St. Padre Pio: The Matchmaker?

St. Padre Pio the matchmaker? The holy priest who had the stigmata for 50 years led a couple to marriage. The couple, now residing in Somers, Connecticut, met back in the 1960s when visiting the friary of St. Padre Pio. They kept in touch and visited after this original meeting. Germain Bianchi wanted to marry the young woman, Ortrud, but she was not so sure. One more visit to see Padre Pio changed all that. The couple says what happened next was a miracle. During that time, the pilgrims would wait for the holy priest’s blessings in separate parlours: one for men, another for the women. Ortrud and Germain were both pulled from their respective crowd and taken to a private area. Both were surprised that the other was there too. Just then, Padre Pio walked in, placed his hands on both of their heads, and gave them a blessing. They took it as sign they were to marry.

Crossroads Magazine will have the whole story this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on WTXX, and 10:30 p.m. on My TV 9. Tune in for this inspiring story of a Connecticut couple and a modern day saint.

You can read Ortrud's description of this romance story here.

Photo Courtesy: PPPG.org (Padre Pio Prayer Groups).

Young Friars Walk to D.C.

Photo Courtesy: www.friarwalk.com

This group of young, smiling Franciscan Friars journeyed three hundred miles from Roanoke, Virginia to Washington, D.C. Along the pilgrimage, they were mistaken for Jedi Knight impersonators, slept on picnic tables along the Appalachian Trail, and ministered to people through talking and offering a joyful witness.

These guys went with only the essentials: their habits and a change of underwear and a toothbrush. As Br. Joshua Van Cleef says on the group's blog, "This pilgrimage is about the abundance of life offered in simplicity, in relationships, and in trusting in God.” They did odd jobs for food and shelter, when they weren't sleeping outdoors. "Pilgrimage as a lifestyle is resurfacing within the Order; it is a penitential and radical way of completely relying upon the grace of God," says Br. Richard Goodin on their blog.

The friars were featured on the front page of the Washington Post. You can read the excellent article here. The paper also a wonderful photo essay here. Finally, the paper provides a map of the brothers' journey, as well as the various places the group slept, including a trampoline outside a firehouse, a police academy barracks, and a Baptist church.

Let us pray for many more holy, inspiring vocations to the priesthood and religious life. May these young men live fruitful lives following the footsteps of their venerable founder and fellow walker, St. Francis of Assisi.

WJMJ Religious Headlines

Catholic Medical Association: Hit Reset on Health Care Reform

IRS Stops Tax-exempt Status Probe of Politics Preaching

Video: Jerry Falwell's Son Gives Opening Prayer at U.S. House

No Charges in Mormon Plaza Gay Kissing Arrest

Largely Muslim Albania Proposes Gay Marriage

Now in Court: Woman Charged With Wearing Pants

Violence Continues Against Catholics in Vietnam

Protesting Dom. Rep.'s Law Forcing Catholic Blessing of Marriages

An Indiana Catholic University Receives $6 Million Donation

Madonna Pens Article about Spiritual Conversion

2-1-1 and Food Stamps

United Way of Connecticut’s 2-1-1 is a state-wide service for those in need, in need of food, shelter, information, programs... anything, really.

Leaders in the group say the economic distress calls are increasing with one of the biggest jumps being requests for help with food. 2-1-1 can point people to WIC services in their area or even DSS services like cash assistance and food stamps.

Since last year, there have been 54 percent more calls just for food stamps, a program now called SNAP. SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; it’s designed to provide additional funds for households to purchase healthy foods.

The federal stimulus package passed by the Legislature earlier this year provides for additional SNAP benefits, increasing those benefits by 13.6 percent.

Applicants no longer need to visit a DSS regional office…the entire process can be completed over the phone, through the mail or online. Everything is done with an electronics benefits transfer card, meaning the person in need would simply get an EBT card, take it to the store and use that for their grocery purchases. This makes usage easy and gives the person a lower profile than years ago when the stamp method was used.

The amount of the benefits depends on the household income and expenses; the figure remains in place for the duration of the certification period - usually a year. The benefits also carry over from month to month, so an EBT card is very similar to having an electronic bank account for the snap benefits.

Although about 127,000 families in the state are enrolled in SNAP. There are several thousand more that are eligible. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, and anyone can call.

