"Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you" 9/28/08

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY with ParishWorld.net
"Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you"
Issue Date: September 28, 2008 (26A)

BURNING QUESTION: "What is the Communion of Saints?"
FEATURED BLOG: Form your Conscience. Vote your Conscience!
PASTORAL HISPANA: ¿Palabras o Acciones?

Dear Friends,

We start our journey this week with Discussion Questions on the Sunday Readings for use by prayer groups or for individual prayer. This Sunday, the Readings talk about the parable of the two sons. One said "No" and did what he was told anyway. One said "Yes"and did nothing.

Father Cusick says many people profess to be scandalized by the hypocrites, backbiters, gossips and slanderers who go to church each week. Anyone who professes to be a Roman Catholic and yet does not worship according to the perfect prayer of Christ in the Sacrifice of the Mass on Sundays is the equal of the Pharisees. But Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B. says it should be obvious that Jesus is not suggesting that we ought to despise ritual and disregard moral codes. It is just as obvious that he not only wants us to say the right things like the first son. Because, as Fr. James Gilhooley explains, in the final roundup, it is only by deeds that we prove what we are. We should be like lighthouses - by definition they make no noise, they just shine.

Fr. Phil Bloom explains that there are two paths: one leads to sadness and one leads to purpose. Yet God welcomes those who say "yes" into his kingdom even if we used to be notorious sinners, Clyde A. Bonar explains. In "Why be good?" Fr. John Foley, S. J. talks about how sin really does mess up your life, letting it come apart at the seams. And in a moving podcast homily, Deacon Alex Jones talks about the seemingly unfair actions of God.

MOTHER TERESA, PADRE PIO AND MORE. This past Tuesday was the feast day of Padre Pio. So we bring you the secret story of Padre Pio's stigmata, a volume detailing the report of a Vatican investigator into the wounds of the Passion that the friar suffered. We also bring you an eye-opening interview with Mother Teresa. This is an excerpt of one of the last interviews with Mother Teresa in 1989. It offers a deep look at the working faith of this modern day saint.

From the Vatican, the Pope said everyone should "reconcile your differences before approaching the altar." He asks, "How then can we present ourselves at God's altar divided and distant from one another?" From the Philippines comes news that the Catholic country could be facing a 2-child policy soon. And Filipino-Americans are joining with Catholics from their native country to fight proposed legislation that would promote contraception and limit family size, while punishing conscientious objectors. And from Japan, it appears the country is going to see the first Catholic to ever become its prime minister take office very soon.

US PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS. I have never seen this country more polarized than this election cycle. And political discourse among friends and family have been hotter than ever. To bring civility back among friends, we thought we should bring you this: How To Debate Politics Like A Gentleman. Remember the old adage, “Never discuss politics or religion?” Well, those exactly are the hot topics this year. And Catholics are in the middle of it all. As much as 23% of Americans declare themselves as Catholics. Given that many of the defining political issues partake of a religious or moral nature, could there really be a Catholic Vote? And Fr. John Corapi SOLT, STD brings you this message: Form Your Conscience, Vote Your Conscience! To those who say otherwise, he asks, "Since when is Christian thought not permitted to influence a country that was founded on Christian principles? We share in the good and the evil of those we place in office."

STORIES OF HOPE. This week we bring you two true stories of Life. The first is about a man who deals with the grief of a son who was still-born. Many years later, he still mourns for the his baby that was not to be. And the second story is about a father and his autistic son who were washed out to the ocean. Initially they were together. Then the ocean currents pulled them apart. It's a touching story of survival and fatherhood.

TIGHTEN YOUR BELTS. As the US economy coughs, the whole world sneezes. And Benedict XVI is urging leaders to fight against extreme poverty, even if it means greater sacrifice as many countries face these economic difficulties. In the US, conspicuous consumption is out and frugality is in. An emerging national trend show more people now cook their own meals and eat at home to save money. And we bring you a very timely article: Penny Pinching: Advice for the Tightwads Among Us. Finally, we ask you to join us and Deacon Greg Kandra in "You are our Rock, O Lord": a prayer in times of economic crisis.

