- Corrections/Additions
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In the Jan. 31 Catholic Schools Week section, the byline for the Cathedral Schools article on page 30 was incorrect. The article was written by Marian Crosby, principal of Cathedral School.
In the Catholic Schools Week supplement, also from Jan. 31, Sister Benedict Hayden, ASC, was the last of her community to teach at St. Mary School in Taylorville. Sister Denise Ann Clifford, SL, was principal there from 1973-1981.
The April date for Great River TEC’s Quest, a 24-hour faith filled experience for eighth-grade students, freshman and sophomores, which appeared in the Jan. 31 issue of Catholic Times, was changed to April 16 and 17. For more information call (217) 224-5615, or go online to www.greatrivertec.org. - CNS News
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- Catholic Times Inserts
February 28, 2010 - 2009 Catholic Charities Annual Report3 Minute Roundup
| Catholic agency ends foster, adoption services in D.C. |
| WASHINGTON — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington closed its 80-year-old foster care and public adoption program in the District of Columbia so the agency would not have to violate church teaching by licensing same-sex couples as foster or adoptive parents. The program — which covered 43 children and their biological families, 35 foster families and seven staff members — was transferred to the National Center for Children and Families Feb. 1. Under a new law allowing same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia, Catholic Charities would have been required to place children with same-sex parents for foster care and adoption, which would violate church teaching that marriage is a permanent union between one man and one woman. “Catholic Charities has been providing foster care in one form or another for decades. ... To transition this to another agency certainly was a real loss for us,” said Edward Orzechowski, president and CEO of Catholic Charities. The National Center for Children and Families “shares our commitment to permanency for children, and our perspective that foster parents are real partners with us in serving these children,” he said. The law is currently under congressional review, but the district is scheduled to begin issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples in March. Two members of Congress have introduced legislation that would require the district to hold a referendum on the same-sex marriage issue before licenses could be issued. (CNS) |
| Airport security must respect human dignity, pope says |
| VATICAN CITY — Anti-terrorist measures at airports should always respect the principles of human dignity, Pope Benedict XVI said. Although the pope did not mention specific devices or technology, his words Feb. 20 were taken by many as a reference to the recent move toward full-body scanners, which reveal graphic body images along with potential weapons. The pope told a group of Italian airport workers that along with their efforts to guarantee security at airports and on board planes, they were also called upon to protect human rights. “It is important to remember that in every project and activity, the first thing to safeguard and value is the person in his integrity,” he said. He noted that airports have adopted new measures to counteract the threat of terrorism, which is increasingly aimed at civil aviation. “Even in this situation, one must not forget that respect for the primacy of the person and attention to his needs does not make this service less effective,” the pope said. (CNS) |
| Momentum builds to cancel international debt owed by Haiti |
| WASHINGTON — It took a major earthquake, but momentum is building to cancel all of the remaining debt that Haiti has taken on from several international financial institutions. The years-long effort by organizations such as the Jubilee USA Network and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to convince the institutions to relieve Haiti of its debt got a boost Feb. 5 when Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner announced that the U.S. would work with its worldwide partners to see that the impoverished Caribbean nation’s indebtedness was forgiven. Geithner’s announcement followed an earlier statement from Dominique Strauss-Kahn, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, who said Jan. 20 that the IMF would discuss with donors ways to “delete all the Haitian debt.” The actions are significant because Haiti must focus all of its financial resources toward recovery and rebuilding large segments of the country that were destroyed during the Jan. 12 earthquake, said Melinda St. Louis, associate director of the Jubilee USA Network, a coalition of more than 75 religious denominations and faith communities, human rights, environmental and labor organizations focusing on the biblical concept of debt forgiveness. Geithner’s announcement “is a very positive step,” St. Louis told Catholic News Service. “Having their support is critical. We do have that high-level political commitment and we do consider that a victory.” (CNS) |
Daily Readings
Sunday, 28 February 2010Daily Scripture readings for the weeks of February 28 and March 7.
We end winter’s Ordinary Time and begin season of Lent
Sunday, 14 February 2010Given the difficult times in which he prophesied and the message he delivered, Jeremiah learned first hand what it meant to trust in God rather than in men. If we indeed consider ourselves “blessed” by God hoping to live in his presence following his ways, we need to have the spiritual roots of our faith planted deeply. Those roots stretch out; we are told, to the stream of running waters beneath the barren soil which symbolized our earthly material world. Therefore, our faith life will remain fresh and “green” — and we will bear fruit!
Daily Readings
Sunday, 14 February 2010Daily Scripture readings for the weeks of February 14 and 21.
Daily Readings
Sunday, 31 January 2010Daily Scripture readings for the weeks of January 31 and February 7.
Prophets and messengers: All is fulfilled in Jesus
Sunday, 31 January 2010Jeremiah lived at a time of political upheaval as David’s kingdom disintegrated, with the northern tribes falling under the Assyrian attack (721 B.C.). This was followed by total annihilation by Babylon and the subsequent captivity of the Jews. The prophet preached against the injustices of the ruling kings and wealthy class whose actions he implied were responsible for these calamities. Jeremiah perceived his role as prophet in a very special way believing that he had been marked out even before birth for this position for which God would protect him against his enemies!
Jesus performs his first sign and begins public ministry
Sunday, 17 January 2010There is a sense of new beginnings and restoration in the words of Trito-Isaiah who writes these words to the returning exiles after the Babylonian captivity. Their feelings of being “forgotten and forsaken” are understandable under the circumstances but now they have been replaced by delight and exultation. The prophet uses “espousal” imagery extensively throughout: the Lord taking Israel as his bride promising to love and protect her.
Daily Readings
Sunday, 17 January 2010Daily Scripture readings for the weeks of January 17 and 24.
Daily Readings
Sunday, 03 January 2010Daily Scripture readings for the weeks of January 3 and 10.
Jesus, our Messiah, is made known to all the nations
Sunday, 03 January 2010Christ’s birth takes on cosmic significance — as a light that penetrates the dark sky inviting and leading all humankind to participate in this great event prophesied for many generations. People will come from many directions representing many nations bringing many gifts (like gold and frankincense) to honor the “Light” and praise the new-born Messiah!
We welcome our Redeemer with hearts filled with joy
Sunday, 20 December 2009At first glance it seems like we’re dealing with geography here, locating the place where the Messiah would be born as Bethlehem (“House of Bread”). The prophet is making a point, however, in telling us that the Messiah would come from humble origins. He will moreover be a loving and strong shepherd-like leader who would bring peace to all mankind.
Daily Readings
Sunday, 20 December 2009Daily Scripture readings for the weeks of December 20 and 27.
Advent themes call us to focus on inner transformation
Sunday, 06 December 2009Written by a scribe of Jeremiah, Baruch delivers an prophecy to “Jerusalem, our mother” using “wardrobe” imagery to show that the city and its people must now put on “a cloak of justice” and pride. Israel is being punished for the personal sins of the people as well as for the communal misdirection of the entire nation. All therefore, must return “home” to God. The Advent theme introduced here is journey as we are called to concentrate on clearing a straight path into our hearts for the coming of the Messiah.
Daily Readings
Sunday, 06 December 2009Daily Scripture readings for the weeks of December 6 and 13.