Faith and Culture Are Both Inside Us, Both Tell Us What To Think and Do

From Dan Conway’s The Good Steward, January 2010
In his book, The Difference God Makes: A Catholic Vision of Faith, Communion and Culture, Cardinal Francis E. George writes, “Culture is a normative system, and so is faith. If the faith and culture clash or disagree, as they always do to some extent, it is because faith [...]

The Spiritual Side of the Suffering in Haiti

Zenit.org – January 18, 2010 – By Carl Anderson
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, JAN. 18, 2010 (Zenit.org) – All of us have been horrified in recent days by the scenes of death and destruction in Haiti. Millions of us have sought way to alleviate the suffering there. No doubt thousands of homilies will be given in the [...]

God’s Words of Comfort are a Precious Gift

Catholic Courier – By Bishop Matthew H. Clark – December 2, 2009
When Zechariah, the soon-to-be father of St. John the Baptist, enters the holy place in the old temple to pray, an angel of the Lord appears to him in all his glory. Zechariah is frightened, of course, as you or I would certainly be.
“Do [...]

True Faith in God Also Requires Loving, Serving Others, Pope says

Catholic News Service – September 14, 2009
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) — Being a true believer in God requires living a life of love and concrete service toward others, said Pope Benedict XVI.
It is not enough to believe Jesus is God, he said; a true Christian must also follow in Christ’s footsteps and take up his [...]

Renewing Our Faith in the Real Presence of Christ in Eucharist

Vatican Information Service – June 11, 2009
VATICAN CITY, 11 JUN 2009 (VIS) – At 7 p.m. today, Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Benedict XVI celebrated Mass on the square in front of the basilica of St. John Lateran, then led a Eucharistic procession to the basilica of St. Mary Major.
In his homily, the Pope commented on [...]

Whole Being is Needed for Encounter With God, says Benedict XVI

Zenit.org – June 3, 2009
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 3, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Faith is not just about thinking; it involves the whole being, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope affirmed this today during the general audience in St. Peter’s Square, during which he focused on the figure of Rabanus Maurus, an 8th century monk from Germany.
The Holy Father explained [...]

Pope Benedict Calls on Laypeople to Share in Responsibility for the Church

Catholic News Service – May 27, 2009 – By Cindy Wooden
ROME (CNS) — Laypeople are called not simply to help their priests run their parishes, but to share fully in the responsibility of building up the church, Pope Benedict XVI told delegates to the annual convention of the Diocese of Rome.
“This will require a change [...]

Staying Focused on Mission During Challenging Times

From Dan Conway’s The Good Steward, April 2009
“In his pastoral letter The Church Sharing!, Bishop David A. Zubik reflects on a story of Pittsburgh during the Great Depression:
A long time ago – nearly 80 years ago, during the first years of the Great Depression – people in Pittsburgh were out of work, kids were going [...]

Irish Cardinal Urges Renewal of Faith by Recalling the Faith of St. Patrick

Zenit.org – Mar. 16, 2009
ARMAGH, Northern Ireland, MARCH 16, 2009 (Zenit.org).- An Irish cardinal is calling for a renewal of faith among his country’s people this St. Patrick’s Day, beyond the traditional celebration of culture and heritage.
Cardinal Sean Brady, archbishop of Armagh and primate of Ireland, said this in a St. Patrick’s Day message released [...]

We Are Called to be Stewards of the Future – A Future That is Full of Hope

From Dan Conway’s The Good Steward, August 2008
We have hope for the future because the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ makes things happen and is life-changing. Through Him, the dark door of time, of the future, has been thrown open. We have been saved in hope.
- Pope Benedict XVI
“As Pope Benedict teaches, we can [...]