DAILY CATHOLIC for 

March 19-21, 1999

March 19-21, 1999

vol. 10, no. 55

FRI-SAT-SUN

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  • CATHOLIC PewPOINT

  • GETTING TO THE HEART OF MATTER

  • "IT IS CONSUMMATED!"

  • COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

  • THIS WEEKEND IN CHURCH HISTORY: TIME CAPSULES

  • LITURGY FOR WEEKEND

  • SIMPLY SHEEN

  • "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

  • NEWS OF THE DAY

  • MEDJUGORJE MONTHLY MESSAGE

  • COUNTDOWN TO THE JUBILEE

  • LITURGY FOR THE WEEKEND

          This weekend we observe the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, foster-father of Jesus and earthly-spouse and protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Saturday is a Lenten Weekday before the FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT. For the readings, liturgy, meditations and vignette on St. Joseph, click on DAILY LITURGY FOR THE WEEKEND.

    PRAYER & DEVOTIONS

          This weekend's Prayer is taken from the Preface for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph:

    Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give You thanks, as we honor St. Joseph. He is that just man, that wise and loyal servant, whom You placed at the head of Your family. With a husband's love he cherished Mary, the virgin Mother of God. With fatherly care he watched over Jesus Christ, Your Son, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ the choirs of angels and all the powers of Heaven praise and worship Your glory.

         For the Lenten Way of the Cross, click on either the graphics Daily Way of the Cross or the text-only Daily Way of the Cross or the Meditative Lessons on the Way to Calvary

    Events this weekend in Church History

          Friday is the 74th anniversary of Pope Pius XI elevating Father Angelo Roncalli to bishop, naming him titular Archbishop of Areopolis and apostolic visitor to Bulgaria. It was the first of his diplomatic service and Roman Curial experience that would promote him to Patriarch of Venice and then the 261st successor of Peter as Pope John XXIII. For other events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history this weekend, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

    "I do not seek from you great deeds. I seek instead your love."

          Those words above come from Our Lord just a few days before His Nativity in which He asks His children to not worry about the extraordinary feats, but to do the little things in an ordinary way through virtue and love. That pleases Him most. He urges His children to heed His Blessed Mother's words to her little ones, including Our Lady's 441st Message to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart six days before on December 17 in which Blessed Mary entreats her children to be aware of the wiles of satan who is more active than ever before. For Messages #441 and 442, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

    The DAILY WORD

    "I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me, even if he die, shall live; and whoever lives and believes in Me, shall never die. Dost thou believe this?"

    John 11: 25-26


    COUNTDOWN TO THE JUBILEE:
    287 - 286 - 285 and counting, hoping and praying...


    To review past articles in textonly format, click on Archives.

    WORLDWIDE

    NEWS & VIEWS with a Catholic slant

    provided by Catholic World News Service and Noticias Eclesiales Church News

    HEADLINES:

    New venture by Pope: CD music to reach the masses through just released "Abba Pater"

          It's not the Swedish group "Abba" but the Vatican is hoping the new CD "Abba Pater" - the first music CD to embody the voice of Pope John Paul II released yesterday will rise in the charts and reach the non-churchgoer in the new place of evangelization: Blockbuster Music, the Warehouse, Musicland, Sam Goody and other music stores the world over. It is music of hope and redemption for the new millennium reflecting the wisdom and compassion of one of this century's greatest spiritual leaders. For more, click on Platinum Pope

    Zemin's demands might be too much for Vatican to stomach if they keep Chinese Roman Catholics suppressed

          It looks like Chinese President Jiang Zemin is trying to play hardball with the Vatican by issuing ultimatums before he even sets foot in Italy. In order to establish diplomatic relations Zemin is demanding the Vatican break ties with Taiwan; something the Holy See has already agreed to. But the second might be more difficult considering China's dismal track records with religious rights and that is that the Church cannot "interfere" in China's internal affairs. On the surface this would seem agreeable but if China maintains the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association which is in the minority with 3 million compared to the underground Roman Church's ten million it will be difficult for the Vatican to acquiesce to Zemin's unrealistic terms. This next week should foretell a lot. For more, click on Crafty Chinese.

    Detroit's Cardinal Maida asserts that we must convert hearts before we can change culture

          Following on the heels of Cardinal John J. O'Connor and Cardinal Francis E. George, OMI speaking out strongly for the Sanctity of Life and human dignity last week, another United States cardinal has spoken out this week - Cardinal Adam Maida of Detroit. He spoke to law students at the University of Detroit Mercy echoing the same need as the other cardinals for Catholics to get involved in all aspects of society to make a difference. For more, click on Laws and culture.

