7-11-06
Greetings!
Pope Benedict, in conjunction with the World Conference of Families commended grandparents—mentioning the great blessing that they are.
VALENCIA, Spain, JULY 9, 2006 (Zenit.org).- In the only improvised section of his discourse at the vigil of the 5th World Meeting of Families, the Pope stressed the important role that grandparents have in families.
Before ending his address with a prayer, the Holy Father said that grandparents "can be -- and so many times are -- the guarantors of the affection and tenderness which every human being needs to give and receive."
"They offer little ones the perspective of time; they are memory and richness of families," he continued.
"They are a treasure which the younger generation should not be denied, especially when they bear witness to their faith at the approach of death," he stressed.
I still remember a couple who were neighbors of ours, Harry & Betty. They were both older, probably in their 70's. Yet, we would see them all the time, walking and holding hands—often either to Mass or to get a newspaper. What a beautiful impression that made on me as a young person and so many others who saw them.
Similarly, a few years ago, I had a parent call in to have their child excused from religious education classes that night. She explained they were going to their grandparent's anniversary celebration(I forgot how many years it was). I had no problem with that request. In fact, that child probably learned more from his grandparents lifetime of faithfulness and example then he would have in one religion class.
Patty asked me the name of one couple who we always see at Mass---also in their 70's, married and still smiling. To all those grandparents…thank you! And may we always treasure their life, experience, and example!
Phil's Tidbits:
Congratulations to Archbishop Burke!
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of
St. Louis to the Vatican's Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature.
The archbishop, who had worked for the court during 1989-94, was named a member of the body July 8.
According to Pope John Paul II's 1988 apostolic constitution, "Pastor Bonus," the Apostolic Signature functions as the Vatican's supreme court and is charged with ensuring justice is administered correctly in all tribunals and by all offices of the Roman Curia.
Many of the cases handled by the court are appeals to sentences of the Roman Rota dealing with marriage annulments.
The Apostolic Signature also promotes and approves the establishment of interdiocesan tribunals around the world.
-I have had the privilege of meeting Archbishop Burke a number of times and even sitting in on a few meetings with him. There are very, very few people who possess, what I refer to as a "palpable holiness." There is a type of physical presence about him that is hard to explain, but which I have only experienced a few times in my life. People often don't have a good impression of him, because he is not a gifted public speaker, and he admits as much, but individually there is a holy charism.
Court Forbids Cutting Nudity, Profanity from Hollywood Films
By John Jalsevac
COLORADO, July 10, 2006 (
LifeSiteNews.com) �
A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that the editing of Hollywood films by third-parties desiring to make them more family friendly infringes upon copyright laws.
The decision will affect a wide-ranging collection of companies and distributors that specialize in the increasingly booming business of offering values-conscious parents and families the option of enjoying big-name
Hollywood films without having to worry about jumping on the fast-forward button on time...
The full text of the story is available at:
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jul/06071005.html
-This is a shame. Groups like "CleanFlicks" and "Cleanfilms.com" which have done good business, and I would add, a wonderful service, by removing the garbage out of films will be put out of business. How many times have you seen a movie that was otherwise good, but included some completely unnecessary scene of sex, nudity, or crass language? We just watched a movie last week from the 1970's, rated PG. We figured we were on safe ground. It ended up including 2 completely unnecessary scenes, neither of which added anything to the movie or its plot. I am guessing these companies will appeal the decision.
This is from the Catholic Cardinal in Uganda:
Wamala warns Catholic deserters
ANYONE, who after being confirmed in the Catholic Church leaves it to join another, is a deserter, Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala said on Saturday, reports Carol Natukunda.
"The sacraments of baptism, eucharist and confirmation are meant to make you a soldier - to witness for Christ. It's like an army. And the greatest crime in the army, as a soldier, is to become a deserter. In the same way, if you are confirmed in the Catholic Church and then decide to change and go to another church, you are a deserter," Wamala said.
"We hear of adults who have deserted the church. And why is a deserter so dangerous? You don't know why he went, where he has gone and what he is planning to do next. Soldiers should be able to stand on," he added.
Wamala was preaching at the School Day celebrations for Uganda Martyrs S.S Namugongo.
The Cardinal also inaugurated the school's new board chaired by Fr. Gerald Kalumba.
