Happy Birthday to the Catholic Church!

Burning Question of the Week: IS JESUS AND GOD THE SAME? Check it out.

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the Catholic Church, the time when the apostles, touched by the Holy Spirit, went out to begin preaching God's message to the world. We have a story that depicts just how that first Pentecost might have transpired.

Earlier in the week, Pope Benedict visited Poland and upon entering Auschwitz posed a very compelling question: "Why was God was silent during the Holocaust?" And in a startling interpretation of the Holocaust, he said, "They wanted to kill God."

Also from Poland, he asked all Christians to work toward unity in a push for Ecumenism and he exorted the youth of the world to be unafraid to "lean on Christ." Remarking that while priests need not be skilled in business or construction, they must be experts in spiritual life. And he exhorted believers to resist the temptation to remove uncomfortable truths and traditions from the Gospel.

Elsewhere in the world, did you know that the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball embraces a Christian Code of Conduct? And that the producer of such blockbuster movies such as X-Men 3 is a devout Christian who tries to apply his faith in the very secular Hollywood world? How does he find balance? A Cardinal provides the answer as he preaches that moral values are actually the most reliable friends of business people.

In Europe, Catholic Bishops look for ways to counter the tendency of their newly catechized to fall away from the faith. But signs look very promising that France and Quebec, Canada are experiencing a rebirth in Catholicism thanks to the rise in charismatic movements. In Vietnam, Catholics join in prayer for the development of the Chinese Catholic Church. And in the Philippines, a city council actually passsed a resolution asking the Catholic Church to tell their local faithful to pray the Angelus.

In the U.S., California Gov. Schwarzenegger has said he will veto a bill that requires mandatory gay education in schools. And Bishop Gerald Barnes, speaking in behalf of the U.S. Bishops, said while the U.S. Immigration Reform Bill that passed in the Senate last week incorporates some important provisions, he is hoping the legislation will improve when the House and Senate versions are reconciled.

Here's a few answered questions this week: "Can I receive communion at Episcopalian service?" and "Should I allow my child to listen to Christian rock music?"

Prepare to get inspired. We have several stories that is sure to touch your heart: "Enjoy the Coffee," and "The Cracked Pot." "You can make your life beautiful" by Bo Sanchez talks about lessons learned from a person you might least expect it from - a pareplegic girl.

And finally, you have to check out "Do you also want to leave?" (John, 6;67), a powerful blog by Paul Dion that talks about why he has chosen to stay in the Catholic Church. A must read.

It's been another busy week for Catholics everywhere. Have a great and blessed weekend.

Keep the faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher and Editor in chief