tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31458243466826014762024-03-05T05:15:36.865-05:00Crossroads Magazine - Exploring the InspiringCrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-75018641087314888282010-03-05T15:54:00.002-05:002010-03-05T15:56:56.482-05:00St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation<a href="http://stanthonybristolct.com/images4/St_Joseph_Medal1.gif"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 190px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 189px" alt="" src="http://stanthonybristolct.com/images4/St_Joseph_Medal1.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>While the Olympic medal presentations have been completed, many in the Archdiocese of Hartford are winning a different sort of medal… the St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation. Archbishop Henry J. Mansell will present the Medal of Appreciation on Sunday, March 7th at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Since 2002, the St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation has been given to parishioners from around the Archdiocese who exhibit distinguished and outstanding service to the Church. This year, Archbishop Henry J. Mansell will honor 208 people, the most St. Joseph Medal winners ever in one year. </div>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-36201355777914069962010-02-26T09:51:00.003-05:002010-02-26T11:16:40.770-05:00Hartford Parishes Raise $1 Million for Haiti<a href="http://crs.org/haiti/img/HAI2010032236-crop.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 381px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://crs.org/haiti/img/HAI2010032236-crop.jpg" /></a><br /><p>Catholic parishioners of the Archdiocese of Hartford have so far donated more than $1,000,000 to Haitian earthquake relief. One hundred percent of the funds go to the relief efforts of Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Archbishop Henry J. Mansell says, “I offer my profound gratitude to all the people who were moved by love and compassion to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. The overwhelming sign of support and solidarity shows God’s grace among us. Please know that your support, coupled with donations from around the world, will be put to good use, as CRS continues to provide relief to Haiti.”<br /></p><br /><p>The $1,036,217 collected so far from 166 parishes, 5 schools, and individual contributions will assist Catholic Relief Services’ around-the-clock mission in Haiti. CRS has already provided food, medical care, and shelter to hundreds of thousands of people. CRS provided emergency shelter kits to help nearly 100,000 people living in refugee camps. They are in the process of distributing kits to help 20,000 more. CRS staff members are also investigating solutions to housing problems. CRS has already set up nine primary care centers in the earthquake-ravaged country. Doctors and medical professionals are performing hundreds of critical operations per week at St. Francois de Sales Hospital, a hospital that our donations are working to repair.<br />Catholic Relief Services is well-rooted in Haiti; they have been serving there for 55 years. The million dollars from the Archdiocese will add to the worldwide Catholic effort to help CRS in Haiti. The Archdiocese of Hartford expects the number of donations to increase as we hear from the remaining 47 parishes of our Archdiocese. Those who wish to donate should send a check marked clearly for Haitian Relief to: The Chancery, 134 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT 06105.</p><p>The Archbishop reminds us: “While the earthquake is no longer making front-page headlines, the people of Haiti continue to suffer. They need our help now more than ever, to find solutions in the long term. That is what Catholic Relief Services does.” </p>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-91660745094008071162010-02-04T12:44:00.004-05:002010-02-04T12:49:04.067-05:00National Prayer Breakfast<a href="http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/01/21/prayer%20breakfast.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 612px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 419px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/01/21/prayer%20breakfast.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>“Empowered by faith, consistently, prayerfully, we need to find our way back to civility.”<br /><br />Those were the words of President Barack Obama as he started his day in prayer. He spoke this morning at the 58th annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. The president and first lady joined thousands of guests, including members of Congress and other government and religious leaders from around the world. Obama described himself as a man of faith, and asked his adversaries to take that into account.