"So they went off and preached repentance."

We turn to this Sunday’s gospel account for July 15, 2012 in which it is reported that Jesus sent The Twelve out into the world, two by two, so that they might evangelize all whom they would encounter. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study with family, friends and church groups.

We are Church

The point we must consider is that Jesus did not send out His apostles individually. He sent them in pairs. This means our religious lives are both individual and communal at the same time.

Fr. Charles Irvin says the Christian religion is not a “me and Jesus” religion, it is a “we and Jesus” religion. The Catholic Church is not simply a voluntary association of like-minded individuals who have banded together to form a social institution or legal entity. The Church is not a man-made institution. Rather it is something given to us by God in Christ in which we live, move, and have our being. The Catholic Church is ours, not mine. It is a family, not a club in which I decide to take our membership.

The Church, Father Cusick explains, is the body of Christ not just in receiving his divine life and love, but in giving it as well. Christ sent the Twelve out "two by two" and he also sends us forth. The Church is continually on the mission to evangelize all nations.

And We Are Called

The Church teaches that every person who is baptized and confirmed receives directly from Christ a mandate to share in his prophetic mission. Prophet literally means spokesman.

When the Gospels relate to us the call extended by Jesus to his young disciples and apostles, it is always done in a very compassionate way. Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB explains that Jesus looks upon those whom he calls; He loves them, challenges them and calls them to be something they could hardly fathom. While most of us will never be called to utter oracles that predict the future, Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio reminds us that we all are called to speak in behalf of God a message that sometimes challenges people and other times brings comfort.

To this end , Fr. John Foley, S. J. wants to propose that in Christian life the primary motivation for going on a mission is gratitude. You are loved. And ready to be sent.

Our Inability to Cast Out Demons

Four were fishermen. One was a hated tax collector. One a political zealot. There was nothing extraordinary about any of the twelve that Jesus sent out to preach, to heal and to expel demons. They were ordinary people, given instructions to conduct themselves like prophets. And the Word of God worked through them.

This gospel of the Lord's commissioning disciples to carry forward His mission may remind us of our inadequacy. But paradoxically, Fr. Campion P. Gavaler, OSB points out, it also reminds us of our dignity and importance. God depends not only on Jesus in His humanity, but on the successors of the Twelve and on each of us to be co-creators and co-christs in bringing about a kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. God uses you to make His Presence real for me and for others. Fr. Joseph Pelligrino says we are ordinary people called to do extraordinary things.

But here's the lesson as pointed out by Fr. Ron Rolheiser: We must do more than just point out the right road to others, we must be on that road ourselves. For this reason, the integrity of our private lives and private morals, down to the smallest detail, is the real power behind our words. Archbishop Charles Chaput frames it well during his July 4 homily in Washington DC last week for the closing of the Fortnight for Freedom, "In the end, we're missionaries of Jesus Christ, or we're nothing at all."

So, spend some time this week reflecting on how the Lord has called you to be a disciple. How does Christ make a difference in your life? What has His call demanded of you? Is it possible to be a committed disciple of Jesus, yet still experience weakness and failure? To whom are you being sent, to teach and to heal?

Beyond the Fortnight for Freedom

What began two weeks ago on the eve of the liturgical feasts of Saints Thomas More and John Fisher — two Tudor-period martyrs who died defending the freedom of the Church — ended on the Fourth of July. The Fortnight of Freedom was a summons to a new moral and political seriousness in the United States. George Weigel says that summons is not for Catholics only. And it continues to march forward to the November elections.

Related to this, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops urged Congress and the Obama administration to repair flaws to the Affordable Care Act after the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday issued a decision upholding the law. While Jennifer Fulwiler tackles Gay Marriage as she relates a sincere and honest conversation she had with a male gay friend and his partner.

Elizabeth Scalia responds to people who challenge why we build beautiful churches. She bristles when people talk about “frivolous beauty” or “liturgical pomp.” And when they declare that beautiful things should be stripped down and sold for the poor. She says beauty feeds the soul. And we need our beautiful churches. The poor, Jesus said, we will “always have”. He lived with and for ordinary, struggling people. And though His life, He kept trying to tell us that all of our solutions are not found in money. But we keep missing the point, don’t we?

