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Online This Week Archives 2012


 
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Online This Week

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
May 13, 2012

 VIEW...
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450908-gospel-for-sunday-23-may-2012.html?cat=&maincat=
…what we can learn from the disabled (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/may-11-2012/churches-and-the-disabled/10968/
…the rosary and why Catholics pray it (Salt & Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/perspectives/is-it-necessary-to-pray-the-rosary.php
…an interview with the secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life (Salt & Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/witness/archbishop-joseph-tobin.php

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—faith seeks us (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/faith-seeks-us
...a fisherman's evangelization lesson (DailyEthics):
http://www.ethicsdaily.com/a-lesson-in-encouragement-from-the-fishing-hole-cms-19588
…“seven things I learned from Mary” (Everyday Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=252
…incredible mothers of the bible (BeliefNet):

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Galleries/Incredible-Mothers-of-the-Bible.aspx
…meekness, the third lively virtue (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0095.htm

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…how we are transformed by the Eucharist (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/transformed-in-the-eucharist
…what women should tell their husbands about a past abortion (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/when-couples-struggle-with-the-deep-dark-secret-of-past-abortions/
…celebrating the feminine genius (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9378/In-celebration-of-the-feminine-genius.aspx
…St. Athanasius, the “father of orthodoxy” (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology):
http://www.salvationhistory.com/blog/father_of_orthodoxy_st._athanasius/
…the Acts of the Apostles (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20120509_1.htm

DISCOVER…
…what babies needs—what you should know (Moral Landscapes):
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201204/babies-are-needy-does-bug-you
…tips for couples raising a special needs child (For Your Marriage)
http://foryourmarriage.org/marriage-and-a-special-needs-child/
…the best collections of religious stories (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/features.php?id=22848
…the real St. Paul, a man of surprises (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/church/scripture-and-theology/2012/04/putting-paul-his-place

FOCUS ON…
…Hildegard of Bingen, newest saint and doctor of the church (Vatican Insider):
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/inquiries-and-interviews/detail/articolo/ildegarda-di-bingen-chiesa-church-iglesia-15084/
…the real St. Paul, a man of surprises (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/church/scripture-and-theology/2012/04/putting-paul-his-place

REMEMBER…
…10 things every graduate needs to remember (BeliefNet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Life-Events/Graduation/Galleries/10-Things-Every-Graduate-Needs-to-Remember.aspx?utm=Homepage_Lead

STUDY…
…what the U.S. Catholic statistics mean (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate):
http://nineteensixty-four.blogspot.com/2012/05/microscoping-view-of-us-catholic.html

PREPARE FOR… the election
…Catholic issues: immigration reform (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2012/05/catholics-care-catholics-vote_11.html

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1380
…a discussion of women in the bible and Mary’s Magnificat (America Podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1337
…the importance of silence and nature’s last quiet places (On Being):
http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2012/last-quiet-places/
…an interview with theologian Michael Paul Gallagher on imagination and faith (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=586697

PRAY...
...a blessing for a child in the womb (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/prayers/pro-life-blessings.cfm

CONSIDER...
…what’s wrong with gossip (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-33-gossip
…why we need to create safe places for soldiers (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13426
…the Church’s teaching on homosexuality (Vox Nova):
http://vox-nova.com/2012/05/07/could-the-catholic-church-ever-approve-of-homosexuality/

PERSPECTIVES ON... the campaign for religious liberty
…Bishop Serratelli’s explanation (The Beacon):
http://www.patersondiocese.org/archives.cfm
... a view of the bishops’ campaign from Australia (EurekaStreet)
http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=31197
...Tom Roberts on the bishops' religious liberty campaign (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/politics/bishops-are-picking-fight-election-year

PERSPECTIVES ON… the principle of subsidiarity
…Steve Schneck (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good)
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/cgf5212schneck.php
…Jeff Mirus (Catholic Culture):
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?id=532

IN THE NEWS…
...bishop reiterates concerns about the Ryan budget (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20120509.htm
...survey shows large number of unaffiliated Catholics (Catholic News Agency):
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/survey-suggests-churches-need-to-catch-up-with-unaffiliated-catholics/
…new questions about easy annulments (Our Sunday Visitor
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9374/Questions-raised-about-easy-annulments.aspx
…controversy over a gay Catholic student’s scholarship in Davenport (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1201886.htm
…overview of reaction to the LCWR controversy (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9375/Making-sense-of-assessment-of-sisters-group.aspx

OPINIONS…
…Fr. Thomas Reese on what’s remains to be done about sex abuse in the church (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=5118
...Mary Gail Frawley-O'Dea on the hierarchy and mourning (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/hierarchys-inability-mourn-thwarts-healing-church
…Beth Haile on the bishops and public policy (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/are-the-bishops-distracting-us/
…James Kalb on liberalism and the human good (Catholic World Report):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/1328/liberalism_catholicism_and_the_good.aspx

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…what’s a parent to do when adult children get married (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=91&IssueID=36
...about interfaith marriages (Faith & Leadership):
http://www.faithandleadership.com/features/articles/quiz-rise-interfaith-marriages-presents-new-challenges?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=headline&utm_campaign=FL_feature
…the veracity of personal experience (Dating God):
http://datinggod.org/2012/05/10/veracity-mistaken-for-arrogance/
…the injustice of inequality (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2012/05/occupy-and-the-injustices-of-inequality

READ…
…Pope Benedict’s Wednesday catechesis on the imprisonment and release of St. Peter (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34752?l=english
…Cardinal Dolan’s response to President Obama’s support for gay marriage (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/cardinal-dolan-president-obama-remarks-on-marriage-deeply-saddening.cfm
…why saying “I’m against racism” is not enough (The Jesuit Post):
http://thejesuitpost.org/site/2012/04/why-i-am-not-trayvon-martin/
…Fr. Robert Barron’s perspective on how to address bullies (Word on Fire):
http://www.wordonfire.org/Written-Word/articles-commentaries/April-2012/How-to-Solve-the-Bully-Problem.aspx

WORTH QUOTING…
…[I]f the policies [the] extremists support were ever to be adopted, more would be at risk than our economy. We all recall the biblical parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Lazarus begs for the scraps that fall from the rich man’s table, but is denied even this. Both men die, and Lazarus is brought to ‘the bosom of Abraham’ while the rich man is consigned to Hades…. You do not need to be a scripture scholar to grasp the meaning of this parable. In both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, God is not shy about telling us human beings that we must care for the poor. God is not shy about warning against avarice and its power to corrupt the soul.”
-- Fred Rotondaro, chair of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, in a blog posted here:
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/cgf5912rotondaro.php

•   •   •

Online This Week
May 6, 2012

VIEW...
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450890-gospel-for-sunday-6-may-2012.html
...persevering in prayer (University of Notre Dame):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZNR8khUa38&feature=player_embedded#%21
…Fr. Robert Barron and faith and reason (Word on Fire):
http://www.wordonfire.org/WOF-TV/Commentaries-New/Fr-Barron-comments-on-Faith-and-Reason.aspx
…Fr. Thomas Reese SJ on the Colbert Report (America):}http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=5099

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—staying connected (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/staying-connected-recharge-batteries
...Father Arthur Poulin's Breath of Spring (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/food_fun/catholic_art/2012/04-11/may-2012-prayer-and-reflection
...who's to blame for natural disasters (EthicsDaily):
http://www.ethicsdaily.com/should-we-blame-god-for-tragedies-deaths--cms-19539
…21 reasons to smile (BeliefNet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/Galleries/21-Reasons-to-Smile.aspx
…marriage as an all-consuming mystery (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/marriage-pinnacle-god%E2%80%99s-love-us
…abuse and redemption (The Jesuit Post):
http://thejesuitpost.org/site/2012/05/chosen-people-on-abuse-redemption/

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…the origin and meaning of the Creed (Catholic Update):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/preview.aspx?id=267
…Mary’s special role (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/devotionals/mary-and-the-saints/frequently-asked-questions-about-blessed-virgin-mary.cfm
…the Catholic intellectual tradition (Boston College C21):
http://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/top/church21/pdf/Catholic%20Intellectual%20Tradition%20cropped%20pages.pdf
…immortality and life after death (Fr. Ron Rolheiser):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=927

DISCOVER…
…how to pray the rosary (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/devotionals/rosaries/
…how to “grade” your marriage (For Your Marriage):
http://foryourmarriage.org/grade-your-marriage/
...resources on the environment (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/environment

FOCUS ON…
…how Christians institutions serve the residents of Gaza (Catholic Near East Welfare Assn.):
http://www.cnewa.org/default.aspx?ID=3605&pagetypeID=4&sitecode=HQ&pageno=1

ENJOY…
…a performance of “Castle of the Soul” (DatingGod):
http://datinggod.org/2012/05/03/castle-of-the-soul-is-a-must-listen-collection/

REMEMBER…
…the Armenian genocide (Ekklesia):
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16594

PREPARE FOR…the election
…Catholic issues: international peace (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2012/05/catholics-care-catholics-vote.html
…government stimulus and the principle of subsidiarity (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/faithful-citizenship-friday-krugmans-confidence-fairy-and-the-role-of-the-state/
…religion in public affairs (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13411

LEARN HOW TO…
…celebrate May as Mary’s month (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/may-is-for-mary
…discuss abortion with pro-choice friends (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/how-to-discuss-abortion-with-pro-choice-friends1/
…learn from your dreams (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/tools/learning_from_dreams/index.php

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1379
…a summary of this week’s events in Rome (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=585153
…why Confirmation is important (Boston College C21):
http://www.bc.edu/content/bc/church21/webcast.html?03.08.12_Bergin_MP4_480p_%2816x9%29.mp4#feature-area
…an interview with David Rider on the beauty of dance (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=583447

MEET…
…Fr. Loris Capovilla, Pope John XXIII’s personal secretary (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1201848.htm

JUST FOR FUN…
...ten things people mean when they say "I liked that sermon" (EthicsDaily):
http://ethicsdaily.com/10-things-people-mean-when-they-like-the-sermon-cms-19553

PERSPECTIVES ON... Rome and the Sisters
...background to the LCWR controversy (The Tablet):
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/162647
...John L. Allen's analysis of the controversy (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/women-religious/lcwr-crackdown-more-complicated-rome-vs-america
…David Gibson on the “crackdown” (SojoNet):
http://sojo.net/blogs/2012/05/04/are-americans-rome-behind-nuns-crackdown
…Ann Cary and Mary Hunt/Audio (InterfaithRadio):
http://interfaithradio.org/2012/Show19

IN THE NEWS…
…Pope cautions against social inequality (Catholic News Agency):
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-benedict-cautions-against-increasing-social-inequality/

OPINIONS…
...John L. Allen on the "real Ratzinger" (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/has-real-ratzinger-come-out-play
…Phil Lawler on the bishops’ campaign for religious liberty (CatholicCulture):
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otn.cfm?id=909
…Fr. Robert Barron on why Catholics leave (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/facts/fm0158.htm
…Steven Schneck on subsidiarity and distributive justice (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good):
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/cgf5212schneck.php
…R.R. Reno on the angry Catholic left (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2012/04/paul-ryan-and-the-angry-catholic-left

