc3/rs/005_rs_191010.php
…Peter Steinfel’s reflections on the state of the Church in America (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/further-adrift
…Rene Girard’s understanding of mimetic rivalry as the root of all evil (Girardian Lectionary):
http://girardianlectionary.net/res/iss_1-scandal.htm

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1299
…Angela O’Donnell’s review of Seamus Heaney’s
Human Chain (America podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1205

ENROLL NOW…
…in a 2-week Church21 online course, “Encountering Jesus in the Scriptures” (Boston College):
http://www.bc.edu/schools/stm/c21online/courses/encountering_jesus_in_the_scripture.html

THINK MORE ABOUT...
…the challenges which face Catholic voters (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12531
...the growing divide among Catholics political views (Catholic News Service)
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1004251.htm
...the Pope’s understanding of  the common good (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/politics/pope-or-tea-party

READ...
…Pope Benedict’s Wednesday catechesis on St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30715?l=english
...John Allen's analysis of the new group of cardinals (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/cardinals-consistories-and-caritas-veritate
...an interview with author James Davison Hunter on how Christians should live in the world (The Other Journal):
http://www.theotherjournal.com/article.php?id=1029&header=examination

WORTH QUOTING…
“Poverty is a multi-dimensional and complex reality... [But] all forms of poverty affect the human person, who by such poverty is injured in his inviolable human dignity and enjoyment of fundamental human rights, starting with the right to life. One must always remember that discussions regarding poverty concern human beings; the poor, who are in a situation of dire necessity, abandonment, suffering and loneliness. Poverty profoundly affects the dignity of the human person. The human person deprived of the basic conditions to live decently, is humiliated, and must therefore be helped to recover....  We have the means to bring to an end poverty. Do we have the will? That is the question.”
-- Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations General Assembly, Oct. 21, 2010, online at:
http://www.holyseemission.org/21Oct2010%20Eradication%20of%20poverty.html

•   •   •

Online This Week
October 17-23, 2010

VIEW...
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224446656-gospel-of-sunday-17th-october-2010.html
…a young Jesuit’s reflections on his visit to Guantanamo (America podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1203
...episodes of the public television series God in America online (PBS):
http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/view/
…author Eliza Griswold on where Christianity and Islam are in conflict (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/october-15-2010/eliza-griswold-on-the-muslim-christian-divide/7273/
…the opening movement from
opening movement  Joseph Haydn's Stabat Mater (Ignatius Insight):
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2010/10/music-break.html

REFLECT ON…
…this week’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/5scripture-reflection-october-17-testimony-god%E2%80%99s-love

…an Ignatian “Awareness Examen” (Canadian Jesuits):
http://www.jesuits.ca/orientations/examen_r.html

…Friar Jack’s perspective on what constitutes real power (American Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=44
…21 ways to overcome disappointment (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Emotional-Health/2010/03/21-Ways-to-Overcome-Disappointment.aspx
...the secret to prayer (Fr. Ron Rolheiser):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=535

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT...
…the Church’s teaching on end of life care (US Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp/2010/docs/bulletininserthilliard.pdf
...St. Dominic and the history of the Rosary (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/heritage/2010/10-04/why-st-dominic-loved-the-rosary
...what the Church doesn't get about the World Wide Web (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30604?l=english
...Eamon Duffy's comparison of Popes Benedict, John Paul II and John Henry Newman (Irish
Times):
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0908/1224278447741.html

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1298
…author/activist David Beckman on the world hunger crisis (WJK Radio):
http://wjkradio.wjkbooks.com/2010/09/wjk-radio-20-david-beckmann-calls-us-to-change-the-politics-of-hunger.html
…Gary Malkin’s Be Here Now (Explore Faith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/prayer/meditation/music/music_from_igraceful_passages-i.php

CONSIDER...
...the morality of tax cuts for the wealthy (Washington Post):
http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/10/are_tax_cuts_for_the_
wealthy_morally_wrong.html

…what the Dalai Lama finds so important about laughter (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Buddhism/2010/10/My-Spiritual-Journey.aspx
…information for World Food Day, Oct. 16 (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/food-security/index.cfm
…Fr. Richard Rohr’s thoughts about the “two halves of life” (Radical Grace):
http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/rg/issues/Sample-THE_TWO_HALVES_OF_LIFE_By_RR.pdf

