TOP CATHOLIC OF THE CENTURY
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Cardinal Angelo Sodano
As Secretariat of State since 1991 he has been the second most powerful man inside the Vatican
   Today we bring you the 60th person selected out of the TOP 100 CATHOLICS OF THE CENTURY. The voters chose Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the 72 year-old Secretariat of State for the Holy See. Possibly because of his anonymity in light of the high profile of Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, he did not receive as many votes as expected, yet he remains the number two man in control as head of the curia office which sees to the daily operations of the Holy See within and outside the Vatican. For more on the 60th selection, click on CARDINAL ANGELO SODANO
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News Ticker provided by
Catholic World News
For additional news from other Catholic wire services, see HEADLINES immediately below on the left
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 WORLDWIDE
NEWS & VIEWSwith a Catholic slant
HEADLINES:
 
Holy Father returns to Slovenia to beatify bishop on Sunday
Two years ago the Holy Father visited Slovenia for the first time. Sunday this tiny country which is the bridge between Europe and Asia will be honored with his second Papal Visit. This one, however will be short for he will only be there for a day. He will beatify Bishop Anton Martin Slomsek, a man the Pope called "ahead of his time" and the founder of the Confraternity of Saints Cyril and Methodius to preserve the Slavic traditions while opening dialogue with their separated bretheren from the Eastern Orthodox Church. For more, click on Slovenia Papal Visit
Australia's Caritas makes an impassioned plea for protection and help to rescue their fallen comrades in East Timor if they are still alive
The main source of relief and help for Catholic East Timor came from Caritas in Australia which provided, besides supplies, personnel. Now, as news filters out of Dili and other parts of East Timor, they fear the worst and are trying to light a fuse under those in charge of sending in troops to in a race against hope. They plan to return to East Timor not only to help fellow workers from Caritas, but to minister to the victims of this terrible violence but they are seeking assurance that they will have protection from pro-Indonesia militia attacks. For more, click on Caritas in East Timor.
Pope stresses importance of the priestly responsibility in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
 
In his Wednesday Papal Audience Pope John Paul II addressed over 10,000 pilgrims at St. Peter's Square where he reiterated his theme of forgiveness, stressing that if we are to forgive and ask forgiveness the priests - the conduits of the confessional - must be prepared properly and reexamine their responsibilities to this august Sacrament that is so vital for the life of the soul. He talked about the need to be ready for the new millennium by cleansing our souls and hearts by forgiving all and seeking reconciliation, inviting the faithful to look forward to the universal renewal of Reconciliation on Ash Wednesday next year. For more, click on Papal theme of reconciliation.
On heels of German bishops' meeting with Pope, new instructions regarding abortion certificates will be issued soon in hopes of clarifying confusion in German law
 
