Potential beyond measure

This week has been designated as 'Education Week' by the government of Ontario. In addition, it is being observed as Catholic Education Week by teachers, students, parents, guardians - all those who recognize the gift that Catholic Education is to us today and the promise it holds for our future.

Various activities are being planned in the Catholic schools of the province. At the local elementary school, there is room for all the children to take part in some activity or other, and every one of these is focused at helping them to better appreciate the faith that we all share. Most of the information that has been shared with various Catholic school boards across the province about Catholic Education Week can be found on the website of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association.

Based on the wisdom of the prophet Micah (6:8), the theme for this year's Catholic Education Week is We are called. Various materials have been prepared in order to assist teachers, catechists and clergy to use this teachable moment to the greatest possible effect.

Perhaps CEW calls us all to examine our own commitment. We might begin by giving thanks for those who have shared the gift of faith with us throughout the years. Teaching is a profession, but teaching faith is a vocation, so perhaps we should identify those who are instrumental in the formation of our children and take the time to thank them for all that they do. A few boquets every now and then don't hurt anyone ... and the potential for doing good is beyond measure.

Small things with great love

Have you ever had the experience of seemingly unrelated events happening over a very short period of time ... followed by a moment that could only be described as an epiphany which seems to bring all the unrelated events together? It seems as though I've been living one of these experiences over the past few days.

First there was the man who appeared at the door not once, not twice, not even three times but four times in the space of as many days to ask for a room at one of the local shelters. There's a policy in place (which the guests at my door seem to have figured out long before I do) whereby I'm supposed to check identification and then present a chit which in turn is presented to the administration of the local shelter and the person in need is provided with a bed and a meal. Sounds simple enough, but after seeing the same person show up for four days running, this soul starts to wonder whether 'tis truly divine work that's being done or whether someone's getting duped.

A second candidate also showed up a few days ago, who admitted that he had been here asking for shelter on a few occasions, but wondering (quite innocently to the eye of the casual onlooker) whether we would possibly be able to help for the next couple of days. I'm supposed to help the poor, the disenfranchied and the downtrodden, so barring a very good excuse or a gut feeling that I'm being used, I usually will respond in a suitable fashion. However, there's still a part of me that is wondering who'se getting the better end of the stick.

Living the values one preaches is not always easy. Life sends so many opportunities our way sometimes that we have to get choosy about which ones we respond to and which ones it's better to ignore. The problem is that we can get so caught up in the decision that the doing gets left behind. That's often when the little voice of conscience or balance seems to scream within me for attention, and if I don't listen, it just keeps screaming, or showing up under different guises.

Was it yesterday or today that I was flipping through either a magazine while waiting for an appointment or glancing at a periodical of some sort and the image of Mother Teresa popped up. Instantly the images of the thousands who must have surrounded her came to mind, and the words she spoke with such conviction, 'I can do small things with great love' kept playing in my head.

When all is said and done, and we slow down long enough to listen to the small voice that speaks within, is this not the same message we often hear? For many of us, save the ones who are in positions of great power and influence, it is not possible to move mountains at a whim, but all of us can do small gestures of kindness, all of us can do little things, and do them with great love. Getting back to basics is what it's all about, and learning that life is all about doing good in small doses while trying our best to love the ones who will benefit from our kindnesses.

If you love me

Happy Easter!

Now before you think that I'm a bit crazy, I'm not. While it is proper to greet one another with this greeting throughout the Easter season, today is especially apropos because those who worship in the Eastern or Orthodox churches are celebrating Easter day today. Properly said, they greet each other today with the phrase, 'He is risen! Alleluia!'

With Easter joy, we also learn lessons today about love and commitment. In Rome, Pope Benedict presided this morning at the ordination of twenty-nine new priests. Twenty-eight of them are priests of the Diocese of Rome and one missionary who has just completed his study at the Pontifical College of Propaganda Fide.

• Pope's homily at Ordination Mass

These newly-ordained priests, like all others who are called to service in the Church, provide a witness of love and commitment to the people of God, strengthened by the Lord himself who gives us all the gift of his presence to guide us.

The scriptures proper to this day recall the Lord's promise that he will never leave us alone, that he will always be with us until the day that we are united with him in our heavenly homeland. This consolation helped to soothe the troubled spirits of the apostles who must have wondered about how they would ever carry on after Jesus had died, and it warms our hearts to know that because of the power of the resurrection, he is still walking with us, guiding us and leading us toward our ultimate destination.

Fear is conquered when faith allows us to hope in the Lord's promise. For a further reflection on this theme, read the text of my homily or listen to the podcast.

We join our voices with those of the Orthodox churches and greet one another in faith, 'He is risen, Alleluia!'

At what price?

Over the last few weeks, we have been made increasingly aware of a reality that many of us may once have thought to be unthinkable. There just isn't enough food to go around. For decades now, there has been talk about the increasing population density of places such as China, India and other parts of Asia and Africa, and there has been a certain modicum of concern for the fact that decreasing levels of subsidization for the agricultural sector of the world's economies would one day lead to major problems. Well here we are.

From China to India to Vietnam and even to the grocery shelves in our neighbourhoods, the prices for rice and flour have skyrocketed in the last six weeks or so. A 10Kg bag of rice that once sold for CA$6.00 is now priced at CA$15 or more, and other grains are following suit. What's behind all the fuss?

Another of the current trends these days is an increasing concern for the environment. All the fuss and focus on 'going green' has led to new vocabularies and suddenly hybrid automobiles and biofuels seem to be all the rage, but take a closer look. Biofuels are created when agricultural products are used to generate sources of energy which in turn power the machines of high society. At first glace there may appear to be many benefits to this alternative, but consider the real price for such progress.

In more and more areas of the world, fields that once were used for the growing of rice and grain, destined for the production of food, are now being used for the growing of corn and other grains which are not destined for store shelves or family tables, but for production facilities which provide biofuels. Considering that the pendulum swings from one extreme to another, the danger of usurping land once used for the production of food and using it for the production of biofuels is that prices for grains and other commodities are on the rise, and the have-nots of the world are starving.

