Book Recommendation from Father Groeschel

Pertinent to this week's visit to Lourdes by the Pope.



From 8/11/2004:



"As I mentioned a few weeks ago, a remarkable book came into my hands recently called Healing Fire of Christ by Father Paul Glynn, published last year by Ignatius Press. It is reflections on modern miracles. Father Glynn has done his homework and researches and quotes not only many medical professionals who have studied the cures of Lourdes but also the critics and those who attack the miracles without ever having been there. The most famous of these was the French writer Emil Zola, but the attacks continue today."

Bin Laden Hints Major Assassination

Pray for the Pope and his visit to Lourdes this week.



From Bin Laden hints major assassination - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - August 11, 2004:



"U.S. intelligence officials say a high-profile political assassination, triggered by the public release of a new message from Osama bin Laden, will lead off the next major al Qaeda terrorist attack, The Washington Times has learned.



The assassination plan is among new details of al Qaeda plots disclosed by U.S. officials familiar with intelligence reports who, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the killing could be carried out against a U.S. or foreign leader either in the United States or abroad. "

Controversial Islamic Scholar Coming to America

To teach at Notre Dame...



From Crosswalk.com - Controversial Islamic Scholar Coming to America:



"A Swiss-born Muslim scholar scheduled to begin teaching at a U.S. university next month is a controversial figure in Europe, where he is accused of anti-Semitism and advocating violence against women.



Tariq Ramadan plans to teach at Indiana's Notre Dame University, instructing students on Islam, conflict and peace building.



Ramadan is the grandson of Hassan Al-Banna, the Egyptian founder of the radical Muslim Brotherhood.



With a perfect command of the language and a tailored western look, he is well-known in France, where disaffected Muslim youths listen to his speeches on Islamic pride. But some municipalities have barred him from speaking because he is considered a threat to public order."

Father Benedict Hard at Work Again

Will be on EWTN Live Tonight!



From CNS STORY: Father Groeschel slowed but working again after near-fatal accident:



"Father Benedict J. Groeschel, who hovered near death after a car hit him Jan. 11 in Orlando, Fla., is again walking and working.



The priest, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, walks more slowly and carries a cane for extra security. At daily Mass, he is usually a concelebrant rather than the celebrant. And an afternoon nap has become a new feature of his life.



'But I walked over a mile yesterday,' he said in an interview Aug. 9."

Asking or Telling God?

From Sacred Miscellany:



"What are we asking for? Another liturgical ephiphany this morning during the "Prayer of the Faithful" I noticed that a great many of the prayers involved telling God what other people should do -- international leaders, local government officials, "our parish community" (whoever that's supposed to be), etc.



This was an unfortunate contrast to the litanies of the Eastern Church. There you ask for peace, good weather, foregivness of sins, a happy (and not too violent) death. You also ask God to watch over various people, but you don't get specific about how He should influence him. "



A side note...the editor of my book The Power of the Cross entered "faith community" to replace certian references I had to the church. I changed all of these back to my original. I despise the word "faith community" because it is totally horizontal. The Church Militant may be a faith community but part of the Church lives in glory. Those catechized in the past thirty years tend to view the church as just "us" and forget that the Body of Christ is made up of the Son of God among others both visible and invisible when we gather. Blame church architecture and design for cutting out two-thirds of the Church, who at least used to be there artistically to remind us that it isn't just about us!

Chicago and Newark Lead the Way with Priestly Ordinations

From News - Catholic News Agency:



"The largest numbers of ordinations in 2004 were in the archdioceses of Chicago and Newark, which each ordained 14 men. The Archdiocese of New York ordained 13.



Some smaller dioceses marked a significant increase in the number of ordinations. The Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, ordained five men, ranging in age from 29 to 54. The Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, ordained six, the largest group in 20 years. The Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, ordained seven, its largest number in 10 years."

Service Held at Chruch that Archbishop Forbids to Mass At

From The St. Louis Post Dispatch:

Karen Wilga was baptized in St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church more than 45 years ago. She married her husband, Vince, there in 1977 and watched her 25-year-old daughter Kristy exchange wedding vows there two summers ago.



Karen, 48, and Vince Wilga, 49, both of Florissant, are concerned the deadlocked dispute between the church and the St. Louis Archdiocese threatens the church's future as a place for their future grandchildren to worship.



"We just want our tradition to be here," Karen Wilga said. "Can you think of a better place to start your family? It's beautiful here."



On Sunday, the Wilgas joined an estimated 1,200 people from across the St. Louis area at a prayer service at the 102-year-old church, just northwest of downtown. The service replaced the church's regular Sunday Mass, halted by Archbishop Raymond Burke's withdrawal of the church's two priests last week.



The archdiocese says that St. Stanislaus' system of governance by a nonprofit lay board of directors is at odds with Catholic church laws. Many of the church's parishioners see Burke's move as a ploy for control over the church's $9 million in assets and property rights.



"It is strictly, strictly, money and power," said Ben Krauze, 64, of St. Louis, a church member for more than 50 years. "It's religious extortion."