I was fortunate to have spent a week visiting near a very vibrant parish in the Diocese of Venice, Florida which observed "24 Hours of Mercy," while I was there. Bishop Frank Dewane, in consultation with his priests designated March 4th and 5th to be the time in which the people of that Diocese would observe the "24 hours of Mercy."
I attended the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and I watched as the pastor and an associate pastor stayed in Church and ministered God's mercy. Many tearful and fallen away Catholics came. Observing from a distance and sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament, I could not know what people were sharing, of course. Some were going to Confession, others were seeking spiritual guidance. Many needed tissues to wipe their tears. Yes, this was the "field hospital" that Pope Francis has spoken about, set up in a parish church, in Southwest Florida. And though I stayed about an hour and a half in Church, I was greatly moved by what I saw. This went on from 1:00 PM until 11:00 PM. on Friday. The next day on Saturday it continued in the morning until Mass which was at 11:30 AM after Benediction. I attended the Mass, but the Mass had to start a half hour late, because people were on line and they were given the opportunity to confess or share and then the Mass began.
At Mass last Sunday the pastor said that over 100 fallen away Catholics had come to the Church seeking Confession or spiritual guidance. Many had been encouraged by their friends to come.
The whole "24 Hours of Mercy" was not only fruitful but awe-inspiring. The best of the Catholic Church in view. God's mercy being administered by caring priests of God. It's as good as Catholicism gets and I saw it there in that Church, the healing and blessing of God's mercy being administered by good and generous priests.
NJA
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Leonardo DiCaprio's Oscar Acceptance Speech Brings Awareness To a Cause Close To His Heart and That of Pope Francis
Leonardo DiCaprio recently met with Pope Francis in a private audience at the Vatican (I wrote about it in a previous blog entry). He was very grateful for the private audience with the Pope and he brought his father along. He gave Pope Francis gifts, among them a check for the Pope's favorite charities. Very generous. Though it doesn't seem like they would have anything in common, they do. They share a common interest in helping the environment and protecting the Earth. It seems Leonardo's meeting with the Pope brought him some blessings and good luck and on Sunday night he won an Oscar for acting in the role of frontiersman Hugh Glass in the movie, "The Revenant."
The Revenant has an interesting title and the word means, "A person who has returned supposedly from the dead."
The writer of the book on which the story is based has an interesting background. The writer, Michael Punke is a deputy U.S. trade representative. He wrote the historical novel in his spare time, waking up early in the morning to write. That impresses me.
But back to Leonardo. In his acceptance speech, he said, "Climate change is real and its happening now......It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating. "
Leonardo also urged support for political leaders who speak for humanity. I wished he had mentioned Pope Francis but he didn't.
DiCaprio has been called out by members of the media, questioning the huge carbon footprint he contributes to as he travels often in jets, around the world, not just for his career but for pleasure.
No one is perfect and DiCaprio may be a polluter to some degree (aren't most of us to some small degree?)but he does give to charities that support the environment and endangered animals. He is trying to bring awareness to the issue of climate change and global warming. He used the Academy Awards as a platform to try to bring awareness to an issue dear to his heart, with millions watching. Who knows the good that he did?
NJA
The Revenant has an interesting title and the word means, "A person who has returned supposedly from the dead."
The writer of the book on which the story is based has an interesting background. The writer, Michael Punke is a deputy U.S. trade representative. He wrote the historical novel in his spare time, waking up early in the morning to write. That impresses me.
But back to Leonardo. In his acceptance speech, he said, "Climate change is real and its happening now......It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating. "
Leonardo also urged support for political leaders who speak for humanity. I wished he had mentioned Pope Francis but he didn't.
DiCaprio has been called out by members of the media, questioning the huge carbon footprint he contributes to as he travels often in jets, around the world, not just for his career but for pleasure.
No one is perfect and DiCaprio may be a polluter to some degree (aren't most of us to some small degree?)but he does give to charities that support the environment and endangered animals. He is trying to bring awareness to the issue of climate change and global warming. He used the Academy Awards as a platform to try to bring awareness to an issue dear to his heart, with millions watching. Who knows the good that he did?
NJA
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Pope St. John Paul II's Friendship With American Philosopher Comes to Light
It is no secret that Pope Saint John Paul II had many good friendships, with Christians as well as people from other religions. Friendships are good for human beings. St. Augustine wrote about the blessings a good, holy friendship can bring into one's life.
I was however surprised to read in an article that Pope St. John Paul had a special relationship with a woman philosopher that spanned many decades. I had never heard of it before and that's why I found it so surprising. But recently letters that he wrote to the American philosopher Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka have been made public and they show that they had a deep, intellectual friendship that they both found rewarding and special. He called her "a gift from God." How endearing.
Pope Francis spoke about the relationship to reporters on his recent trip back to the Vatican from Mexico. He remarked that he was aware of the special relationship between St. John Paul II and the American philosopher Anna-Teresa but that he felt it was fine for even popes to have good, healthy, holy friendships with women. I would agree.
