The Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for February
By Sarah Rozman | February 1, 2010
General For all scholars and intellectuals, that by means of a sincere search for truth they may arrive at an understanding of the one true God.
Mission That the Church, aware of its own missionary identity, may strive to follow Christ faithfully and to proclaim His Gospel to all peoples.
Topics: Prayer, Pope Benedict XVI | No Comments »
Living “Naturally” — Updated
By Sarah Rozman | January 27, 2010
I appreciated Matthew over at Creative Minority Report sharing this conversation he had about “natural living” and the Pill. His interlocutor was advocating using more natural products and being mindful of all the chemicals we put in our bodies…then expressed her gratitude for the Pill. Just a snippet:
I couldn’t hold my tongue so I just threw it out there. “How does all this natural living coincide with all the chemicals you’re putting in your body from the Pill?”
And then she said that she needs to be on the Pill because it allows her to live naturally. If she had more children then she wouldn’t have the time to live the way she wanted to live, she said.
Advocating natural living while pumping artificial birth control into one’s system necessitates some bizarre mental gymnastics. To live the way she wants to live–”naturally”–she feels that she has to do something unnatural.
There’s a fundamental mix-up in priorities here, starting with the idea that life is all about me and my wants. There’s no room for the other–whether that “other” be God or children–when one’s first order of business is oneself. And that mentality, contrary to expectations, leads not to happiness and fullness of life, but sorrow and emptiness of soul.
Update
I wanted to post a few resources from Dr. Edward P. Sri’s Lay Witness column on Love and Responsibility that, I think, add to the discussion.
- “The Law of the Gift: Understanding the Two Sides of Love”
- “Love and . . . Responsibility?”
- “How Contraception Destroys Love”
Topics: Contraception | No Comments »
The Pro-Life Movement, Healthcare, and Divine Intervention
By Sarah Rozman | January 26, 2010
Thomas Peters (aka American Papist) notes, over at the American Principles Project blog, that the efforts of the pro-life movement have slowed–even halted–the pro-abortion healthcare legislation pending in Congress.
And Patrick of Creative Minority Report reminds us:
Non nobis, non nobis, Domine
Sed nomini tuo da gloriam.Not to us, not to us, O Lord,
But to your name give glory.
Topics: Pro-Life | No Comments »
Marching–and Praying–for Life
By Sarah Rozman | January 21, 2010
From the 2009 March for Life.
Early tomorrow morning, members of the CUF staff are heading to Washington, DC, for the annual March for life. Look for our CUF signs–we hope to see you there!
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is hosting a National Prayer Vigil for Life, starting with Mass tonight at 6:30 p.m. The vigil includes adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Divine Office, and Confession. It closes with a Mass tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. Click here to find out more.
If you aren’t able to attend the Vigil or March for Life, you can follow it on EWTN. Click here for EWTN’s special program schedule. Click here for online live streaming.
Topics: Pro-Life | No Comments »
Video: Archbishop Dolon Addresses Devastation in Haiti
By Sarah Rozman | January 15, 2010
From the USCCB:
Topics: Suffering, Prayer, Bishops | No Comments »
Prayers for Haiti
By Sarah Rozman | January 13, 2010
In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, the Anchoress has news updates, as well as links to organizations where we can donate to help with relief efforts (h/t to American Papist). Also from AMP:
Early reports from the region suggest an unmitigated disaster: the Archbishop of Haiti, Joseph Serge Miot has died in the rubble, hundreds of priests and seminarians dead, and a total death toll that may reach 100,000. One hundred thousand.
Let us help those who survived, and pray for those who have died.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine on them. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Topics: Suffering, Prayer | No Comments »
Champions in Black and White
By Sarah Rozman | January 8, 2010
The Diocese of Pittsburgh has put together a pretty snazzy vocations Web site, pghpriest.com.
They definitely know their audience. Case in point: Knowing that most Pittsburghers are die-hard Steelers fans, the tagline at the bottom of the home page reads, “In a city that bleeds black and gold, we need champions to wear the black and white.”
One of my favorite parts of the site is the “Real Lives” section. A priest, as well as seminarians, tell their vocation stories. So does Bishop Zubik, the bishop of the Pittsburgh Diocese.
The FAQs present quick, solid answers to questions on discernment, sexuality & celibacy, and parents (as in, “What if my parents disagree that I should become a priest?”) Whoever wrote the FAQs also has a sense of humor. One of my favorites:
Can priests have mustaches?
The mustache, made popular by people such as Tom Selleck, has been donned by many great priests as well. So, yes, priests can have mustaches.
Definitely worth checking out.
Topics: Vocations, Priesthood | No Comments »
The Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for January
By Sarah Rozman | January 8, 2010
General That young people may learn to use modern means of social communication for their personal growth and to better prepare themselves to serve society.
Mission That every believer in Christ may be conscious that unity among all Christians is a condition for more effective proclamation of the Gospel.
Topics: Prayer, Pope Benedict XVI | No Comments »
The Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for December
By Sarah Rozman | December 1, 2009
General That children may be respected and loved and never be the victims of exploitation in its various forms.
Mission That at Christmas the peoples of the earth may recognize in the Word Incarnate the light which illuminates every man and that the nations may open their doors to Christ, the Savior of the world.
Topics: Prayer, Pope Benedict XVI | No Comments »
New articles at CUF.org
By Sarah Rozman | November 24, 2009
Check out our online exclusives for the November/December issue of Lay Witness.
Catholics and Healthcare Reform
An Interview with Bishop Robert F. Vasa
Bishop Vasa talks to Mike Sullivan about two non-negotiable elements of healthcare reform.
The Immaculate Conception: A Celebration for All Human Beings
by Fr. Wade Menezes, C.P.M.
Drawing from St. Bernadette and St. Maximilian Kolbe, Fr. Menezes discusses the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
St. Albert Magnus
by Dr. Roger B. Duncan
Dr. Duncan reflects on St. Albert the Great’s broad learning and bold commitment to the truth.
Topics: Lay Witness, Bishops | No Comments »