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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Going into the Iowa caucuses in 2012, everyone was fixated on the opinion polls except, it seems, Iowa voters. Republicans delivered victory to a laggard in the surveys - and a humbling lesson on the hazards of reading too much into polling....
WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops."Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others.""Even as Americans rema...
WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others."
"Even as Americans remain troubled by abortion," wrote Cardinal Dolan, a powerful and well-funded lobby holds "that abortion must be celebrated as a positive good for women and society, and those who cannot in conscience provide it are to be condemned for practicing substandard medicine and waging a 'war on women'." He said this trend was seen recently when President Obama and other Democratic leaders prevented passage of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, "a modest measure to provide for effective enforcement" of conscience laws.
"While this is disturbing," said Cardinal Dolan, "it is also an opportunity." Pro-life Americans should reach out to "the great majority of Americans" who are "open to hearing a message of reverence for life." He added that "we who present the pro-life message must always strive to be better messengers. A cause that teaches the inexpressibly great value of each and every human being cannot show disdain or disrespect for any fellow human being." He encouraged Catholics to take part, through prayer and action, in the upcoming "9 Days for Life" campaign, January 16-24. More information on the campaign is available online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxJwfcefUiU
He also cited the Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis as a time for women and men to find healing through the Church's Project Rachel post-abortion ministry.
The full text of Cardinal Dolan's message is available online.
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Keywords: Roe v. Wade, anniversary, Pro-Life, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, 9 Days for Life, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Year of Mercy, Project Rachel, Pope Francis
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MEDIA CONTACT
Don Clemmer
O: 202-541-3206
(Vatican Radio) The 51st International Eucharistic Congress is taking place in Cebu, Philippines drawing thousands of delegates from around the globe to reflect on the central role of the Eucharist in the life of the Church.One of Saturday's presenters at the event was Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, whose theme was 'The Eucharist and Mary'. In the presentation, he returned to the theology of suffering, giving moving examples of a priest celebrating Mass on his deathbed and a dying girl's wish that Cardinal Dolan speak her name into the Chalice during the sacrifice of the Mass.He spoke to the head of Vatican Radio's English Section, Seàn-Patrick Lovett, about the importance of the theology of suffering and the Eucharist.Listen to the full interview: Redemptive suffering"John Paul II used to speak about redemptive suffering. When I was a parish priest, and now that I'm a bishop, so many people will pour out their heart and s...
(Vatican Radio) The 51st International Eucharistic Congress is taking place in Cebu, Philippines drawing thousands of delegates from around the globe to reflect on the central role of the Eucharist in the life of the Church.
One of Saturday's presenters at the event was Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, whose theme was 'The Eucharist and Mary'. In the presentation, he returned to the theology of suffering, giving moving examples of a priest celebrating Mass on his deathbed and a dying girl's wish that Cardinal Dolan speak her name into the Chalice during the sacrifice of the Mass.
He spoke to the head of Vatican Radio's English Section, Seàn-Patrick Lovett, about the importance of the theology of suffering and the Eucharist.
Listen to the full interview:
Redemptive suffering
"John Paul II used to speak about redemptive suffering. When I was a parish priest, and now that I'm a bishop, so many people will pour out their heart and soul and tell me about their suffering. You wouldn't know it to look at them - it's not like their on crutches or a wheelchair, sometimes they are - but sometimes it's emotion suffering, sometimes it's spiritual suffering. They are just eaten alive with worry."
"It's like the people who ran up to Jesus; they just wanted to touch him, they wanted to pour out their heart and soul. That's what we mean by a Saviour: we have certain things we need saving from! And one of the things we need to be saved from is our worries, our sufferings, our sorrows. I've never met a person who didn't have them."
"But today we tend to deny that, we almost tend to say 'Ah, we don't need a Saviour; I can do it by myself'. Well, if we don't need a Saviour, then we are the saddest people. I don't know about you, but I sure need one, and the people that I meet need one. And we have to show them the Saviour."
Theology of suffering in Eucharist
Turning to the reason why many Catholics tend to shy away from proclaiming a theology of suffering, Cardinal Dolan said, "Why do think? Is it because people will think we are kind of negative or depressed or because we're down on humanity or Creation? Are you kidding? We are the ones who exalt Creation!"