You can also read the article online at:
http://www.newvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=8&newsCategoryId=19&newsId=507939
-Wow! This analogy is a good one. In the classes I teach preparing the young people for Confirmation, I use the image of being a "soldier of God" and more so of the commitment they are making, freely, to serve God in all things—and what that free commitment entails. I think I'll be adding the above analogy to my class. Indeed, this is what happens to far too many of your young people.
The newly elected president of Mexico happens to be a daily-Mass attending Catholic. Although I don't care for the description of him as a "conservative" Catholic. You can't use political terms to describe the Faith. You either believe it or you don't. For example, who was more "conservative" on doctrine then Mother Teresa and John Paul II? No one. On the other hand, who was more "liberal" in helping the poor and oppressed then Mother Teresa and JPII? Again, no one. So were they "liberal" or "conservative"?
By John-Henry Westen
MEXICO CITY, July 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Inter Press Service News Agency described Calderon saying: "He is known to be a devout, conservative Catholic, attending daily mass, and has not shied from acknowledging his stances against abortion, condom use, homosexual relations and euthanasia."
In an interview with the Knight Ridder news service earlier this year Calderon said "On the subject of abortion, I am pro-life, and I also see that it is a matter clearly regulated by law, and most of all in judicial terms well settled."
Calderon, a relatively young (43) Harvard grad with three children all under 10, and a wife who is also a PAN legislator did not shy away from his faith during the elections. "I am a man of convictions who wants what is best for his children and those of all Mexicans," he said during the campaign.
Christian Clergy Group Demands Catholic Church Abandon Opposition to Gay "Marriage"
By Hilary White
BOSTON, June 27, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A group of clergy including members from a number of mainline Christian denominations and other religious organizations, including a number of Catholics, is calling on the Catholic hierarchy to end its opposition to homosexual "marriage," claiming that it is in violation of "religious freedom".
The group, calling itself the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry, will release an open letter to Cardinal Sean O'Malley and Roman Catholic bishops of Massachusetts asking the Catholic hierarchy "to respect religious freedom and stop lobbying for a constitutional amendment that would deny civil marriage rights to couples married by other denominations."
The group consists of clergy from the American Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Quaker (or Society of Friends), Southern Baptist and United Methodist denominations.
"By proclaiming homosexuality and same-sex unions to be universally immoral and worthy of second-class status under state law, you are sending a message that our faith communities are immoral. You are harming us and our families and your own faithful as well.
The largest group in the Coalition is from the Unitarian Universalist church – a non-Christian organization – followed by the Episcopalians.
Last week, ECUSA's House of Deputies voted overwhelmingly to refuse to consider a resolution that affirmed Jesus Christ as the "only name by which any person may be saved," a defining Christian doctrine.
-One recalls the teachings of Jesus to beware of those who teach lies in the name of truth, and about wolves in sheep's clothes, portending to the End Times.
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A striking statistic out of Germany. It recalls something the pope recently said to families: "Having children is a sign of hope." And of course the flip side then….
Germany….last year had between 680,000 and 690,000 births. This was less than the in the final year of World War II
And to end on a happy note:
Here is an amazing and heartwarming story. The Colorado legislature had prepared a resolution honoring Planned Parenthood for "90 years of service in Colorado." Rep. Ted Harvey was not amused. He ended up meeting a young lady with cerebal palsy with an amazing voice. He invited her to come and sing the national anthem at the next Monday's congressional session, where they would be voting on the resolution. She sang and the whole legislature applauded and encouraged her, even more so considering her disability. They clapped, they cheered and they affirmed. She was then given a chance to say a bit about her life. That's when she dropped the bombshell. Her birth mother, then 17, went to Planned Parenthood for an abortion. The abortion was botched and Gianna Jessen was born----with cerebal palsy. At once the clapping, cheering, and affirming ended. And the good feelings turned into fumings directed at Rep. Harvey. Funny what happens when one is confronted with the reality of Planned Parenthood.
The full, rather long, but quite worth it, article can be found here:
Announcements:
-Theology on Tap---Theology in a casual atmosphere for those 21-39 years old, at Pete's Pub & Grill, 200 Division St, Stevens Point. Begins Wednesday, July 12th with "Every Body's Doing It: Theology of the Body". Presented by Matt & Rebecca Sande. Sessions then continue the following 3 Wednesday nights.
-Looking for something to do on Monday nights? St. Peter's "Keys" Softball team plays at Zenoff Park. Next game is 730pm Monday, July 17th!
God bless you!
Phil Lawson
For the latest info on St. Peter's, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!