WJMJ Religious Headlines

Preacher Tony Alamo Convicted of Sexual Abuse

Leading Cardinal: No Communion for Pro-Abortion Politicians

Dr. MLK's Niece: Abortion is Not Health Care but Genocide

Bush Catholic Advisor: Obama Not Seeking Common Ground on Abortion

President Obama: I Pray All the Time

Parents Acquitted of Manslaughter Charges in Faith-healing Case

Activists: N. Korean Killed for Passing Out Bible

Vietnam Pres. to Visit Vatican in November

Pope Chats with Children

The Real Life, Catholic Indiana Jones

Florida Gator QB: Heisman Winner, Believer & Missionary

Tweet Prayers to Western Wall

Priest Fashion Designer on Crossroads Magazine

As we shared with you here on the blog, New Haven native Fr. Andrew O’Connor is a priest of the Archdiocese of New York who leads the charity Goods of Conscience. It is an apparel line Cameron Diaz recently wore in Vogue Magazine. Julia Roberts will also wear some of the organization's clothing in the upcoming film Eat, Pray, Love.

You maybe wondering, "Why in the world is a priest a fashion designer?" We will bring you the answer this Saturday on Crossroads Magazine. That's at 10:30 a.m. on WTXX, and 10:30 p.m. on My TV 9 in Connecticut. Just a little hint at the answer: Father truly believes his charity work is a perfect opportunity to live Catholic social teaching. He is also reaching out to many people searching for faith answers.

For more information on Goods of Conscience, check out their website here.

An Ongoing Saga: FIC, Courant, and DCF

If you read today's Hartford Courant, then you may have seen this letter to the editor from The Family Institute of Connecticut's Executive Director Peter Wolfgang. In the letter, Wolfgang defends the Institute's request that the state's Department of Children and Families take down links that promoted "the revisionist view that the Bible and religion approve of homosexual activity and attack those churches that disagree."

This letter is part of on ongoing saga between the FIC, The Courant, and DCF. As we reported on WJMJ Religious News on July 15, the Connecticut Department of Children has taken down web links that promoted a pro-gay interpretation of the Bible. DCF removed the links after being threatened with a lawsuit from the Family Institute of Connecticut and the American Center for Law and Justice. The links were to various websites saying the Bible takes a positive view of gay actions. The Family Institute’s Peter Wolfgang says DCF was violating the First Amendment because DCF was using public funds to try to change religious views of children. DCF has agreed to take the site down until the issues are addressed. They say they will remove information that promotes a particular religious viewpoint.

However, Wolfgang says the Courant has distorted the story. On July 17, he posted his first blog post reacting to the paper's coverage. You can read that reaction here, along with links to the article he questions. He also blogged again today, acknowledging the Courant's correction of the original piece, while still wondering about the original piece, asking, "Who lied to the Courant about the content of our complaint?"

WJMJ News Headlines

Baptism at the Parents' Weddings

Nurse Forced to Aide Abortion

Rabbis Arrested in NJ Money Laundering Scandal

"Write Yourself into Bible"

Summer Camp for Those Considering Priesthood

Hartford Catholic Charities Wins National Award

Catholic Charities USA recently handed out their 2009 Family Strengthening Awards. El Centro Family Center, run by Catholic Charities of Hartford, was among the three winners from across the country.

El Centro Family Center strengthens families "by encouraging children, adults, and seniors to reach their full potential. The center's family specialists work with families that need services, support, leadership development, early childhood education, adult education and training, crisis intervention, and stabilization. The program seeks to help parents recognize that they are their children's first and most important teachers, natural supporters, and most powerful advocates, and further, that they are decision makers who can have a positive impact in their families and communities."

This award honors exceptional programs that provide holistic services that support family relationships, strengthen family finances, and enhance the community. The winning programs will each receive a $25,000 award. The awardees will then be formally honored at Catholic Charities USA's Annual Gathering in Portland, Oregon in September.

Politico: Happy 175th Birthday, Cardinal Gibbons

Photo: AP. James Cardinal Gibbons and President Theodore Roosevelt.

Politico has this article about James Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore (1834-1921), the United States' second cardinal. The Church leader was born on this day in 1834. The piece says Cardinal Gibbons played a key role in the Vatican's decision to allow Catholics to join labor unions, was one of the founders of the Catholic University of America, and frequently visited the White House.

