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)

Today we honor our mothers, and it is a blessing it coincides with the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.  Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers and especially Our Blessed Mother Mary. Today is May 13th, and it marks 95 years since the apparition of Mary in Fatima, Portugal to three young children–Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta.  Mary appeared to the children the 13th of every month for six consecutive months starting on May 13, 1917.  Mary gave an important message to follow a prayerful and holy life through living the gospel and praying the rosary. I am adding links at the bottom which detail the message of Fatima, with resources.  Today, the site of the apparitions has become one of the most visited Marian Shrines in the world, and I pray that I can make a pilgrimage there one day.  It is fascinating that the bullet that was fired at Pope John Paul II is now in the crown of the Mary statue in Fatima.  Pope John Paul II attributed the saving of his life to Mary.  Following is a short trailer for a new DVD from The World Apostolate of Fatima:

Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta

Fr. Andrew Apostoli spoke on EWTN’s Sunday Night Live in more detail about the message of Fatima.

Fatima Shrine

There are two fantastic movies made about Fatima that I would like to recommend.  The first is The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (1952), which is considered a classic film about Fatima.  The second, The 13th Day (2009), is a beautifully filmed modern version of the story and well worth watching.  Both movies do a great job in telling the message of Fatima and making it a more meaningful event in history that we should all be mindful of and honor through our thoughts, actions, and prayers in daily life.  There is also a follow-up movie to The 13th Day called Finding Fatima which researches and interviews some of the 70,000 people who witnessed the miracle of the sun.

Clip from Our Lady of Fatima (1952):

Clip from The 13th Day (2009):

It is interesting that Mary chose to appear in a town called Fatima.  Mary is also thought of highly in the Muslim faith.  Fatima was the name of Mohammed’s daughter, and it is speculated that Mary might also be trying to reach the Muslim faith with her message.  A vision of world peace can only be met if all faiths unite in peace.

LINKS

EWTN’s Webpage for Fatima

The World Apostolate of Fatima, USA

The Fatima Network

The 13th Day Movie (2009-Ignatius Press)

Fatima for Today

Mary, Mother of God

Pilgrims to Fatima

Rome Reports video — Fatima 95 years later:

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

The Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City Maryland

Yesterday, I was honored to join my fellow Secular Franciscans in a day of prayer and reflection at the inspiring St. Anthony Shrine in Ellicott City, Maryland.  The Secular Franciscans from the St. Margaret of Cortona Region (D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and portions of West Virginia & Pennsylvania) gathered together in fellowship and prayer for formation of new and present members of the fraternity.  It was a wonderful day meeting all the fellow SFO members and joining in prayer, Mass, meetings to grow in faith and learning more about Franciscan Spirituality.  If you would like to know more about the Secular Franciscan Order, I have put links below about the SFO and St. Anthony Shrine.

Gathering of Secular Franciscan Order from St. Margaret of Cortona Region

The Shrine of Saint Anthony

The Shrine to St. Anthony has a long history that is fascinating in American history.  The land that belongs to the shrine dates back to the Carroll Family, a Catholic family who helped in the founding of the colony of Maryland.  Charles Carroll III was the ONLY Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence. His cousin was the first bishop assigned to America.  His estate home called Folly Quarter, is the oldest structure on the property and is now used for meetings, and this entire property is run by the Conventual Franciscan Friars.

Portrait of Charles Carroll III at Folly Quarter House

The estate passed though a number of families over the years and eventually was repurchased by the Carroll Family who sold it to the Conventual Franciscan Friars.  Folly Quarter was too small for the growing community from the start. One of the Friars, an architect, Fr. Benedict Przemielewski was commissioned to design a new novitiate. Fr. Benedict chose to miniature the “Sacro Convento,” the original Friary built in Assisi, Italy, in the 13th century. Archbishop Michael Curley blessed the new novitiate at its completion in 1931.

Friary completed in 1931

In 1995, with the gift of a major relic of St. Anthony from their confreres at the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, Italy, the friars began a ministry that grew into the Shrine of St. Anthony we know today. On July 1, 2004, His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler, the Archbishop of Baltimore declared the Shrine of St. Anthony the official Archdiocesan shrine to St. Anthony. is a beautiful friary, and with the surrounding landscape you feel as if you were in Assissi, Italy.  The friars have also built trails, installed statuary and shrines around this property for all to enjoy.   Following are some of the photos of the Shrine and grounds.