"We are the ones who know the dignity and beauty of the human person. But we also know the suffering there, we also know the dark side, the unredeemed side. And that's where faith and religion, that's where the Saviour comes in! And that's what the Mass is all about."
He then went on to give some examples of the shakers and movers who frequent the Cathedral of New York, St. Patrick's. "When I look out there, I know them well enough now to know that every one of them has a special intention. I know every one of them is eaten up inside with something bothering them. [...] And what do they do? Where do they go? That's why they come to Mass, because they know they are close to Jesus and the Cross there. We can't lose that."
Power of Eucharist: Christian community
The power of the Eucharistic Congress, Cardinal Dolan said, is "the power of other people, the power of example. It's the power of seeing them trying their best to live their faith. And I think that's the genius of Catholicism: we're not in this alone."
"That's something really important for us in the United States, because the Calvinist Puritan ethic would be that 'it's God and me, it's between Jesus and me'. Mostly it's very personal. We Catholics tend to believe - yes, our faith is personal - but it's received and lived out together, in a community, with other people that we call the Church. And that's where examples come in; that's what the Communion of Saints [is about]: good examples for us."
(Vatican Radio) In the first monthly Jubilee audience during this Year of Mercy, the Holy Father on Saturday spoke about the close relationship between mercy and mission. Recalling the words of Saint John Paul II, the Pope said that his predecessor “reminded us that the Church lives an authentic life when she professes and proclaims mercy, and leads people to the source of mercy.”Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report As Christians, Pope Francis said, “we are called to be missionaries of the Gospel.”He went on to say that just as we naturally seek to share with others the beautiful moments of our lives, we are called also and especially to share the joy of encountering Jesus Christ.The Pope explained to those gathered in St Peter’s Square that to encounter Jesus was to experience his love, which transforms us and compels us, in turn, to share this love. The Holy Father stressed that every Christian was the “bearer of Christ&rdqu...
(Vatican Radio) In the first monthly Jubilee audience during this Year of Mercy, the Holy Father on Saturday spoke about the close relationship between mercy and mission.
Recalling the words of Saint John Paul II, the Pope said that his predecessor “reminded us that the Church lives an authentic life when she professes and proclaims mercy, and leads people to the source of mercy.”
Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report
As Christians, Pope Francis said, “we are called to be missionaries of the Gospel.”
He went on to say that just as we naturally seek to share with others the beautiful moments of our lives, we are called also and especially to share the joy of encountering Jesus Christ.
The Pope explained to those gathered in St Peter’s Square that to encounter Jesus was to experience his love, which transforms us and compels us, in turn, to share this love.
The Holy Father stressed that every Christian was the “bearer of Christ” and said that the mercy we receive from the Father is not given solely for our benefit, but for the good of all, by transforming us into instruments, missionaries of mercy.
The mercy that we receive from the Father, the Pope noted, was given to us as a private consolation, but it also makes us tools so that others can receive the same gift.
“Let us never tire of feeling the need of His forgiveness”, Pope Francis said, “because when we are weak, his proximity makes us strong and enables us to live with greater joy our faith.”
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday spoke of his sadness at the death of one of the workers at his residence at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.The Holy Father said the woman, whom he called Elvira, had been sick for some time.He was speaking at the conclusion of his first Jubilee audience during this Year of Mercy in St Peter’s Square and he asked the pilgrims present to pray a Hail Mary for the woman and her family.The Pope described the Casa Santa Marta as big house, where he said about forty priests, and some bishops who are working in the Curia live. There are also, he added, guests who stay, such as cardinals, bishops and lay people who come to Rome for meetings.Elvira was just one of a group of men and women, who work at the residence cleaning and working in the kitchen and dining room.Pope Francis said these people were not just employees, they formed part of a family in the house.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Saturday spoke of his sadness at the death of one of the workers at his residence at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.
The Holy Father said the woman, whom he called Elvira, had been sick for some time.
