Bishop of Scranton Resigns

The Diocese of Scranton posted the press conference announcing the resignation of 63 year-old Bishop Joseph Martino. The bishop says stress has caused him insomnia and crippling physical fatigue. He has lead the diocese since 2003. The Vatican announced today that Pope Benedict XVI accepted Bishop Martino's resignation. According to Canon Law, a bishop must turn in his resignation at the age of 75. Canon Law also allows a bishop to resign because of illness or if he becomes unsuited for the ministry because of "some other grave reason." Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia will now be temporary administrator of the Diocese of Scranton. During the press conference today, the Cardinal said he hopes the Holy Father will appoint a new bishop of Scranton within six months. The Cardinal has named a number of episcopal vicars to serve in the diocese. His vicar general is Monsignor Joseph Bambera, pastor of two parishes in Archbald. After brief statements from Bishop Martino and the Cardinal, the media asked a number of questions.

Series on Seminarian

The Columbus Dispatch is doing a six-day series on the journey to the priesthood for one young man. They go behind the scenes of seminary life to paint a picture of one man's vocation. It is really unheard of for secular media to do a six-part series, let alone one on the priesthood.

You can check out the articles here.

Thanks to The Deacon's Bench for linking to this article.

The photo courtesy: The Columbus Dispatch.

Convicted Connecticut Pastor Dies in Prison

The Rev. Michael Jude Fay, the longtime pastor who stole more than $1 million from St. John Church in Darien, died Saturday in a Butner, N.C., federal prison. He was 10 months into a 37-month sentence for the theft.

The Diocese of Bridgeport is not releasing any details on the death, but Fay was known to be suffering from prostate cancer.

In May 2006, it was discovered Father Fay was using church money to support a lavish lifestyle, which included trips to Europe, the Caribbean and other parts of the United States.

More than a year later, Fay pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of money obtained by fraud. Father Fay and his attorneys asked the judge not to send him prison, saying he would die there.

Fay was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and ordered to pay more than a million dollars in restitution.

Remembering Pro-life, Catholic Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Pro-life groups are remembering a champion of life, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The sister of John, Robert, and Ted Kennedy and the founder of Special Olympics died Tuesday. Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser says,"No one more than Eunice Kennedy Shriver understood better the power held by the most vulnerable in our society." She continues, "She fought for those hidden in the shadows of life, while acknowledging that they teach us far more than we could ever offer them. She was consistent in her championing of every vulnerable human life.” Shriver was a former advisory committe member of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List. In 1992, Shriver and many pro-life leaders signed a full page ad in the New York Times. They protested the Democratic Party's embrace of the abortion-rights agenda. Shriver also worked for Democrats for Life of America and Feminists for Life.

The AP reports the longtime priest of Mrs. Shriver says the Special Olympics founder was a compassionate woman who attended church regularly. Father John Enzler says Shriver was striving to be in touch with God. Father says Shriver saw herself as a steward, using God’s gifts to help others. He also says that Shriver’s legacy is her recognition that everyone is important.

National Vocations Study

A landmark study says incoming vocations to religious orders are more traditional and ethically diverse than their predecessors. Georgetown’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate released “Study of Recent Vocations to Religious Life" on Tuesday. Most religious orders in the country have shrinking numbers. The few congregations where numbers are spiking are more traditional. According to the study, which surveyed 4,000 people who entered initial formation or made solemn vows since 1993, most younger recruits want to join orders that wear the habit, are faithful to Church teaching and also pray, live, and work together. Most of those entering the religious life sense a call and desire for spiritual growth. Eight-five percent of respondents feel attracted to the joy or commitment of the community members.

These new members are also ethnically diverse. Twenty-one percent are Hispanic, fourteen percent are Asian, and six percent are African or African Americans.

The principal author of the study, Sister Mary Bendyna, called these new vocations a sign of hope. Brother Paul Bednarczyk, executive director of the National Religious Vocation Conference, says "The Church and the world need women and men religious. Their witness has been the impetus for social change and spiritual renewal throughout history....Now a new generation of religious men and women show a renewed appreciation of our Catholic worship, identity, and communal living. Their witness remains a vital part of the life of the Church."

You can read the press release, a helpful summary of the study, here.

Photo Courtesy: Nashville Dominicans, a group with dozens and dozens of new postulants entering the convent year after year.

Cathedral Green Dedicated and Blessed!

Archbishop Henry Mansell cuts the ribbon at the brand new Cathedral Green, which will be the home for 28 low income families.

Click here for the complete story, with pictures.

This Saturday, Crossroads Magazine will give you a tour of the new space and share the touching stories of some of the families who will soon move into Cathedral Green. (In the above photo, you can see the hard work of one of our videographers, Bruce Tumyol, as he and his camera peer down into the ribbon cutting crowd.)

In order to help furnish the new rooms, Catholic Charities still needs some monetary donations. You can contact Peter O'Donnell for more information:
J Peter O’Donnell
Director of Fund Development
Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Hartford
860-728-2571 or email
podonnell@ccaoh.org

Priesthood: "The Coolness Factor"

A toy Mass kit? That's right. Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle writes a review of the toy for Catholic boys. She says, "What better time to instill a vocation to the priesthood in your young 3 to 12 year-old son, nephew, grandson, godson, or friend than in the Year of the Priest?" You can check out the My Mass Kit toy here. I've met many priests who tell me they used to "play Mass" when they were kids.