I've also noticed that often youth ministry leaders seem to be intrigued by the "exciting" youth programs offered by the Protestant churches. Brett McCracken shares "The Perils of 'Wannabe Cool' Christianity" because it offers a truth that the Catholic Church has known and maintained all along. It's really not about the sizzle, it's all about the steak. We think this will be a very enlightening piece for everyone involved in youth ministry.

Top Ten Lists & Some

Pope love Top Ten Lists. So we're sharing everal with you starting with the "Top Ten Saints For Sinners." If you're struggling with sin, if temptations are half-killing you, if all seems lost - maybe have a word with one of the following saints in prayer, and ask for a little help. After all, as our ParishWorld Theology editor always reminds me, we are a community. Next, Mary O'Regan wants you to meet 10 of the world’s most amazing priests. Gary Zimak follows this with his "10 Great Tips To Help You PRAY (not just SAY) The Rosary."

And you You know how sometimes you’ll be reading the Bible and completely miss something really shocking or interesting? In our semi-gnostic quest for secretive scriptural stuff, Micah Murphy lists 10 Bible verses almost nobody notices. These are the verses (or short clusters of verses) people tend to gloss over when reading the Bible. And he rounds this up with five fun, interesting things most people either didn’t know or simply forgot about the Bible. They miss all the good stuff, but you won’t. Enjoy!

Stories of hope

We bring you this week several stories that will inspire. The first one is about those lone, scruffy figures at intersections and freeway underpasses holding bent cardboard signs, asking for a handout. Marion Fernandez-Cueto talks about a dear lesson she learned at the stop light. Next Tim Drake reflects on one financially tough summer. Unemployed, he tried to shield their children from this reality as best he can. And when his birthday came along, the best present came from his little son who gave him a sealed envelope filled with jingling coins -- all $6.15 of them.

Pus here's two Catholic celebrity stories. First, in the blizzard of reports surrounding Tom Cruise's recent split with Katie Holmes, this one stands out: After her years married to Scientologist Cruise, Holmes is said to be rejoining the Roman Catholic Church of her youth. She has reportedly registered to become a parish member in a New York Catholic church. And you knew that Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal was born and raised a Hindi by his parents? But did you know that he converted to Catholicism as a teenager and he been a practicing Catholic since?

It's Summer Time

Summer is finally here, so let the vacation planning begin! Airline tickets: check. Hotel and rental car reservations: check. Bags packed and ready to go: check. Catholic church selected near our destination and appropriate clothes packed: huh? Peggy Bowes says you don’t take a Vacation from your Sunday obligation.

And as you walk to that parked car baking in the hot summer sun, think about this. Even with fancy reflecting shades and window tint, leaving a car parked in the sun inevitably turns it into a blast furnace. Jason Fitzpatrick suggests you decrease the amount of time it takes to cool your car off by using this simple six-step process.

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

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief


BURNING QUESTION: Why don't Catholics evangelize door-to-door?
FEATURED BLOG: The Perils of 'Wannabe Cool' Christianity
PASTORAL HISPANA: Jesus muestra el camino


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

We have come to the end of the Easter Season and are about to begin what is called Ordinary Time when we reflect on the three-year long public ministry of Jesus. But before we do so we are given the special feast we are celebrating today, June 3, 2012: Trinity Sunday. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study with family, friends and church groups.

An Unfathomable Mystery

The great apostolic commission revealed in this Sunday's Gospel implies a service that is pastoral: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations"; liturgical: "baptizing them"; prophetic: "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you"; and guaranteed by the Lord's closeness, until the end of time. And all in the name of the Holy Trinity.

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio puts it our plain and simply. The Holy Trinity has always been a difficult doctrine to swallow. In a sense this is asking the impossible. So how do we understand the trinity? We don't, Fr. Ron Rolheiser explains. God, by definition, is ineffable, beyond conceptualization, beyond imagination, beyond language. It is more to do with worship than understanding.

Fr. James Gilhooley attempts an explanation anyway. The sun is 80 million miles away from us right now. The rays coming through the window are coming from the sun. The delightful heat we are enjoying on our bodies right now come from a combination of the sun and its rays. The Trinity is like that. God the Father is that blazing sun. The Son is the rays He sends down to us. Then both combine to send us the Holy Spirit who is the heat. If we understand the workings of the sun, its rays, and heat, why do some still have difficulty believing the Trinity?