<br /><br /><br />“Now, I’m the first to confess," he said, "I’m not always right. Michelle can testify to that, but surely you can question my policies without questioning my faith... or my citizenship”<br /><br />Other speakers included the Spanish Prime Minister who supports gay marriage and the easing of restrictions on abortion and divorce, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The National Prayer Breakfast is sponsored by a secretive Christian group known as the Fellowship, or the Family. </div>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-64904396047712315642010-01-21T15:48:00.005-05:002010-01-27T12:40:59.906-05:00March for Life - Washington, D.C.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepVMjbzesiFoQzts9QqyM5YDwAskDJ18mQNdoQJCm4X13nW6li8ALZeyu48KXnbhzwkLEHXWY_pclplbh9Za20FnRwkReA-mHfR2Z2UVoWggwDwSaHkcFT6nOZDcjGeoKHSo-zuqklGQ/s1600-h/marchingcrowd.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429298938492543826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepVMjbzesiFoQzts9QqyM5YDwAskDJ18mQNdoQJCm4X13nW6li8ALZeyu48KXnbhzwkLEHXWY_pclplbh9Za20FnRwkReA-mHfR2Z2UVoWggwDwSaHkcFT6nOZDcjGeoKHSo-zuqklGQ/s400/marchingcrowd.jpg" /></a> Hundreds of thousands of people are pouring into Washington D.C. to protest abortion for the annual March for Life. Office of Radio and Television reporter Jason Calvi is with a group from the Archdiocese of Hartford. Tonight there will be a special Mass, which, we're told, more than 10,000 people will attend. Tomorrow, a pro-life breakfast, another Mass, and then the march itself. WJMJ and Crossroads Magazine will be there live and bring you reports throughout the day.CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-45044114475783515702010-01-18T16:18:00.001-05:002010-01-18T16:20:39.585-05:00Deacon Charles Dietsch to Speak on Experience in Haiti EarthquakeDeacon Chuck Dietsch of <a href="http://www.sacredheartchurch.info/">Sacred Heart Parish in Southbury</a> has returned from Haiti after being rescued from the rubble when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the region.<br />He will speak about his experience in the quake and his mission in Haiti, tomorrow, Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at his parish in Southbury at 10:00 a.m.<br />Deacon Chuck first visited Haiti in 2007 with other members of Sacred Heart Parish, a visit that eventually culminated in a decision to twin the parish with Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Parish in Gran Boulage, Haiti in October 2009.<br /><br />Since then, Deacon Chuck has been serving with the Office of Haitian Ministries of the Diocese of Norwich to work with groups of Americans who came to Haiti through the Norwich Mission House for a cultural and spiritual immersion in Haiti.<br /><br />He arrived for his mission there just days before the earthquake shook the country. He and Jillian Thorpe, also from Connecticut, were buried under the rubble for 10 hours before being rescued.<br /><br />Deacon Chuck was taken to the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince and then flown to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic before being flown back to the United States. He is presently recuperating from his injuries at home.<br /><br /><br />WHO: Deacon Chuck Dietsch of Sacred Heart Parish<br />WHAT: Speaking on his experiences in Haiti, before, during and after the earthquake. Increasing awareness to the disaster there that still requires help and funds.<br />WHEN: Tomorrow, January, 19, 2010, 10 a.m.<br />WHERE: Sacred Heart Parish, 910 Main St. South, Southbury<br /><br /><br />Deacon Chuck will speak at 10 a.m. and take questions afterward.CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-22622284742405078602010-01-15T16:30:00.004-05:002010-01-15T16:36:30.131-05:00CRS - Relief to Haiti<a href="http://www.archdioceseofhartford.org/archbishopmansell.htm">Archbishop Henry Mansell</a> asks parishes to take up a donation to help Catholic Relief Services aid victims in Haiti.<br /><br /><a href="http://crs.org/">Catholic Relief Services</a> is readying food and other aid to help families affected by a powerful earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12. CRS has committed an initial $5 million (US) to help survivors of the devastating quake.<br /><br />“This is a massive disaster,” says CRS’ Country Representative in Haiti, Karel Zelenka. “We should be prepared for thousands and thousands of dead and injured.” In a brief call on Tuesday night before phones went down, Zelenka described clouds of smoke surrounding Port-au-Prince and said, “I’ve experienced earthquakes before, but I never felt anything like this. This is a major hit. And it was direct.”