Another eventful week 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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CLICK HERE to receive a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to this weekly email

"Are you envious because I am generous?” 9/21/08

CATHOLIC LIVING TODAY with ParishWorld.net
"Are you envious because I am generous?”
Issue Date: September 21, 2008 (25A)

BURNING QUESTION: Is it more important to believe in God or to believe in the Church?
FEATURED BLOG: How to talk to your doctor about God
VOCATION NEWS: More men becoming priests at mid-life
PASTORAL HISPANA: Dios nos ama no por lo que hacemos sino por lo que somos

Dear Friends,

We start our journey this week with Discussion Questions on the Sunday Readings for use by prayer groups or for individual prayer. This Sunday, the Readings discuss the two great attributes of God in the Bible: Justice and Mercy. The point is that while God is both just and merciful, God’s mercy can and often does trump God’s justice.

The vineyard owner gave equal pay to everyone although they all worked different hours. The wages the owner pays his workers, Fr. John Foley, S. J. asks, were they a simple remuneration for labor or are they a gift from a fond heart? Is God fair? No, God is not fair! Fr. Clyde A. Bonar says God is generous!! God is mercy and love and forgiveness and goes well beyond being "fair."

Jesus is giving us an opportunity, according to Campion P. Gavaler, O.S.B., to grasp that God's nature is to be extravagantly generous, beyond the rational rules of exchange. And Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio says Jesus actually gives us what we do not deserve – friendship with Him that opens out to eternal glory hereafter. He adds that the first takers for this offer have typically been those most aware of their need for mercy. And this is why the last have usually been first when it comes to the Kingdom of God.

The vineyard owner asks the workers, "Why do you stand here idle all day?" Fr. Philip Merdinger's podcast tells us that this Gospel verse is a call to evangelization. Fr. Joseph Pellegrino says Jesus calls on all those who have received Him to share generously with all men what they themselves have received. Fr. Cusick adds that Jesus forgives us through confession and transforms us to become vehicles of conversion for others. God gets His divine jollies when He witnesses generosity in us and Fr. James Gilhooley explains it well.

Fr. Phil Bloom adds his bottom line: When we compare ourselves to others - thinking we should receive more - we become resentful and envious. When we focus on God's generosity, we become joyful stewards.

CHURCH OR GOD? Our Burning Question this week asks us what is more important, to believe in God or to believe in the Church? To help us understand this better, we bring you part 2 of our series on Demystifying Canon Law. This article explains that in response to the growing tide of new movements in the Church, Canon law does not dictate the form they will take, but arises in response to the Holy Spirit.

POPE AT LOURDES. The Pope had one of his most active preaching weekends ever as he visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France last weekend. In remarks to tens of thousands of pilgrims who braved cold and rainy weather to greet him, the pontiff said Mary is “the sign of the victory of love, of good and of God, giving our world the hope that it needs.” Reflecting on the need to accept the love of God, he said the only thing that separates a saint from a sinner is that a saint looks less at himself and more at Christ and his love. And addressing the Traditionalists in our Church, the Pope said “Every person, without exception, should be able to feel at home, and never rejected.” He added that the Latin Mass deserve "a place in the Church."

POLITICS, DIVORCE & QUINCEANERA. This week, Pope Benedict also clarified that as part of the Laity's need to instill Christ in the world, Christian laypeople have as part of their vocation the participation in politics. He likewise rejected easier divorce rules, saying the Roman Catholic Church could not recognize "irregular unions" of Catholics who divorce and remarry outside the church. And from the USCCB, a document is published this week that covers the ritual blessing for the Quinceanera, the coming-of-age celebration for Hispanic girls on their 15th birthday.

YOUTH BIBLE READING. After the Second Vatican Council, American Catholics dusted off their family Bibles and began charting the unfamiliar territory of personal Bible reading. And now Catholic youths are attempting to catch up to adults in reading Scripture. Leading this charge is Mark Hart, executive vice president for Life Teen. Popularly known as "Bible Geek," he shares his love of Scripture with today’s teens.

PRAYING FOR HEALING? Touched by an angel? A new survey of the USA's religious beliefs and practices finds 55% of all adults — including one in five of those who say they have no religion — believe they have been protected from harm by a guardian angel. Given this new reality, many families of sick people are struggling with how they can discuss God with their physician. We bring you the advice and tips from several physicians who study faith and medicine.

STORIES OF HOPE. A well known theologian explains how life is valuable at all stages by using a crumpled twenty dollar bill as a valuable teaching aid. And in another reflective story, we look at the Buzzard, the Bat and the Bumble Bee to illustrate inportant life lessons that can be gleamed from the flight patterns of these creatures of the sky.

