Thursday, February 10, 2005
Pope to Leave Hospital Today
From Yahoo! News - Vatican: Pope to Leave Hospital Today:
"Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the 84-year-old pontiff was 'cured' of the breathing crisis that led to his urgent hospitalization Feb. 1 at Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic and that his general condition was continuing to improve.
Navarro-Valls said a battery of tests including a CT scan had 'excluded other pathologies,' meaning it ruled out any new illnesses.
He said John Paul would return later Thursday to his apartment in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, which would coincide with a traditional Lenten period of spiritual reflection for the pontiff with no public ceremonies. That way, he could try to regain strength before Easter without having to cancel anything. "
"Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the 84-year-old pontiff was 'cured' of the breathing crisis that led to his urgent hospitalization Feb. 1 at Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic and that his general condition was continuing to improve.
Navarro-Valls said a battery of tests including a CT scan had 'excluded other pathologies,' meaning it ruled out any new illnesses.
He said John Paul would return later Thursday to his apartment in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, which would coincide with a traditional Lenten period of spiritual reflection for the pontiff with no public ceremonies. That way, he could try to regain strength before Easter without having to cancel anything. "
A New Aid for Those Wishing to Pray the Office
As yet unreleased aid to praying the office. I haven't seen a copy yet but it looks interesting. For your consideration:
Wednesday, February 9, 2005
The Sign of the Cross
It is a mark that you will frequently see today. Made of ashes, traced on the foreheads of countless Christians.
In the old horror movies it was the instrument that could recoil the most hideous monster--the cross.
A year ago the movie that depicted its origin, though wildly popular was largely viewed as a horror movie.
Yes the cross is something that when faced alone, without the hope that has at its foundation Jesus is a very scary symbol.
"Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return"...that is unless you "repent and believe the good news."
What is this good news? What is it that turns this mark of execution into a sign by which we can conquer?
Years ago I encountered a young woman dying of cancer clutching a large crucifix to herself, holding on to it for dear life. She was joyful. "There is power here," she told me.
As you walk around bearing the mark of the cross on your forehead today reflect on her words. Think of how you confront the horrors of life. Have you repented yet, had that change of mind to see the world you live in differently than those not marked with the sign?
Believe and experience the power....
In the old horror movies it was the instrument that could recoil the most hideous monster--the cross.
A year ago the movie that depicted its origin, though wildly popular was largely viewed as a horror movie.
Yes the cross is something that when faced alone, without the hope that has at its foundation Jesus is a very scary symbol.
"Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return"...that is unless you "repent and believe the good news."
What is this good news? What is it that turns this mark of execution into a sign by which we can conquer?
Years ago I encountered a young woman dying of cancer clutching a large crucifix to herself, holding on to it for dear life. She was joyful. "There is power here," she told me.
As you walk around bearing the mark of the cross on your forehead today reflect on her words. Think of how you confront the horrors of life. Have you repented yet, had that change of mind to see the world you live in differently than those not marked with the sign?
Believe and experience the power....
Tuesday, February 8, 2005
A Pre-Lent Message from Father Groeschel
From Untitled Document:
"Unfortunately Lent has come by bad times. Some people hardly know it's Lent and don't manage even to do the very minor fasting that the Church requires on Fridays and a few other days. May I suggest to you that you pick out something really to do for Lent? I'd like to excuse myself this year because I'm sort of just staying alive and that's been quite a chore, however I'm not going to excuse myself and I'm going to pick out some secret little penance that I don't like and do it while I'm recovering.
A wonderful Carmelite sister of Alhambra, California, Sister Mary Anastasia, was a great person for marvelous quotations. She had a superb sense of humor and when she died at 94, her community put out a little book of her wise sayings. One of them is, "if it doesn't sting, it's not a sacrifice". So in Lent if you give up meat on certain evenings, don't move to lobster thermador. A penance must sting and the more it stings the beautiful Easter you will have and the better you will be prepared for the big Easter at the end of time."
"Unfortunately Lent has come by bad times. Some people hardly know it's Lent and don't manage even to do the very minor fasting that the Church requires on Fridays and a few other days. May I suggest to you that you pick out something really to do for Lent? I'd like to excuse myself this year because I'm sort of just staying alive and that's been quite a chore, however I'm not going to excuse myself and I'm going to pick out some secret little penance that I don't like and do it while I'm recovering.
A wonderful Carmelite sister of Alhambra, California, Sister Mary Anastasia, was a great person for marvelous quotations. She had a superb sense of humor and when she died at 94, her community put out a little book of her wise sayings. One of them is, "if it doesn't sting, it's not a sacrifice". So in Lent if you give up meat on certain evenings, don't move to lobster thermador. A penance must sting and the more it stings the beautiful Easter you will have and the better you will be prepared for the big Easter at the end of time."
Pro-Life Advocates Will Head to Florida if Terri Schiavo Threatened
From Pro-Life Advocates Will Head to Florida if Terri Schiavo Threatened:
"Several pro-life groups say they plan to flood Florida with activists should a local judge set aside the stay that is in place prohibiting Terri Schiavo's estranged husband from starving her to death. Judge George Greer could decide as early as Monday whether to lift the stay.
Should he do that, the pro-life groups will bring 'scores of people' to the state to 'pray, lobby and peacefully intervene on Terri's behalf.'
Organizers don't say what kind of specific actions they will take to protect Terri, but they hope the combined campaign will place a renewed focus on the disabled woman's plight.
'This campaign will shine a spotlight on the barbaric manner in which Terri is being treated and hopefully shock the conscience of our nation so it never happens again,' says Dr. Gary Cass, executive director of Reclaiming America.
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, said he hoped 'people will come to Florida from across the nation to save Terri's life and work to ensure that no one will have to endure this kind of punishment and torture again.'"
"Several pro-life groups say they plan to flood Florida with activists should a local judge set aside the stay that is in place prohibiting Terri Schiavo's estranged husband from starving her to death. Judge George Greer could decide as early as Monday whether to lift the stay.
Should he do that, the pro-life groups will bring 'scores of people' to the state to 'pray, lobby and peacefully intervene on Terri's behalf.'
Organizers don't say what kind of specific actions they will take to protect Terri, but they hope the combined campaign will place a renewed focus on the disabled woman's plight.
'This campaign will shine a spotlight on the barbaric manner in which Terri is being treated and hopefully shock the conscience of our nation so it never happens again,' says Dr. Gary Cass, executive director of Reclaiming America.
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, said he hoped 'people will come to Florida from across the nation to save Terri's life and work to ensure that no one will have to endure this kind of punishment and torture again.'"
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