Kevin Considine gives us a nice, brief explanation of why many venerate the Virgin Mary. The veneration and adoration of Mary is as old as the church itself. The earliest record of Mary’s veneration probably comes from the Third Ecumenical Council at Ephesus in A.D. 431. There church fathers affirmed Mary as the Theotokos, or God-bearer. The title stuck, and today we refer to her as the “Mother of God.” This designation of Mary as the mother of God is really at the root of Roman Catholic veneration. Mary is the link between our broken humanity and the boundless divinity present in the triune God. Mary is redeemed, as she is human, but she is also considered to have a special and unique relationship with God, as she shares DNA with Christ. Mother Teresa once remarked, “She gave Jesus his body, and his body is what saved us.” In the many years since 431, Mary has come to occupy a powerful place in Roman Catholic spirituality. She has many faces and innumerable names, among them Our Lady of Guadalupe, She Who Ripens the Wheat, Queen of Angels, and the Light Cloud of Heavenly Rain. She is said to appear on occasion, mostly to children or others who are weak, disempowered, or on the margins of society. She is said, in some cases, to procure miracles. Some have even said that in the last days, Mary will lead the army of angels in the final battle against evil. But all of the titles and all of the miracles are considered to be a result of Mary’s close relationship with her son, Jesus. As mother of the King of Kings, she is the saint of saints. Furthermore, because the church is the body of Christ, and Mary is Christ’s mother, she is also the mother of the church. This means that in addition to having a special relationship with Jesus, Mary also has a special relationship with the church. She belongs to the church and the church belongs to her. So when we pray the rosary, or bow our heads during the creed, we are honoring our mother, and the mother of our Lord. Although she is not God, she has earned our respect and devotion.

Here are more suggestions for us to reclaim Christmas. What could Christmas be like? More time spent with people, sharing memories of the past year, making plans for the coming one. Doing things together, being more prayerful and more playful, telling stories, talking about God. Reaching beyond ourselves. One common theme emerge, a plan of action takes shape. One family might make their presents this year. Or give each other things they already own, trade things that are important parts of their lives. This will help them get to know each other better and experience each other as family, helping each other grow by giving to each other. Or maybe this year the family will make a little retreat to a quiet spot in the woods. They could take the time to relax and regain a sense of family, to get to know each other again, and then return in time to share their strength and peace on Christmas day. A group of friends might make a special effort this Christmas to reach out to those less fortunate than them. Perhaps a trip to a local nursing home. They’ll put together a Christmas show, using the wealth of talent and creativity they have been blessed with to bring joy into the lives of those without families. Another family might donate money they would normally spend on each other to a worthwhile charity, one that is helping feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless. Or they might prepare a huge Christmas banquet and open their doors to those in the community who would otherwise spend Christmas alone.

This is part of an article published 35 years ago in US Catholic Magazine. It is still so relevant, maybe even more so now. Why do we race around the week before Christmas buying expensive gifts as if it were a rite of preparation for the coming of the Lord? Jesus did not say we would recognize him in the breaking of the bank. And in fact it becomes very difficult to recognize him when we spend most of the season fighting crowds and fatigue. Mostly we get trapped. It’s not that we intend to be swept up by the needless overconsumption of the season. It’s that we haven’t stopped to think about the season ahead of time and make sense of it. We haven’t stopped to choose what kind of Christmas we would like to have. We’ve been trapped into thinking we have to act in a certain way during the season. Advertisers pull out the heavy artillery at Christmas, bombarding us with messages that say, “The only way to celebrate is to buy these shiny, expensive gifts.” But Christmas is for sharing. We’re remembering, reliving, celebrating the moment in history when our God shared himself by entering humanity and living with us, as us. Often that sense of sharing is lost in the helter-skelter rush to prepare for Christmas. We are pressed for time; it is all we can do to get through our foot-long gift lists. We don’t have time for people; we’re not able to pay much attention to their needs at a time when those needs might be most critical. Maybe that’s why so many people experience a profound sense of loneliness at Christmas. It’s a kind of cruel reversal of the point of Christmas in the first place. The least it could do is cheer us out of our winter doldrums. Instead it seems to intensify them. Is there a way off the mad Christmas merry-go-round? It’s difficult, maybe impossible, to make a change alone. The cycle of rushing and spending, spending and rushing, is imbedded in our culture. Going against the grain alone is a very unpopular thing to do. Friends might be hurt at not receiving the kind of gifts they are used to receiving; family members might resent your refusal to “pull your fair share” in the gigantic Christmas effort. You might come off as a stingy, lazy humbug. The only hope of regaining Christmas is to do so in community. It can start with the family, the core of the Christmas celebration, sitting down and talking about what has gone wrong with the season. Common themes begin to emerge: too many gifts, too much money spent, too much time and energy for all the wrong things, too much work and not enough Jesus.

At the opening of the Year for Consecrated Life, Pope Francis issued a challenge to consecrated men and women, inviting them to lives of courage, communion, and joy. Nearly 50 years after Vatican II's decree on the Adaption and Renewal of Religious Life, Perfectae Caritatis, Pope Francis convoked the Year with the aim of expressing the “beauty and preciousness of this unique form” of Christian discipleship. The Year for Consecrated Life begins Nov. 30, the first Sunday of Advent, and concludes Feb. 2, 2016. Because the start of the 2015 Year for Consecrated Life coincided with Pope Francis' trip to Turkey, his message was read out in his absence on Nov. 30 by Cardinal João Braz de Aviz at the beginning of Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica. Through various initiatives in the coming months, Pope Francis told consecrated men and women in his message that their “shining witness of life will be as a lamp,” placed where it can “give light and warmth to all of God's people.” Pope Francis renewed his call made in a message to Superior Generals a year ago to “wake up the world,” illuminating it with their “prophetic and counter-current witness!” Consecrated men and woman can respond to this invitation, first, by “being joyful!” the Pope said. “Show everyone that to follow Christ and to put His Gospel into practice fills your hearts with happiness!” This happiness should be contagious, he continued, leading people to seek the reason for this joy so that they can share in it. The Holy Father also told consecrated men and women to be “courageous,” reminding them that “he who feels the Lord's love knows how to place full confidence in Him.” Finally, Pope Francis called consecrated persons to be “deeply rooted in personal communion with God.” “Show that universal fraternity is not a utopia, but Jesus' same dream for all humanity.” In his homily, Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, recalled how like Pope Francis, consecrated persons wish to “entrust the journey and [destination] of the Year of Consecrated Life to Mary.” The Holy Father “wanted to dedicate the year 2015 to consecrated, men and women of the whole Church,” who have been called by the Lord “to a life [that is] closer to the God of Love, by means of evangelical councils of poverty, chastity, and obedience.” Coinciding with the first Sunday of Advent, this Year for the Consecrated life, the cardinal continued, commences “in the sign of Christian hope because the Lord is faithful and, with his mercy, transforms our unfaithfulness.”

A life-affirming online ad campaign seeks to present the positive experience of adoption as an alternative to abortion for women facing unexpected pregnancies. “We believe that women deserve to know about all of the options available to them, and we are grateful for the opportunity to connect more women with information and support as they consider adoption as one of those options,” said Marissa Cope, Director of Special Projects at Heroic Media. Heroic Media, a pro-life multimedia organization, teamed with the Gladney Center for Adoption in 2013 to promote the choice of adoption. This year, they worked together to launch a pro-life adoption advertisement titled “Last Year.” “The newest ad features a young woman sharing her positive experience of placing her child up for adoption, stating that she has made a plan to finish school and the adoptive family she chose will raise her baby ‘and love her forever,’” Heroic Media said in a Nov. 25 statement. The commercial highlights a young woman who was pregnant and chose adoption, saying that “I know I made the right decision, for me and my baby.” The campaign is promoted on YouTube, where women can click to contact counselors or the adoption agency directly through the Gladney Center for Adoption. Just this year, the partnership between Heroic Media and the Gladney Center has generated almost 125,000 connections to adoption information through internet campaigns. With some 1,000,000 abortions each year in the United States, and only 18,000 infant adoptions, Heroic Media stressed the importance of offering education and life-affirming resources to women facing difficult situations, so that they can consider options such as adoption. “This new message continues a successful partnership to share adoption information with women facing unexpected pregnancies,” stated Cope.

As we celebrate everything Mary today on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, it is important to remind ourselves why this day is important. The feast itself speaks to the dogma that Mary was redeemed from the moment of her conception. It is based on the fact that God had a special mission for Mary. God of course knew what would become of Mary and so it makes sense that he would preserve her for what was to come. It also reassures us that God has a plan for each of us. We should allow God to guide us toward Hise plan and Mary provides the perfect example of that adherence. So why was Mary chosen as Jesus's birth mother? After all, couldn't God have merely come to earth as a man without all of the usual pregnancy issues? Remember that Jesus was fully man and fully god. Mary's part in this birth then becomes very important. Jesus was born just as you and I were born. Our kinship is formed by this human birth, in the same way that Joachim and Anne formed Mary. So why honor Mary? Isn't it obvious? God chose her to carry Jesus. What a fantastic honor. What would you have done if approached by an angel telling you that God has chosen you to bear his son? Would you have submitted like Mary? Remember that Biblical scholars put her age at about 14. What kind of Christian were you are 14? Mary not only said yes to God but had to endure many obstacles. The first was telling her fiance that she was with child and it was not his. The second was facing her family and community as a pregnant betrothed woman. The hurdles go on and on. Think of what she thought when her son became a lightening rod for criticism by the Jewish leaders. This was her own faith and something she relied on to become the person she was. Think of how she felt when Jesus was beaten and nailed to a cross. How helpless she must have felt as Jesus cried out from the cross. Even then she knew that she must follow God's lead. She is the perfect example of the type of person we must become. She is the perfect example of what so many people in this time should aspire to be. Her belief in God's promises allowed her to be Jesus's mother. She was and is our example of what a follower of Jesus should be. Perhaps she was the first Christian and if for no other reason, you should celebrate this day for that reason. Because of the way God chose to bring his son into the world, we are forever grateful to Mary for saying yes. So take a moment today to think about our mother Mary and you will draw her son Jesus closer to your heart.