<br /><br />While the CRS office in Port-au-Prince is undamaged, a building directly across from it collapsed. CRS has approximately 340 staffers in Haiti, of which 120 are in Port-au-Prince. Many staffers slept outside on Tuesday night to avoid building collapses from aftershocks.<br /><br />CRS has pre-positioned food, water storage containers, bedding and other supplies in warehouses in Haiti and nearby countries. “We have to find out if the warehouses in Haiti are damaged,” says Ken Polsky, Regional Representative for CRS Latin America. “We will also move supplies there from the Dominican Republic and Miami.”<br /><br />“This is going to be devastating,” says Bill Canny, Director of Emergency Operations for CRS. “We know it's chaos in Port-au-Prince and help is needed immediately.”<br /><br />“We're moving additional emergency staff in as quickly as possible,” continues Canny, who left for Haiti January 13.<br /><br />CRS has worked in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, for over 50 years. The country is still rebuilding from the 2008 hurricanes that left the city of Gonaives buried in 3.2 million cubic yards of mud.<br /><br />How to Help:<br />Donate via phone: 1-877-HELP-CRS or text RELIEF to 30644<br />Donate online: <a title="www.crs.org" href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/areilly/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/Local%20Settings/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/kbradley/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLK81/www.crs.org">www.crs.org</a><br />Write a check: Catholic Relief Services<br /> P.O. Box 17090<br /> Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090<br /> Memo portion of check: Haiti Earthquake<br /><br /><br />You can also donate locally by sending a check marked clearly for Haiti Relief Services to the Chancery at 134 Farmington Ave., Hartford, 06019<br /><br />Or here to the <a href="http://www.ortv.org/">Office of Radio and Television</a>, at 15 Peach Orchard Rd., Prospect, CT, 06712CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-30332183446997220452009-11-13T17:02:00.004-05:002009-11-13T17:13:51.177-05:00Circus Nuns<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKnu3te8LUuQFji_bDV083SPDbSnTkKdYCG9bc-6rIGtPvnLdExViaNE3dwES45SgyN6QMapJ_cvhXkCfbPeInZHZKckH3AanV-JTEaG2J1ZLCLfOSS2I96xG262gZAYnppefNp8pstM/s1600-h/circus-elephants.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403714513896635426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKnu3te8LUuQFji_bDV083SPDbSnTkKdYCG9bc-6rIGtPvnLdExViaNE3dwES45SgyN6QMapJ_cvhXkCfbPeInZHZKckH3AanV-JTEaG2J1ZLCLfOSS2I96xG262gZAYnppefNp8pstM/s320/circus-elephants.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The<a href="http://http//www.ringling.com/"> circus </a>came to <a href="http://http//www.arenaatharboryard.com/">Bridgeport's Harbor Yard</a>, and if you missed it, don't worry, it comes every year.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But there are many things going on behind the scenes, that a show-goer would never see, like, for instance, the religious sisters helping the performers and their children.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The circus is like a travelling city. The train in which the families live is a mile and a half long. There are food carts, animal carts, living space carts, equipment carts, all lined up and all moving across the country at a fairly decent clip. On Mondays and Tuesdays, the circus crew travels, on Wednesdays - Sundays, they put on a show in a new location.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Many take their families with them. 10-year-old Katherine Stuart says the circus life is "not so weird." She goes to school, five days a week, for five hours a day. Sr. Dolores Fabritze teaches her history, math, English and geography, to name just a few subjects. The school day looks a bit different from a circus train, though. They are in "school" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and that school is really whatever back room the venue provided them. They must unpack their books and tools from movable carts, and then pack them all back up again five days later when they leave. After school, the children can't really do sports or participate in extra curricular activities, but they spend time in the nursery and with the performers, as their parents ready for that night's show.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sr. Fabritze and other religious personalities make sure that the sacraments are provided to the performers who request them. They also provide bible studies and personal healing for those on-board the train.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you'd like to see more of what goes on behind the scenes at the circus, tune in to <a href="http://www.ortv.org/">Crossroads Magazine</a>, at 10:30 a.m. on TXX and 10:30 p.m. on MyTV9.