Within the Mystery of the Trinity, adds Fr. Joseph Pelligrino, dwells the wonderful belief that God is both close to us and beyond us, Intimate and Transcendent. It is fundamentally a mystery of community. And therefore, Fr. Thomas Rosica reminds us, all of our earthly efforts and activities must work toward building up the human community that is a reflection of God's rich, Trinitarian life.

Through Holy Week, Easter time and Pentecost, we have been shown the face of God, revealing the loving interactions that are the Trinity. Thus quietly, Fr. John Foley, S. J. tells us, we have become “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.” We are to “suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him” (Second Reading). The fledgling early Church of discovered the Trinity not by studying theology books but by experiencing it. Let us do the same.

Baptized in the Name of the Trinity

The final words of Jesus are presented in Sunday's Gospel particularly because of the reference to baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit. Fr. Joseph Pellegrino points out that we are baptized in the name of all three because the disciples of Jesus both benefit from and manifest all three persons of the Trinity. Through the gift of baptism we belong to God, and God belongs to us. With Jesus we can say Our Father. Fr. Campion P. Gavaler O.S.B. says through Jesus and with the Holy Spirit we are at home in God.

Our mandate is to spend our lives living out that Trinity with all others in the world. And that, as Fr. Orly Sapuay, MS points out, is a daunting task filled with grace and power. If all men and women of the entire world obey the order of Christ given by the Church, Canon Dr. Daniel Meynen explains, only then we shall all be able to contemplate one day the glory of the Most Holy Trinity.

Fr. Phil Bloom says Jesus has given us Mary, his mother as our mother. In baptism we not only become children of God, but children of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And just as the Most Blessed Virgin Mary always said "yes" to the Order of God, ever present in her, she can also help us realize the purpose of our existence: to enter an eternal relationship with God - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Ultimate Freedom -- Until the End of the World

Freedom does not mean doing what you want, when you want, with whoever you want. That's leads to slavery. True freedom, Fr. Phil Bloom clarifies, means the power to become the one you were meant to be. When we seek worldly joy, we end up miserable. We become slaves to a pleasure that diminishes daily.In God alone - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - will we find ultimate freedom. And "Today," says Daniel Durken, "the Trinity invites us to keep playing with them this delightful game of life and love." And why not, asks Fr. James Gilhooley. We have nothing to lose but our chains.

May this be our most fervent desire on this day: to directly experience the Lord Jesus in the proclamation of the Word and in his Body and Blood in the Eucharist. Father Cusick prays that we may declare with supernatural joy: "Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia."

Modern Heresies, Isolation & Salvation

In his new book author Ross Douthat uses the word heresy quite correctly to describe a version of the Christian faith that holds an incomplete version of the full truth. One that chooses certain tenets and discards many others which both balance and complete the picture.

Fr. Ryan Erlenbush points out an example. The Catholic Church teaches that it is a heresy to say that we are certain of our own salvation. Yet the Protestants say, “Once saved, always saved.” Theological hope does not so much make us certain that we are to be saved, but rather makes us to be certain that we are on the path of salvation. On top of this we also see today the rise of the therapeutic culture, a trend that has sorely affected faith. At its core, it emphasizes feelings over duties. Religious man was born to be saved, Philip Rieff wrote in 2006, but psychological man is born to be pleased.

Msgr. Charles Pope says these heresies have left us isolated and unfulfilled. He says the challenge we face today is to re-propose the need for the Church which Christ founded. Jesus did not write a book and send us off to study it. He founded a community, a Church, and told us we would find him there, where two or three are gathered in his name. That is where his actual and true words are read and heard, where his true body and blood are offered and received.

Papal Authority & Infallibility

From the Reformation onward, Protestant Christians have fallen into the trap of Restorationism. This is the idea that the existing church has become corrupt and departed from the true gospel and that a new church that is faithful to the New Testament can be created. These sincere Christians then attempt to ‘restore’ the church by creating a new church. The problem is, each new group of restorationists invariably create a church of their own liking determined by their contemporary cultural assumptions. They then imagine that the early church was like the one they have invented.