YOUTH, VIDEO GAMES AND PARENTING. When to back off, when to step in? What we need to understand is that our job as parents is not to finish our kids or produce perfect kids. It's to start our kids. Take the case of video games. A recent survey shows 97 percent of young Americans -- girls included -- play video games. This illustrate just how ingrained video games have become in our youth culture. However, another study shows these games can actually make your kids better citizens. Can playing "Madden" or "World of Warcraft" encourage your kid to be more engaged in public life? Believe it or not, the answer is yes. And love it or not, Mom and Dad, technology isn’t going away. We bring you 5 Tech secrets all parents need to know.

Another busy week in our Catholic world. Have a blessed and safe new week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

CLICK HERE to view any of our previous weeks' issues
CLICK HERE to receive a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to this weekly email

The Miracle of Democracy

By Wally Arida

NOVEMBER 5, 2008 - The beautiful miracle of democracy continues to unfold. And our presidential elections never cease to amaze the world. It is the epitome of the true meaning of the power of Democracy that despite the divisive, passionate – at times even nasty - political discourse we as a nation engaged in over the past months prior to the elections, we always come together once it’s all over and embrace our newly elected president as our country’s next chief of state.

President-elect Obama will be our new president. And as it happens every four years, we accept him as our duly-elected leader.

These elections did not mark the end of conservatism in America. On the contrary, these elections proved that the nation is still primarily centrist-conservative. While the margins in the popular vote was not a landslide, Obama won the elections because of the votes of many conservatives who went his way after hearing in his speeches the many conservative values that they know have made America great - lower taxes, individual responsibility, patriotism, faith, etc. We look to the future hoping President-elect Obama governs in the reconciliatory centrist manner he said he would in his campaign speeches.

Many, including myself, may disagree with his politics but our President-elect deserves our respect and good wishes as he leads us in navigating the many challenges we face as a nation. Today is a moment for celebration. Tomorrow the work starts because, as he eloquently said during his victory speech, this election is not the change we all talked about. This election is the start of the process of the change we need to make as a country. And we all need to play a part in it because it is you and I – represented by the government we elect – that comprise the United States of America.

Let us join each other in a moment of silence and pray that God may be our new president’s guide as he leads us through the next four years. God bless America and all it stands for. God bless us all.

Keep the faith. Peace.

WALLY ARIDA
Publisher & Editor in chief

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven"

BURNING QUESTION: Do you invite the poor to your banquet?
FEATURED BLOG: "Bless me, Father"
PASTORAL HISPANA: CONSTRUIR SOBRE TERRENO FIRME

Dear Friends,

We start our journey this week with Discussion Questions on the Sunday Readings for use by discussion groups, prayer groups, or for individual prayer.

In this Sunday's Readings, Jesus concludes his long Sermon on the Mount. Fr. John Foley says Jesus is arguing here for the entire, strong Sermon On The Mount, not just on what we hear this Sunday. From this famous Sermon came the Beatitudes, the new law of Christ, the Lord’s prayer, instructions on praying, attitudes about money, and the warnings about hypocrisy. And Fr. Alex McAllister SDS explains that we shouldn't be surprised that this Sunday's Readings comes with an allusion to the Last Day. He explains this in "When that day comes."

The parable of the wise man and the fool is what Jesus preaches this Sunday. We are presented with a choice: Will we follow Him and found our lives on His teachings? Or will we choose a weaker foundation for our lives? Fr. Clyde A. Bonar, Ph.D. preaches that "The Wise Man Builds His House On Rock." And we build this house by coming to Mass, with the bricks of prayers, and simple acts of kindness. While Demetrius R. Dumm, OSB says the house built on sand by the fool aptly illustrates the sad situation of a person who never really lives in accordance with the wisdom of God as revealed in Jesus. Fr. Philip Merdinger also illustrates this well in his podcast titled "There are before us two paths."

Fr. Romy Seleccion, MS reminds us that service brings out the heart of faith in our Christian life. And it is through our faith and genuine service that Jesus will allow us to enter the kingdom of heaven. While Fr. Joseph Pellegrino tells us that our very way of life is built on the rock of the Lord’s love. When we care about others, "we all belong to the Lord."