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…how lay people serve the church and the world (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/how-do-i-serve-the-church-as-a-lay-person
…being virtuous in a not-so-virtuous world (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0093.htm
…the ecclesial nature of theology (Osservatore Romano):
http://www.osservatoreromano.va/portal/dt?JSPTabContainer.setSelected=JSPTabContainer%2FDetail&last=false=&path=/news/religione/2012/103q12-Nella-comunione--della-Chiesa.html&title=In%20the%20Communion%20of%20the%20Church&locale=en
…the pope’s message about the environment (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9370/Understanding-Pope-Benedicts-message-on-the-envir.aspx

READ…
…Pope Benedict’s Wednesday catechesis on the prayer of St. Stephen (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34708?l=english
…the Pope’s address on forgiveness in international relations (Zenit):

http://www.zenit.org/article-34695?l=english
…an interview with Manfred Spieker on the relevance of Vatican II (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34728?l=english
…Bishop Blaire’s response to the Ryan Budget (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/bishop-blaire-discusses-the-ryan-budget-and-catholic-social-doctrine/
…a review of Henri Nouwen and Spiritual Polarities (Catholic Book Review):
http://www.catholicbooksreview.org/2012/hernandez.htm
…a review of Beauty Will Save the World (Catholic World Report):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/1306/can_beauty_save_the_world.aspx

WORTH QUOTING…
“[T]he Catholic University [is] a place in which the educational relationship is placed at the service of the person…; a place in which the relationship of care is not a job but a mission; where the charity of the Good Samaritan is the first chair, and the face of suffering man the very Face of Christ: 'you did it to me'…. The Catholic University…is called today to be an exemplary institution which does not restrict learning to the functionality of economic success, but widens the extension of the project in which the gift of intelligence investigates and develops the gifts of the created world, exceeding a productive and utilitarian vision of existence, because ‘the human being is made for gift, which expresses and makes present his transcendent dimension’….”
-- Pope Benedict XVI, in an address at Sacred Heart University in Rome, May 3, 2012, online at:
http://www.zenit.org/article-34718?l=english

•   •   •

Online This Week
April 22, 2012

VIEW...
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450826-gospel-for-sunday-22-april-2012.html
…John Gehring’s discussion of the federal budget and social teaching (Faith in Public Life):
http://www.faithinpubliclife.org/blog/john-gehring-talks-moral-budgets-on-thom-hartmann-show/
…the Vatican’s concerns with the LCWR (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/april-20-2012/vatican-report-on-us-catholic-nuns/10824/
…religion’s role in a secular society (Salt & Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/catholicfocus/religion-a-language-of-hope.php

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—Easter eyes (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/easter-eyes
…Harry Potter and the Holy Spirit (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=1&entry_id=5054
…faith’s unscripted moments (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/god-as-my-improv-partner
…the amazing power of music (Archdiocese of Washington):
http://blog.adw.org/2012/04/where-words-fail-music-speaks-amazing-video-of-musics-power-to-awaken-a-sleeping-soul/#comments
…being ourselves and becoming perfect (JesuitPost):
http://thejesuitpost.org/site/2012/04/born-this-way-on-being-becoming-and-moral-perfection/

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…the U.S. Bishops’ conscience protection campaign (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/
…the stages of marriage (For Your Marriage):
http://foryourmarriage.org/everymarriage/stages-of-marriage/
…why the church encourages Natural Family Planning (Catholic News Agency):
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/supporters-say-natural-family-planning-celebrates-sexuality-life/
…the Acts of the Apostles (Word Among Us):
http://wau.org/resources/article/re_the_acts_of_the_holy_spirit/

DISCOVER…
…where you can make a Ignatian retreat this summer (Ignatian Spirituality):
http://ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/retreats/
..."Making a Difference," a new social justice column (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/making-difference/surprise-catholic-social-teaching-churchs-best-kept-secret
...a new website for married couples (Together For Life Online):
http://togetherforlifeonline.com/
...the Catholic Wedding Guide (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/family/marriage_relationships/2010/02-01/the-catholic-digest-wedding-guide---more-frequently-asked-questions

FOCUS ON…
…why people leave the church—inside the Trenton study (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13347
…one person’s reasons for coming back to church (SojoNet)
http://sojo.net/blogs/2012/03/26/four-reasons-why-i-came-back-church
…the need for dialog with the world (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/vatican-ii-and-the-new-evangelization/

OBSERVEEarth Day
…what we need is more awareness (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/the-integrity-of-creation
...Catholic perspectives (St. Anthony Messenger Archive):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Oct2007/default.asp
…a moral imperative (Maryknoll Magazine):
http://www.maryknollmagazine.org/index.php/magazines/323-taking-care-of-gods-creation
…children’s books for Earth Day (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/#childrensbooks
Br. Joseph Rozansky’s Franciscan perspective (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=581306

PREPARE FOR…the election
…how the issues shape up now (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9302/Election-2012-issues-begin-to-come-into-focus.aspx
…why Catholic choices don’t fit political categories (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/faithful-citizenship-fridays-the-american-political-system-as-mirror-of-the-church/

LEARN HOW TO…
…build Catholic character in children (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/education/ed0491.htm
…respond to a depressed loved one (BeliefNet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/OvercomingDepression/Gallery/10-Things-You-SHOULD-Say-to-a-Depressed-Loved-One.aspx
…teach kids about sports (Our Sunday Visitor)
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9307/Teaching-kids-to-play--and-behave--like-champion.aspx

REGISTER FOR…
...a free webinar, "7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness" April 24, 7:00-8:00pm (Loyola Press):
http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/webinars-2/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1377
…the week’s events in Rome (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=581429
…a discussion of With God in Russia (AmericaPodcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1333

PRAY...
...a novena for social justice and peace (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/novena-for-faithful-citizenship.cfm

CONSIDER...
…the Church in Ireland—belonging and unbelieving (Catholic World Report):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/1284/belonging_without_believing.aspx

MEET…
…(Catholic) classical guitarist Kevin McCormick (CatholicVote):
http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/index.php?p=28862

JUST FOR FUN…
…check out these church sign messages (SojoNet):
http://sojo.net/blogs/2012/04/15/more-church-sign-epic-fails

IN THE NEWS...
…Vatican seeks changes in womens’ leadership group (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1201584.htm
…U.S. Bishops oppose budget cuts for the poor and vulnerable (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1201597.htm
Pope Benedict’s papacy, seven years on (Vatican Insider):
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/the-vatican/detail/articolo/benedetto-xvi-benedict-xvi-benedicto-xvi-14293/

OPINIONS…
...John L. Allen on the "ironies" of Pope Benedict XVI (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/benedict-xvi-pope-ironies
...Ross Douthat on the social effects of contraception (Slate):
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/the_book_club/features/2012/ross_douthat_s_bad_
religion/bad_religion_book_the_world_that_contraception_has_made_.html

…Ernest Zampelli on health care mandates (Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies):
http://ipr.cua.edu/blogs/post.cfm/the-mandate-debate
…Nicholas Cafardi on Rep. Ryan’s budget (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good):
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/cgf41812cafardi.php
…Jo McGowan on contraception (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/simplifying-sex

THINK MORE ABOUT…
...Persistence and change among American Catholics (Boston College Magazine):
http://bcm.bc.edu/issues/winter_2012/c21_notes/questioning-authority-keeping-the-faith.html
…the Pope’s critique of Western culture (MercatorNet):
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/still_soldiering_on
…the hookup culture (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/have-we-accepted-the-hook-up-culture/
…and one person’s personal response (SojoNet):
http://sojo.net/blogs/2012/04/16/spirituality-and-sexuality-deconstructing-boundaries
…the evidence for why religion makes a difference (The Tablet):
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/162620

READ…
…Pope Benedict’s Wednesday catechesis (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34630?l=english
…U.S. Bishops’ letters on federal budget cuts (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-063.cfm
…the U.S. Bishops’ document, Disciples Called to Witness (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/disciples-called-to-witness/
…ten major faith issues of our age (Fr. Ron Rolheiser):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=894
…an excerpt from Andrea Monda’s Benedetta umiltà--Le virtù semplici di Joseph Ratzinger (Chiesa):
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1350221?eng=y

WORTH QUOTING…
“Because of the charism of inspiration, the books of Sacred Scripture have a direct and concrete force of appeal. However, the Word of God is not confined to what is written. If, in fact, the act of Revelation ended with the death of the last Apostle, the revealed Word has continued to be proclaimed and interpreted by the living Tradition of the Church. For this reason the Word of God fixed in the sacred texts is not an inert deposit inside the Church but becomes the supreme rule of her faith and power of life. The Tradition that draws its origin from the Apostles progresses with the assistance of the Holy Spirit and grows with the reflection and study of believers, with personal experience of the spiritual life and the preaching of Bishops (cf. Dei Verbum, 8, 21).”
-- Pope Benedict XVI, in a message to the Pontifical Biblical Commission, online at:
http://www.zenit.org/article-34639?l=english

•   •   •

Online This Week
April 15, 2012

VIEW...
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450809-gospel-for-sunday-15-april-2012.html
…Harold Dean Turlear on religious issues behind the Trayvon Martin case (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/april-13-2012/harold-dean-trulear-extended-interview/10776/
…videos about how “Obamacare” is helping people now (Catholic Health Association):
http://www.youtube.com/user/HealthReformWorks/feed?feature=context
…Fr. Robert Barron’s response to the Newsweek article (Word on Fire):
http://www.wordonfire.org/WOF-TV/Commentaries-New/Fr--Barron-comments-on-Andrew-Sullivan-s-Non-Threa.aspx

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—coming to faith, finally (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/coming-faith-finally
...Chinese artist He Qi's image of the empty tomb (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/food_fun/catholic_art/2012/03-26/april-2012-prayer-and-reflection
...Christianity in six words: "He is risen from the dead" (Faith & Leadership)
http://www.faithandleadership.com/sermons/catherine-caimano-christianity-six-words?
…Bruce Springsteen on the road to Emmaus (Daily Theology):
http://dailytheology.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/the-road-to-emmaus-and-bruce-springsteens-wrecking-ball-the-journey-back-to-community/

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
...Divine Mercy Sunday (Marians of the Immaculate Conception):
http://www.thedivinemercy.org/
...the spirituality of the Millennial Generation (Evangelization Exchange):
http://www.pemdc.org/ee0412-ryan/
...what the Church believes about extraterrestrial life (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/church/contemporary-issues/2012/04/do-catholics-believe-life-other-planets
…the Church’s teaching on homosexual persons (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9282/Overlooked-teaching.aspx

DISCOVER…
…ten good reasons to attend a Catholic college (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9294/Match-This.aspx
…tens songs of hope (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/OvercomingDepression/Gallery/10-Songs-of-Hope-for-the-Depressed-Heart.aspx?utm=Homepage_Lead
…an untold story about the Titanic (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20120412_1.htm
…the good news about poverty (San Antonio Express-News):
http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/The-Good-News-of-Easter-Are-Things-Better-3468785.php

PREPARE FORthe November election
…Faithful Citizenship—A Matter of Conscience (Catholic Update):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/preview.aspx?id=263
…ugly assumptions about the Church’s role in public life (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=35
…distinguishing what we know from what we think we know (CatholicCulture):
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otc.cfm?id=956
…what the facts show about income inequality (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=18475

