TEXT for Today's Front Page

April 24-26, 1998 Vol. 9, no. 80 The "USA Today for CATHOLICS!" at http://www.catholic-internet.org To print out entire text of Today's issue, go to SECTION ONE and SECTION TWO

     This weekend we review a sight that coincides with the mission Saint Catherine of Siena undertook in the fourteenth century. Today in the last vestiges of the twentieth century there is a sight that carries on this tradition, aptly named after this valient virgin and Doctor of the Church. GOLDEN CHALICE AWARD this week. For the review, click on SIGNIFICANT SITE OF THE WEEK

     In this weekend's editorial we look at the global picture in regards Holy Mother Church and see how, as the persecutions intensify, a new mission is being asked of all Catholics: to willingly take up their cross and go forth, to accept whatever God so chooses for us to suffer in order that we can gain the glorious crown of victory. The state of the world today makes this assignment even more difficult but nothing is impossible with God. For the commentary, It's a small price to pay for all He has given us!, click on this weekend's CATHOLIC PewPOINT

     The forgotten value of Saint Anne's intercession is what Sister Mary Lucy Astuto points out in her weekly column as she focuses on the importance of remembering the Heavenly woman God's Own Mother depended on so. For Sister's column, Your Forgotten Grandmother, click on GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

     The Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist is the crowning feast of this weekend sandwiched between the feast of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaren, priest and martyr on Friday and the Third Sunday of Easter. For the liturgy, readings, meditations and vignettes on the featured saints this weekend, click on LITURGY FOR THE WEEKEND

     For events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history this weekend, click on ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

HEADLINES:

Vatican reveals that 68 were martyred in '97

      Not only the persecutions but martyrdoms increased last year the Vatican revealed earlier this week, citing the number at sixty-eight missionaries who were slain for their faith around the world. The largest mass slaughter was in Burundi where forty seminarians were senselessly slain. Africa headed the list for most dangerous as well as the greatest number of martyrs being of African origin. No wonder the Holy Father is so concerned for the people of Africa and its troubled regions and provinces. For more, click on Martyrs of '97

Sudan heading for showdown with Church over arrest of Archbishop

     The persecutions are instensifying in 1998, especially in the Sudan after Archbishop Gabriel Zubeir Wako was sentenced to prison for refusing to pay diocesan funds to a merchant in Khartoum. In all good conscience Wako could not justify the money going to someone who had reneged on their promise when countless Sudanese people are starving to death. The Sudanese government is using this as a test case to confront the Church. For more, click on Sudan.

Microsoft Head promoting the "culture of death."

      Pro-abortionists worldwide profited from a gift of nearly two million dollars donated by the William H. Gates Foundation, headed by Microsoft tycoon Bill Gates, considered the wealthiest man in the U.S. Gates earmarked the contribution to research population control fostered at the Cairo Conference in 1994 which the Holy Father was able to thwart, but satan is regrouping through such moguls as Gates, Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch and many others in trying to perpetuate the "culture of death." For more, click on Bill Gates to read more.

Asian Synod tackles tough issues

     The Asian Synod, with Pope John Paul II in attendance, began to wind down the first week as discussions got underway regarding various problems spots throughout Asia as well as inter-religious dialog with Hindus and Muslims plus the role of women in the Church in Asia. They also continued to address the growing poverty issue while also centering attention on the Mideast peace process, brought up by Maronite bishops. For more, click on Asian Synod to read more.

   Dear children! Also today I call you to fasting and renunciation. Little children, renounce that which hinders you from being closer to Jesus. In a special way I call you: Pray, because only through prayer will you be able to overcome your will and discover the will of God even in the smallest things. By your daily life, little children, you will become an example and witness that you live for Jesus or against Him and His will. Little children, I desire that you become apostles of love. By loving, little children, it will be recognized that you are mine. Thank you for having responded to my call. For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE

     Father, You have willed that the holy mysteries of Christ Your Son, the Source of redemption and life, should be made known through the Sacred Scriptures, the work of men illumined by the Holy Spirit. In this way the words and deeds of the Savior, contained in the immortal pages of the Gospels, are entrusted to the Church and become a fecund seed that brings forth fruits of grace and glory throughout the centuries.

For all other standard features, articles and columns, click on Archives

April 24-26, 1998 volume 9, no. 80          DAILY CATHOLIC