The Holy Father and the German bishops are hoping they can mutually settle a long-standing controversy over the involvement of Church-related
counseling centers without having to adhere to German laws that provide abortions. It has been a sticky wicket in Deutchland that has left the bishops perplexed. The problem is in the confusion of the wording that could scare away women thinking about having an abortion and deprive the Church of talking them out of it for the sake of the Sanctity of Life. The Pope has written new instructions but whether those will hold up with the German government regulations is still to be seen. For more, click on German bishops.
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 ZENIT International News Agency. These news services 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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 We're all wet when we 
hang others out to dry!
 In this weekend's editorial, we answer those who have criticized some of the selections for the TOP 100 CATHOLICS OF THE CENTURY, reminding them of what Jesus said and asking "Who among you is without sin?". We are all sinners, but the majority of those chosen for this prestigious list that continues with number 60 above endeavored to overcome sin by striving to be saints in their way and in God's time - not ours. When we scramble the truth, we only end up with egg on our face for he who judges will be judged. For the editorial, Ask not what God can do for you, but what you can do for God!, click on CATHOLIC PewPOINT
 Satan is reaping the spoils of a spoiled America that is looking for cheap thrills and horror!
In her column this week, Sister Mary Lucy Astuto  shrinks from the grotesque, deafening and all-consuming horror mentality sweeping this country from the micabre to satanic, America is caught up in the thrill of danger and the results have materialized in places like Columbine, drive by shootings across the country, day care facilities and the other night a church in Texas. Violence and evil permeate our society and Sister, frankly, is sick of it. She asks how can anyone stomach the trash that dares to scare our souls? She gives validity to the fact generations of America have not known pain or terror like so many of their brothers and sisters throughout the world from Kosovo to East Timor, from Rwanda to Northern Ireland, from China to Colombia. Americans have become spoiled and satan is trying to reap the spoils by dulling our sense of decency. For her column this weekend, Why love the monstrous?, click on GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER
LITURGY FOR THE WEEKEND
 This weekend we observe the Twenty-fourth Friday along with the Feast of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop, Religious and Doctor of the Church. Saturday is the Twenty-fourth Saturday in Ordinary Time plus the Observance of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday. We finish the weekend with the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. For the liturgies, readings, meditations and vignettes for these feasts, click on LITURGY
 After nearly 20 years as Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Simon Ignatius Pimenta retired in 1996
 We continue with this special series introducing you to the Princes of the Church. Our ninety-ninth red-hat we feature, in alphabetical order is 79 year-old Cardinal Simon Ignatius Pimenta of India, the Archbishop emeritus of Bombay, having served from 1978 to 1996. He was elevated to the cardinalate by Pope John Paul II during the Consistory of June 28, 1988. For more on Cardinal Simon Ignatius Pimenta, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION
Finally the long-awaited books "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..." and THE HIDDEN WAY are available!
 
With the messages completed, you can now order the book that contains ALL the messages. This much-anticipated 224-page book of ALL the messages to the world imparted to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart from the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a lasting gift that will inspire you in your faith, and all God asks of us. You can acquire your own handsome, coffee-table top copy of "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..." containing all 632 messages or the THE HIDDEN WAY containing 100 inspirational Meditative Lessons from Our Lord and Our Lady on Church Doctrine by clicking on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..." or THE HIDDEN WAY or both books at BOOKS
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Appreciation of the Sacred Congregations
 This weekend we continue with our new series in the search to uncover the great treasuries of the Church contained in the great Deposit of Faith. We continue with the Roman Curia and today deal with the first three congregations among nine with the second three on Monday and the final three on Tuesday. For the thirteenth installment, click on APPRECIATING THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH
Truth can fade if we don't seek it!
They say a picture is worth 1000 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".
"The tragedy of today is that the world is not only tearing up the photographs of a good society, but also tearing up the negatives. By denying truth the world gives up the search for it, just as the person who believes that blindness is normal will never seek a cure."
Weekend Events in Church History
On Friday 775 years ago in 1224 Saint Francis of Assisi, who had journeyed to Mount Alverno in prayer was given the visible stigmata by God. From that time on his hands, feet and side bled at certain times. He became the first "modern" stigmatist. In Francis' writings he reinforces that he considered such pain a tremendous gift from God and embraced His Will in everything. For other events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history this weekend, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
105 - 104 - 103 days
and counting and hoping and praying...
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The DAILY WORD
Taken from the Gospel for the Mass on the Twenty-fifth Saturday of Ordinary Time:
"Take what is thine and go; I choose to give to this last even as to thee. Have I not a right to do what I choose? Or art thou envious because I am generous? Even so the last shall be first, and the first last; for many are called, but few are chosen."
Matthew 20: 14-16
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August 25th Medjugorje Monthly Message
Dear children! Also today I call you to give glory to God the Creator in the colors of nature. He speaks to you also through the smallest flower about His beauty and the depth of love with which He has created you. Little children, may prayer flow from your hearts like fresh water from a spring. May the wheat fields speak to you about the mercy of God towards every creature. That is why, renew prayer of
thanksgiving for everything He gives you. Thank you for having responded to my call.
For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE AND MORE
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