An innovative educational model that would serve Baton Rouge’s most impoverished students may become part of the Catholic school system as early as the 2016-17 school year. Community leaders as well as school officials of the Diocese of Baton Rouge have spent the past several months discussing the potential launch of a Crisco Rey Network high school, which employs a unique model where students work one day a week to help defray the cost of tuition. At least three meetings have already been held and a fourth was scheduled this past week. “We have had excellent feedback but we are still at the beginning stages,” said Cristo Rey Director of Growth Brian Melton, adding that a feasibility study must first be completed before moving forward. “It’s not a foregone conclusion (that a school will open in Baton Rouge) but we sure hope so,” he added. “A lot of things have to happen before then.” Bishop Robert W. Muench and Dr. Melanie Verges, superintendent of Catholic Schools, endorsed the feasibility study, which should cost about $100,000 and will be paid for with private funding, according to Melton. “What (Cristo Rey) offers students who have been denied a quality education because of their own academics or the families don’t have the resources is incredible,” Verges said. “The fact that they are focused on students who are two years behind their grade level with the goal of graduating them and getting them college ready is amazing.” Founded in 1996 by Father John Foley SJ in Chicago, Cristo Rey schools have expanded to 28 nationwide with a combined enrollment of 9,000 students, Melton said. Recently, Cristo Rey schools opened in Atlanta and San Jose, Calif., all with the same purpose of operating a college preparatory high school. Melton said 90 percent of Cristo Rey students attend college and 100 percent have been accepted into colleges. Cristo Rey schools differ from traditional school in many ways, the most significant being that every student must spend one day a week working at a white collar job that has been secured by the administration. The students are paid a salary consummate with the average pay scale for the area, but rather than paying the students directly the companies send the check directly to the school, and the funds are used to operate the school. “What students find is they love the work side,” Melton said, adding that Cristo Rey students have earned a 93 percent job satisfaction rate with employers. “They connect the dots between education and the work. They understand they are getting the education to be able to do the work.” “It’s amazing the success stories we have had,” he said. Cristo Rey graduates have gone on to college careers at Georgetown University, and others have attended Notre Dame and Boston College. Melton said the traditional school year for Cristo Rey students and teachers is 10.5 months, but incoming freshmen must spent three weeks before the first day of school to be trained in various computer skills such as Excel and Power Point as well as visit their workplace and meet their supervisors. Melton said each school follows four strict guidelines: they must be Catholic but open to all young people, be a college prep school, every student must work and the school is only open to low income students. He said the salary cap for a family of four is $38,000 annually although the average income for most of the families is $34,000 a year. “We are serving the low income community exclusively and trying to get those students into real life experiences and in a college prep curriculum to break the cycle of poverty,” said Melton, a Dallas native who has taken an indefinite leave from his 34-year career as an attorney to help the network expand. Before becoming a reality, however, local supporters face several daunting challenges, including an ambitious fund-raising program, securing jobs from area employers and determining the location of the school. Melton said if the feasibility study identifies a need as well as support, $2.5 million must be raised to cover the first two years of operation. Additionally, money would have to be secured to refurbish a building to Cristo Rey standards. Traditionally, they look for Catholic schools that have been closed or abandoned or shuttered public schools. Melton said the feasibility study, along with fund raising, the location of the school and many other details must be finalized by June 2015 if the school is to open the following year. He said he is optimistic a principal can be hired by Christmas or early next year. ”We are going to support it,” Verges said. “We will be serving students currently not being served. We are expanding our service, our educational ministry.”

In an address to the Swiss bishops on Monday, Pope Francis urged them maintain a lively faith, lest their country’s religious buildings become nothing more than dust-filled museums. The Holy Father also used the opportunity to encourage the bishops to live their episcopal fatherhood; to uphold the ministerial priesthood; to engage in frank ecumenism; and to maintain the Church's witness to the Gospel. “Your country has a long Christian tradition,” he said in a text delivered to the bishops of Switzerland Dec. 1 at the Vatican, adding, “you have a great and beautiful responsibility to maintain a living faith in your land.” “Without a living faith in the risen Christ, your beautiful churches and monasteries will gradually become museums; all the commendable works and institutions will lose their soul, leaving behind only empty spaces and abandoned people.” He continued, “the mission that has been entrusted to you is to nurture your flock, proceeding in accordance with current circumstances … the People of God cannot exist without their pastors, bishops and priests; the Lord has given the Church the gift of the apostolic succession in the service of the unity of faith and its full transmission.” Through this complete transmission, Pope Francis said, the Swiss, especially the youth, “can more easily find reasons to believe and to hope.” He then turned to priestly formation, saying the Church “needs priests who, in addition to a thorough familiarity with the Tradition and with the Magisterium, allow themselves to encounter Christ and, conformed to him, lead men in his ways.” Having been formed this manner, priests will spend more time in Christ's presence, feeding on the Eucharist, and reflecting on the salvific value of Confession, Pope Francis assured the bishops. In fraternal life, priests can be guarded against withdrawal and loneliness. Reflecting on the collaboration between laity and priests, the Pope told the Swiss bishops that “it is good to value and support (the laity's) commitment, while maintaining well the distinction between the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial priesthood.” “On this point I encourage you to continue the formation of the baptized in the truths of the faith and of their implications in liturgical, parish, family, and social life, by choosing with care those who form them. This will allow the laity to live in the truth of the Church, to take their place and to bear fruit by the grace received in baptism.” Pope Francis then turned to the importance of dialogue and ecumenism, saying this “favors a rich, serene, and fraternal life together.” “We must ensure, however, that the faithful of every Christian confession lives their faith without ambiguity or confusion, and without erasing differences, to the detriment of truth. So, for example, if we were to hide, for the sake of courtesy, our Eucharistic faith, we would not take seriously enough either our own greatest treasure, or our interlocutors'.” The Pope then encouraged his brother bishops to gives a common message to Swiss society at a time when “some persons, even within the Church, are tempted to withhold the reality of the social dimension of the Gospel.” “It is up to us to present the Gospel's full extent, to make it accessible without obscuring its beauty or weakening its appeal, especially to those men and women who struggle in their daily lives, or who search for meaning in their existence, or who have turned away from the Church. Disappointed or isolated, they are seduced by words that deliberately deny the transcendent dimension of the human person, of life and of human relations, particularly regarding suffering and death.” “The testimony of Christians and of parish communities can truly light the way and support their aspiration to happiness. In this way, the Church in Switzerland will clearly be more clearly itself, the Body of Christ and the People of God, and not only a beautiful organization, another NGO.” Pope Francis also discussed the Church's relation with the Swiss government, hoping for a continued peaceful coexistence but also urging that “by avoiding dependence on institutions which, by economic means, could impose a lifestyle inconsistent with the Christ who became poor, the Church would be able to better reflect the Gospel in her structures.” “The Redeemer invites us always to preach the Gospel to all,” he reminded the bishops. “We must announce the Good News, not bend to the whims of men.”

The sacrament of the anointing of the sick is just one way priests and chaplains can minister to the dying and their families. They -- along with others in pastoral care ministry -- can also pray, sing, read Scriptures, counsel, help with arrangements and mediate conflicts. They even grant final requests. One patient at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center nursing home in Guilderland, for example, expressed a lifelong desire to see a certain play. Marie Venaglia, the Catholic chaplain, rented a DVD from the library and played it for her. After residents die, the center holds a service for family, staff and visitors. It also has periodic memorial services. "It's another form of closure, another way to talk about how (the bereaved are) doing," Venaglia told The Evangelist, newspaper of the Albany Diocese. "Death is a natural process. We can speak freely about it. It's not all medical. The pastoral ministry here is all incorporated into the whole care." She and other Catholics who encounter death on a regular basis recently reflected on pastoral care of the dying, God's presence at a deathbed and their common experiences in patients' final hours. The anointing of the sick -- which Venaglia described as "a blessing showing that the whole church is united in praying for this person at this time in their life, not just a death" -- is offered every six weeks and as needed.

After the historic announcement by Pope Francis that he will visit Philadelphia next September, the reality of the challenges and joys of the event is sinking in for planners, civic officials and ordinary Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It will be a "once-in-a-lifetime chance for Philadelphia to shine," Daniel Hilferty called the 2015 World Meeting of Families, which will be capped by the papal visit to the city. Chairman of the meeting's Executive Leadership Committee, he said the event will require unprecedented coordination and support. During a news conference at the Philadelphia Art Museum Nov. 17, the day the pope confirmed his visit at the Vatican, Hilferty called on the region's business community to contribute financial and corporate support to the event. He said the fundraising effort was "more than halfway toward the goal," which he did not state. Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has said he plans to announce the status of fundraising efforts early in 2015. That is just one of the issues facing organizers before next fall. One thorny issue had been the inability for people registering for the families' meeting also to secure hotel rooms for the three days of the papal visit -- because it was unconfirmed, the rooms were not made available. Now they can be booked.

