"Little girl, I say to you, arise!"

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY with ParishWorld.net
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Issue Date: June 28, 2009

BURNING QUESTION: Why say the Rosary at funerals?
FEATURED BLOG: "When God Chooses One, It Is Always to Bless All"
VOCATION NEWS: Film Encourages Women To Consider Sisterhood
PASTORAL HISPANA: Fuimos creados para la inmortalidad

Dear Friends, In this Sunday's Readings, Jesus accompanies two people to cross over from sickness to health, from death to life, from doubt to faith and to deeper faith. Our Discussion Questions will guide you in your bible study sessions with your family, friends and church group.

Today's first reading is from the Book of Wisdom. Fr. Joseph Pellegrino tells us that the passage is tremendously important, addressing some of our deepest questions: “Why does Death exist?” and “Did God make death?” Fr. John Foley, SJ then adds that the First Reading says, “God did not make death.” Alright, he inquires, but where did it come from then? Fr. Phil Bloom preaches that Sunday's Scripture readings warn about the power of evil which can twist the beauty of God's creation. But Jesus promises the triumph of goodness.

Gathered in His name, Fr. Campion P. Gavaler, O.S.B. says, we pray that in our moment of affliction, we too will hear his words, "Do not be afraid; just have faith." Fr. Ron Rolheiser explains why sometimes our prayers don’t seem to be heard by God. And Fr. Orly Sapuay, MS preaches that Faith is a conviction that with God, anything is possible. And Faith will one day give way to sight. We will no longer need faith when we behold God and see Him face to face.

Fr. James Gilhooley makes us realize that a large number of Christ's miracles are centered about women. He discusses with amazement the large part women play in the Gospels. Then Father Cusick tells us that these miraculous events in the Readings are signs only of something far more marvelous: eternal life. Fr. Thomas Rosica reminds us that Jesus continues today to resurrect our dead young people to life. He does so with his word, and also by sending them his disciples who, repeat his cry: "Young man, young woman, arise! Live again! Love again! You are loved!"

Finally, Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio reminds us that like the Jews of Jesus' day, He is present to us in the Eucharist. But if the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of this supernatural miracle worker, why we don’t see more healing, miracles, and sanctification going on in the lives of communicants?

YEAR OF PRIESTS. It started last week on June 19, 2009. But why have a Year for Priests? A Vatican Spokesman noted the Vatican's objectives. We have them here. And in a conversation from Rome, Robert Moynihan quotes a Vatican monsignor, "When God Chooses One, It Is Always to Bless All." Plus in a related Vocations story, a new DVD is encouraging devout Catholic women to become nuns. Wordnet TV's Sister Pat Phillips, who produced the 30-minute documentary titled "Jesus Calls Women," is hoping to reverse the decline in the number of women who choose to become nuns.

CATHOLIC NEWS. From the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI is urging priests to not become resigned to empty confessionals, but to help people rediscover the beauty of the sacrament by deepening their understanding of the Eucharist. In another address, he also assured the youth, especially the unemployed,that the Church will not abandon them. He is asking them in turn to not abandon the Church. And as we close the Year of St. Paul next week, the Benedictine abbot at the Pauline basilica in Rome published a review of the writings of St. Paul saying they elaborate what happens when someone falls hopelessly in love with Christ.

And from the US Bishop's meeting last week in San Antonio TX, Catholics are urged to develop a higher respect for Worker Rights. The Bishops issued a document that outlines ways to bring special doctrine to the workplace. They also expressed support for the actions of the local Bishop who found himself in the spotlight when the University of Notre Dame invited Barack Obama to speak at their commencement last month.

GREED & MARRIAGE. The Seven Deadly Sins are revisited and we focus on one: Greed. Some readers might dispute the idea of linking Greed to gambling because we now call gambling an “entertainment,” sometimes, regrettably, an “addiction.” But almost never, anymore, a sin or vice. We are reminded that such blindness is Greed’s characteristic signature. On another topic, a survey reported that Catholic couples who undergo marriage preparation based on the teachings of the Church are drastically more likely to agree to abstain until marriage.

STORIES OF HOPE. Bo Sanchez returns this week with three realities we need to understand on "How To Become A Superstar." And in a very inspiring story, the Buzzard, the Bat and the Bumble Bee reminds us how in many ways, we are like them. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up!

DADDY-TIME AND LINGERING COUGHS. You've been coughing for weeks. How do you know if it's just a hard-to-shake cold or something more serious? Here are 8 possible culprits. And finally a new poll show that fewer fathers want to be stay-at-home dads. Consider these five tips to increase "daddy-time" with your kids.

Another eventful day in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

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