USCCB News Release
10-203
November 10, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cardinal George Urges President Obama to Take Measures to Protect Iraqi Citizens in Wake of Attacks
WASHINGTON (November 10, 2010) — Following the October 31 assault on the Syrian Catholic cathedral in Baghdad and subsequent violence, Chicago Cardinal Francis George, OMI, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, urged President Obama to “take additional steps now to help Iraq protect its citizens, especially Christians and others who are victims of organized attacks.”
“Having invaded Iraq, our nation has a moral obligation not to abandon those Iraqis who cannot defend themselves,” Cardinal George wrote in a November 9 letter. At a minimum, he said the U.S. must work with Iraqis and the international community to: “enable the Iraqi government to function for the common good of all Iraqis; build the capacity of Iraq’s military and police to provide security for all citizens, including minorities; improve the judicial system and rule of law; promote reconciliation and the protection of human rights, especially religious freedom; rebuild Iraq’s shattered economy so that Iraqis can support their families; and assist refugees and internally displaced Iraqis.”
Full text of the letter follows:
Dear Mr. President:
The October 31 attack on the Syrian Catholic cathedral in Baghdad that killed 58 and wounded 75, together with the recent wave of bombings in Iraq’s capital, are grim evidence of the savage violence and lack of security that has plagued the Iraqi people, especially Christians and other minorities, for over seven years. Some reports even indicate that the October 31 attack may have been more extensive and the failures of security more egregious than originally thought. Enclosed you will find a press release by the Most Reverend Yousif Habash, Bishop of the Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance of Newark for Syrian Catholics.
In the recent Synod of Bishops on the Middle East in Rome, the bishops from Iraq spoke of the terrifying situation facing Christians and other minorities in that country. They recalled murders, kidnappings, bombings, and naked threats that have forced many Christians from their homes and businesses. Ironically, just two weeks before the October 31 attack, Archbishop Athanase Matti Shaba Matoka of the Syrian Catholic Church in Iraq, whose cathedral was the site of the October 31 attack, addressed the Synod: “The invasion of Iraq by America and its allies brought to Iraq in general, and especially to its Christians, destruction and ruin on all levels. … Seven years have passed and Christianity is still bleeding. Where is the world conscience? All the world remains a spectator before what is happening in Iraq, especially with regards to Christians.”
Archbishop Matoka’s strong words remind us of the moral responsibility that the United States bears for working effectively with the Iraqi government to stem the violence. Prior to the war, our Conference of Bishops raised grave moral questions regarding the possibility of U.S. military intervention in Iraq and warned of “unpredictable consequences.” The decimation of the Christian community in Iraq and the continuing violence that threatens all Iraqis are among those tragic consequences.
Our troops have served with bravery and distinction, and we welcome the end of U.S.-led combat in Iraq; however, the United States has so far failed in helping Iraqis to develop the political will needed to deploy effective strategies to protect the lives of all citizens, especially Christians and other vulnerable minorities. More must be done to help ensure that refugees and displaced persons are able to return to their homes safely. Having invaded Iraq, our nation has a moral obligation not to abandon those Iraqis who cannot defend themselves.
The murderous attack on innocent Christians gathered for worship witnesses to the need for the United States to redouble its efforts to assist Iraq as our engagement enters a new phase. At a minimum, our country must strengthen its work with Iraqis and the international community to: enable the Iraqi government to function for the common good of all Iraqis; build the capacity of Iraq’s military and police to provide security for all citizens, including minorities; improve the judicial system and rule of law; promote reconciliation and the protection of human rights, especially religious freedom; rebuild Iraq’s shattered economy so that Iraqis can support their families; and assist refugees and internally displaced Iraqis.
To meet its moral obligations to the Iraqi people, it is critically important that the United States take additional steps now to help Iraq protect its citizens, especially Christians and others who are victims of organized attacks. Thank you for your kind consideration of this urgent request.
Sincerely yours,
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Chicago
President
Monday, November 15, 2010
St. Albert
St. Albert the Great
Feastday: November 15
Patron of Scientists
Albert the Great was one of the Church's greatest intellects. He studied at the University of Padua and later taught at Hildesheim, Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Regensburg, and Strasbourg. He then taught at the University of Paris, where he received his doctorate in 1245. He was among the first and greatest of the natural scientists, gaining a reputation for expertise in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geography, metaphysics, and mathematics. He was also very learned in biblical studies and theology.
Feastday: November 15
Patron of Scientists
Albert the Great was one of the Church's greatest intellects. He studied at the University of Padua and later taught at Hildesheim, Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Regensburg, and Strasbourg. He then taught at the University of Paris, where he received his doctorate in 1245. He was among the first and greatest of the natural scientists, gaining a reputation for expertise in biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geography, metaphysics, and mathematics. He was also very learned in biblical studies and theology.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
If you don't work neither should you eat...
While I choose to stay focused on today's Gospel for my homily I must admit our second reading from 2nd Thessalonians more than caught my eye. We all have heard this before: "in fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat." When we hear this proclaimed from the ambo during Mass it sounds cut and dry. Unfortunately, at Mass we do not always have context. Here's my shot at providing some.
First we should be focused that the theme for all of today's readings are end times. We hear first from the prophet Malachi with a prophecy of the end times. And our Gospel from St Luke is the story of Jesus describing the destruction of the Temple. More end times.