So, what's more important, Faith or Works? We also decided to bring you a Burning Question that loudly calls out this mission of service to all of us: "Do you invite the poor to your banquet?" Think about it. When was the last time you've done it? Check out this burning question, add your own stories and see what others are saying. Plus, we have another strongly related article to share with you all, "The Virtuous Life: How to practice humility."

LIVING IN TODAY'S WORLD. ParishWorld.net blogger Lenora Grimaud delivers an insightful reflection on relationships from a Christian point of view. She calls is "ATTRACTION: Ordered and Disordered." And Brent Kallmer's "The Glamour of Evil" delves into the secular choices women make in pursuit of the glamorous life and how hard it is to escape the intuition that, "God inscribed in the humanity of man and woman the vocation, and thus the capacity and responsibility, of love and communion."

MORE CATHOLIC RENAISSANCE. We continue to purvey the good news that a Catholic Renaissance is indeed blooming today beginning with a report that "About 17% of World Is Catholic." Catholics still make up almost a fifth of the world's population, a ratio that has stayed steady with the start of the new millennium. Also, Scotland is reporting that it has now officially become more Roman Catholic than Protestant, with its congregations now outnumbering the Kirk for the first time since records began. From Korea, we are told that the number of Catholic priests and seminarians are increasing. While in Vietnam, Catholics are said to be more openly coming out in mass public movements - armed with crosses and crucifixes. Even famous actors like Martin Sheen are now openly admitting their Catholic faith. He did this in a recent magazine interview that we share with you here.

STORIES OF HOPE. Bo Sanchez is back this week with "Learn To Say No…So You Can Say A Bigger Yes To Life!" He explains how difficult people will teach you how to build your boundaries. And a dying writer's introspective on life's choices is the topic of this moving story, "If God granted me a little bit more of life.." Read it and share it with all of your friends.

CHRISTIAN MUSIC PLUS OUR INTERNET POPE. What’s in a lyric? Our article opines that it doesn’t have to be ‘Christian music’ to be Christian music. From James Taylor, to the Beatles, to U2 and Bruce Springsteen, check out the "Christian" in our pop songs and how they can also be pleasing to God. And finally see the latest internet project involving Pope Benedict's visit to World Youth Day.

Another exciting week in our Catholic world. Have a great and blessed coming new week.

Keep the faith. Peace.

Wally Arida

Publisher & Editor in chief

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled."

Emailed October 26, 2007

BURNING QUESTION OF THE WEEK: "Do Catholics believe our salvation is a sure thing?"FEATURED BLOG: "It's Personal - why Faith is always a fit topic for public discussion"VOCATION NEWS: "From Rome to home: seminarians stay connected on the web" PASTORAL HISPANA: "Oración humilde, confiada, llena de arrepentimiento"

Dear Friends,

This coming week will be a busy one for all as we celebrate Halloween, All Saint's Day and All Soul's day - on consecutive days. We also remind you that this Sunday is "Priest Appreciation Day" in the United States. Please make it a point to try to do something special for the priests in your parish. Get them a nice present or - at the very least - talk to them after Mass and tell them how much they are appreciated.

The Readings for this Sunday asks us to look deep into our hearts and reflect upon how we really pray to God. Jesus relates the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Both were present at the temple, but each one prayed to God in their own way. In a compelling audio podcast, Fr. Phil Merdinger, Chaplain of the National Federation of catholic Men, asks us which of the two men we are most likely to emulate when we pray. His question is simple, "Are we praying to ourselves?" Listen to it here. This is the same Gospel lesson Fr. Romy Seleccion, M.S. reinforces with this reminder from Jesus, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled."

"Have mercy on me, O God, for I need you" is a moving homily that encourages us to pray with humility and contrition - just like the tax collector. In "The Cry of the Poor" Fr. Phil Bloom talks about our God of justice who listens to the poor and the weak. And our Theology editor Paul Dion, STL takes a different look at Luke's Gospel with this incisive Burning Question, "Do Catholics believe our salvation is a sure thing?"

On October 31, the young and the young at heart dress up in costumes and have a genuinely grand time. Many parishes - mine included - will be hosting events for the community. There will be "Witches, Ghosts and Magic." The question is what do we Catholics really believe about these? Halloween has grown into a major secular holiday in American culture. But for those who don’t value devotion to the saints, the Eve has become "hollow" instead of "hallow." "How Halloween Can Be Redeemed" explains how we can turn things around.

