09 February 2018
Sarah Teather on Lessons from Benedict XVI on Welcoming Refugees
"This week, as we published a new report at the Jesuit Refugee Service
looking at homelessness amongst refugees, words from Pope Benedict
XVI's encyclical came flooding back to me. Christian love of neighbour,
he said, is a response to and a sharing of God's love. But neighbours
aren't only people like me, because the Christian concept of neighbour
is a universal, that is, a catholic one.
"Benedict warned that this love is especially important where we are confronted with the idea that we have a 'duty of hatred'. Such a perverse 'duty of hatred', I realised, finds a close parallel in a key aspect of government policy towards certain groups of forcibly displaced people: the hostile environment agenda."
In a recent commentary, Sarah Teather, a former British Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Children and Families, reflected on the message of Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est as it applies to current attitudes toward immigration in the United Kingdom and other nations.
To access her complete post, please visit:
Catholic Herald: What Benedict XVI can teach us about welcoming refugees (26 JAN 18)
Background report:
Benedict XI: Deus caritas est (On Christian Love) (December 25, 2005)
"Benedict warned that this love is especially important where we are confronted with the idea that we have a 'duty of hatred'. Such a perverse 'duty of hatred', I realised, finds a close parallel in a key aspect of government policy towards certain groups of forcibly displaced people: the hostile environment agenda."
In a recent commentary, Sarah Teather, a former British Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Children and Families, reflected on the message of Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est as it applies to current attitudes toward immigration in the United Kingdom and other nations.
To access her complete post, please visit:
Catholic Herald: What Benedict XVI can teach us about welcoming refugees (26 JAN 18)
Background report:
Benedict XI: Deus caritas est (On Christian Love) (December 25, 2005)
Reflection Starter from William Arthur Ward
"Today is a most unusual day, because we have never lived it before; we will never live it again; it is the only day we have" - William Arthur Ward
08 February 2018
Thank You, Lord
Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of Catholic caregivers and for the many ways in which they minister to Your people.
In Praise of Catholic Caregivers
In a 2017 article for the London-based Catholic Herald, Professor David Paton of Nottingham University called the Catholic Church "the largest and most significant non-state organization in the world" and "one of the biggest aid agencies in the world." The numbers internationally are impressive - over 140,000 schools, 10,000 orphanages, 5,000 hospitals and 16,000 other clinics, with spending between two and four billion per year.
"Even these numbers only tell half the tale," writes Paton, who notes that Caritas, the organization that provides the numbers, does not factor in developmental spending by religious orders and other charities, nor do their figures reflect small scale charitable projects undertaken by the 200,000 parishes worldwide. "In much of the developing world," Paton writes, "if the Church was not involved, the services would not be provided at all."
One study found that Catholic hospitals in the U.S. were more efficient than their secular counterparts while also managing to compile a better track record of serving the poor and marginalized of society. In education, an Australian study shows that attending Catholic schools increases students' chances of going to college and getting a good job. And on a heartbreaking yet enlightening note about education in one U.S. city, Paton writes, "The University of Chicago Law Review recently concluded that the closure of Catholic schools in poorer areas of Chicago led to a significant increase in urban social disorder and crime."
So what does this say about the state of Catholic outreach throughout the world? It says that people of faith have been inspired by the gospel to build a worldwide community of caregivers who are currently making a profound impact on society and in the life of each individual they serve. Christ said, "You will know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:16) Faithful Catholics are rising to the call to produce good fruits every day.
As Paton notes, it is important for the Church's outreach to remain firmly rooted in the faith because this is the best way to minister to the full range of human needs when dealing with each individual we serve. The greatest threat to the continuation of a robust Catholic outreach comes from secular governments and institutions that sometimes expect the Church to conform to modern trends in morality in order to administer aid.
It is important that Catholics remain confident in answering the call to serve while also upholding the beliefs that have been handed down to us by Christ. This will ensure the future of our mission to serve those in need throughout the world; and, as Paton writes, "If Catholic institutions are able to carry on delivering their services in the context of an ethos that has at its heart the dignity of every human life from conception until natural death, the Church can continue to be the greatest force for good in the world today."