He was speaking at the conclusion of his first Jubilee audience during this Year of Mercy in St Peter’s Square and he asked the pilgrims present to pray a Hail Mary for the woman and her family.
The Pope described the Casa Santa Marta as big house, where he said about forty priests, and some bishops who are working in the Curia live. There are also, he added, guests who stay, such as cardinals, bishops and lay people who come to Rome for meetings.
Elvira was just one of a group of men and women, who work at the residence cleaning and working in the kitchen and dining room.
Pope Francis said these people were not just employees, they formed part of a family in the house.
Rome, Italy, Jan 30, 2016 / 04:03 am (CNA).- A group of Italy-based monks pray and work at their monastery at St. Benedict's birthplace. Now the fruits of their labors – Belgian-style beers – are coming to America.“We never expected people to appreciate it and enjoy it as much as they have,” Father Benedict Nivakoff, the sub-prior of the Monastery of Saint Benedict at Norcia, told CNA Jan. 28.“A brewer has to have always a little bit of hope. It's not just for his enjoyment, but to share with others. God does things that we don't always expect with what we make.”Under the name Birra Nursia, the monastery brews and markets a Belgian Blond Ale and a Belgian Dark Strong Ale.The monks' beers are selling fast, but they're part of a long timeline. The Monastery of St. Benedict builds on the saint's 1,500-old legacy. It is near the ruins of the house where St. Benedict and his sister St. Scholastica lived in the Italian region of ...
Rome, Italy, Jan 30, 2016 / 04:03 am (CNA).- A group of Italy-based monks pray and work at their monastery at St. Benedict's birthplace. Now the fruits of their labors – Belgian-style beers – are coming to America.
“We never expected people to appreciate it and enjoy it as much as they have,” Father Benedict Nivakoff, the sub-prior of the Monastery of Saint Benedict at Norcia, told CNA Jan. 28.
“A brewer has to have always a little bit of hope. It's not just for his enjoyment, but to share with others. God does things that we don't always expect with what we make.”
Under the name Birra Nursia, the monastery brews and markets a Belgian Blond Ale and a Belgian Dark Strong Ale.
The monks' beers are selling fast, but they're part of a long timeline. The Monastery of St. Benedict builds on the saint's 1,500-old legacy. It is near the ruins of the house where St. Benedict and his sister St. Scholastica lived in the Italian region of Umbria.
Above the entrance to the monks' brewery is a fresco of the Virgin Mary upon grains of barley.
Fr. Benedict reflected on how Jesus Christ's first miracle was at the wedding at Cana – at the urging of his mother Mary, he turned water into wine.
“Doing something so unnecessary, changing water into wine. And not just any wine, but the best wine,” he said. “That’s what the steward said: the best for last.”
For these Benedictines, brewing beer is like making wine.
“It is a drink which isn't really necessary, but it brings a bit of joy to the hearts of those who drink it,” the monk said. “We take as our motto a line from Psalm 106: 'ut laetificat cor,' that the heart might be gladdened.”
“When we take something that has those qualities of good ingredients, made in a prayerful way, and drink with friends and family, it's a chance to step back from the ordinary cares of the day, all the anxieties, and spend a little time thinking about less urgent things, and more leisurely, things.”
This contemplation can even include God. The monks have integrated their brewing practices into Benedictine spirituality, whose famous motto is “Ora et Labora” – “Pray and work.”
“In general, St. Benedict asked the monks to do everything that they do for God,” Fr. Benedict said. “Whether that's cleaning the house, replacing the roof or producing beer. He says everything should be treated like the sacred vessels of the altar.”
“When we make something we try to make it of the highest quality possible,” he said. “Something that is not only high quality and pleasurable to the taste, but also made well. Prayed over. For us, all of our work is part of our prayer.”
St. Benedict asked his monks to live by their own labor, to work and to sell the things they make.
“This is a chance to really live up to his call,” Fr. Benedict said.
The monastery's brewery has a capacity of 10 barrels. Each batch can produce 3,000 0.75 liter bottles. The beer is available in single 0.75 liter bottles, six-packs of the bottles and in cases of 12.