LEARN HOW TO…
…wait patiently (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-52-waiting-patiently
… find hope in tough times (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/Galleries/10-Ways-to-Find-Hope-During-Tough-Times.aspx
…meet people where they are at along the way (Catholic News Agency):
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/column.php?n=2102

REGISTER FOR…
...Br. David Steindl-Rast online retreat, "Trusting in Life" (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=127&key=grf

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1376
…a summary of the past week’s events in Rome (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=579303
…what defines an “Islamist”? (InterfaithRadio):
http://interfaithradio.org/2012/Show16
…poet Christian Wiman on the hunger for faith (On Being):
http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2012/remembering-god/

CONSIDER...
…the legacy of Vatican II—neither disobedience or fossilization (Osservatore Romano):
http://www.osservatoreromano.va/portal/dt?JSPTabContainer.setSelected=JSPTabContainer%2FDetail&last=false=&path=/news/editoriali/2012/direttore/081q12-Nel-solco-del-concilio-Vaticano-II.html&title=In%20the%20wake%20of%20the%20Second%20Vatican%20Council&locale=en
…current trends in vocations to the priesthood (CARA):
http://nineteensixty-four.blogspot.com/2012/04/data-in-context-new-ordinations-and.html

ON A LESS SERIOUS NOTE…
…think about the difference between Protestant and Catholic drinking (Catholic Education Resource Center ):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/catholic_stories/cs0558.htm
…imagine Stephen Colbert dancing as an image of Easter (Jesuit Post):
http://thejesuitpost.org/site/2012/04/what-does-easter-look-like/
...take a quiz about sermons (Faith & Leadership):
https://duke.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5umIlqR6pkZBIfW

IN THE NEWS...
…U.S. Bishops' religious liberty campaign (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1201486.htm
…latest audit of American dioceses’ child protection measures (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-059.cfm
… what Americans think about the impact of Christian faith (GreyMatterResearch):
http://www.greymatterresearch.com/index_files/Impact.htm
…the bishops on a preventive strike against Iran (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicregister.org/news/international/item/14266-us-bishops-see-preventive-strike-on-iran-as-lowering-the-bar-on-waging-war

OPINIONS…
…David Cloutier on the bishops’ religious liberty campaign (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/faithful-citizenship-friday-whats-a-fortnight/
…the editors on the bishops and religious liberty (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=18431
…Ansel Augustine on how we stereotype black males (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/i-am-trayvon-martin
…Peter Brown on the limits of subsidiarity (The Catholic Thing):
http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/the-limits-of-subsidiarity.html

THINK MORE ABOUT…
...how to measure the morality of tax plans (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/politics/moral-measurement-candidates-tax-plans
…trusting the Church (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/blogs/simple-faith-trusting-the-church/comment-page-1#comment-22330
…women of the resurrection then and now (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/resurrection-women
…a “common good” feminism (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good):
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/thecommongoodforum.html

READ…
…Pope Benedict’s Easter Vigil homily (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34598?l=english
…the U.S. bishops’ statement on religious liberty (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/our-first-most-cherished-liberty.cfm
Theology Today—Perspectives, Principles and Criteria (International Theological Commission):
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_cti_doc_20111129_teologia-oggi_en.html
…an interview with the author of The Meaning of Sex (Catholic World Report):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/1261/sex_sanity_and_eternity.aspx

WORTH QUOTING…
“And lo, on the dawn of the day after the Sabbath, the tomb is found empty …. Faith is born anew, more alive and strong than ever, now invincible since it is based on a decisive experience: ‘Death with life contended: combat strangely ended! Life’s own champion, slain, now lives to reign’…. Dear brothers and sisters! If Jesus is risen…something truly new happened, something that changes the state of humanity and the world. Then he, Jesus, is someone in whom we can put absolute trust; we can put our trust not only in his message but in Jesus himself, for the Risen One does not belong to the past, but is present today, alive.”
-- Pope Benedict XVI in his Easter Urbi et Orbi Greeting, online at:
http://www.zenit.org/article-34601?l=english

•   •   •

Online This Week
April 8, 2012

CELEBRATE…Easter
…reflections on the Easter Gospel (audio/Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=577159
…St. John Chrysostom’s Easter Homily (Crisis):
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2012/easter-sermon-of-st-john-chrysostom
…the joyful emptiness of Easter (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/joyful-emptiness-easter/
…God will not leave us (Catholics In Alliance for the Common Good):
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/thecommongoodforum.html
…You can’t divorce Good Friday and Easter (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/soul-seeing/good-friday-and-easter-sunday-are-one
…how to be an Easter people (Our Sunday Visitor):}
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9243/How-we-can-be-Easter-people.aspx
…how to practice resurrection in our lives (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/days/features.php?id=10963
…resurrecting broken hearts (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_christianity/holy_days/easter/jesus_is_
here_resurrecting_broken_hearts.php

…what Jesus did after the Resurrection (BeliefNet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/JesusDaily/Features/What-did-Jesus-do-after-His-resurrection.aspx
…how people celebrate Easter (BeliefNet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/JesusDaily/Features/Easter-Traditions.aspx

VIEW...
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450791-gospel-for-sunday-8-april-2012.html
…a tour of the holy sites in Jerusalem (America):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgXE6Jncv-Y&feature=player_embedded
…a report on where Jesus was buried (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/march-30-2012/where-was-jesus-buried/10645/
…a video about the relationship between happiness and gratitude (On Being):
http://blog.onbeing.org/post/20168341305/the-relationship-between-happiness-and-gratitude

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—a call to action (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/call-action
…God’s mercy (Friar Jack):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-news/friarjack/Newlayout.aspx?id=84
…our need for forgiveness (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=33
…the story of the cracked pot (On Being):
http://blog.onbeing.org/post/19950139131/the-story-of-the-cracked-pot-by-trent-gilliss

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…the connection between faith and action (Every Day Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=250
…the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/floating-sacrament
…how to “get a (Christian) life” (Liguorian):
http://www.liguorian.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=451:get-a-life&catid=20:spirituality&Itemid=27
…a Catholic understanding of biblical inspiration (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology):
http://www.salvationhistory.com/blog/inspiration_of_scripture_in_the_catholic_tradition/

DISCOVER…
…how to cope with change (Patheos):
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Resist-Change-Let-Be-and-Let-See.html

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1375
…a summary of last week’s events in Rome (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=577981

CONSIDER...
…changing the culture of violence against women in Latin America (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1201381.htm
…what The Hunger Games teaches us about dealing with reality (Martin Marty Center):
http://divinity.uchicago.edu/martycenter/publications/sightings/archive_2012/0405.shtml
…the seven deadly sins on film—wrath (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20120405_1.htm
…what’s wrong with us—we’re over-stressed (Moral Landscapes):
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201203/adults-out-control-the-spread-stress-reactivity

MEET…
…the couple who wrote the Pope’s Way of the Cross (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/long-married-catholic-couple-writes-meditations-for-popes-stations-of-the-c/

IN THE NEWS...
…Pope Benedict challenges dissident Austrian priests (Vatican Insider):
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/the-vatican/detail/articolo/papa-el-papa-pope-14119
…seeking dialog, not sanctions (Vatican Insider):
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/the-vatican/detail/articolo/austria-14134/
…what the bishops find wanting in the contraception mandate (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1201359.htm
…who’s joining religious orders (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-058.cfm
…priestly heroes aboard the Titanic (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9268/Priestly-heroes-of-the-Titanic.aspx

OPINIONS…
… E.J. Dionne on what’s happening to conservatism (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/hard-right
…James Fitzpatrick on an acceptable health care compromise (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2012/04/a-compromise-that-would-have-cost-obama-nothing
…John Allen on why Pope Benedict is disappointing the “hawks” (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/benedict-xvi-and-lament-hawks
…Russel Shaw on the Supreme Court’s health care decision (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9274/Longawaited-test.aspx
…Henry Karlson on power and the poor (Vox Nova):
http://vox-nova.com/2012/04/04/is-this-what-christ-died-for/#more-22238

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…the vocation of business leaders (Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace):
http://www.stthomas.edu/cathstudies/cst/conferences/Logic%20of%20Gift%20Semina/Logicofgiftdoc/FinalsoftproofVocati.pdf
…how to deal with Castro’s Cuba (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1201289.htm
…how Catholics should approach campus ministry (Daily Theology):
http://dailytheology.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/empowering-apostles-of-joy-rethinking-our-approach-to-campus-ministry/
…the growth of contemplative practices in the West (Patheos):
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Future-of-Contemplative-Practice-in-America-Buddhism-in-the-West.html

READ…
…Pope Benedict’s Palm Sunday homily (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34554?l=english
…the Pope’s homily at the Holy Thursday Chrism (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34551?l=english
…the Pope’s homily at the end of the Via Crucis on Good Friday (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34551?l=english
…Vatican’s message for World Autism Day (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34551?l=english
…an interview with Archbishop Chaput on religious liberty (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://catholiceducation.org/articles/politics/pg0287.htm
…a review of Vatican II—The Battle for Meaning (The Tablet):
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/issue/1000304/booksandart
…a chapter from Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/catholic_stories/cs0556.htm

WORTH QUOTING…
'Christ died for our sins' means that he died in solidarity with–and in loving communion with–all human failure, mistakes, and absurdity–and thus made them non-absurd!  All human suffering and even our failures can henceforth be seen as part of the entire mystery of transformation into God.  Thus he rightly renamed ('redeemed'?) the dark side of everything, which is what always discourages and defeats us.  Now we can be both grateful and highly motivated.  Life and death are both good!   We are now participants instead of spectators.  We are still very grateful but now gratitude is the very ground floor of our universe, because nothing, absolutely nothing is wasted in the Divine Economy of Grace.  All of your life and all of your dyings are indeed part of the deal!"
-- Fr. Richard Rohr OFM, in a blog post online at:
http://richardrohr.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/what-does-it-mean-that-christ-died-for-our-sins/

•   •   •

Online This Week
April 1, 2012

OBSERVE…Holy Week
…get a quick overview of Holy Week (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/video/holy-week-in-two-minutes
…and spend more time learning about these days (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/faith/explore_christianity/holy_days/holy_week_and_good_friday/ehrich_holy_week/holy_week.php?ht=
…reflect on Bible quotes for Palm Sunday (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Easter/Amazing-Bible-Verses-About-Palm-Sunday.aspx
…read Scott Hann’s reflection for Passion Sunday (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology):
http://www.salvationhistory.com/blog/darkness_at_noon_reflections_on_passion_sunday/
…listen to Fr. Robert Barron’s commentary on the Gospel for Palm Sunday (Word on Fire):
https://www.wordonfire.org/WOF-TV/Commentaries-New/Fr-Barron-comments-on-Palm-Sunday.aspx
…study the four Gospel accounts about the death of Jesus (Boston College C-21):
http://www.bc.edu/schools/stm/c21online/resources/deathofjesus.html
…find out more about the Paschal mystery (Catholic Update):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/preview.aspx?id=265
…reflect on the songs of the Suffering Servant (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/lent/seven-penitential-psalms-songs-of-suffering-servant.cfm
…view a virtual “Way of the Cross” (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/video/virtual-stations-of-the-cross
…listen to the Way of the Cross on tape (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/devotionals/stations-of-the-cross/index.cfm
…listen to Holy Week reflections with a peace and justice theme (JustPeace):
http://www.justpeace.org/hlywk.htm
…helping children understand the cross (Word Among Us):
http://wau.org/resources/article/re_embracing_the_cross_with_little_ones/
…perspectives on the Triduum liturgy (Salt & Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/perspectives/holy-week.php
…living in a wounded world (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13354