</div>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-20644490415091106102009-09-22T13:11:00.008-04:002009-09-22T17:47:48.334-04:00Waterbury Native One Step Closer to Sainthood<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOjqFF9tVAwgQjW7LV-pTVmWXU75jx0C6DhyMEUf2b0uq7UEspDSjROJ-qAyTobm-FfE_TS9v8D04oqMJIE7vz6sdYGGzc6ji5R3qsrSVQSaiHFdNbA_lhcNOuFxMJ3zn124CWGPROks/s1600-h/McGivney.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 142px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384342010314384386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOjqFF9tVAwgQjW7LV-pTVmWXU75jx0C6DhyMEUf2b0uq7UEspDSjROJ-qAyTobm-FfE_TS9v8D04oqMJIE7vz6sdYGGzc6ji5R3qsrSVQSaiHFdNbA_lhcNOuFxMJ3zn124CWGPROks/s200/McGivney.jpg" /></a> Hartford Archbishop Henry Mansell has just signed the documents of the investigation into a possible miracle attributed to the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Venerable Fr. Michael McGivney. The information is now being sent to the Holy See, where a team of medical experts and theologians at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints will investigate the potential miracle.<br /><br />Make sure to watch Crossroads Magazine this Saturday for the full story. Crossroads airs Saturday on WTXX at 10:30 a.m., and My TV 9 at 10:35 p.m.CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-47656663277342403092009-09-21T16:17:00.005-04:002009-09-21T16:42:16.741-04:00Nun Run!<a href="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2009-09/49226359.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 351px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 189px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2009-09/49226359.jpg" /></a>Alicia Torres, of Chicago, wants to become a sister, but she cannot do that until she pays off $94,000 in student loans. To help pay off the debt, she gathered pledges as she ran a half-marathon. Her site, <a href="http://www.thenunrun.com/">TheNunRun.com</a>, is gaining national attention.<br /><div></div><br /><div>NPR's <a href="http://www.thenunrun.com/">All Things Considered interviewed her</a>.</div><div>Here is the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/nunrun">Chicago Tribune's video </a>of Alicia.</div><div></div><br /><div>Alicia wants to join a new community of <a href="http://www.thenunrun.com/mission-our-lady-of-the-angels/">Franciscan Sisters in Chicago</a> who will serve the poor.</div><br /><div></div><div>Once those debts are paid off, Alicia hopes she will still be able to run in her habit.</div>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-57872607207626996242009-09-11T15:17:00.010-04:002009-09-11T16:42:54.882-04:00Priest Chef Out Cooks Renowned Chef Bobby Flay<a href="http://www.gracebeforemeals.com/images/Leo%20&%20Flay%20(2).jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 204px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.gracebeforemeals.com/images/Leo%20&%20Flay%20(2).jpg" /></a>Father Leo Patalinghug beat world-famous chef Bobby Flay in a steak fajita cook-off on the Food Network’s <em><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/throwdown-with-bobby-flay/index.html">Throwdown! With Bobby Flay</a></em>. Father Patalinghug works at <a href="http://www.msmary.edu/seminary/index.html">Mount St. Mary’s Seminary</a> in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where some of our Archdiocese of Hartford <a href="http://www.archdioceseofhartford.org/images/seminarianflyer1.pdf">seminarians</a> train for the priesthood. Bobby Flay visited the seminary to challenge Father in a head-to-head cooking competition.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Father's <em>Grace Before Meals</em> cooking show airs on Boston's Catholic TV. You can also find his show on <a href="http://www.gracebeforemeals.com/">his website</a>, which receives 10,000 hits a day. He also penned a book with the same name as the show. Father <a href="http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyarchnew.aspx?action=6818">tells</a> the Archdiocese of Baltimore's <em>The Catholic Review</em>, “Having Bobby Flay challenge me to a throwdown was a complete surprise and shock. I’m a huge fan of his and the Food Network, so it was an honor just to be on the show and cook alongside of an Iron Chef.” Flay is a former altar-server.</div><div></div><br /><div>If you missed the original episode on September 9, you still can check out Father's victory on the Food Network on Sep 20 at 11 p.m. and Sep 21 at 2 a.m. Check times <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/throwdown-with-bobby-flay/steak-fajitas/index.html">here</a>. Congrats, Father Leo!