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There’s no racial or religious division from space says head of NASA Bill Nelson

Rome Reports — Sat, 18 May 2024 01:03:06 +0000

https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bbillnelsonnasaeng.mp4

Bill Nelson recently travelled to the Vatican for the World Meeting on Human Fraternity.

He was the second-ever sitting member of US Congress to fly to space. Now, after serving as a US Senator for 18 years, he is head of NASA.

His discussions of world peace with Nobel prize winners led him to reflect on the perspective he gained from his time in space.

In 1986, Senator Bill Nelson orbited Earth 98 times over the course of six days. This time in space afforded him some insight into the human condition.

“I did not see racial division. I did not see religious division. I did not see political division. All of those things that bedevil us here on the face of the Earth.

“From your perspective in space, we’re all in this together as citizens of planet Earth.”

Senator Nelson says that space has the special power to unite us all. But he also believes that Pope Francis holds this unique capacity as well.

“I think it is particularly this pope, Pope Francis, that is such a healer, a reconciler, a pope that brings people together instead of all these divisions on the planet that we engage in everyday,” he said.

During his time in Rome, Senator Nelson also met with the President of the Italian Space Agency to discuss the historic work that the two nations have achieved together.

The post There’s no racial or religious division from space says head of NASA Bill Nelson appeared first on The Catholic Weekly.

Bishop Ingham’s memories of Newtown

Bishop Peter Ingham — Fri, 17 May 2024 23:34:22 +0000

I was ordained a priest on 18 July 1964 and having completed the seminary at the
end of that year, began as assistant priest at St Joseph’s Catholic Parish, Rosebery.
After only 14 months there, I was moved to St Joseph’s Catholic Parish, Newtown,
in March 1966 to replace Fr Richard Synnott who needed to be closer to the University
of New South Wales to undertake further studies.

What a contrast for a new young priest! Newtown had an old two-storey presbytery, no television, and Monsignor John Byrne, an elderly pastor who retired to his room after evening meal and locked the door. The area was quite socio-economically different to Rosebery. Monsignor Byrne, whom I got to know well over the four years of my appointment, came to Australia from Ireland on a troop ship in 1918 and was appointed parish priest of Newtown around 1934.

He was well set in his ways, and I was but one of a long line of assistant priests appointed to St Joseph’s. In his earlier days, the monsignor established a reputation of supporting his people through these difficult years of our history (the Great Depression and World War II). Because of his age and the state of his health and eyes, he had permission to celebrate the Latin Tridentine Mass even though, after Vatican II, the liturgy was progressively changing into English. I was 25 years old and excited by what was happening in the church at Vatican II which closed in 1965 and I came up against a parish priest who wasn’t going to change anything.

I recall once suggesting we put up a hymn board to display the hymn numbers—an idea which he dismissed in one word, “Protestant!” As Monsignor always said the daily Mass in the Church, I was relegated to the Good Samaritan Convent for daily Mass. This gave me a wonderful connection with the sisters who were so supportive. On Sundays, I was always rostered on the first two Masses, Monsignor always on 9am, a Franciscan priest did the 10.30am Mass and Monsignor always did the 6pm Sunday night.

The Monsignor, with his short Latin Mass, would have the congregation out in less than half an hour, which made his Masses very popular. People told me they would put their Sunday night dinner on before leaving for Mass, so it would be ready by their return home at 6.30pm.

If on the rare occasion I had to say his Mass, I could almost hear the groan go up as the people knew they would be there longer than half an hour! Every Saturday night was the novena of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. The assistant’s job was to conduct the novena, preach the homily and Monsignor would come to expose the Blessed Sacrament and give benediction. This had a disastrous consequence one night when for the homily, I decided to teach and explain a new Marian hymn.

You need to understand that in this church from the pulpit, you could not see the altar. Monsignor arrived, heard the singing (of the new hymn) and thinking it was time for him to start, proceeded with benediction, while I, not able to see the altar from the pulpit, was proceeding with the rest of the novena prayers. That didn’t help cordial relations.

Every Saturday night was housie in the school hall next to the presbytery for which I was also responsible. So, from Saturday afternoon confessions, to novena, housie till after 10pm, then up early for the first two Sunday Masses made for a very concentrated period each weekend.

One night after housie, I was held up and robbed at gunpoint of the takings. It took me quite a while to recover my confidence. In those days, no one spoke about counselling.

I also was chaplain to the St Vincent de Paul Conference, which had many cases to help people in need. I attended their meeting each week and found that very rewarding and accompanied members on some of their case visits. It gave me a great insight into the needs of the area.

At the main door of St Joseph’s church stood a sizeable wooden poor box on legs. I was constantly impressed by the generosity of the people of the parish putting money into that box. I believe the generosity of parishioners, who knew what it was like to be poor, would outshine that of more affluent parishes. I saw people pour all their small change into that poor box.