So let's look next at the overall intent of Paul's 2nd letter to these Thessalonians. Of all of St. Paul's writings this one is considered his most apocalyptic. Paul knows that early Christian belief in the second coming needed correction. Paul was particularly concerned about the faithful losing hope with each passing day and over time there would be an overall breakdown in society. Some went so far as to preach that there was no more need of doing anything except look to the sky and wait. It was so severe that St. Paul knew that everything needed to continue, including the work of the community. As a rebuke he says those who refuse to work(because they are just sitting around waiting for the second coming) should not eat.
In addition to his admonition and strong words, Paul continued to be an example to the early Christians by continuing with his work, everyday.
I mention all of this for I find that many, without proper context, have used this passage to advocate the end of welfare, unemployment not to mention to be less than charitable to the poor and hungry. I doubt if this would be the example of Sts. Vincent de Paul, Francis, Blessed Fredrick Ozanam or Blessed Mother Theresa. Be careful to express certitude of a particular Scripture passage without context.
Indeed all who can work should work. But St. Paul never meant this passage to be smug against the poor, the unemployed or the hungry!
First we should be focused that the theme for all of today's readings are end times. We hear first from the prophet Malachi with a prophecy of the end times. And our Gospel from St Luke is the story of Jesus describing the destruction of the Temple. More end times.
So let's look next at the overall intent of Paul's 2nd letter to these Thessalonians. Of all of St. Paul's writings this one is considered his most apocalyptic. Paul knows that early Christian belief in the second coming needed correction. Paul was particularly concerned about the faithful losing hope with each passing day and over time there would be an overall breakdown in society. Some went so far as to preach that there was no more need of doing anything except look to the sky and wait. It was so severe that St. Paul knew that everything needed to continue, including the work of the community. As a rebuke he says those who refuse to work(because they are just sitting around waiting for the second coming) should not eat.
In addition to his admonition and strong words, Paul continued to be an example to the early Christians by continuing with his work, everyday.
I mention all of this for I find that many, without proper context, have used this passage to advocate the end of welfare, unemployment not to mention to be less than charitable to the poor and hungry. I doubt if this would be the example of Sts. Vincent de Paul, Francis, Blessed Fredrick Ozanam or Blessed Mother Theresa. Be careful to express certitude of a particular Scripture passage without context.
Indeed all who can work should work. But St. Paul never meant this passage to be smug against the poor, the unemployed or the hungry!
The Pope: Grow in greater love of the word of God
Pope Benedict: Rediscover the Word of God!
>>>I saw many posts last Thursday-Friday about the Pope's newest exhortation about the Bible; further growing evidence to supress that misguided belief by so many that Catholics are not suppose to read the Bible. Foolishness! The Church is the Church of the Word of God and the world would not have Scripture if not for a Catholic Church father, St. Jerome. One of the fastest growing Catholic ministries in parish after parish: Bible study. And when we welcome thousands upon thousands of converts every year we use God's Holy Word. This copy came from the blog Da Mihi Animas:
The following comes from the CNA:
Pope Benedict XVI has issued a lofty and impassioned plea for everyone in the Church to rediscover the Bible and to grow in “an ever greater love of the Word of God.”
“We must never forget that all authentic and living Christian spirituality is based on the Word of God proclaimed, accepted, celebrated and meditated upon in the Church.
The Pope’s new apostolic exhortation, “Verbum Domini” (The Word of the Lord), issued Nov. 11, is a book-length response to a special 2008 Synod for Bishops on the Bible and the life of the Church.
In this document, the Pope offers a rich theological reflection on the meaning of the Word of God becoming flesh and the meaning of the Scriptures as the Word of God.
The Pope reaffirms forcefully the Church’s traditional teaching that the Bible is the revealed Word of God written by human authors inspired by the Holy Spirit. He notes that it conveys not just moral and spiritual truths but also truths about “the reality of human history.”
“The history of salvation is not mythology, but a true history,” the Pope said.
He added: “It must be remembered first and foremost that biblical revelation is deeply rooted in history.”
But the Pope declined to wade into the controversial question of how “true” Scripture is when it speaks of historical events.
Some had hoped that the Pope would pronounce on the precise meaning of the Church’s teaching that Scripture is “without error.”
Instead Pope Benedict reaffirmed the traditional teaching but called for further study of the relationship between what scholars call the divine “inspiration” of Scripture and its “inerrancy.”
“A deeper study of the process of inspiration will doubtless lead to a greater understanding of the truth contained in the sacred books,” he said.
“Certainly theological reflection has always considered inspiration and truth as two key concepts for an ecclesial hermeneutic of the sacred Scriptures,” he added.
“Nonetheless, one must acknowledge the need today for a fuller and more adequate study of these realities, in order better to respond to the need to interpret the sacred texts in accordance with their nature.”
The Pope expressed what he called his “fervent hope” that such research would continue and would “bear fruit both for biblical science and for the spiritual life of the faithful.”
The heart of “Verbum Domini” is a long and often technical discussion of “hermeneutics,” or the proper method for interpreting the sacred texts.
The Pope warned of the errors and risks of a “dualistic” and “secularized” approach, which treats the Bible as if it is only a historical or literary document.
The Bible, he said, must be studied through “serious historical research.” But students must then build on those findings to discover the spiritual meaning that God intends to communicate in the Scriptures.
He criticized “fundamentalist” or “literalist” interpretations and urged renewed appreciation for the symbolic and spiritual interpretation techniques used by the ancient Fathers of the Church.
He also urged interpreters to study how the saints read the Bible.
“The most profound interpretation of Scripture comes precisely from those who let themselves be shaped by the Word of God through listening, reading and assiduous meditation,” he said.