I wonder if Donna is on to something in promoting this toy. I think there is something to be said about what I'm terming "The Coolness Factor." Not to be irreverent, but the priesthood is very cool. At every Mass, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the priest brings the Lord Jesus to the world in the Eucharist. In Confession, God works through the priest to save a soul from damnation and bring it back to God. That is cool. Very cool. If a young boy is able to see the coolness of the priesthood, I believe he will be much more open to answering a call. Of course, there is much more to the priesthood than "The Coolness Factor;" priesthood is a challenging vocation for sure, but with God all things are possible.

If you want to see a great example of "The Coolness Factor," check out this wonderful video: God in the Streets of New York City from Grassroots Films. The priesthood is cool.

If you would like more information on answering a call to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Hartford, please contact Fr. Michael Dolan. Check out the vocation's site. The phone number is 860-761-7456. Or you can e-mail Father at director@vocationshartford.org.

Prayer Vigil for Life Outside Planned Parenthood

This Saturday pro-lifers will gather in New Haven to pray for the end of abortion. They will begin their vigil at 7:30 a.m. with Mass at St. Mary's in New Haven, followed by a half hour of Adoration. They will then drive to St. Joseph's Church (129 Edwards Street). From there, they will process to Planned Parenthood in New Haven, where they will pray until around 10:15 a.m.
For more information, see http://ecclesiadomesticajmj.blogspot.com/.

Year of the Priest Icon Writer from Connecticut

Have you seen this beautiful icon in holy cards at your church? The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are using it for the Year of the Priest. Iconographer Marek Czarnecki of Seraphic Restorations in Meriden, Connecticut wrote this image of Christ the Great High Priest. Czarnecki explains his icon, “Here Christ is shown in Latin Rite vestments with a gold pelican over His heart, the ancient symbol of self-sacrifice. The borders contain a windig grapevine and altar prepared for the celebration of the liturgy of the Mass; in the borders are smaller icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.”

Crossroads Magazine will introduce you to this icon and the iconographer on this week's show. Catch Crossroads Magazine on WTXX on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and on My TV 9 (WTCX) on Saturday at 10:35 p.m. (right after the 10 p.m. news).

For more about Czarnecki, check out his website here:http://www.seraphicrestorations.com/. You can order a poster of the icon from the National Federation of Priests' Councils here.

Young Priest Featured in Paper

As a youngster, Matthew Nemchausky wanted to work in the film industry, but as you can see from the collar in his photo above, he is now Fr. Matthew. He is just one of the recently ordained priests in this country. Chicago's Southtown Star featured Father in this piece yesterday. Check it out. Let us continue to pray for many more vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

WJMJ Religious Headlines

Nigerian Church Leader Asks Government to Pay for Burned Churches
Pakistani Bishop: Police Did Not Do Enough to Stop Violence
Vietnam Catholics Protest Persecution
Church Threatens to Excommunicate Over Abortion Pill
Portugal High Court Upholds Gay Marriage Ban
Worcester Closed Church Sold to Pentecostals
U.S. Sisters to Complete Comprehensive Questionnaire
Annual Appeals See Boost, Despite Economy
Mark Wahlberg Marries in Catholic Church

Vocations Holy Hour Tonight

On this 150th anniversary of the death of the patron of all priests, St. John Marie Vianney, Most Holy Trinity Church in Wallingford will host a Hour Hour for Vocations.

What: Holy Hour for Vocations
When: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 7 p.m.
Where: Most Holy Trinity Church, 84 North Colony Street [Route 5] in Wallingford, CT

You are invited to join in celebrating this Year of the Priest by praying in front of the great gift our priests bring us everyday: Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Join in the prayer to ask God to send more shepherds to tend the flock. The monstrance to be used, seen above, is the National Vocations Monstrance blessed by Pope John Paul II. This prayer service will also allow people the time to follow Pope Benedict's call to pray for all priests. (Find out about receiving a Plenary Indulgence at this site.)

Archbishop Henry Mansell says, "This is a wonderful way to celebrate the Feast of St. John Vianney, Patron of Priests across the world, as we move into the Year for Priests. The Holy Hour is an excellent opportunity to pray for more vocations to the priesthood. We are very encouraged here in the Archdiocese of Hartford with the recent and significant increase in the number of our seminarians, but of course we still hope for more. I would encourage as many parishioners as possible to participate in this Holy Hour on August 4 and to continue your prayers for our priests and for many men to answer the call to the priesthood."

All are invited to the church hall for refreshment after Adoration. A panel of priests and parishioners will also share testimonies about the gift of priesthood.

New Study on Resisting Temptations

How confident are you in your ability to resist temptation? Loran Nordgren, senior lecturer of management and organizations at Northwestern University studied the question. His answers will be published in the journal Psychological Science, but you can find an introduction on LiveScience.com.

In the article he says, "People are not good at anticipating the power of their urges, and those who are the most confident about their self-control are the most likely to give into temptation."

For example, in one experiment people who thought they could resist smoking were twice as likely to indulge in a cigarette as those who were not sure of their abilities to resist.

The conclusion of Nordgren's work is to not put oneself in danger of succumbing to a temptation. He says, "People have less self-restraint than they think, a false belief that often leads people to expose themselves to more temptation than they can handle."

For Catholics, this study is not too earth shattering. We are taught to avoid the near occasion of sin. Now, the secular science backs up that teaching. God's grace helps us when we are in temptation. Try praying, while getting out of the situation. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

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