VIEW...
…Fr. Robert Barron’s review of The Hunger Games (Word on Fire):
http://www.wordonfire.org/WOF-TV/Commentaries-New/Fr-Barron-comments-on-The-Hunger-Games-SPOILERS.aspx
…the question of where Jesus was buried (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):}
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/march-30-2012/where-was-jesus-buried/10645/
…Archbishop Mokrzycki’s memories of John Paul II (Salt & Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/witness/mietek.php
…a report on the shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/155-Mary%20of%20Nazareth/224450769-the-shrine-of-our-lady-of-aparecida-in-brazil.html?cat=&maincat=

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—a life-giving death (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/life-giving-death
…who’s being judged by the Gospel (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=5026
…following Christ with small steps (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=86&IssueID=35
…one of the seven deadly sins on screen—gluttony (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20120330_1.htm
…the extravagance of God’s mercy (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/palm-sunday-an-ethic-of-extravagance/

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…how people misunderstand papal infallibility (Homiletic & Pastoral Review):
http://www.hprweb.com/2012/03/papal-infallibility-a-symbolic-yet-problematic-term/
…the mystery of the annunciation (Ignatius Insight):
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2012/03/the-mystery-of-the-annunciation-is-the-mystery-of-grace-by-joseph-cardinal-ratzinger.html
…health care reform (The Jesuit Post):
http://thejesuitpost.org/site/2012/01/the-supreme-issue-health-care-reform/
…how the Church integrates faith and science (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/god-created-the-heavens-and-the-earth1/

DISCOVER…
…a series about St. Benedict and Benedictine spirituality (Integrated Catholic Life):
http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/category/1faith/spiritual-life-prayer/benedict-for-beginners/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1374
... a guided reflection on Jesus, the Mandate for Our Mission (Renew International):
http://blog.renewintl.org/2012/03/guided-meditation-the-love-of-jesus-our-mandate-for-mission/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheOfficialBlogByRenewInternational+%28The+Official+Blog+by+Renew+International%29

REMEMBER
...the 800th anniversary of St. Clare’s entry into the Franciscan life (Dating God):
http://datinggod.org/2012/03/30/800th-anniversary-of-st-clares-entrance-into-franciscan-life/

PRAY...
...Pope Benedict's prayer intentions for April (Vatican Information Service):
http://visnews-en.blogspot.com/2012/03/benedict-xvis-prayer-intentions-for_30.html

CONSIDER...
...a Christian approach to shopping (Faith & Leadership)
http://www.faithandleadership.com/content/michelle-gonzalez-shopping-sinful?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=headline&utm_campaign=FL_feature
…the difference the pill has made (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2012/03/the-differences-the-pill-has-made
…Pope John Paul II’s impact on Catholic moral theology (Journal of Moral Theology):
http://www.msmary.edu/College_of_liberal_arts/theology/department-of-theology/jmt/docs/JMTv1i1Grabowski.pdf

IN THE NEWS...
…Challenge to health care plan at the Supreme Court (Catholic News Agency)
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/conscience-concerns-could-prove-decisive-in-health-care-ruling/
…the Pope’s schedule for Holy Week (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/holy-weeks-solemnities/
…end of the road for talks with traditionalists (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9240/Talks-with-traditionalist-group-hits-end-of-road.aspx

OPINIONS…
… Mark Gray on the rise of voters who are not religiously affilliated (CARA):
http://nineteensixty-four.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-catholic-vote-quiet-rise-of.html
…Hadley Arkes on the “social issues” in American politics (The Catholic Thing):
http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/in-praise-of-a-polarized-politics.html
…Ernest Zampelli on the health care mandate (Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies):
http://ipr.cua.edu/blogs/post.cfm/the-mandate-debate
…Michael Sean Witners on Jerry Falwell’s contribution to American politics (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good):
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/cgf31412msw.php

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…why Catholics leave the church (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/unusual-study-asks-former-catholics-why-they-left-church
…Augustine, faith and reason (Catholic Culture):
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otc.cfm?id=952
…the meaning of sexual differences (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/sexuality/se0234.htm
…the distinction between prudential issues and moral absolutes (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=18253

READ
…Pope Benedict’s message on Vatican II (Osservatore Romano):
http://www.osservatoreromano.va/portal/dt?JSPTabContainer.setSelected=JSPTabContainer%2FDetail&last=false=&path=/news/vaticano/2012/072q12-Videomessaggio-del-Pontefice-a-un-incontro-.html&title=Sign%20of%20God%20for%20our%20time&locale=en
…texts of Pope Benedict’s homilies and speeches in Mexico and Cuba (Vatican):
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/travels/2012/index_messico-cuba_en.htm
…U.S. Bishops’ statement on religious freedom (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/march-14-statement-on-religious-freedom-and-hhs-mandate.cfm

…Fr. Cantalamessa’s sermon on Gregory of Nyssa (Vatican Radio):
http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=576010
…John Allen on the Pope’s anti-clerical message (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/benedicts-gentle-debunk-clericalism

WORTH QUOTING…
A surprise benefit of the bus: it exposed me to more people. Because while the bus picked up and delivered many university students and employees like me, it also was a transportation lifeline for the poor and, since the Texas School for the Blind was near my house, the blind.  I won’t say that seeing these people daily 'reminded me how lucky I am.' People do not exist to help me feel more fortunate. Instead, I’ll say they amazed and moved me….  Public transportation puts us all together, and we have a few minutes to contemplate each other…. We have time to take in each other’s dignity and courage.  Above all the other benefits, giving up my car reminded me I wasn’t driving my own life. God is in charge. I depend on other people God has created. I depend on God."
-- Lynn Freehill, reflecting on her decision to give up driving for Lent, online at:
http://bustedhalo.com/features/lent-even-more-extreme-edition

•   •   •

Online This Week
March 4, 2012

OBSERVING…Lent
…video reflection on the Second Sunday of Lent (Catholic Digest):

http://www.catholicdigest.com/video_detail.html?id=26

…when does a diet become a fast? (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/blogs/the-soup-to-nuts-of-fasting
…Introduction to Lent--Fasting (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology):
http://www.salvationhistory.com/blog/intro_to_lent_ii_fasting/
…Lent is a rehearsal for death (Catholic News Agency):
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/column.php?n=2052
…weekly guide to journaling during Lent (ExploreFaith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/tools/guided_journaling/lent.php
…the seven deadly sins on film—pride (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20120228_2.htm
…Week 2 reflections based on Fr. Robert Barron’s Catholicism (Word on Fire):
http://www.wordonfire.org/WoF-Blog/WoF-Blog/March-2012/Lent-Gospel-Reflections-from-CATHOLICISM-Week-2.aspx

VIEW...
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450679-gospel-for-sunday-04-march-2012.html
…an interview with Brother Emile of the Taize community (Salt & Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/perspectives/prayer-and-taize-community.php
…an interview with philosopher Charles Taylor on faith in the 21st century (Boston College):
http://www.bc.edu/church21/webcast.html?11.10.11_Taylor_MP4_480p_%2816x9%29.mp4#feature-area

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—Abraham’s trial (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/abrahams-trial
…being human—and imperfect (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-45-go-easy-on-yourself
…the importance of beauty (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9123/Helping-people-encounter-God-through-beauty.aspx
…an examination of conscience based on the Beatitudes (Pax Christ USA):
http://paxchristiusa1.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/eoc.pdf

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…the connection between Jesus and the Sacraments (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9128/Masterworks-of-God.aspx
...what the Church teaches about capitalism (Jesuit Social Research Institute):
http://loyno.edu/jsri/catholicism-and-capitalism
…St. Patrick—Man on a Mission (Liguorian):
http://www.liguorian.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=448:saint-patrick-man-on-a-mission&catid=15:cover-stories&Itemid=68
…John Courtney Murray and the debate over religious liberty (Journal of Moral Theology):
http://www.msmary.edu/College_of_liberal_arts/theology/department-of-theology/jmt/docs/JMTv1i1Hollenbach.pdf

DISCOVER…
…how many slaves work for you (SlaveryFootprint):
http://slaveryfootprint.org/
…five ways to instill faith in kids (BeliefNet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/galleries/8-Ways-to-Instill-Faith-in-Your-Kids.aspx

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1370
…a Lenten reflection of life in the Middle East (Catholic Church in England and Wales):
http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/Home/Podcasts/Middle-East-Analysis/Middle-East-Lenten-Reflection

PRAY...
...Pope's prayer intentions for March (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34385?l=english

CONSIDER...
…three myths about the Catholic Church (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/three-myths-about-church-give-lent
…latest roundup of books on the Bible (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13302

MEET…
…the “Mother Teresa of Honduras” (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/news/report.aspx?id=3774

IN THE NEWS...
…what the bishops will do next about the contraception mandate (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/cardinal-dolan-issues-letter-hinting-at-legal-challenge/
…a conference on fertility and the family (Osservatore Romano):
http://www.osservatoreromano.va/portal/dt?JSPTabContainer.setSelected=JSPTabContainer%2FDetail&last=false=&path=/news/editoriali/2012/053q12-Di-generazione-in-generazione.html&title=From%20generation%20to%20generation&locale=en

OPINIONS…
…Michael Uhlmann on what the bishops should do now (The Catholic Thing):
http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/six-things-the-bishops-must-do-now.html
...Sean Michael Williams on why the bishops should be careful (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/politics/some-see-bishops-danger-overplayng-their-hand
…Gary Dorrien on the future of the Occupy movement (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13301
…George Weigel on the tragedy of “liberal Catholicism” (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2012/02/the-catholic-diaspora-and-the-tragedy-of-liberal-catholicism

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…the new Missal and what it says about God (The Jesuit Post):
http://thejesuitpost.org/site/2012/02/words-words-words-our-shabby-equipment-part-ii/
…the difference between conscience and feelings (Catholic Education Resource Center)
http://catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0083.htm
…the principle of buen vivir (living well) (Center of Concern):
https://www.coc.org/files/Briefing%20Paper%2011%20Buen%20Vivir.pdf
…the salvation of non-Christians (Fr. Ron Rolheiser)
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=791

READ…

…Pope Benedict’s Angeles homily on temptation (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34370?l=english
…a review of Fr. Robert Spitzer’s New Proofs for the Existence of God (Catholic Culture)
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?ID=525

WORTH QUOTING…
Too much of my time as a novice was spent trying to be like other people.  I knew that I wasn’t holy myself, and saw other novices who seemed far more holy, so, I figured I needed to be like them….  Finally I said to my spiritual director, David Donovan, ‘I’m not sure how to be holy.  Who should I imitate in the novitiate?  Who’s doing it right?’ ‘Jim,’ he said, ‘you don’t have to be someone else to be holy.  Just be yourself.  That’s the person God called ….’  David’s advice helped me to relax, and to be appreciated for who I was, not for who I wasn’t."
-- Fr. James Martin SJ, on “The Five Best Pieces of Jesuit Wisdom I’ve Ever Heard,” online at:
http://thejesuitpost.org/site/2012/02/the-five-best-pieces-of-jesuit-wisdom-ive-ever-heard/

