In his column today, Pat Ludwa treats a subject we are all too familiar with and yet do very little to change, accepting the aberrations of the language as we allow truths to be watered down through interpretation and political correctness hiding our heads in the sand. This just opens the door wide for satan to slither through as Pat illustrates in a number of examples that should cause us to take stock of what is happening in our Church and not be afraid to stand up, stop the ball from rolling the wrong way and say, "enough's enough!" For Pat's column When language confuses , click on VIEW FROM THE PEW

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We should be concerned that the Real Empire will strike back because of our acceptance of sin

      Today we complete the virtual trilogy series on the impact Star Wars has had on religion and the faithful. In the third episode, we bring you ZENIT's take on the hype and myth behind the phenomena as the international Catholic news agency delves deeper to try to decipher the code within the storyline and if the theology of Star Wars is Christian or new age and if the latter - from the parallel "coincidences" that mock the sacred - then it is something to get away from fast and put the soul controls in hyperdrive in order to evade the intruders of grace in our effort to return to the safe port of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church - the only Federation that has a chance in the great battle with the evil empire of the nether regions. For the third part of this short series on Star Wars phenomena with the debut of "Episode One," click on ECCLESIAL ECHOES

SIMPLY SHEEN: To serve others is the way to be served by God

     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, one of the ways 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".

"Our Divine Lord gave the key to greatness when He said that He came not to be ministered to, but to minister to others. Such service of others as He inspired must be loving in the sense that out of no fountain save that of love can such amazing and endless acts of helpfulness flow."

      On this day in 1541 the excommunicated King Henry VIII in retaliation against Pope Paul III has the last of the Catholic Plantagenets beheaded - the "Last White Rose" withers and with it any hope for a Catholic England for Henry's daughter Mary by Catherine of Aragon would be shortlived and the Protestants would win out under the long, bitter reign of his other daughter Elizabeth by Anne Boleyn. For other pertinent events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

"I solemnly tell you that as each day passes all I have foretold is being fulfilled. You do not recognize the fulfillment because you have not discerned my words with the Holy Spirit."

      Those words were conveyed on August 15, 1994 by the Blessed Mother on the special occasion of the Solemnity of her Assumption into Heaven to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart wherein Our Lady beseeches her little ones to heed her words and pray for Pope John Paul II for he has much to accomplish for her Divine Son Jesus. She prefaces this message two days earlier with the emphasis on praying with and from the heart and asking her Divine Spouse the Holy Spirit to enlighten us to follow God's Will. For Messages #529 and #530, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

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DAILY LITURGY

      Today we observe the Eighth Thursday in Ordinary Time and the Feast of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop and Religious Missionary while tomorrow is solely the Eighth Friday in Ordinary Time. For the readings, liturgies, meditations and vignette on St. Augustine, click on DAILY LITURGY.

HEADLINES:

Pope reaffirms Our Lady's words about the End Times: we have nothing to fear if we are rooted in her Divine Son

      The Holy Father used his regular Wednesday Papal Audience to try to assuage fears about the "End Times" and the Y2K scare circulated by modern technology and media, assuring all that only God knows the time or the hour, but that we have nothing to fear if we follow all God has asked and adhere to the teachings of His Holy Church. Rather than trying to decipher when, the Pope urged all to use that time wisely to help bring more souls into the fold so they, too, can share in the ultimate glory when it does occur for each of us in the time God so deigns. For more, click on End Times.

European Religious Leaders united in peace proposal for Kosovo

     Religious leaders of all Christian faiths are united in calling for peace in Kosovo and will make the peace plan presentation this week to Slobodan Milosevic and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in hopes of full implementation. The Holy Father has long been outspoken for peace and now all of the rest of the religious leaders of Europe as well as the American Cardinals and Bishops strongly recommend a cease bombing by NATO and a peaceful compromise for the sake of human dignity for all. For more, click on Peace proposal

Sudan Archbishop fears for the fate of his country after a grueling sixteen year famine and civil war

      Archbishop Gabriel Zubeir Wako, head of the Archdiocese of Khartoum in the Sudan, in a special interview with an Italian daily publication expressed great concern that his country was in dire straits because of the the increasing military clashes and the inadequate food supplies because of the dry famine that has lasted during this La Nina year. On top of this the Archbishop confirmed that the Sudan government is intent on driving out the Catholics and all other faiths in an attempt to make the entire country exclusively Islam. For more, click on Suffering in Sudan.

Education and Catholicism are compatible and must be promoted as such contends founder of Domino's as he delves into funding Catholic institution

      Former owner and founder of the famous Pizza chain Domino's has sunk his teeth into something more important than food for the body - food for the mind and soul and he firmly believes this begins with a solid Catholic education. Tom Monaghan who is endeavoring to fund an ambitious project that will include a Pontifical University at Ave Maria Institute in Michigan, decries the state of Catholic education over the past thirty years and vows to do something about it. For more, click on The Domino effect.

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 and Daily Dispatches, Dossiers and Features from ZENIT International News Agency. CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.