President Theodore Roosevelt called Gibbons “the most respected and venerated and useful citizen of our country.” the Cardinal also led the American Church's Council of Baltimore. A letter to the editor in The Catholic Review describes Gibbons as someone who "walked the streets of Baltimore before lunch and dinner each day, greeting and being greeted by the people on the street, who might also 'have a word' or 'speak their mind' or just pass the time of day."

Archbishop Edwin O'Brien of Baltimore will celebrate a Mass in honor of Cardinal Gibbons today.

The Great Silence: Vatican Ambassador Confirmation Hearing

President Obama’s Vatican ambassador appointee had his confirmation hearing today. From a quick search of the Internet, it looks like this hearing is not drawing much attention from the media. We were able to find just a few blog entries about the hearing, including this one from the Washington Times.

According to Times religion editor Julia Duin, Diaz gave a brief prepared speech. During the session, Senator Bob Casey asked Diaz about the recent meeting between the Pope and the President. Diaz’s answer gives us some more insight into the conversations of the two leaders, more than was originally released. Diaz said the President and Pope talked about outreach to Muslims, Middle Eastern peace, Cuba, the political situation in Honduras, and the Pope’s encyclicals on bioethics and abortion. After the hearing, Duin and one other reporter tried to interview Diaz. He only said he was very proud to be nominated. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee may vote on the appointee next Tuesday. The full Senate will also need to approve the appointment.

In May, Catholic News Service offered this article on the appointment of Diaz, a theology professor from Collegeville, Minnesota.

(Updated on Thursday: Other news organizations are now reporting on this hearing. According to the Times blog entry, only two reporters tried interviewing Diaz. That leads me to think most of the stories are gathering their information from the Times or the other reporter who tried talking to Diaz.)

WJMJ Religious Headlines

Judge Throws Out Challenge to Prop. 8

Budget Chief: Taxpayers May Fund Abortions

More People Turning to Home Funerals

Police Attack Catholics in Vietnam

Pope Sends Message to Tour de France Cyclists

Bike Ride Pilgrimage in Poland

Jimmy Carter Leaves Baptist Church

Diocese of Bridgeport Will Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

The Diocese of Bridgeport is seeking to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to keep documents pertaining to sexual abuse cases sealed. Diocesan officials on Friday asked the state Supreme Court to continue a stay against releasing the documents until the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether to take up their appeal. The documents were scheduled to be unsealed as early as Monday. The state court ruled that more than 12,000 pages of documents from more than 20 lawsuits against priests should be released. Those documents have been sealed from public view since the diocese settled the cases in 2001. The diocese has questioned the impartiality of the trial judge in the case, who was on committee aimed at providing more access to court records.

The Diocese's statement says, "There are constitutional rights and privacy issues of great concern for all citizens that we wish the U.S. Supreme Court to review and decide." The first major issue surrounds what the Diocese says is an unconstitutional interpretation of the "judicial document" doctrine. Under this doctrine, the state Supreme Court has decided to treat all court documents as public information. According to the Diocese, however, only documents that shed light on the judicial decision making process fall under this doctrine. Since these cases were settled out of court, releasing the papers does not shed light on the judicial decision making process and so should remain private documents, according to the argument of the Diocese. As the Diocese's motion says, the doctrine is "to allow the public to monitor judicial performance. This doctrine is not, and never has been, intended as a constitutional or common law right to gather information for investigative journalism into the activities of private litigants." According to the motion, the Diocese says the issue of "judicial documents" is one that has "divided courts across the country."

A second issue revolves around First Amendment rights.

For the Diocese's motion and additional information click here.

WJMJ Religious Headlines

Pope Undergoes Surgery for Wrist Fracture

Court Upholds Ban on Passing Out Bibles in School

Much more headlines to come. Listen to WJMJ Catholic Radio on 88.9 in Hartford, 93.1 in Hamden, and 107.1 in New Haven. WJMJ Religious News airs weekdays at 8:25, 11:25, 2:25, and 4:25. Don't forget ABC News and Connecticut news are on the hour.