The recent announcements by Facebook and Apple that they would include among employee health benefits the option for young women to freeze their eggs for future use at a cost of up to $20,000 has been greeted with numerous objections by bioethicists and pro-life leaders. Unlike normal medical procedures intended to restore health to a person with an illness, this proposal offers "risky technology" to otherwise healthy young women, noted Jennifer Lahl, president of the California-based Center for Bioethics and Culture. "This is still an enterprise that has a very high failure rate," she said, and no one yet knows the long-term health effects of the medications and other chemical agents that are used in the processes of retrieving and freezing eggs. It's amazing to her, Lahl said, how little attention "these very smart people" at the tech companies are paying to "human biology 101," which knows that advancing maternal age always carries risks, and she said she wonders what benefits will be offered to women and children who suffer adverse effects. "It's very hard on women's bodies to retrieve eggs to freeze," and very unnatural, Jeanne F. Monahan, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, told Catholic News Service. The Catholic Church views in vitro fertilization as immoral and contrary to natural law.

For couples struggling to conceive a child, in vitro fertilization has been a medical standard for the past 30 years. The Catholic Church has long opposed the process as immoral, because it separates conception from the marital act and it destroys embryos. With the procedure's prevalence in the medical world, some Catholic couples are led to believe they are out of medical options after a doctor recommends it. However, officials from the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction in Omaha, Nebraska, say that in vitro fertilization, or IVF, is not a miracle procedure and they report that more effective options exist. Dr. Kristina Pakiz, associate medical consultant, said couples "do not have to feel trapped in a corner where they are told they will never have a child without in vitro fertilization. The truth is that there is superior gynecologic health care available to them." She said IVF has a success rate of about 30 percent and increases the risk of high-risk pregnancy and birth defects. About five in six embryos created in the process will die. IVF does not address root causes of infertility; only a detailed workup that helps doctors diagnose and treat infertility as the product of an underlying condition can do that. When infertility is seen as an underlying medical condition and treated accordingly, success rates for conceiving increase.

Pope Francis has worked to keep in the public discourse the issue of poverty understood in its widest possible sense, said the prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. "Going well beyond a merely economic conception of poverty, Pope Francis has tried to indicate to the world the true poverty of the human condition in our times: the poverty of body and soul, pointing out all the forces at work in the world further impoverishing mankind," said Cardinal Gerhard Muller. He made the comments at a conference on poverty. In a keynote discussion, Cardinal Muller was asked to speak about his 2014 book, "Poor for the Poor: The Mission of the Church," released by the Vatican Publishing House. Pope Francis wrote the preface to the book. "The mission of the church is to free mankind from the poverty of our fallen condition and constantly remind us that we are created in the image and likeness of God; we are the object of his divine love; we are called to the richness of eternal life with him," the cardinal said.

The “rock” of our faith is not found in “wise and persuasive words,” Pope Francis said, but rather in the “living word” which is Christ's death and resurrection. Human history culminating in Christ's coming was the main focus of the Pope's homily for Mass, celebrated in Saint Peter's Basilica on behalf of all cardinals and bishops who have died over the last twelve months. Jesus' death and resurrection, said Pope Francis, “represents the culmination of the entire journey: it is the event of the resurrection which responds to the people of God's long search, to the search of every man and all of humanity.” “Each of us is invited to enter into this event,” he continued. Like Mary, the women, and the centurion, we are first called to be before the Cross. There, we are to “listen to Jesus' cry, and his last breath, and finally the silence,” which continues until Holy Saturday. After that, the Holy Father continued, “we are called to go to the tomb,” and hear the words: “He is risen. He is not here”. The answer, the “foundation, the rock” lies here, Pope Francis said, “in the living word of the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus,” not in “wise persuasive arguments.” The Holy Father recalled the words of Saint Paul, saying if Jesus is “not risen, then our faith is empty and inconsistent. However, since he is Risen, in fact, and He is the Resurrection, therefore our faith is full of truth and eternal life.” “Thanks to the Word of God,” the Pope said, reflecting on the readings for the Mass of suffrage, “this celebration is illuminated by faith in the Resurrection.” “All of Divine Revelation is the fruit of dialogue between God and His people,” the Holy Father said, and “faith in the Resurrection is tied to this dialogue,” accompanying God's people throughout history. It is no wonder, he added, that a mystery as decisive and “superhuman” as the Resurrection necessitated the lengthy journey ending with Jesus Christ. Jesus can say he is the “resurrection and the life,” Pope Francis continued, because in Him the mystery is not only fully revealed, it is actualized, and for the first time becomes a “definitive reality.” Concluding his homily, Pope Francis recalled the cardinals and bishops who have died over the past year. “Our prayer is enriched by sentiments, memories, gratitude for the witness of persons we knew, with whom we shared the service of the Church,” he said. Pope Francis closed his homily by entrusting the departed to the “gaze of the Heavenly Father” and the intercession of Mary. “Together with the faithful who have served here on earth, may they delight in the Joy of the New Jerusalem.”

The heir to the British throne suggested that Islamic leaders must speak out against the persecution of Christians by Muslims if they are to guarantee freedom within their own countries. Prince Charles said in a video message released Nov. 4 that it was an "indescribable tragedy that Christianity is now under such threat in the Middle East," especially as the followers of the two faiths had lived together "peaceably" for centuries. The message coincided with the presentation in the British Parliament of the 2014 Religious Freedom Report by the United Kingdom branch of Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic charity helping persecuted Christians around the world. The prince said faith leaders had a duty to ensure that their co-religionists treated those of other faiths with tolerance. "Rather than remaining silent, faith leaders have, it seems to me, a responsibility to ensure that people within their own tradition respect people from other faith traditions," Prince Charles said, adding that it was "essential that governments honor their duty to uphold the right of people to practice their faith." The Prince of Wales also was critical of the decline of religious freedom in Britain. "It seems to me that our future as a free society -- both here in Britain and throughout the world -- depends on recognizing the crucial role played by people of faith," he said.

When it comes to human sexuality, one of the predominant themes being discussed by participants at the Extraordinary Synod on the Family pertains to the certainty that truth and mercy cannot be separated. This is according to Fr. Stephen Fawcett of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, who is one of 27 volunteers serving at the Synod on the Family. Fr. Fawcett, whose role throughout the Synod has been in part to act as one of two secretaries to one of the small groups over this past week, told CNA that “one big strand that’s coming out of the groups echoes Benedict XVI’s reminder of the link between love and truth.” “God shows his mercy to all of us… to grow into the people we should be,” he said. “It’s not (that) some people need mercy, and some people don’t. All of us need the truth… and all of us need the grace to journey in that truth.” He explained that there has been neither a sense of toning “down the truth and raise up the sort of focus on mercy,” nor of a toning “down the mercy because it might be interpreted as weakness,” but rather “a harmony.” Fr. Fawcett added that while “the Church has been very clear in its teaching, sometimes people don’t understand the difference between simple and easy.” The Church’s teaching, he said, “is simple: the beauty of sexuality, realized in faithfulness, in commitment.” However, he added, “it isn’t easy.” Citing his own experience having worked with teenagers, Fr. Fawcett said he often hears that the Church’s teaching on these matters is “complicated.” “What they really mean is: I’m scared to accept that teaching because it’s too scary.” In response, he would say: “It’s not complicated. It’s hard. There is a difference.” On Oct. 13 a summary document was released to the media to mark the midway point of the Synod. The “relatio” sparked widespread attention, with some media outlets interpreting its tone as a signal of possible change in Church doctrine. Remarking on the media focus brought about by the document, Fr Fawcett noted that while the synod fathers were “aware of the media” attention, they were focused on the job at hand, all the while trusting “the media to do what they can do.” Highlighting the responsibility of the various language groups, Fr. Fawcett explained that their job was to go through this relatio to “see whether they think it’s accurate, whether it captures this nuance, whether it captures that sense of the teaching, and how to adapt it.” Remarking on the “massive divergence” of people participating in the various groups – in Fr. Fawcett’s group alone, there are couples from America and Iraq, laity from eastern Europe, bishops from Africa, Asia, and America -- he said that “when they’re trying to apply a Catholic teaching to experience, there is so much experience that people are sharing.” “There are so many, even recent documents on the beauty of sexuality, the beauty of marriage,” he said, while acknowledging that it is “difficult” to live out. “And in a world that doesn’t want difficulty, that wants instant solutions.” The Church’s teachings on marriage and sexuality, Fr. Fawcett said, are “not easy to accept. But, Jesus’ message has never been easy to accept.” “Look what they did to him.” This being said, he noted that the synod fathers are sensitive to the need for communication, and the “need for helping people to understand about marriage” not only during marriage preparation, “but from an early age” and continuing after the sacrament has been effected. Over the course of the sessions, Fr. Fawcett said he had “not heard anyone say we should change Church teaching,” adding that “they’re all very clear on the Church teaching.” Rather, he noted an acknowledgement “that life’s difficult, but joyful, and the vast experience of the world, we’re trying to apply the teaching to all these different areas.”