Last week, the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO) held a regional conference for Latin America and the Caribbean. During this gathering, Msgr Renato Volante, the Vatican's Permanent Observer at the FAO cautioned that although there are significant possibilities for the protection of the environment through the use of biofuels, their production is proving to be a major cause for the food shortage now facing increasing numbers of the world's poor.

It is good and just that we should be concerned with the long-term protection of the gifts we have been given, but if our zeal for going green causes black marks on the record we hold when it comes to caring for one another, haven't we missed the mark?

When life begins

Somewhat related to yesterday's post is a tidbit I've uncovered from a discussion that's happening on the other end of the world.

Bishops in the state of Victoria, Australia are calling upon Catholics in that state to keep abortion as part of the Crimes Act, even though the state of Victoria already has abortion on demand in practice. This call was issued as part of a pastoral letter signed by six bishops and one apostolic administrator.

The Church's constant call for respect of life in all its stages from the moment of conception to natural death has been a source of much debate especially in the modern-day world. Those who are proponents of individualism (regardless of the terminology that is used) have little or no regard for this tennet which was upheld by the controversial encyclical Humanae Vitae written by Pope Paul VI and published on July 25, 1968.

In 1969, the Canadian government liberalized the then-existing law against abortion, and in 1988 the law was struck down, making Canada one of only a very few countries to not have any abortion law at all, and the famous Roe v. Wade case in the Supreme Court of the United States of America is still cited today as a turning point in the great debate.

Somehow, methinks the jury's still out on a difinitive answer to this question. When all is said and done, the essence of the argument comes down to whether or not you believe that a human zygot, embryo, fetus ... is a human person. This to me is a matter of faith enlightening reason.

For life and family

Last week, the Catholic Organization for Life and Family, otherwise known as COLF issued a letter addressed to all Catholics across Canada. This doesn't happen often, but on occasion, it's good to see that the Church hasn't stopped calling us to put our money where our mouths are.

At issue is Bill C-484, 'an Act to amend the Criminal Code (injuring or causing the death of an unborn child while committing an offense), otherwise known as the Unborn Victims of Crime Act. If passed, this Bill would recognize intentional assault on unborn infants as a separate offense from assault on their pregnant mothers.

This private member's Bill was introduced in the House of Commons by Swift Current (SK) MP Ken Epp (PC) and passed first reading on November 21, 2007. If it is to survive, it must go to second reading in the House of Commons at some date in the future and then to third and final reading before it becomes law.

In the meanwhile, it's open season for debate and influence of those who have a voice in the House of Commons and since all Members of Parliament are there representing the people of Canada, we can lobby our own local Members to speak for us on this matter.

• Letter to Canadian Catholics signed by Most Rev. Jean Gagnon, Bishop of Gaspé and Chairman of COLF

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Knights of Columbus jointly founded COLF. Its purpose is to promote respect for life, human dignity and the essential role of the family.

New beginnings

Significant moments in life deserve to be celebrated, and the more significant the milestone, the more it should be observed with care, surrounded by those we love. In the North American culture, birthdays and anniversaries are traditionally reserved as special moments to be shared with family and friends, but such moments are not reserved only to these two occasions.

In the coming days, a dear friend will complete her tenure of leadership and move on to new and exciting adventures. It's not always easy to face such moments because in one breath we are recognizing all our collective achievements while in another we are regretting the fact that the guest of honour will no longer be around. Sure, such people may maintain a friendship or two, but the reality is that when major change occurs, things are never the same.

Today was a day for recognizing wonderful work, for sharing happy memories, for acknowledging struggles that have been lived during what seems like a lifetime of devotion to the good of others. What started out as a dream for cross-cultural daycare in response to the reality that so many families are made up of double income earners has blossomed into a network of services and opportunities for families to enjoy time with their children in a safe, fun-loving environment.

Whether we have had the privilege of working with her for the past thirty odd years, or just for a scant number of months, we have all enjoyed the wonderful gift of being invited into Eve's heart - there to share a dream which in some senses has become a reality, but in others is still becoming.

As responsibility now gives way to leisure, and the gavel of administration is now traded for the trowel and the paddle, we give thanks for all that has been done, and we look forward to many more opportunities to share laughter, tears and wisdom.

Happy retirement.

Happy Earth Day

Well, the day has finally arrived. Can you believe that it's actually been more than twenty years since talk about taking care of the environment first started to buzz around the proverbial water coolers of society in parts such as ours?

According to the sources that know, Earth Day is an annual observance which takes place during Spring in the northern hemisphere, and during Autumn in the southern hemisphere. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day on the vernal equinox, which this year happens to have taken place on Sunday morning while most of us might have still been snuggled in bed, but the tradtion of observing Earth Day today dates back to the late 1960s when an American politician by the name of Gaylord Nelson used this occasion to educate his students on the wiser points of the environment and caring for it.

Harkening back to the observance of Earth Hour which took place a few weeks ago, Earth Day is consecrated by environmentalists to all things green. Celebrations marking this day took place as early as this past Saturday when people in this fine city were invited to take part in a gathering meant to heighten our awareness about the wisdom of recycling and the many small ways that each of us can make a difference in the size of carbon footprint we leave behind - so much for thinking that the only footprints we leave behind are impressions on sand.

The influence of recycling has even found its way to the marketing giants of kids' play. It appears that Hasbro, the makers of the famous board game Monopoly are changing some of the squares on the game board. Gone are the references to the Electric Company and to Water Works. These are being replaced with properties known as Wind Farms and Recycling depots.

Wind energy is only one of the greener alternatives which has been explored in years of late, but it's still on the pricey side to initiate so of course there's some resistance. On the whole though, those who celebrate today applaud the foresight of such entrepreneurs as those who are willing to put their money where their mouths are and make wind, solar and other renewable energy sources more accessible to the common folk.

On a day when the prices at the pumps have hit levels unknown in these parts for at least the past couple of years, it might be helpful to take heed of some practical suggestions for ways each of us can do our part to control or cut the amount of energy we use in our homes, and ultimately with reducing the carbon footprint that we leave behind.

Take off and landing

Shepherd One arrived safely at 10:45 local time this morning at Rome's Ciampino Air Force Base 30 kilometers south-east of Rome. From there he travelled by car to the Vatican.