Who are the saints? Who decides who is and is not a saint? How many are there? Do saints hear our prayers? Find the answers to these and other questions about our saints by clicking here. And what about the Communion of Saints that we mention every Sunday during Mass. Do you know exactly what is means? We explain it here.

You may have heard some of your Protestant friends say that the Bible contains no references to purgatory. What is the basis for the Catholic Church’s teaching about this? Why do Catholics pray for the dead? It is a timely topic as we celebrate All Souls Day.

For the last two years, we've been talking about a "Catholic Renaissance" that I observed to be quietly brewing in our midst. Apparently, Author David Hartline has noticed it as well saying in a recent interview that the Catholic tide is indeed turning. He credits this to young people who he says, "want something built on a solid foundation after seeing how the culture of death is destroying society." Also, Denver Archbishop Chaput credits Hispanics as a key for defending Life and marriage in the US.

Blogger Mark Shea agrees with the trend. He reminds many that "It's personal" should not be an alibi for not making Faith a fit topic for public discussion. And in "Faith of our (founding) fathers: America's Christian roots," atheism is taken to task. It argues that there's no logical necessity for a universe that obeys rules, let alone mathematical ones. So where did Western man get this idea of a lawfully ordered universe? From Christianity. It's quite an interesting read.

Can a Pro-Life film make its mark at the box office this weekend? if the initial successful reports are an indication, it seems "Bella" is another manifestation that the Catholic tide is indeed turning. This pro-life movie has won its share of international film awards before being released in the US this weeekend. And it all started after a chance meeting after Mass. Read their story.

From Naples, Italy, Pope Benedict this week said, "Prayer, not politics, is what transforms the world." Known as one of Italy's most crime-ridden cities, Pope Benedict told the world from Naples that religion must never be used to justify violence. And on the 40th anniversary of Paul VI's Social Encyclical "Populorum Progresio," the archbishop of Dublin noted how it is just as valid today as it was when written 40 years ago. And we have a great audio series on "Ten Popes who shook history." It begins with the story of St. Peter. Listen to it here.

We have stories of Hope. In Louisiana, a pro-Life catholic was elected governor of the state. From California comes "Pray hard for us, America," a first person report from the from the frontlines of the Southern California fires that are still raging. And from the Philippines, a husband writes about losing his beloved wife in a terrorist blast in that country last week. He reminds us all to value our relationships through the highs and lows.

Finally, we never thought anyone could take "The Passion" and make a video of it without making us cringe from the gore. Sarah Brightman did. And her beautiful new music video "All of my life, I've been in hiding..." will move and inspire you. Watch it here.

Another inspiring week in our Catholic world. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

"Pray always without becoming weary"

Emailed FREE to subscribers Oct. 19, 2007

BURNING QUESTION: "Why do we call it the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?"
FEATURED BLOG: "Does Doubt Belong to Faith?"
VOCATION NEWS: "Sister Fact: more young women are joining the convent "
PASTORAL HISPANA: "El hombre vale por lo que es y es lo que ora" de P. Roberto Mena

Dear Friends,

"Pray always without becoming weary," St. Luke reminds us this Sunday. You will see the messages of Persistence, Faith and Intercessory Prayer weaving in and out of this week's Readings. Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow and the dishonest judge, Aaron and Hur raises the hands of the tiring Moses to keep the Israelites victorious in battle and St. Paul tells Timothy to learn, be faithful and have faith. It's also World Mission Sunday.

Just as Aaron and Hur supported the arms of Moses, so must we men - and priests - of today not let down our arms so we can lead our communities and families to God. This is the message delivered by Fr. Phil Bloom's "The Manly Task of Intercession." Fr. James wayne, the Director of Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh strikes an even stronger message with his podcast homily: "Study the Gospel truth. You can not defend what you do not know." Reflect on that awhile specially when he adds this, "Ignorance is the devil's playground."

Th call to faith is reiterated by Fr. Romy Seleccion, our Sunday homily editor, in "PRAYER and FAITH challenge us to become faithful disciples." And we are reminded by Franciscan Fr. Greg Friedman to be like the widow and remain persistent because "God is with us in the struggle" - always.

