Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, August 21, 2011

In today's Gospel, St. Peter is given the keys of the Kingdom by Jesus Christ.  In other words, St. Peter is made Prime Minister.

The Old Testament reading shows the ancient Hebrew practice of appointing a Prime Minister: giving the authority to open/shut, bind/loose.

Bible readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/082111.cfm

Reflect more at this link: http://stm-fet.blogspot.com/p/adult-faith-formation-column_26.html#21aug11

A woman at my parish runs a weekly bulletin article with reflections on the Sunday Gospel taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, writings of Popes, and Saints.

God bless you all.

National Catholic Rural Life Conference reaches out to rural America

He does execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, in giving him food and clothing. --Deuteronomy 10:18

Catholic Church Helps Rural America.  
The National Catholic Rural Life Conference is dedicated to applying the teachings of Jesus Christ for the betterment of rural America.  NCRLC is sponsored by Catholic dioceses across America.  Their website has a wealth of information on food justice, the ethics of eating, and spiritual resources.  Of especial note is their "Faith-Based Study Guide on Poverty and Hunger" to help us understand the facts, reflect and pray, and choose appropriate action.  Learn more at: http://www.ncrlc.com

Hunger Damages Children and Adults.  
Did you know?  "Hunger is more than pangs in the stomach. Malnutrition and undernutrition lead to physical impairment; a person who hungers on a daily basis can no longer maintain natural bodily capacities. For children, this means impairment to growth and learning abilities. For women, hunger affects pregnancy and lactation; for men, physical work. For all people, the lack of food leads to various diseases and prevents the ability to recover quickly, if at all."  (from "A Faith-Based Study Guide on Poverty and Hunger", NCRLC, www.ncrlc.com)


Rich and poor have a common bond: the LORD is the maker of them all. - Proverbs 22:2

Pope Speaks Out on Church's Responsibility for Creation.

Here are some quotes form Pope Benedict XVI on care for creation:

"The Church has a responsibility towards creation and she must assert this responsibility in the public sphere." (Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate, 2009, No. 51).

"In a word, concern for the environment calls for a broad global vision of the world; a responsible common effort to move beyond approaches based on selfish nationalistic interests towards a vision constantly open to the needs of all peoples." (Pope Benedict XVI, 2010 World Day of Peace Message, No. 11)

Read more Catholic teaching on the environment from the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, http://tinyurl.com/ClimateTeaching

Reflection on the Sunday Readings for July 31

31 July 2011, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Bible readings

Reflection

A woman at my parish does a weekly bulletin article with reflections on the Gospel of the week.  Thought you would enjoy this!

Detroit Parish Takes to Heart Stewardship of God's Creation

Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church in Detroit has taken the message of “being good stewards of the earth” seriously: inviting speakers to discuss reducing carbon footprints, holding sustainability workshops, reducing waste management costs by 50% through aggressive recycling, upgrading lights and windows, reducing water use, creating a parish garden, and composting yard waste for the local 4H community center. 

Learn more at: http://tinyurl.com/Nativity-Stewardship

Catholic Social Teaching is a Treasure

Rich and poor have a common bond: the LORD is the maker of them all. – Proverbs 22:2

Find an excellent summary of Catholic Social Teaching at the Catholic Climate Covenant website:
http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Climate-Change-and-Catholic-Social-Teaching.pdf

The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of our society. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) outlines Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching:
(1) Life and Dignity of the Human Person,
(2) Call to Family, Community, and Participation,
(3) Rights and Responsibilities,
(4) Option for the Poor and Vulnerable,
(5) The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers,
(6) Solidarity,
(7) Care for God’s Creation.

“[W]e cannot interfere in one area of the ecosystem without paying due attention both to the consequences of such interference in other areas and to the well-being of future generations.” (Blessed Pope John Paul II, 1990 World Day of Peace Message, No. 6)


The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. – Genesis 2:15

Catholic Bishops' Statements on Climate Change: Food for Thought

Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." --Genesis 1:26

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change (www.catholicsandclimatechange.org) was launched in 2006 to help the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Catholic community address issues such as: What are the moral implications of climate change? Who is most impacted? What should the Catholic community do?  Our bishops say: “We … call for a civil dialogue and prudent and constructive action to protect God’s precious gift of the earth’s atmosphere with a sense of genuine solidarity and justice for all God’s children.”