As is customary when the Holy Father travels, a series of telegrams were dispatched to various Heads of State at the moment of his departure from JFK International Airport and as he travelled over airspace in Canada and Ireland prior to arriving in Rome.

• Telegram addressed to the President of the United States of America as the Allitalia flight bearing the Holy Father and his entourage departed from JFK International Airport (8:30 pm EDT)


• Telegrams addressed to the Governor General of Canada, the President of Ireland and the President of the Republic of France as the Holy Father travelled through the airspace of their respective countries, and to the President of the Republic of Italy signifying His Holiness' return at the completion of the Apostolic journey to the United States of America

The visit of the Holy Father from the USA was big news indeed. Some of those who were most skeptical about his intentions were surprised to meet a man who celebrates with great jubliation and finds quiet moments for compassion and understanding toward those who are in pain.

Finding the way

Some people we meet in life seem to have it all together. Life appears at least to come easy to them, and if they're truly fortunate, they realize how good they have it. Then there are others for whom life is a constant struggle. For these folk, every day can be a challenge and even trying to get just a little leg up in life can appear to be next to impossible. These are the true anawim, the lost of society, the ones on the fringes, the ones who long for someone to share a kind word, and understanding heart, a forgiving gesture of some kind, anything that will help to point them in the right direction.

For more on this subject, check out the text or the podcast of my homily for this weekend.

Speaking of finding our way, here are a few more reflections from the chief shepherd. These words of wisdom were shared today in New York while he was visiting at Ground Zero, while he was celebrating Mass in Yankee Stadium and just before he boarded Shepherd One for his flight home.

• Prayer during the visit to Ground Zero, New York, April 20, 2008

• Homily of the Holy Father during the Mass celebrated in Yankee Stadium in New York, April 20, 2008


• Farewell address of the Holy Father at JFK International Airport in New York, April 20, 2008

Shepherd One will arrive in Rome tomorrow morning, and the Holy Father will be safe back at home in the Vatican in time for lunch and the first of what will surely be many debriefing sessions with his staff.

Thank you Holy Father for your visit, for your words of wisdom, for your energy and most of all for your leadership. In the coming days, we too will need to digest the wisdom of your words and begin to apply them to the life of the faithful in this part of the world.

Remembering

On the last day of his pilgrimage to the United States of America, Pope Benedict XVI will visit Ground Zero in New York at 9:30 this morning. There, he will meet family members of those who perished in the 2001 terrorist attacks which toppled the World Trade Center. Also present will be some of the survivors and members of the emergency response teams who were there to provide assistance to those in need. The Holy Father will pray for those who died as well as for those who still struggle to come to grips with the devastating reality represented by that place.

At 2:30 this afternoon, he will preside at a Mass in Yankee Stadium where organizers are expecting more than 58,000 to be in attendance. Yesterday, the Holy Father celebrated Mass at Saint Patrick's Basilica with bishops, priests and men and women religious who are presently serving in the Archdiocese of New York. Today, the public will have the occasion to celebrate with him ... or at least those who were lucky enough to get admission tickets.

At 8:00 this evening, following a brief departure ceremony which will take place at JFK International Airport, Shepherd One is scheduled to depart, taking the Pope and the members of his entourage back to Rome.

Stay tuned for the texts of the Holy Father's addresses. They will be posted here as soon as they are available.

At the mother church

This morning, shortly before 9:00 am, the Holy Father arrived at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Waiting along the motorcade route were some very enthusiastic onlookers who cheered and waved the yellow and white of the Vatican flag.

Upon his arrival at the Cathedral, His Holiness made his way into the church, to the thunderous applause of the clergy and religious of the Archdiocese who were waiting for him there. Also in attendance were two lay people from each Archdiocese and Diocese across the United States. The Holy Father made his way behind the altar to the Altar of Reposition and knelt in prayer for a few moments before greeting some of the dignitaries who were waiting nearby. He then proceeded to the sacristy where he vested for Mass.

The liturgy began shortly after 9:15 this morning and was a most joyous occasion. Edward Cardinal Egan welcomed the Holy Father to Saint Patrick's Cathedral, and the congregation broke into spontaneous applause. 'Built with the pennies of the Catholics of New York', Egan explained, Saint Patrick's has served as the Cathedral of the Archdiocese, as well as a place of prayer for people of all faiths who have come either as tourists or seekers.

• Homily of the Holy Father at the Votive Mass for the Universal Church, celebrated with priests, men and women religous in the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, New York City, July 19, 2008

This afternoon, the Holy Father visited with youth who are living with disabilities. This encounter took place at 4:30 this afternoon in the chapel of Saint Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, NY.

• Words to young people living with disabilities, July 19, 2008

Following this encounter, the Holy Father participated in a youth rally on the grounds of Saint Joseph's Seminary where he spoke with those who were gathered there.

• Address of His Holiness during the meeting with young people and seminiarians at Saint Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, NY, July 19, 2008

The final day of the Holy Father's pilgrimage promises to be yet another full day of pilgrimage for the Holy Father. Tomorrow morning, he will visit Ground Zero at 9:15 am and pause for a moment of prayer. He will then celebrate Mass in Yankee Stadium at 2:00 pm (special video instructions have been issued in advance of this gathering to explain the procedure for the distribution of communion) and then depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York at 8:00 pm.

Shalom

Friday evenings are a sacred time to the Jewish community. Following the command of the scriptures, it is customary that a Jewish family should gather for prayer as the sun sets on Friday evening, commencing the Sabbath - the day of rest. Last night though was even more special. Not only was it the beginning of the Sabbath, but it was the beginning of Pesah (Passover), the 'high holy days' if you will for the Jewish community.

Prescriptions about how to observe this night are written of in the Torah, and are retold in Jewish circles as well as Christian ones today (see Exodus 12:1 ff). Pope John Paul II used to refer to the Jewish community as 'our elder brothers in faith'. He worked tirelessly at forging and strengthening ties of friendship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish community.

