Articles For Heart Mind Soul

Madrid, Spain, Aug 21, 2011 ( CNA/EWTN News ) Rio de Janeiro in Brazil will host World Youth Day in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI told a million young pilgrims after celebrating Mass at Mardrid’s Cuarto Vientos airbase on August 21. “Even now, let us ask the Lord to assist all those who will organize it and to ease the journey there of young people from all over the world, so that they will be able to join me in that beautiful city of Brazil,” the Pope said in comments following his midday Angelus prayer. Brazilians who had come to Spain for World Youth Day 2011 felt overjoyed after hearing the morning announcement. The World Youth Day cross – a fixture at the events since 1984 – changed hands after the announcement, as Spanish young people gave it to a group from Brazil. “I hope to see you again in two years’ time at the next World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,” said the Pope, bidding farewell in Brazil's native Portuguese language. “Till then, let us pray fo...

( Add Your Children to Fr. Ed's Novena of Masses ) School is about to begin and has already begun for some. And, at this time of the year, it is wise and prudent to consider the realities that face our young people, our sons and daughters, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, our godchildren. While it's never easy to be a tween or a teen, today it is even more difficult. The temptations and struggles to be faced and conquered are unprecedented, and encountered by no former generation. Various polls tell us that our young people list among their main struggles the following: Depression Drugs and alcohol Sex and sexual pressure (think "sexting" and pornography) Media influences The need to be popular Teen violence and fear of their peers including bullying Personal image worries, poor self-concept, lack of confidence For many, these pressures converge upon them like a tsunami a...

Lord, we pray that you be with every child that is returning back to school this year. Protect them as they travel by car or walk to school. Keep them safe from dangers seen and unseen. Give our children favor with their teachers and help them to pay attention in class. Let this be their best year yet for academics, sports, fine arts and their spiritual growth. Be with our children’s teachers this year. Help them to teach in ways that each student can understand. Let them have reasonable expectations of our children and give them patience whenever their patience meter is running low. Bless the teachers with administrative support whenever needed. Help our children to stand against peer pressure. Empower them to make decisions that will be pleasing in your sight. Surround them with good friends that are positive influences. Help them to work out their problems instead of fighting with each other. And finally Lord, help us as parents to be even more supportive of our children th...

The Holy Spirit guides us and leads us. Tension was mounting, the loneliness was powerful and there was fearfulness. Jes us is in the region where He leaves the Jewish world and enters the Roman world. This is a metropolitan, cosmopolitan, Avant-garde, port city. He is very conscious of the fact that He is heading on to the road toward Jerusalem, where He knows what awaits Him. At Caesarea Philippi He challenges the apostles and He challenges us also by asking the question: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Jesus asks us: “Who do people say I am?” “Who am I?” The apostles answer, “John The Baptist, Elijah The Prophet, Jeremiah.” They say He is a Prophet. They are describing Jesus with what He does; His external words and acts of preaching the Good News of The Kingdom. Who are you? Father Moreno answers a priest, educated, Latino, Hispanic, Mexicano. How do people see you? What do people say about you? Do they say: Christian, Catholic, a follower ...

Access: Queenship of Mary Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But Mary’s queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation, Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life, Mary is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court. In the fourth century St. Ephrem called Mary “Lady” and “Queen.” Later Church fathers and doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail, Queen of Heaven,” “Queen of Heaven.” The Dominican rosary and the Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary’s litany celebrate her queenship. The feast is a logical follow-up to the Assumption and is now celebrated on the octave day of that feast. In his enc...

"Do This in Memory of Me" −2011 Theme This year, the Church will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on September 18, 2011, and will focus on the theme “Do This in Memory of Me.” Those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith. Access website: Cathechetical Sunday

  911. For years, those numbers simply meant a call for help. Now they also remind us of September 11, 2001, the date of the worst terrorist attack on the United States of America and one of the deadliest days ever on American soil. To mark the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have gathered some reflections and remembrances from clergy who ministered to victims and their families, and others who were impacted by the tragedy. They are also providing liturgical resources for parish and diocesan observances and links to bishops' statements and other materials for reading and reflection. USCCB Marks 9/11 Anniversary With Memorial Website

The Archdiocese of San Antonio's Catholic Formation and Leadership Conference 2011 “In an effort to grow in knowledge and love of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Formation and Leadership Conference will provide formation opportunities to those engaged in catechetical, educational and other related ministries within the Archdiocese of San Antonio and other participating dioceses.” October 28 and 29, 2011 Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center San Antonio Texas Eucharist: Sacrament of Unity In his apostolic exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis , Pope Benedict explores the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Church’s life and mission. This sacrament of charity expresses Christ’s unconditional love for us and, through this expression of love, calls us to unity with God and each other.  CFLC 2011 offers two days of reflection on this theme, new ideas to implement in ministries, and fellowship with Catholics from San Antonio and beyond. It is an opportunity to expe...