On. Jan. 21, for the first time, the monks began accepting Birra Nursia pre-orders from the U.S. for delivery in March.
“The beers needless to say are excellent,” Fr. Benedict said. He recommended the blond beer, which contains about six percent alcohol, for warm summer afternoons. The dark beer, which is about ten percent alcohol, is “perfect for winters like we are having right now.”
All the monks contribute to the brewery's work. Some gather raw materials, assist in the brewery, or bottle the beer. Others help evaluate the beer's taste or work in sales.
“We started the brewery thinking that no one would be interested,” Fr. Benedict said. “Italy's a wine culture. We didn't expect anybody to like our beer, let alone buy us out.”
Their beer sales began three years ago. “We've sold out our inventory pretty much since day one. We had to expand our plant after a year.”
Fr. Benedict said that beer is “an age-old monastic product.” The tradition began several centuries ago. The monasteries tried to develop a drink that would supplement the monks' Lenten fasts, when they eat only one meal a day.
“Beer was already in the culture and they perfected it, so that it would be strong enough in nutrients to keep the monks well-fed, but not too strong in alcohol that they would be drunk all the time,” Fr. Benedict said.
The monks have a full schedule. They rise at about 3:30 in the morning. Their first prayers are fifteen minutes later and continue throughout the day. Brewing is only one part of their manual labor.
Other work includes music. In June 2015 the monastery released a music album “Benedicta: Marian Chant from Norcia,” through the label De Montfort Music.
The monastery itself was founded in the year 2000 and its monks are mostly American. Two of the monastery's brewers are from Texas, while another is from South Carolina.
“For us it's a great pleasure to send those beers back to the United States,” said Fr. Benedict, who is from New Canaan, Conn. “Our friends and family, we left them behind. They'd like to see more of us, which we can’t really do. Here’s a chance for them to get closer to us with something that we make.”
He said the beers are a way for all people to help the spiritual life of St. Benedict at his birthplace. The monastery will only be able to fill a limited number of orders per month due to their prayer schedule and their other work at the monastery.
The brewery also offers a one-year subscription to the Brewmonks' Club. Subscribers pledge to buy a six-pack or case of bottles every month. They receive other benefits, including a biannual newsletter that promises insights about monastic brewing.
The brewery’s website is http://birranursia.com.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Serena Williams put up both hands after a sending a forehand long and high over the baseline in the first set. She wanted nothing to do with yet another unforced error in her Australian Open final against Angelique Kerber....
BANGKOK (AP) -- Mix one part superstition, two parts fashion, a dab of celebrity idolatry and a heap of media frenzy, and what do you get? "Child angel" dolls, the latest craze in Thailand....
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Turkey's state-run news agency says at least 33 people, including five children, have drowned in the Aegean Sea after their Greece-bound boat capsized off the Turkish coast....
WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops."Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others.""Even as Americans rema...
WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
"Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others."
"Even as Americans remain troubled by abortion," wrote Cardinal Dolan, a powerful and well-funded lobby holds "that abortion must be celebrated as a positive good for women and society, and those who cannot in conscience provide it are to be condemned for practicing substandard medicine and waging a 'war on women'." He said this trend was seen recently when President Obama and other Democratic leaders prevented passage of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, "a modest measure to provide for effective enforcement" of conscience laws.
"While this is disturbing," said Cardinal Dolan, "it is also an opportunity." Pro-life Americans should reach out to "the great majority of Americans" who are "open to hearing a message of reverence for life." He added that "we who present the pro-life message must always strive to be better messengers. A cause that teaches the inexpressibly great value of each and every human being cannot show disdain or disrespect for any fellow human being." He encouraged Catholics to take part, through prayer and action, in the upcoming "9 Days for Life" campaign, January 16-24. More information on the campaign is available online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxJwfcefUiU
He also cited the Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis as a time for women and men to find healing through the Church's Project Rachel post-abortion ministry.
The full text of Cardinal Dolan's message is available online.
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Keywords: Roe v. Wade, anniversary, Pro-Life, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, 9 Days for Life, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Year of Mercy, Project Rachel, Pope Francis
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT
Don Clemmer
O: 202-541-3206
