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As the Season begins on the Diamond, there's a true Diamond in the rough in Rome!
 In this weekend's editorial, we can't help but catch the spring fever; not only because everything is blooming (wreaking havoc with allergies) but also because the national past-time is here again! While we're excited about baseball on the diamond, we're more excited about the Diamond that shined so brightly in the Holy Land last week: Pope John Paul II for this holy Pontiff and servant of servants is truly a valuable and smooth, and yes, rare "diamond in the rough." For this weekend's editorial The Pope is a shoe-in for the Hallowed Hall of Fame. And we're not talking Cooperstown! , see CATHOLIC PewPOINT
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LAETARE SUNDAY
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
For the Daily Lenten Meditations and Way of the Cross devotions, see LENTEN REFLECTIONS
WEEKEND LITURGY
This weekend we observe the Lenten liturgy and the midway point of the FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, also known as LAETARE Sunday. For the readings, liturgies, and meditations, see DAILY LITURGY.
The DAILY WORD
For the Fourth Sunday of Lent or Laetare Sunday
"I must do the works of Him Who sent Me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world." John 9: 4-5
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March 25th Medjugorje Monthly Message
NOTE: We respectfully recognize and accept the final authority regarding apparitions, locutions and prophecies presently being reported around the world rests with the Holy See of Rome and the Magisterium of Holy Mother Church to whose judjment we humbly and obediently submit.
"Dear children! Pray and make good use of this time, because this is a time of grace. I am with you and I intercede for each one of you before God, for your heart to open to God and to God's love. Little children, pray without ceasing, until prayer becomes a joy for you. Thank you for having responded to my call."
For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE AND MORE
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Be an angel!
Through the stewardship of Catholic Journalism you can help us reach more souls by sending whatever you can to help keep the DailyCATHOLIC going strong since it is the only daily publication of its kind for Catholics anywhere in the world in daily promoting the truths of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. 
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Archbishop François Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân lived what he preaches while persecuted by the communists in stressing the need to live each day as though it were our last
 
We continue today, thanks to ZENIT News Organization, the spiritual exercises that Retreat Master Archbishop François Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân preached to the Holy Father and Curia the week just before the Pope's "Jubilee Journey" to the Holy Land. Because of the wonders of the internet, all readers can now share in the inspiration that touched the Vicar of Christ and give all readers the opportunity to make a Lenten On-Line Retreat, so to speak, by contemplating on what the Archbishop presents, then going in silent prayer and meditation as John Paul II and his staff did to gain a greater peace and spirituality. The ideal way is to be able to go before the Blessed Sacrament and attend Daily Mass, but if this is not possible, then quiet time with Our Lord in meditation and prayer is the best scenario. Because of this special feature, there will be no column today by Michael Vincent Boyer until next Friday. For today's Third Spiritual Exercise, Secret of Sanctity: Live each day as though it is the last , click on LENTEN ON-LINE RETREAT
 
Sister Lucy as pilgrim walks in the footsteps of Christ during the same time the Pope was in the Holy Land
In her column this week, Sister Mary Lucy Astuto,  after a two-week hiatus, shares with all her memorable trip to the Holy Land which she shares with all. We are pleased to welcome Sister back from her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She points out the significance of many of the sites Pope John Paul II visited last week which remain fresh in our memories from the poignant pictures and videos of the Holy Father retracing the footsteps of Jesus. Sister reminds all of the opportunities many can partake in this year and the indulgences available in this special Jubilee 2000 Year, encouraging all to consider taking a pilgrimage either near or far depending on one's budget and time parameters. Whatever one does, a pilgrimage is also a great spiritual adventure For her column, Pray! Pray! Pray! see GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER
  
Appreciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
 Today we continue with our new series in the search to uncover the wonderful treasures of the Church contained in the great Deposit of Faith. Today we present, appropriately in following up the Holy Father's "Jubilee Journey" last week, the first part of the catechesis on Jesus Christ as Our Lord as explained in My Catholic Faith for it was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies that He would become Emmanuel and be born of a woman as "The Word was made flesh." For the 143rd installment, see APPRECIATING THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH
Events that happened this Weekend in Church History
On Friday 1001 years ago in 999 Pope Sylvester II was chosen as the 139th successor of Peter. He parallels our present Pontiff Pope John Paul II in many ways; first by bringing the Church into a new millennium; secondly he was not Italian, but rather French just as today's Pope is Polish; thirdly, he strove to instill peace and love just as the Holy Father has been doing; fourthly, he introduced the use of Arabic numbers whereas the Vicar of Christ in our time has introduced the end of communism and the use of the culture of life; fifthly, both Sovereign Pontiffs had to fight superstitions and the culture of death - the former with fortune tellers who predicted the end of the world, the latter with pro-aborts who champion the culture of death. For other time capsule events that happened in Church history on this date, see MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
Disharmony is created by ignoring the moral and spiritual order!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".
"The weakening of the inner spiritual life is the basic cause of disharmony and discord which prevail throughout the world. The forcible organization of the chaos created by the enfeeblement of the moral sense always calls forth some dictator who makes law personal rather than a reflection of the Eternal harmony that rules in the Heavens."
To review the entire week of the Holy Father's historic "Jubilee Journey" last week, see Review of JUBILEE JOURNEY
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WORLDWIDE NEWS & VIEWS
with a Catholic slant
News Ticker from
Catholic World News For more from CWN and other Catholic wire services, see stories below
Pope releases Letter to the Priests with the theme of the Last Supper and the Institution of the Blessed Sacrament signed in the Upper Room where it all began
 