The Catholic Principles and Teachings applied to the issue of global climate change are (1) Prudence: thoughtful, deliberate, and reasoned action, (2) Poverty: concern for those least able to bear the burden, and (3) the Common Good: promotion of solidarity over self-interest. (www.catholicsandclimatechange.org)

Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good is the title of a statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The statement begins: “As people of faith, we are convinced that ‘the earth is the Lord's and all it holds’ (Ps 24:1). Our Creator has given us the gift of creation: the air we breathe, the water that sustains life, the fruits of the land that nourish us, and the entire web of life without which human life cannot flourish. All of this God created and found ‘very good.’ We believe our response to global climate change should be a sign of our respect for God's creation.”  Read the entire statement at: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/globalclimate.shtml

The earth is the LORD'S and all it holds, the world and those who live there. – Psalm 24:1

First Fridays for Food Security

US Bishops Challenge: First Fridays for Food Security.  

On every first Friday for a year, eat meals that cost only as much as is allotted for a family of your size who would be on food stamps.  You will probably discover a big gap between the actual cost of your normal meals and the budget available using food stamps.  Your efforts may require a partial fast, and be a spiritual sacrifice.  Participating in this First Friday fast can help you be open to the Holy Spirit and walk in solidarity with all those for whom access to adequate, nutritious food is difficult.  Learn the details on Facebook (First Fridays for Food Security) or http://usccb.org/sdwp/Fasting-Resource-Intro-May-6.pdf

Why Do Catholics Fast? 
“Voluntary fasting from food creates in us a greater openness to God's Spirit and deepens our compassion for those who are forced to go without food. The discomfort brought about by fasting unites us to the sufferings of Christ. Fasting should bring to mind the sufferings of all those for whom Christ suffered.”   -- United States Catholic Bishops, Penitential Practices for Today’s Catholics, 2000

US Bishops new Facebook page for Justice for Immigrants Campaign

Follow “Justice for Immigrants Campaign” on Facebook and keep updated on the latest developments with the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ campaign for comprehensive immigration reform.

http://www.facebook.com/JusticeForImmigrants

Website with reflections on the Sunday readings

My parish publishes a weekly reflection on the Sunday readings.  The reflection is drawn from the Catechism, writings of Saints, papal encyclicals, and prayers of the Saints.  It is so good, that I am putting it on the web.

http://stm-fet.blogspot.com/p/adult-faith-formation-column.html

Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1: Get Yourself Some Big Time Grace

http://www.divinemercysunday.com/packet.htm

Here is the best link I have found with practical steps for observing Divine Mercy Sunday.

The take home point is that you can receive a huge outpouring of grace by going to Confession, receiving the Eucharist, doing some simple praying -- that's it!

I did this last year, and it was a really beautiful way to enter into the Easter Season.

God's blessings to you all!

One Million Rosaries for Unborn Babies: May 6-8

Here is the website: http://www.saintmichaelthearchangelorganization.org/

A multinational effor is underway to get a least 1,000,000 rosaries said for unborn babies!

Please pray a rosary May 6-8 for unborn babies.

Register your rosary at the website!

Bishops’ Website Honors Legacy of Pope John Paul II

Memorial video captures key moments, messages during U.S. visits

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has launched a new website to honor the legacy of the late Pope John Paul II. 

The site (www.usccb.org/popejohnpaulii/) features a 17-minute “John Paul II Memorial Video,” which recaptures touching moments and key messages during the late pope’s visits to the United States. Other contents on the site include a biography and a timeline, as well as major writings, backgrounders, canonizations and beatifications, and more.

Several essays by USCCB experts also explore Pope John Paul’s influence and legacy in areas as diverse as East-West relations, his interaction with mass media, ethical use of technology, or the social mission of the Church. New says will be posted leading up to his beatification.

“Pope John Paul II touched the lives of many people across the globe, in particular Americans during his seven visits to the United States.

Source: Vatican website, “Pontifical Council for Social Communications”, http://www.pccs.va/

Catholic Twitter Feeds

Pope Calls for Christian Presence on Social Networking Sites: Facebook, MySpace and Twitter should be used by Christians looking to bring "truth, proclamation and authenticity of life" to the web today, the Pope said in his message for the 45th World Day of Social Communications.  If technologies are used with wisdom, the Pope explained, "they can contribute to the satisfaction of the desire for meaning, truth and unity which remain the most profound aspirations of each human being."

Here are just a few of the excellent Christian Twitter feeds that I have found.  Join today and start adding your own contribution of “meaning, truth and unity”.

CatholicNewsSvc: The daily news service of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

CatholicPriest: Catholic priest in the Society of St. Paul who tweets on scripture, liturgy, prayer, pop culture, morality, vocations to priesthood, religious life and marriage.

CatholicDadsHQ: Faith formation is job #1 with content to enrich the lives of Catholic dads, their families and communities.

RightToLifeCA: News from the group, “Right to Life of Central California”, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to restoring societal respect and effective legal protection for all human beings from conception to natural death.

BenedictineSis: News from the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, including information on saints, books, prayer, Bible quotes, and daily activities in their monasteries.