Everyone who seeks to interpret the Bible — from the ordinary believer to the pastor or the theologian, must remember — the Pope said: “The Bible is the Church’s book, and its essential place in the Church’s life gives rise to its genuine interpretation.”
He added: “An authentic interpretation of the Bible must always be in harmony with the faith of the Catholic Church.”
Pope Benedict also devoted a long passage on the importance of the Scriptures in the Church’s sacraments and worship.
“The liturgy is the privileged setting in which God speaks to us in the midst of our lives; he speaks today to his people, who hear and respond,” he said. “Every liturgical action is by its very nature steeped in sacred Scripture.”
From the start of his pontificate, Pope Benedict has emphasized that the right understanding of Scripture is necessary for the true understanding of Christ, salvation, and the truths of the Catholic faith.
In his homily upon assuming the chair of the Bishop of Rome in May 2005, the Pope described his mission as being “at the service of, the Word of God.”
“It is incumbent … to ensure that this Word continues to be present in its greatness and to resound in its purity, so that it is not torn to pieces by continuous changes in usage,” he said.
And the Pope has repeatedly emphasized that the Word of God is the key to the Church’s mission in a world that has grown increasingly forgetful of God.
In a letter to the world’s bishops last year, Benedict said: “Leading men and women to God, to the God who speaks in the Bible: this is the supreme and fundamental priority of the Church and of the Successor of Peter at the present time.”
These themes are all present in “Verbum Domini.”
The new document calls for “recovering the centrality of the divine Word in the Christian life.”
“Our own time,” the Pope writes, “must be increasingly marked by a new hearing of God’s Word and a new evangelization.”
In addition, Pope Benedict includes a decidedly personal section in which he proposes to teach people the practice of praying with the Bible, known as “lectio divina,” or sacred reading.
The Pope called for a renewal of prayerful, personal reading of Scripture and for Scripture to be “every more fully at the heart of every ecclesial activity.”
“The Church is built upon the Word of God; she is born from and lives by that Word,” Pope Benedict said.
“Throughout its history, the People of God has always found strength in the word of God, and today too the ecclesial community grows by hearing, celebrating and studying that Word.”
>>>I saw many posts last Thursday-Friday about the Pope's newest exhortation about the Bible; further growing evidence to supress that misguided belief by so many that Catholics are not suppose to read the Bible. Foolishness! The Church is the Church of the Word of God and the world would not have Scripture if not for a Catholic Church father, St. Jerome. One of the fastest growing Catholic ministries in parish after parish: Bible study. And when we welcome thousands upon thousands of converts every year we use God's Holy Word. This copy came from the blog Da Mihi Animas:
The following comes from the CNA:
Pope Benedict XVI has issued a lofty and impassioned plea for everyone in the Church to rediscover the Bible and to grow in “an ever greater love of the Word of God.”
“We must never forget that all authentic and living Christian spirituality is based on the Word of God proclaimed, accepted, celebrated and meditated upon in the Church.
The Pope’s new apostolic exhortation, “Verbum Domini” (The Word of the Lord), issued Nov. 11, is a book-length response to a special 2008 Synod for Bishops on the Bible and the life of the Church.
In this document, the Pope offers a rich theological reflection on the meaning of the Word of God becoming flesh and the meaning of the Scriptures as the Word of God.
The Pope reaffirms forcefully the Church’s traditional teaching that the Bible is the revealed Word of God written by human authors inspired by the Holy Spirit. He notes that it conveys not just moral and spiritual truths but also truths about “the reality of human history.”
“The history of salvation is not mythology, but a true history,” the Pope said.
He added: “It must be remembered first and foremost that biblical revelation is deeply rooted in history.”
But the Pope declined to wade into the controversial question of how “true” Scripture is when it speaks of historical events.
Some had hoped that the Pope would pronounce on the precise meaning of the Church’s teaching that Scripture is “without error.”
Instead Pope Benedict reaffirmed the traditional teaching but called for further study of the relationship between what scholars call the divine “inspiration” of Scripture and its “inerrancy.”
“A deeper study of the process of inspiration will doubtless lead to a greater understanding of the truth contained in the sacred books,” he said.
“Certainly theological reflection has always considered inspiration and truth as two key concepts for an ecclesial hermeneutic of the sacred Scriptures,” he added.
“Nonetheless, one must acknowledge the need today for a fuller and more adequate study of these realities, in order better to respond to the need to interpret the sacred texts in accordance with their nature.”
The Pope expressed what he called his “fervent hope” that such research would continue and would “bear fruit both for biblical science and for the spiritual life of the faithful.”
The heart of “Verbum Domini” is a long and often technical discussion of “hermeneutics,” or the proper method for interpreting the sacred texts.
The Pope warned of the errors and risks of a “dualistic” and “secularized” approach, which treats the Bible as if it is only a historical or literary document.
The Bible, he said, must be studied through “serious historical research.” But students must then build on those findings to discover the spiritual meaning that God intends to communicate in the Scriptures.
He criticized “fundamentalist” or “literalist” interpretations and urged renewed appreciation for the symbolic and spiritual interpretation techniques used by the ancient Fathers of the Church.
He also urged interpreters to study how the saints read the Bible.
“The most profound interpretation of Scripture comes precisely from those who let themselves be shaped by the Word of God through listening, reading and assiduous meditation,” he said.
Everyone who seeks to interpret the Bible — from the ordinary believer to the pastor or the theologian, must remember — the Pope said: “The Bible is the Church’s book, and its essential place in the Church’s life gives rise to its genuine interpretation.”