For those interested in becoming part of the thriving culture of service in the Church, Catholic Volunteer Network is a wonderful place to discover information about opportunities for outreach in our nation and around the world. There is truly so much going on and so many opportunities, including opportunities for young people to earn stipends while exploring their gifts as caregivers to those in need.
So take heart in the wonderful work done by Catholic caregivers around the world, and let us go forth as a people of faith to continue to act on the love we have within our hearts for all God's children.
This essay is this week's "Light One Candle" column; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.)
Background information:
The Christophers
"Even these numbers only tell half the tale," writes Paton, who notes that Caritas, the organization that provides the numbers, does not factor in developmental spending by religious orders and other charities, nor do their figures reflect small scale charitable projects undertaken by the 200,000 parishes worldwide. "In much of the developing world," Paton writes, "if the Church was not involved, the services would not be provided at all."
One study found that Catholic hospitals in the U.S. were more efficient than their secular counterparts while also managing to compile a better track record of serving the poor and marginalized of society. In education, an Australian study shows that attending Catholic schools increases students' chances of going to college and getting a good job. And on a heartbreaking yet enlightening note about education in one U.S. city, Paton writes, "The University of Chicago Law Review recently concluded that the closure of Catholic schools in poorer areas of Chicago led to a significant increase in urban social disorder and crime."
So what does this say about the state of Catholic outreach throughout the world? It says that people of faith have been inspired by the gospel to build a worldwide community of caregivers who are currently making a profound impact on society and in the life of each individual they serve. Christ said, "You will know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:16) Faithful Catholics are rising to the call to produce good fruits every day.
As Paton notes, it is important for the Church's outreach to remain firmly rooted in the faith because this is the best way to minister to the full range of human needs when dealing with each individual we serve. The greatest threat to the continuation of a robust Catholic outreach comes from secular governments and institutions that sometimes expect the Church to conform to modern trends in morality in order to administer aid.
It is important that Catholics remain confident in answering the call to serve while also upholding the beliefs that have been handed down to us by Christ. This will ensure the future of our mission to serve those in need throughout the world; and, as Paton writes, "If Catholic institutions are able to carry on delivering their services in the context of an ethos that has at its heart the dignity of every human life from conception until natural death, the Church can continue to be the greatest force for good in the world today."
For those interested in becoming part of the thriving culture of service in the Church, Catholic Volunteer Network is a wonderful place to discover information about opportunities for outreach in our nation and around the world. There is truly so much going on and so many opportunities, including opportunities for young people to earn stipends while exploring their gifts as caregivers to those in need.
So take heart in the wonderful work done by Catholic caregivers around the world, and let us go forth as a people of faith to continue to act on the love we have within our hearts for all God's children.
This essay is this week's "Light One Candle" column; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.)
Background information:
The Christophers
Reflection Starter from Leo Tolstoy
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." - Leo Tolstoy
05 February 2018
Bishop Tobin on Giving to the Church
"So, a man died and went to heaven. He was met at the pearly gates by
St. Peter who led him down the golden streets. They passed stately homes
and beautiful mansions until they came to the end of the street where
they stopped in front of a rundown cabin. 'This is where you'll be
living,' St. Peter said. But the man protested and asked St. Peter why
he got a simple little hut when so many others were living in mansions.
St. Peter replied, 'I did the best I could with the money you sent us.'
"It seems that the topic of giving money to the church always evokes a variety of emotions - humor, angst, piety and pride. And questions too. Why should I give to the church? How much should I give? What does the church do with all that money? Why do some members stop giving to the church?
"First, let's state the obvious. Every religious denomination depends on the free will contributions of its members to survive, to carry-out its mission. Where else would the church derive its financial resources? At least in this country, the government doesn't subsidize churches. (Although sometimes the government will enter into a contract with a church to deliver a particular service - affordable housing, or refugee resettlement, for example.)
"But the church needs money and we shouldn't apologize for that. While the church exists for spiritual purposes, it doesn't run on love alone. It lives and functions in the real world and it needs money to do so."
In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on reasons why people or don't give to the Church and on why it is important to do so..
To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit:
Without A Doubt: Let’s Talk About Giving to the Church (25 JAN 18)
"It seems that the topic of giving money to the church always evokes a variety of emotions - humor, angst, piety and pride. And questions too. Why should I give to the church? How much should I give? What does the church do with all that money? Why do some members stop giving to the church?