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>PBS's Faith and Ethics Newsweekly just did a <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/september-4-2009/father-leo/4115/">nice profile </a>on Father. It is worth checking out.</div>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-81216200002258838902009-09-09T12:11:00.003-04:002009-09-09T12:15:32.067-04:00Guadalupe Celebration<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 275px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 345px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.franciscanfriars.com/welcome/images/ind_virgen.jpg" />Crossroads Magazine will be on hand for the Guadalupe Celebration tonight in New Haven. We hope to meet many of you there. Here's the information, from the Knights of Columbus:<br /><div></div><br /><div>On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council will host a festive Guadalupe Celebration and procession in New Haven, Conn., featuring a rare relic of St. Juan Diego – a small piece of his miraculous tilma, nearly 500 years old. A special Mass will be offered by Archbishop Henry Mansell at 5 pm in St. Mary’s Church, with a homily by Bishop William Lori. At 6 pm, Msgr. Eduardo Chavez, the world’s foremost expert on Our Lady of Guadalupe, will speak about the apparitions. At 6:30 pm, a procession with the relic will begin from St. Mary’s Church, leading through the streets of New Haven to the K of C Museum for a fiesta in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Festivities will include a chance to individually venerate the relic, as well as Mexican food, performances, artworks and much more. All are invited. Please see kofc.org/guadalupe for more information.</div>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-62740405374761197882009-08-31T12:34:00.005-04:002009-08-31T14:11:58.481-04:00Bishop of Scranton Resigns<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 149px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.dioceseofscranton.org/Bishop%20Martino.jpg" />The <a href="http://www.dioceseofscranton.org/">Diocese of Scranton </a>posted <a href="http://dioceseofscrantonarchive.org/video/press%20conference.wmv">the press conference </a>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.CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-8348636429016774802009-08-26T17:20:00.003-04:002009-08-26T17:29:27.867-04:00Series on Seminarian<a href="http://www.dispatch.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/dispatch/multimedia/priest/images/day2_lead.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 238px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 113px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.dispatch.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/dispatch/multimedia/priest/images/day2_lead.jpg" /></a><em>The Columbus Dispatch</em> 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.<br /><div></div><br /><div>You can check out the articles <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/multimedia/priest/index.html">here</a>.</div><div> </div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">Thanks to </span><a href="http://deacbench.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">The Deacon's Bench </span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">for </span><a href="http://deacbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/answering-call-in-columbus.html"><span style="font-size:78%;">linking</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> to this article. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">The photo courtesy: <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/index.html">The Columbus Dispatch</a>.</span></div>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-31373054051771130912009-08-24T15:53:00.005-04:002009-08-24T16:06:03.338-04:00Convicted Connecticut Pastor Dies in Prison<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVoBBQBNThkpiGJ4A-egBEmhu5a1p4rpujKh_c5yjWR00hh4bD5IGWwF__JAbFgwdeSgJ54-vrQiMlB9tW7sgDRTL9zqWm_MlIOQ0II5Nx69XwRUHRuSIbiCIWVkc0nxkOe-0edycNs0/s1600-h/fay.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373622931804526002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 143px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVoBBQBNThkpiGJ4A-egBEmhu5a1p4rpujKh_c5yjWR00hh4bD5IGWwF__JAbFgwdeSgJ54-vrQiMlB9tW7sgDRTL9zqWm_MlIOQ0II5Nx69XwRUHRuSIbiCIWVkc0nxkOe-0edycNs0/s200/fay.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>The Rev. Michael Jude Fay, the longtime pastor who stole more than $1 million from <a href="http://www.stjohndarien.com/">St. John Church</a> in <a href="http://www.darienct.gov/">Darien</a>, died Saturday in a <a href="http://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/bux/index.jsp">Butner, N.C., federal prison</a>. He was 10 months into a 37-month sentence for the theft.