TEXT for Today's Front Page

FRIDAY-SATURDAY-SUNDAY March 20-22, 1998 Vol. 9, no. 57 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

     We're in the midst of the bedlam known to all cage fans as "March Madness" - an epidemic that spreads through the land this time each year. But this time is also Lent and so few acknowledge why we commemorate the time of Lent, so few fail to call on God for assistance...for "Divine Intervention." In this weekend's editorial, we address this, tying March Madness and our own experiences with basketball and how "The real Madness of March is that not enough are willing to be on God's Team!. Click on this weekend's CATHOLIC PewPOINT

     This weekend is the great midpoint of Lent when we put away the violet or purple vestments for a day and break out the rose-colored ones for the Introit is laetare which is Latin for "Rejoice." Flowers may adorn the altar and music fills the air on this day which is similar to Gaudete Sunday during Advent. In fact, only on the latter and Laetare Sunday are rose vestments ever worn. So on this special day, let us all rejoice as we round the bend and head down the back stretch toward Holy Week, the Easter Tridiuum, and and the joy of Easter Sunday. For all the readings, meditations and liturgy from Friday through Monday, click on THIS WEEKEND'S LITURGY

     Those words taken from Hebrews 5: 6, fit Father Richard Simon, a pastor in a Chicago parish who realized the true importance of priesthood was in his devotion and loyalty to Jesus Christ first and foremost. Thus, he gives his logical reasons for restoring Jesus to His rightful place behind the altar, front and center. Sister Mary Lucy Astuto brings us his stirring and inspiring letter he wrote to his parishioners last Summer in her first of two parts. She shares his words with all this weekend in True Story of a Priest's Conversion. Click on GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

     In the second part of Lesson 8, THE TRIAL OF THE SANHEDRIN we see Jesus spat upon and dragged before the court who already have passed judgment without even hearing His side. It is a sad commentary on society, one that has not changed in 2000 years. These meditative lessons, imparted by Our Lady to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart during Lent of 1993, are meant to inspire and prompt a greater understanding of the season of Lent in helping us all prepare for His Passion and Death, and ultimately the glorious Resurrection. By reading these meditative lessons, it is hoped we can be properly prepared when we stand before society ridiculed and railroaded because of our loyalty and obedience to Christ. Click on "IT IS CONSUMMATED!"

      Rejoice, Jerusalem! Be glad for her, you who love her; rejoice with her, you who mourned for her, and you will find contentment at her consoling breasts.

      Dear children! Also today I am with you and I, again, call all of you to come closer to me through your prayers. In a special way, I call you to renunciation in this time of grace. Little children, meditate on and live, through your little sacrifices, the Passion and Death of Jesus for each of you. Only if you come closer to Jesus will you comprehend the immeasurable love He has for each of you. Through prayer and your renunciation you will become more open to the gift of faith and love towards the Church and the people who are around you. I love and bless you. Thank you for having responded to my call! For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE

Events that happened this weekend in Church History

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

HEADLINES:

When is a call to come to Medjugorje not a calling?

      When a San Francisco Federal Court says so by overturning a U.S. District Court's previous decision to award a Phoenix woman lost wages for answering the call to go to Medjugorje on pilgrimage. For the rest of this story, click on Medjugorje to read more.

Clinton stubborn to the end on Pro-Life bill to bailout IMF fund

     The president enlisted his cabinet members to lobby pro-lifers in Congress not to attach a pro-life measure to the IMF bill for it could greatly jeopardize the bill they threatened. What he doesn't realize is that his threat to promote the culture of death world-wide through overseas abortion threatens the lives of millions of souls, not to mention his own! For the rest of this story, click on Clinton to read more.

Holy Father's personal secretary among three new bishops

     On the feast of Saint Joseph, Pope John Paul II celebrated the day by ordaining three new bishops all close to his personal entourage, including a Milwaukee-born priest who is the Prefect of the Pontifical Household and another, a familiar face to all, serves as MC of the Pope's Masses. The other is a dear friend and fellow Pole who has served as his personal secretary for over three decades. For the rest of this story, click on New Bishops to read more.

Next Wednesday date set for dialog between Pope and Jewish leaders

     On the heels of the Vatican document on the Holocaust, which has met with harsh criticism by liberal Jewish factions, a meeting of Jewish officials and Vatican official is scheduled for next Wednesday in Rome, a meeting that had been scheduled before the release of the Holy See's reconciliation statement. For the rest of this story, click on Dialog to read more.

World Youth Day this year a kind of Lateran Council

     This year World Youth Day falls on Palm Sunday and the expected influx of over 50,000 has prompted the Vatican to move the event from the smaller Paul VI hall to the more spacious church of St. John Lateran. For the rest of this story, click on World Youth Day to read more.

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

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March 20-22, 1998 volume 9, no. 57          DAILY CATHOLIC