"First, let's state the obvious. Every religious denomination depends on the free will contributions of its members to survive, to carry-out its mission. Where else would the church derive its financial resources? At least in this country, the government doesn't subsidize churches. (Although sometimes the government will enter into a contract with a church to deliver a particular service - affordable housing, or refugee resettlement, for example.)
"But the church needs money and we shouldn't apologize for that. While the church exists for spiritual purposes, it doesn't run on love alone. It lives and functions in the real world and it needs money to do so."
In a recent commentary, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on reasons why people or don't give to the Church and on why it is important to do so..
To access Bishop Tobin's complete essay, please visit:
Without A Doubt: Let’s Talk About Giving to the Church (25 JAN 18)
Reflection Starter from G. K. Chesterton
"When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude." - G. K. Chesterton
04 February 2018
Msgr. Pope on the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
"The moment of the Presentation of Jesus was one of the most dramatic in biblical history, yet almost no one noticed. . . .
"To understand what it is, let's look back to 587 B.C.
"The Babylonians had invaded Jerusalem and the unthinkable had happened. The Holy City was destroyed and, along with it, the Temple of God. Inside the Temple something even more precious than the building had been housed: the Ark of the Covenant.
"Recall what the Ark of Covenant was in the Old Testament. It was a box of acacia wood, covered in gold. Inside it were placed the two tablets on which God had inscribed the Ten Commandments. Also in it was the staff of Aaron and a vial of the manna. Even more important, in this box, this ark, dwelt the very Presence of God in Israel. God mysteriously dwelt within, much as is the case today in our understanding of the tabernacle in our Catholic churches.
"The Lost Ark - Incredibly, however, the Ark was lost when the Babylonians destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem in 587 BC. Some thought that Jeremiah had hidden it in the mountains. Others, that the priests had hastily hidden it in the maze of caves beneath the Temple Mount. Still others argued that it was taken to Ethiopia. But the Ark was gone.
"Empty Temple - When the Temple was rebuilt some eighty years later, the Holy of Holies was restored but the Ark was still missing. . . . The Ark, the mercy seat, was gone. Would it ever be found? Would it ever be returned to the Temple? Would the Holy Presence of God ever find its way to the Temple again?"
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the importance of the return of God to the Temple in the Presentation of Jesus and its importance to the people of Israel at that time and its importance to us today.
To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: A Dramatic Biblical Moment That Nearly Everyone Missed (1 FEB 18)
"To understand what it is, let's look back to 587 B.C.
"The Babylonians had invaded Jerusalem and the unthinkable had happened. The Holy City was destroyed and, along with it, the Temple of God. Inside the Temple something even more precious than the building had been housed: the Ark of the Covenant.
"Recall what the Ark of Covenant was in the Old Testament. It was a box of acacia wood, covered in gold. Inside it were placed the two tablets on which God had inscribed the Ten Commandments. Also in it was the staff of Aaron and a vial of the manna. Even more important, in this box, this ark, dwelt the very Presence of God in Israel. God mysteriously dwelt within, much as is the case today in our understanding of the tabernacle in our Catholic churches.
"The Lost Ark - Incredibly, however, the Ark was lost when the Babylonians destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem in 587 BC. Some thought that Jeremiah had hidden it in the mountains. Others, that the priests had hastily hidden it in the maze of caves beneath the Temple Mount. Still others argued that it was taken to Ethiopia. But the Ark was gone.
"Empty Temple - When the Temple was rebuilt some eighty years later, the Holy of Holies was restored but the Ark was still missing. . . . The Ark, the mercy seat, was gone. Would it ever be found? Would it ever be returned to the Temple? Would the Holy Presence of God ever find its way to the Temple again?"
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the importance of the return of God to the Temple in the Presentation of Jesus and its importance to the people of Israel at that time and its importance to us today.
To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: A Dramatic Biblical Moment That Nearly Everyone Missed (1 FEB 18)
Reflection Starter from Pope Francis
"Goodness, together with love, justice and solidarity, are not achieved once and for all; they have to be realized each day." - Pope Francis
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