Speaking of Faith, "Does Doubt Belong to Faith?" If one doubts, is one already on the road toward unbelief? Check out this erudite presentation by Fr. Edward T. Oakes, S.J. And be touched by "Who is real quarterback?" - the story of Mary Favre, wife of star quarterback Brett Favre. Both Catholic, she talks about how their faith was built through her personal life struggles.

October, the month of the Holy Rosary, is in full swing. And last week, we celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions. And so we thought it best that we bring you in this week's edition the most complete guide to understanding and praying the Holy Rosary. This guide will open your life to the many faces of this most wonderful devotion. Make sure you bookmark this page.

"The Fruits of Fatima: 24 years on - He averted World War 3 and saved millions of lives." Many of us do not know how close we really got to a full blown nuclear war with the Soviet Union in 1983. Read this story. From Nepal, we found this article about how in the only state where Hinduism is the national religion, people there still respect and love the Crucifix. And if you're planning to go to China for the 2008 Olympics, your rosaries and bibles will not be welcome. The government there is talking about banning these religious items for everyone entering the country. As you pray your rosaries this week, please ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede so religious freedom may be a reality for all people everywhere.

We have LIFE STORIES. In "The Hour Of Our Death," we bring you an article that explores the Catholic teaching on who decides. And as the "40 Days for Life" campaign pushes on nationwide, we thought we should share this update report, "The dump truck of Death," from outside an abortion clinic in Sacramento, CA.

In CATHOLIC NEWS, we will hear how 854 million people will go to bed tonight with an empty stomach even though enough food was produced to feed everyone. Aware of this sad reality, Pope Benedict XVI marked World Food Day this week by urging all countries to recognize food as a universal human right. He also continued his piercing diatribe on culture proclaiming, "The hierarchy of values isn't determined by either trends or politicians." And how true he is.
Then we have internet news beginning with "GodTube: The Big Guy Goes Online." I've been telling you all that studies show 2 out of 3 people online use it for religious purposes. Now maybe everyone will see the light. This article explains how it is the fastest growing segment of the online world. And ParishWorld is right in the middle of this mix!

Attention Catholic parish leaders! Here is the most profound piece of advise we have ever found for those ministering to the youth and young adults: “It is important for us not to fall into the trap of defining young adults as the church’s next generation. Rather, young adults are the present generation of Catholics." The truth rings loud and clear in "Googling God" which discusses the religious landscape of people in their 20s and 30s.

More youth stories, we have the list of the "Top 50 U.S. Catholic High Schools of 2007." And “Why am I Catholic?” is a great video we found on youtube. It was prepared for a Confirmation Retreat and it gives six reasons for being Catholic. Check it out. It could give you ideas for your next round of Confirmations.

STORIES OF HOPE. "An angel walked the beat tonight on Highway 109" will move you. We also tell you about the homeless man who is the chess king of Washington. He sleeps on a bench but, during the day at Washington's Dupont Circle, he dazzles beginners and masters alike with his winning moves on the park's stone chessboards.

In LIFESTYLE stories, we have several health-related items starting with the arrival of allergy season and how to avoid the ailment as the weather gets colder. Avoid the sniffles. Read how here. "What to eat and what to avoid to cut cancer risk?" Fill your diet with veggies, fiber, vitamin D and calcium to prevent disease. And a serious health warning to all that a drug-resistant staph is loomming nationwide and deaths from it may surpass the AIDS toll. It is passed on through skin on skin contact. Be careful out there.

Finally, we would like to welcome several new parishes to our ParishWorld family: St. Christopher in West Covina, CA; St. Cyprian in Long Beach, CA; Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Los Nietos, CA and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in Los Angeles, CA. We look forward to sharing our ministry with the people of your parishes.

Another exciting week in our Catholic world. Have a great and exciting coming new week.

Keep the faith. Peace.

Wally Arida

Publisher & Editor in chief

It is fundamentally more accurate to say that God is "pro-life," and not merely "anti-abortion"

By Wally Arida
Distributed by e-mail Oct. 4, 2007

BURNING QUESTION: "Does the Church allow abortion if the mother's life is at risk?"
FEATURED BLOG: "It's Respect Life Sunday. But what Life?"
VOCATION NEWS: Seminarians - "Just regular guys God called to serve"
PASTORAL HISPANA: "Tomar Conciencia de nuestros Sentimientos"

Dear Friends,

Faith and "Life" are intertwined in this week's issue of your ParishWorld.net. The mustard seed starts small and unpretentious. And anyone who throws the seed into the ground does it with full faith, believing it will grow into a full and luscious tree. It's the same with human life. In this week's Gospel, Jesus uses the small size of mustard seed to illustrate the infinite power that faith in our living God can bring into our lives.

