Pope appeals for mercy, generosity for suffering cyclone victimsBy Carol Glatz (Catholic News Service )Pope Benedict XVI appealed to the world community to be merciful and generous by offering aid and working to relieve the suffering caused by Cyclone Nargis, which killed tens of thousands in Myanmar.
During his May 7 general audience in St. Peter's Square, the pope called on people to open their hearts "to compassion and generosity so that with the collaboration of all who are able and want to lend help, the suffering caused by this huge tragedy can be alleviated."
Published in Nation - World :
May 7, 2008
Graduation advice is appropriate for any ageBy Bishop J. Peter SartainDear Class of 2008, You have been on my mind a lot these past few weeks. I have spoken to many of you, and you have told me about your plans for summer, college, graduate school, and career. I can see the excitement in your eyes – and at times a bit of anxiety – as you face the future. You’re asking yourselves, “What is next? What will become of me?”
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May 1, 2008
Baby MamaBy John Mulderig - Catholic News Service"Baby Mama" (Universal/Relativity) is a frequently funny but morally problematic romantic comedy about one woman's obsession with having a child.
Published in Movies :
Apr 25, 2008
ESPN needs an examination of conscienceBy Peter Finney Jr.This went way beyond frat-house funny or sophomoric excess masquerading as harmless "entertainment."
To anyone who wonders why the world is confounded and outraged by the values trumpeted by the American sports and entertainment culture, the answer resonated with clarity May 1 on ESPN's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" talk show, which is broadcast simultaneously on radio and TV.
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May 7, 2008
Prayers seek Our Lady of Charity’s aid in ending abortionBy Kim Lovejoy-VossAbout 50 people prayed the rosary with members of the Joliet Chapter of the Knights of Columbus and retired Auxiliary Bishop Roger Kaffer to ask Our Lady of Charity to intercede and help the many victims of abortion.
Published in Around the Diocese :
May 5, 2008
CCW women are honored for serving at Christ’s sideBy Kim Lovejoy-Voss“Mary saw herself in a different way than the angel saw her,” Bishop Sartain explained during his homily. “She saw herself as the daughter of Abraham. She saw herself as a slave, a handmade. She never thought it was she whom God would choose to be his son’s mother.”
Published in Around the Diocese :
May 2, 2008
Author Anne Rice talks of losing, regaining her Catholic faithBy Pat Norby (Catholic News Service)Most people know author Anne Rice for her detailed characterization of vampires and vivid descriptions of their haunts in the streets and homes of New Orleans, where she was born and raised.
But a growing number of people today are reading Rice's second novel about Christ, "Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana." Her first book on Jesus' early years, "Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt," was published in 2005, several years after she consecrated her life to Christ.
Published in People :
May 1, 2008
Marriage conference teaches secrets of long-lasting relationshipsBy Mark IndreikaSimply by studying the way a married couple argues and connects with each other, researchers can now predict—with an average of 91 percent accuracy—whether their relationship will end in divorce, said Brent Atkinson, an associate professor of marriage and family therapy at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb.
Published in Around the Diocese :
May 1, 2008
News Briefs :
May 11, 2008
CCC collection to be conducted third weekend of May
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops have designated May 17-18 as the weekend for the annual national collection for the Catholic Communication Campaign. Funding provided by the donations supports an array of multimedia projects developed by the CCC, an initiative of the U.S. bishops that promotes Gospel values through the media. Half of the donations to the collection remain in the diocese to fund local communications projects, while the other half provides funds for national projects. Building on the popularity of the daily Mass readings featured on the U.S. bishops' Web site, www.usccb.org, the CCC now supports audio readings that can be downloaded through iTunes, Podcast Alley and other sources. Most recently, the CCC sponsored a Web site dedicated to Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States that featured live streaming video, blog entries, the pope's itinerary and texts of his speeches, homilies and other remarks. More information about the projects of the Catholic Communication Campaign are available online at: www.usccb.org/ccc.
Priest calls for new strategies to keep young adults in church
SAN ANTONIO (CNS) -- Every diocese needs a comprehensive pastoral plan specifically aimed at young adults to reverse the hemorrhage of Catholics in their 20s and early 30s leaving the Catholic Church, a national pioneer in young adult ministry said. Father John Cusick, director of young adult ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago and the father of the Theology on Tap program, said the church needs a savvy "new apologetics" and "satellite sites" away from the parish grounds where young adults can gather to form quality relationships without feeling pressure from the church. Addressing a youth ministry symposium in April at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Father Cusick cited a recent USA Today poll indicating that 10 percent of Americans are former Catholics and said the percentage is much higher among people in their 20s and early 30s. "If Catholic youth ministry is so good, where are all the young adults? They're missing in action," he said. "For the moment (in their teens), they have a good sense of church, but then they fall off the end of the table."