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TUESDAY January 18, 2000 vol. 11, no. 12 SECTION ONESee why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!"
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In today's editorial, we remember Sister Mary Raphael, P.C.P.A., the Mother Vicar of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Birmingham, Alabama who passed on to her Heavenly reward last Sunday on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. She was an integral part of Mother Angelica's life for the past fifty-three years and she will be dearly missed by Mother, the Sisters, staff of EWTN and all of us. Inside you will find our small tribute to this loyal, holy, orthodox nun, the likes of which may not pass our way again. For today's editorial Sister Mary Raphael is gone, but not forgotten! , click on CATHOLIC PewPOINT
Sister Raphael first joined her religious family in 1947 when she became a postulant with the Franciscan Nuns of Perpetual Adoration at the converted monastery Sancta Clara. Her spiritual directress was Mother Angelica and from that time on - fifty-three years, they were inseparable. From assembling fishing lures in the embryo stages of establishing a monastery in Alabama to overcoming the tremendous obstacles placed in their path to succeed as God wanted, Sister Mary Raphael was always there with strong physical, moral and spiritual support. Though Mother has long been the guiding light for all the sisters, it is no secret Mother leaned heavily on the wisdom of the frail Sister Raphael. It has to be a tremendous loss for Mother and we share her deep sorrow. Not at the death of Sister Raphael who is so happy today, but for the loss of a close one. It is quite an adjustment for Mother to make in light of their half century together and we extend our deepfelt sympathies to her and the entire EWTN family, especially the sisters who knew and loved Sister Raphael.
We had the opportunity to meet Sister Raphael in the mid-nineties. Mother was in the hospital at the time for observation and Sister was so gracious. We were so impressed with her embroidered artwork that has since become famous in EWTN circles. Those who receive the monthly newsletter are no doubt familiar also with her poetry that was so ethereal and so human at the same time. Sister was truly an angelic poet and artist. In perusing the EWTN site today we came across the beautiful etching she did of Jesus that conveys so much strength and love pouring from Our Savior. She didn't just copy it, she felt it and imparted that feeling to all through her work. This comes through in her poem "Going Home" in which she reminisces about the good ol' days as a child in Ohio and then she wonders aloud about what Heaven is like.
The answer is "Yes, Sister Raphael. Now you know." She went on,
In recent years Sister Raphael was indeed fragile as cancer caught up to this remarkable nun who imbued the essence of what a holy religious should be. There was always a sense of assuredness and calm when we would see Sister Raphael at the back of the chapel during Holy Mass on EWTN at the old Our Lady of the Angels chapel. Her penmanship reminded us of a time past as well, for the cursive smoothness with which she wrote echoed memories of our own teachers in grade school at Assumption parish in Richfield, Minnesota where this editor was weaned on the Faith by the good holy Sisters of Saint Joseph. They hammered in, patiently we might add, the importance of good hand-writing, working diligently on making sure we got the loop correct and stayed on an even line as we swirled our "R's and sailed our "S's" while having a ball with the freedom of the "G's." If only more doctors had that kind of training, maybe we could read prescriptions today more readily!
And though we can't read souls, we have a pretty good inclination that Sister Raphael has bypassed Purgatory and gone directly to Heaven. As many would attest, her trials on earth and fiat to God provided her a non-stop ticket to eternal bliss! Truly, when you read the lives of the saints, both Mother and Sister Raphael possess so many of the qualities and virtues of those who have been canonized...and they have devoted their lives to conveying these virtues to others. Mother continues this, Sister Raphael's mission is completed. Sister wrote a year ago,
That is her destiny, the destiny we all strive for in this life. Last summer, very weak but still so dedicated, Sister Raphael wrote a poem called "The Morning Star" in addressing the Blessed Virgin Mary in which she summed up Our Lady's role in words Mary imparts from her Divine Son,
Now Sister Raphael is safely in Christ's Arms, held there gently with Eternal Love that beckons all of us to follow.