There were two schools – the one stream St Joseph’s Convent Primary School run by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan and the Christian Brothers St Joseph’s Newtown Year 5-6 Boys School next door to the presbytery. They catered for local children and supported poor families magnificently.

The church had an historic pipe organ which had fallen into neglect. I was friendly with Eric Boland the undertaker who volunteered to try and restore it to working order, but Monsignor vetoed it, so it never happened. The space beneath the church had been used by the Boys School for woodwork in previous years when the school went to Intermediate. It was a generous space but not in great shape for a lot of uses. In earlier days boxing was taught there.

We had a Catholic Youth Organisation, which would meet there regularly. The catechists at the Government schools were very diligent and committed. I well remember Martha Ryanhart and Jack Keating.

Liturgically the changes of Vatican II were dribbled out from the Bishops Conference as translation work was progressively completed and authorised for use. First the Epistle and Gospel were proclaimed in English (1964), then the First Eucharistic Prayer in English. Three new Eucharistic Prayers became available in English by 1968. The three-year cycle Lectionary for Sundays and two year cycle for weekdays was available by 1970.

Monsignor had good relations with local politicians who would drop in to see him. Federal Members Fred Daly and Danny Minogue knew him well. Fr George Joiner, Fr Noel Carroll and Fr Michael Byrnes grew up in the parish as did Archbishop James Carroll, Fr Kevin McGovern was a local as was Fr John Knight.

In 1968 the parish celebrated Monsignor Byrne’s golden jubilee of ordination. In 1969 the centenary of St Joseph’s Church was duly honoured. I recall discovering a booklet in the presbytery written by the archdiocesan Archivist Monsignor McGovern to mark the 50th anniversary of the church. It was a gem, full of information about the origins of the parish in a developing district.

Monsignor Byrne and I became good friends and I was able to help him despite his declining eye sight and general health. He depended on me to write the cheques and perform administrative functions. When I left for my next parish at the end of 1969, our parting was somewhat emotional.

With thanks to John Synnott of St Joseph’s, Newtown, for permission to publish this article.

The post Bishop Ingham’s memories of Newtown appeared first on The Catholic Weekly.

Finding common ground in ordinary places

Father Jerry J. Pokorsky — Fri, 17 May 2024 22:24:27 +0000

A priest without clerical ambition is either a slothful miscreant, odd, holy in his detachment, or somewhere on that continuum. Regardless, he is a free man. Making fun of pesky politically correct social conventions becomes [...]

Orthodox patriarch anticipates Pope Francis visit to Turkey for Council of Nicaea anniversary

Fri, 17 May 2024 22:04:00 +0000

Pope Francis meets with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Vatican, Oct. 4, 2021. / Credit: Vatican Media

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 17, 2024 / 18:04 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis might be traveling to Turkey next year for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, according to Eastern Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew in comments he made on Thursday.

Although the Holy See has not confirmed any travel plans, the ecumenical patriarch told a group of reporters that a committee is being established to organize a visit, according to the Orthodox Times. The referenced council took place in the ancient city of Nicaea in 325 A.D. in the former Roman Empire, which is now the present-day city of İznik in Turkey.

“His Holiness Pope Francis wishes for us to jointly celebrate this important anniversary,” Bartholomew said.

The Council of Nicaea was the first ecumenical council in the Church. It is accepted by the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Church, and other Christian communities that accept the validity of early church councils. It predates the Chalcedonian Schism — which separated the Oriental Orthodox communion from Rome — by more than 100 years and predates the Great Schism — which separated the Eastern Orthodox Church from Rome — by more than 700 years.

During the council, the bishops condemned the heresy of Arianism, which asserted that the Son was created by the Father. Arius, a priest who faced excommunication for propagating the heresy, did not accept that the Son was coeternal with the Father.

According to the council, Jesus Christ is “begotten; not made” and is “of the same substance with the Father.” It affirms that the Son is coeternal with the Father and condemns any heresies that assert “the Son of God is created, or mutable, or subject to change” and heresies that assert “there was a time when [Christ] was not [in existence].”

The council was convened by Emperor Constantine the Great, who is venerated as a saint in some Eastern Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox traditions.

Nebraska bishop shares mental illness story, offers message of hope

Fri, 17 May 2024 21:14:00 +0000

Bishop James Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln credits the support of friends, family, medical professionals, and his golden retriever, Stella, with his recovery from mental illness. / Courtesy: Dennis Kellog

CNA Staff, May 17, 2024 / 17:14 pm (CNA).

After seven years of heading the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, Bishop James Conley found himself “buckling” under all of his duties and experiencing severe anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

Several years later, after addressing his mental health needs, the bishop shared his reflections on mental health and Christ in a May 16 pastoral letter in which he emphasized the importance of support from his friends, family, medical professionals — and his golden retriever, Stella.

“I was overwhelmed by my responsibilities as bishop and relying too much on my own strength,” Conley wrote in a May 17 introduction to his pastoral letter in the Southern Nebraska Register. “As I received good professional care, I learned that weakness is part of the human condition, but the more we rely exclusively on ourselves, the more those weaknesses are exacerbated.”

