"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY with ParishWorld.net
Issue Date: June 7, 2009
Trinity Sunday (TrinityB)

BURNING QUESTION: What's the meaning of the Sign of the Cross?
FEATURED BLOG: Is the Holy Trinity Still Relevant?
PASTORAL HISPANA: La Trinidad, el misterio de Dios que amor y comunión

Dear Friends,

The Masses from Holy Week till now have been rich with central images from our faith. If you have not noticed it, they are also revealing to us of the Holy Trinity. For the past Sundays, we have been celebrating a God-event, a deed done by God. Easter Sunday, then Ascension Sunday, followed by Pentecost Sunday. Trinity Sunday is something very unique. This Sunday we celebrate not a God-event but God Himself - the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Use our Discussion Questions to guide your bible study sessions this coming week.

Jehovah'S Witnesses attack it and The Da Vinci Code sought to undermine the doctrine. But what exactly does The Trinity mean? Is The Holy Trinity still relevant today? Dr. Marcellino d'Ambrosio defends it in the context of today's world. Much like early church father St. Athanasius defended it in the 4th century when "Arians" questioned its doctrine in a major challenge that almost split the early church. His sermon focused on "Trinity: Three Persons, One Creative, Energizing Reality."

Canon Dr. Daniel Meynen tells us the Trinity is a proclamation of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Father Cusick supports this notion when he explains that the whole edifice of Christian faith, all that we believe about God fully revealed in Jesus Christ, stands or falls on the cornerstone of Christ's Resurrection. Fr. Campion P. Gavaler continues with his declaration that the good news we hear proclaimed on Trinity Sunday is that Jesus the Risen Lord wants us to share divine life with him in the oneness of intimate, familial love with his Father and Holy Spirit.

In the Holy Trinity, Fr. Alex McAllister says, the "Solidarity and Unity of Our Church" is evident. For Christians, according to Fr. Thomas Rosica, the Trinity is the primary symbol of a community that is held together by containing diversity within itself. In the Trinity, we are drawn into the mystery of communion and community in God. Fr. Orly Sapuay, MS tells us that we are to spend our lives living out that Trinity with all others in the world. It's a daunting task filled with grace and power.

Within the Mystery of the Trinity, Fr. Joseph Pelligrino preaches, dwells the wonderful belief that God is both close to us and beyond us, Intimate and Transcendent. And Fr. Phil Bloom shares with us his Bottom line, "Mary can help us realize the purpose of our existence: to enter an eternal relationship with God - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."

PRAYER & CONFESSION. In a world that wants to exclude it, there is a resurgence of prayer. In the vision of Benedict XVI, praying to God is not a part, but rather the whole of man's vocation. Additionally, he proposes that the way to live an authentic life is by leaving moments for God, as much during work as during vacation. And in our internet-wrapped world, it's easy to fall into the trap that surfing prayer rooms is really enough. The Vatican's Fr. Lombardi warns we could actually be getting nowhere with online religiosity. "Read, study," Father Lombardi urges. "It is not enough to surf and click and zap, or copy and paste endlessly."

We also take a look at the Vatican-lamented decline in the use of Confession among Catholics and reflect on several key truths about the Sacrament. Confession is not about how much God loves you but about how much you love God. Confession is our chance to apologize for those sins that have damaged our relationship with God. God does not need our apologies, our repentance, or our penance. We do.

CATHOLIC NEWS. The chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-life Activities, denounced the killing of abortion provider Doctor George Tiller. "Such killing is the opposite of everything we stand for, and everything we want our culture to stand for: respect for the life of each and every human being from its beginning to its natural end." From Central America, A Vatican prelate encouraged all Christians to welcome immigrants, saying it is an inevitable part of the Church's Missionary Vocation. From the Vatican, the Congregation for the Clergy announced that the "The Year for Priests" will be inaugurated by Pope Benedict on June 19, 2009.

OUR YOUTH. True to his teaching form, the Pope engaged in another direct question-and-answer session without reading prepared texts. This time he spent the session with children aged 8-10. There were seven questions and he gave simple but profound answers. Check it out here. And in an interview with the Communications Director for Madrid 2011, it seems the 2011 World Youth Day will be much like its precedents -- "a party that the Holy Father convokes." But pull out your iPhones because the role that social networking will play in the event is sure to give it a special flair.

STORIES OF HOPE. In July 2006, a short 3-minute movie was launched on the Internet called The Dash. Since then, over 40 million people from around the world have watched it and it has inspired many to ask that all important question, "Are my priorities where they should be?" Bo Sanchez is back this week with another wonderful article, "How You Can Harvest More Blessings." And we bring you the story of the world-record-breaking oldest primary school student, a Kenyan great-grandfather who was baptized after he learned to read the Bible.

BANK FEES & RETIREMENT. The upheaval in today’s economy is forcing banks to find new ways to strengthen their bottom lines—and much of that effort is coming at your expense. We offer you seven ways to keep their hands out of your pockets. And if you're considering retirement in these rough times, here's a thought. Articles abound on the subject of volunteering during this tough economy. However, volunteer service commitments are not just reserved anymore for young people just graduating from college or looking to earn their GED. There's opportunities available for the retireables as well.

Another event filled week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed Holy Trinity week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

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