They held Vespers and Rosary in the new Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament last Tuesday and this past Wednesday was the beautiful Funeral Mass for her on EWTN. Sadly, we couldn't watch it since we cannot get EWTN on any of the cable networks in San Diego, a travesty when you consider a quarter of the population is Catholic! Nevertheless, we remembered her at our Masses and ask her intercession for this ministry and all ministries and apostolates that are striving to do God's Holy Will and foster the teachings and truths of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
We can only pray that all of our lives will be as blessed as Sister Raphael's was and that we can all one day experience the tremendous peace she must have felt in those final moments of her finite existence. It is something we all strive for in our lives as Roman Catholics and we can take the example of Sister Raphael as living proof that God does answer all prayers. Though we only met her once; though we didn't know her as well as many others; Sister Raphael is a true inspiration to us and all others whose life she touched through her simple, loving way, in person, through her art or her poetry. An apt legacy to leave to those still struggling on this fragile, finite earth. Sister wrote just this last fall, as if she knew her time was close,
Yes, Sister, that is a good question. Are we ready? We know you were and we call on your inspiration to keep us all going. Requiescat in Pace, dear Sister Mary Raphael. You have left the ranks of the Church Militant, promoted to the higher echelons of the Church Triumphant. It is truly a deserving promotion. For the rest of us, life will go on for as long as God wills. Now Sister Mary Raphael is gone, but not forgotten!
Today we continue with our new series in the search to uncover the wonderful treasures of the Church contained in the great Deposit of Faith, concentrating on the Books of the New Testament with today's introduction to Paul's Epistle to the Philippians. For the ninetieth installment, click on APPRECIATING THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF OUR FAITH
The church of Philippi was Saint Paul's first foundation on European soil. The vision of a man, of Macedonia calling for aid brought the Apostle, Saint Timothy and their comrades from Asia into Europe. In Acts 16, 11-40 Saint Luke narrates the conversions at Philippi, the cure of a girl possessed by a demon, the Apostle's imprisonment, his release and departure from that city.
On at least two other occasions Philippi had the joy of welcoming its beloved Apostle. The people were deeply attached to St. Paul, helping him by alms in his missionary work; and Paul's special affection for them manifests itself in the Epistle. He hopes to be able to visit them soon.
The occasion of its composition can be gathered from the Epistle. Learning that St. Paul had been cast into prison, the church at Philippi, in order to assist him, sent Epaphroditus with a sum of money and with instructions to remain beside the Apostle as his companion and servant. While thus employed, Epaphroditius fell sick and nearly died. Upon his recovery, St. Paul decided to send him back to Philippi. The Epistle expresses gratidude to the church for its gift and commends the service rendered by Epaphroditius.
At the same time Paul takes the opportunity of exhorting the faithful to compose their disse4nsions, and he warns them against Jewish converts who wished to make Old Testament practices obligatory for Christians.
No one but St. Paul could have composed such a letter. It was written from Rome in the year 63 A.D.
Tomorrow: Colossians
"Gone With The Wind" remains an all-time classic having survived the test of time over sixty years.
Since more Catholics rent movies nowadays, and we've had e-mails requesting we carry reviews of rentals as well as first-run movies we've decided to bring you reviews of the major films being released in video stores every Tuesday. Hopefully this will help somewhat in choosing a video or passing on it no matter the hype. Like the movies, we bring you the Bishops' review on the video release. This week we highlight our favorite pic of the week - an all-time classic that catapulted legends Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh to fame back in 1939. It just gets better with age. Another duo is due out today - a pair of comedians who can be brilliant if they tone it down. For the most part Eddie Murphy and Steve Martin do in the hilarious "Bowfinger". For new releases this week, see VIDEOS & VIRTUES
Because of wartime violence, romantic complications and period
black stereotyping, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-II -- adults and
adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G -- general audiences.