In his turn, Benedict XVI continues the practice of working at strengthening bonds of friendship and communication between us. Having already spoken with members of the Jewish community and presented them with special greetings for Passover during his visit to the Catholic University of America earlier this week, he visited at the Park East Synagogue in New York City last night. There he spoke words of greeting: Shalom! and expressed sentiments of respect and esteem for the Jewish community on the eve of Pesah. He also took this occasion to encourage the fostering of relations between the Jewish community and the many different ethnic and religious groups present in New York City.

This was a very short, but very significant visit among new friends, but in some ways it was like branches of a family hitherto unknown to each other finally having the occasion to meet. What a wonderful occasion for building bridges! What a wonderful occasion for celebrating our common faith!

Following his short visit at the Park East Synagogue, the Holy Father participated in an ecumenical prayer service which took place at Saint Joseph's parish in Yorkville New York. This moment of prayer with representatives of various Christian faith traditions throughout the United States was yet another significant moment for building bridges, promoting reconciliation and expressing the hope for a better, brighter future.

• Address of the Holy Father to participants at the Ecumenical Prayer Service conducted at Saint Joseph's parish, Yorkville, NY, April 18, 2008

This morning, the Holy Father will preside at a Mass in Saint Patrick's Cathedral at 9:00 am, and participate in a Rally with youth at Saint Joseph's Seminary at 4:30 pm. Live video coverage of these events is available on the website of the Papal Visit.

New York, New York

At 8:30 this morning, the Holy Father left Andrew's Airforce Base, thus concluding the Washington portion of his pilgrimage. Shepherd One, as his plane has been dubbed for this trip then took the papal entourage to New York where the Holy Father addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Whereas his Washington meetings were concentrated around the American people, political and otherwise, today's meetings have a very different flavor. The General Assembly of the United Nations is a much more international gathering, and the issues to be discussed have the potential to reach well beyond the political borders of the United States of America.

Here then are the texts of the speeches delivered this morning:

• Address of the Holy Father to the General Assembly of the United Nations, New York, April 18, 2008


• Address to the staff and personnel of the United Nations, New York, April 18, 2008

Later today, the Holy Father is scheduled to meet with the Jewish community at the Park East Synagogue in New York, and then to participate in an ecumenical prayer service at Saint Joseph's parish in Yorkville, NY. Details about these later events will be recounted here as soon as they are available. Live coverage begins at 4:15 pm today on the special website set up for the Papal visit.

Some things in quiet

This week's pilgrimage to the United States is all about bring hope to those who are despairing. Amidst the throngs of faithful who were present at Nationals Stadium earlier today for the celebration of an outdoor Mass, and against the joyous greetings reserved for the Holy Father by the bishops, priests and catechists who listened with wrapt attention to his words of challenge and encouragement, there is another group who also want their hour in the limelight, or maybe just a little light at the end of the tunnel will suffice.

The Vatican Press Office announced late today that this afternoon, at about 4:30 pm local time, Benedict met with some alleged victims of abuse by clergy. Accompanied by Sean Cardinal O'Malley, OFM - yep that's the one who'se been fondly dubbed as the blogging Cardinal - those in attendance were given an occasion to speak with the Pontiff about the abuse they have suffered, and they found a compassionate welcome as the pope responded with words of encouragement, understanding and hope.

Reaction to this meeting is mixed, as might be expected. While some still maintain that this was merely a minute gesture aimed at quelling the voices that have called for the pope's attention ever since he left Rome a few days ago, others see this meeting as a significant moment in bringing peace to some very troubled souls.

• CNS report about the meeting of the Pope with victims of sexual abuse by priests


• ZENIT coverage of the meeting with sexual abuse victims

Bringing hope to all

This afternoon, Benedict XVI met with Catholic Educators at the Catholic University of America. Education has long been a subject that is dear to the heart of this Holy Father. Ordained a priest in 1951, he received a doctorate and a licentiate in theology from the University of Munich, where he studied until 1957. He taught dogma and fundamental theology at the University of Freising in 1958-59, and then lectured at the University of Bonn, 1959-1969, at Munster, 1963-66, and at Tubingen from 1966 to 1969. In 1969 he was appointed professor of dogma and of the history of dogmas at the University of Regensburg, where he also served as vice president until 1977.

On November 25, 1981, Pope John Paul II named Cardinal Ratzinger prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and of the International Theological Commission. As the guiding light on doctrinal issues during Pope John Paul II's pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI was one of the most respected, influential and controversial members of the College of Cardinals. He was a major figure on the Vatican stage for nearly a quarter of a century.

On April 19, 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected as the 265th Pope and the first German pope in 948 years. He adopted the name Benedict XVI, in honor of St. Benedict, the founder of Western monasticism, and of Benedict XV, pope during World War I and a promoter of peace.

Present at this gathering were Presidents of Catholic Universities across the United States, but also some the Catholic Educators who work with parishes across the country. Students and educators alike are inspired by the words of the Holy Father. Like any person who is able to be close to an idol, this visit was a great witness to the students of CUA and an inspiration to those who have accepted the responsibility to educate and form our young people in faith.

• Address of His Holiness during the meeting with Catholic Educators, April 17, 2008
  

Following his encounter with Catholic educators, the Holy Father met with a number of inter-religious leaders from various faith traditions which are represented in the United States. In the rotunda of the John Paul II Cultural Centre, the Holy Father spoke to these leaders and received their greetings and tokens of peace. This was indeed a moment of building inter-personal relationships between Benedict XVI and the leaders of the various faith communities represented; it was also an important moment in building relationships between the Roman Catholic Church and these various faith traditions.

• Address of His Holiness during the meeting with representatives of other religions in the Rotunda of the John Paul II Cultural Center, Washington, DC, April 17, 2008

After this moment of exchange, the Holy Father moved to another section of the John Paul II Cultural Centre to address members of the Jewish community. The Holy Father wanted to share with them a special greeting on the occasion of the upcoming celebration of Pesah (Passover) which will take place this coming Saturday.

• Words of His Holiness during the meeting with representatives of the Jewish community at the John Paul II Cultural Center, Washington, DC, April 17, 2008
• Message of His Holiness to the Jewish community on the occasion of the feast of Pesah, April 17, 2008

Mass with the masses

At 10:00 am this morning, the Holy Father presided at a Mass celebrated in presence of thousands of Catholics in Nationals Park in Washington. In the words of one of the young people who attended, this was an amazing display of colour and a celebration of joy.