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bridgeportdiocese.com/">The Diocese of Bridgeport</a> is not releasing any details on the death, but Fay was known to be suffering from prostate cancer.</p><br /><p>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Fay was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and ordered to pay more than a million dollars in restitution.</p>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-86247759430969107212009-08-12T11:22:00.009-04:002009-08-12T12:01:03.775-04:00Remembering Pro-life, Catholic Eunice Kennedy Shriver<a href="http://cdn.eunicekennedyshriver.org/letters/e4db70737e8db8e0c153313248b44658.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://cdn.eunicekennedyshriver.org/letters/e4db70737e8db8e0c153313248b44658.jpg" /></a>Pro-life groups are remembering a champion of life, <a href="http://www.eunicekennedyshriver.org/">Eunice Kennedy Shriver</a>. The sister of John, Robert, and Ted Kennedy and the founder of Special Olympics died Tuesday. Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser <a href="http://www.sba-list.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=ddJBKJNsFqG&b=4186739&content_id={98336015-DCF7-4FE3-96FC-A68D41AB8ECB}&notoc=1">says</a>,"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, <a name="read_more"></a>Shriver and many pro-life leaders signed a full page <a href="http://www.geocities.com/capitolhill/parliament/8383/compact.html" target="_blank">ad</a> in the <em>New York Times</em>. They protested the Democratic Party's embrace of the abortion-rights agenda. Shriver also worked for Democrats for Life of America and <a href="http://www.feministsforlife.org/">Feminists for Life</a>.<br /><div></div><br /><div>The <a href="http://wjz.com/wireapnewsmd/Priest.says.Shriver.2.1124201.html">AP reports the longtime priest </a>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.</div>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-80603539063509571712009-08-11T13:08:00.010-04:002009-08-11T16:06:47.578-04:00National Vocations Study<a href="http://nashvilledominican.org/img/copyimg/images/How_to_Give_body.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://nashvilledominican.org/img/copyimg/images/How_to_Give_body.png" /></a>A landmark study says incoming vocations to religious orders are more traditional and ethically diverse than their predecessors. Georgetown’s <a href="http://cara.georgetown.edu/">Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate </a>released <a href="http://members.nrvc.net/member/download?id=283">“Study of Recent Vocations to Religious Life"</a> 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.<br /><br />These new members are also ethnically diverse. Twenty-one percent are Hispanic, fourteen percent are Asian, and six percent are African or African Americans. <div></div><br /><div><div>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."</div></div><div></div><br /><div>You can read the press release, a helpful summary of the study, <a href="http://www.nrvc.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=411">here</a>.</div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo Courtesy: </span><a href="http://nashvilledominican.org/Home"><span style="font-size:78%;">Nashville Dominicans</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;">, a group with dozens and dozens of new postulants entering the convent year after year.</span></div>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-47735185260353003672009-08-10T15:49:00.008-04:002009-08-11T13:08:25.253-04:00Cathedral Green Dedicated and Blessed!<a href="http://www.archdioceseofhartford.org/news/images/cathedralgreen2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 395px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.archdioceseofhartford.org/news/images/cathedralgreen2.jpg" /></a> Archbishop Henry <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mansell</span> cuts the ribbon at the brand new Cathedral Green, which will be the home for 28 low income families.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.archdioceseofhartford.org/news/09-08-07_cathedralgreen.htm">here</a> for the complete story, with pictures.<br /><br />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 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">videographers</span>, Bruce <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tumyol</span>, as he and his camera peer down into the ribbon cutting crowd.)