FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAY

January 23-25, 1998     vol 9, no. 17

      The Holy Father continues his historic pilgrimage to the faithful of Cuba, climaxing his trip with a Papal Mass at the Plaza de Revolution in Havana on Sunday where Fidel Castro is expected to attend. The Cuban dictator, donning civilian clothes for one of the few times in his tenure, greeted the Pope at the airport in Havana when the pontiffs Air Italia touched down as church bells rang out across the island to welcome Pope John Paul II in his first visit ever to this tiny, oppressed island in the Carribean. For more on the Papal proceedings see the News & Views to the right and for additional news from CWN and for live coverage from EWTN, click on THE HOLY FATHER IN CUBA

      Thousands joined in prayer to march on the Ellipse in Washington D.C. to mark the 25th anniversary of the infamous Roe vs. Wade decision that made abortion illegal. Before leaving for Cuba the Holy Father released a strong statement urging America to embrace the culture of death and outlaw the horrendous crime of abortion. For this and other news, click on CELEBRATING LIFE

     On the subject of Pro-LIfe, Sister Mary Lucy Astuto is "Getting to the Heart of the Matter" as she also tackles the abominations that have been legally allowed for 25 years, calling all to a keener sense of conscience and consciousness to what is really going on. Read her weekly column entitled "Free Will is for choosing good...choosing God" by clicking on GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

     This weekend all the hoopla and hype comes to a culmination with the kickoff of Super Bowl XXXII. A man who played in Denver's first Super Bowl twenty years ago will be in San Diego for the game, but this exemplary figure will not be at the stadium but rather with family watching the game. Because family is the focus of his life - both his own and the families he guides as Executive Director for the Seeds of Hope program for the Archdioces of Denver. For the story of former Aztec great Haven Moses and other Super Bowl related stories from a Catholic perspective about Catholics as well as a list of Catholic churches in the San Diego area so visitors will be sure not to miss the big event - Sunday Mass, click on SUPER BOWL WEEK: THE CATHOLIC ZONE

      With all the fireworks in Washington D.C. these last few days with the activities surrounding the 25th anniversary of the infamous Roe vs. Wade decision and the latest Clinton scandal, the world can look to one who is truly a moral leader of the highest caliber - John Paul II who is presently just 90 miles away in Cuba. Today's editorial deals with the controversy swirling and how, by putting our trust in the supreme pontiff we can see the light in the darkness. Click on CATHOLIC PewPOINT

      This week we begin publishing the Vatican II documents which uphold that the Eucharist is par excellence in regard Christ's presence in comparison to His presence in the Word, the body of the faithful and in the priest during the Sacred Liturgy. We put it all in perspective to quell the controversy once and for all. Click on Vatican II Verifications

    Dear children! Also today I rejoice with you and I call you to the good. I desire that each of you reflect and carry peace in your heart and say: I want God in the first place in my life. In this way, little children, each of you will become holy. Little children, tell everyone, I want the good for you and he will respond with the good and, little children, good will come to dwell in the heart of each man. Little children, tonight I bring to you the good of my Son Who gave His life to save you. That is why, little children, rejoice and extend your hands to Jesus Who is only good. Thank you for having responded to my call! For more on Medjugorje, Click on MEDJUGORJE

Castro tries to save face by attacking the Church

      Did you expect anything less from a dictator? In his welcome speech (some welcome!) of the Holy Father in Cuba, Fidel Castro lambasted the Church for past discretions in an effort to direct any criticism of his regime away from the limelight. The interesting thing is that by doing so he brought to the forefront all the horrors of his experiment in Cuba with Marxism. Click on Castro's attack to read more.

Holy Father holds his own by standing up to Castro's tirade

      Whether he had been tipped off or not, Pope John Paul II was ready for Castro's Catholic-bashing and he didn't mince words in calling for the Cuban leader to lighten up and allow the Cuban people the freedom of religion, the freedoms that are God-given and no man can curtail. Click on GOP Pope's retort.

Americans smuggle special weapons into Cuba

      That headline just might turn a few heads but it is souls that some Americans are hoping to turn back to God by distributing one of the most powerful weapons they could provide to the Cuban people - the Holy Rosary. Bringing thousands with them, the Cubans flocked to where they were given out, promising to use them for the purposes Our Lady has requested. Click on Rosaries to read more.

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Patron Saint of the Catholic Press

      Saturday we celebrate the saint known as the patron saint of journalists, editors and writers everywhere - Saint Francis de Sales a Doctor of the Church from the post reformation days. For his story and for the liturgy for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, click on LITURGY FOR THE DAY

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PRAYERS & DEVOTION

Prayer taken from Opening Prayer of Saint Francis de Sales feast Saturday.

Father, You gave Saint Francis de Sales the spirit of compassion to befriend all men on the way to salvation. By his example, lead us to show Your gentle love in the service of our fellow men.

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PROVERB OF THE DAY

"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight...The nether world and the abyss lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of men!"

Proverbs 15: 9, 11

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

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January 23-25, 1998 volume 9, no. 17          DAILY CATHOLIC

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January 1998