He added: “An authentic interpretation of the Bible must always be in harmony with the faith of the Catholic Church.”
Pope Benedict also devoted a long passage on the importance of the Scriptures in the Church’s sacraments and worship.
“The liturgy is the privileged setting in which God speaks to us in the midst of our lives; he speaks today to his people, who hear and respond,” he said. “Every liturgical action is by its very nature steeped in sacred Scripture.”
From the start of his pontificate, Pope Benedict has emphasized that the right understanding of Scripture is necessary for the true understanding of Christ, salvation, and the truths of the Catholic faith.
In his homily upon assuming the chair of the Bishop of Rome in May 2005, the Pope described his mission as being “at the service of, the Word of God.”
“It is incumbent … to ensure that this Word continues to be present in its greatness and to resound in its purity, so that it is not torn to pieces by continuous changes in usage,” he said.
And the Pope has repeatedly emphasized that the Word of God is the key to the Church’s mission in a world that has grown increasingly forgetful of God.
In a letter to the world’s bishops last year, Benedict said: “Leading men and women to God, to the God who speaks in the Bible: this is the supreme and fundamental priority of the Church and of the Successor of Peter at the present time.”
These themes are all present in “Verbum Domini.”
The new document calls for “recovering the centrality of the divine Word in the Christian life.”
“Our own time,” the Pope writes, “must be increasingly marked by a new hearing of God’s Word and a new evangelization.”
In addition, Pope Benedict includes a decidedly personal section in which he proposes to teach people the practice of praying with the Bible, known as “lectio divina,” or sacred reading.
The Pope called for a renewal of prayerful, personal reading of Scripture and for Scripture to be “every more fully at the heart of every ecclesial activity.”
“The Church is built upon the Word of God; she is born from and lives by that Word,” Pope Benedict said.
“Throughout its history, the People of God has always found strength in the word of God, and today too the ecclesial community grows by hearing, celebrating and studying that Word.”
Homily 33rd Sunday O.T. November 14, 2010
As we were gathering for our joyful 9 a.m. Mass two Sundays ago another group of Catholics gathered for Mass as well. In their corner of the world it was 6 p.m. It would be the last hour of their lives as the Church of Our Lady of Salvation, a Catholic Church in the suburbs of Bagdad, Iraq, was attacked by terrorists, killing over 50 faithful and two of the Priests. Their crime: belief in Jesus Christ and fidelity to the Catholic Church; in a place that is decidedly not Catholic.
And as we were celebrating Mass last winter, perhaps pre-occupied by the Super Bowl run of our New Orleans Saints, an earthquake was devastating Haiti, destroying stone by stone the beautiful cathedral of this poor country and dozens upon dozens of other Catholic churches and schools. The bishop was killed, crushed under the weight of falling debris and the country lost both priests and seminarians in the aftermath.
Do we take for granted our ability to worship in relative peace and security? We may not be able to relate in our community to the incident in Iraq but maybe the Haiti example resonates with us after Hurricane Katrina. We remember all the beautiful childhood churches of our youth, and for some, our present, flooded to the roof line. Why was it so important to get these churches back up and ready for worship? Why were some of the most uplifting moment’s post-Katrina when a parish community reopened their Catholic Church?
As people of faith, what is really important? Do we focus too much on the externals? Do we know that Jesus guides us in all our days?
Today we reach the end of Sunday’s in Ordinary Time for our current cycle. Following St. Luke’s Gospel, we have journeyed with Jesus on his travels from and back to Jerusalem. Today, we are hearing the Gospel right before the stories of Jesus at the Last Supper, His arrest and crucifixion, His death on the Cross and the glorious Resurrection on Easter. Obviously we will not hear these Gospel stories in the weeks to come. Next week we celebrate Christ the King and after that we start all over again with Advent. But we will hear the Passion and the Resurrection in the spring.
Jesus foretells the destruction of the Temple; and the Temple indeed was destroyed in 70 A.D. The faithful would never believe this to be real but by the time Luke actually wrote this Gospel, it had occurred. And we know today, nearly 2,000 years later, all that remains of that splendid Temple is the western wall. Jesus tells his followers, and that means us, that these are externals. Yes, we need places of worship and yes we are called to worship in community; the Mass. But Jesus tells us to persevere in our faith, in our belief in Him and our fidelity to the Church, even during wars, terrorism, earthquakes, fires, floods and even hurricanes.
Not a hair on our heads will be lost he tells us. Even though Jesus promises us that we will be betrayed, that even friends and family may turn on us, he more forcefully promises that He will be our defense. He will be our safety, he will be our stronghold.
What does this mean for us today? Quite frankly we are being challenged to worship in good times and bad. The Christians in Iraq are promising to persevere. Others are moving; giving up other important aspects of life to make worship the important aspect of life. In Haiti the faithful walked through and over debris to pray outside the destroyed cathedral and churches. And today, after cholera and a hurricane they promise to persevere. The Catholic Churches in and of New Orleans continue to be communities of worship because we promised to persevere. Many of our parishes here on the Northshore are more active and vibrant, in part, because many came here and started anew and to give witness to the faith.
As we close the Church year over these next few days, focus on what is truly important. Search deeply for the internals. Ask ourselves, will we persevere. What can we challenge ourselves to do in the coming weeks? Can we deepen our prayer life? Can we return to reconciliation? Can we continue to support our Thanksgiving food drive? Can we persevere, can we endure?