An incorrect translation into English of the original midterm report of the Synod on the Family may have spurred controversial interpretations of the document itself. The document's original version was written in Italian, which Pope Francis directed to be used as the official language of the synod. In prior synods the official language had been Latin, esteemed for its precision and lack of ambiguity. The point of controversy occurs at paragraph 50 of the relatio. The Italian original, after praising the gifts and talents homosexuals may give to the Christian community, asked: “le nostre comunità sono in grado di esserlo accettando e valutando il loro orientamento sessuale, senza compromettere la dottrina cattolica su famiglia e matrimonio?” In the English translation provided by the Vatican, this is rendered as: “Are our communities capable of providing that, accepting and valuing their sexual orientation, without compromising Catholic doctrine on the family and matrimony?” The key word “valutando,” which has sparked controversy within the Church, was translated by the Vatican as “valuing.” Italian's “valutando” in fact means “evaluating,” and in this context would be better translated with “weighing” or “considering.” The English translation, in contrast, suggests a valuing of the homosexual orientation, which could at least create confusion to those who are faithful to the teaching of the Church. It must be said that the translation was not an “official” translation – the Vatican website notes at the top it is an “unofficial translation” – but it was the working translation delivered by the Holy See press office in order to help journalists who are not confident in Italian with their work. However, until now only this “working translation” has been provided. The document was first delivered in Italian, shortly before Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest, general rapporteur of the synod, was going to read it in front of the assembly. After about half an hour, the document was available in English, French, Spanish, and German translations, and delivered via a bulletin of the Holy See press office. This timing suggested that the translation had been done in the very last moments. According to a Vatican source, Cardinal Erdo had to give the document to the General Secretariat for the Synod on Saturday, and the document had been polished until the very last moment, and was given back to Cardinal Erdo only late on Sunday. That the text is not fully Cardinal Erdo’s may be suggested by the fact that “the post discussion relation is much shorter than the pre-discussion one,” as Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow put it to CNA Oct. 15. The excerpt on pastoral care of homosexuals has been addressed by critics during the discussion that followed the reading of the relatio on Monday. The document raised the impression that the Church had changed her views concerning homosexuality. Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, stressed Oct. 13 that “pastoral care for homosexuals has always been part of the Church’s teaching, and the Church has never gotten rid of or dismissed homosexual from her pastoral programs.” In fact, pastoral care for homosexuals is well described in a 1986 document, issued by Cardinal Mueller's dicastery, “On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons.” Bearing the signature of the then-prefect, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, and approved by St. John Paul II, the letter was delivered to bishops worldwide, providing instructions on how the clergy should respond to the claims of the LGBT community. Far from being a document of condemnation, the document provided a nuanced response to the issue of homosexuality. The document stressed that "it is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church's pastors wherever it occurs." “Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder.” Pastoral care for homosexuals was also addressed. “We encourage the Bishops to provide pastoral care in full accord with the teaching of the Church for homosexual persons of their dioceses,” the document read But – the document added – “no authentic pastoral programme will include organizations in which homosexual persons associate with each other without clearly stating that homosexual activity is immoral. A truly pastoral approach will appreciate the need for homosexual persons to avoid the near occasions of sin.” Likewise, “we wish to make it clear that departure from the Church's teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral. Only what is true can ultimately be pastoral. The neglect of the Church's position prevents homosexual men and women from receiving the care they need and deserve.” The document also dealt with the spiritual life. “An authentic pastoral programme will assist homosexual persons at all levels of the spiritual life: through the sacraments, and in particular through the frequent and sincere use of the sacrament of Reconciliation, through prayer, witness, counsel and individual care. In such a way, the entire Christian community can come to recognize its own call to assist its brothers and sisters, without deluding them or isolating them.” The approach of the document was thus that of reaffirming the truth of the teaching of the Church, and at the same time approaching with mercy homosexual persons.

They came from different states. They spanned a wide range of ages. Their backgrounds were varied. But all who gathered for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's 2014 national assembly in Atlanta shared one common mission: to learn how to better serve those who most need their help. More than 750 Vincentians -- the largest turnout in more than 13 years -- attended the annual assembly coming from as far away as Puerto Rico. The Sept. 24-27 conference featured workshops, committee meetings and national and local keynote speakers. Bill Bolling, executive director of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, gave the keynote speech during lunch Sept. 27. Since Bolling founded the food bank in 1979, the organization has grown to distribute more than 35 million pounds of food and grocery products each year through a network of 600 local and regional partner nonprofit organizations that feed the hungry across the state. Bolling spoke of the importance of the table, pointing out that even in the Bible, many of the stories of Jesus take place around a table. Feeding those in need is about more than just food, he said. "The table was the place to be with people. For me, more important than doing for people was to be with people," he said. "The idea of starting a food bank was to have more of those tables -- more of those places where we would meet to be with each other. To listen -- to really find out more deeply what those issues were."

In his homily for the Feast of Holy Guardian Angels, Pope Francis told those gathered for daily Mass to be like children who pay attention to their “traveling companion.” The doctrine of the angels, the Holy Father stressed, is not imaginary, but “reality.” Citing what Jesus has said, “I send an angel before you to protect you, to accompany you along the path, so that you do not make mistakes!” According to the tradition of the Church, each of us has a guardian angel who protects us and helps make us aware of things, the Pope said at the Santa Marta residence Oct. 2. Often times, we have the feeling that “I should do this, this is not right, be careful.” This, he said, “is the voice of” our guardian angel: our “traveling companion.” Our guardian angel will “carry us” throughout our entire life. For this reason, he said we should “listen to his voice, don't rebel against it.” We all have this tendency toward rebellion and the will for independence, the Holy Father continued. “It is pride,” the same which “our father Adam had in the earthly Paradise.” “Do not rebel: follow his advice.” “No one walks alone and none of us can think that he is alone,” because “this companion” is always with us. Not listening to our guardian angel's advice, the Pope said, is like telling him to go away. “It is dangerous to chase away our traveling companion,” he said, “because no man, no woman can advise themselves. I can give advise to another, but I cannot give advise to my self.” “The Holy Spirit advises me, the angel who advises me. This is why we need him.” Turning to the readings of the day, Pope Francis noted how there are two images which are presented: the angel and the child. God has given us angels to protect us, the Pope said. “If one of us were to believe he could walk along, he would make many mistakes,” the Pope said. Such a person would succumb to “that most ugly mistake which is pride,” into the belief in one's own greatness, and “self-sufficiency”. Recalling the Gospel scene in which “the disciples argued over who among them was the greatest,” the Pope describe this “internal dispute,” as “careerism.” These first bishops, he said, were tempted toward careerism. Their behavior set a bad example, “but it is the reality.” In contrast to the “careerist” mentality, Jesus teaches the disciples to have the attitude of children: “the docility, the need for guidance, the need for help.” The child is the symbol of docility and helplessness, he said, adding that this is way forward – not the question of “who is greater.” Those whose attitude is more like that of a child are “closer to contemplation of the Father.” Concluding his homily, Pope Francis put forward the following question: “How is my relationship with my guardian angel? Do I listen to him? Do I wish him good morning? Do I say: 'protect me during sleep'? Do I speak with him? Do I ask his advice? He is at my side.” “We can respond to this question today, each and everyone of us: “How is my relationship with this angel who the Lord has sent to protect and accompany me along the way, and who always sees the face of the Father who is in the heavens?”

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York has urged U.S. Catholics to listen to the “chilling” pleas of Greek-Catholic bishops who say Ukraine is “flowing with blood” due to the Russian military’s actions. During the Cold War, Cardinal Dolan said, “Catholics in the United States were in solidarity with persecuted Christians in Poland, Ukraine, Croatia, Lithuania, Hungary, and the other countries under Russia’s jackboot. We spoke up for them; our government listened. We had hoped it would now be different. Things looked so bright in Ukraine for awhile. It appeared that religion was free, the Church encouraging a just, open, civil society,” the New York archbishop said. “Apparently, a prosperous, free, independent Ukraine, with freedom of religion leading to a revived faith, is a threat to a neighbor with a history of interference. The jackboots have apparently come out of storage.” Cardinal Dolan praised the Catholic Church in Ukraine as “young, alive, growing and prophetic” despite the Church being “viciously persecuted” under Stalin and the Soviet Union. He said Ukraine’s leading bishop, Greek Catholic Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kiev, is a “confessor of the faith” and a leader bringing peace and hope to “a country threatened by thugs and thieves within, and an aggressor on the border.” The cardinal linked to a “chilling” Sept. 10 statement signed by Archbishop Sviatoslav, Metropolitan Stephen of Philadelphia and other bishops gathered from around the world for the annual Greek Catholic synod in Lviv. Their statement condemned Russian military action in the Ukraine. The bishops said “we… raise our voice on behalf of the people of Ukraine and call out to the people of the world: ‘Ukraine is flowing with blood!’ This peaceful sovereign nation has been subjected to a direct military intervention by a northern neighbor. Hundreds of units of heavy weaponry and technology, thousands of armed mercenaries and soldiers of Russia’s standing army are crossing the borders of Ukraine, sowing death and destruction, in disregard for the terms of the ceasefire and recent diplomatic efforts. The bishops’ letter charged that Russia-supporting forces have committed “crimes against humanity,” including the downing of the plane. In addition to the thousands of people, including women and children, that have been “recklessly killed,” many of the wounded die from lack of medical supplies, the Ukrainian bishops said. “Thousands of people are being kidnapped and subjected to torture and public humiliation against their human dignity,” the bishops said, adding that hundreds of thousands of refugees “are being forced to flee their homes due to threats against their lives and the danger of death.”

Ezekiel 33:7-9 says Thus says the LORD: You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me. If I tell the wicked, “O wicked one, you shall surely die," and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked from his way, the wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you warn the wicked, trying to turn him from his way, and he refuses to turn from his way, he shall die for his guilt, but you shall save yourself. A powerful Bible reading that provides an equally powerful lesson. It illustrates for us that we are responsible for our fellow Christians. We are to help them on their journey. We are to tell them when we see them doing wrong. In the same sense, they are to do the same for us. Wouldn't this make our lives so much easier if our fellow Christians were looking out for our best interests? There would certainly be a lot less back-biting gossip that tends to consume our society. So lets work on ourselves and help our fellow Christians and perhaps together we can "dissuade the wicked from his way."