The video of the Mass is yet to be posted, so stay tuned for that, but in the meanwhile, readers can now access the text of the Holy Father's homily.

Later this afternoon, the Holy Father is scheduled to meet with Catholic Educators at the Catholic University of America. This encounter, which will take place at 4:45 pm, has been touted as one of the most anticipated events in the papal itinerary, so we'll post some of the details here as soon as they're available.

At 6:15 tonight, Benedict XVI will take part in an Inter-religious gathering at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Centre, and this will be followed by a special gathering with representatives of the Jewish community. No doubt, there will be more on these gatherings in the coming hours.

Day Three

Coverage of the papal pilgrimage to the United States of America continues during these days. Even from the moment of his departure from Rome, the words shared by the Holy Father at various moments during this journey are most profound. Check them out:

• Interview with the Holy Father during the flight from Rome to the USA, April 15, 2008 (text in Italian and English)


• Address of the Holy Father during the welcoming ceremony on the lawn of the White House, April 16, 2008


• Joint declaration between the Holy See and the Office of the President of the USA released at the end of the meeting between the Holy Father, Benedict XVI and President Bush, April 16, 2008


• Address of the Holy Father during the celebration of Vespers with the bishops at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, April 16, 2008


• Responses by the Holy Father to questions posed by the Bishops of the United States during their meeting on April 16, 2008

At the conclusion of his meeting with the bishops last night, the Holy Father presented a chalice to the Archbishop of New Orleans, LA as a sign of his prayerful solidarity with the faithful of the Archdiocese who have worked so hard to restore that city in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Today is the third day of the six-day visit of His Holiness to the United States of America. At the time of this posting, the Mass at Nationals Park in Washington has just come to its completion. Within the next few hours the video of this Mass will be available on the USCCB website.

Stay tuned for more texts and reflections about the Holy Father's visit.

Happy Birthday Holy Father

Amid great pomp and pagentry, President George Bush welcomed the Holy Father to the Whitehouse this morning. Nine thousand individuals were accorded admission to this gathering on the lawn of the Presidential residence, and together with American soprano Kathleen Battle, they sang 'Happy Birthday' to the Holy Father as he celebrates his 81st birthday today.

The President greeted the pope with the Latin words of welcome, Pax vobiscum (Peace be with you). He spoke of the USA's history of openness to faith since the very beginning of its existence, and of his openness to receiving the messge of hope that the Pontiff brings.

After the President's warm greetings, the Holy Father himself addressed the following words to those who were gathered:

ADDRESS OF POPE BENEDICT XVI

WELCOME CEREMONY

THE WHITE HOUSE, SOUTH LAWN

WASHINGTON

16 APRIL 2008

Mr. President,Thank you for your gracious words of welcome on behalf of the people of the United States of America. I deeply appreciate your invitation to visit this great country. My visit coincides with an important moment in the life of the Catholic community in America: the celebration of the two-hundredth anniversary of the elevation of the country’s first Diocese – Baltimore – to a metropolitan Archdiocese, and the establishment of the Sees of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Louisville. Yet I am happy to be here as a guest of all Americans. I come as a friend, a preacher of the Gospel and one with great respect for this vast pluralistic society. America’s Catholics have made, and continue to make, an excellent contribution to the life of their country. As I begin my visit, I trust that my presence will be a source of renewal and hope for the Church in the United States, and strengthen the resolve of Catholics to contribute ever more responsibly to the life of this nation, of which they are proud to be citizens.

From the dawn of the Republic, America’s quest for freedom has been guided by the conviction that the principles governing political and social life are intimately linked to a moral order based on the dominion of God the Creator. The framers of this nation’s founding documents drew upon this conviction when they proclaimed the “self-evident truth” that all men are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights grounded in the laws of nature and of nature’s God. The course of American history demonstrates the difficulties, the struggles, and the great intellectual and moral resolve which were demanded to shape a society which faithfully embodied these noble principles. In that process, which forged the soul of the nation, religious beliefs were a constant inspiration and driving force, as for example in the struggle against slavery and in the civil rights movement. In our time too, particularly in moments of crisis, Americans continue to find their strength in a commitment to this patrimony of shared ideals and aspirations.

In the next few days, I look forward to meeting not only with America’s Catholic community, but with other Christian communities and representatives of the many religious traditions present in this country. Historically, not only Catholics, but all believers have found here the freedom to worship God in accordance with the dictates of their conscience, while at the same time being accepted as part of a commonwealth in which each individual and group can make its voice heard. As the nation faces the increasingly complex political and ethical issues of our time, I am confident that the American people will find in their religious beliefs a precious source of insight and an inspiration to pursue reasoned, responsible and respectful dialogue in the effort to build a more humane and free society.

Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility. Americans know this from experience – almost every town in this country has its monuments honoring those who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, both at home and abroad. The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, sacrifice for the common good and a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate. It also demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one’s deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate. In a word, freedom is ever new. It is a challenge held out to each generation, and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good (cf. Spe Salvi, 24). Few have understood this as clearly as the late Pope John Paul II. In reflecting on the spiritual victory of freedom over totalitarianism in his native Poland and in eastern Europe, he reminded us that history shows, time and again, that “in a world without truth, freedom loses its foundation”, and a democracy without values can lose its very soul (cf. Centesimus Annus, 46). Those prophetic words in some sense echo the conviction of President Washington, expressed in his Farewell Address, that religion and morality represent “indispensable supports” of political prosperity.

The Church, for her part, wishes to contribute to building a world ever more worthy of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26-27). She is convinced that faith sheds new light on all things, and that the Gospel reveals the noble vocation and sublime destiny of every man and woman (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 10). Faith also gives us the strength to respond to our high calling, and the hope that inspires us to work for an ever more just and fraternal society. Democracy can only flourish, as your founding fathers realized, when political leaders and those whom they represent are guided by truth and bring the wisdom born of firm moral principle to decisions affecting the life and future of the nation.