    San Francisco Archdiocese and gay activists embroiled in controversy over Easter Parade

          Gay demonstrators are demanding that they be allowed to mock the Catholic Church with a sacriligeous display on Easter Sunday, proclaiming they are not pagan but there to educate and celebrate. What are they celebrating? Trying to condone sin. Who are they educating? Naive youth who are being brainwashed to accept this abhorrent lifestyle. Is it pagan? What else would it be? The Archdiocese is not going to stand for this abrasive assault on all that is holy and have asked Mayor Willie Brown and the City to revoke the gays' permit to march. For more, click on Sad situation in Sodom.

    For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site at the CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales. Both CWN and NE are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provides this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.


    The teacher of the 40's is rewarded by his pupil with the cardinalate in the 90's

         We continue with this new series that debuted the beginning of the year, bringing you on a regular basis three times a week the Princes of the Church. Our thirty-third red-hat we feature, in alphabetical order is Cardinal Paola Deskur, S.J., former Superior General of the Society of Jesus, former professor of the Holy Father and second oldest living cardinal. For more on Cardinal Deskur, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

    February 25th Medjugorje Monthly Message

       Dear children! Also today I am with you in a special way contemplating and living the passion of Jesus in my heart. Little children, open your hearts and give me everything that is in them: joys, sorrows and each, even the smallest, pain, that I may offer them to Jesus; so that with His immeasurable love, He may burn and transform your sorrows into the joy of His resurrection. That is why, I now call you in a special way, little children, for your hearts to open to prayer, so that through prayer you may become friends of Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call.

    For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE AND MORE

    Celebrating the Quiet Saint whose virtues speak volumes

          In this weekend's editorial we commemorate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph by recycling a commentary from last year much in the same way the Church recycles the Mass readings, we felt the article is so timely and important that we repeat it once more in honor of this gentle giant of our faith who serves as the ultimate role model for all men just as his earthly spouse the Blessed Virgin Mary is the ideal mentor for all women. Their intercession is the greatest in Heaven and too few call upon good St. Joseph who molded and taught the Son of God in all things human. For this weekend's commentary The "Silent Assassin!" , click on CATHOLIC PewPOINT.

    Confession is not only good for the soul, it's vital!

          In her column this week, Sister Mary Lucy Astuto continues her series on Lent, devoting today's column to examining one's conscience with a short primer for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Practically every parish has a Penance Service where numerous priests are made available so there is no excuse not to partake in this healing Sacrament. Too often, when we do go, we skip over items in the confessional that we have forgotten and might feel guilty about later. Sister presents a condensed examination of conscience that you can print out and keep with you to better scrutinize your conscience in making a complete, worthy confession. For Sister's column, Remember how to make a good confession?, click on GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

    Ridiculed and Railroaded

    Meditative Lessons on the Sorrowful Mysteries

          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!"

    SIMPLY SHEEN: No man is an island!

          They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind. This late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN". Each Friday we bring you longer articles by the good Bishop. This week, in his article The Holy Grail of Grace is there if we reach out to others and share the banquet! he talks about the lost art of hospitality and how we can practice it in the true Christian sense, seeing Christ in everyone we meet and greet. In that way, we will discover that we don't have to search high and low, spending endless time searching for the "Holy Grail of Grace," for it is there before us if we only peel away the "no vacancy" sign over our eyes and heart. For words of wisdom from Bishop Sheen, click on Simply Sheen.

    SITE OF THE DAY

         With CD's so popular today and the release of the Pope's "Abba Pater", we feature this weekend a very special site which offers unique CD's of traditional, inspirational holy cards like you probably have never seen. The site is ANTIQUE HOLY CARDS owned by a devoted, vivavious soul named Professor Julie Ann Brown who lives, eats, and sleeps her faith with total dedication to doing God's Will. The site is designed and maintained by Alex Gray, also known as Angel Alex. The CD's are very affordable, unique, and promise to provide hours of edification for Catholics of all ages. Check out the special collection of holy cards featuring Saint Joseph this weekend.

    CATHOLIC CANVAS:

    Daily Dose of curious contents of the Church

    Easter Duty

        This encompasses the Third and Fourth Commandments of the Church - "To confess our sins at least once a year" and "To receive Holy Communion druing the Easter Time." This term "Easter Duty" means one is obligated to receive Holy Communion at least once between the First Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday. This is also according to Canon Law 920 and, in compliance with Canon Law 989, all are required to confess serious sins at least once a year as well. (source: My Catholic Faith, My Mission House Publishers; Catholic Encyclopedia, Thomas Nelson Publishers; Code of Canon Law, Benziger Brothers Publishers)

    March 19-21, 1999       volume 10, no. 55
    TEXT PAGE

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