Updated:

Pope Smiling, Arm In Cast

Enrollment Decline at Catholic Schools

Only 33% of Scientists Believe in God

Legion to Take Over College

Confession: An Oil Change for the Soul

Pro-Soccer Players: Faith on Shirt Debate

WJMJ News Headlines

Pope Prays for Plane Crash Victims

Episcopal Church to Bless Gay Marriages?

"Extraordinary" Pro-life Victories in AZ

President Obama's Recent Catholic Nominations

Vatican Newspaper Likes Harry Potter?

Night at the Vatican Musuem

Baby Massage

When times get stressful, sometimes you just need a massage, but many doctors say massages aren't just for adults. If you have a fussy baby, massaging him or her can help calm him down, improve sleep patterns and help digestion. It can even help with their growth and development.

Crossroads reporter, Alisha Leavelle explored the benefits of baby massage on Crossroads Magazine in May. Click here to see the techniques you should use to soothe your baby whether they have tummy trouble, colic, or are just generally fussy.

Priest Fashion Designer in Vogue Magazine?

New Haven native Fr. Andrew O’Connor is a priest of the Archdiocese of New York. He is the leader of two charity groups that combine the riches of art and Catholicism. In 2000, he founded “Sacredartheals,” which is collaboration with artists and Catholicism. Some of the works are found in parishes from France to Mississippi. In 2005, Father founded Goods of Conscience. The goal of the group originally was to preserve the Guatemalan custom of back-strap weaving, while providing the artisans a living wage. Goods of Conscience is an apparel line, that was recently worn by Cameron Diaz in Vogue Magazine.

Father will be speaking at his native St. Mary's Church in New Haven Monday night at 7:30 p.m.

Crossroads Magazine will introduce you to Father Andrew on our June 25th show.

Environmental Stewardship

This weekend on Crossroads Magazine, we are devoting our show to energy and the environment. Tune in to learn about a proposal to turn garbage into gas. See how junk becomes art. Learn how the sun can power your home.

In addition, we will feature a report about global warming. We spoke to Yale Professor Dr. Ellen Thomas, who studies microscopic organisms in the Long Island Sound. In her research, she finds evidence that the sea is rising. These findings lead her to argue the world is warming.

To help protect the environment, many Catholics, including the Pope and the U.S. Bishops, are urging good environmental stewardship. Learn more about what some individuals and parishes are doing to chip in. Watch Crossroads Magazine this Saturday.

For more information on Church pronouncements on the environment, check on the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change website.

U.S. Bishops' Letter on climate change is here.

Catholics are pledging to do things to reduce their carbon footprints. Many, including Hartford's Archbishop Henry Mansell, are joining the Catholic Climate Covenant. You can join by taking the St. Francis Pledge. You can find out more and make the pledge here.

For people or parishes who want to get involved in the Archdiocese of Hartford, you can contact Jennie Graustein or Lynn Campbell at the Office of Urban Affairs at 203-777-7279.

Maine Voters To Vote on Gay Marriage
Vermont Church Sued over "Moving Assets"
President Obama: Influenced by Catholic Social Teaching
Appeals Court: Pharmacists Must Sell Morning After Pill
Iowa Public School Wants to Allow Kids to Take Bible Class/Pray
Cardinal Rigali on the New Embryonic Stem Cell Guidelines
Australian P.M. and Korean President Meet Pope
Boston Red Sox Player on Faith Through Cancer Battle
The Blessed Mary in a Tree Stump?

WJMJ Religious Headlines

Maine Supreme Court: Bishop Can Be Sued in Abuse Cases

Mass. Sues Feds Over Definition of Marriage

President Obama Meets Russian Orthodox Patriarch

Mrs. Obama Meets Orthodox Nuns

Religious Engraving for U.S. Capitol Added to Bill

Caught on Tape: Vandal Smashes Virgin Mary Statue

Episcopal Head: Church in Crisis

Pope Switches Things Up for Ecclesia Dei Commission

Pope Discusses His New Encyclical

Australian Catholics Offer Adult Stem-Cell Grant

Air Force Needs A Few Good, Holy Men

National Advocacy Group Backs Bridgeport Diocese

A national advocacy group is calling for the removal of the head of Connecticut’s Ethics Office.

This is in regard to the motion made by that office to have the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport file as a lobbyist group.