•   •   •

Online This Week
February 26, 2012

OBSERVELent
…weekly reflections based on Fr. Robert Barron’s documentary Catholicism (Word on Fire):
http://www.wordonfire.org/WoF-Blog/WoF-Blog/February-2012/Lent-Gospel-Reflections-from-CATHOLICISM-Week-1.aspx
…ten things to remember about Lent (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-032.cfm
…Introduction to Lent/Prayer (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology):
http://www.salvationhistory.com/blog/intro_to_lent_1_prayer/
…Lenten calendar of daily reflections (American Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Seasonal/Calendar.aspx?id=5
…frequently asked questions about Lent (American Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/lent/faqs.asp
…Lent as a time for transformation (Huffington Post):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fr-richard-rohr/lent-is-about-transformation_b_1282070.html
…why I’m giving up Facebook for Lent (Daily Theology):
http://dailytheology.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/why-i-am-fasting-from-facebook/
…focus on the seven deadly sins (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20120220_1.htm

VIEW...
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450657-holy-gospel-of-jesus-christ-according-to-saint-mark-112-15.htm
…Catholic focus on social justice (Salt & Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/catholicfocus/words-of-jesus.php
…help for divorced Catholics (Salt & Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/perspectives/divorce.php

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—angels in the desert (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/angels-desert
…the primacy of Christ in Creation (Friar Jack):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-news/friarjack/Newlayout.aspx?id=81
…a thirst for water, a thirst for life (Ecumenical Water Network):
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/activities/ewn-home/resources-and-links/seven-weeks-for-water/week-1/bible-reflection.html
…how the face opens into the infinite (Osservatore Romano):
http://www.osservatoreromano.va/portal/dt?JSPTabContainer.setSelected=JSPTabContainer%2FDetail&last=false=&path=/news/cultura/2012/045q12-Cosa-hai-visto-nel-mio-volto-.html&title=What%20did%20you%20see%20in%20my%20face?&locale=en

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…what is a gospel? (The Word Among Us):
http://wau.org/archives/article/the_gospel_what_is_it/
…the case against contraception (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/sexuality/se0217.htm
…Pope Benedict and the Word of God (Homiletic & Pastoral Review):
http://www.hprweb.com/2012/02/pope-benedict-xvi-and-the-word-of-god-distinct-themes-of-verbum-domini/
…Bernard Haring’s influence on Catholic moral theology (Journal of Moral Theology):
http://www.msmary.edu/College_of_liberal_arts/theology/department-of-theology/jmt/docs/JMTv1i1Keenan.pdf

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1369
…the Catholic themes in Downton Abbey (AmericaPodcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1325
…an interview with David Belton, writer for PBS’s The Amish (Interfaith Voices):
http://interfaithradio.org/2012/Show9
…Desmond Tutu’s God of Surprises (Krista Tippet on Being):
http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2012/tutu-god-of-surprises/

PRAY...
…a prayer for teachers (Dating God):
http://datinggod.org/2012/02/21/prayer-for-teachers/

CONSIDER...
…a “disconnect” in Mexican Catholic spirituality (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200688.htm
…the Pope’s challenge to the financial sector (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good):
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/cgf22212.php

MEET…
…Regis Philbin, man of faith (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=77&IssueID=34

IN THE NEWS...the contraception debate
…what happens next? (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9063/Next-steps-in-HHS-mandate-controversy.aspx
…Bishop Blaise Cupich on the need for civility (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13263
…facts vs. myths (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200718.htm
…conscientious objection in a broader context (Brookings Institute):
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2012/0223_health_care_
galston_rogers/0223_health_care_galston_rogers.pdf

…the editors on the distinction between liberty and policy (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13277

OPINIONS…
…Mary Ann Glendon on religious liberties (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13260
…George Weigel on clerical narcissism (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2012/02/clerical-narcissism-and-lent
…Bishop Thomas Gumbleton on saying yes to new things (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/peace-pulpit/church-jesus-should-say-yes-new-things
…Anthony Stevens-Arroyo on the theology of birth control politics (The Washington Post):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/catholic-america/post/the-theology-of-birth-control-politics/2012/02/17/gIQA3UMHKR_blog.html#pagebreak

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…Pope Benedict’s legacy--the new evangelization (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9060/Pope-Benedict-makes-moves-to-secure-his-legacy.aspx
…doctrine, discipline and holiness (Catholic Culture):
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/opinion/sunday/in-a-lenten-season.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=lent&st=cse
…what saints can teach busy Catholics (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/everyday-holiness-for-ordinary-lives/
…the salvation of non-Christians (Fr. Ron Rolheiser):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=791

READ…
…Pope Benedict’s Ash Wednesday homily (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34352?l=english
Pope Benedict's Wednesday catechesis on Jesus' last three words on the cross (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34347?l=english
…an excerpt from Donald DeMarco’s The Many Faces of Virtue (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0082.htm

WORTH QUOTING…
The season of Lent itself is based on a “wilderness” — the one in which Jesus fasted for 40 days after his baptism. It’s common to read this story and others like it as though the wilderness were little more than a blank backdrop. I read it a different way. Wisdom comes from the bare places because they force humility upon us. In these Lenten places, where life thrives on almost nothing, we can see clearly how large a shadow modern life and consumption cast upon the earth. In secular terms, Lent seems the opposite of Christmas — “What are you giving up?” versus “What are you getting?” Perhaps it might be a season in which to learn the value of abstention and to consider how to let the bare places flourish, or even simply to exist."
-- Verlyn Klinkenborg, in an opinion column in the New York Times, online at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/opinion/sunday/in-a-lenten-season.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=lent&st=cse

•   •   •

Online This Week
February 19, 2012

VIEW...
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450627-holy-gospel-of-jesus-christ-according-to-saint-mark-%E2%80%AA21-12%E2%80%AC.html
…Catholic Social Teaching—a covenant of love (Salt & Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/catholicfocus/covenant-of-love.php
… the spiritual needs of people with dementia (Catholic Church in England and Wales):
http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/Home/Videos/Dementia-and-Spirituality/The-Effects-of-Dementia

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—disabled but not excluded (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/disabled-not-excluded
…inclusion, acceptance, fear and fiestas (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=1&entry_id=4914
…life as a Lenten journey (Every Day Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=249
…how to pray contemplatively (The Word Among Us):
http://wau.org/resources/article/re_the_illuminated_imagination/

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…the religious roots of Mardi Gras (American Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/mardigras/
…why Catholics pray the rosary (For Your Marriage):
http://foryourmarriage.org/why-do-catholics-pray-the-rosary/
…the year of faith (Catholic Church in England and Wales):
http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/Home/Features/What-is-the-Year-of-Faith
…the Old Testament canon in the Christian bible (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology):
http://www.salvationhistory.com/blog/thoughts_on_the_churchs_old_testament_canon/

DISCOVER…
…a Daily Examen simple enough for 6th graders (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=4936
40, a dramatic new Lenten experience (Loyola Press):
http://40theseries.com/the-series/
…a new journal about Catholic moral teaching (Journal of Moral Theology):
http://www.msmary.edu/College_of_liberal_arts/theology/department-of-theology/jmt/index.html

JUST FOR FUN…
play Lent Madness and learn about the saints (Lent Madness):
http://www.lentmadness.org/about/

PREPARE FORLent
…Ash Wednesday in two minutes/video (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/video/ash-wednesday-in-two-minutes
…what are you giving up for Lent  (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-44-what-are-you-giving-up-for-lent
…why give up anything? (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/that-time-of-year-again
…lenten guide for married couples (For Your Marriage):
http://foryourmarriage.org/getting-ready-for-lent/
…Fast-Pray-Give Lenten Calendar (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/fast-pray-give
…making Lent count (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/make-lent-count/
...finding everyday holiness in Lent (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/lent/2010/01-13/finding-everyday-holiness-in-lent
…the Lunchtime Examen (Loyola Press):
http://ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/lunchtime-examen/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1368
…a discussion of this year’s best Oscar nominees (AmericaPodcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1321
…why we can’t understand Greek drama (Boston College Front Row):
http://frontrow.bc.edu/program/lefkowitz/

CONSIDER...
…the need for a new pro-life philosophy (Catholic News Agency):
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/priest-defends-pro-life-movement-with-secular-philosophy/
…John Courtney Murray and today’s debate over religious liberty (Journal of Moral Theology):
http://www.msmary.edu/College_of_liberal_arts/theology/department-of-theology/jmt/docs/JMTv1i1Hollenbach.pdf
… sin and grace in Martin Scorsese’s films (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/culture.cfm?cultureid=254

IN THE NEWS...
…Catholic response to the “accommodation” on contraception coverage (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200643.htm
...U.S. bishops’ response  (U.S. Conference of Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/bishops-renew-call-to-legislative-action-on-religious-liberty.cfm
…why the bishops won’t back down (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/politics/staffer-bishops-will-not-relent-contraception-compromise
…U.S. bishops’ fact sheet on contraception coverage (U.S. Conference of Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/upload/preventiveqanda2012-2.pdf

OPINIONS…

Sr. Mary Ann Walsh on six things everyone should know about the HHS mandate (U.S. Conference of Bishops):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2012/02/six-more-things-everyone-should-know.html
…the editors on the bishops’ reaction (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/bad-reaction
…Jeff Mirus on the limits of religious liberty (CatholicCulture):
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otc.cfm?id=933
…David Cloutier on three lessons from the contraception controversy (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/the-mandate-three-lessons-so-far/
…Bill Moyers on freedom of and from religion (Huffington Post):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-moyers/obama-contraception-compromise-freedom-of-and-from-religion_b_1281942.html?ref=religion
…Jamie L. Mansen on why the bishops will never be satisfied (National Catholic Reporter):

http://ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/why-bishops-will-never-be-satisfied

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…the origins of modern science (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/science/sc0131.htm|
…the “moral ethos” of sports (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/jeremy-lin-religious-values-and-the-moral-ethos-of-sport/
…what the poor teach us about conversion (Liguorian):
http://www.liguorian.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=435:what-the-poor-teach-us-about-conversion&catid=15:cover-stories&Itemid=68
…obstacles to the new evangelization (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9048/Seven-obstacles-to-the-New-Evangelization.aspx

READ…
Pope Benedict's Wednesday catechesis on Jesus' last three words on the cross (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34303?l=english
…commentary on the Pope’s fears about the financial sector (CatholicCulture):
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otc.cfm?id=932|
…Robert Ellsberg’s introduction to Dorothy Day’s Diaries (Catholic Eduction Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/catholic_stories/cs0548.htm
…an interview with Cardinal Wuerl on the Church in America (Osservatore Romano)
http://www.osservatoreromano.va/portal/dt?JSPTabContainer.setSelected=JSPTabContainer%2FDetail&last=false=&path=/news/interviste/2012/014q12Una-Chiesa-al-servizio-della-vita.html&title=A%20Church%20at%20the%20service%20of%20life&locale=en
…a symposium on “why I am (still) Catholic” (Daily Theology)
http://dailytheology.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/theological-shark-week-ii-why-i-am-still-catholic/

WORTH QUOTING…
Sacred Scripture warns us of the danger that our hearts can become hardened by a sort of 'spiritual anesthesia' which numbs us to the suffering of others....  What hinders this humane and loving gaze towards our brothers and sisters? Often it is the possession of material riches and a sense of sufficiency, but it can also be the tendency to put our own interests and problems above all else. We should never be incapable of “showing mercy” towards those who suffer. Our hearts should never be so wrapped up in our affairs and problems that they fail to hear the cry of the poor."
-- Pope Benedict XVI, in his Lenten message for 2012, online at:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20111103_lent-2012_en.html