THINK MORE ABOUT…
...what Catholics mean when we talk about "real presence" (Notre Dame Center for Liturgy)
http://liturgy.nd.edu/webcatechesis/zimmerman/zimmerman3.pdf
…Christian faith and human sexuality (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/sexuality-within-a-new-kind-of-christianity
…how the new health care plan helps pregnant women (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/register_exclusives/a-bright-spot-in-obamacare-help-for-crisis-pregnancies/
…shifting political views among U.S. Catholics (Catholic News Service)
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1004251.htm

READ...
…Pope Benedict’s message for World Food Day (Vatican):
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/food/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20101015_world-food-day-2010_en.html
...the Pope's address to the Synod on the Middle East (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30593?l=english
…the introduction to The Spirit of Father Damie-- the Leper Priest (Ignatius Insight):
http://ignatiusinsight.com/features2010/jdvolder_frdamienintro_oct2010.asp

WORTH QUOTING…
When the Church recalls the horizon of the common good...she intends, in fact, to refer to the 'good of all of us,' which 'is a good that is sought not for its own sake, but for the people who belong to the social community and who can only really and effectively pursue their good within it.'  In other words, the common good is that which builds and describes the city of men, the fundamental criterion of social and political life, the end of human action and of progress; it is a 'requirement of justice and charity,' promotion of respect of the rights of individuals and peoples, as well as of relations characterized by the logic of gift."
-- Pope Benedict XVI's Message for Italian Catholic Social Week, online at:
http://www.zenit.org/article-30650?l=english

•   •   •

Online This Week
October 10-16, 2010

VIEW…
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (h20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224446540-gospel-of-sunday-10th-october-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—challenges facing Catholic media (h20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/224446523-vatican-report.html
…a report on Christians in the Holy Land (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/video/video-index.cfm?series_id=1201
…a discussion of the “politics of compassion” (Salt & Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/catholicfocus/politics_compassion.php
…an interview with Evangelical leaders on the Tea Party movement (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/october-8-2010/tony-perkins-and-russell-moore-extended-interviews/7185/

REFLECT ON...
…Sunday’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/5scripture-reflection-october-10-testimony-god%E2%80%99s-love
...the season of autumn (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/days/features.php?id=10950
…Sr. Joyce Rupp’s “apology to my brothers and sisters in developing countries” (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/spiritual-reflections/apology-my-brothers-and-sisters-developing-countries
…Fr. Benedict Groeshel’s reflections on the joyful mysteries (IgnatiusInsight):
http://ignatiusinsight.com/excerpts/rosary_chainofhope.asp
…a gay woman’s thoughts on being Catholic (Washington Post):
http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/10/gay_and_catholic_what_the_church
_gets_right_and_wrong_about_being_gay.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT…
…Catholics and annulments (Everyday Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC.aspx
...where Catholic Americans’ ancestors came from (CARA):
http://nineteensixty-four.blogspot.com/2010/10/on-what-wave-did-your-ancestors-ride.html
…finding God in the events of daily life (Canadian Jesuits):
http://www.jesuits.ca/orientations/prayer.html#finding
…the distinction between secularism and secularity (MercatorNet):
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/secularity_vs_secularism_an_enlightening_distinction/
…the
differences between the sinful, the miraculous and the bizarre (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/abracadabra-catholics-do-you-believe-in-magic/

CONSIDER...
...the connection between respect for life and justice (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/blog/2010/10/respect-life-and-social-justice
...seven steps which might change our political discourse (God's Politics blog):
http://blog.sojo.net/2010/10/07/7-steps-to-civility-this-election-season/
…what psychologist Robert Wicks has learned about prayer (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Oct2010/Feature2.asp
…Fr. James Martin’s thoughts (and a prayer) on how Catholics should respond to gay suicide (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=3363

REGISTER NOW FOR...
...an online course on how to pray the Welcoming Prayer (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=100

SHARE YOUR OPINION...
...on what you think is appropriate for church art (U.S. Catholic):
http://uscatholic.org/art

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1297
…a report on the reconstruction of Haiti (America podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1202
…a discussion about the fragility of vital, evolving life-systems (Krista Tippett on Being):
http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/fragility/