The Group, “In God We Trust,” is urging Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to dismiss Carol Carson, the Ethics Office Director… calling the office “out of control.”

The Ethics Office agreed to drop its investigation of the church after the Attorney General warned that the state would likely lose the lawsuit filed by the Diocese against it.

The national political advocacy group has over 70 thousand supporters of various faiths.

WJMJ Religious Headlines

Homemade Bomb Hits Mass. Parish

Pope Laments Philippians Bombing

President Obama Talks about Pope

Catholics & Baptists Agree on Intermarriage

Ads Air on Vatican Radio

Turkey Game Show: Convert Atheists

Actor Anthony Michael Hall Shares Faith

CT. Supreme Court Won't Reconsider Case

The Associated Press reports the Connecticut Supreme Court will not reconsider their ruling to release thousands of pages of sex abuse court documents. The Diocese of Bridgeport asked the state’s highest court to rehear the case with all justices present. In May, the court ruled 4 to 1 that more than 12 hundred pages of documents from 23 lawsuits could be made public. A diocesan lawyer said they are still considering their legal options, including appealing to the United States Supreme Court.

Pope Approves Healing of Mass. Deacon by Newman

Pope Benedict XVI has approved a miracle in Massachusetts: the sudden healing of a Massachusetts deacon who suffered from a severe spinal disease. The miracle is attributed to Cardinal John Henry Newman, a 19th century English Catholic convert from Anglicanism. The Holy Father authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to publish decrees declaring miracles, martyrdom or heroic virtue for twelve deceased Catholics who are on the path to sainthood, including Cardinal Newman.

The healed deacon is Jack Sullivan. He shared his story over the weekend with inmates from Plymouth County Jail. He says he was studying to become a deacon, when the crippling pain interrupted the studies. He prayed to Cardinal Newman after seeing a show about him on the Eternal World Television Network. The pain left, but then returned a year later. The deacon prayed once again. He then felt a tremendous warmth and tingling. After this experience, Deacon Jack was healed of the spinal problem. He says the Cardinal "is always a part of me." He hopes to serve at the Beatification Mass.

You can read more here.

Official Vatican Announcement here.

Federal Judge to Rule on Cali’s Gay Marriage Ban
Pittsburgh Catholic Cemetery Ransacked
White Powder Sent to Christian TV Station is Just Protein
Death Row Inmate Can Now Watch TV Mass
Pastor Rick Warren Speaks to Muslims
Muslims Attack Christians in Pakistan
Catholics in Honduras
Thousands of Mexican Priests Threatened
Pope John Paul II Closer to Sainthood?
Michelangelo’s Last Murals Now Open

Diocese of Bridgeport: Not a Lobbyist

As we reported in the WJMJ Religious Headlines yesterday, Connecticut's Office of State Ethics has decided to stop its inquiry into whether the Diocese of Bridgeport needs to register as a lobbyist. The Office had said the Church's organization of rallies at the State Capitol made the Church a lobbyist group, and must register as such. The Diocese sued for an injunction against this request. The American Civil Liberties Union sided with the Diocese in this case. On June 30, the state's Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal urged for the end of the investigation. Ethics enforcement officer T.J. Jones will close the investigation, in light of Blumenthal's letter.

The Diocese has issued the following statement in response to the end of this probe:

“We are pleased to hear that the Office of State Ethics will abide by the Attorney General’s opinion and drop its action against the Diocese of Bridgeport.

“This is welcome news, not only for the Diocese but for all citizens who cherish the fundamental rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.

“We look forward to receiving written confirmation from the Office of State Ethics. At that time we will make a decision on our lawsuit.”

WJMJ Religious Headlines

Connecticut Ethics Office Stops Diocesan Lobbyist Probe
Connecticut Attorney General: Lobbying Probe Should Stop
Man Tries to Run Over Pro-lifer
Cardinal Rigali Against Federal Funding of Abortions
Planned Parenthood Caught on Tape Bending Abortion Laws?
Will School Be Closed on Muslim Holidays in NYC?
English School to Student: Take Off That Crucifix
Pope's Wednesday Audience
Encyclical Out Next Tuesday
The Latest on the Kansas Miracle Investigation
Baltimore Miracle Investigation
Catholic Group Buys Very First Wendy's
Invention Allows 3D Modeling of Unborn Babies