Where the Rubber Hits the Road

" I join you in commending the thousands of victims to the infinite mercy of Almighty God and in asking our heavenly Father to continue to console those who mourn the loss of loved ones. The tragedy of that day is compounded by the perpetrators’ claim to be acting in God’s name. Once again, it must be unequivocally stated that no circumstances can ever justify acts of terrorism. Every human life is precious in God’s sight and no effort should be spared in the attempt to promote throughout the world a genuine respect for the inalienable rights and dignity of individuals and peoples everywhere." From letter of Pope Benedict XVI to +Timothy Donlan of NY Benedict XVI on 9/11: no circumstances can ever justify acts of terrorism

Archbishop Tim Dolan (NY) posted this excellent article on his blog addressing the current spate of cries calling for radical 'reforms' or 'harmonization' of Church teaching to current mores.  Gotta love these JPII & B16 appointments to the episcopate. Some have failed to make the grade but many have excelled at 'preaching, governing and sanctifying' the Church and effectively engaging with modern culture at the same time. +Dolan, +Chaput in the US, +Smith, +Prendergast, +Henry and +Collins in Canada are a few who rank  among the best of them! What ever they offer is well worth reading for any serious Catholic. Preserving Our Faith « The Gospel in the Digital Age

“What makes this place tick?” I quizzed the exuberant pastor as he showed me around the parish, renowned for its high rate of Sunday Mass attendance; first-rate school; excellent religious education for kids, teenagers, young adults, and adults; remarkably effective stewardship; and successful initiatives of social justice, pro-life efforts, evangelization, and neighborhood presence. I wanted the “recipe” so I could bottle it and send it around! “Follow me, I’ll show you,” Father replied. Read the rest of the story by clicking on the link below. Eucharistic Adoration « The Gospel in the Digital Age

Here is the 'offensive' billboard ad that NYC officials ordered removed The pro-life/pro-choice debate and the issue of freedom of expression. It seems that speech is 'free' so long as it doesn't argue for the rights of the unborn. Unpleasant Truths « The Gospel in the Digital Age

On Wikileaks, face time with the pope, and Dolan | National Catholic Reporter

Archbishop Charles Chaput (Denver) IF the day should ever come that I would leave my beloved Ottawa Valley Diocese of Pembroke, and were to leave the country, the Dioceses headed by the Archbishops mentioned in this story would be my destination. These men are orienting their diocese in the right direction, choosing to engage the argument in defense of faith in the Public Square. It would be an honor to harness myself to the team that is being guided with such wisdom. In Canada men like Archbishops Collins (Toronto) and Smith (Edmonton) and Bishop Henry (Calgary) are also working towards the same goal. They too are a blessing for the Church in North America. With the elevation of Cardinal Ouellet to the Congregation of Bishops in Rome, and with the imminent replacement of over 50% of the Bishops in Quebec over the next five years (as they reach 75 years of age), the chances for other like minded Bishops throughout the province are future is pregnant with hope for better times in ...

The virtual world has been joined by a powerful new voice in the cause of faith, life and joyful hope with the arrival of Archbishop Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York. His personal blog can be found at: http://www.archny.org/news-events/columns-and-blogs/blog---the-gospel-in-the-digital-age/ Archbishop Dolan is the defacto voice of the Church in America, noted for his joyful embracing of his role in his various assignments as is evidenced by his posting his support for the Yankee's in this years World Series in a wager made with his Philadelphia counterpart (Cardinal Justin Rigali). His blog also offers his take on some of the major questions of the day. Anyone who wants to understand the Catholic position in this world would be well advised to bookmark his blog. It promises to be a valuable contribution to the Catholic presence in the virtual world of the internet.