The Diocese of Baton Rouge has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Louisiana Supreme Court decision that a priest may be compelled to testify as to what he heard in the confessional in 2008 concerning an abuse case. The legal step is the latest in a case involving Father Jeffrey Bayhi, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Zachary, Louisiana, and the sanctity of the seal of confession. The petition to the U.S. Supreme Court comes after a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling in May outlining arguments that priests are subject to mandatory reporting laws regarding abuse of minors if the person who made the confession waives confidentiality. The state Supreme Court opened the door for a hearing in which the priest would testify about what he heard in the confessional. Under canon law, the seal of confession is sacred under the penalty of excommunication. In the case, a girl who was 14 in 2008 said she told her parish priest, Father Bayhi, in the confessional that she was abused by a now-dead lay member of the parish. The girl's parents sued Father Bayhi and the Diocese of Baton Rouge for failing to report the abuse. The parents won at the district court level about compelling the priest to testify, but they lost in Louisiana's First Circuit Court of Appeals, before the state's highest court reversed and vacated the appellate court's decision. Please pray that our court system will acknowledge the sanctity of reconciliation and overturn this misguided decision. Also pray for Father Jeff at this very difficult time.

Returning from a visit to the Kurdish region of Iraq, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan called the Islamic State invasion "pure and simple religious cleansing and attempted genocide. What we, the five patriarchs, saw in Ankawa, Irbil and other cities of Kurdistan, was something indescribable in terms of the violation of human rights and the threat of disappearing of various communities among the vulnerable minorities of Northern Iraq," Patriarch Younan said. "It is a pure and simple religious cleansing and attempted genocide. Patriarch Younan and Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II stayed in Iraq for six days after arriving as part of a delegation of Catholic and Orthodox patriarchs who visited Irbil to give moral and spiritual support to the beleaguered Iraqis from the Ninevah Plain. The displaced minorities -- Christians, Yezidis, Shiite Muslims and Shabaks -- sought refuge there from their besieged towns and villages, which fell to Islamic State militants in early August after they were evicted for their religious affiliation. In the Kurdistan region, "we saw hundreds of families still living on the streets, exposed to an unbearable heat wave, lacking the basic needs and primarily fearing for their future," as winter approaches, Patriarch Younan said. Temperatures in the Kurdish region currently climb above 105 degrees Fahrenheit, yet winters are harsh and freezing, often with torrential rain and snow. Patriarch Younan said the most-asked question by many of the Christian refugees was, "Can we ever return? At that question, the most feared answer was: No answer could be given," he said. The patriarch said that along with the little financial assistance they could offer the displaced, the patriarchs "prayed with them, consoling, encouraging and inspiring them with Christian 'Hope against all hope,' repeatedly reminding them of the promise of the Lord: 'Do not be afraid, you little flock. ... I will be with you until the end of time.' The church's leaders committed themselves to sound the alarm of the very survival of Christians in Iraq and in the whole Middle East region and pledged to bring the plight of their people to all international arenas: the (U.N.) Security Council, the United States of America, the European Union, as well to Russia and China," Patriarch Younan said. The patriarchs met at Bkerke, north of Beirut, Aug. 27, to further address the crisis. Local media in Beirut reported that Cardinal Bechara Rai, the Maronite patriarch, was scheduled to meet with Pope Francis the following day.

Although Christians, Muslims and Jews have struggled for hundreds of years to live peacefully alongside each other in the Middle East, "we have never seen the kind of 'religious cleansing' we are witnessing today," said the head of the region's Franciscans. "All religious communities must raise their voices against this abomination" being carried out, particularly in Iraq and Syria, by terrorists calling themselves the Islamic State, said Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, custos of the Holy Land. Speaking in Rimini, Italy, at an international meeting sponsored by the Communion and Liberation movement, Father Pizzaballa said political, economic and probably military intervention will be needed to protect the Christian and other minority communities of the Middle East. However, he added, their survival ultimately will depend on the courage and willingness of the region's inhabitants to love and protect one another. "Political solutions must be sought urgently, but they won't save Christianity in the Middle East," he said. "Their presence will be saved by the little ones, by those who courageously step up and challenge death, selflessly loving their brothers and sisters." I urge you to pray that the Lord send St. Michael to protect these and all people who are being persecuted for their faith.

Catholics Come Home, an organization based in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell, will premiere a new TV series that features individuals who have joined the Catholic Church or returned to the Catholic faith after many years away. The "Catholics Come Home" series, which was filmed in more than a dozen locations in the U.S. and Canada, will debut Sept. 4 at 10 p.m. Eastern time on the Eternal Word Television Network. The series consists of 13 30-minute episodes, each featuring an interview with someone who recently returned to the church as a result of a Catholics Come Home campaign and in response to "the call of the Holy Spirit," said a news release on the series. Catholics Come Home, whose founder and president is Tom Peterson, has worked with dozens of U.S. dioceses on TV ad campaigns, especially at Lent and Christmas, to invite inactive Catholics to get more involved in the church, fallen-away Catholics to return to the church and non-Catholics to join the church. In the series, Peterson interviews a variety of guests, including former atheists, agnostics, Protestants and fallen-away Catholics. Each of the half-hour episodes also will include segments on the Catholic Church's new evangelization, which encourages Catholics to renew their faith and be willing to share it. Episodes will air every Thursday night at 10 p.m. Eastern time, with additional airings on Sundays at 6 p.m. Eastern time. More information on the show can be found at www.catholicscomehome.org. The EWTN website, www.ewtn.com, has scheduling information.

Robin Williams' apparent suicide has placed a dark cloud on this day. He brought laughter to so many people and in a world short on joy, we need people who can lighten the mood. Many of the news stories about him note that he suffered from depression. It is a misunderstood mental health illness that many suffer from, often in silence. Robin Williams death reminds us of his comedy. His portrayal as Mrs. Doubtfire is really unmatched. The movie itself was so pro-family and it really emphasized how important relationships can be. It was a good movie that illustrated how important it is for children to have a good mother and father. So often, comedies turn the father into a irredeemable buffoon. That was not so of Mrs. Doubtfire. His passing also reminds us that we are very often our worse critics. We beat ourselves senseless over unimportant things. Jesus tells us to work on our interior and leave the rest to him. Romans 5:4-5 says, "Patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us". So often God is much more patient with us than we are with ourselves. So in honor of Robin Williams, lighten up and give yourself a break today. RIP Robin Williams.

If you have seen an artistic Facebook cover photo with a saint and a powerful quote, there's a good chance it came from Cassie Pease. The 22-year-old South Dakota native's designs have been floating around social media and phone backgrounds for over a year now. While Pease has always been interested in design, she did not realize her saint art would be so popular. The first composition she made was of Saint John Paul II, and she shared it on Facebook for her friends to enjoy. “I started putting these designs on Facebook just to kind of share with my friends so they could know what I was up to,” Pease said. “About a week later I checked it and it had over 300 shares…and I was just astonished.” Growing up, Pease said she enjoyed creating designs with characters from movies and T.V. shows. While attending college for graphic design in Sioux Falls, her art began reflecting her growing faith. “I started falling more in love with Jesus and the Catholic Church, so for different projects I would do things for the Newman Center or youth ministry office in our diocese, and I really loved that. I wanted to use my talents in design for the Church in some way,” she said. After college, Pease tried to get a job working for the Church in design, but it didn't work out. A job at a winery paid the bills, but when she got home in the evening she continued creating designs on her computer with her favorite saints. When they started taking off on Facebook, Pease looked into creating her own design business. “People started asking, 'Do you do print?' or 'Do you have your designs as posters that I can hang up?' So it was through those questions that I started looking into…could I actually do this as a job?” she said. Pease started the printing side of her business after finding a good sale on posters, which she then sold online. She now has her own design business, Cassie Pease designs, which includes free Saint designs for Facebook and computer backgrounds as well as print designs such as posters, postcards and wallets for sale among other things. Saint John Paul II is Pease's favorite saint, so there are several designs with different quotes from the late pontiff. “He’s also pretty easy to find pictures of,” Pease said. It's true – the saint was arguably one of the most photographed men in the history of the world. Other favorites of Pease include St. Jose Maria Escriva and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassatti. “He’s such a vibrant young guy, he’s really inspiring for young people,” Pease said of Frassatti. Pease said she likes to take requests from people who enjoy her designs about which saints they’d like to see. Her inspiration also comes from powerful quotes from the saints. “Every once in a while you just get those quotes that really hit home and you want to remember them and keep going back to them,” she said. Tied for the oldest of nine children (she has a twin sister), Pease said she thinks her home-schooled background has a lot to do with how artistic she and her siblings are. “(My parents) were great teachers and great examples in the faith growing up, (though) neither one of my parents are very artistic,” Pease said. “But I think being homeschooled really played a part in all my siblings’ lives,” she said. “Everyone’s kind of got their own little (creative) niche.” Pease’s twin sister, who is now a sister with The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, loves to draw with pencils. The next sister down was really into music and taught herself piano, and is now a religious sister with the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth. “It’s really cool because she can sing all the time with the sisters, their voices are all so beautiful,” Pease said. “I’d go visit her and it’s like, ‘Yeah, you fit in here.’” Another Pease sister creates her own designs and sells clothes and owl purses on Etsy. “All the rest of my siblings are pretty artsy,” Pease said. She noted that said her designs create opportunities to share her faith with others. “A mom e-mailed me through the website and she said her daughter didn’t really seem like she’s that interested in her faith, but she found my designs and she showed them to her mom and she was just really excited about them,” Pease said. “And that was a gift, because it provided them an opportunity to talk about the saints and the Catholic Church.” Pease said her design business will likely continue to grow organically as she learns more about design and receives more requests from people who love her art. She’s thinking about adding journals or diaries to her store soon, but the Facebook and computer background images will remain free for people to download and use. “Because at the end of day I really just want to share that message of the saints and let Jesus Christ work through them to touch people’s lives.”