Mental health is a growing concern in the United States. The percentage of U.S. adults diagnosed with depression has risen almost 10% since 2015, reaching 29% according to a 2023 Gallup poll, and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that almost half of U.S. teens report experiencing persistent sadness and hopelessness.

The Catholic Church is taking steps to prioritize support and resources for those struggling with mental illness and challenges. From Phoenix to Washington, D.C., dioceses are offering Masses and retreats for people struggling with mental illness, while the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (CMHM) is establishing mental health resources in parishes worldwide.

A bishop’s healing

In his pastoral letter, Conley shared about how stress, overwork, and self-reliance led to the deterioration of his mental, physical, and spiritual health. The road to wellness would be a long one, but when Conley shared why he was taking leave of absence, he received overwhelming support from the people of his diocese.

“About seven years after becoming bishop of Lincoln I started buckling under my episcopal duties,” Conley wrote in the May 16 letter. “The people of this diocese have a beautiful faith, and I wanted to be the strong, invincible leader I thought they deserved. Day in and day out, I tried to fix the problems brought to me instead of surrendering them to the Lord.”

Overwhelmed by the work, Conley noted that overtime, he “slackened in taking care of my own physical and mental well-being.”

“The first thing to go was my sleep because my brain would run nonstop,” Conley wrote. “All night I would lie in bed rehashing the day’s events, wrongly believing everything depended on me, that I was responsible for all the outcomes in the diocese. Although the wear and tear of this lifestyle was taking its toll, I kept trying to muscle through.”

An experienced runner, Conley eventually had to stop running his biannual half-marathons “due to a lack of energy.” He was hardly sleeping and ate “irregularly or not at all.”

“My physical deterioration led to emotional and psychological decline and, before I knew it, I was barely holding onto the last thread of my spiritual health,” he recalled.

Eventually diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, anxiety, and tinnitus, which can be amplified by stress, Conley “was forced to confront my denial.” But unsure if he could take time off for mental health issues, Conley said he “minimized my problems.”

“Thankfully, my sister, friends, and medical professionals helped me recognize that it wasn’t selfish to take care of myself,” Conley noted.

At the end of 2019, Pope Francis granted Conley permission to take a leave of absence to recover from his mental health issues. Though it was “extremely hard to step away,” Conley said he received an “outpouring of support and prayer” from his diocese.

“I would need all that grace since the hardest part of my journey was still ahead,” he said.

While Conley was recovering, COVID-19 hit, causing the bishop’s “three anchors” of Mass, the rosary, and the Liturgy of the Hours to have “little solace” for him as he often had to offer Mass alone. Thrown into spiritual darkness, Conley “grappled” with the question “Where was God?”

Through meditating on his reliance on Christ, Conley began to recover from “unhealthy self-reliance” while developing his trust in God.

“I started to experience the freedom of surrender as I gradually allowed Jesus to shoulder burdens I had been carrying on my own,” he wrote.

“The last gift of this difficult healing season was my dog, Stella,” he continued. “My good friend Bishop James Wall of Gallup was in the process of getting a puppy and he convinced me to do likewise. We took a seven-and-a-half-hour road trip to El Paso to pick up four 8-week-old golden retrievers, two for us and two for other friends.”

“Looking back it’s funny to think that a 10-pound puppy was crucial in beginning to bring joy back into my life,” he continued. “Stella goes nearly everywhere with me now and is loved by all. Since I live alone, she provides needed companionship and ensures I get outside every day for walks.”

Conley ultimately returned from his leave of absence in November 2020, recovering with the help of several qualified Catholic doctors including a psychologist and psychiatrist. He shared his story with CNA in a 2020 interview.

Catholicism and mental health

Preserving faith through depression can be a challenge, but according to a 2012 study, being religiously involved can help people recover faster from depression. Resources for Catholics struggling with mental health vary; some parishes offer retreats or group ministries, while others provide referrals to therapy or other resources.

Conley noted that in times of spiritual despair, we “must protect” the “treasure” of hope that comes from God.

“When hope wanes, let us remember the countless ways God has blessed us, the particular instances in our lives where he has ‘come through,’ and the dark times when he felt absent but, in hindsight, we could discern his presence,” he wrote.

“A Catholic view of mental health is necessary because it defines well-being according to reason and revelation,” Conley wrote.

“One might rightly ask, if we don’t speak of a Catholic physics or a Catholic biology, why do we need a Catholic understanding of mental health?” he continued. “The answer is because any notion of mental health is laden with beliefs about the human person, about true human anthropology … But notions of human flourishing depend on one’s beliefs about the human person’s origins, purpose, and destiny.”

Allison Ricciardi, a psychotherapist and counselor who launched the website CatholicTherapists.com in 2001, helps connect Catholics with therapists who are dedicated to the Catholic faith and its teachings.