"Gone With The Wind" is a romantic saga spanning 20 years in the troubled life of ambitious
southern belle Vivian Leigh after she loses aristocratic Leslie Howard to another, then
marries dashing Clark Gable, with unhappy results. Produced in 1939, the story's setting
re-creates the myth of the Old South, its destruction in the Civil War and the tribulations of
Reconstruction. June 1998
New Videos released today:
Because of its comic treatment of a starlet's implied promiscuity, an instance of
rough language and a few crude expressions, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is
A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are
strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. In
"Bowfinger," a desperate Hollywood producer (played by Steve Martin) secretly shoots
footage of a top action star (played by Eddie Murphy) to use in his sci-fi-alien movie, but the
star's paranoid fear of alien invaders produces comic complications. Steve Martin's script
lampoons all sorts of Tinseltown pretensions with wry affection. August 1999
Because of fleeting nudity and sexual innuendo plus references to
fraud and deceitful behavior, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III -- adults. The
Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned that
some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. "An Ideal Husband," Oscar Wilde's 1895 drawing-room comedy of manners, finds a rising London politician (Jeremy Northam) in danger of losing his career and adored wife (Cate Blanchett) unless a spoiled bachelor ally (Rupert Everett) can outwit a blackmailing femme fatale (Julianne Moore). The streamlined adaptation is visually and verbally elegant with an able ensemble cast skewering the era's
social pretensions. June 1999
Because of sexual situations, brief violence, fleeting rear nudity, minimal
profanity and much rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III --
adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. "The Wood" is a
drawn-out yet warm-hearted tale of three African-American buddies, one of whom (played
by Taye Diggs) vaccilates about taking his vows hours before his wedding while another
(Omar Epps) recalls in flashback their awkward teenage fumblings with the opposite sex a
dozen years earlier. The comically intended macho posturings are overly familiar but the three
are finally revealed as men more prepared to accept marital commitment. July 1999
Because of some gory battlefield violence with decapitations, the U.S.
Catholic Conference classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America
rating is R -- restricted. "The 13th Warrior" is a chaotic tale of tenth-century Vikings who
force a traveling Arab diplomat Antonio Banderas to fight with them against savage cannibals
decimating one of their kingdoms. The constantly panning camera, murky visuals and often
incomprehensible dialogue amount to a dark and dreary horror film. August 1999
While the reviews by the NCCB are very good and provide the ratings, we have discovered another site which will give you a much more detailed survey of what to watch out for. Just click on Christian Analysis of Culture Alert.
On this day 1,664 years ago in 336, Pope Saint Mark became the 34th successor of Peter. Though his pontificate would last only nine months he instituted the Pallium, made from the wool of a blessed lamb and decorated with black crosses. He also established the first calendar for religious feastdays and decreed that the Pope should be consecrated the Bishop of Ostia. For other time capsule events that happened in Church history on this date, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
580 A.D.
Death of Saint Faustina and Saint Liberata, biological sisters who were both Benedictine nuns and the co-foundresses of the Convent of Santa Margarita in Como, Italy. St. Faustina's name was taken in religious life by another some thirteen hundred year's later - Blessed Faustina Kowalska.
1272 A.D.
Death of Saint Fazzio, a goldsmith by trade who founded the Order of the Holy Spirit in Cremona, Italy and died on this date at the age of 82.
1774 A.D.
Death of Blessed Beatrix d'Este. After becoming a widow early in life, she retired to a Benedictine nunnery and after a period of preparation, founded the convent at Ferrara, Italy, naming it after St. Antony.
1995 A.D.
Pope John Paul II begins his pastoral visit to Australia, a papal tour that would also take him to New Zealand and the Philippines. Historical Events in Church Annals for January 18:
336 A.D.
Election of Pope Saint Mark as 34th successor of Peter. Born in Rome, he would decree that the Pope should be consecrated by the Bishop of Ostia and would institute the "Pallium" which is still in use. It is made from the wool of a previously blessed lamb and is decorated with black crosses. During his pontificate he would produce the first calendar of religious feastdays.
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 Lord said: 'Let not your left hand know what your right hand gives' (cf. Matthew 6: 3). This was followed by the second principle of giving: The gift must be offered for a Divine reason. The cup of cold water will be given a reward a hundredfold if it is given in Christ's name."
Today is the Second Tuesday of Ordinary Time in the Church Year while tomorrow is the Second Wednesday in Ordinary Time. For the readings, liturgies, and meditations, see DAILY LITURGY.
"And He said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.'"
NOTE: We respectfully recognize and accept the final authority regarding apparitions, locutions and prophecies presently being reported around the world rests with the Holy See of Rome and the Magisterium of Holy Mother Church to whose judjment we humbly and obediently submit.
Dear children! This is the time of grace. Little children, today in a special way with little Jesus, Whom I hold in my embrace, I am giving you the possibility to decide for peace.Through your 'yes' for peace and your decision for God, a new possibility for peace is opened. Only in this way, little children, this century will be for you a time of peace and well-being. Therefore, put little newborn Jesus in the first place in your life and He will lead you on the way of salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call.