Sister Mary Evelyn Jegen, one of the co-founders of Pax Christi USA and the group's first national coordinator, died July 4 after a long illness. She was 86. A funeral Mass for Sister Jegen, a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur for 66 years, was scheduled for July 11 in the chapel at her community's motherhouse in Cincinnati. In 1982, she became the third recipient of Pax Christi USA's Pope John XXIII Teacher of Peace Award. During her tenure as national coordinator, from 1979 to 1982, Pax Christi USA's membership grew from less than 1,000 to more than 5,500 members, including 46 U.S. bishops. "Mary Evelyn Jegen was teacher and mentor for an entire generation of Catholic peace activists like me," said a July 7 statement form Tom Cordaro, Pax Christi USA's "ambassador of peace" and an author and lay minister. "She had that rare combination of gifts that set her apart from many others in the movement. She was an excellent theologian, a gifted writer and, most importantly, she was a strategic thinker and visionary. Everything Mary Evelyn did as a leader in the Catholic peace movement was strategically focused on her vision of making nonviolence and peacemaking an integral part of Catholic social teaching and practice at all levels of the church."

A priest at the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization has said Sister Cristina Scuccia, who recently won The Voice Italy, is an example of how the Church must go out to the existential peripheries. "What Sister Cristina has done can be considered going out to the peripheries, because she has gone to a different stage to bear witness to her choice of life, and in this sense I think she has hit the target," Father Alejandro Diaz, a Colombian, said in a recent interview with CNA. Like Sister Cristina, he explained, "we have to come out ourselves to speak of God to others, not in the abstract, but about what God has done in our lives." At the beginning of June, the 25 year-old religious won The Voice Italy and gained world-wide acclaim for her charisma and ability to bring share the Word of God with the public. "I have a dream, which is to hold hands and pray together the Our Father," she told the studio audience when she won. "I want Jesus to enter into here." Sister Cristina "sings but she also talks about God and invites people to pray,” the priest noted. “She said she wanted to transmit a gift, and to me it was not only the gift of her singing ability but also the gift of her vocation, because she is a young religious who went on this stage without fear and said, 'I am a religious, I believe in God.'” He said Sister Cristina should not be made into an idol but should be seen as a means of reaching God, because "the Holy Spirit will always be the great evangelizer, and he doesn't have only one method or stage for bring people close to Christ. There are many ways to evangelize and Sister Cristina has shown us one of them.” In accord with the synod for the new evangelization in 2012, which recognized that beauty is a means of evangelization, Fr. Diaz said Sister Cristina's example shows that it is possible to be a witness to the faith in the media and through art. Music can be a channel for speaking of God and conveying an explicit message based on the Gospel, "and it is certainly one of the many ways through which we can bring the person of Jesus to the people," he explained. In her first statements to the media after her win, Sister Cristina Scuccia said she would now "return to my priorities, which are Jesus and prayer." Since then, she has made only two public appearances, one on June 14 on the TV2000 program "Good News Festival," and another on June 27 on the Rai2 program "Donne ad alta quota.

We have been spending time in Bible study with the book of Revelation. When we first began to talk about embarking on the journey through Revelations, I was anxious. There is such an aura around St. John’s revelation that I have found myself either avoiding or skipping the last book of the Bible. Now that I have begun to read and study the book, my anxiety has subsided. I am certainly not an expert but it does allow you to come to a deeper understanding about the Mass and other aspects of our faith. In addition, something that I have often wondered about was what happened to the Virgin Mary and the apostle John after Jesus rose from the dead and then left them again. We do know that Mary and John settled in Ephesus and there is a message to the town in Revelation. It reveals what is happening in Ephesus and subsequently tells us a little of the life of Mary, John, and Timothy (who served as bishop of the church there). One of my favorite passages so far urges us to use our voices like a trumpet to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ. How glorious would that sound be if we all came together to bring the message of ever-lasting life through Jesus Christ to a world that is obviously hungry for something more than worldly power, greed and selfishness? Speaking of using your voice to bring Jesus to the world, I have been listening to a recently released EP by Tori Harris called Sweet Dolor (which means sorrow). All of the songs are terrific. Hearts Once Stone, in particular, is very powerful. I saw a recent interview where Tori described that she was in adoration before the Eucharist and asked God to reveal part of her heart so that she could determine what she needed to do next in her life. This EP is the answer as she made the leap of faith to pursue a music ministry full time. I encourage you to support her efforts. The songs have already become such a blessing to me.

A new radio program launched in the Palm Beach Diocese in June with a focus on shedding light on pro-life issues, and sharing ways to get involved in promoting the culture of life in the not-so-pro-life world. Organizers believe the program may be the only one of its kind in Florida, if not the United States, that is broadcast from a site across the street from an abortion clinic. "We are doing battle on the frontlines," said Anne Lotierzo, a parishioner of St. Joseph Parish in Stuart, who hosts "CrossRoads" with Duane Berreth, a parishioner of St. Mark the Evangelist in Fort Pierce. Berreth, a grand Knight of Columbus, heads the parish's respect life ministry. "We like being at the front lines. That is where the battle is," Lotierzo said in an interview with the Florida Catholic, Palm Beach's diocesan newspaper. "CrossRoads" airs on WJPP 100.1 FM (Prince of Peace Radio) that reaches listeners in areas of Stuart, Palm City, Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce. "I think the program idea is great," said Eva Daniel-Barrera, a parishioner of St. Mark the Evangelist. "The program will let everybody know about current pro-life issues. There are a lot of concerns today."

In a narrowly tailored 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court June 30 said closely held companies may be exempted from a government requirement to include contraceptives in employee health insurance coverage under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The court said that Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Woods, the two family-run companies that objected to the government mandate that employees be covered for a range of contraceptives, including drugs considered to be abortifacients, are protected from the requirement of the Affordable Care Act. The opinion essentially held that for-profit companies may hold protected religious views. But the court also said that government requirements do not necessarily lose if they conflict with an employer's religious beliefs. The court noted that cases challenging the mandate for nonprofit entities, such as Catholic colleges and faith-based employers, are pending and that the June 30 ruling doesn't consider them. The decision also did not delve into whether the private employers have religiously motivated protection from laws under the First Amendment. It said the government failed to satisfy the requirement of RFRA, a 1993 law, that the least-restrictive means of accomplishing a government goal be followed to avoid imposing a restriction on religious expression. The majority opinion said the ruling applies only to the contraceptive mandate and should not be interpreted to hold that all insurance coverage mandates -- such as for blood transfusions or vaccinations -- necessarily fail if they conflict with an employers' religious beliefs.

Let God Take the Lead

Love is more about giving than receiving and is best expressed through action, not words, Pope Francis said. God's love, in fact, can only be experienced by people willing to let go of their egos and humbly let God take the lead, allowing him take their hand like a loving father with his children, the pope said in his homily June 27. Celebrating the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pope Francis focused his homily on the heart of Jesus and his immense love. "One can say that today is the feast of God's love in Jesus Christ, of God's love for us, of God's love in us," he said during an early morning Mass in the chapel of his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae. The pope said, "There are two aspects of love. First, love is more about giving than receiving. Second, love is more about deeds than words," he said, according to Vatican Radio. Love is always given or transmitted to another, he said, and "love always gives life, fosters growth."

The goal of Life Teen "is to completely transform the idea of what youth ministry is in our church and what it can be," said the director of events for the Mesa-based organization. "It needs to be more dynamic. It's not meant to be boring, but to be an experience on Sunday night and not just a class," said Stephen Lenahan. "Everything in our church is so grand, why not for our youth on a Sunday night by showing them the beauty of our church?" Lenahan, who works in Life Teen's Atlanta office, made the comments to The Catholic Sun, newspaper of the Phoenix Diocese, during the organization's mid-June conference in in Scottsdale. The annual Catholic Youth Ministry Training Convention, sponsored by Mesa-based Life Teen Inc., was an opportunity for new and seasoned leaders to be renewed and affirmed in their ministry. The conference had as its "Inspire," and it didn't disappoint the 700 attendees with its 60 breakout sessions lead by well-known youth leaders offering practical and comprehensive training. Topics ranged from how to balance a budget and lead a youth group meeting to relational ministry and dynamic environments.

There's a dark, little-discussed side to large groups of people gathering for big sporting and other events -- from the Olympics to the Super Bowl to the annual College World Series in Omaha. It is an increase in human trafficking, particularly sex trafficking. During the June 14-24 baseball tournament, Catholic-related groups and other organizations planned to lead prayer sessions to raise awareness and bring the power of prayer to the issue. The prayer series is an ecumenical effort supported by the Archdiocese of Omaha. "The CWS is an exciting event for Omaha, but sex trafficking increases, with young girls trafficked into our hotels and motels," said Sister Celeste Wobeter, a Notre Dame Sister who helped organize the prayer series, with representatives of a number of faiths leading sessions in two-hour blocks from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at a Salvation Army chapel. People have been invited to join in the prayer at the chapel at any time, for whatever length of time they can, Sister Wobeter said. A website was created for the effort.

