A Busy Week at the Vatican

John Allen describes all the goings-on here.  Check out what the central activity of the world's oldest Christian church looks like.

I think that Allen's summary is useful from an apologetics perspective since it can inform the imagination of people who are so accustomed to thinking of the Christian churches only at the local level.  To see how the Pope, cardinals, and bishops administer the unity and mission of the church at "headquarters" can help break us out of that box.  Of course, the church at the local level is (or at least ought to be) integrated in union with the bishops and the Holy Father, since we all share the same mission of the Redeemer, and we all share a place in the same episcopal hierarchy (though not necessarily the same place).

On Homosexuality and the Bible

Check out this post by Msgr. Charles Pope.  It provides a good summary of the Catholic position as well as a link to an interesting YouTube video on the subject.

From a Father to His Aborted Child...

Check out this powerful video:

Dr. Monica Miller: Photographing the Holy Innocents

When I was a student at the University of Michigan and a parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church, I was able to make the acquaintance of many strong pro-life advocates for the unborn.  Though I never met Dr. Miller in person, I attended sessions directed by her husband for training in sidewalk counseling outside abortion clinics.  I have long followed the work of Dr. Miller's organization "Citizens for a Pro-life Society," which has accomplished much good in Michigan and across the country.

I was pleased to see Dr. Miller's work and photography of abortion victims be the focus of a recent New York Times (related) blog entry. 

I invite you to take some time to learn about Dr. Miller's work, and please remember to take some time today to pray for the all the victims of abortion, including both children and their mothers.

Home Sweet Home...

My home parish while I lived in Michigan, Christ the King Catholic Church, recently captured the attention of a blogger over at Intentional Disciples.

It is hard to put into words how much I miss this parish.  Few things move me to tears, but just thinking of the parish and its members--and their love for Jesus--draws moisture to my eyes.  Yes, it is difficult to describe such a place without appearing overly sentimental.

That's why I'm pleased to link you to this perspective of a more objective observer...

Thank you Jesus for the gift of this wonderful parish.  I beg you to send your Holy Spirit and renew your Holy Catholic Church.  Let tongues of fire dance on our heads once again!

I would encourage all my readers to subscribe to Christ the King's weekly podcast, which features all the homilies given at the church.

I would especially consider my non-Catholic readers who don't think Catholics are "saved" to check out Christ the King's parish statement.

Webster Bull has done it again...

Check out this beautiful post, titled "Because I am Happier than Ever."

...and don't forget to read the comments!

Under the Cross of Lepanto

Brother Stephen offers this post in honor of this feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

I was particularly moved by his account of Dr. Manuel Irurita y Almandoz, Bishop of Barcelona from 1930 to 1936:

[quote:]

During the Spanish Civil War, Irurita y Almandoz spoke out against the abuses of Barcelona's leftist government and was marked for execution. After several months of administering the diocese from hiding, he was apprehended. One of his killers later testified that when he was brought before the firing squad, he said,

I bless all of those who are in my presence, as I also bless the bullets that will occasion my death, since they will be the keys that will open the gates of heaven for me.

His cause is under investigation.

[end quote.]