WEEKEND READING: Catholic Education Resource Center
Published July 25, 2010 | 
“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
- C.S. Lewis
Narcissism
Narcissism and the Dynamics of Evil – Deacon Douglas McManaman
The first step to appreciating the subtleties of evil is to begin at the most basic level of philosophical inquiry, the philosophy of being.
Why a priest should wear his Roman Collar – Msgr. Charles M. Mangan & Father Gerald E. Murray
It is our contention that the rather widespread practice of priests neglecting to wear their collar when they should is both a sign and a cause of malaise in the Church. Read more…
The Heritage of Western Civilization – Cardinal George Pell
Cardinal Pell reminds us that the heritage of Western Civilization comes from its uniquely Christian character. Read more…
The Lesson of Calcutta – Father Robert Barron
There is a lesson that Calcutta burned deeply into my soul. Read more…
What’s behind the human touch – Kathleen Parker
Sometimes it takes a scientific study to reveal the obvious. Read more…
A strange silence – Father Giovanni Cucci, S.J.
Why aren’t critics going to the root of the problem of sexual abuse among the clergy? The author of a new study explains why. Read more…
King George III – Father George Rutler
From a Catholic perspective, the unthinking disparagement of King George III, as some sort of tyrant should itself be disparaged. Read more…
Ayn Rand: Architect of the culture of death – Donald DeMarco
No philosopher ever proposed a more simple and straightforward view of life than the one Ayn Rand urges upon us. Read more…
Anti-Catholic junk history – Gerald Warner
Britain remains marinated in anti-Catholic mythology as a consequence of centuries of relentless propaganda by establishment interest groups. Read more…
The declining value of an ‘A‘ – Colleen Carroll Campbell
It’s a perennial human temptation to lament the laziness and insouciance of the next generation. Read more…
Krakow on guard – Father Raymond J. de Souza
To visit Krakow’s tombs is to realize how often Poland has been on the front lines protecting Europe’s liberty. Read more…
The Sunday Homily: THE GIFT OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
Published July 25, 2010 | 
By Fr. James Farfaglia, Pastor, Saint Helena of the True Cross of Jesus Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Tx, July 25, 2010
When we consider the importance of contemplative prayer and the challenges of today, we need to remember the famous words of Father Karl Rahner, also a Jesuit, who said, “The Christian of tomorrow will be a mystic, one who has experienced something, or he will be nothing.”
http://donotbediscouraged.blogspot.com/2010/07/sunday-homily-gift-of-contemplative.html
Bishop Fulton Sheen – 50 minutes
Published July 25, 2010 | …Bishop Fulton Sheen in his last Good Friday homily, recorded in 1979 at St Agnes church, New York…
His Last Words Part I
Bishop Fulton Sheen- His Last Words Part II
Bishop Fulton Sheen- His Last Words Part III
Bishop Fulton Sheen- His Last Words Part IV
Bishop Fulton Sheen- His Last Words Part V
Archbishop Fulton Sheen Returns to Silver Screen in New Documentary
Published July 25, 2010 | Catholic News Agency, July 24, 2010
Denver, Colo. (CNA/EWTN News).- A documentary on the life of Archbishop Fulton Sheen is being shown in pre-release screenings across the country, as part of an effort to raise awareness of the late archbishop, whose cause for sainthood is currently underway.
The hour-long documentary, entitled, “Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: Servant of All,” offers both entertainment and a powerful message of evangelization as it follows the life of the famous archbishop (1895-1979). The video includes the testimonies of dozens of individuals who were touched by the life of the archbishop. It also shows footage from his popular television program, “Life is Worth Living.”
Gaining a reputation as both a scholar and a man of God from a young age, Archbishop Sheen committed to praying a daily Holy Hour before the Eucharist after he was ordained a priest in 1919. It was a practice that he maintained for the remaining 60 years of his life, and it was to this daily Holy Hour that he attributed his success in spreading the Gospel.
By age 30, Archbishop Sheen was a well-recognized Catholic scholar, with degrees from multiple universities in America and Europe. He taught at Catholic University of America, where students would flood his classroom, even sitting on radiators to hear his lectures.
Gaining recognition as a speaker, the archbishop traveled the globe, drawing crowds of up to 10,000 with his charismatic personality and powerful message. “You felt that one of the Apostles was right there in front of you speaking,” said one listener.
In 1930, Archbishop Sheen was asked to take part in a weekly radio broadcast called “The Catholic Hour.” His popularity soared, and shortly after being appointed Auxiliary Bishop of New York in 1951, he began his “Life is Worth Living” television program.