As Pope Francis pointed out, many saints have had special friendships such as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi and the Carmelite saints, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. Also St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac were friends and co-founded the Daughters of Charity. So friendships between saints is nothing new or between a saint and a layperson.
Unfortunately, when some people have tried to have good, intellectual, platonic friendships because of gossip and lies, lives have been ruined. There's nothing wrong with friendships but sometimes in the Church, people like to gossip and spread misinformation and that's a cause for concern because a good friendship based on intellectual respect can become suspect. That's unjust.
As far as Pope St. John Paul II having a special friendship with a woman, I think it makes him more human, at least in my eyes. He had the need for friendship with another intellectual and given the pressures he had in life and all he accomplished in his blessed life, it seems it was a good thing for him.
NJA
I was however surprised to read in an article that Pope St. John Paul had a special relationship with a woman philosopher that spanned many decades. I had never heard of it before and that's why I found it so surprising. But recently letters that he wrote to the American philosopher Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka have been made public and they show that they had a deep, intellectual friendship that they both found rewarding and special. He called her "a gift from God." How endearing.
Pope Francis spoke about the relationship to reporters on his recent trip back to the Vatican from Mexico. He remarked that he was aware of the special relationship between St. John Paul II and the American philosopher Anna-Teresa but that he felt it was fine for even popes to have good, healthy, holy friendships with women. I would agree.
As Pope Francis pointed out, many saints have had special friendships such as St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi and the Carmelite saints, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. Also St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac were friends and co-founded the Daughters of Charity. So friendships between saints is nothing new or between a saint and a layperson.
Unfortunately, when some people have tried to have good, intellectual, platonic friendships because of gossip and lies, lives have been ruined. There's nothing wrong with friendships but sometimes in the Church, people like to gossip and spread misinformation and that's a cause for concern because a good friendship based on intellectual respect can become suspect. That's unjust.
As far as Pope St. John Paul II having a special friendship with a woman, I think it makes him more human, at least in my eyes. He had the need for friendship with another intellectual and given the pressures he had in life and all he accomplished in his blessed life, it seems it was a good thing for him.
NJA
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Who Will Help Care for and Support Poor Babies Born With Microcephaly from Zika
The first day of the penitential season of Lent is as good a time as any to think about those poor babies born with microcephaly, a condition linked to the mosquito that transmits the Zika virus. The World Health Organization has called the Zika virus and the birth defects it apparently causes an international health emergency.
These babies are being born into poor families in Brazil and other Latin and South American countries as well as the Caribbean. Families already living in poverty are now being challenged with having a baby with special needs. One mother was quoted as saying, "How can we do this, how can we support this child?" That remark has haunted me. Doctors are haunted by mothers who ask them if their babies will improve, if their small heads will grow larger.
I hope that Catholic Relief Services will begin a program to support these families. I intend to write them, but I'm sure they've already thought of it.
There are many people who would be willing to help these families and international organizations who try to set up programs for these children as they grow.
In this Year of Mercy, these children must be shown mercy, compassion and love and their families supported, so that their burden is lessened.
NJA
These babies are being born into poor families in Brazil and other Latin and South American countries as well as the Caribbean. Families already living in poverty are now being challenged with having a baby with special needs. One mother was quoted as saying, "How can we do this, how can we support this child?" That remark has haunted me. Doctors are haunted by mothers who ask them if their babies will improve, if their small heads will grow larger.
I hope that Catholic Relief Services will begin a program to support these families. I intend to write them, but I'm sure they've already thought of it.
There are many people who would be willing to help these families and international organizations who try to set up programs for these children as they grow.
In this Year of Mercy, these children must be shown mercy, compassion and love and their families supported, so that their burden is lessened.
NJA
Monday, February 1, 2016
Pope Francis Receives Visit From Actor Leonardo DiCaprio
Pope Francis granted the famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio a private audience recently at the Vatican. Leonardo wanted to discuss their common interest in helping the environment (God's creation). Leonardo has his own Foundation to support environmental initiatives. Leonardo was quoted as thanking the Pope for granting him a private audience (he brought his father along) and he gave the Pope a book of works by the 15th century painter Hieronymus Bosch which contained a reproduction of a work that hung over Leonardo's crib as a child and greatly affected him. He also gave Pope Francis a check to be used for the Pope's charities.
Who would have ever believed that Pope Francis and Leonardo DiCaprio would have something in common but they do. They both believe that something must be done to stop the degradation of the environment, the polluting that is hurting not only the environment but threatens humankind on many levels.
Di Caprio who has been nominated for an Oscar for his role in the movie, "The Revenant," needs some blessings and perhaps being near to holy Pope Francis will give him the edge he needs to win an Oscar. I saw the movie, it was very violent, too violent for me, but the story was amazing and DiCaprio did an incredible job acting.