“The teachings of the Church are really solidly grounded in an understanding of the human person,” she told CNA in a phone call. “Between Scripture and teachings of the Church, [they] really do help us to understand human nature and how grace perfects that nature.”

Many saints have struggled with mental illness, Conley observed, and their lives are a reminder “that God is active in every life at all times in history.”

“How comforting to know many saints struggled like us — St. Ignatius of Loyola contemplated suicide, St. Jane Frances de Chantal suffered from depression for over 40 years, St. John of God had a mental breakdown that resulted in hospitalization, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton struggled with anxiety and depression,” he wrote. “They all grew closer to God through their struggles and so can we.”

“Both body and soul must be attended to, for we reflect and glorify God through both,” he continued. “In this understanding of the human person, we can see how issues in body or soul potentially harm mental health.”

Maryland Republican Senate candidate Larry Hogan backs codifying Roe

Fri, 17 May 2024 20:04:00 +0000

Larry Hogan, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Maryland, greets supporters before casting his ballot in the state primary election at Davidsonville Elementary School on May 14, 2024, in Davidsonville, Maryland. / Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 17, 2024 / 16:04 pm (CNA).

The Republican nominee for Senate in Maryland — former Gov. Larry Hogan — announced he would vote to codify the abortion standards set in Roe v. Wade if elected, which would legalize abortion nationwide.

Hogan, who is hoping to be the first Republican to represent Maryland in the Senate in nearly four decades, endorsed the plan to codify Roe in an interview with the New York Times, which was published on Thursday, May 16. Before this interview, the former governor had a mixed record on life issues.

“As governor, I protected the rights of Maryland women to make their own reproductive health decisions,” Hogan said in a May 16 post on X, linking to the New York Times interview. “I will do the same in the Senate by restoring Roe v. Wade as the law of the land. No one should come between a woman and her doctor.”

Hogan, who is Catholic, called himself “pro-choice” in the interview and said he would “continue to protect the rights of women to make their own reproductive choices just like I did as governor for eight years.”

“I think Marylanders know and trust that when I give them my word, I’m going to keep it, and I’ve protected these rights before,” the former governor added. “And I’ll do it again in the Senate by supporting a bipartisan compromise to restore Roe as the law of the land.”

Hogan served as governor of Maryland for two terms from 2015 until 2023, winning his first race by less than a four-point margin and winning reelection by nearly a 12-point margin. Maryland has a heavily Democratic electorate, and it was expected to be an easy Senate win for Democrats until Hogan announced his candidacy.

As governor, Hogan vetoed legislation to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to perform abortions instead of reserving the procedure to only physicians. Democrats overrode his veto. Hogan, however, consistently said he did not support new restrictions on abortion in Maryland when campaigning for governor.

The plan to codify Roe, which is supported by Democratic leaders in Congress and President Joe Biden, would override state laws that protect life. The law would set a national standard to legalize abortion in every state until at least the point of viability. Although viability normally occurs around 24 weeks of pregnancy, the proposal endorsed by Democratic lawmakers does not set a strict week-based limit but rather allows viability to be determined by the woman’s treating physician, who is often the abortionist.

Hogan’s Democratic opponent — former Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks — who also supports codifying Roe, responded to the former governor’s announcement by calling into question his sincerity.

“Larry Hogan won’t protect abortion rights,” Alsobrooks said in a post on X on May 16. “Senate Republicans won’t protect abortion rights. I will protect abortion rights. We will keep Maryland and the Senate blue.”

The pro-abortion group Reproductive Freedom for All — formerly called National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (NARAL) — went further, calling Hogan’s statement “a lie.” The group had previously listed Hogan’s record when he was governor as “mixed” on abortion.

“There is only one candidate in this race who will fight tooth and nail to lock the federal right to abortion into law — and that’s Angela Alsobrooks,” Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO Mini Timmaraju said in a May 16 statement.

The Senate election is on Nov. 5 to replace Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, who is retiring. The Democratic Party currently holds a slim 51-49 majority in the chamber.

Voters in Maryland will also vote on a statewide referendum that would enshrine a right to abortion in the state constitution.

California governor: Pope Francis told me he was ‘proud’ of state’s death penalty moratorium

Fri, 17 May 2024 19:34:00 +0000

California Gov. Gavin Newsom attends an event with fellow governors in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 23, 2024, in Washington, D.C. / Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

CNA Staff, May 17, 2024 / 15:34 pm (CNA).

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that following a conference at the Vatican this week Pope Francis personally conveyed his endorsement of California’s efforts to end the use of the death penalty.

In a recent interview with Catholic News Service, Newsom said the pope expressed “how proud he was of the work we’re doing in California.”

California is one of more than two dozen states that still have the death penalty, with the largest death row in the United States. However, no one has been executed in California since 2006, due in part to a moratorium beginning in 2019 that Newsom oversaw via executive order.

Newsom told CNS after his meeting with Pope Francis that he was “struck” by the pope’s sudden comments to him on the death penalty.