"What is faith? How does it grow?" This is a powerful podcast reflection on this week's Gospel that discusses what happens to our faith when it is challenged. Then in another podcast homily, Fr. Greg Friedman, O.F.M., assures us that everything in our lives will be alright because, "When one makes that total surrender to the Lord, then all else follows naturally." Our Spanish Theology editor Fr. Roberto Mena, S.T. proclaims this week, "Tener fe como un granito de mostaza," for our Spanish readers. Also if you dread Mondays, maybe you need to take a fresh look at Sunday. We ahve a great story about personal faith building. And in another reflection this time on St. Paul's letter to Timothy in our Second Reading, you are urged to "Stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands."

And since this weekend is the first Sunday of October, the U.S. Catholic Church celebrates the annual "Respect Life Sunday." All members of our Church are reminded to recommit themselves to fashioning a culture of life. We challenge you, however, to re-think just what it is you really mean when you reflect upon the concept of "Life."

Our Theology editor Paul Dion, STL, delivers this ringing message: "When we say that we respect life, do we forget every other form of life but that which is forming in the womb of pregnant females around the world? I'm afraid that we do." To be truly pro-Life is to be more than just anti-abortion. To be pro-Life is to be totally and completely for Life. It is fundamentally more accurate to say that God is "pro-life," and not merely "anti-abortion." He not only wants to end the killing but also to enhance our living in Him. Any attack on human life, then, necessarily involves a rejection of the God who is life.

"Choose life and end the death penalty" will challenge many who believe it is just an election issue. In a perfect illustration of true respect for Life, the surviving Amish families of the Pennsylvania classroom massacre last year talk about completely forgiving the person who massacred their children. "The Amish, one year later - forgiving the unforgivable" tells the story. "'Can' Doesn't Equal 'Should'" is a sermon by the Vatican's Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán that discusses the raging issue of bio-ethics.

From Anchorage, Alaska comes "No one dies alone," the story of a man who has launched a remarkable and inspiring ministry to those who are facing their final hours. And from Louisville University, we bring you the most inspiring video-story of a young musical genius who, though born blind and crippled, has emerged to be a hero as he performs with the school's prestigious marching band - on his wheelchair. It's a true celebration of life.

The answer to our burning question this week may surprise many. "Does the Church allow abortion if the mother's life is at risk?" Nationwide, the pro-Life position is showing a steady rise aming U.S. voters, a significant swing since the "abortion wars " of the 1980s. Priests for Life's Fr. Frank Pavone explains this further in "A Dozen Reasons why Life Is Winning."

Cardinal Arinze, the Vatican's prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments was in the U.S. recently and noted that priests and laypeople here have a desire for ongoing formation. He specifically mentioned the Eucharist and Marriage as two issues cited as of utmost importance. "Focus Groups and Marriage: A Match Made for Heartache" is a great article that explains how the Church bases her teachings on truth, not on market research. And "Why are 20-somethings not marrying?" Many are saying it is due to the poor catechesis these 20-somethings have had. We have an article that says it's more than that.

In our Stories of Hope, the saving grace of the rosary is illustrated in this amazing tuue story of a life saved. And the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati shares a story about military chaplains that gives him another reason "Why he's happy he is a priest."

In Youth & Lifestyle, Benedict XVI presented St. Francis of Assisi as a role model for youth, saying that his life was exemplary in its fidelity to the Gospel. "Catholicism on Campus" explains how young people arrive at the university looking for answers to serious questions about the meaning of life - including their Catholic faith. And if they don't find an elevated vision of that truth, they face disappointment. We need to feed them the complete truth. They want it. And they can take it.

Have you been wanting to reconcile your religious beliefs with work? Then you're not alone. Many companies are now increasingly asked to accommodate their employees' faith beliefs. We have the report. And did you know that organized people get Alzheimer's disease less than the disorganized ones? It is time to put your life in order. And from the Philippines, we bring you a high-tech story about how millions there are turning their cell phones into virtual wallets - a concept unheard of in America - using texting to transfer money over mobile banking services.

Another wonderful week in our Catholic world. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor-in-chief