THINK MORE ABOUT...
...Steven Colbert's concern for the least among us (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6984/Openers--Mr-Colbert-goes-to-Washington-and-ignit.aspx
...what Catholics should think about "ghost stories" (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/newsletter/no_sub_ministry/2010/09-03/ghost-stories
…the case for legalizing illegal immigrants (Justice for Immigrants):
http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/documents/legalization-and-the-common-good.pdf
…a renewed culture of marriage (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/marriage/mf0137.htm
…whether the Tea Party is compatible with Catholic teaching (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/7010/Is-the-tea-party-movement-in-sync-with-Catholic-te.aspx

READ…
…the latest documents from Catholic-Orthodox discussions on eventual reunion (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-177.shtml
…a firsthand report from “the other Haiti” (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12500
…a country-by-country survey of Christians in the Middle East (One Magazine):
http://www.cnewa.org/default.aspx?ID=201&pagetypeID=3&sitecode=HQ&pageno=1
…a review of Ken Howard’s Paradoxy (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/resources/blog/faithfully_reading/paradoxy.php

WORTH QUOTING...
"Wal-Mart doesn't claim to offer a sort of gospel good news, but is there any better news to most Americans than 'Save Money. Live Better'? … Wal-Mart does not intentionally create another narrative in opposition to the Gospel…, but it does posit another narrative within which we are invited to participate.  The narrative is one that is no less encompassing than the Gospel because it provides people with a way to interpret and understand their lives. Our lives are only part of a larger purpose of consumption, and the more and better items we can consume, the more affluent we become. Wal-Mart is not the only guilty party but is the largest corporate embodiment of the narrative of consumerism."
-- Nathan Napier, in a entry on the blog Ethics Daily at:
http://www.ethicsdaily.com/news.php?viewStory=16784

•   •   •

Online This Week
October 3-9, 2010

CELEBRATEthe feast of St. Francis
…with the St. Francis Pledge (Catholic Climate Covenant):
http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/the-st-francis-pledge/
…excerpts from Following Francis (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/resources/books/following_francis.php

VIEW...
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224446427-gospel-of-sunday-3rd-october-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report – the Pope’s fall agenda (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224446431-vatican-report.html
...the video being distributed by Minnesota bishops against gay civil unions (You Tube):
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Nienstedt+DVD&aq=f

REFLECT ON…
…this Sunday’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-october-3-right-relationships
...the connection between individualism and poverty (National Catholic Reporter)
http://ncronline.org/news/justice/radical-individualism-and-poverty-rate
…an eyewitness report from southern Sudan (USCCB):
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=50
… prayers for strength, whatever the challenge (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Prayer/2010/03/Prayers-for-Strength.aspx
…the meaning of life (life4seekers):
http://www.life4seekers.co.uk/ourplaceinthisworld/meaning-of-life/meaning-of-life.html

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT...
...what's happening to religious brothers (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/people/despite-steep-decline-brothers-see-hope-their-vocation%E2%80%99s-future
…discerning a call to religious life (Catholic Update):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/preview.aspx?id=243
…an innovative approach for address poverty in America (Catholic Charities):
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=2219
...how to explain "consubstantial" (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30497?l=english

REGISTER FOR…
…”What Makes Us Catholic/Part II” (Boston College/C-21):
http://www.bc.edu/schools/stm/c21online/courses/whatmakes-catholicpt2.html

CONSIDER...
...Jim Wallis' plea for truth and civility this election cycle (God's Politics):
http://blog.sojo.net/2010/09/23/this-election-season-lets-focus-on-truth-and-civility/#disqus_thread
…Friar Jack’s conclusions about pets and heaven (American Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=41
…the religious significance of music (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/blogs/music-as-religion
…what Pope Benedict and Mateo Ricci have in common (www.Chiesa):
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1344985?eng=y

LISTEN TO…
…an interview with the president of the Vatican Observatory (America Podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1199
…what the Church believes about hell (BustedHalo Podcast):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/videoandaudio/what-is-hell
…an interview with the author of “The Fundamentalist Threat” (Interfaith Radio):
http://interfaithradio.org/node/1487

THINK MORE ABOUT...
...the trouble with angels (U.S. Catholic):
http://uscatholic.org/church/scripture-and-theology/2010/09/trouble-angels
…how the economy shapes our morals (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/blogs/does-the-economy-shape-our-morals
…the “manliness” of St. Thomas Aquinas (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/catholic_stories/cs0472.htm
…the nature of evil (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2010/09/rescuing-evil
...the value of a pilgrimage to religious shrines (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30532?l=english