“I wasn’t anticipating that, especially in the context of this convening,” he told the news outlet.

Pope Francis throughout his pontificate has promoted the end of the death penalty worldwide, changing the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 2018 on the permissibility of the death penalty. The Church had long taught that the death penalty could be legitimate in limited cases, while the updated language teaches that capital punishment is “inadmissible,” and its elimination should be sought.

The change reflects a development of Catholic doctrine in recent years. St. John Paul II, calling the death penalty “cruel and unnecessary,” encouraged Christians to be “unconditionally pro-life” and said that “the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil.

The Vatican’s top doctrinal office’s April declaration on the theme of human dignity, Dignitas Infinita, reiterated that the death penalty “violates the inalienable dignity of every person, regardless of the circumstances.”

California’s Catholic bishops have expressed support for the state’s moratorium on the death penalty.

“This is a good day for California and a good day for our country,” said Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles in a 2019 statement. Gomez said that the death penalty does not deter crime, nor does it provide “true justice” to those who were victims of crime.

Gomez, along with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has long called for an end to capital punishment throughout the United States.

Newsom, a Democrat who has held the governor’s office since 2019, has faced serious criticism for actions he has taken as governor related to the expansion of abortion as well as the expansion of protection for “gender-affirming care” for minors.

Newsom was one of several U.S. leaders who spoke at the Vatican Climate Summit, held at the Vatican from May 15–17 at the Casina Pio IV, the seat of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences, which sits in the Vatican Gardens. According to Newsom’s office, he highlighted in his speech California’s climate leadership and called for “greater global partnership,” urging world leaders to “protect democracy against the rise of extremism and in the face of climate deniers.”

JOIN THE NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE IN THE ARCHDIOCESE

The Catholic Telegraph — Fri, 17 May 2024 19:02:21 +0000

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is traveling through the Archdiocese of Cincinnati! Join the pilgrims on their journey as they accompany Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Explore the pilgrimage route and the opportunities to get involved in the many events along the way.

St. Brigid
JULY 1 & 2 | XENIA

MONDAY, JULY 1 | 4:30 PM – 7:00 AM
ST. BRIGID 175TH ANNIVERSARY EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION

Green County Expo Center, 120 Fairground Rd, Xenia, OH 45385

Eucharistic procession from Greene County Expo Center (Fairgrounds) to St. Brigid Church on July 1. The procession will begin between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. Following the arrival of the procession at St. Brigid Church, a Holy Hour is planned that will include a talk from a national Eucharistic speaker and praise and worship music. Priests will also be available to hear confessions. The Holy Hour is planned to take place between about 5:00 and 6:30 p.m. (Actual time is dependent on procession departure and arrival time.) Following the Holy Hour, a community meal will be available for all. The event will feature a display of Eucharistic Miracles by St. Carlo Acutis. After the evening meal and celebration, adoration and confession will be available in St. Brigid Church overnight until 7:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

TUESDAY, JULY 2 | 7:30 – 9:30 AM
HOLY MASS & SOLEMN DEPARTURE PROCESSION

St. Brigid Church, 312 Fairground Rd., Xenia, OH 45385

Following overnight adoration, morning Mass will begin at 7:30 a.m. Afterwards, a Eucharistic procession will travel from St. Brigid Church to Xenia Station. Along the procession route, pilgrims will stop at Greene County Jail to pray outside. Coffee and donuts available after the Eucharistic procession.

TUESDAY, JULY 2 | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
PILGRIMAGE ROUTE:

Xenia Station, 150 S Miami Ave, Xenia, OH 45385

Walk from Xenia Station to Red Barn Lumber/Little Miami Trail Rest Stop

Departure from Xenia Station: 9:30 a.m.

Distance: 13.7 miles

Estimated Time Start-to-Finish: 6 hours

Approximate arrival at Red Barn Lumber/Little Miami Trail Rest Stop: 4:30 p.m.

The Eucharist will be driven form St. Augustine Church to St. Francis de Sales Church prior to the Holy Hour at 5:00 p.m.

St. Francis de Sales
JULY 2 & 3 | LEBANON

TUESDAY, JULY 2 | 5 – 7 PM

St Francis de Sales Church, 20 Desales Ave, Lebanon, OH 45036

A Holy Hour from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. is planned at St. Francis de Sales Church on July 2. The Holy Hour will include music, with the Rosary led by the Holy Family School of Faith, and Benediction. A parish potluck meal will follow the Holy Hour.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 | 7:30 AM

St Francis de Sales Church, 20 Desales Ave, Lebanon, OH 45036

On July 3, morning Mass will begin at 7:30 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church. A continental breakfast will follow Mass. After breakfast, a Eucharistic procession will travel through downtown Lebanon from St. Francis de Sales Church to Bicentennial Park.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

PILGRIMAGE ROUTE:

Bicentennial Park, Mulberry and Cherry St. Lebanon, OH 45036

Walk from Bicentennial Park in Lebanon to The Monkey Bar & Grille / Hamilton County Park Trail Head

Departure time from Bicentennial Park: 9:30 a.m.