•   •   •

Online This Week
February 5, 2012

VIEW...
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450566-gospel-for-sunday-05-february-2012.html
…the progress of justice for farmworkers (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/february-3-2012/farmworker-justice/10207/

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—Healed in Love (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/healed-love
... the big picture—eternity and beyond (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/life/everyday-spirituality/2012/01/eternity-and-beyond-faith-and-space?utm_source=January+31%2C+2012&utm_campaign=ebulletin1312012&utm_medium=email
…the art of prayer (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13242
…St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, patron of widows (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=75&IssueID=33

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…who God is (Word Among Us):

http://wau.org/archives/31-03
…world day for consecrated life (U.S. Conference of Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/consecrated-life/world-day-for-consecrated-life.cfm
…life along the via dolorosa (Catholic News Service):
http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/a-glimpse-of-life-along-the-via-dolorosa/
...what Catholics need to know about health care (Our Sunday Visitor):
https://catalog.osv.com/PDFs/P1066_web.pdf

DISCOVER…
Church Life, a new online  journal about evangelization (Institute for Church Life):
http://issuu.com/instituteforchurchlife/docs/churchlifewinter2012
...Men As Learners and Elders (Center for Action and Contemplation)
http://cacradicalgrace.org/menaslearnerselders/overview
…resources for married couples (For Your Marriage):
http://foryourmarriage.org/february-a-time-to-celebrate-love-and-marriage/
…how Catholic Relief Services makes a difference (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/united-states/when-did-we-see-you-hungry/

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1366
…Richard Gaillardetz on the anniversary of Vatican II (AmericaPodcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1317
…God is searching for you (Renew International)
http://xpmail.kolaco.com/Renew/index.nsf/vPages/PodcastSearchingForGod

PRAY...
...Pope Benedict's intentions for February (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34219?l=english

REMEMBER…
...to choose fair-trade chocolate  for Valentine’s Day (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.serrv.org/crs_chocolate?c=crschoc&utm

CONSIDER...
the community’s role in the RCIA (Catholic Update):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/preview.aspx?id=262
…ten ways to find hope in troubled times (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/Galleries/10-Ways-to-Find-Hope-During-Tough-Times.aspx
…the plight of migrant women (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/easy-targets
…a positive role for secularism (Vatican Insider):
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/inquiries-and-interviews/detail/articolo/francia-france-vingt-trois-cattolici-catholics-catolicos-12313/

MEET…
…St. Charbel of Lebanon, artisan of peace (Word Among Us):
http://wau.org/archives/article/an_artisan_of_peace/

IN THE NEWS... HHH regulations on health insurance coverage
...text of Archbishop Hanus' letter (Archdiocese of Dubuque):
http://www.arch.pvt.k12.ia.us/Administration/archmessages/HHS-HealthMandateLetter.pdf
...Catholic reaction to HHS regulations (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/news/politics/catholics-denounce-ruling-religious-exemption
...list of U.S. bishops who have spoken publicly about the administration's regulations (Catholic Vote):
http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/index.php?p=25591
…Bishops’ responses to the administration (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-020.cfm
…resources from the U.S. bishops (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/index.cfm
…moral theologians’ discussion (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/hhs-roundtable-cooperation-with-evil/|
...E.J. Dionne on the President's breach of faith (Washington Post):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/obamas-breach-of-faith-over-contraceptive-ruling/2012/01/29/gIQAY7V5aQ_story.html
...impact on Catholic voters (CNN)
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/01/is-obama-losing-the-catholic-vote/?hpt=hp_t2
…the danger of miscalculating (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13238
…Fr. Robert Barron’s commentary/video (Word on Fire):
http://www.wordonfire.org/WOF-TV/Commentaries-New/Fr-Barron-comments-on-the-HHS-Contraception.aspx

OPINIONS…
…Loras College’s David Cochran on the choices facing American voters (Commonweal)
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/plutocracy-or-democracy
…Fr. John Coleman SJ on economic inequity (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=4900
…Anne Roan Thomas on the moral implications of climate change (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/994/a_dangerous_practice.aspx
…George Weigel on whether we’re seeking or following (Crisis):
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2012/we-do-not-seek-but-find
…Fr. John Flynn on economics and low fertility (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34234?l=english

THINK MORE ABOUT…
…ministry to young adults (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/lost-transition-christian-smith
…the answer to “spiritual but not religious” (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/what-works-58-re-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus
…the relationship between church and state, principles and prudence (CatholicCulture):
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?id=520
…concerns about the Enneagram (Catholic World Report_):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/994/a_dangerous_practice.aspx

READ…
Pope Benedict's Wednesday catechesis on Jesus' prayer in the Garden (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34223?l=english
…a review of Charles Murray’s Coming Apart (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/civilization/cc0409.htm
…a review of A Thinker’s Guide to Sin (Australian eJournal of Theology):
http://aejt.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/398956/A_Thinkers_Guide_to_Sin_Talking_
about_wrongdoing_today.pdf

…Jesus’ “descent into hell” (Vox Nova):
http://vox-nova.com/2012/02/03/descended-to-the-dead-or-descended-into-hell/#more-21446

WORTH QUOTING…
Sometimes I forget that God made me to be me. God wants us to see the good that others do and to appreciate it. But we shouldn’t be good exactly the same way another person is good.  God calls us to do our own good.  God doesn’t keep a tally sheet to see who is doing better than whom.  God just wants us to do what God is calling us to do. I just had to keep telling myself this over and over. God wants me to be me, not that other mom who I think is ridiculously amazing. I need to find my own amazing.”
-- Vanessa Gonzalez Kraft, in her blog on BustedHalo at:

http://bustedhalo.com/blogs/coveting-thy-neighbors-good

•   •   •

Online This Week
January 29, 2012

VIEW...
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450518-gospel-for-sunday-29-january-2012.html
…Fr. John Baldovin’s lecture on Eucharistic Adoration in the Church today (University of Notre Dame Center for Liturgy):
http://blogs.nd.edu/oblation/2012/01/17/adoration-of-the-eucharist-today-2/
…a Catholic view of the Great Depression (Salt & Light Television):
http://saltandlighttv.org/catholicfocus/catholics-and-great-depression.php

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—Called to be Prophets (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/called-be-prophets
…how (and to what) am I being called? (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=74&IssueID=33
…why people marry and stay married (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/blogs/why-did-you-marry-me
…five ways to manage daily depression (BeliefNet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Emotional-Health/5-Ways-to-Manage-Day-to-Day-Depression.aspx
…what we can learn from King David’s sinfulness (DatingGod):
http://datinggod.org/2012/01/27/king-david-and-bathsheba-sin-and-human-brokenness/
…what Thomas Aquinas can teach us today (Thinking Faith):
http://thinkingfaith.org/articles/20120127_1.htm

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…the Sacraments of Healing (Liguorian):
http://www.liguorian.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=432:sacraments-of-healing&catid=21:sacraments&Itemid=28
…the history of African-American Catholics (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/8970/History-of-AfricanAmerican-Catholics.aspx
…13th century theologian John Duns Scotus (Friar Jack):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-news/friarjack/Newlayout.aspx?id=79
…the “tribunal of the conscience,” the Apostolic Peniteniary (H20News/video):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/48-In%20the%20world/224450497-the-tribunal-of-the-conscience.html?cat=&maincat=#

DISCOVER…
…the U.S. bishops’ Facebook page for Poverty Awareness (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.facebook.com/povertyusa
…an archive of features on women in the church (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/churchladies

JUST FOR FUN…
…find out how smart you have to be to understand the pope’s homilies (CARA):
http://nineteensixty-four.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-much-schooling-do-you-need-to-best.html

REGISTER FOR…
…a one-month e-course on praying for peace and justice (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=122&key=spws

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1365
…how religious communities affect American foreign policy (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1315
…an interview with Irish poet John O’Donoghue on the importance of beauty (On Being):
http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2012/inner-landscape-of-beauty/

CONSIDER...
…Archbishop Dolan’s op ed on religious freedom (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/about/media-relations/resources/wall-street-journal-op-ed-on-religious-freedom.cfm
…the connection between justice and judgment (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0080.htm
…how popes have changed the world (Huffington Post):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/26/how-popes-have-shaken-the_n_1219550.html?ref=religion

MEET…
…Hildegard of Bingen, the Church’s next “doctor” (Catholic World Report):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/1079/hildegard_of_bingen_voice_of_the_living_light.aspx
…Dina Dwyer-Owens, an Undercover (Catholic) Boss (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/culture.cfm?cultureid=249

IN THE NEWS...
…latest survey on Catholic attitudes toward abortion (Knights of Columbus):
http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/communications/Abortion_in_America_2012.pdf
…the 39th annual March for Life in Washington (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/8973/Prayers-for-Life.aspx
…where the pro-life movement is making progress (U.S.Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/culture/ethic-life/2011/11/capitol-gains-new-strategies-pro-life-movement
…getting ready for the 50th anniversary of Vatican II (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200362.htm

OPINIONS…
…Sean Michael Winters on why the president is wrong on conscience regulations (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/jaccuse
…Michael O’Loughlin on Mitt Romney’s wealth (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=4883
…Jeff Mirus on Archbishop Dolan’s naivete (Catholic Culture):
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otc.cfm?id=921
…Gordon Marion on envy and greed (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/seeing-green

THINK MORE ABOUT…
creating a new kind of Catholic culture (Catholic World Report):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/1081/culture_and_evangelization.aspx
…the difference between purity of heart and chastity (Fr. Ron Rolheiser):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=745
…why atheists are closer to God than they realize (Ignatius Insight):
http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2009/mbrumley_aquinasatheism_sept09.asp
…the moral issues involved in regulating the Internet (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/the-moral-fury-over-regulating-the-internet-a-guest-post-by-jim-caccamo/

READ…
…Pope Benedict’s Wednesday catechesis on Jesus’ final prayer (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34189?l=english
…the Pope’s message for World Communications Day (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34175?l=english
…Martin Marty’s review of The American Divide (Sightings):
http://divinity.uchicago.edu/martycenter/publications/sightings/archive_2012/0123.shtml

WORTH QUOTING…
Silence is an integral element of communication; in its absence, words rich in content cannot exist. In silence, we are better able to listen to and understand ourselves; ideas come to birth and acquire depth; we understand with greater clarity what it is we want to say and what we expect from others; and we choose how to express ourselves. By remaining silent we allow the other person to speak, to express him or herself; and we avoid being tied simply to our own words and ideas without them being adequately tested. In this way, space is created for mutual listening, and deeper human relationships become possible.”
-- Pope Benedict XVI, in his message for World Communications Day 2012, online at:
http://www.zenit.org/article-34175?l=english

•   •   •

Online This Week
January 22, 2012

VIEW...
…Fr. James Martin on Tim Tebow (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/video/video-index.cfm?series_id=1314
…Rick Santorum on faith in public life (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/by-topic/rick-santorum-religion-in-public-life/10126/
…Georgetown professor Nancy Sherman on the moral burden of Iraq (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/january-20-2012/living-with-the-moral-burdens-of-war/10152/