For well over a century, the United States of America has played an important role in the international community. On Friday, God willing, I will have the honor of addressing the United Nations Organization, where I hope to encourage the efforts under way to make that institution an ever more effective voice for the legitimate aspirations of all the world’s peoples. On this, the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the need for global solidarity is as urgent as ever, if all people are to live in a way worthy of their dignity – as brothers and sisters dwelling in the same house and around that table which God’s bounty has set for all his children. America has traditionally shown herself generous in meeting immediate human needs, fostering development and offering relief to the victims of natural catastrophes. I am confident that this concern for the greater human family will continue to find expression in support for the patient efforts of international diplomacy to resolve conflicts and promote progress. In this way, coming generations will be able to live in a world where truth, freedom and justice can flourish – a world where the God-given dignity and rights of every man, woman and child are cherished, protected and effectively advanced.

Mr. President, dear friends: as I begin my visit to the United States, I express once more my gratitude for your invitation, my joy to be in your midst, and my fervent prayers that Almighty God will confirm this nation and its people in the ways of justice, prosperity and peace. God bless America!

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At the end of the public gathering, the President and the Holy Father retired to the Oval Office for a private meeting. The public part of the visit will continue at noon today when the Holy Father travels by motorcade from the White House to the Apostolic Nunciature.

First of many

News about Pope Benedict's remarks to journalists aboard the papal flight yesterday from Rome to Andrews Airforce Base has hit the local media, as expected. Today it's on to business as usual.

After having rested from his transatlantic flight yesterday, His Holiness begins the business part of his six-day visit to the United States today. There are two major events planned. First he will pay a visit to President Bush at the Whitehouse (at 10:30 this morning), where a lavish welcome is planned. Since the Holy Father is considered a Head of State, this is the official part of his visit to the political arm of the country.

The public will be able to see His Holiness as he leaves the Whitehouse this morning and travels along a planned parade route as he returns to the Apostolic Nuncature on Massachusetts Avenue.

For his part, President Bush was on hand to greet the pope when he arrived yesterday afternoon at Andrews Airforce Base, but that was not the time for speeches - those will be delivered today. Live television feeds are being carried on the website of the USCCB.

At 5:30 this afternoon, the Holy Father will greet the bishops of the United States at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where they will together pray Vespers (Evening Prayer).

The pilgrimage begins

As of this writing, the flight that is already being dubbed Shepherd One is en route toward Andrew's Airforce Base. Aboard are a number of acredited journalists and the papal entourage. Benedict XVI will begin his first official visit to the United States at 4:00 pm Eastern Time today. As you might expect, the media are having lots of fun with this visit. Live feeds of the visit will soon appear on the website of the United States Episcopal Conference and EWTN.

In a rare press conference, Benedict XVI spoke to journalists aboard his flight about the shame he feels because of sexual abuse committed by some members of the clergy in the United States. This press conference is no doubt intended to set the tone for the subjects that will be discussed during the Holy Father's three-day visit.

• Pope's comments aboard Shepherd One

According to the itinerary of the visit, the Holy Father will be greeted at Andrew's Airforce Base by President George Bush, Jr and his wife. In addition, the President of the USCCB, Francis Cardinal George (Archbishop of Chicago); the USCCB Vice-president, His Excellency, Gerald Kicanas; the General Secretary of the USCCB, Msgr. David Malloy; the Archbishop of Washington, DC, His Excellency, Donald Wuerl, the Auxiliary Bishops of Washington and the Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of the USA, His Excellency, Timothy Broglio will be on hand for the greeting ceremony.

Among the most highly anticipated of these visits is a speech he is scheduled to give to the students at the Catholic University of America on Thursday. As you may expect, preparations for this visit are being planned in minute detail, including instructions for those who will distribute communion during the Mass which will be celebrated in Yankee Stadium in New York City this weekend.

One thing's for sure, this visit is surely causing a stir. Amid all the pomp, ceremony and colour, what, I wonder, will be the lasting effect of this gesture of pastoral care? Will the Catholics of the USA find words of peace, joy, inspiration from the mouth of the Successor of Peter, the chief shepherd?

Shepherd of souls

Today, the liturgy speaks to us of the Good Shepherd, the one who comes after us, who pursues us and who is the answer to our every longing. If this is true, why do we resist the invitation to listen to his voice, to follow in his footsteps, to rest in his presence?

There is always a part of the human soul that is restless, that can be even rebelious at times. Even though we know with the power of reason that to surrender to the call of the Shepherd would ultimately do us good, we resist because we want to be in control of our own choices, our own lives, our own destinies. Some people spend their entire lives fighting against the truth that to follow the guidance of the Shepherd is in our best interest, and that He wants nothing but the best for us.

There's something very soothing about the image of one who has gone astray, managed to get totally and utterly lost and who comes back to familiar ground, to waiting arms, to the warmth of a relationship of love and forgiveness for all that has transpired, and trusts this relationship so inately that it is possible to totally relax, to be at peace, to trust that all will be well.

Sound too much like a utopia? Many other voices have tried to speak this truth as well. This afternoon, I heard a conversation on the CBC Radio program Tapestry entitled The Open Road. It's a conversation with Pico Iyer about the Fourteenth Dahli Lama. Like so many others, the Dahli Lama speaks of himself as 'a simple buddhist monk' who seeks to live in peace with himself and others.

Christians believe that on the day of our baptism, our life in Christ begins. In a sense, Christ creates a voiceprint on our souls, and this voiceprint forms the basis for a conversation which continues throughout our entire terrestrial life. For more about the effects of this voiceprint, read the text or listen to the podcast of my homily for this week.

Is anyone listening?

One of the maxims of the Church's moral teaching is that with rights come responsibilities. This truth appears at times to be lost on those who argue for the defense of human rights on behalf of so many who are disenfranchised in so many ways, especially in a climate which promotes the value of individualism as an absolute.

Against the culture of me-ism, a voice which calls for the recognition and acceptance of responsibility might seem to be out of place, but this voice must be heard.

In recent years, science continues to make major advances. One of the areas where progress seems to be coming at us at a torential pace is embrionics. Only a few years ago, the human genome was finally decoded (not a small feat) and since that time, experiments at trying to understand and alter it have continued. Evidence the creation of Dolly, the scientifically cloned sheep who lived but a short while on a farm in rural England. This is but one such experiment which managed to make it to the public stage.