Chapel at St. Anthony Shrine

Altar at St. Anthony Shrine Chapel

Shrine to Saint Anthony

1st-Class Relic of Saint Anthony at Shrine (his skin)

Lourdes Grotto on St. Anthony Shrine grounds

Library in Friary at St. Anthony Shrine

Many places for prayer, reading, or contemplation

 St. Anthony and the Donkey

I love the story of Saint Anthony and the Eucharistic Miracle with the Donkey.  It has been remembered with a statue on the grounds as you approach the friary.  St. Anthony was recognized by his fellow friars as a brilliant theologian and powerful preacher.  He was assigned to preach throughout Italy and southern France.  At Rimini he was heckled by a heretic who denied the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.  St. Anthony challenged the heretic to let his donkey choose between a pile of sumptuous animal fodder or the Eucharist.  As St. Anthony held up the Blessed Sacrament, the donkey approached and knelt in adoration.  There are many more stories of St. Anthony available on the website of the Shrine of St. Anthony, and I encourage you to visit this wonderful treasure of the Conventual Franciscan Friars.

St. Anthony and the Eucharistic Miracle with the Donkey

LINKS

The Shrine of St. Anthony

National Secular Franciscan Order

St. Margaret of Cortona Region–Secular Franciscan Order

Charlottesville Secular Franciscan Order Fraternity (forming)

Christ on Trial

Jesus carrying the cross

The devotions to the Stations of the Cross was also offered by Casa Alma (The Charlottesville Catholic Worker) on the Downtown Mall for the first time.  It was wonderful to see so many people moved on the Downtown Mall with devotions to the 14 Stations and singing hymns on a such a beautiful day.  These Stations of the Cross were a version that focused on social justice, just as Dorothy Day did through her works of mercy.  The group stopped and prayed at significant social justice sites in the downtown area:  The Haven homeless refuge, Robert E. Lee Statue, Soup Kitchen at Holy Comforter Catholic Church, and the Free Speech Monument.

Stations of the Cross at Federal Courthouse

Stations of the Cross in front of The Haven

Prayers for more peaceful times.

Prayers at The Free Speech Monument

GOOD FRIDAY & THE HOLY LAND

Please remember to help give donations to the Franciscans on Good Friday who are given custody to take care of the Holy Sites and assist with the Christian communities of The Holy Land.

Being Good Friday, the legend of the Dogwood comes to mind.  Here in Virginia, the Dogwood is revered as the State Tree, State Flower, and Charlottesville has its annual Dogwood Festival coming up April 12-28, 2012.

THE LEGEND OF THE DOGWOOD

At the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood had reached the size of the mighty oak tree. So strong and firm was the wood that it was chosen as the timber for Jesus’ cross.

To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the dogwood. While nailed upon it, Jesus sensed this, and in his compassion said. “Because of your pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender, bent, and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross–two long and two short petals.

“In the center of the outer edge of each petal will be the print of nails. In the center of the flower, stained with blood, will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember.”

 LINKS

Church of the Incarnation

Casa Alma (Charlottesville Catholic Worker)

Charlottesville’s Dogwood Festival

Franciscans Good Friday Collection for The Holy Land

We are now approaching the end of the Lenten Season with Holy Week, and beginning the 50 days of the Easter Season.  Christ sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of love toward mankind, and the main reason for the practice of our Catholic and Christian faiths.  The word Lent means “Spring” and represents the annual renewal of our faith, in a 40-day period of reflection, prayer, penance, fasting, and strengthening of a person’s faith.  I find it a wonderful time of ongoing conversion to help with my commitment to live the Christian life.

IMPACT Assembly at John Paul Jones Arena at UVA

Here in Charlottesville, 1500 Catholics, Christians, Jews, and Muslims all came together on March 26th to advocate for social justice.  Our local IMPACT (Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together) group came together to ask our local governments to to work together toward the issues of better mental health and improving unemployment among young adults.  Catholics are called to help those who are poor, disabled, and marginalized.  I pray that we will have an impact to help these people in our community.

Local politicians voicing support for mental health program

I would like to share a number of great Catholic resources dealing with this Lenten Season and Holy Week:

Father Greg Friedman from Franciscan Media offers good insight to the meaning of walking the Lenten Path:

Busted Halo video explaining Ash Wednesday and Lent in two minutes:

Father Robert Barron has posted an insightful video about the meaning of Palm Sunday:

Busted Halo posted a good video explaining Holy Week in two minutes:

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, shares a Holy Week and Easter Blessing:

My parish, Church of the Incarnation, will be having a LIVE Stations of the Cross, this Good Friday at 3pm.  This is an elaborate production of the Passion of the Christ performed by our Latino community and all are welcome to come and experience this moving presentation of the 14 Stations of the Cross.

I hope everyone has a Blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter Season, and may God Bless us in these difficult times.