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—Making a Serious Change (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/making-serious-career-change
…the extraordinary ordinary moments of motherhood (American Catholic):
http://blog.americancatholic.org/2012/01/ordinary-yet-extraordinary-moments-of-motherhood/
…hearing God’s call and trusting what we hear (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/new-beginnings
…what we can learn from St. Catherine of Sienna (Explore Faith):
http://www.explorefaith.org/faces/saints_prophets_and_spiritual_guides/saint_catherine_of_siena.php
…the blessing of living with a Downs Syndrome child (Columbia):
http://www.kofc.org/un/en/columbia/detail/2012_01_down_syndrome.html
…the redeeming value of people we consider monsters (Vox Nova):
http://vox-nova.com/2012/01/21/those-that-we-call-monsters-are-not-so-to-god/

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…the value of Sunday rituals (American Catholic):
http://blog.americancatholic.org/2012/01/sunday-rituals/
…the connection between cosmology and revelation (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/8958/Interplay-of-cosmology-revelation.aspx
…the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Home-Page-News-and-Views/Week-of-Prayer-for-Christian-Unity.aspx
…Pope Benedict’s hermeneutic for interpreting the Second Vatican Council (Chiesa):
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1350146?eng=y

DISCOVER…
the Ignatian spiritual tradition (Catholic Digest):
http://www.catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/religious_orders/2011/02-04/praying-with-the-jesuits
…the places great Catholic writers lived (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13227
…a new opera about an American martyr (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=69&IssueID=32
…the secrets of a successful marriage (Christopher NewsNotes):
http://www.christophers.org/page.aspx?pid=1366

JUST FOR FUN…
…find out how long you would last in the Old Testament (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Quiz/How-Long-Would-You-Survive-in-the-Old-Testament.aspx

STUDY…
…a new report on what people experience in church (Barna Group):
http://www.barna.org/congregations-articles/556-what-people-experience-in-churches

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1363
…an interview with Paul Jeffrey, author of Rubble Nation—Haiti’s Pain, Haiti’s Promise (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/podcasts/interview-paul-jeffrey-united-methodist-missionary-photojournalist-new-book-rubble-nation-haitis-pain-haitis-promise

PRAY...
…with your spouse—4 simple steps (For Your Marriage):
http://foryourmarriage.org/how-to-pray-with-your-spouse-four-simple-steps/

CONSIDER...
…questions Walker Percy asked himself about faith (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/arts/al0458.htm
…what we can learn from Vaclav Havel (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/vaclav-havel-1936%E2%80%932011
…an abortion solution Solomon might suggest (Crisis):
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2012/42093
…how Latinos are changing American Catholicism (Huffington Post):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-matovina/latinos-and-the-transform_b_1211824.html

IN THE NEWS...
…the 39th March on Life (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article%20/march-on-march-for-life/
…Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34136?l=english
…U.S. Bishops’ reaction to contraceptive regulations (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-012.cfm
…Vatican approves Neo-Catechumenate liturgy (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200253.htm
…a new faith-and-science foundation at the Vatican (Catholic News Agency):
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-benedict-creates-new-science-and-faith-foundation
…what we share in common across church boundaries (Huffington Post):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-briggs/inside-edition-places-of-faith_b_1214251.html?ref=religion

OPINIONS…
…Fr. Stephen DeWitt on Dr. Martin Luther King (DatingGod):
http://datinggod.org/2012/01/20/correcting-oversight-dewitts-reflections-on-ml-kings-opposition-to-war-and-poverty/
…Stanton Jones on what we don’t know about homosexuality (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2012/01/same-sex-science
…David Peterson on the Vatican’s controversial plan for economic reforms (MercatorNet)
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/vaticans_controversial_plan_for_financial_reform
…Kevin Considine on why Dorothy Day disturbs him (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/blog/2012/01/dorothy-day%E2%80%94-disturbing-%E2%80%9Choly-fool%E2%80%9D
…Gaetano Vallini on Eastwood’s J. Edgar (Osservatore Romano):
http://www.osservatoreromano.va/portal/dt?JSPTabContainer.setSelected=JSPTabContainer%2FDetail&last=false=&path=/news/cultura/2012/017q12-Eastwood-denuncia-il-volto-ambiguo-dell-Ame.html&title=Eastwood%20reveals%20%20the%20ambiguous%20face%20of%20America&locale=en

THINK MORE ABOUT…
how states can respond to the immigration crisis (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=7
…faith, science and human bodies (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200250.htm
…how we can approach public policy issues (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good):
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/cgf11712stasi.php
…what we don’t know about homosexuality (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2012/01/same-sex-science

READ…
…Pope Benedict’s Wednesday catechesis on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34139?l=english
…the Pope’s message for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees (Zenit):
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/migration/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20110921_world-migrants-day_en.html
…the Pope’s address to U.S. bishops on threats to religious liberty (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34148?l=english
…an interview with Mother Clare Millea on women religious in the U.S. (Catholic World Report):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/1062/just_a_beginning_of_new_vitality_in_religious_life.aspx
…a summary of Karl Becker’s Catholic Engagement with World Religions (Vatican Insider):
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/reviews/detail/articolo/recensione-11637/

WORTH QUOTING…
“…I eventually found myself studying at a Protestant divinity school and living in an ‘intentional Christian community’ with a bunch of Protestants…. One of the greatest gifts I carry with me from those days is all the times I went to Protestant services…and I did not receive communion.  In those moments, I felt deeply the brokenness of the Church.… I’m back in a largely Catholic world.  So much so that I needed the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity to remind me to pray for something that–in that divided community–I used to pray for daily: the unity of the Church.  This week, please take a little time to remember and reflect on the brokenness of the Church; try to do a little something to reach across the divides.  And take a little time to pray for the unity of the Church.”
--Dana Dillon in a post on the Catholic Moral Theology blog, online at:
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/for-the-unity-of-the-church/

•   •   •

Online This Week
January 15, 2012

VIEW...
…a video presentation of this week’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450479-gospel-for-sunday-15-january-2011.html
…an interview with Michael O’Brien, author of The Father’s Tale (Catholic World Report):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Blog/1046/michael_obrien_interviewed_by_fr_joseph_fessio_sj.aspx
…an interview with Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/january-13-2012/michelle-alexander-extended-interview/10104/

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—Did you Call? (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/did-you-call
…moments of conversion (Friar Jack):
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-news/friarjack/Newlayout.aspx?id=78
…the “other” in our lives (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/blogs/blog_flash/the-other-in-our-midst
…the difference between generosity and greed (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0076.htm

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…Jesus’ miracles in the Gospel of Mark (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=65&IssueID=32
…the national prayer vigil for life (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=248
…the Catholic mission of healing (Liguorian):
http://www.liguorian.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=423:go-forth-preach-heal&catid=15:cover-stories&Itemid=68
…Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article%20/kateri-tekakwithas-sainthood/

DISCOVER…
…the U.S. bishops’ website on marriage (Unique for a Reason):
http://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/
…the “Days of Deepening Friendship” blog for women (Loyola Press):
http://deepeningfriendship.loyolapress.com/
…the connection between sports, energy and spirituality (Everyday Catholic):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/EDC/preview.aspx?id=248

PREPARE FOR…
…World Day for Consecrated Life (Feb. 4-5) (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-007.cfm

LISTEN TO…
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1363

CONSIDER...
…the Song of Songs and the poetry of sex (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2012/01/the-poetry-of-sex
…why “Tebow fever” is really about God (Religion Dispatches):
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/5565/missing_the_extra_point%3A_the_real_cause_of_tebow_fever

MEET…
…Fr. Michael Bassano, a "troubadour of compassion” (Maryknoll):

http://www.maryknollmagazine.org/index.php/magazines/290-troubadour-of-compassion

IN THE NEWS...
…Religious leaders’ object to treating same sex unions as “marriages” (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200142.htm
…22 new cardinals appointed by Pope Benedict (The Tablet):
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/162206
…the “invasion of the zombies” (on screen)(Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/8915/A-Catholic-examination-of-the-invasion-of-zombies.aspx

OPINIONS...
…the editors on prolife as a way of life (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13206
…James Martin SJ on how we treat homosexuals (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=4861
… Phil Lawler on who are the extremists (CatholicCulture):
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otn.cfm?id=883
…Ruth Marcus on the social safety net (Washington Post):
http://ht.ly/8syWd

THINK MORE ABOUT...
...what it means to be human—and saved (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=1&entry_id=4860
…Martin Luther King and Catholic Social Teaching (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good):
http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/cgf11112mlk.php
…the “symphony of truth” which is Catholicism (Crisis):
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2012/converts-and-the-symphony-of-truth
…the dangers of being an “on demand” society (Dating God):
http://datinggod.org/2012/01/12/on-demand-limiting-our-worldviews-one-show-at-a-time/
…how the church approaches economic issues (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/the-church-and-economics/

READ...
...Pope Benedict's catechesis on Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34100?l=english
...Vatican's directions on the Year of Faith (Zenit)
http://www.zenit.org/article-34083?l=english
…a review of Laura Hartman’s The Christian Consumer (Catholic Books Review):
http://www.catholicbooksreview.org/2012/hartman.htm

WORTH QUOTING…
And lastly, never forget that none of us got here alone – we are, all of us, the fruit of people who said ‘yes’ to God, ‘yes’ to His work, and ‘yes’ to us. That ‘yes’ opens the doors to life, to every good thing, and never more when it leads us down a path we wouldn’t have expected. So, gang, never be afraid, always enjoy the ride, and just like those who got us here, you will bear amazing fruit.”
-- Lectio Magistralis. quoted in Whispers in the Logia, online at:
http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/

•   •   •

Online This Week
January 8, 2012

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION…
…here are two particularly timely and worthy reminders for all of us involved in public discussions of important issues in the Church:
…by Jeff Mirus (CatholicCulture):
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otc.cfm?id=910
…by Chris McDonnell (PrayTell):
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2012/01/02/time-for-a-pause/

VIEW...
…a video presentation of Sunday’s Gospel (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/50-Gospel/224450450-gospel-for-sunday-06-january-2011.html
…a report on Christians in Egypt (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=14#
…images of the Epiphany from around the world (Huffington Post):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/04/epiphany-2012-dates-customs-history-explained_n_1183892.html?ref=religion
…Paul Simon’s new “spiritual but not religious” album (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/january-6-2012/paul-simon/10056/

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—Surprised by Jesus (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/surprised-jesus
…what the world is praying for this week (Catholic Relief Services):
http://www.crs.org/weekly-prayers/index.cfm
…our prayers and God’s will (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/not-my-will-but-thine-but-i-do-have-this-one-request
…St. Elizabeth Ann Seton as a model of faith (Ignatius Insight):
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2012/01/st-elizabeth-ann-seton-a-woman-of-faith-for-a-time-of-doubt-and-uncertainty.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
…the Sacraments of Healing (The Liguorian):
http://www.liguorian.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=432:sacraments-of-healing&catid=21:sacraments&Itemid=28
...why we should welcome the stranger (St. Anthony Messenger)
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=68&IssueID=32
…the danger of euthanasia (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/euthanasia-is-there-a-slippery-slope/
…why Scripture is unique (Homiletic & Pastoral Review):
http://www.hprweb.com/2012/01/scripture-is-a-unique-word/