With Iraq and Haiti and our own faith community as examples and Jesus’ promises as our guide, we most definitely can.
And as we were celebrating Mass last winter, perhaps pre-occupied by the Super Bowl run of our New Orleans Saints, an earthquake was devastating Haiti, destroying stone by stone the beautiful cathedral of this poor country and dozens upon dozens of other Catholic churches and schools. The bishop was killed, crushed under the weight of falling debris and the country lost both priests and seminarians in the aftermath.
Do we take for granted our ability to worship in relative peace and security? We may not be able to relate in our community to the incident in Iraq but maybe the Haiti example resonates with us after Hurricane Katrina. We remember all the beautiful childhood churches of our youth, and for some, our present, flooded to the roof line. Why was it so important to get these churches back up and ready for worship? Why were some of the most uplifting moment’s post-Katrina when a parish community reopened their Catholic Church?
As people of faith, what is really important? Do we focus too much on the externals? Do we know that Jesus guides us in all our days?
Today we reach the end of Sunday’s in Ordinary Time for our current cycle. Following St. Luke’s Gospel, we have journeyed with Jesus on his travels from and back to Jerusalem. Today, we are hearing the Gospel right before the stories of Jesus at the Last Supper, His arrest and crucifixion, His death on the Cross and the glorious Resurrection on Easter. Obviously we will not hear these Gospel stories in the weeks to come. Next week we celebrate Christ the King and after that we start all over again with Advent. But we will hear the Passion and the Resurrection in the spring.
Jesus foretells the destruction of the Temple; and the Temple indeed was destroyed in 70 A.D. The faithful would never believe this to be real but by the time Luke actually wrote this Gospel, it had occurred. And we know today, nearly 2,000 years later, all that remains of that splendid Temple is the western wall. Jesus tells his followers, and that means us, that these are externals. Yes, we need places of worship and yes we are called to worship in community; the Mass. But Jesus tells us to persevere in our faith, in our belief in Him and our fidelity to the Church, even during wars, terrorism, earthquakes, fires, floods and even hurricanes.
Not a hair on our heads will be lost he tells us. Even though Jesus promises us that we will be betrayed, that even friends and family may turn on us, he more forcefully promises that He will be our defense. He will be our safety, he will be our stronghold.
What does this mean for us today? Quite frankly we are being challenged to worship in good times and bad. The Christians in Iraq are promising to persevere. Others are moving; giving up other important aspects of life to make worship the important aspect of life. In Haiti the faithful walked through and over debris to pray outside the destroyed cathedral and churches. And today, after cholera and a hurricane they promise to persevere. The Catholic Churches in and of New Orleans continue to be communities of worship because we promised to persevere. Many of our parishes here on the Northshore are more active and vibrant, in part, because many came here and started anew and to give witness to the faith.
As we close the Church year over these next few days, focus on what is truly important. Search deeply for the internals. Ask ourselves, will we persevere. What can we challenge ourselves to do in the coming weeks? Can we deepen our prayer life? Can we return to reconciliation? Can we continue to support our Thanksgiving food drive? Can we persevere, can we endure?
With Iraq and Haiti and our own faith community as examples and Jesus’ promises as our guide, we most definitely can.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
St Frances Cabrini
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Feastday: November 13
Patron of immigrants
1917
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin (Feast day November 13) St. Frances was born in Lombardi, Italy in 1850, one of thirteen children. At eighteen, she desired to become a Nun, but poor health stood in her way. She helped her parents until their death, and then worked on a farm with her brothers and sisters.
One day a priest asked her to teach in a girls' school and she stayed for six years. At the request of her Bishop, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to care for poor children in schools and hospitals. Then at the urging of Pope Leo XIII she came to the United States with six nuns in 1889 to work among the Italian immigrants.
Filled with a deep trust in God and endowed with a wonderful administrative ability, this remarkable woman soon founded schools, hospitals, and orphanages in this strange land and saw them flourish in the aid of Italian immigrants and children. At the time of her death, at Chicago, Illinois on December 22, 1917, her institute numbered houses in England, France, Spain, the United States, and South America. In 1946, she became the first American citizen to be canonized when she was elevated to sainthood by Pope Pius XII. St. Frances is the patroness of immigrants.
Feastday: November 13
Patron of immigrants
1917
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin (Feast day November 13) St. Frances was born in Lombardi, Italy in 1850, one of thirteen children. At eighteen, she desired to become a Nun, but poor health stood in her way. She helped her parents until their death, and then worked on a farm with her brothers and sisters.
One day a priest asked her to teach in a girls' school and she stayed for six years. At the request of her Bishop, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to care for poor children in schools and hospitals. Then at the urging of Pope Leo XIII she came to the United States with six nuns in 1889 to work among the Italian immigrants.
Filled with a deep trust in God and endowed with a wonderful administrative ability, this remarkable woman soon founded schools, hospitals, and orphanages in this strange land and saw them flourish in the aid of Italian immigrants and children. At the time of her death, at Chicago, Illinois on December 22, 1917, her institute numbered houses in England, France, Spain, the United States, and South America. In 1946, she became the first American citizen to be canonized when she was elevated to sainthood by Pope Pius XII. St. Frances is the patroness of immigrants.
The devil made me do it...
Catholic bishops say more exorcists are needed
Published: Saturday, November 13, 2010, 8:21 AM
The Associated Press
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Citing a shortage of priests who can perform the rite, the nation's Roman Catholic bishops are holding a conference on how to conduct exorcisms.