The way to find freedom, their thinking goes, is to ditch the institution and create a spirituality and moral code that works for you. To modern ears, this all sounds right. But is it true? Jennifer Fulwiler encourages everyone who has left the Church or is thinking about it, to consider five important questions to ask themselves before abandoning the Catholic faith.

Fr. Dwight Longenecker points out that the Catholic Church is today what she has always been. Her leadership is unapologetically monarchical and hierarchical. Her teaching authority is centralized and universal, and the pope is what he has always been, the universal pastor of Christ’s Church, the steward of Christ’s kingdom and the Rock on which Christ builds his Church. And infallible? In a related article, Fr. Dwight Longenecker also explains that the last thing to remember is that this infallible teaching authority has nothing to do with the sinfulness of the Pope or any other individual Catholic. Infallibility is about the competence and charism to teach the truth–not the competence and charism to abide by it. Moses was a sinner, but he gave us the Ten Commandments.

Family, Divorce & Social Teaching

Children of divorced parents carry baggages that haunt them well into adulthood. Fr. Antonio Lopez reflects on the link between the human image and the divine origin, which draws every child ultimately back to God the Father. By severing the child from his or her origins in love, divorce puts the child’s “filial” identity into question, and together with it, the goodness of his or her existence.

But as Christians, we persevere. Jennifer and Greg Willits' new book “The Catholics Next Door: Adventures in Imperfect Living” is directed to anyone trying to live the Catholic faith, and struggling through the pitfalls of human weakness. Their goal: Evangelization -- One Family at a Time. And this brings to mind this tale shared by Paul Dion, STL. He talks about a wild-haired, shoeless college student and this important lesson learned from his story: "You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!"

But there are glimmers of hope. Considering all of the negative influences in television, film, music and sports, it‘s rare to find a positive role model who’s willing to boldly go against societal norms. Enter Lolo Jones, the 29-year-old track and field star who’s been getting a fair bit of press since tweeting earlier this year that she’s a virgin. And we have evangelist Bo Sanchez who shares felling depressed, a few years back as he dealt with personal trials, conflicts in his Catholic community, plus a number of personal trials as well. Then he found the answer. He chose to be happy.

Bringing the Cristero War to the Big Screen

For Greater Glory is a movie that depicts the Cristero War in Mexico. The movie tells the untold story of the Mexican government persecution of the Catholic Church in the1920s. A reported 60,000 people died during the struggle to defend the faith. This sentiment is stirring emotions today in the US as the US government assaults religious freedom as we know it. Catholic leaders are recommending that everyone see ithis movie. The film features actors Andy Garcia, Peter O’Toole, Eva Longoria and Eduardo Verastegui. It will debut June 1 in the U.S. We hope to see you all at the movies this weekend.

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

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

BURNING QUESTION: Sign of the Cross - what is its meaning?
FEATURED BLOG: 10 Questions 7-year-old Catholics should be able to answer
PASTORAL HISPANA: La fiesta de La Santisima Trinidad


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"Proclaim the gospel to every creature"

Sunday, May 20, 2012,  is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. It is the day that commemorates the rising up into Heaven of the Lord Jesus. It is the day when the body of the risen Christ enters into the eternal glory of Paradise! Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study with family, friends and church groups.

From Sad Goodbye to Joy

Jesus, when bidding farewell to his friends before his ascension, spoke these words: “It’s better for you that I go away.” “You will be sad now, but your sadness will turn to joy.” Fr. Ron Rolheiser poses some very challenging questions. How is it better that someone we love goes away? How can the sadness of a goodbye, of a painful leaving, turn to joy? Fr. John Foley, SJ replies in his own reflection. He says Jesus continues to be alive within the world, within us and our neighbors. The immense act of modest love that was the resurrection is poured into us and is called the Holy Spirit. His Real Presence now abides forever in the Holy Eucharist, urging us, gently nudging us to say yes to love.

Meanwhile, Dr. Taylor Marshall asks an interesting theological question related to the Ascension. When Christ ascended to the Father how exactly did He sit at His right hand if God the Father doesn't have a hand? Is Christ literally sitting on God's right hand? And just where is Jesus' body after the Ascension?

Ushering In A New Era

There are three things about the Ascension that we should reflect on. Fr. John Dear S.J lists them for us -- what Jesus told the disciples and us to do; the need for this work, and how are we going to do it.