The Holy See released the Annual Letter to Priests yesterday in anticipation for Holy Thursday. Normally signed on that day, this year the Holy Father appropriately desided to sign it on March 23 in the Upper Room of the Cenacle. In this letter the Pope reflects on the Last Supper and the institution of the Blessed Sacrament and encourages all priests to "celebrate the Holy Eucharist with fervor."
continued inside
Vocation Crisis Over according to VaticanPrefect for Clergy
Colombia's Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect for the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy has conveyed to reporters that vocations to the priesthood are up and the crisis over vocations has ended. He cited statistics gathered from around the world which verifies his findings. While on the increase, the numbers are still not as large as one would hope since an overabundance in Africa and Bangledesh balances the shortage in the United States where some parishes don't have the full sacramental package because of a lack of priests. continued inside.
Guatamalan priest continues to profess his innocence while still being hounded by government authorities for the murder of Bishop Gerardi in April 1998
Nearly two years since the murder of Bishop Conedera Juan Gerardi was brutally murdered, Guatamalan officials are still no closer to solving the case. They're trying to pin the evil deed on the Auxiliary Bishop's friend Father Mario Orantes who has been ill for the last year and recently returned from medical treatment in the U.S. In an interview Father Orantes once again reitterated his innocence and is being held up as a scapegoat by government authorities.
continued inside.
Details of satanic killings rock peace Catholics in Argentina
 
In a scenario right out of the worst Hollywood horror story, a satanic cult in Argentina is making headlines as police investigate the brutal death of a 50-year old father slashed by his two daughters. The details of the deed leave no doubt as to its satanic nature and have awakened the minds and hearts of many Argentinians to the great danger the devil poses. continued inside.
Violence between Muslims and Christians continues over construction of a church in Nigeria
In Damboa, Nigeria violence erupted between Christian and Muslims over the construction of a church. This violence is a continuation of earlier episodes when the Islamic law of "Sharira," which imposes the Islam religion on all, was passed some weeks ago. To escape this many citizens have fleed to the southern capital city. From the recent violence it would appear the worship of God is a matter for "destruction" rather than "construction" and causes many to harken back to the futility of the Crusades. continued inside.
Philippines' President snubs Pope with 'thanks but no thanks' in rejecting his prayers and concern as pride gets the best of Filipino leader
While the Holy Father sincerely asked for prayers for the hostage situation in Mindanao after his Wednesday Audience, the Filipino President has shunned the Pope, stating arrogantly that the Pontiff should concentrate on other hot spots around the world and take attention away from his own country. Apparently he thinks he is greater than God and can solve everything on his own. Meanwhile he has done nothing to gain the release of the Catholic students held hostage by Muslim rebels. continued inside.
Sad day for Judaism in America as US Rabbis cave to gay agenda
 
Despite the progress the Pope made with Jewish leaders in Israel last week, their counterparts in America have regressed with the news that after thousands of years of upholding the Law of the Ten Commandments, they have caved and the Jewish Liberal Reform Movement, represented by a major group of rabbis, have sanctioned same-sex unions. The wording of the resolution was so muddied as to leave everyone in the muck...which is exactly where same-sex unions belong! continued inside.
Blair accuses British lawmakers of homophobia, the same attacks levied on Cardinal Winning of Scotland
Meanwhile in Britain the world moves closer to a "one world order" and plummets in morals yet Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair is calling members of the House of Commons homophobes because they refuse to approve the gay agenda and keep Section 28 in place for the sake of protecting children in the schools. Blair wants to remove the protective measure by repealing the initiative and plunging the entire British Isles into the cesspool of immorality. And to think Blair's wife is Catholic...or at least in name she is! continued inside.
For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site at the
CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and the Dossiers, features and Daily Dispatches from ZENIT International News Agency CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC, but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.
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