Distance: 11.6 miles

Estimated Time Start-to-Finish: 7.5 hours

Approximate Arrival at Nisbet Park: 5:00 p.m.

St. Gertrude
JULY 3 & 5 | MADEIRA

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 | 5:30 – 9:00 PM

St. Gertrude, 6543 Miami Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45243

An evening prayer vigil for the nation is planned during Eucharistic adoration at St. Gertrude Church from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. on July 3. Benediction will conclude the evening vigil.

FRIDAY, JULY 5 | 7 AM

St. Gertrude, 6543 Miami Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45243

The morning of July 5, Mass at 7:00 a.m. at St. Gertrude Church will be followed by a Eucharistic procession through downtown Madeira and conclude at McDonald Commons Park.

FRIDAY, JULY 5 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

PILGRIMAGE ROUTE:

McDonald Commons Park 7502 Dawson Rd., Maderia OH 45243

Walk from McDonald Commons Park in Madeira to St. Cecilia Church in Oakley.

The pilgrimage will include two stops: the celebration of the Mass at the Oratory of St. John Vianney followed by a stop at Pregnancy Center Plus.

Departure from McDonald Commons Park: 8:30 a.m.

Distance: 6.2 miles

Estimated Time Start-to-Finish: 7 hours

Approximate Arrival at St. Cecilia Church: 3:30 p.m.

St. Cecilia & St. Mary
JULY 5 & 6 | OAKLEY

FRIDAY, JULY 5 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

St. Cecilia Church, 3105 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio 45209

A Holy Hour at St. Cecilia Church will begin at 6:00 p.m. on July 5. The Holy Hour will include short reflections given by the national pilgrims accompanying the Blessed Sacrament along the Seton pilgrimage route. Following the Holy Hour, a cookout will be held at St. Anne Garden. All are welcome.

FRIDAY, JULY 5 | 8:30 PM

St. Cecilia Church, 3105 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, Ohio 45209

Beginning at 8:30 p.m., a Eucharistic procession will be made from St. Cecilia Church in Oakley to St. Mary Church in Hyde Park. The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed at St. Mary Church with Vespers to conclude the evening.

FRIDAY, JULY 5 | 8:30 – 9:30 PM

PILGRIMAGE ROUTE:

Movie on Blessed Carlo Acutis and his love for the Eucharist opens this weekend

Fri, 17 May 2024 18:46:00 +0000

School children read about the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis at the celebration of his new shrine at St. Dominic Parish in Brick, New Jersey. Oct, 1, 2023. / Credit: Thomas P. Costello II

ACI Prensa Staff, May 17, 2024 / 14:46 pm (CNA).

The film “Eucharistic Miracles: The Heartbeat of Heaven” about Blessed Carlo Acutis and the Eucharistic miracles he studied with such devotion is showing in theaters across multiple U.S. states and the nation’s capital this weekend.

Specifically, the feature film is showing in theaters in California; Nevada; Arizona; Utah; Idaho; Texas; Washington; Oregon; Indiana; New Jersey; Colorado; New York; Tennessee; Michigan; Georgia; Illinois; Florida; Kansas; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; Pennsylvania; and Mississippi.

Gaby Jácoba, director of the International Catholic Film Festival, which is bringing the film about Acutis to movie theaters in the United States, emphasized the importance of “attending the first weekend” to see the film, in order for theaters to decide to extend the length of time they show it: “If the cinemas see that there are many people attending, they will keep it longer so more people can have this experience.”

In a statement to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, Jácoba highlighted the importance of this premiere in conjunction with the National Eucharistic Revival promoted by the Catholic Church in the United States.

The film about Acutis, who had a deep love for the Eucharist that was reflected in the extensive research he did on Eucharistic miracles around the world, can be a valuable “instrument” and “tool” to inspire Eucharistic revival in the U.S.

Jácoba said the film comes to America “after a long wait” and that the International Catholic Film Festival team “is very excited” that the moment has arrived.

She also noted that months ago the mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis, Antonia, visited the United States, presenting the trailer and the film in various cities.

This film “is going to be a tool to know and fall more in love with the Holy Eucharist,” said Jácoba, who invited “all groups, communities, parishes, apostolates, and movements to attend this first weekend” and see “Eucharistic Miracles: The Heartbeat of Heaven.”

The director of the International Catholic Film Festival said: “It’s a film that had a great impact on me, that profoundly renewed my love for the holy Eucharist.”

The film explores Eucharistic miracles “not only through faith but also through reason, through science, through the impressive studies that have been carried out,” she noted.

The movie is also suitable for children from “8 or 9 years old” and can be especially important for those “who are preparing to make their first Communion,” she said.

