4-2-08
Been busy on this end, although fruitfully so! Hence, I haven't had time to regularly put out The Areopagus lately. Nonetheless, here's a new one!
The article was titled "Sacred Objects help distract me from daily worries" and was part of a section titled "Art & Soul" in the Stevens Point Journal. That title certainly got my attention---there's a reason I carry my Rosary in my pocket every day and have Crucifixes & sacred images throughout the house.
What makes these objects "sacred"? Two things, they are (1) blessed by a priest and (2) representative of something Holy, or of God.
That's not quite what the author of this piece has in mind. "One thing I do to help me keep my mind on the important things is to create sacred objects….a few months ago I found myself worrying a lot about finances….I decided to create a sacred object to help me focus on being grateful. I made a small stone out of clay and carved the word 'grateful' on it. I fired and glazed it. I carry it with me in my pocket all the time….Every time I put my hand in my pocket, I feel the word grateful carved in the clay stone." She goes on to say how it makes her feel better.
Later, she goes on to say: "I encourage you to take some time to create sacred a sacred object. What would you like to see more of in your life, more peace, abundance or kindness? Create something that will help you pursue the important things….You are the one who decides what is meaningful to you."
Makes one recall that lovely story of the golden calf (Ex. 32:1-29) in the desert---why should we criticize the people who came to Aaron to ask him to make a "god" or "sacred object" for them. After all, they feared Moses had abandoned them on Mount Sinai, the golden calf they created brought them comfort and positive feelings right? Woe to us when we seek comfort from that which is created versus from the one who is the Creator. Want proof? Read the passage and see how God responded to their created "sacred" objects.
Some encouraging stats—on the number of confessions in Poland and the number of priests worldwide:
Poles Confess to Lots of Confessing
Survey Reveals Positive Attitude Toward Sacrament
CZESTOCHOWA, Poland, MARCH 7, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Polish Catholics do not view confession simply as an empty sacrament for rattling off their sins, says a new survey on confession.
The Polish weekly newspaper Niedziela (Sunday) reported this week the findings of a survey on confession conducted by the Institute of Statistics of the Catholic Church.
The confession research, done on a group of 686 practicing Polish Catholics selected at random, was conducted Feb. 13-17, 2008, which coincided with the first week of Lent.
"We chose Lent on purpose since it is the time of the most intensive 'conscience clearing,'" explained Father Ireneusz Skubis, the editor-in-chief of Sunday Catholic Weekly.
In Poland, 90% of the population is Catholic, while 75% are considered practicing. The survey taken from a small sampling gave strong evidence that for Polish Catholics, confession is not simply an empty ritual to "rattle off" their sins, but is valued as an obligation of their faith.
Frequency
The study revealed that the majority of Catholic Poles go to confession more than just the minimum requirement of once a year. The percentage that said they only go once a year was 1.7%, while 51.7% said they go several times a year. 46.5% said they go to confession monthly.
The first Friday devotion, which involves monthly confession and Mass attendance, continues to be widely observed in Poland, according to the research. 51.3% of women questioned said they observe the devotion, while the number dropped to 42.4% for men.
Of those surveyed, most said that confession helps them work on their character. 85.9% of the respondents admitted that confession helped them to overcome vices while more than half of the respondents, 53.6%, said confession assisted them in forgiving others, which also helped to maintain stronger family ties.
When asked about an ideal confessor, one-third of the respondents said they prefer a stranger. More than 78% said they expect their confessor to be understanding, and 77% wanted a confessor who helped them out during confession by asking them questions
Number of Priests on the Rise
'08 Pontifical Yearbook Presented to Pope
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 29, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The number of priests steadily increased between 2000 and 2006, according to the newest pontifical yearbook.
Benedict XVI received today from his secretary of state the 2008 edition of the Annuario Pontificio.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was accompanied by Archbishop Fernando Filoni, "sostituo" for General Affairs, and the officials responsible for compiling and printing the volume.
A communiqué regarding the presentation highlights some of the salient facts contained in the new yearbook. In 2007, eight new episcopal sees were created, as well as one apostolic prefecture, two metropolitan sees and one apostolic vicariate; 169 new bishops were also appointed.
From year-end 2005 to year-end 2006, the latest date for which numbers are available,, the number of Catholics in the world increased from 1.115 billion to 1.131 billion, a growth of 1.4%. Over the same period, the number of bishops grew to 4,898 from 4,841, an increase of 1.2%.
The number of religious and diocesan priests passed from 406,411 in 2005 to 407,262 in 2006 (a growth of 0.21%). The number of priests has grown steadily from 2000 to 2006.
However, the distribution of priests differs from continent to continent. Their numbers have fallen in Europe and America, and increased in Africa and Asia.
Students of philosophy and theology in diocesan and religious seminaries number 115,480, an increase of 0.9% from year-end 2005 to year-end 2006.
1. In preparation for Pope Benedict's visit to the United States and for his birthday on April 16th,
Bishop Listecki encourages children, young people and adults to offer a Spiritual Bouquet for
Our Holy Father. Bishop Listecki will give
Pope Benedict XVI a card listing our prayers and sacrifices.
____ Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be ____ Apostles' Creed ____ Sacrifices
____ Attend Mass and receive Communion ____ The Rosary ____ Litany
____ Divine Mercy Chaplet ____ Holy Hour ____ Other
If you'd like to include any offerings, email me back prior to April 8th as that is the deadline.
I just watched this video, it's excellent!
Last semester one of our seminarians at Saint John Vianney Seminary, Sam
Sorich, filmed and produced a short film on SJV. It is a vocational film,
meant to inspire men to join seminary; specifically to join SJV but not
restricted to that. He did a superb job; probably one of the best short
films on seminary life that I have seen. The finished product has finally
made its YouTube debut. It is split up into two parts online, each about 7
minutes long.
I highly recommend that you watch it and distribute this video to as many
people as you can. Both to those who are considering seminary and those who
have no idea what seminary is. I believe DVDs are being made of the film,
so let me know if you would like to have one.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOrrV9vBAsI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOrrV9vBAsI
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAhTQrJPjLY
Finally, some humor:
A little girl was sitting on her grandfather's lap as he read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again. Finally she spoke up, "Grandpa, did God make you?"
"Yes, sweetheart," he answered, "God made me a long time ago."
"Oh," she paused, "Grandpa, did God make me too?"
"Yes, indeed, honey," he said, "God made you just a little while ago."
Feeling their respective faces again, she observed, "God's getting better at it, isn't he?"
God bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter's, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
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