Pax Et Bonum,

John

LINKS

Church of the Incarnation

IMPACT (Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together)

 Easter & Lent (Catholic Online)

More Lenten Reflections from Father Robert Barron

Great recipes from Easter to Pentecost from Catholic Cuisine

On Friday, people from 140 cities across America assembled to protest the HHS Mandate and to stand up for religious freedom.  Here in Charlottesville, over 100 people assembled in front of the U.S. Courthouse in prayer, song, and peaceful protest against the Obama Administration’s HHS Mandate.

Father Luke Clark leading group in prayer

Fr. Luke Clark, O.P., Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church  led the group prayer, and read a statement from Bishop Francis DiLorenzo.  The group sang “America the Beautiful” and cheered the passing cars to honk their horns–which many people supported with toots of the horns and waving hands.  This nationwide assembly was organized in little time largely through social media channels.  I think that if there was more time to organize this rally, there would have been close to 1,000 in attendance.  There may be another organized in the near future, as there is currently a 60-day period of public comment to the Federal Government at this time.  You are encouraged to write and call your local congressmen and the Obama administration about this important issue.

22 Catholic Bishops attended these rallies across America to speak, and others like Bishop DiLorenzo submitted letters to be read.  Bishop DiLorenzo wrote:

Rally in front of US Courthouse in Charlottesville, Virginia

We were fortunate to get some local media coverage through TV, radio, and on the front page of our local paper The Daily Progress.  Below are links to the press coverage and good reference websites about this issue.

Following is a You Tube Video promoting Religious Freedom

LINKS

Stand Up for Religious Freedom Website

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops–Website for Conscience Protection

Article from Daily Progress

CBS-19 video and story of Rally

Catholic Online coverage of Rally in Norfolk, Virginia

Washington Post coverage of Rally across America

Saint Patrick

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.  St. Patrick is most famous for coming to Ireland to help evangelize and convert much of the country to Catholicism.  It is even more amazing that he did this after being imprisoned as a teenager and later coming to reform the same people who had jailed him.  Today we need to continue to pray for Ireland as they are going through a difficult time of recovering from abuses in the church much like America’s current struggle with this issue.

shamrock plant

Saint Patrick used the shamrock plant to illustrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity being three in one God.  Father Barron talk about this in the following video:

There are some great resources on the internet today regarding St. Patrick and Ireland:

Wishing you an Irish Blessing:

Rome Reports about life of St. Patrick:

Tribute to Irish Saints from Gloria.TV:

http://www.gloria.tv/?media=1778

Fr. Greg Friedman from Franciscan Media shares some thoughts about Ireland & Bishop Fulton Sheen:

Prayer: An Irish Blessing

LINKS

American Catholic – St. Patrick

SQPN-Saints – St. Patrick

St. Patrick – Catholic Online

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

Assembly at Catholic Advocacy Day

Hundreds of Catholics from across the Commonwealth of Virginia assembled today in Richmond to advocate for many concerns facing Catholic citizens.  Our parish, The Church of the Incarnation, organized a bus to take 31 people from our community to go and lobby our causes to our delegates.  We were joined and supported by the two Virginia Bishops, Bishop Paul Loverde (Arlington Diocese) & Bishop Francis DiLorenzo (Richmond Diocese).  There are many issues before the State Assembly this year of concern including:

• Respect for Life (Abortion & Death Penalty)
• Social Justice (Immigration, poverty)
• Family Life and Education (Marriage)
• Religious Freedom

There are currently 700,000 Catholics in Virginia and can be a strong voice in Richmond if everyone participates in faithful citizenship.  The Virginia Catholic Conference has a great website detailing all the bills and issues before the State Assembly.  If you sign up for their e-mail you will be alerted to important issues for Catholics in Virginia.  They also use a great system called CapWiz that offers citizens a great way to lobby their legislators for these important issues.  All you need to do is register one time and you will be given form letter e-mails about each issue that you can edit or add information and send with the click of a button with little effort.  Please help with a little of your time to make a BIG difference (Links below).

Meeting with Delegate David Toscano

Meeting with Senator Creigh Deeds

Bishop Francis DiLorenzo today put out a press release about concerns that the US Department of Health and Human Services will be requiring Catholic employers to provide health services of sterilization, abortion, and contraception.  Bishop DiLorenzo is very concerned about religious freedom.  The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have offered a response and have a webpage regarding the HHS Mandate:  US Bishops Webpage for HHS Mandate

Bishop Francis DiLorenzo

Bishop Paul Loverde

Mass at Saint Peters for Catholic Advocacy Day

LINKS:

Virginia Catholic Conference

List of current issues and bills from Virginia Catholic Conference

Faithful Citizenship (USCCB)

Richmond Sunlight (Resource for bills before Virginia General Assembly)

Diocese of Richmond

Diocese of Arlington