READ...
…the U.S. bishops’ statement for Respect Life  Month (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/prolife/programs/rlp/10dinardo-stmt.pdf
...Pope Benedict's Wednesday catechesis on St. Matilda (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30513?l=english

...an official statement on Catholic-Orthodox dialogue (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30508?l=english
…religious leaders’ statement on peace in the Middle East (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-172.shtml

WORTH QUOTING…
“We know from experience how difficult it is to be inside the present moment because the past and the future won't leave us alone….  The past haunts us with half-forgotten lullabies and melodies the trigger memories, with loves that has been found and lost, with wounds that have never healed, and with inchoate feelings of nostalgia, regret, and wanting to cling to something that once was….  And the future impales itself into the present as well, looming as promise and threat, forever asking for our attention, forever sowing anxiety into our lives, and forever stripping us of the capacity to simply drink in the present.”
-- Fr. Ron Rolheiser, in his syndicated column, online at:
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=533

•   •   •

Online This Week
September 26-October 2, 2010

VIEW…
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224446369-gospel-of-sunday-26th-september-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report – the pope in Britain (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-in-the-world/224446360-vatican-report.html
…a virtual tour of key states in the Middle East (American Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/special/default.aspx?id=3

REFLECT ON…
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Services):
http://crs.org/weekly-prayers/
…this week’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/3scripture-reflection-
september-26-rich-man-and-poor-lazarus

…how the Amish practice forgiveness (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/excerpts.php?id=17410
…a “thought experiment” about sin and redemption (Catholica):
http://www.catholica.com.au/gc0/ie3/158_ie_230910.php

CATCH UP ONthe Pope’s trip to Britain
...(the Pope's assessment):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30455?l=english
... (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/wrap-popes-uk-trip
…(National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/register_exclusives/benedict-wows-britain/
…(The Tablet):
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/15305

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?date=9/27/2010
…a discussion of Catholic liturgical books (BustedHalo podcast):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/videoandaudio/liturgical-books
…an interview with Eboo Patel, founder of Interfaith Youth Core (America podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1194
…Ruth Cunningham’s rendition of Ave Maria (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/prayer/meditation/music/ave_maria.php

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT…
…what’s happening now in southern Sudan (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/sudan/sudan-suffering-not-will-of-god/
…a new kind of Christianity, the “emergent church” (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/a-new-kind-of-christianity-part-one
…the modern face of Islam (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/meet-the-modern-face-of-islam
…what Catholics believe about miracles (Life4seekers):
http://www.life4seekers.co.uk/BelieveinMiracle.htm

DISCOVER...
...what makes a job holy (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/trends/2010/09-17/how-is-my-job-holy
...what Catholics are reading (U.S. Catholic):
http://uscatholic.org/faithbooks
...opportunities for guided prayer in text and audio formats (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/prayer/prayer/guided_prayer/index.php
...a three-part online course, "Principles for Growing in Prayer" (My Catholic Faith)
http://www.mycatholicfaith.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=63&Itemid=123

THINK MORE ABOUT...
…what St. Francis and today’s Catholic “millenials” have in common (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Oct2010/Feature1.asp
…how to judge if the Church is successful (Catholic Education Resource Centre):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/catholic_stories/cs0469.htm
...the Tea Party and Catholic Social Principles (Politics Daily):
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/09/20/pope-benedict-xvi-and-the-tea-party-movement-soulmates/
…the connection between the Trinity, the Paschal Mystery and church music (PrayTell):
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/09/24/first-things-first/
...the new face of poverty in the United States (ABC News):
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Business/face-poverty-food-banks/story?id=11682134

READ...
...the Iowa Catholic bishops' statement, "Faithful Citizenship for Iowa Catholics" (Iowa Catholic Conference):
http://www.iowacatholicconference.org/bins/site/content/documents/FC%202010%20bw.pdf?_resolutionfile=ftppath|documents/FC%202010%20bw.pdf
…the U.S. bishops’ suggestions on tax policy (USCCB):
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-164.shtml
…an interview with Fr. Mark Massa, author of How the 60s Changed the Church (Religion News Service):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/22/how-the-60s-transformed-t_n_735766.html
…a review of Michael Ruse’s Science and Spirituality (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/BOOK_20100903_1.htm