“We all left with hearts transformed and inflamed with love for the holy Eucharist and we know that, after watching this film, your experience with the holy Eucharist will be completely different, you will leave renewed,” Jácoba concluded.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

Harrison Butker supported by Kansas City bishop, prominent Catholics amid speech backlash

Catholic News Agency — Fri, 17 May 2024 18:30:10 +0000

By Joe Bukuras

CNA Staff, May 16, 2024 / 18:37 pm

Prominent Catholics are voicing their support for Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker after he delivered a commencement address to graduating students at Benedictine College on May 11 that touched on hot-button issues, causing outrage among the left-leaning media and commentators.

Butker, 28, who has been outspoken about his Catholic faith during his career, received backlash for sharing his views on gender, abortion, euthanasia, and IVF.

He also took aim at several high-profile Catholics such as President Joe Biden and the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci. He chided certain unnamed bishops who were “motivated by fear” during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

In the speech at the Atchison, Kansas-based Catholic liberal arts college, he denounced “people pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America” while calling on graduates to live out their vocation to “ensure that God’s Church continues and the world is enlightened by your example.”

“Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I’m sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice,” Butker said.

Butker’s local ordinary, Bishop James Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, told CNA Thursday in a statement that “Harrison Butker’s passion for his Catholic faith and his family are beautiful and well known. And like most people, he also has strong opinions on where we are as a Church and as a nation.”

“The Catholic Church believes that God calls everyone to pursue holiness no matter what path they take. As St. Paul notes, that diversity of callings and vocations is essential to the life and mission of the Church. I support Mr. Butker’s right to share his faith and express his opinions — including those that are critical of bishops,” he said.

Johnston wasn’t the only one who spoke out in support of Butker.

In a statement to CNA Thursday, another high-profile Catholic, Marian priest and author of “Consecration to St. Joseph” Father Donald Calloway, MIC, said: “I loved the speech!”

“His speech was inspiring and what the woke culture needs to hear. He exhibited real, authentic Catholic manhood. Good for him. I have no problem with anything he said. I wish more said it, especially clergy. God bless him. I look forward to meeting him. I loved it so much I went out and bought his jersey!”

Bishop Joseph Strickland thanked Butker for “speaking truth” in a post he shared Thursday on X.

Strickland said that “it is no surprise that some are reacting with extreme negativity, too many today hate the truth and merely want ‘their’ truth, which is not truth at all. You are in my prayers.”

President of the Catholic League Bill Donohue wrote in a statement on Thursday that Butker “nailed it” during comments in his speech.

“His courage and his commitment to Catholicism is laudatory,” Donohue wrote. “A heralded Catholic football player defends traditional moral values at a Catholic college — how novel — and within no time he’s being bashed all over the place. Had he endorsed transgenderism, or Hamas, he would now be praised to high heaven.”

Kristan Hawkins, a Catholic and president of the pro-life group Students for Life of America, wrote of the speech online: “If you watch one video today, this should be it.”

Hawkins shared a clip of Butker’s criticism of Biden, quoting Butker: “This is an important reminder that ‘being Catholic’ alone doesn’t cut it.”

CNA reached out to Benedictine College for comment but did not receive a response.

Former Notre Dame football coach and Hall of Famer Lou Holtz publicly thanked Butker on Twitter Thursday for his speech.

“Thank you @buttkicker7 for standing strong in your faith values. Your commencement speech at Benedictine College showed courage and conviction and I admire that. Don’t give in,” he wrote.

In Holtz’s post on X, he linked to a petition in support of Butker, calling him “a true man of God.”

A separate petition by critics of Butker’s speech has made waves in the media calling for his Super Bowl-winning team, the Kansas City Chiefs, to fire him. The petition has already amassed over 100,000 signatures.

Additionally, Butker has been targeted by the city of Kansas City, Missouri, which shared a now-deleted post on X announcing what city Butker lives in, a form of harassment known as “doxxing.”

Kansas City’s X account later said: “We apologies [sic] for our previous tweet. It was shared in error.”

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas shared a follow-up post that said: “A message appeared earlier this evening from a city public account. The message was clearly inappropriate for a public account. The city has correctly apologized for the error, will review account access, and ensure nothing like it is shared in the future from public channels.”

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said on X Thursday that his office would be taking legal action to protect the free speech of Butker and Missourians.

“BREAKING: My office is demanding accountability after @KansasCity doxxed @buttkicker7 last night for daring to express his religious beliefs. I will enforce the Missouri Human Rights Act to ensure Missourians are not targeted for their free exercise of religion. Stay tuned,” he wrote.

Much of the criticism of Butker’s speech focused on Butker’s comments addressed to the women among the graduates.

Butker congratulated the female graduates but added: “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you.”

“How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world,” Butker said.

“I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother,” he said.

“I’m on the stage today and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation. I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker,” he said.

His comments were followed by an almost 20-second applause from the audience.

In a statement shared with the media, the NFL condemned Butker’s comments, saying that he “gave a speech in his personal capacity.”

“His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger,” said Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer.