<br /><br />In order to help furnish the new rooms, Catholic Charities still needs some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">monetary</span> donations. You can contact Peter O'Donnell for more information:<br />J Peter O’Donnell<br />Director of Fund Development<br />Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Hartford<br />860-728-2571 or email<br /><a href="mailto:podonnell@ccaoh.org">podonnell@ccaoh.org</a>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-69695802335625254782009-08-07T10:23:00.008-04:002009-08-07T11:02:09.257-04:00Priesthood: "The Coolness Factor"<a href="http://www.aquinasandmore.com/images/items/62567lg.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 237px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.aquinasandmore.com/images/items/62567lg.jpg" /></a> A toy Mass kit? That's right. <a href="http://www.donnamarieembracingmotherhood.blogspot.com/">Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle</a> writes a<a href="http://catholicexchange.com/2009/08/05/120974/"> review</a> 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 <a href="http://www.aquinasandmore.com/index.cfm/title/My-Mass-Kit/FuseAction/store.ItemDetails/SKU/62567/">here</a>. I've met many priests who tell me they used to "play Mass" when they were kids.<br /><br />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. <div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><p>If you want to see a great example of "The Coolness Factor," check out this wonderful video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bxQ9MVTkuQ&feature=channel_page">God in the Streets of New York City </a>from Grassroots Films. The priesthood is cool.</p><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>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 <a href="http://www.archdioceseofhartford.org/vocation.htm">vocation's site</a>. The phone number is 860-761-7456. Or you can e-mail Father at <a href="mailto:director@vocationshartford.org">director@vocationshartford.org</a>. </div>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-40004595671735950142009-08-06T12:09:00.003-04:002009-08-07T10:23:50.556-04:00Prayer Vigil for Life Outside Planned ParenthoodThis 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 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">half hour</span> 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.<br />For more information, see <a href="http://ecclesiadomesticajmj.blogspot.com/">http://ecclesiadomesticajmj.blogspot.com/</a>.CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-22458859443231824932009-08-06T11:07:00.006-04:002009-08-06T12:43:28.063-04:00Year of the Priest Icon Writer from Connecticut<a href="http://www.usccb.org/yearforpriests/images/icon.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.usccb.org/yearforpriests/images/icon.jpg" /></a> 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.”<br /><br /><strong><em>Crossroads Magazine</em></strong> 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).<br /><br />For more about Czarnecki, check out his website here:<a href="http://www.seraphicrestorations.com/">http://www.seraphicrestorations.com/</a>. You can order a poster of the icon from the National Federation of Priests' Councils <a href="http://www.nfpc.org/publicat.html#poster">here</a>.CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-13987184139470380852009-08-06T10:48:00.004-04:002009-08-06T11:00:03.293-04:00Young Priest Featured in Paper<a href="http://www.chicagopriest.com/images/MatthewNemchausky.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.chicagopriest.com/images/MatthewNemchausky.jpg" /></a>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 <em>Southtown Star </em>featured Father in <a href="http://www.southtownstar.com/news/1701177,080509priest.article">this piece</a> yesterday. Check it out. Let us continue to pray for many more vocations to the priesthood and religious life.CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-6879525342454242342009-08-04T16:08:00.005-04:002009-08-04T17:33:46.201-04:00WJMJ Religious Headlines<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGvdu3AUo8EqP4ECMTq9Zi5GEk1U_J9Difm44f1uo77hyphenhyphen0_g1mt9ojhSeNoCVNyakiSpSnf9UJdz2J4bvo0Q4Paxa_eFCRzQb3qrfsQM9nq6FoZ0_0Vqj-pGj0-yA4L8DMdNB34BzcFw/s1600/wjmj.bmp" /><a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0903497.htm">Nigerian Church Leader Asks Government to Pay for Burned Churches </a><br /><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16745">Pakistani Bishop: Police Did Not Do Enough to Stop Violence</a><br /><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16744">Vietnam Catholics Protest Persecution</a><br /><a href="http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=15514">Church Threatens to Excommunicate Over Abortion Pill</a><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ik3aX3N0ru0tZv_wqU87GX6lm4lwD99PHCMO0">Portugal High Court Upholds Gay Marriage Ban</a><br /><a href="http://www.telegram.com/article/20090804/NEWS/908040373/1003/NEWS03">Worcester Closed Church Sold to Pentecostals</a><br /><a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0903511.htm">U.S. Sisters to Complete Comprehensive Questionnaire</a><br /><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-oh-catholicgiving,0,7570134.story">Annual Appeals See Boost, Despite Economy</a><br /><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-tc-ft-wahlberg-0802-0803aug03,0,5984483.story">Mark Wahlberg Marries in Catholic Church</a>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-20067909914890191442009-08-04T15:05:00.011-04:002009-08-04T16:08:04.834-04:00Vocations Holy Hour Tonight<a href="http://www.usccb.org/vocations/images/monstrance3.