Pope Francis gave DiCaprio a leather bound copy of "Laudato Si" and "The Joy of the Gospel. " I hope Leonardo reads them both.
He would be a great evangelizer for the message the Pope is trying to get across to modern society. We must preserve and protect this beautiful creation that God gave us, or we will all pay the consequences of not doing so.
NJA
Who would have ever believed that Pope Francis and Leonardo DiCaprio would have something in common but they do. They both believe that something must be done to stop the degradation of the environment, the polluting that is hurting not only the environment but threatens humankind on many levels.
Di Caprio who has been nominated for an Oscar for his role in the movie, "The Revenant," needs some blessings and perhaps being near to holy Pope Francis will give him the edge he needs to win an Oscar. I saw the movie, it was very violent, too violent for me, but the story was amazing and DiCaprio did an incredible job acting.
Pope Francis gave DiCaprio a leather bound copy of "Laudato Si" and "The Joy of the Gospel. " I hope Leonardo reads them both.
He would be a great evangelizer for the message the Pope is trying to get across to modern society. We must preserve and protect this beautiful creation that God gave us, or we will all pay the consequences of not doing so.
NJA
Monday, January 18, 2016
Those Great Nuns of Upper Nyack, New York
I was very happy to read the article in the NY Times titled, "Nuns' Property Along Hudson to Become Parkland" which tells the wonderful story of the Sisters of Our Lady of Christian Doctrine (also known as the Marydell sisters), a religious order of nuns from Upper Nyack, NY who did the right thing. Instead of selling their valuable property overlooking the Hudson River to developers, they instead decided to sell 30 acres of their property to the Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit conservation group, which will turn it into parkland for the public to enjoy. This was important because it adjoins both Nyack Beach State Park and Rockland Lake State Park. The views are apparently amazing and are some of the views that inspired the Hudson River School painters.
The sisters who have sold the property to help with the aging sisters and to make repairs on the property they will continue to own (they are keeping 10 acres), could have sold it for a much higher price. But the sisters believe the land is sacred and should be preserved for future generations.
Sister Veronica Mendez, the order's president said that, It's beautiful......It really is a priceless piece of property, no matter how much money anyone offered us. This just seemed right."
Preserving a small piece of God's beautiful creation is a heavenly thing for sure.
NJA
The sisters who have sold the property to help with the aging sisters and to make repairs on the property they will continue to own (they are keeping 10 acres), could have sold it for a much higher price. But the sisters believe the land is sacred and should be preserved for future generations.
Sister Veronica Mendez, the order's president said that, It's beautiful......It really is a priceless piece of property, no matter how much money anyone offered us. This just seemed right."
Preserving a small piece of God's beautiful creation is a heavenly thing for sure.
NJA
Thursday, January 7, 2016
The New Year Off To An Uncertain Start-Money Evaporates in the Stock Market
There is so much uncertainty in the world, not sure how people without faith live. I couldn't do it. Faith gives me hope, inner strength, confidence and the certainty that no matter how things are, "with God all things are possible." And in the words of Julian of Norwich, "All will be well and all shall be well and all manner of thing will be well." Faith and belief endure, because God is real and God's truths will prevail.
In the New Year, so far, the stock market has lost a lot of value. People have lost a lot of money over the last four days. There is real panic because people just don't know what will happen next. It's been the worst beginning of a new year for the stock market ever. I watch business news because my husband watches CNBC and so I watch it too sometimes. The smartest minds in business and finance don't know where it's all going. China's policies affect the whole world. So our economy is tied to global worries and China's economic policies. Some people think we are headed for another recession but no one really knows.
Recessions and financial troubles come and go. The market goes up and down and there is great volatility.
People should be prudent with their money in these uncertain times. My friend who goes to a Catholic charismatic gathering near Boston every year, told me a few months ago that many people were inspired by the Holy Spirit and spoke of trying times that were coming. I said to her, at that time, "Well what do you think people should do with their money to keep it safe?" Her reply was, "put it under your mattress!"
Those of us who rely on prayer and God's truth stay close to God and weather the storms.
NJA
In the New Year, so far, the stock market has lost a lot of value. People have lost a lot of money over the last four days. There is real panic because people just don't know what will happen next. It's been the worst beginning of a new year for the stock market ever. I watch business news because my husband watches CNBC and so I watch it too sometimes. The smartest minds in business and finance don't know where it's all going. China's policies affect the whole world. So our economy is tied to global worries and China's economic policies. Some people think we are headed for another recession but no one really knows.
Recessions and financial troubles come and go. The market goes up and down and there is great volatility.
People should be prudent with their money in these uncertain times. My friend who goes to a Catholic charismatic gathering near Boston every year, told me a few months ago that many people were inspired by the Holy Spirit and spoke of trying times that were coming. I said to her, at that time, "Well what do you think people should do with their money to keep it safe?" Her reply was, "put it under your mattress!"
Those of us who rely on prayer and God's truth stay close to God and weather the storms.
NJA
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