The ideal bridge between Church and State is secure as the Dulles legacy comes full circle
In our commentary today, we share with you the legacy of a family where statesmanship and loyalty have been the benchmark of service for a period that spans three centuries. The surprise, but pleasant elevation of Father Avery Dulles, S.J. to the cardinalate is richly deserved and comes full-circle in the bridge between Church and State that today is so badly misconstrued. His father was, of course, the famous Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, who, as Secretary of State, kept things in check during the cold war following the Korean War under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. What few realize is that John's father was a minister and his great-grandfather a Secretary of State in the late 1800's. The Dulles family has gone from State to church to State to Church and this latter is one of the highest states in the Church. Converting to Catholicism sixty-one years ago, Cardinal-elect Dulles has seen it all and yet, is more humbled than ever at this august appointment. For our editorial Truly, the last shall be first! , see CATHOLIC PewPOINT
 
Gambling can be a fast pass to a plethora of sins if we gamble with our souls by violating the Commandments. That is why a thorough examination of conscience is so vital for a good Confession
Sister Mary Lucy Astuto continues her sharing a special Examination of Conscience with all as today she completes the Sixth Commandments, which is so accepted in today's society that many Catholics have come to allow and condone sins that violate this Command as just a human weakness. The Blessed Virgin Mary has said more than a few times in her visions that there are more souls in hell for the sins of the flesh than any other. She also covers the Seventh Commandment today in coordination with our catechetical series APPRECIATING THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH. Sister shows why it so important for us to truly tweak the conscience through a thorough Examination of Conscience before we enter the confessional. For the fifth part of her column Acute Awareness in Examining Our Consciences, see GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER
 
Pope calls for a common goal of unity, suggests this can begin with all Christians observing the same date universally for Easter
"Let us forget the shadows and scars of the past, and turn together to the task of restoring unity."
During an inspiring special Liturgy of the Word at St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls Thursday Pope John Paul II welcomed 23 other religious leaders of various Christian faiths in urging them to put aside their differences and prejudices of the past to go forward in the new millennium for "building a spirituality of communion" that will bring "reconciliation and peace among all Christians." He also made it official that he would be traveling to Syria for the first time, but dates were not submitted. It is expected to coincide with his Papal Visit to the Ukraine.
For more, see News from the Holy See
ALSO:
Catholics played a pivotal part of March for Life
From all corners, Pro Lifers are registering a thumbs-up to the March for Life in the Nation's capitol this past Monday and all the other hundreds of events leading up to it. The massive march
included demonstrations, pro-life speeches, sermons, and
interviews. The crowd of tens of thousands, with a huge
youth contingent, was delighted with the message from
President George W. Bush and the announcement that he was
re-establishing a policy banning US funds from
international groups which provide and lobby for abortion. For more, see Pro Life News
ALSO:
Culture of Life gets a boost from Senate with Tommy Thompson's confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services
The ease with which Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson was approved 100-0 by the Senate was not lost on John Ashcroft, former Senator of Missouri who is having a devil of a time getting approved as the Democrat pro-aborts seek to sandbag his nomination. It even surprised Pro Lifers how easily Thompson passed the scrutiny of the pro-aborts since he will now have the power to regulate over stem-cell research and could have a tremendous impact over recalling the abortion morning-after pill known as RU-486. Yet, for some reason, Ashcroft is being put through the grill as the liberals seek to barbeque him. For more, see Pro Life News
ALSO:
Church and Kenya at stalemate over curriculum in schools
While the battle is on in the United States over school vouchers, there is an all out war on the school front in Kenya, Africa between the government and the Catholic Church over content to be taught. The key issue in the dispute is whether the government will be able to
dictate the terms of instruction in Catholic schools. An impasse between the Catholic
Church and the Kenyan government, over five parochial schools that have
been closed down, is now in its second week.
The Kenyan government insists that the schools must be opened
immediately. The Church-- which runs the schools-- has told parents and
students that they will remain closed. More than 2,000 students have been
affected by the school closings.
For more, see Universal News
ALSO:
For More Daily News, we recommend the following available news sources:
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All the above News Agencies are not affiliated with the DAILY CATHOLIC, but the DAILY CATHOLIC provides this service to keep our readers up-to-date with what's truly happening in our world, especially considering all the misinformation the secular media circulates.
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Feast of Saint Timothy and Saint Titus, Bishops
Today is the Feast of the early bishops and disciples of Saint Paul. They were Saint Timothy and Saint Titus. Tomorrow we observe Ordinary Time as well as the Feast of Saint Angela Merici, Virgin, Religious Educator and Foundress. For more on today's and tomorrow's Liturgy, see Daily LITURGY
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White vestments
FRIDAY January 26:
Feast of Saint Timothy and Saint Titus, Bishops
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First Reading: 2 Timothy 1: 1-8 or Titus 1: 1-5
Psalms: Psalm 37: 3-6, 23-24, 39-40
Gospel Reading: Mark 4: 26-34
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Mark 4: 18-20
"To what shall we liken the kingdom of God; or to what parable shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon th earth, is the smallest of all the seeds upon the earth; yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than any herb, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the air can dwell beneath its shade."
 Opening Prayers for the Saints Timothy and Titus
Look upon our infirmities, almighty God, and since the burden of our misdeeds is heavy upon us, grant that the glorious intercession of Blessed Timothy, Thy Martyr and Bishop, may be our protection.
O God, Who did adorn Blessed Titus, Thy Confessor and Bishop, with apostolic virtues, grant that we, through his merits and intercession, may live righteous and godly lives in this world, and may come worthily to our Heavenly home.
  
Gateway Welcome
On this date two years ago the Holy Father stopped off in St. Louis, Missouri for a day after three days in Mexico to close the Synod of the Americas. He was accepting the invitation of his friend Archbishop Justin Rigali. It was his only stop in the U.S. and the Pope took advantage to reinforce the necessity of promoting and upholding the culture of the Sanctity of Life. He was received warmly at every venue during the 24 hours he was in the gateway city before overflow crowds. For other Time Capsule events that happened Today in Church history, see Daily TIME CAPSULES in Church History
Responsibility of the heart
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop 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".
"Modern psychology emphasizes the importance of the subconcious, but the Divine Master stresses rather the conscious factor of the intellect and will, that is, our knowledge and our decisions. The combination of these two is sometimes called the heart, and from them comes our character, as from the tree comes the fruit."
Monthly Medjugorje Message for January 2001
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! Today I call you to renew prayer and fasting with even greater enthusiasm until prayer becomes a joy for you. Little children, the one who prays is not afraid of the future and the one who fasts is not afraid of evil. Once again, I repeat to you: only through prayer and fasting also wars can be stopped – wars of your unbelief and fear for the future. I am with you and am teaching you little children: your peace and hope are in God. That is why draw closer to God and put Him in the first place in your life. Thank you for having responded to my call."
For more on Medjugorje, see MEDJUGORJE AND MORE
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January 26, 2001 volume 12, no. 26
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