One of the next steps in the so-called advancements is at the level of human-animal hybrids. This practice is apparently much more advanced than some of us may understand. According to an article published today in ZENIT, His Eminence, Keith Cardinal O'Brien, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinbuuogh is using modern technology to provide some teaching about the creation of human-animal hybrids.

Cardinal O'Brien, the President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland has actually created a video uplink of his teaching in order to reach out to Catholics in the light of The Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill that is being considered in the parliament of Scotland.

Who said the Church wasn't aware of and able to use modern technology to speak its message? The real question is whether or not anyone's listening.

Look who'se coming to dinner

With only 65 days to go before the beginning of the 49th International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in Quebec City this coming June, the Holy Father has appointed a representative who will attend in his name.

2008 marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Archdiocese of Quebec, Canada's primacial (or first) diocese. It was in 1608 with the arrival of Jacques Cartier and his companions that the first Catholics arrived on the shores of the St. Lawrence river and since that time, the Church has always had a presence in this land we now call Canada. As part of the celebrations marking this major anniversary in the Archdiocese of Quebec, the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses recommended that this year's festivities take place in that Archdiocese.

Work has been in progess to prepare this gathering for the past five years, and it was hoped that Benedict XVI would himself be able to attend, however a few months ago, the Vatican Press Office announced that due to other travel commitments, His Holiness would not be able to come to Canada this summer. Instead, the Holy Father has today appointed His Eminence, Joseph Cardinal Tomko, Past-president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucaristic Congresses to represent him. Cardinal Tomko will therefore present greetings to the ecclesial and civic leaders as well as the thousands of participants who are expected to attend the Congress.

The 2008 International Eucharistic Congress will see the Church of Quebec hosting the Universal Church in a celebration of the Living Christ. Its theme will be The Eucharist, Gift of God for the Life of the World. This experience of faith will be held in a festive atmosphere, with believers of all ages coming together from every part of the world.

Where voices unite

One of the realities that stops me in my tracks once in a while was expressed much more eloquently in the words of Saint Peter, the first to be called to shepherd the Church: 'Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house ...' (1 Peter 2:4-5).

The chief stone upon which the Church is built is therefore the living faith of the living faithful, directed on earth by the pope who is chosen to be the Vicar of Christ - his representative if you will. That's why it's such a big deal to the Church in the US that Benedict will be visiting next week.

One of the stops being planned during this relatively brief sojourn is at the site now known as Ground Zero. This time of prayer is proving to be one of the most anticipated moments during the trip since it will allow Benedict to show his solidarity with all those who, consciously or not, are still vulnerable and grieving over the tragedy that occurred in the heart of New York's financial district six years ago.

Images of the Holy Father's visit to Ground Zero will no doubt be broadcast for all to see, and may very well evoke images of his predecessor John Paul II who prayed at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. The fact that the pope prays for the souls of deceased relatives and friends is not uncommon, but somewhat less common are moments when public demonstrations of prayer for the dead are shared with people in a visible and tangible way.

There's something to be said for seeing people at prayer. Such moments unite all people of faith, from pope to pilgrim in the pews. Along the way there are myriads of others, including those who are called to assist with the leadership of the Church, and with the proclamation of the good news. To this end, it seems that our neighbours to the south have made the news quite often this week in ecclesiastical circles. Not only is Benedict XVI in the final days of planning before he travels to the States, but five new appointments of bishops for the Church in the United Sates of America were announced this week in Rome. Now, it happens from time to time that one or two episcopal appointments are made on the same day in the same country, but five?

Whatever the reason for this unusual move, one thing is certain, the Shepherd is united in prayer with the flock which is entrusted to his pastoral care, and we in turn are united with him as he continues to lead us to the heart of Jesus where we continually learn the lessons of love.

Laughter is good medicine

Does anyone remember a very strange toy that used to be all the rage. I think it looked like a face or just a mouth, and when turned ON, emitted the repeated sound of uproarious laughter. The joviality was contageous and no-one who listened to it for more than a few seconds could help but be caught up in the spirit of the moment. Soon, listeners risked the possibility not only of laughing themselves, but actually shedding tears.

Such toys, which some adults might consign to the world of juvinile attempts at humor actually have scientifically proven benefits to the human psyche, not to mention moods and interpersonal relations. Laughter has been proven to be a key aid in battling stress, something that most of humanity faces much too often in life.

Earlier this week, the on-line magazine Nature published an article entitled How to Laugh Away Stress. One of the findings reported is that even the anticipation of laughter can already have a positive effect on boosting someone's outlook on life. This means that if for instance we know that we have planned an evening with friends or family that will involve the telling of stories and the music of laughter, we can pretty much handle any stressful situation that might come along.

Not only can laughter help to discipate stress, it can also help to keep the immune system in check. Who of our ancestors would ever have believed that such a simple thing as comedy could help to keep us alive? Could it be that civilizations which have not yet become dependent on technology, and rely instead on such quaint activities as sitting around a table, listening to stories recounted by adults and children alike, sharing time with one another in conversation and yes laughing together, could actually be watching out for one another's health.

Perhaps the age-old addage is true after all: laughter is indeed good medicine.

Land ho

Some days just seem to fly by, and despite our best efforts at taking time for balancing work and play, balance can sometimes remain just beyond the sphere of reality. We see this imbalance in the lives of children who have increasing demands of study put upon them, and who must also work part-time in order to earn enough money for little luxuries or in preparation for the ever-increasing costs of post-secondary education.

Never before has the constant stream of demands on one's time been apparent than in today's world. In days of yore, management and owners worked long hours because they often were responsible for all levels of productivity, but these days it seems that you don't have to be earning the big bucks in order to be expected to accomplish the multitude of tasks required to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of life.

Whatever happened to sitting idly on the veranda on a summer afternoon, sipping your favorite libation and musing (seemingly in a dreamlike state) about the supply of tea in China? Well, a recent article published by Work Life Balance aims at helping those of us who seem at times to be caught in the torrential tide of the river that never stops flowing to step out of the stream from time to time. This is the 'secret' to maintaining equilibrium, and sanity especially when demands just seem to pile up.

