segunda-feira, 31 de março de 2014

Today's Headlines

Facebook	Twitter	Newsletters	Email	Video

Headlines

Our Penitent Pope: As Lent Progresses, We Should Follow Pope Francis to Confession

By Deacon Keith Fournier | March 31, 2014

Many sources throughout the integrated media picked up on the story. Most focused on the Pope somehow breaking tradition and being bold in his humble action. As I have written on many occasions, when the media reports on this Pope, any report which draws people to the Jesus Christ whom Francis serves with such love and fidelity, is just fine with me. However, what is most important about this story about Pope Francis going to confession is how we respond. We should follow the example of our brother and father, Francis. Lent is quickly pressing toward conclusion and it is time to confess our sins and receive the extraordinary grace of healing which comes with this Sacrament of New Beginnings.

UN takes on United States over human rights abuses

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) | March 30, 2014

The United Nations has put the United States under a deeply critical eye, and has taken it to task for many human rights abuses. Among the items in the recent report, officials are critical about the nation's practice of jailing the homeless and sentencing juveniles as adults to life sentences to drone warfare as well as spying by the National Security Agency.

More than a million displaced in South Sudan instability

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) | March 30, 2014

The situation will only get worse, the United Nations says. More than one million people have been forced from their homes by the ongoing conflict in South Sudan. Of these new refugees, 803,200 have been displaced within the country, and another 254,000 have fled to neighboring countries.

President Obama Meets Pope Francis: They Exchange Very Different Kinds of Seeds

By Deacon Keith Fournier | March 31, 2014

There was an exchange of gifts. The president gave the Pope literal seeds from the White House Garden to use in the upcoming planting in the apostolic garden. The Pope gave the President spiritual seeds, the seeds of the Gospel, to be planted in the heart of a man who needs their influence on many, many fronts. Hopefully, they will fall on good soil.When the meeting was over, the President thanked Pope Francis. Vatican reports indicate the President said, "Please pray for me and my family, they are with me on this journey - pray for them." We can all read between the lines of the Vatican statement. Many commentators will be parsing those few words for weeks to come. More importantly, we can all pray that the seed of the Gospel of Joy and Truth which the Pope gave to the President take root.

First-ever asteroid discovered with rings, astronomers agape

By Catholic Online (THE NEWS CONSORTIUM) | March 27, 2014

Astronomers have discovered an asteroid with rings, the first time such a phenomenon has ever been observed. The discovery was made during a rare astronomical event known as an occultation.

Pope Francis Calls Holy Orders and Marriage the Two Great Paths to Make the Gift of Love

By Deacon Keith Fournier | March 31, 2014

We have already had occasion to point out that the three Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist together constitute the mystery of "Christian initiation", a single great event of grace that regenerates us in Christ. This is the fundamental vocation which unites everyone in the Church as disciples of the Lord Jesus. There are then two Sacraments which correspond to two specific vocations: Holy Orders and Matrimony. They constitute two great paths by which the Christian can make his life a gift of love, after the example and in the name of Christ, and thus cooperate in the building up of the Church. Holy Orders, in its three grades of bishop, priest and deacon, is the Sacrament that enables a man to exercise the ministry which the Lord Jesus entrusted to the Apostles, to shepherd his flock, in the power of his Spirit and according to his Heart.

Ken Blackwell: A Marriage Spring - Like the Arab Spring? The Dangers of the Un-Marriage Movement

By Ken Blackwell | March 28, 2014

The comparison between overturning marriage this spring and the convulsions of the Arab Spring are really quite interesting. Few people gave much thought to what would replace the systems being overthrown. Without respect for basic human rights-like freedom of religion, freedom of speech and assembly, freedom of the press-we were unlikely to see an improvement in the Mideast. But in another sense, the comparison is way off base. Those mobs in the Arab Street thought they were overthrowing tyrannical regimes. Nothing like that exists here. America's marriage laws have stood the test of time. They are good and just laws, designed to protect the weak and vulnerable. Who will suffer in America from a "Marriage Spring"? The same people who are suffering now: the poor, the marginal, single mothers, fatherless children. When counterfeit marriage is allowed, true marriage declines. We have seen this happen in all the Socialist countries of Europe.

Pope Francis sacks Bishop of Bling, what will happen to him next? What should happen?

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM) | March 26, 2014

The Vatican has permanently removed a controversial bishop from his diocese, bringing an end to the career of the infamous "Bishop of Bling" who spent millions of euros on his private residence.

Bishop James Conley Issues Beautiful Letter on Marital Love and Fidelity: The Language of Love

By Deacon Keith Fournier | March 31, 2014

Dear brothers and sisters, Blessed John Paul II reminded us that, "man is called to a fullness of life which far exceeds the dimensions of his earthly existence, because it consists in sharing the very life of God."[4] The sexual intimacy of marriage, the most intimate kind of human friendship, is a pathway to sharing in God's own life. It is a pathway to the fullness of our own human life; it is a means of participating in the incredible love of God. Contraception impedes our share in God's creative love. And thus it impedes our joy.

Most Popular

A Barren Heart: God is in the Desert Read More

Third Sunday of Lent: Come to the Well of Jesus and Drink Living Water Read More

Bet you didn't know these 10 things about St. Patrick and Ireland! Read More

The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ: What Does it Mean For Us Right Now? Read More

Is St. Joseph worthy of commemoration? Read More

This e-mail is never sent unsolicited. You have received this Catholic Online e-mail because you subscribed to it or someone forwarded it to you. To opt out, see the links below.

TO ADVERTISE
For information on advertising at Catholic Online, please contact Advertising Sales.

TO SUBSCRIBE
If this email has been forwarded to you and would like a subscription, please sign up for Catholic Online Newsletters.

Remove your e-mail address from our list. We respect your right to privacy. View our policy.

This e-mail was sent by: Catholic Online, P.O. Box 9686 Bakersfield, CA 93389 USA