FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAY

January 9-11, 1998     vol 9, no. 7

     This weekend we transition from the Days of Christmas to Ordinary Time with the connecting link being the special feast of the BAPTISM OF THE LORD, the first thing on His agenda for His public ministry. It was also the first time the Holy Spirit is brought into the picture in the way we have come to know the Third Person of the Trinity - "He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit..." - and - "...the Holy Spirit descended on Him in visible form like a dove." Click on LITURGY OF THE DAY

      One of the ways is through spiritual reading - a pointSister Mary Lucy Astuto makes in her column, which resumes today after a two week Christmas vacation hiatus. Her words, like the Holy Spirit, will touch you in a way that will reach the heart and make you think...and pick up the nearest spiritual reading. After all, it's time to catch up on all that reading you've missed. But before you do that, read her words in "Spiritual Reading is a Must on your Resolutions List!" Click on Getting to the Heart of the Matter

     Yes, it's that time of year again when the flu bug bites and where the editor lives it has reached epidemic proportions. Keeping things in proportion is the goal of the Daily CATHOLIC as we launch into 1998, but it takes teamwork - a crew all rowing in the same direction - to make this endeavor successful. That is where you come in as we illustrate in "Praise the Lord and pass the Advil!" in our weekly editorial. Click on CATHOLIC PewPOINT

      Finally, we resume our weekly take on what the Council Fathers at the Second Vatican Council truly decreed in the face of the false claims that they did away with so many things. When we study the facts, we discover they did nothing of the kind. In fact, if anything, they reaffirmed and strengthened the doctrines and teachings, as well as the ceremonies and traditions. But you wouldn't know it from the drivel we hear today from so many who say "The Church doesn't do that any more" or "they threw that rule out." We're here to refute that as we present the second of three parts on Indulgences. 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

HEADLINES:

Benedictine Father Paul Marx passes baton of HLI to Redemptorist Padre

      The most visible and effective Catholic pro-life organization - Human Life International - has a new president according to founder Father Paul Marx, O.S.B.. He is Father Richard Welch, C.Ss.R. whose most recent work was in the verdant hills of Puerto Rico where he dedicated his missionary work to promoting pro-life and fighting abortion, even to the point of being arrested. Click on Pro-Life to read more.

Happy Days are here again in Poland and Rome is breathing easier

      The new pro-Catholic political party in Poland has accomplished much during the short tenure they've been in charge in Poland after years of Communist influence in parliament. Word came Wednesday that there is now an open conduit between Poland's heads and their people and the Vatican through a special pact between Poland's favorite son John Paul II and his homeland that makes Catholicism more accessible and open in Poland with certain guarantees to worship. Click on Poland to read more.

Holy See extends olive branch to Muslim world

      In honor of the month-long Ramadan, the head of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue Nigerian-born Cardinal Francis Arinze sought to open dialogue on behalf of the Vatican with the millions of followers of Islam by offering a common link in the "search for God." Click on Muslims to read more.

      Father, Your only Son revealed Himself to us by becoming man. May we who share His humanity come to share His divinity, for He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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PROVERB OF THE DAY

"The intention in the human heart is like water far below the surface, but the man of intelligence draws it forth."

Proverbs 20: 5

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

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January 9-11, 1998 volume 9, no. 7          DAILY CATHOLIC