Fr. Joseph Pellegrino explains that the Lord ascends to the Father, but at the same time He is with his disciples, working through them and confirming His presence with miracles. When the Lord Jesus left, Canon Dr. Daniel Meynen points out, the Holy Spirit came. This is why Saint Mark tells us: "The Lord worked with them." The apostles with the help of the Holy Spirit gave themselves to God, Fr. Campion P. Gavaler, OSB. And the gift of consecration by God through sacrifice always involves a mission to advance God's projects in the world.

What we are in fact celebrating therefore is a crucial moment in the whole plan of salvation. Fr. Alex McAllister SDS says we are commemorating the moment that Jesus handed the continuation of his great work over to us, the Church.

Snakes and Poisons of the World

Fr. Orly Sapuay, MS tells us that the apostles were sent into the world to heal and sanctify it. In fact, Mark 16:17-18 talks about signs that will accompany those who believe: they will drive out demons, speak new languages, pick up serpents with their hands, heal the sick, etc. Now then, Dr. Marcellino d'Ambrosio asks, was the "power ministry" we see in the Acts of the Apostles only for the early days of the Church? Or should we expect signs and wonders to be happening today?

In some of the rural communities of our countries, ministers and their congregations take this passage literally. As a test of faith some will plunge their hands into a box of rattlesnakes, pull one out and hold it in front of the congregation. Fr. Joseph Pellegrino offers a few words about such  literal interpretations of the Bible. He says these interpretations often get so bogged down in the details that they miss the point of the message. What was the message that Jesus was giving when He spoke about the signs of those who believed? The message was that His people could fight and conquer evil in its worst forms.

The Freedom to Choose Good

Christians have understood that Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father in order to open new possibilities for us. Fr. Phil Bloom points out that Jesus wants us to have the deepest and broadest possible freedom. Next Sunday the coincidence of Pentecost Sunday and Memorial Day weekend gives us a good opportunity to reflect on human freedoms, beginning with freedom of religion.

Father Cusick adds that freedom is good, but freedom comes from God and is given to us so that we may freely choose to be like God. Freedom is for choosing good, not evil. Jesus Christ took on our flesh and our freedom to choose what is holy so that we can do likewise, with the constant help of His grace in the Gospel and the sacramental life.

Life, Marriage, Faith & Worship

The seeds of faith are shifting. The pro-abortion movement loved to paint the abortion debate in 1970s as a war between grumpy, judgmental grandmas wielding their rosaries against hip young modern women. But now, they are the grey hairs and its the pro-life movement which is young. In fact, Nancy Keenan the departing president of NARAL, the rabidly pro-abortion lobbying organization told Newsweek back in 2010 about the March for Life crowds: “I just thought, my gosh, they are so young,” she said. “There are so many of them, and they are so young.”

Dr. Taylor Marshall talsk to Protestants and Catholics alike when he offers a dissertation on how a conversion of the heart to the Catholic faith can change your marriage for the better. He offers five reasons to support his claim. Also, the Archdiocese of Washington speaks out over choice of HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as Speaker at Georgetown University, Msgr. Charles Pope has reported. And Kevin Lowry adds to the discussion by tackling Faith at work. He says there’s more to modern-day life than holding a job, regardless of the economic climate. Work must have purpose beyond the paycheck, or it is pitifully unfulfilling.

Judith Costello observes how it seems that many people find themselves distracted during Mass. According to online discussions, hundreds of people say they are kept from a prayerful focus by everything from flip-flops pattering down the aisle, to seeing a person stick the Eucharist in a pocket. We gather together, yet we are separated. Is it being “judgmental” to have reactions to these things? Should we simply focus on our interior experience and block out everything else?

And Jennifer Fulwiler reminds us that the Novena to the Holy Spirit starts today, the Friday before Ascension and will end on the eve of Pentecost. She's been eagerly awaiting this for months. She did it last year and found it to be incredibly powerful. It's a nine-day series of prayers focusing on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And we share it with you here.