Finding the islands that emerge from the stream, upon which we can rest if only for a moment before delving head-long into the raging river seems to be more a necessity than a choice in today's world. Faced with ever-increasing demands on time, the human soul needs time to unplug. For some of us, this might mean exploring a hobby, taking a walk, physical exercise, meditation or some other activity (or even the complete lack of activity as the case might be). The important thing is that we all need to recharge from time to time, hopefully before the gas tank is completely empty.

What are the islands in the stream, upon which you can rest, bask in the sun and recharge? Who are the lifeguards who stand on the shore reaching out to help especially when we are most in need of a break. At times it takes someone else to stop us, to point out the fact that we're floating uncontrollably down the river, and to catch us before it's too late.

Many mystics and wise persons throughout the history of humanity have realized the necessity for balance in life. From the Zen practice of meditation to the discipline of Christian monasticism the secret to success has always been balance, and if we can maintain balance in all that we do, living life will truly be an adventure to behold.

Business at hand

The bishops of England and Wales are not the only ones who are in the midst of important gatherings this week. In yesterday's edition of the daily communication bulletin, the Vatican Press Office announced that the executive from the Episcopal Conference of Venezuela were visiting with the Pope.

Every five years, bishops visit with the Holy Father for what is known as the visit ad limina apostolorum (the visit to the Tomb of the Apostles), but in addition, it's de rigeur that at least the members of the Executive from Episcopal Conferences throughout the world visit the various Vatican offices from time to time, and it's usually expected that they should pay a courtesy visit to the Holy Father while they're there.

This week, the bishops from the varous dioceses and eparchies in Ontario are also in plenary assembly. The OCCB meets twice a year in plenary to discuss and review the progress they are making in the various dossiers that are treated on an ongoing basis. Although each residential bishop is responsible for the pastoral care of his own diocese, there is wisdom to be gained from periodic gatherings with fellow shepherds.

Like meetings in the business world, these gatherings are necessary but can become rather tedious. All the more reason why those who are called to shepherd the Lord's flock need our prayers.

Speaking of prayers for and with the leadership of the Church, the Holy Father has issued a video address to the people of the United States of America. He will be arriving next week, and wanted to invite Catholics in our neighbouring country to be united in prayer.

By addressing this message to all people in the United States of America, Benedict XVI is attempting to reach out to the entire population of that country, even though he will only be physically capable of visiting two cities during his impending visit. The video message is a new step for the Vatican in the use of modern-day technology in order to reach out to as many people as possible.

Charity begins at home

There are great deliberations going on across the pond this week. Beginning today, and throughout this week, the Episcopal Conference of England and Wales is meeting in Plenary Assembly. Usually when bishops get together for such a tête-à-tête, there can be any number of discussions going on in publicly accessible gatherings and behind closed doors.

It just so happens that there is a 'special guest' who has been invited to at least a part of this illustrious convocation in the person of Paul Joseph Cordes, the Cardinal President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum. His Eminence will address the assembly of bishops, inviting conversation around the issue of charity. The Vatican announced today that 'The aim of the visit is to dialogue with the Bishops, in the light of the Holy Father’s first Encyclical Deus caritas est, on how to promote the Catholic identity of the Church’s charitable organizations in a rapidly changing environment, characterized by challenges to the Church’s traditional outreach in this field.'

England and Wales are not the only countries in the world which are experiencing changes in perception relative to the traditional view that the Church has held about its involvement in charitable and philanthropic work, so Cardinal Cordes will doubtless be interested to hear any discussion that takes place this week at Hinsley Hall (Leeds). Other Episcopal Conferences will also be interested to join the fray, if they have not yet done so. Collective wisdom is usually worth listening to. In short, if the Church wants to continue being effective in today's world, we need to return to the basics of caring for one another, of listening closely to one another and to believing that somehow, God is present, guiding the ship.

Coincidence or not, a new book by Father Aiden Nichols, OP entitled The Realm: An Unfashionable Essay on the Conversion of England is being discussed in some theological circles these days. Father Nichols posits that the sovereign nation is ripe for a new examination on the part of those who make faith and such concepts their concern. For the past 500 years or so, England has been largely a protestant nation, but perhaps it's now time for a second look, something that the bishops may also be keenly interested in discussing this week.

The Plenary Assembly of the CBEW continues until Thursday of this week.

Getting through it

One thing I've learned about life is that if you take the time to get to know people, it isn't long before you realize that there's a surface level at which we can exist, speaking pleasantries to one another, and being nice in general, or we can choose to allow ourselves to be known by the other at a level below the initial assessment.

For many people, even the most hardened of characters, once we crack the protective shell and allow ourselves to be known by another, it isn't long before we discover that in truth we're not so different one from another. Despite the fact that we might appear to have it all together at least as far as the outside world is concerned, inside many people are actually filled with questions about our effectiveness at communicating a message, about the true meaning of what we do and the influence we have on others, about whether anyone else out there truly cares about what we do and about who we are, beyond the fact that we appear to be occupying temporal space.

Those who rail on about the ineffectiveness or the inappropriateness of faith and of the Church would probably change their tune if they realized that there is a wealth of wisdom to be gained from the simple lessons about life that were taught by the One Saint Benedict refers to as the Master. Jesus' message was not about being grandiose in the eyes of the world. Instead, it was about justice for the oppressed, about love for the unloved, about acceptance for the castoffs of society, about the dignity of every human being, solely on the merits of the fact that they have been created, and live as reflections of the face of the Master.

In the end, regardless of whether or not we live with a faith element in our lives or not, true wisdom is found when we are able to find comfort in reflecting the inner self through the person we show to others. To this end, many of us could probably learn some valuable lessons from those who appear on the surface to be the anawim of society: the physically and mentally challenged who just don't seem to measure up to the modern-day vision of productivity, but who often know instinctively how to share the important gifts of love, acceptance and true purpose. People like Jean Vanier, the founder of L'Arche continue to challenge us to be human. If we accept the challenge and do our part to struggle with the true wisdom that brings us meaning, we're well on the way to learning some of the most valuable lessons in life.

For more on this subject read or listen to my reflections for this weekend.