The two-day training, which ends today in Baltimore, is to outline the scriptural basis of evil, instruct clergy on evaluating whether a person is truly possessed, and review the prayers and rituals that comprise an exorcism. Among the speakers will be Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Texas, and a priest-assistant to New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan.
"Learning the liturgical rite is not difficult," DiNardo said before the conference, which is open to clergy only. "The problem is the discernment that the exorcist needs before he would ever attempt the rite."
More than 50 bishops and 60 priests signed up to attend, according to Catholic News Service, which first reported the event. The conference was scheduled for just ahead of the fall meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which starts Monday in Baltimore.
Despite strong interest in the training, skepticism about the rite persists within the American church. Organizers of the event are keenly aware of the ridicule that can accompany discussion of the subject. Exorcists in U.S. dioceses keep a very low profile. In 1999, the church updated the Rite of Exorcism, cautioning that "all must be done to avoid the perception that exorcism is magic or superstition."
The practice is much more accepted by Catholics in parts of Europe and elsewhere overseas. Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the longtime private secretary of Pope John Paul II, revealed a few years after the pontiff's death that John Paul had performed an exorcism on a woman who was brought into the Vatican writhing and screaming in what Dziwisz said was a case of possession by the devil.
Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., who organized the conference, said only a tiny number of U.S. priests have enough training and knowledge to perform an exorcism. Dioceses nationwide have been relying solely on these clergy, who have been overwhelmed with requests to evaluate claims. The Rev. James LeBar, who was the official exorcist of the Archdiocese of New York under the late Cardinal John O'Connor, had faced a similar level of demand, traveling the country in response to the many requests for his expertise.
The rite is performed only rarely. Neal Lozano, a Catholic writer and author of the book "Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance" about combatting evil spirits, said he knows an exorcist in the church who receives about 400 inquiries a year, but determines that out of that number, two or three of the cases require an exorcism.
No one knows why more people seem to be seeking the rite. Paprocki said one reason could be the growing interest among Americans in exploring general spirituality, as opposed to participating in organized religion, which has led more people to dabble in the occult.
"They don't know exactly what they're getting into and when they have questions, they're turning to the church, to priests," said Paprocki, chairman of the bishops' committee on canonical affairs and church governance. "They wonder if some untoward activity is taking place in their life and want some help discerning that."
Many Catholic immigrants in the U.S. come from countries where exorcism is more common, although Paprocki said that was not a motivation for organizing the conference.
Exorcism has deep roots in Christianity. The New Testament contains several examples of Jesus casting out evil spirits from people, and the church notes these acts in the Catholic Catechism. Whether or not individual Catholics realize it, each of them undergoes what the church calls a minor exorcism at baptism that includes prayers renouncing Satan and seeking freedom from original sin.
A major exorcism can only be performed by a priest with the permission of his bishop after a thorough evaluation, including consulting with physicians or psychiatrists to rule out any psychological or physical illness behind the person's behavior.
Signs of demonic possession accepted by the church include violent reaction to holy water or anything holy, speaking in a language the possessed person doesn't know and abnormal displays of strength.
The full exorcism is held in private and includes sprinkling holy water, reciting Psalms, reading aloud from the Gospel, laying on of hands and reciting the Lord's Prayer. Some adaptations are allowed for different circumstances. The exorcist can invoke the Holy Spirit then blow in the face of the possessed person, trace the sign of the cross on the person's forehead and command the devil to leave.
The training comes at a time when many American bishops and priests are trying to correct what they view as a lack of emphasis on the Catholic teaching about sin and evil after the Second Vatican Council, the series of meetings in the 1960s that enacted modernizing reforms in the church. Many in the American hierarchy, as well as Pope Benedict XVI, believe that the supernatural aspect of the church was lost in the changes, reducing it to just another institution in the world.
A renewed focus on exorcism highlights the divine element of the church and underscores the belief that evil is real.
DiNardo said some Catholics who ask for an exorcism are really seeking, "prayerful support. They're asking for formation in the faith." Still, he said sometimes the rite is warranted.
"For the longest time, we in the United States may not have been as much attuned to some of the spiritual aspects of evil because we have become so much attached to what would be either physical or psychological explanation for certain phenomena," DiNardo said. "We may have forgotten that there is a spiritual dimension to people."
By Rachel Zoll, AP religion writer
Published: Saturday, November 13, 2010, 8:21 AM
The Associated Press
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Citing a shortage of priests who can perform the rite, the nation's Roman Catholic bishops are holding a conference on how to conduct exorcisms.
The two-day training, which ends today in Baltimore, is to outline the scriptural basis of evil, instruct clergy on evaluating whether a person is truly possessed, and review the prayers and rituals that comprise an exorcism. Among the speakers will be Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston, Texas, and a priest-assistant to New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan.
"Learning the liturgical rite is not difficult," DiNardo said before the conference, which is open to clergy only. "The problem is the discernment that the exorcist needs before he would ever attempt the rite."
More than 50 bishops and 60 priests signed up to attend, according to Catholic News Service, which first reported the event. The conference was scheduled for just ahead of the fall meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which starts Monday in Baltimore.
Despite strong interest in the training, skepticism about the rite persists within the American church. Organizers of the event are keenly aware of the ridicule that can accompany discussion of the subject. Exorcists in U.S. dioceses keep a very low profile. In 1999, the church updated the Rite of Exorcism, cautioning that "all must be done to avoid the perception that exorcism is magic or superstition."