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 113px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.usccb.org/vocations/images/monstrance3.gif" /></a>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.<br /><br /><strong>What: Holy Hour for Vocations<br />When: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 7 p.m.<br />Where: Most Holy Trinity Church, 84 North Colony Street [Route 5] in Wallingford, CT<br /></strong><br />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 <a href="http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20090425_indulg-anno-sacerd_en.html">at this site</a>.)<br /><br />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."<br /><br />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.CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-21085990503476537982009-08-04T14:22:00.009-04:002009-08-04T14:53:33.198-04:00New Study on Resisting Temptations<a href="http://jewishchristianlit.com//Topics/Lilith/Images/ael06.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 158px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://jewishchristianlit.com//Topics/Lilith/Images/ael06.jpg" /></a>How confident are you in your ability to resist temptation? <a href="http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/Faculty/Directory/Nordgren_Loran.aspx">Loran Nordgren</a>, senior lecturer of management and organizations at Northwestern University studied the question. His answers will be published in the journal <em>Psychological Science, </em>but you can find an introduction on <a href="http://www.livescience.com/culture/090803-resist-temptation.html">LiveScience.com</a>.<br /><br />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."<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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."<br /><br />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."CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3145824346682601476.post-62016954414996359452009-08-03T16:52:00.004-04:002009-08-04T14:53:52.821-04:00WJMJ Religious Headlines<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGvdu3AUo8EqP4ECMTq9Zi5GEk1U_J9Difm44f1uo77hyphenhyphen0_g1mt9ojhSeNoCVNyakiSpSnf9UJdz2J4bvo0Q4Paxa_eFCRzQb3qrfsQM9nq6FoZ0_0Vqj-pGj0-yA4L8DMdNB34BzcFw/s1600/wjmj.bmp" /><br /><a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0903488.htm">$100 Million Government Contract with Catholic Charities</a><br /><a href="http://www.9news.com/rss/article.aspx?storyid=120525">Appeal of Court's 10 Commandments Are Unconstitutional Decision</a><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5idOw7yXOoyaU14MWjkJIllXXjMoQD99QBD7O0">Wisconsin Faith Healing Death: Guilty Verdict</a><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hqQCVrCVD0SydBszbOAX2-y24osQD99PP5Q01">Oregon Faith Healing Death: Guilty Verdict</a><br /><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1168177.html"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Miami</span> Catholics Await Word on Church Closings</a><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/08/02/us/AP-US-SoCal-Episcopalians-Gays.html">Episcopalians Nominate Gays for Bishop</a><br /><a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0903490.htm">Pope Deplores Anti-Christian Killings in Pakistan</a><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5joJvqSKUB-tFckTvDcSgY5Rr1A2wD99QBTPO0">Oldest U.S. Synagogue Now Has Visitor Center</a><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8180739.stm">Catholic Bank Apologizes For Owning Stock in Contraception Company</a><br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5956719/Facebook-and-MySpace-can-lead-children-to-commit-suicide-warns-Archbishop-Nichols.html">Archbishop Warns about "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Dehumanizing</span>" Social Networking Sites</a><br /><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16728">Michael Phelps Turns Down Pope's Invitation</a><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8177318.stm">Video: Skateboarding for Jesus?</a>CrossroadsMagazinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08412040565500846951noreply@blogger.com0