THURSDAY

January 29, 1998     vol 9, no. 21

      Today, in our on-going feature megaseries on the Church today, we tackle the education issue in the first of a two-parter on the "state-of-the-system" as part of covering "Catholic Schools Week." We review what we once had in Catholic education and how it eroded over the past thirty years, pinpointing the problems and offering solutions. For the fifty-sixth installment and thirtieth clarion wake-up call to all Catholics, click on WHERE IS HOLY MOTHER CHURCH HEADING AS WE NEAR THE MILLENNIUM?

      Today's commentary continues in the same vein as the feature above and yesterday's editorial on "Catholic Schools Week." Today's commentary poses the question raised from Republican Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott in his rebuttal to Clinton's state-of-the-union speech Tuesday night about offering parents a voucher so they could send their kids to the school of their choice. We take it a step further, gearing his remarks toward Catholic schools and a chance to escape the doldrums. click on TODAY'S CATHOLIC PewPOINT

     The Blessed Mother does this through the Church of which she is Mother of the Church, she does it through reminding us of Divine Revelation, and she does it through private revelation. Such is the case with her messages to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart in which today we bring you Messages one-hundred seventeen and one-hundred eighteen. Click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

     Sandwiched between two great educators of Catholic education during "Catholic Schools Week" - Saint Thomas Aquinas yesterday and the feast of Saint John Bosco on Saturday, we have two days of Ordinary Time when the priest dons the green vestments. With less than a month until Lent begins we can take these times of Ordinary time and treasure the readings from Samuel and St. Mark. Click on LITURGY OF THE DAY

O Saving Victim, opening wide
The gate of Heav'n to man below!
Our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.
To Thy great name be endless praise,
Immortal Godhead, One in Three!
O, grant us endless length of days
In our true native land with Thee. Amen

    Dear children! Today again I call all of you to prayer. Only with prayer, dear children, will your heart change, become better, and be more sensitive to the Word of God. Little children, do not permit satan to pull you apart and to do with you what he wants. I call you to be responsible and determined and to consecrate each day to God in prayer. May Holy Mass, little children, not be a habit for you, but life. By living Holy Mass each day, you will feel the need for holiness and you will grow in holiness. I am close to you and intercede before God for each of you, so that He may give you strength to change your heart. Thank you for having responded to my call! For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE

HEADLINES:

Slayer of communist dragons, Pope likens Cuba situation to his own native land in 1979!

      Recalling the political situation back in 1979 when Pope John Paul II returned to his homeland for the first time as supreme pontiff, he likened the Cuban scene in 1998 much the same as Polish circumstances nineteen years ago. He made this announcement during his weekly Wednesday audience at Pope Paul VI Hall adjacent to St. Peter's in Rome. The Holy Father feels it is only a matter of time before the hammer and sickle will be dulled in Cuba for the people demand it. Click on Poland and Cuba to read more.

Orthodox Russians still crying sour grapes over Pope's expected visit to Russia

      Maybe it's the reminder that it was Pope John Paul II who almost single-handedly brought down the iron curtain, allowing other faiths to be practiced where once only the Russian Orthodox was allowed, that has many Orthodox officials badmouthing him and throwing obstacles in the way to dissuade him from visiting Russia and the Ukraine. However, Russian President Boris Yeltzin has let it be known that he will invite the Holy Father to visit Russia. Stay tuned for the fireworks. Click on Orthodox resistance to read more.

Cuba taking Pope's words to heart, may comply by freeing political prisoners

      With the Holy Father's visit to Cuba still a very vivid memory, the fruits of his pilgrimage may already be blossoming. That is the consensus after hearing Cuban officials announce they might well comply with the Pope's request and free hundreds of political prisoners, many incarcerated for years. The question remains whether the ex-prisoners will be exiled from the island or allowed to recirculate back into Cuban life as the Vicar of Christ strongly suggested. Click on Cuban cooperation to read more.

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

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January 29, 1998 volume 9, no. 21          DAILY CATHOLIC