The practice is much more accepted by Catholics in parts of Europe and elsewhere overseas. Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the longtime private secretary of Pope John Paul II, revealed a few years after the pontiff's death that John Paul had performed an exorcism on a woman who was brought into the Vatican writhing and screaming in what Dziwisz said was a case of possession by the devil.
Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., who organized the conference, said only a tiny number of U.S. priests have enough training and knowledge to perform an exorcism. Dioceses nationwide have been relying solely on these clergy, who have been overwhelmed with requests to evaluate claims. The Rev. James LeBar, who was the official exorcist of the Archdiocese of New York under the late Cardinal John O'Connor, had faced a similar level of demand, traveling the country in response to the many requests for his expertise.
The rite is performed only rarely. Neal Lozano, a Catholic writer and author of the book "Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance" about combatting evil spirits, said he knows an exorcist in the church who receives about 400 inquiries a year, but determines that out of that number, two or three of the cases require an exorcism.
No one knows why more people seem to be seeking the rite. Paprocki said one reason could be the growing interest among Americans in exploring general spirituality, as opposed to participating in organized religion, which has led more people to dabble in the occult.
"They don't know exactly what they're getting into and when they have questions, they're turning to the church, to priests," said Paprocki, chairman of the bishops' committee on canonical affairs and church governance. "They wonder if some untoward activity is taking place in their life and want some help discerning that."
Many Catholic immigrants in the U.S. come from countries where exorcism is more common, although Paprocki said that was not a motivation for organizing the conference.
Exorcism has deep roots in Christianity. The New Testament contains several examples of Jesus casting out evil spirits from people, and the church notes these acts in the Catholic Catechism. Whether or not individual Catholics realize it, each of them undergoes what the church calls a minor exorcism at baptism that includes prayers renouncing Satan and seeking freedom from original sin.
A major exorcism can only be performed by a priest with the permission of his bishop after a thorough evaluation, including consulting with physicians or psychiatrists to rule out any psychological or physical illness behind the person's behavior.
Signs of demonic possession accepted by the church include violent reaction to holy water or anything holy, speaking in a language the possessed person doesn't know and abnormal displays of strength.
The full exorcism is held in private and includes sprinkling holy water, reciting Psalms, reading aloud from the Gospel, laying on of hands and reciting the Lord's Prayer. Some adaptations are allowed for different circumstances. The exorcist can invoke the Holy Spirit then blow in the face of the possessed person, trace the sign of the cross on the person's forehead and command the devil to leave.
The training comes at a time when many American bishops and priests are trying to correct what they view as a lack of emphasis on the Catholic teaching about sin and evil after the Second Vatican Council, the series of meetings in the 1960s that enacted modernizing reforms in the church. Many in the American hierarchy, as well as Pope Benedict XVI, believe that the supernatural aspect of the church was lost in the changes, reducing it to just another institution in the world.
A renewed focus on exorcism highlights the divine element of the church and underscores the belief that evil is real.
DiNardo said some Catholics who ask for an exorcism are really seeking, "prayerful support. They're asking for formation in the faith." Still, he said sometimes the rite is warranted.
"For the longest time, we in the United States may not have been as much attuned to some of the spiritual aspects of evil because we have become so much attached to what would be either physical or psychological explanation for certain phenomena," DiNardo said. "We may have forgotten that there is a spiritual dimension to people."
By Rachel Zoll, AP religion writer
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Great Veterans Day article by Drew Brees
Drew Brees: WWII vets still deserve our attention
By Drew Brees
As with many men in their 30s, the demands of building a career and family mean my gaze is focused on what's ahead, not what's behind. I do, however, enjoy reading about history — especially military history. But it took a trip to Okinawa, Japan, to make me realize the deep, if not always visible, connection between America's youngest generations and its "Greatest" one.
In April 1945, Okinawa became the site of one of World War II's bloodiest battles between invading U.S. forces and the defending Japanese. My grandfather, Ray Akins— then a 19-year-old Marine from Brady, Texas — was in the thick of it. As I walked around the island I realized I was walking in his footsteps. I stood at the spot where my grandfather stormed the beach with the 1st Marine Division. I imagined the noise and death surrounding the soldiers as they first set foot on the island.
Listen to the vets
Suddenly, a rush of emotion came over me, and I had to know what my grandfather was thinking at that moment. So I called him, from that very spot. I told him where I was, and with tears rolling down my face, I asked him to recall that day.
"I was 19 years old on April 1, 1945, and my birthday was in May. I was just trying to live to be 20," he told me. I will never forget that conversation, and neither will the future generations of my family. Had a Japanese bullet killed my grandfather, I would not be here. Nor would my sons.
When I returned home, my grandfather told me more stories about the war: the surge of patriotism after Pearl Harbor; his boot camp in San Diego; his adventures in China and his encounters in the Pacific. I met more veterans when I joined the board of the National World War II Museum , the New Orleans institution that Congress designated to honor and preserve the stories and deeds of the Greatest Generation for the future. Listening to the veterans' experiences moved me greatly. All Americans should hear them. Especially our kids. But they need to be heard soon.
Thank them, too
These veterans are leaving us. Now in their 80s and 90s, they are dying at the rate of 797 a day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. I urge families to seek out these veterans. Thank them for their service. Ask them questions. Let your children listen.
They will learn about battles fought in Burmese jungles and on Italian hills. Hear of the heroism displayed on Normandy's beaches and in submarines beneath the Pacific. And it wasn't just the soldiers. Millions of American women streamed into the factories to build planes, tanks and ships so vital to our victory. These women symbolized the "we can do it" spirit of the home front.
