Monthly Archives: December 2011

Pope Benedict’s Thoughts on Cardinal John Foley

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I would like to share with you the contents of a telegram the Vatican has made public that the Holy Father sent to Archbishop Charles Chaput regarding Cardinal John Foley, who died yesterday. TO THE MOST REVEREND CHARLES CHAPUT ARCHBISHOP … Continue reading →

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Diocese of Winona Hires Raymond de Souza as Director of Evangelization

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Bishop John M. Quinn of Winona has hired Raymond de Souza as director of the Office of Evangelization. Mr. de Souza had been part-time director of the Office of Apologetics for the diocese, but will be full-time starting January 2, … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Evangelization, Science and Religion | 1 Comment

Update on the Diaconate in the World (and other stats of interest)

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Fides (www.fides.org), the Vatican’s agency on world missions, reported on October 23rd its annual statistics on various aspects of the Church througout the world. Included in this report were interesting data regarding the diaconate. Last year, the number of permanent … Continue reading →

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Deacon Bob’s Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Here is my homily for the weekend: Audio: 3rd Sunday of Advent, Cycle B Text: 3rd-Sunday-of-Advent-Cycle-B

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Pope Benedict on Charity this Gaudete Sunday

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father paid a pastoral visit today to the Roman parish St. Mary of Graces at Casal Boccone. It was established only 26 years ago. During his visit he made this comment: “Un altro punto su cui vorrei insistere … Continue reading →

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Cardinal John P. Foley Dies

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Early this morning, Cardinal John P. Foley died in his sleep. He had been battling leukemia and had suffered kidney cancer in 2006. Cardinal Foley was the president of the Pontifical Council of Social Communications for 23 years, and served … Continue reading →

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Fear Sin More Than Persecution, says Pope Benedict

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Deacon Bob

On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Benedict said that the Church should fear the sin of its members more than hatred against Christians. He noted that the Church has suffered persecution throughout its history and since it has … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“We must know first hand the experience of the people of our own time – their alienation, their dissatisfaction, their searching for spiritual experience, so that we can proclaim hope from within their experience not from without….” — Joseph P. … Continue reading →

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Two Martins Appointed Consultors to the Holy Father

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Two days ago, the Holy Father announced several appointments to the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. The new members are from various countries – Germany, Poland, Italy, France, Spain, Brazil, Great Britan and the United States. Those … Continue reading →

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Church of the Week

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Mission of San Francisco Solano Sonoma, California

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Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Today is a holy day of obligation for all Catholics as it is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. I have always found it interesting that despite its significance in the faith life of the Church, so many Catholics and … Continue reading →

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Social Doctrine of the Church – The Role of Business Owners and Management

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The social doctrine of the Church teaches that economic initiative is an expression of human intelligence and of the necessity of responding to human needs in a creative fashion. The roles of business owners and management are important for they … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Doctrine of the Church | 1 Comment

Papa Luciani – The Forgotten Pope

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I was happy to run across an article that was published October 2 of this year in America (www.americamagazine.org) about Pope John Paul I. The article was written by Mo Guernon, who is writing a biography of Luciani. Guernon calls … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“Let your love lead your steps to Jesus wounded, to Jesus crowned with thorns, to Jesus fastened upon the gibbet of the cross.” — St. Bonaventure, OFM

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The Need for Laughter in Grieving the Loss of a Family Member

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I attended the funeral of a close family member this weekend. The funeral service was appropriately somber and sincere, as they typically are in the Midwest. The committal at the cemetery was during our first real winter storm. Those of … Continue reading →

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