Call To Holiness

WORLD COMMUNICATION DAY

The 46th World Communication Day is this Sunday, May 20th, 2012.  Pope Benedict XVI has chosen the theme as Silence and Word:  Path of Evangelization.  The Vatican started World Communications Day in 1967 with Pope Paul VI stating,  “the vast and complex phenomenon of the modern means of social communication, such as the press, motion pictures, radio and television makes the unfolding and the realization of a wonderful plan of God’s providence, which opens to man’s genius ever new ways of achieving his perfection and of attaining to his final end.”

With our busy and noisy modern life, I think the Pope’s theme is very appropriate for our times.  There are wonderful things happening in new media with the church, but it requires times of silence for prayer and contemplation to be able to fully comprehend and appreciate all the messages we receive daily.  It may be a good time to turn off the TV, Facebook, and cell phone to give some time to God.  I am continually challenged to find adequate time for prayer and silence in juggling modern communications with time for friends, parish, and family.  I have added a link below to Pope Benedict’s letter on World Communication Day.

PROMOTE CATHOLICISM DAY

While World Communications Day 2012 is happening this Sunday, May 20. The 2nd Annual Catholic Media Promotion Day will follow on Wednesday, May 23 and Thursday, May 24.

Last year, on Catholic Media Promotion Day, we asked you to promote your favorite 3 blogs, 3 podcasts, 3 other media, 3 random Catholic things online, as well as your own projects. Additionally, we asked you to go to iTunes on that single day and leave at least 3 positive reviews for various Catholic podcasts and 3 positive written reviews for Catholic mobile applications.

Something different this year:

This year, in keeping with the theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s message for World Communications Day 2012 — Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization — we’re asking you to do something different.

On Wednesday, May 23, we’re asking you to take a one-day break from posting on blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Pinterest, etc… and use that day to reflect on the Pope’s words about the role of silence in communication and evangelization.

Then, on Thursday, May 24, please share the fruit of that day of prayer and silence with everyone, by posting your answer to the question: “What in Catholic Media has had an impact on me during the past year?” Share it on the New Evangelizers website at: http://newevangelizers.com/forums/topic/catholic-media-promotion-day-2012/

Why silence on Wednesday?

So why did we choose Wednesday as the day to be silent? According to a recent study, Wednesday is the day that most people post on Facebook. Remaining silent in the world of social communications on this day is a way to become more aware of the temptation to value doing over being and speaking over listening. No one on the web may notice our silence, but surely God will notice, and hopefully we will notice Him more deeply, and thus come away with a greater readiness to share a word that gives life. As Pope Benedict XVI reminds us: “Silent contemplation immerses us in the source of that Love who directs us towards our neighbors so that we may feel their suffering and offer them the light of Christ, his message of life and his saving gift of the fullness of love.”

In summary, here’s what we ask you to do:

1) PREPARE
Spread the word about World Communications Day and Catholic Media Promotion Day using all the social media:
a) Link to the page on the New Evangelizers website: http://promotecatholicism.newevangelizers.com/promote-catholicism-day/
b) Like / +1 the page
c) Include the hash tag #silenceandword in your posts

2) FALL SILENT
Refrain from using social media to post content on Wednesday, May 23, and use it as a chance to read and prayerfully reflect on the Pope’s message for World Communications Day 2012: http://tinyurl.com/silenceandword

3) EVANGELIZE
Share the fruit of your day of prayer and silence with everyone, by posting your answer to the question: “What in Catholic Media has had an impact on me during the past year?” Share it on the New Evangelizers website at: http://newevangelizers.com/forums/topic/catholic-media-promotion-day-2012/

Thanks to all the people at New Evangelizers who helped organize Promote Catholicism Day which has become a great new resource for our faith!!!

LINKS

Pope Benedict XVI message for World Communication Day

Promote Catholicism Day with New Evangelizers (2012)

Facebook Page for Promote Catholicism Day (2012)

New Evangelizers Forum for Promote Catholicism Day 2012

Promote Catholicism Day 2011 (list of links)

Thank you to all the readers and people who helped contribute to this blog, it hard to believe that it had been a whole year since starting this website.  It has been a blessing to write about the many events, people, and places involving the Catholic Faith.  I really appreciate the feedback from the readers, and am always open to your thoughts and ideas to make this blog better.

Since starting this blog, there have now been 14,441 readers of the blog.  I am humbled that so many people have taken the time to read many of the 52 posts that I have made over the past year.  I am planning to continue to write weekly postings, and would love if you sent any ideas of Christian/Catholic stories.  Thanks again for all your support.

God Bless,

John

Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. is a treasure in our nation’s capital.  It serves as the place of worship and reflection for all faiths in America.  Washington National Cathedral is the capital’s longest construction project that started in 1907 and ended in 1990.

On August 23, 2011 there was a rare 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Virginia that caused damage to many old structures in the Mid-Atlantic area including The Washington Monument and Washington National Cathedral.  When I visited the cathedral there are still black cloths up in the ceiling to help catch any falling debris on worshipers.  There is currently a new exhibit about the earthquake damage, and plea for the nation to help with its repairs.

Stained Glass with Moon Rock inside from Apollo Mission

There are many national treasures in the cathedral, but one of the coolest is the lunar rock that adorns a beautiful stained glass window of the cosmos.  There are 215 stained glass windows in the cathedral and they are all distinctive and have spiritual messages that inspire.

Mary's Altar

The Children’s Chapel is a tourist favorite, as it focuses on faith with children with small chairs and hand-stitched kneelers with spiritual images and animals.  The small altar has scenes of Christ ministering to children.  Outside the chapel is the child Jesus with outstretched arms and welcoming hands to kids and adults visiting.

Child Jesus outside Children's Chapel

Children's Chapel Altar

Darth Vader Gargoyle

In the 1980′s, National Geographic World Magazine offered a contest requesting children to submit ideas for gargoyles that were still needed for construction on the cathedral.  One winner was Darth Vader, and there is a brochure in the book store that you can get that will help you find Darth Vader (you will need binoculars as this picture was taken with a super zoom lens).  The cathedral also offers a special tour of the 110 gargoyles that are all uniquely designed and have faith and American themes.

Eathquake damaged Herb Cottage

Washington National Cathedral has beautiful garden surrounding the grounds and a wonderful old cottage that was a garden/herb shop.  It was damaged by the earthquake, and they are hoping repairs to be completed in the Herb Cottage sometime in Spring 2012.  There are many other damaged stone work pieces that will take years to repair, and it will take many people using time, talent, and money to help rebuild the cathedral.  Perhaps you would consider giving a donation to help with this cause (a good thing during this Lenten Season).  There is a link to the Cathedral Website below with more information.  Their website has many virtual tours that one can see the cathedral and its treasures with leaving your computer.  They also have a great gift shop/book store in the crypt of the cathedral that is worth your time and treasure.

Earthquake Damage Exhibit

The National Cathedral has served as our national gathering church for all faiths, and a place to honor our fallen hero’s and public servants.  Ronald Reagan’s state funeral was held at the cathedral, and Woodrow Wilson is buried on the grounds.  Helen Keller is also buried on the grounds and there is a well-worn plaque in letters and braille to commemorate her work.  There have been 15 Presidential funerals and 5 Presidential inaugural prayer services at Washington National Cathedral.

Photo exhibit at National Cathedral

Helen Keller Plaque

LINKS

Washington National Cathedral Website

Brochure to find Darth Vader gargoyle