WORTH QUOTING…
“The rich, the powerful, and the ‘just’ find it very difficult to be humbly open to God; they are full of confidence in their own treasures and securities. The only real security is the one based on friendship with God and service of God....  This makes clear why being rich, prosperous, satisfied almost naturally implies being arrogant, proud, godless. As human beings, we are radically weak and constantly try to cover up our weakness by finding security in power, wealth and status. This deception will ultimately be unmasked by God's act of judgment. The only way to salvation is to recognize one's weakness before God and to find one's security in God alone. To humble oneself does not only mean lowliness and misery, but also a willing acceptance of this misery as an act of service.”
 -- Fr.
Thomas Rosica in a commentary on Sunday's Gospel, online at:
http://www.zenit.org/article-30438?l=english

•   •   •

Online This Week
September 12-18, 2010

VIEW…
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (h20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-gospel/224446202-the-gospel-of-sunday-12th-september-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—the College of Cardinals (h20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-In%20the%20world/224446195-vatican-report.html
…a perspective on the immigration debate from the other side (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/category/bustedborders
…an interview with Abbot Barnabas Senecal OSB (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/september-10-2010/abbot-senecal-extended-interview/6991/

REFLECT ON…
…this Sunday’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-september-12-prodigal-son-and-me
…how our worst becomes the best we have (Friar Jack):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=42
…conflicts between power and love in the Church (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12447
…the mystery of Cardinal Newman (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/catholic_stories/cs0415.htm
…the wasteland of postmodernity (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/is_your_secret_life_a_lonely_internal_wasteland/

LEARN MORE ABOUT…
...the church's tradition of mysticism (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30216?l=english
...a gathering of world theologians in Trent (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/global/trent-launches-world-revolution-theology
…”cash for work” programs in Haiti (USCCB):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2010/09/cash-for-work-programs-helping-haitians.html
…what works—reading the Bible (Busted Halo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/category/what_works
…the diversity of opinions among Muslims (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/islam-modernity
…religious intolerance in America (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/september-10-2010/the-limits-of-religious-tolerance/6992/

CONSIDER…
…why we need Catholic schools (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12448
… responses from parents and teachers (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=12453
…what God can do when you are depressed (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_your_journey/how_can_god_help_me_when_im_depressed.php
…21 ways to pray your way through the day (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Prayer/2009/10/21-Ways-to-Pray.aspx
…resources for observing 9/11 (Spirituality and Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/features.php?id=15992

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=338
…a discussion of Ignatian spirituality (America Podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1193
…an interview with William Barry on friendship with God (Everyday Faith):
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/9/11_Friendship_with_God_%28William_Barry%29.html
…an interview with Christopher Bader, co-author of America’s Four Gods (Interfaith Voices):
http://interfaithradio.org/node/1465

THINK ABOUT…
…developing a discerning heart (Canadian Jesuits):
http://www.jesuits.ca/orientations/bob/heart.html
…defining your purpose in life (Christopher NewsNotes):
http://www.christophers.org/Page.aspx?pid=1199
…the power of positive affirmations (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/#panel-7
Co-Workers in the Vineyard, five years later (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/document-delivers-its-promises
...why the economy needs a new form of distributism (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30200?l=english

READ…
...Pope Benedict's Wednesday instruction on Hildegard of Bingen (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30220?l=english
...the Vatican's message to Muslims on the end of Ramadan (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30169?l=english
…a response to Stephen Hawking’s latest book (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/09/much-ado-about-ldquonothingrdquo-stephen-hawking-and-the-self-creating-universe
…Ronald Knox’s “The Church and Human Progress” (Ignatius Insight):
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2010/rknox_churchprogress_sept2010.asp
…Charles Curran’s closing address to the convocation of moral theologians in Trent (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/global/we-cannot-put-our-heads-sand

WORTH QUOTING…
“We talk about the quick end of summer but it actually dies slowly. We root for it as it fights, as doomed and gallantly as the defenders of the Alamo, to preserve its sunlit freedom against the assault of autumn that takes us prisoner and repatriates us to the routine days in which we live most of our lives. The sure sacramental sense of the church is nowhere more evident than in its designation of this period as ordinary time….  ...[O]rdinary time, since it is most of the time in the church year, offers the comfort of an old friend with whom we can be ourselves. That is, beneath elaborated liturgical theories, the real reason that the church created ordinary time. It fits the human. It is our time, the place -- as Robert Frost wrote of home -- that ‘when you have to go there they have to take you in.’”
-- Eugene Kennedy in his “Bulletins from the Human Side” blog for the National Catholic Reporter, online at:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/bulletins-human-side/ordinary-time-time-our-lives