CatholicClimate: News from the Catholic Climate Covenant with quotes from papal statements, prayers, practical actions that families can take to “Care for Creation, Care for the Poor”

dspost: (http://twitter.com/dspost)

I use Twitter as a mini-blog, repeating the articles shown here on the Home tab on this blog

Our Bishops Need You Voters to Email, Write, Phone Your Representatives

Cardinal Roger Mahony,
Archbishop of Los Angeles

The California Catholic Conference is the staff office of the California Catholic Conference of Bishops. It is the official voice of the Catholic community in California's public policy arena.  On a regular basis, our bishops need you, the Catholic voter, to contact your representatives.  The bishops’ website has form letters ready to go: a few clicks of a mouse and you’re done in 5 minutes.  

As of this writing, the action alerts are
(1) Raise a voice for life and dignity in California,
(2) Support conscience protection for health care providers,
(3) Protect the poor and vulnerable in the federal budget,
(4) HR 3 No Tax Payer Funding of Abortion Act,
(5) Protect Life in the New Health Care Reform Law.

To find action alerts, click here: http://capwiz.com/cacatholic/home/

I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. -- Psalm 140:12

Going to the Movies? Check Out Christian Movie Reviews!

Before heading out to the movies, why not read a review from a Christian perspective?  If you have older children and teens, why not have a discussion about why, or why not, you choose to view a particular movie?  After viewing a movie, why not have a family discussion about moral values?  Become an informed, thinking consumer of entertainment!

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Office for Film and Broadcasting

www.usccb.org/movies 

Check out the reviews for current movies, those new on DVD/Video, upcoming TV, and even the Vatican's Top 45 List!  The reviews clearly explain the ratings so that you understand any potential issues with a particular movie.

Catholic Christian Movie Reviews

www.americancatholic.org/movies

Catholic Movie Reviews offers Christian movie reviews and news with a Catholic perspective from St. Anthony Messenger magazine, Every Day Catholic and Catholic News Service.  The reviews link to the USCCB rating, and also show the Motion Picture Association of America rating.

Decent Films Guide 

www.decentfilms.com

A site of film appreciation, information, and criticism informed by Christian faith.  This site evaluates films for overall quality, artistic-entertainment value, moral-spiritual value, and age-appropriateness.

Message of Pope for Lent: Fast from Consumption

 In his 2011 Message for Lent, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the issue of consumption as one which prevents us from fully living the Christian life: 

“The idolatry of goods, on the other hand, not only causes us to drift away from others, but divests man, making him unhappy, deceiving him, deluding him without fulfilling its promises, since it puts materialistic goods in the place of God, the only source of life.”  

Read the entire message on the Vatican website: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20101104_lent-2011_en.html

The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) now in publication!

New American Bible, Revised Edition

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has now released the revised edition of the Bible we use during Mass in the United States.

Check out the Bishops' website: http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/nabre.shtml

Platoons of theologians and scholars have been working on this for many, many years.  I am looking forward to getting a copy!

Publishers will start coming out with editions in June, and the USCCB online version of the Bible will be updated -- they are working on it.

For Lent, here is an online version of the Seven Penitential Psalms and Songs of the Suffering Servant from Isaiah:

http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/seven-psalms-songs.shtml

For more previews of the new text, visit: http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/text-changes.shtml

Operation Rice Bowl is a great way to observe Lent for whole family

Each Lent, nearly 13,000 faith communities across the U.S. participate in Operation Rice Bowl to demonstrate solidarity with the poor around the world.

Sponsored by Catholic Relief Services, 75 percent of Operation Rice Bowl donations go to help fund increased food security around the world. Twenty-five percent support hunger and poverty alleviation in the USA.

At the Operation Rice Bowl website (http://orb.crs.org), you can find a calendar of daily activities, prayers, reflections, stories from people around the world, and tasty recipes from many countries.

Operation Rice Bowl Prayer

We lift our prayers to you, God of Love, on behalf of our brothers and sisters in need. As we learn about their struggles, our almsgiving comes to their aid; our fasting unites us in their hunger. You call us to be disciples for all nations. Bless us this Lenten season. Amen.

Write Your Congressperson to Support Pro-Life Legislation

As of this writing, three pro-life bills were active in the U.S. House of Representatives:

• HR 3, the No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act,
• HR 358, the Protect Life Act, and
• HR 361, the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act of 2011.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops needs you, the voter, to contact your Congressperson to urge them to support Pro-Life legislation.

This will take approximate five minutes of your time at: http://www.cacatholic.org (click on “Current Alerts” at the right side).

The Church has limited influence on legislators; however, you have a tremendous influence on your representative as one of their constituents.

To read more about these three bills, go to: http://www.cacatholic.org/index.php/topics/pro-life.html