For me, the most valuable lesson children will learn from WWII veterans is the value of teamwork and the idea that if we all pull together, we can accomplish great things. The Super Bowl victory last year by my team, the New Orleans Saints, pales in comparison with what ordinary men and women achieved 70 years ago. To them, it didn't seem remarkable. But it was remarkable.
America's freedom was endangered. They fought for it, and they saved it. And our children need to know it. Our vanishing WWII vets can teach them that a nation, united and working together, can secure any victory.
As we celebrate Veterans Day today, visit with a member of the Greatest Generation and invite him or her to share some memories. Sit. And listen. You'll find yourself walking in the footsteps of heroes.
Drew Brees is the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
By Drew Brees
As with many men in their 30s, the demands of building a career and family mean my gaze is focused on what's ahead, not what's behind. I do, however, enjoy reading about history — especially military history. But it took a trip to Okinawa, Japan, to make me realize the deep, if not always visible, connection between America's youngest generations and its "Greatest" one.
In April 1945, Okinawa became the site of one of World War II's bloodiest battles between invading U.S. forces and the defending Japanese. My grandfather, Ray Akins— then a 19-year-old Marine from Brady, Texas — was in the thick of it. As I walked around the island I realized I was walking in his footsteps. I stood at the spot where my grandfather stormed the beach with the 1st Marine Division. I imagined the noise and death surrounding the soldiers as they first set foot on the island.
Listen to the vets
Suddenly, a rush of emotion came over me, and I had to know what my grandfather was thinking at that moment. So I called him, from that very spot. I told him where I was, and with tears rolling down my face, I asked him to recall that day.
"I was 19 years old on April 1, 1945, and my birthday was in May. I was just trying to live to be 20," he told me. I will never forget that conversation, and neither will the future generations of my family. Had a Japanese bullet killed my grandfather, I would not be here. Nor would my sons.
When I returned home, my grandfather told me more stories about the war: the surge of patriotism after Pearl Harbor; his boot camp in San Diego; his adventures in China and his encounters in the Pacific. I met more veterans when I joined the board of the National World War II Museum , the New Orleans institution that Congress designated to honor and preserve the stories and deeds of the Greatest Generation for the future. Listening to the veterans' experiences moved me greatly. All Americans should hear them. Especially our kids. But they need to be heard soon.
Thank them, too
These veterans are leaving us. Now in their 80s and 90s, they are dying at the rate of 797 a day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. I urge families to seek out these veterans. Thank them for their service. Ask them questions. Let your children listen.
They will learn about battles fought in Burmese jungles and on Italian hills. Hear of the heroism displayed on Normandy's beaches and in submarines beneath the Pacific. And it wasn't just the soldiers. Millions of American women streamed into the factories to build planes, tanks and ships so vital to our victory. These women symbolized the "we can do it" spirit of the home front.
For me, the most valuable lesson children will learn from WWII veterans is the value of teamwork and the idea that if we all pull together, we can accomplish great things. The Super Bowl victory last year by my team, the New Orleans Saints, pales in comparison with what ordinary men and women achieved 70 years ago. To them, it didn't seem remarkable. But it was remarkable.
America's freedom was endangered. They fought for it, and they saved it. And our children need to know it. Our vanishing WWII vets can teach them that a nation, united and working together, can secure any victory.
As we celebrate Veterans Day today, visit with a member of the Greatest Generation and invite him or her to share some memories. Sit. And listen. You'll find yourself walking in the footsteps of heroes.
Drew Brees is the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
Veterans Day and Prison
Last night, on the eve of Veterans Day, was my usual Wednesday night visit at the Rayburn Prison. In many ways, it was our normal Wednesday, prayers, preaching, The Eucharist. On this night we had a very large crowd, 35 men in total. Each night I invite the men to offer petitions during the prayers of the faithful. Often the prayers focus on the families of the men, their cases before various courts and often they prayer for each other, our ministry, those of us who volunteer. Tonight, one of the men offered a sincere, beautiful prayer for veterans and those serving in the military presently and their families.
Prompted by this beautiful prayer I asked if there were any veterans in the room tonight and we had about 7. The rest of the men present broke out in spontaneous applause. It was a special moment. At the end of the evenings service, I asked the men what they wanted to sing as a closing song. They choose 3: America the Beautiful, God Bless America, Let There Be Peace on Earth! And they sang full throated and prayerfully.
Today I began my day in a prayerful reminder of thanksgiving for veterans and wondered as I went through the day do we honor their service, do we teach respect for these men in schools across the nation and do we pray for an end to war and the safe return of all who serve and for peace and comfort for their families.
Tonight, before we go to bed, pray for veterans, for active service men and women and pray that war will no longer be necessary and we find a way to exist in peace with God as the center of our lives!
Prompted by this beautiful prayer I asked if there were any veterans in the room tonight and we had about 7. The rest of the men present broke out in spontaneous applause. It was a special moment. At the end of the evenings service, I asked the men what they wanted to sing as a closing song. They choose 3: America the Beautiful, God Bless America, Let There Be Peace on Earth! And they sang full throated and prayerfully.
Today I began my day in a prayerful reminder of thanksgiving for veterans and wondered as I went through the day do we honor their service, do we teach respect for these men in schools across the nation and do we pray for an end to war and the safe return of all who serve and for peace and comfort for their families.
Tonight, before we go to bed, pray for veterans, for active service men and women and pray that war will no longer be necessary and we find a way to exist in peace with God as the center of our lives!
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