catholic family faith

National Prayer Week, March 14-21, 2010

Each year, the Holy Childhood Association sponsors a National Prayer Week to encourage Catholic children and families to pray for missions throughout the world.

Prayer is a powerful mission ministry.  In fact, Pope Benedict XVI said that he counts on the prayers and missionary commitment of children.  "In my ministry, I also count on children's prayers and their active participation in the mission of the Church," the Holy Father said.

During the week of March 14-21, 2010, children and families are invited to share the following prayer for missions around the world:

Through our Baptism, we are called to share Your love and Your peace everywhere.  We are Your ambassadors, sent to bring the "Good News" of Jesus to all, beginning in our own communities and reaching "to the ends of the earth."

 

Fill our hearts with the love and peace of Jesus, especially as we meet Him in the Sacraments.  Help us to be examples of Your compassion and a source of Your hope to all, especially those who are poor, lonely, suffering and sick.

 

Give us strength to show others what it means to follow Jesus.  Help us to answer the call to be His witnesses, His missionaries.

 

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who is Lord forever.  Amen.

 

For information about the ministry of the Holy Childhood Association, including on-line activities for children, check out www.hcakids.org.

 

For more information about the Pontifical Mission Society, go to www.onefamilyinmission.org.

 

"What Not to Wear" during Lent

As I was searching for some teen-related Lent activities, I came across this article on "What Not to Wear" Guide to Lent.  I've seen the show "What Not to Wear," and have even gotten some tips from the show.  (I'll admit, I'm more of a fashion geek than a fashion genius!)

Lent is an opportunity for us to take stock in what we're "wearing" in our lives.  While we might be called to look at what we are actually clothing our body with - are we dressing appropriately, modestly? - we are more likely to be called to consider the attitudes we're wearing.

Here's an excerpt from the article by Randy Raus:

"The approach taken by What Not to Wear actually helps both its victims and the audience make smarter fashion choices and often with the benefit of improving their self esteem. The show is a sort of educational program and I believe a method that when applied to Lent helps us grow in our faith. We may be able to truly look at what we are projecting by the attitudes we are “wearing” during the 40+ days of Lent and by eliminating some of the things in our spiritual closet help us to have a holy Lent."

For the guide about "What Not to Wear" during Lent, go to http://www.catholicyouthministry.com/a-what-not-to-wear-guide-to-lent.

Featured Website: iibloom.com

Sometimes it pays off just to surf the web.  I just found this website and it looks promising.  The following is an excerpt from their "what is iibloom?" page.

iibloom.com is a state-of-the-art online community for young adults. The purpose of iibloom is to consistently communicate what is relevant in our lives, while also providing a welcoming and inspiring community in which we can strengthen and solidify our Christian faith. iibloom.com has a mixture of mainstream, faith-based and user-generated content as well as hot topics for discussion.

iibloom.com helps you build a foundation in the Christian faith through traditional Catholic teachings, and invites everyone to participate in our online community. No matter where you are in your journey of faith - practicing, non-practicing or curious about your faith - iibloom.com is here to help.

iibloom.com is broken out into 3 different sections - invite, inspire and bloom.  Each section has a distinct purpose, yet consistently communicates our overall purpose.  Want to learn more?  Check out www.iibloom.com.

March for Life 2010

This past Friday, January 22nd, thousands of people (half of them under age 25) gathered in Washington, D.C., to mark the 37th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that legalized abortion.  Many more participated in the pro-life demonstration through a Virtual March for Life.  To join your voice with the thousands speaking out for the dignity of human life, follow this link:  http://www.virtualmarchforlife.com/.

A World on Its Knees, an E-Prayerbook for Our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti

As the world continues to respond to the devastation in Haiti, the Daughters of St. Paul are offering a free book of prayer for the victims.  Sr. Kathryn James Hermes, FSP (Franciscan Sister of Peace) has compiled a collection of prayers to pray with and for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

The website states:

Now, more than ever, we need to stand with our Haitian sisters and brothers,
both those in Haiti and their friends and relatives around the world
worried about their well-being.

This e-prayerbook is a useful way to focus intentions
and be in spirit with those who need us most.

Let's get this into the hands of millions of people around the world
who can't go to Haiti in person but can pray.
The Haitians are giving us an impressive example of faith and prayer.
Let us lift up their needs now that they will be able to
rebuild their lives, their church, and their nation.
 

Use the prayers in bulletins, prayer groups, parishes
or in the silence of your own heart.

 

To download this e-prayerbook, click this link:  http://www.pauline.org/FreeEbookofPrayersforHaiti/tabid/375/Default.aspx

 

Catholic Relief Services in Haiti

After the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Catholic Relief Services and Caritas turned a golf course into one of the first camps for displaced people.  They have provided food, water, and medical assistance in the midst of the devastation.  For more on Catholic Relief Services' involvement in Haiti and to donate to CRS' efforts, visit http://crs.org/.

O Antiphons

O Antiphons are traditionally recited during Advent Liturgy of the Hours.  They are so named because each begins with "O"; they are also called the "Great Antiphons."  The O Antiphons are also sometimes used to make private novenas from December 17th to December 23rd. 

The Advent hymn, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is probably the most famous rendition of the O Antiphons.

To pray the O Antiphons with your family or by yourself, Download O_Antiphons.pdf (136.6K)

For more on O Antiphons, check out these websites:

Catholic Education Resource Center:  http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0374.html

Catholic Encyclopedia:  http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11173b.htm

Featured Website: Christmas Carols & Quiz

As I was Googling the words to a Christmas carol, I came across this website.  It has lyrics for Christmas carols, Christmas poems, Christmas jokes, Christmas facts, and a Christmas quiz.  Check it out at http://www.carols.org.uk/ and take the quiz to test your Christmas knowledge and maybe learn something new.

Featured Website for the First Week of Advent

Advent has begun.  In the midst of the chaos of our culture, our faith calls us to slow down, recall the love God has for us, and prepare for Christ's coming.

There are a number of wonderful websites to inspire us and encourage us to focus on the blessedness of the season of Advent.  One that I found and especially enjoy is Days of Deepening Friendship sponsored by Loyola Press.  Check it out:

http://deepeningfriendship.loyolapress.com/

Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican

 
“I am convinced that music really is the universal language of beauty which can bring together all people of good will on earth” Pope Benedict XVI

Alma Mater is the first release on Geffen records of modern classical music from The Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra featuring prayers recited and sung by Pope Benedict XVI.

The album features one song by the Pontiff as well as eight original tracks of soul stirring modern classical music, with His Holiness backed up vocally by The Choir of the Philharmonic Academy of Rome.

 

Pope Benedict XVI is an ardent lover of classical music and has admitted to an almost life long admiration for the music of Mozart. Speaking of Mozart, he said, “His music is by no means just entertainment.” Reports confirm that he is, understandably, pleased with the recording. His Holiness is known to enjoy playing the piano while on vacation.

 

The CD is scheduled to be released on November 29, 2009.

Discover more about the music here:   http://www.musicfromthevatican.com/