Marriage is -- "and can only ever be" -- a relationship "solely between one man and one woman, regardless of the decision of a judge or any vote," said Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison. "This is not based on any private sectarian viewpoint, but on the natural moral law that is universally binding on all peoples, at all times, and inscribed into our human nature, as man and woman from the beginning of creation," he said. Bishop Morlino made the comments in response to a late June 6 ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Crabb, who declared as unconstitutional a 2006 amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution that outlawed same-sex marriage. Almost immediately, county clerk offices in Wisconsin began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Crabb was to decide later whether she would stay her decision while an appeal moved through the courts. Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has asked an appeals court to stop such marriages while he appeals Crabb's decision. The American Civil Liberties Union sued Wisconsin ultimately on behalf of eight same-sex couples. It argued the state ban on same-sex marriage violated the plaintiffs' constitutional rights to equal protection and due process. In a June 9 statement, the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, public policy arm of the state's bishops, said that with an appeal to be filed with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Crabb's ruling "is not the last word on the subject."

The Catholic Church must establish a presence in the digital world of communications or risk being at the margins of people's lives, said the president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. "If the church is not present and does not share the good news of God's love for all people in this world, then we risk becoming marginal to the lives of many and are failing our mission to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth," Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli told more than 250 people at the Brooklyn Diocese's annual celebration of World Communications Day. The May 22 event was organized by the DeSales Media Group, the parent company of The Tablet, the diocesan newspaper. Many dioceses mark World Communications Day June 1. This year's theme is "Communication at the service of an authentic culture of encounter." Before the archbishop's keynote address, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Msgr. Kieran Harrington, president of DeSales, presented Archbishop Celli with the group's St. Francis de Sales Award. Archbishop Celli was honored for being instrumental in starting Pope Benedict XVI's Twitter account (@Pontifex), now handled by Pope Francis. He also oversaw the creation of the Pope App, which allows followers to receive updates regarding important papal events.

Father God, we come to you today to ask that you send strong and pure young men and women forward to lead your Church on earth. Lord, we need dedicated men who will carry your message and build your Church. Inspire men to come forward and embrace the priesthood as their vocation. Holy Spirit, enter the hearts of young women and lead them to the call of sisterhood as religious women of faith. Continue to use lay men and women as your vessels. Help us to lead with clarity and humility modeled by Blessed Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II. Send forth the trumpet blast that will bring forth these leaders and continue your work on earth. In the stillness and solitude, whisper in the ears of those who will respond and convince those who are struggling with the worldliness of our current culture. Father we ask all of this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen!

Although Christ ascended into heaven, he remains present in a new form through the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit in order to accompany and guide people in their daily lives, Pope Francis said. Because, "by ourselves, without Jesus, we can't do anything," he said at his Regina Coeli address to those gathered in St. Peter's Square on June 1, the day the feast of the Ascension was celebrated in Italy and many other countries. The feast day comes 40 days after Easter and commemorates Jesus' ascension into heaven to be seated at the right hand of God. But some countries, like Italy, observe the feast day the following Sunday. Pope Francis said Jesus returns to heaven to open the way and "show us that the destination of our journey is the Father." But Jesus still "remains present and operates in human history with the power and gifts of his Spirit; he is by the side of each one of us; even if we don't see him with our eyes," he said.

It looked like any other military parade with bands playing, flags waving and thousands of men and women marching in colorful uniforms decorated with medals and ribbons. But instead of impressive displays of tanks and trucks, troops from dozens of nations fell in line behind religious banners, a large wooden cross and a rose-strewn statue of Mary. Candles and rosaries -- not weapons or rifles -- were held aloft in soldiers' hands. Such scenes were common during the 56th International Military Pilgrimage to the sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes May 16-18. More than 12,000 retired and active duty military personnel, their families and compatriots from 36 nations took part in the annual encounter to pray for peace and the spiritual healing of nations and individuals. A large number taking part, and given special prominence in the many processions, were those wounded in the line of duty. Among the military personnel tackling disabilities were about 60 retired or active duty U.S. soldiers together with another 60 caregivers, family members, chaplains and support staff. They were participating in the "Warriors to Lourdes" pilgrimage, sponsored by the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services and the Knights of Columbus. The Knights covered the costs for the wounded personnel for the May 13-19 encounter of prayer, healing and friendship in Lourdes. "It's really been great for both those who have come with a petition in their heart -- suffering in some way, and those who are helping them," Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson told Catholic News Service.

Fleeing conflict and violence back home, refugees from Syria and Iraq praised the Catholic humanitarian agencies helping them to cope with their trauma while starting a new life in their adopted safe haven of Jordan. "We've come out of a nightmarish and desperate time. We're trying to regain some semblance of normalcy in life," said Um Ahmed, a Syrian refugee woman attending a life skills class run by the Jesuit Refugee Service in the Jordanian capital. The Roman Catholic Bishops' School perched on one of Amman's high hills buzzes with classes of refugees learning English, Arabic literacy, computer skills, handicrafts and cooking conducted after regular classes conclude. Living became impossible in Ahmed's northern Syrian city of Aleppo because of constant fighting and government bombardments. "My family was also extremely afraid because people were being detained and had disappeared. We feared for our lives," she told Catholic News Service. "Leaving everything, our work and possessions behind, we had to start from scratch again here," Ahmed said. Ahmed is among than 600 refugees who are slowly getting back on their feet through JRS-sponsored programs that include home visits, psychosocial support, educational opportunities for children and adults and college degree preparation. The organization also provides food parcels and hygiene kits. This is the Catholic Church I want to be a part of. My Church is there for those who struggle. We stand for those who are unable: the unborn, the poor, even non-Christians.

Receive Communion every Sunday and read the Gospel every day to keep discouragement and the blues away, Pope Francis said. "The word of God and the Eucharist always fill us with joy!" the pope said in his address to people gathered in St. Peter's Square May 4 to pray the "Regina Coeli" with him. The pope spoke about the day's reading from the Gospel of St. Luke (24:13-35), in which two of Jesus' disciples left Jerusalem, saddened and dejected by Christ's death. Failing to grasp the truth of the prophets, the despairing disciples did not recognize the risen Christ when he appeared before them on the road to the village of Emmaus. However, when Jesus explained the Scriptures, and blessed and broke bread with them, their "eyes were opened" and their hearts started "burning" with joy and hope. Often the same thing happens to people today, the pope said. Life's difficulties and disappointments take their toll and people head to Mass burdened with problems and worries. "Life sometimes hurts us and we go there, toward our 'Emmaus,' feeling sad with our backs to God's plan. We distance ourselves from God," he said. What a powerful message from Pope Francis. The reading makes me think of how marvelous it would be to walk and talk with Jesus for the seven mile trip between Jerusalem and Emmaus. That would certainly be two and a half hours worth the pain of walking. Make everyday your Emmaus. Spend time talking with Jesus and you will not have room for the negative thoughts to invade your mind.

The Supreme Court has upheld the right of local officials to open town council meetings with prayer, ruling that this does not violate the Constitution even if the prayers routinely stress Christianity. The court said in a 5-4 decision Monday that the content of the prayers is not critical as long as officials make a good-faith effort at inclusion. The ruling was a victory for all people of faith. "The prayer opportunity is evaluated against the backdrop of a historical practice showing that prayer has become part of the Nation's heritage and tradition," the majority wrote in the opinion. "It is presumed that the reasonable observer is acquainted with this tradition and understands that its purposes are to lend gravity to public proceedings and to acknowledge the place religion holds in the lives of many private citizens." The majority justices further argued that the intended audience "is not the public, but the lawmakers themselves." In 1983, the court upheld an opening prayer in the Nebraska legislature and said that prayer is part of the nation's fabric, not a violation of the First Amendment. Monday's ruling was consistent with the earlier one. Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority, said the prayers are ceremonial and in keeping with the nation's traditions. "The inclusion of a brief, ceremonial prayer as part of a larger exercise in civic recognition suggests that its purpose and effect are to acknowledge religious leaders and the institutions they represent, rather than to exclude or coerce nonbelievers," Kennedy said. Let's continue to build a nation that makes prayer part of our heritage.

A small parish in the poor neighborhood of Alagados in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, has become the first in the world to be named after St. John Paul II, after the late pontiff’s canonization April 27. Sara Gomes, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Salvador, told AFP that the “small church of Notre Dame of Alagados will now be called 'Notre Dame of Alagados and of St. John Paul II.' It is the first in the world to be named after the new saint.” The official name change took place the morning of April 27 after Mass at the parish. Pope John Paul II was declared a saint alongside Pope John XXIII at a Vatican Mass earlier that day. Archbishop Murilo Krieger signed a decree authorizing the new title for the parish, which was inaugurated in 1980 by John Paul II during the first of three trips he made to Brazil. Capuchin Father Jorge Rocha recalled meeting St. John Paul II at the parish three decades ago. “The saints live among us,” he told the Globo website. “The Church does not invent them, she recognizes what already exists.”

The Catholic Church cannot be built and the Christian faith cannot be spread without the contagious joy of knowing Christ, Pope Francis said. The joy that Christ proclaims is what lays the foundations: "Without this joy, without this happiness you can't build a church. You can't establish a Christian community," he said in a recent homily. The pope presided over a Mass at the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Rome for a celebration of thanksgiving for the canonization of St. Jose de Anchieta, a Spanish-born Jesuit who traveled to Brazil in 1553 and became known as the Apostle of Brazil. Pope Francis declared the new saint April 3 without requiring the verification of a miracle through the blessed's intercession or holding a canonization ceremony. The pope praised the new saint, who was one of the pioneers of the Catholic Church in Brazil. Along with another Jesuit priest, St. de Anchieta was one of the first Jesuits that St. Ignatius of Loyola sent to the Americas.