Meanwhile, here's a story to inspire. Raymund E. Narag marched in the graduation ceremonies of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan last May 4. He will soon receive a doctoral degree in criminal justice. What's so special about that? In 1995 he was accused of a crime he did not commit—the murder of an equally promising young man. He was only 20 years old and naïve to the harsh realities of the world. When he was released at age 27, he was a changed man. From a maligned ex-inmate in one of the most crowded jails in the Philippines, he now becomes “Dr. Narag,” with specialization in prison administration.

A Glimpse Into the Future

If you think your iPhones and Ipads are great, wait till you see what's ahead for you in the very near future. Watch and share "A Day Made of Glass 2: Unpacked" to see how Corning's highly engineered glass, with companion technologies, will help shape our world. Take a journey with a narrator for details on these technologies, answers to your questions, and to learn about what's possible -- and what's not -- in the near future.

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

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief
BURNING QUESTION: Why don't Catholics evangelize door-to-door?
FEATURED BLOG: How Will the Catholic Faith Change Your Marriage?
PASTORAL HISPANA: La Ascension es el signo de nuestra esperanza


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400,000 !!!

Often we fail to realize that the people most in need of Christian nourishment are the very same people we see sitting next to us in the pews of our own parish churches. And the many others around us -- our Catholic family members, friends and neighbors -- who don’t make it to Church anymore.

The vast fields of the under-Catechized is just as important a missionary destination as the fields of the un-Catechized! And these mission fields can be found in our very own communities -- in our very own homes.

Since our inception in 2006, ParishWorld has been bringing the Catholic understanding of our faith to vast numbers of active and inactive Catholics within our parish communities and beyond.

We talk about sin. We talk about forgiveness. We talk about justice. We talk about God's love. We talk about Jesus and the fullness of the Catholic faith.

And in March 2012 we reached a very important milestone in our missionary work. Each month in the pages of ParishWorld.net over 400,000 articles of faith are now viewed online by you, your friends, your neighbors and countless other faceless souls seeking to learn more and wanting to become more involved in the Catholic Church.

That's close to 5 million views a year! 5 million articles of faith read each year!

We do it on the web. On Facebook. On Twitter. And we do it on the many individual parish websites we service all across the United States. Just during the past Holy Week alone, 170,000 viewers came to our websites for answers to what the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus meant to each one of us and to our world.

And now it’s time to ask for your help again. So we can continue. So we can expand further the ever-growing reach of our ministry.

We've managed to keep afloat amidst the turbulent waters of world economic crisis. But now it is time not just to survive, but to flourish!

Our online database of 12,000-plus Catholic articles is now one of the largest in the Catholic world. And managing and editing it has become a big challenge for our meager resources. Our server company tells us we're quickly becoming their largest user of bandwidth. The monthly server fees we pay them have increased as a result.

Doing God's work do come with costs!

We're also ramping up to develop ParishWorld 2.0, our dream website model with an even more robust engine that can handle 100 times more volume and traffic. It will equip us and the many parishes we service across the USA with even better tools to edit web pages, integrate with Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and with much more video, audio, and music.

Plus we're releasing an exciting new mobile ParishWorld Catholic app that will simply knock your socks off!

But to make this happen, we are asking you to help financially in two ways:

1) We need to identify 30 people among you who will pledge $1 a day for the next year to cover the related cost of our server fees. That’s less than the cost of a cup of coffee or a soft drink or a bottle of water. $30 per month. Can you do this? This will assure we're paid up on our server fees each month so we can continue working in God's vineyard.

2) We need to raise $15,000 in special gifts over the next month to pay the companies working to redesign the new ParishWorld website and mobile app so we can serve even more people who are searching for answers. Can you give a special gift of $1000 ... $500 .. Or $100?

You can do it online right here via credit or debit card or paypal. You can contribute by phone at (818) 4466-PWD, or by mailing a check to ParishWorld, 1230-5 Madera Road #158, Simi Valley, CA 93065.

Delivering a better understanding of our faith . . . Bible Studies, daily homilies and reflective articles . . . Catholic questions answered . . . to inspire, to witness, to Catechize, to build faith . . . through the New Evangelization.

All "For the greater glory of God."

We're now at 400,000. Help us get to 1,000,000. That's worthy of your Christian charity, isn't it?

Can you please lend a helping hand to a Catholic ministry in need today?

In His Service,

WALLY ARIDA, Publisher & Editor in chief
Your brother in Christ