The Catholic advocacy organization CatholicVote penned a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell criticizing Beane’s statement, saying that it “calls into question your commitment to genuine diversity and inclusion.”

“Indeed, the NFL proudly boasts that it ‘honors and celebrates the broad ranges of human difference among us, while also embracing the commonalities we share, and to provide each individual with the opportunity to achieve their full potential.’ Does this inclusion include Catholics, pro-life Americans, mothers, and those who hold to traditional moral beliefs?” the May 16 letter said.

Audio: Updates on Muslim Persecution of Christians with Raymond Ibrahim

Raymond Ibrahim — Fri, 17 May 2024 16:46:10 +0000

Fr. Robert McTeigue of the Catholic Current recently interviewed me. The nearly hour-long audio and its official description follow: We welcome back author and scholar Raymond Ibrahim to update us on the more recent attacks against Christians. Why is there continued media silence on such attacks, and why is hope for a “Muslim Reformation” a foolish […]

Sr. Viktoriya’ mission to restore the smiles of Ukrainian children

Fri, 17 May 2024 16:46:00 +0000

Sr. Viktoriya Andrushchyshyna rescues childhoods destroyed by war. She distributes drops of kindness in frontier areas, where her angels of joy travel to cities and villages that were liberated from Russian occupation. Quoting Pope Francis on the fact that Ukrainian children no longer smile, she thinks of herself as the “nun who restores smiles.”

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Cardinal Fernández: With new norms it will be easier to decide on Medjugorje

Fri, 17 May 2024 16:08:00 +0000

The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith responds to journalists about the "Medjugorje case" during the press conference presenting the new norms for discerning presumed supernatural phenomena.

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National Eucharistic Pilgrimage: When is it passing through your town?

Fri, 17 May 2024 16:03:00 +0000

The National Eucharistic Revival recleased a detailed map of the upcoming pilgrimage routes ahead of the National Eucharistic Congress. / Credit: National Eucharistic Revival

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 17, 2024 / 12:03 pm (CNA).

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage kicks off this weekend as Catholics observe the solemnity of Pentecost on Sunday, May 19. All are welcome to participate in Eucharistic processions and other prayer-filled events taking place across the country over the next two months.

To take part in an event near you, here’s a guide to finding all the stops along the four pilgrimage routes crossing the country and converging at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis on July 16.

The stops include shrines, cathedrals, parishes, cultural sites, and parks. At the stops, the faithful in the area will have the chance to join in the national event by participating in Mass, adoration, devotions, praise and worship, and fellowship as well as have opportunities to accompany the Eucharist on the streets as part of the pilgrimage.

Tim Glemkowski, CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc., said that “a cross-country pilgrimage of this scale has never been attempted before.”

“It will be a tremendously powerful action of witness and intercession as it interacts with local parish communities at stops all along the way,” Glemkowski said. “Following Jesus and praying through cities and rural towns is going to be life-changing for the Church across America.”

He also stressed that Catholics in communities across the country are “invited to be part of the historic movement to set hearts ablaze.”

What is the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage?

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is being organized in conjunction with a three-year-long Eucharistic revival campaign by the U.S. Catholic bishops.

The national pilgrimage consists of four different routes beginning on opposite sides of the country and meeting in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress July 17–21.

Collectively the four National Eucharistic Pilgrimage routes will traverse 6,500 miles, 27 states, and 65 dioceses while carrying Christ in the Eucharist.

The organizers are calling it “our national Emmaus moment” after the biblical passage in which Jesus walked with two of his disciples along the road to Emmaus. Through this campaign, the bishops plan to rededicate the country to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

Where can I meet up with it?

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s four routes are the Marian Route from the north, the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route from the east, the St. Juan Diego Route from the south, and the St. Junipero Serra Route from the west.

To see when the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is making a stop near you, click here.

The Northern “Marian Route” will begin with a Pentecost Mass and Eucharistic procession at a historic site in the Lake Itasca region of Minnesota.

The Eastern “Seton Route” begins with Mass at the birthplace of the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, on May 18.

The Southern “Juan Diego Route” will begin with a Pentecost Mass on May 19 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Brownsville, Texas, just a few minutes’ walk from the U.S. border with Mexico.

The Western “Junipero Serra Route” will begin on May 18 with solemn vespers and adoration at the historic Mission Dolores Basilica in San Francisco, at which Serra once celebrated Mass.

Who will be leading the pilgrimages?

Each route will be led by a team of eight “Perpetual Pilgrims” who will accompany our Eucharistic Lord for the entire length of the journey.

A “rotating cadre” of 30 Franciscan Friars of the Renewal will provide “ecclesial support” for the pilgrims.

How can I participate?

Participating in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is simple and costs nothing. Exact details on individual events at pilgrimage stops, including registration information, are available on the route pages.

You can also participate by walking portions of the pilgrimage with the Perpetual Pilgrims. To do so, organizers ask that you register, which you can do by clicking here.

This article was originally published on Feb. 23, 2024, and was updated on May 17, 2024.