DISCOVER…
…practical tips for sharing the faith (National Catholic Register):
http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/new-year-for-the-new-evangelization/
…how to make each day a little less hectic (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/Galleries/5-Ways-to-Bring-Peace-into-Your-Day.aspx
…the Catholic Church in rural China (Catholic World Report):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/1028/in_the_footsteps_of_saints.aspx
…the most spiritually literate films of 2011 (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/features.php?id=21319

DO SOMETHING…
…on first Fridays for Food Security (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/about/justice-peace-and-human-development/upload/Fasting-Resource-January-2012.pdf

LISTEN TO…
...this week's edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Radio):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1362
…a discussion of how war affects young children (America Podcast):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/podcast/podcast-index.cfm?series_id=1312

CONSIDER...
…different perspectives on history since the Second Vatican Council (Osservatore Romano):
http://www.osservatoreromano.va/portal/dt?JSPTabContainer.setSelected=JSPTabContainer%2FDetail&last=false=&path=/news/editoriali/2012/003q11-Il-Papa-e-la-storia.html&title=The%20Pope%20and%20history&locale=en

MEET…
…Carolyn Woo, the new CEO of Catholic Relief Services (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13211

IN THE NEWS...
…39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200056.htm
…Cardinal O’Malley on the sex abuse crisis in the Church (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/omalley-sex-abuse-crisis-its-not-behind-us
...Pope's emotional pre-Christmas visit to prison (Fox News):
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/12/18/pope-benedict-urges-dignity-in-emotional-visit-to-prison/#ixzz1h3JEEAG7
...Cardinal Ravasi on Christopher Hitchen's life and death (Catholic News Agency):
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-ravasi-reflects-on-christopher-hitchens-life-and-death/
...John Allen on the Pew study of Christianity (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/study-compares-catholicism-christianity-across-globe

OPINIONS...
…the editors on reasons for pro-life optimism (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/8869/Editorial-Reasons-for-prolife-optimism.aspx
...Bishop Howard Hubbard on why Catholics leave the church (The Evangelist):
http://www.evangelist.org/main.asp?SectionID=17&SubSectionID=79&ArticleID=23114&TM=57915.92
...Anthony Stevens-Arroyo on a "Catholic president" (Washington Post):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/catholic-america/post/would-gingrich-be-a-catholic-president/2012/01/03/gIQAY7OFYP_blog.html
…Fr. John McSweeney on why the new Missal may not last (Catholica):
http://www.catholica.com.au/gc2/occ2/084_occ2_291211.php
…Unagidon on the difference between Neoliberalism and Catholic Social Teaching (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/?p=16613
…Randall Balmer on how the religious right evolved in Iowa (Religion Dispatches):
http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/politics/5541/how_iowa_became_a_
stronghold_of_the_religious_right

THINK MORE ABOUT...
...the global slave trade (Sojourners):
http://www.sojo.net/magazine/2012/02/humankinds-most-savage-cruelty
…shopping around for a church (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/bestof-old/church-hopping
…grandparents as models and mentors (For Your Marriage):
http://foryourmarriage.org/grandparents-models-mentors-and-memory-makers/
…the importance of God’s law (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re1115.htm
…how to discern personal vocations (First Things):
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2012/01/love-god-and-do-what-you-will-avoiding-over-devotion-to-our-lady-of-perpetual-discernment

READ...
…Pope Benedict’s homily for the Feast of the Epiphany (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34077?l=english
…the Pope’s Wednesday catechesis on Christmas (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34075?l=english
...the story of one atheist's journey to the Catholic Church (The Tablet):
http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/162180
…a review of A.N. Wilson’s Dante in Love (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13200

WORTH QUOTING…
“The stop signs on the side of those roads I know well never really encourage me to take notice of the intersection. I expect the stop-sign, I recognize it without really thinking about it….  However, an unexpected slow-down that results from an accident (that is, precisely that which does not have to be there, something unnecessary, or in a word, gratuitous) does invite me to look and see—to really notice—something I had not seen before. And while I can, in all my preoccupations, see nothing but a slowdown—that is, a hindrance to me—the impact of witnessing the scars of an accident more often than not serves to shake me out of my complacency and to see something that I did not anticipate. Do the signs of Christmas, in being expected, allow us to continue on our way without requiring us to take notice? Or do they entreat us take notice of all that is given to us, all that which comes to us as unexpected, uncontrolled, and from an origin beyond ourselves?”
-- Andrew Staron, in a blog on Daily Theology, online at:
http://dailytheology.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/chocolate-tracy-chapman-and-god-with-us-part-2-of-3/

•   •   •

Online This Week
January 1, 2012

CELEBRATEthe new year
…the year in religion (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly/video):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/december-23-2011/look-back-2011/10038/
…and the year ahead (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly/video):
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/december-30-2011/look-ahead-2012/10043/
…remembering 11 important endings of 2011 (BustedHalo):
http://bustedhalo.com/features/11-notable-endings-in-2011
…ten things to do if you’re stuck in a rut (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Healthy-Living/10-Things-to-Do-If-Youre-Stuck-in-a-Rut.aspx
…ten ways to keep your new year resolutions (Beliefnet):
http://www.beliefnet.com/Wellness/Articles/10-Ways-to-Keep-Your-New-Years-Resolutions.aspx

VIEW...
…the nativity scene in St. Peter’s square (H20News):
http://www.h2onews.org/english/49-Profiles/224450424-st-peters-square-nativity-scene.html
…a photo meditation on our option for the poor (Maryknoll):
http://www.maryknollmagazine.org/index.php/photo-essay?gid=31

REFLECT ON…
…Sunday’s Gospel—Like Mary (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/mary
…the feast of the Holy Innocents (PaxChristiUSA):
http://paxchristiusa.org/2011/12/28/christmas-2011-reflection-for-the-feast-of-the-holy-innocents-december-28/
…what the Holy Family means to us (Catholic Update):
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/preview.aspx?id=233
…the Gospel of Mark (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=4833
…the challenge of the tenth commandment (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/catechism-commentary-the-tenth-commandment-where-your-heart-is/

LEARN MORE ABOUT...
...how the formation of seminarians has changed (America):
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=13195
…what we’ve learned over the past ten years about the sexual abuse of children (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2011/12/sexual-abuse-of-children-ten-years-of.html
…“Christmas and Easter” Catholics (CARA):
http://nineteensixty-four.blogspot.com/2011/12/c-and-e-catholics-decoded.html
…the three questions which really count (Ignatius Insight)
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2011/12/peter-kreeft-of-all-the-questions-the-human-mind-can-ask-three-are-of-ultimate-importance.html

DISCOVER…
…ten things you should know about reading Scripture (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm
…Fr. Ron Rolheiser’s Advent series about prayer (Ron Rolheiser):
http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/

PREPARE FOR…
…National Migration Week Jan. 8-14 (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/about/migration-and-refugee-services/national-migration-week/index.cfm
…a year for evangelization (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/8843/Two-US-evangelists-lay-out-new-evangelization-ac.aspx

LISTEN TO…
…a commentary on Sunday’s Gospel—Like Mary (Catholics on Call):
http://www.catholicsoncall.org/mary-0
…this week’s edition of American Catholic Radio (Franciscan Media):
http://productions.franciscanmedia.org/sections/acr/program.aspx?id=1361
…a short history of Handel’s Messiah (Interfaith Radio):
http://interfaithradio.org/2011/Show52
…a conversation with the Dali Lama about happiness (Krista Tippett on Being):
http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2011/pursuing-happiness/

REMEMBER…
…the Pope’s prayer intentions for January (Vatican Information Service):
http://visnews-en.blogspot.com/2011/12/benedict-xvis-prayer-intentions-for.html
…missionaries martyred for the faith in 2011 (Vatican Insider):
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/world-news/detail/articolo/missionari-missionario-missionaries-martiri-2011-11256/

CONSIDER...
…the theological journey of Avery Dulles SJ (Commonweal):
http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/ignatian-spirit
…everything you may or may not know about the new Roman Missal (PrayTell):
http://www.praytellblog.com/index.php/2010/11/06/translation-directory-watch-this-space/

REGISTER FOR...
...a month-long e-course on the spirituality of the 12 steps (Spirituality & Practice):
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=119&key=spws

IN THE NEWS...
…Pope Benedict’s year in review (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1105016.htm
…ten least recognized Vatican stories of 2011 (National Catholic Reporter):
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/top-10-under-covered-vatican-stories-plus-bonus-feature
…miracles recognized in the cause of two American women (Catholic News Agency):
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-approves-miracles-of-blesseds-marianne-cope-and-kateri-tekakwitha/
…the Iraq war is over—now what? (Our Sunday Visitor):
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/8844/The-Iraq-War-is-over-Now-what.aspx

OPINIONS...
…rock critic Rod Sheffield on faith and music (St. Anthony Messenger):
http://www.americancatholic.org/samo/Feature.aspx?articleid=67&IssueID=32
…Meghan Clark on why poor people are poor (Catholic Moral Theology):
http://catholicmoraltheology.com/newt-poor-children-the-misuse-of-virtue-ethics/
…John Gehring on the Tea Party and Catholic Social Teaching (U.S. Catholic):
http://www.uscatholic.org/teaparty
…Steve McSwain on why people are leaving the churches (Huffington Post):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-mcswain/decline-of-church-2012_b_1167437.html?ref=religion

THINK MORE ABOUT...
…making Catholic Schools affordable (Catholic News Service):
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1105071.htm
…a Latino Catholic majority (Catholic World Report):
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/1006/the_coming_latino_catholic_majority.aspx
…why we can't forget G.K. Chesterton, 100 years later (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/catholic_stories/cs0536.htm
…the difference between liberty and tolerance (Catholic Education Resource Center):
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/philosophy/ph0071.htm

READ...
...Pope Benedict’s annual Urbi et Orbi Christmas message (Zenit):
http://www.zenit.org/article-34057?l=english
...the Pope’s Wednesday catechesis on the Holy Family (Vatican):
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20111228_en.html
…2011 Social Watch Report (Center of Concern):
https://www.coc.org/rbw/%E2%80%9Cprosperity-does-not-trickle-down%E2%80%9D-new-social-watch-report-finds-december-2011
…Matthew Alderman’s review of the graphic novel, The Grand Inquisitor (Crisis):
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2011/hello-my-name-is-legion

WORTH QUOTING…
Saint Francis of Assisi called Christmas ‘the feast of feasts’ …[T]hrough him and the character of his faith, something new took place: Francis discovered Jesus’ humanity in an entirely new depth….   In the child born in the stable at Bethlehem, we can as it were touch and caress God. And so the liturgical year acquired a second focus in a feast that is above all a feast of the heart….  It is right here, in this new experience of the reality of Jesus’ humanity that the great mystery of faith is revealed. Francis loved the child Jesus, because for him it was in this childish estate that God’s humility shone forth. God became poor. His Son was born in the poverty of the stable. In the child Jesus, God made himself dependent, in need of human love, he put himself in the position of asking for human love – our love….  Let us ask the Lord to help us see through the superficial glitter of this season, and to discover behind it the child in the stable in Bethlehem, so as to find true joy and true light.”
-- Pope Benedict XVI, in his homily for Christmas Eve Mass, online at:
http://www.zenit.org/article-34054?l=english

   •   •

 

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