Soon, 30 million Americans were tuning in weekly to see Archbishop Sheen, who presented his message with a charming combination of humor and wit. He was awarded an Emmy after his first season on the air, becoming the only religious broadcaster ever to do so.
Despite his great success in radio and television, the archbishop remained humble and generous. He donated the money from his show, as well as the many contributions he received, to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, of which he had been named director.
Archbishop Sheen spoke at the Second Vatican Council on the role of the Church in caring for the poor and needy of the world. At the council, he also attracted the attention of the future Pope John Paul II, who learned English by listening to his shows.
In the following years, Archbishop Sheen began to lose popularity as he publicly supported civil rights and criticized the Vietnam War. In addition, some people saw him as too traditional after Vatican II.
In 1966, he was appointed Bishop of Rochester, a position which he filled for three years before retiring at the age of 74. For the remainder of his life, he worked vigorously to strengthen and promote the priesthood. His health gradually declined, and he underwent open heart surgery.
Archbishop Sheen passed away on December 9, 1979. His body was found before the Eucharist in his private chapel.
The cause for Archbishop Sheen’s beatification and canonization was opened in 2002. The archbishop currently holds the title of Servant of God, while the Church continues to examine his life and works, including the 66 books he wrote during his life.
“Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: Servant of All” will be released on DVD to the general public during the 2010 holiday season.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishop-fulton-sheen-returns-to-silver-screen-in-new-documentary/
BELOW: Bishop Sheen Has Some Fun/Raises Money for Charity!
GOSPEL & MEDITATION: Someone’s Knocking at the Door
Published July 25, 2010 | July 25, 2010
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Father Ernest Daly, LC
Luke 11: 1-13
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ´Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,´ and he says in reply from within, ´Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.´ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Introductory Prayer: Lord, I come into your presence seeking to know you better. I believe that you take the lead in seeking me. You want me to find you. I trust that in your mercy you will bring me to intimacy with you. I open my heart today to receive your friendship.
Petition: Lord, teach me to long for your Kingdom and your holiness.
1. Teach Us to Pray All of us carry a longing to know God and enter into a relationship with him. Those who live a deep relationship with God attract us by the peace and serenity of their lives. They know they are loved, and they can handle the difficulties of life with joy and serenity. The disciples see how deeply and spontaneously Christ talks with the Father, and they realize they are far from that; so they ask Christ to teach them to pray. We, too, learn from Christ how to enter into a relationship of love with the Father. He teaches us to put our trust totally in the Father’s love.
2. Continual Conversion of Heart Jesus teaches us to ask that the Father’s Kingdom come in our hearts. He reveals to us that the Father’s kingdom is our home. When we pray the Our Father, we are expressing our desire to enter into the Father’s heart. We are expressing our desire to be like the Father in his goodness, holiness, and love. Praying the Our Father renews in us a continual conversion of heart and points us to our true home. It reminds us that this home is within our reach, because the Father is intimately close to our lives and wants to help us become more like him.
3. The Keys to Receiving from God Jesus invites us to persevere in imploring the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings holiness to our lives if we are docile to his inspirations. Christ reminds us that the Father wants to bless us with this holiness. But we must expand our capacity to receive this gift by increasing our desire for it. Our perseverance in petitioning this gift expands our hearts. We must not tire of asking for the gift of the Holy Spirit. We must do so with great confidence in the Father’s love.
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me the closeness that the Father wants to have with me. Help me to expand my heart and be like him. You are guiding my life, Lord. Help me to cooperate with the Father’s love.
Resolution: I will pray an Our Father today more calmly and attentively, letting the Holy Spirit inspire me to see what a small thing I can do today to help the Father’s Kingdom come.
http://www.regnumchristi.org/english/articulos/articulo.phtml?se=363&ca=975&te=735&id=20302
TODAY’S SAINT: ST. JAMES
Published July 25, 2010 | CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY, JULY 25, 2010
James was one of the three Apostles who were particularly close to the Lord. He was there with the Lord and his brother, John, and Peter at the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane.
He is known as James “the Greater” to distinguish him from the other Apostle by the same name. The title has little to do with his function or the people’s regard for him. Rather, it was a term indicating that he was the elder of the two.
He is the patron saint of Spain and of pilgrims. In northwestern Spain, he is venerated at Santiago de Compostela, a mediaeval pilgrimage site that is still very popular today.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=547
Chains That Bind & the Loss of Liberty