Christianity isn't a philosophy or guide to survival, good behavior and peace, it's a relationship with a real person who died on the cross for our sins, Pope Francis said. "Christianity can't be understood without understanding this deep humiliation of the son of God, who abased himself, becoming a servant to the point of his death and death on the cross" in order to serve humanity, the pope said. In his homily April 8 during an early morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis focused on the day's reading from the Book of John (8:21-30), in which Jesus tells the Pharisees and the Jews that those who belong to this world and do not believe in him "will die in your sins." Jesus tells them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am," the son of God, obeying God's will. "Christianity doesn't exist without the cross and a cross doesn't exist without Jesus Christ," the pope said, according to a report by Vatican Radio. The cross, however, "isn't an ornament" that is just placed in churches and on altars, and "it's not a symbol" of identification, he said.

Welcome to the Easter Triduum. As we enter the holiest days of our Church, it is good to reflect on our world and how we can have an impact. Using the power of the happiness effect, I encourage you to continue your Lenten sacrifice, especially if it has made you a better Christian. The happiness effect is research by psychologists that claim if you want to rewire your brain to do something, you need to continue that practice for at least 21 days in a row. After that, your brain is rewired to the new habit. With all of the negativity we see on the daily news (both video and print) is it any wonder that negativity reigns supreme on earth? In order to change that paradigm, you need to replace the negative with the positive. Try it yourself. Pledge to send someone close to you a daily text for the next 21 days. In that text you need to say at least two things you are thankful for that day. Have the other person repeat the process to you. See what kind of difference this can have in your life. If it works (and it will), pay it forward. Have a happy and blessed Easter!

Brown University biologist Kenneth Miller, one of America’s leading advocates, has just received one of America’s oldest and most prestigious awards—from the Roman Catholic Church. At commencement on May 18, the University of Notre Dame will honor Miller with the 2014 Laetare Medal, an award given annually to a Catholic “whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the Church and enriched the heritage of humanity.” The award was first given in 1883 and previous recipients include former President John F. Kennedy, and West Wing’s popular acting president Martin Sheen. Many consider Miller a paradoxical figure who occupies the thinly populated no-man’s land between science and religion, embracing both with enthusiasm and finding no conflict. He is a life-long practicing Catholic and accepts church teachings on salvation, the virgin birth and resurrection of Jesus. He described himself in the PBS “Evolution” series as simply a “traditional” Catholic, one who has not had to abandon or distort his beliefs to accommodate his other passion: evolutionary biology. Notre Dame president Fr. John Jenkins describes Miller as an “incisive witness both to scientific acumen and religious belief.” Consistent with most Catholic believers, and supported by official statements over the years from the Vatican, Miller embraces mainstream science with enthusiasm, accepting that the world is God’s creation. “I see the Creator’s plan and purpose fulfilled in our universe,” he wrote in a personal reflection about evolution. Miller sees the earth “bursting with evolutionary possibilities,” and understands God to be continuously creating with providentially ordered “design to life.” But—and here the salvos begin to be launched from conservative anti-evolutionists—he says “the name of the design is evolution.” Ken Ham’s Answers in Genesis says Miller “appears to be blind” in his support for evolution, and unable to “distinguish between science and religious indoctrination.” The Discovery Institute has literally dozens of articles attacking Miller accusing him of everything from shoddy scholarship to duplicity. Miller has few peers when it comes to helping people understand evolution. He is the co-author of two of the most widely used biology textbooks in the country—one each for high school and college students. When creationists try to remove evolution from public schools, Miller’s text is often the target. He has written, spoken, and even testified in court on behalf of evolution when it has been under assault. He testified in the Dover trial in 2005, and was instrumental in keeping “Intelligent Design” out of the local schools there. His Finding Darwin’s God: A Scientist’s Search from Common Ground Between God and Evolution provides his personal view of how Christians can understand evolution. Miller, like most biologists, laments the widespread rejection of evolution in America, with culture warriors dug in on both sides, defending their turf. He told me he believes, on a national level, that there has “a hardening of positions … and I think the Ham-Nye debate actually helped to harden these positions.” His conclusion: “Bummer.” But, despite his battle scars, Miller has not given up hope. “The most recent poll I saw showed that acceptance of evolution was quite high among people under 30. So perhaps we are making progress.”

Cardinal Peter Turkson has encouraged business school faculty to teach their students about the Catholic Church's social teaching and to form them in ethics, morals, and stewardship. During an recent address, the cardinal pointed to the Church's social doctrine and its use in business, asking "that your graduates develop themselves to be 'principled leaders,' not merely market technicians, with their guidance provided by a 'faith with works' philosophy."Cardinal Turkson, who is president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, was speaking at the 2014 Business Ethics Conference for deans of Catholic schools of business, held in Houston, Texas. "Faith is incomplete without a vision of the world and our place within it – our works," the cardinal said, explaining that Catholic social teaching is built upon the truth that Christ “looked for more than faith alone” – for Christians to follow him in action, as well.The principles underlying the Church's social teaching are human dignity, the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, and stewardship, he explained.These principles can be applied to the business world, and when taught to students "these same beacons or lenses will help them to make sound judgements and act accordingly." Cardinal Turkson emphasized that "multidimensional business enterprise contributes to the larger common good by fulfilling its threefold purpose of good goods, good work, and good wealth”: focusing on "truly good" service, "good and productive work," and being "good stewards of the resources given to them." Business should "not to be reduced to a single objective, such as maximizing profit or enhancing shareholder wealth, just as marriage should not be reduced to sentiment between partners, or education to credentials for a career." He warned that morality is often separated from business, adding that "education and formation is much larger than the objectives of a few ethics courses." By focusing only upon the market, students learn "that the marketplace and business decisions are morally neutral," and the consequences of this attitude – such as the financial crisis of 2007-08 – "can be ruinous." To relegate ethics to a course and have the rest of the courses be 'non-ethical' is to foster the divided life – deformation rather than formation." The cardinal said to the Catholic business school leaders that by attending a Catholic school, students "have an opportunity to learn that respecting everyone, whether employee, shareholder, supplier, client, or other stakeholder, provides the foundations for long-term success." Cardinal Turkson encouraged the educators to present students with ethical case-studies that they will meet in their daily lives, and teach students how to act "when confronted with decisions that are immoral." He challenged the educators to "shape business through research and by forming future business leaders." The current economic system holds ethical and systemic problems, Cardinal Turkson said, and business leaders can help form a solution "grounded in fundamental truth about our human nature and destiny."

Without a canonization ceremony, Pope Francis declared three new saints for the Americas, pioneers of the Catholic Church in Brazil and in Canada. Pope Francis signed decrees April 3 recognizing: St. Jose de Anchieta, a Spanish-born Jesuit who traveled to Brazil in 1553 and became known as the Apostle of Brazil; St. Marie de l'Incarnation, a French Ursuline who traveled to Quebec in 1639 and is known as the Mother of the Canadian Church; and St. Francois de Laval, who arrived in Quebec 20 years after St. Marie de l'Incarnation and became the first bishop of Quebec. In declaring the three saints, the pope used a procedure known as "equivalent canonizations," which required a thorough study of the candidates' life and writings, fame of holiness and reports of favors granted through their intercession. Unlike a regular sainthood process, though, it did not require the verification of a miracle through their intercession, nor further studies by historians and theologians working for the Congregation for Saints' Causes. The three were beatified together by Pope John Paul II in 1980. The Brazilian bishops, who thought the decrees would be signed April 2 and planned local celebrations for that evening, have said they will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving with Pope Francis April 24 in Rome's Church of St. Ignatius. The bishops of Quebec have said they will celebrate a thanksgiving Mass May 18 in Quebec and hope to have a larger celebration with the pope in Rome in October.

Don't hold back when praying to God -- tell him exactly what's wrong and insist on holding him to his promises, Pope Francis said. Prayer should be like speaking face-to-face with a friend: "without fear, freely and also with insistence," the pope said in his homily April 3 during an early morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae. Pope Francis' homily focused on the day's reading from the Book of Exodus (32:7-14), in which Moses begs God to spare his people, even though they have created a golden calf to worship as their god. God says he's going to let his wrath "blaze up against them to consume them," but Moses reminds the Lord that these are his own people he has saved before and has promised to make their descendants "as numerous as the stars in the sky." Pope Francis said that, in the day's reading, Moses shows what praying to God should really feel and sound like: not filled with empty words, but a heartfelt, "real fight with God." Moses is courageously insistent and argues his point, the pope said, and prayer must also be "a negotiation with God, presenting arguments" supporting one's position.

The Gospel reading on Sunday had so many lessons for all of us. The one that struck me the most is the plight of the blind man. When Jesus restored his eyesight, the first thing he saw was the face of Jesus. What a beautiful sight that must have been. It certainly made me think about my afterlife. I hope that when I leave this life and wake up in the next, the first face I see is that of Jesus. It also made me realize that I must work at getting to see His face everyday. Little things matter just as much as big things. No, I am not murdering anyone but is my tongue causing harm to someone? Do I conduct my life so that others know I am a disciple of Jesus? The lesson of the Gospel that also stuck with me is that we care too much about what others think of us. As soon as we sense that someone is not going to like us, we begin to structure our lives to maintain that relationship. Why don't we do that with God? That is the ultimate decision about anything we do. What does God think? Am I representing God in all that I do? I am not saying that we shouldn't have strong relationships. What I am offering is that we must not be constantly concerned about what others think of us. By focusing on God and the Gospel message that Jesus shared and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us, everything else will fall into place. The people that God wants us to be around will be drawn to us. And in the end, that will allow us to have our sight restored and see the face of Jesus. I also wanted to recommend a website to you that I learned about listening to Catholic radio this morning. Take a look at prolifecatholic.com and see how you can make economic decisions that further the mission of the Church that Jesus built.