•   •   •

Online This Week
September 5-12, 2010

VIEW...
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (h2onews):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/1-Gospel/224446126-gospel-of-sunday-5th-september-2010.html
…this week’s Vatican Report—the pope and the saints (h20news):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/47-events/224446117-vatican-report.html
…more thoughts on the Iraq war (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/september-3-2010/was-the-iraq-war-right/6942/
...an overview of the Nicene Creed (Religion Teachers Journal):
http://www.religionteachersjournal.com/media/article/25/Excerpt_RTJCalendar1-24.pdf

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/considerthis/bible-call/4scripture-reflection-september-5-knowing-not-enough
…two standards—Jesus or the world (Ignatian Spirituality):
http://ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/the-two-standards/
…praying like a child (Canadian Jesuits):
http://www.jesuits.ca/orientations/prayer.html#childprayer
…what Glenn Beck doesn’t understand about Jesus (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=3224
…what Glenn Beck doesn’t understand about America (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/by-faith/christian/andrew-finstuen-land-of-the-free-home-of-the-exceptionalists/6965/

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT...
...Fr. Boyle's effort to give gang members hope (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/people/q_and_a/2010/08-31/giving-gang-members-a-reason-to-hop
...what happens when immigrant parents are deported (Cronkite News Service):
http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/083010_divided_families
…coping with uncertainty and hardship (Life4Seekers):
http://www.life4seekers.co.uk/uncertainty/
...the Beatitudes (Catechist):
http://www.catechist.com/archive/articles_view.php?article_id=2667
…following your conscience (Everyday Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=232
…Congo’s troubled tin mines (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/democratic-republic-of-congo/money-from-stone-congo-mines/

CONSIDER...
...what you can do to help Sudan (Catholic Relief Services)
http://donate.crs.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=20568.0&printer_friendly=1
...an ethical perspective on the war in Iraq (Associated Baptist Press):
http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/5653/9/
…religious leaders’ perspective on the Ground Zero mosque (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1003555.htm
…Fr. Francis Clooney’s comments on inter-religious dialogue, ten years after Dominus Iesus (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=3249
…how liturgy develops (PrayTell):
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/08/30/liturgical-development/
…what’s wrong with public displays of piety (Fr. Ron Rolheiser):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=529

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=337
…Scripture scholar John Martens on what the Good News is (America podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1191
…what the Church says about Unicorns (BustedHalo):
http://www.bustedhalo.com/videoandaudio/unicorns
…sharing our faith in the workplace (EverydayFaith):
http://www.everydayfaith.net/EF/Home/Entries/2010/9/2_Sharing_Our_Faith_%28Michael_Wright%29.html
…what different faiths believe about the afterlife (Interfaith Voices):
http://interfaithradio.org/

THINK MORE ABOUT...
...Pope Pius's encyclical on the science of evolution (The Wall Street Journal):
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703846604575447493644515142.html
…why Jesus chose fishermen (Catholica):  
http://www.catholica.com.au/gc0/ie3/155_ie_030910.phpy

…the importance of spiritual practices (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/livingspiritually/a_guide_to_spiritual_practice/an_introduction.php
…the enduring popularity of apocalyptic fantasies (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/09/the-appeal-of-a-world-scattered-and-scorched
…the Pope’s visit to Britain (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/6848/With-historic-visit-pope-to-challenge-indifferent.aspx

READ...
...Pope Benedict's message for World Youth Day (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-30244?l=english

WORTH QUOTING…
“Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Lord, things change again.
When will I be able to rest in the comfort of knowing what comes next?
You, who transcend all time, who created the stars and set them in place,
you, who are ageless yet known in every age,
grant me the grace to accept the changes that are happening.
Empty my heart of anxiety, and fill it instead with wonder and awe.
Release me from the chains of complacency, and bind me to your ever-moving Spirit….”

-- Diana Macalintal, from a “Prayer to Accept Change” posted on the PrayTell blog at:
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/08/29/prayer-to-accept-change/

•   •   •

Online This Week
August 29-September 4, 2010

CELEBRATELabor 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

CELEBRATEthe 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/

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=328
…this week’s World Report (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/newsroom/world-report/

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…
“I
n 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 21st 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

CELEBRATEthe 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: