Learning about Spreading the Good Word, in the shadows of the White House

Washington D.C., Oct 25, 2013 / 05:08 pm (CNA/EWTN News).-The lay evangelization training program Catholic Voices will bring its next group training to within blocks of the White House, as it teaches Catholics how to share the message of the Catholic faith.

The next training session will take place at the Catholic Information Center in Washington, D.C., which “hosts the closest tabernacle to the White House,” Kathryn Lopez, director of Catholic Voices USA, told CNA Oct. 23.

“Where better to gather to work to better communicate the light of faith? Heaven knows politics could use a dose of illumination, liberated from ideology and other idols, as Pope Francis might put it!”
For more information, go here. 

Catholic Standard Weekly Update

It is that time folks (drums beat, trumpets blare, women faint, etc.) for your Weekly Catholic Standard Update.

The cover story is the Annual Red Mass and as I had predicted, there was no mention of Vice President Joe Biden, the highest elected Catholyc official in the United States, receiving Communion. Nope, not a mention. Why would we insist that the Archbishop do something like not providing Communion to a pro-abortion, pro-homosexual marriage politician. (At least they only made mention and did not have a photo of him.)

We have an inside cover story on the veneration of the Don Bosco relic at the National Shrine.

The Archbishop's New Evangelization program was once again highlighted in his visit to St. Elizabeth's School. In addition, we also see this program being highlighted to the John Carroll Society. I guess that the New Evangelization program does not include calling pro-abortion politicians on the carpet.

One of the most interesting changes, and one that I doubt most people will notice, are the changes to the Catholic Charities program. For example, the Spanish Catholic Center will move from Langly Park to the McCarrick Center near Wheaton (actually, it is closer to Glenmont). There are a host of other changes. It makes me wonder if the changes are part of a cost saving measure over the next few years...less leased/rented space.

There is a story of the installation of the first layperon to be President of St. John's College and that of St. Mary's Riken sister school program.

Finally, I will end this Update with one of the saddest stories in a while: That of the death of Navy Seal, Lt. Brendon Looney, who died in Afghanistan. He is a graduate of DeMatha and his sisters are either graduates or current students at the Academy of the Holy Cross. He is buried in Arlington next to that of his best buddy -- Marine 1st Lt. Manion.

Eternal rest grant unto him , O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Let us also remember his wife, parents and sisters. May God help them through this time of suffering.

Catholic Standard Weekly Update

Yes folks (drum roll please), it is that time for the Catholic Standard Weekly Update.

Similiar to last week, this week's Standard has the overall theme of the Archbishop's letter on the New Evangelization. Now, I was way too busy to report on it and just skimmed over it last week.

+++++ Side Note +++++

So, as I see it (and I have not carefully studied it but skimmed over it), the New Evangelization seems to me to really focus on two areas: share the faith, but also look inside each of our parishes. There are a number of indicators which determine if a parish is healthy: Worship, Education, Community Life, Service, and Administration.

In my review of this, I noticed that there was no mention of what is to be done when there are dissident movements or priests within a parish or the diocese or , when the bishop or church groups honor those who go against our faith. There seems to be a silence that as Catholics we need to speak out about these.

+++++ End Side Note +++++

To that end, we have a new religion curriculum, something which I reported on a while back. The program "clearly states what participants in parish and Catholic elementary school religious education programs should be able to know, understand and do at each grade level." (Catholic Standard, Page 3). The program has six key elements: knowledge of faith, liturgy and sacraments; morality; prayer; education for living in Christian community (maybe it should be Catholic community) and evangelization and apostolic life.

We also have a story, which is linked to the New Evangelization, about Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian parishioners "taking it to the street." In other words, knocking on doors and invited folks to join them. We also see the Archbishop discussing it at the Labor Day Mass. And he visits GWU. And he shows off the New Evangelization poster to employees. He is all over the place.

Congratulations to St. John the Baptist Elementary School. They are a Blue Ribbon Award winner!!!

We have two articles on bullying both physical and cyber.

We also have Msgr. Holley's visit to Ghana (former Gold Coast) and Nigeria.

We do not have any information about how the bishops voted on CCHD, nor do we have any stories about the layoffs at St. Mark's School. Maybe there will be something next week. Maybe not.

Remember to pick up a copy of it at your parish, since they are required to accept a number of copies each week. And, drop a couple of coins in the basket to help pay for it.