 
Coping with the Contradictions of Contraception
After introducing this special series on the weekend of the special Jubilee of Families held October 13-14 in Rome, we continue today with the eighteenth lesson Putting the "Vitae" back in "Humanae Vitae", part six, in which we recognize the great responsibility of marriage and the constant contradictions we are faced with daily in a society that has diminished the sacredness of the institution, reducing it to a relativism where one can dispatch their spouse at the slightest "irreconciable difference." With all the political correctness today, many have lost sight of the fact that Pope Paul VI was indeed a prophet of our times and failure to heed his words in "Humanae Vitae" are a prescription for disaster. Over 40 million abortions, countless miserable divorces, broken homes, AIDs, increased crime, etc. should make that abundantly clear. For the eighteenth lesson of this series by Michael and Cyndi Cain, see AT ONE WITH GOD series on Conjugal Love
 
Pope arrives in Egypt for his "Jubilee Journey"
 
On this day one year ago Pope John Paul II arrived in Egypt on his second leg of his historic "Jubilee Journey" retracing Salvation History. The day before he had inaugurated his "Papal Pilgrimage to Holy Lands" with a special Chaldean ceremony in Paul VI Hall due to the fact he could not visit Iraq because security could not be assured. On his arrival in Cairo, the Holy Father was met by Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and Egyptian children who ceremoniously offered a bowl of Egyptian soil for the Pope to kiss as is his custom. For the last several years this has been the norm for age and his Parkinson's has prevented him from bending down and kissing the earth as he used to. Because of the assassination of Abdul Nasser several years ago, the Vatican took extra precautions of security and the Pope also left instructions with Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, dean of the Bishops, in the event anything would happen to him. Thankfully, God has kept him safe through these many years. For news events of this historic occasion, see PAPAL VISIT TO EGYPT. We also invite you to read our editorial regarding his journey to Egypt at Danger always lurks in this land of enigma called Egypt.
  
Egyptian Leader reciprocates Papal Visit last year with official visit to the Vatican to meet with the Pope over various issues, primarily Mideast Crisis
Lost in the shuffle of the Consistory events this past week was the fact that Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak made an official special visit to the Vatican on Monday to reciprocate the Holy Father's visit to Egypt one year ago today. After pleasantries were exchanged, the two leaders got down to business, paramount being the mideast crisis and how a mutual agreement can be reached between Palestine and Israel, between Arabl and Jew, between Christian, Jew and Arab. For more, see News from ROME
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Newest Cardinal is one of the oldest and wisest, and this Fordham theologian has much wisdom to share
Cardinal Avery Dulles,S.J., 82, elevated this past Wednesday in Rome to the cardinalate, came to the Jesuits quite by accident. but his contributions and loyalty to Rome are no accident. This wise, aged Prince of the Church and son of John Foster-Dulles, Secretary of State under Ike in the 50's, shared in an interview with The National Catholic Register how he converted to Roman Catholicism while attending Harvard and how he was influenced by the word, rather than any one person. For more, see USA News
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Why can't a Nobel Scientist realize the value of life and the value of using placentas for stem cell research instead of aborted fetuses?
President George W. Bush is now being pressured by a cadre of 80 Nobel Peace Prize Winners, mostly scientists, who are trying to insert their influence on the chief executive not to block federal funding of stem cell research that uses cells taken from aborted unborn children. With all that wisdom afoot, we would hope they would realize there is just as many cells and even more in the discarded placentas from each birth and those can be used instead. But don't be fooled, follow the money trail and you'll realize Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry is behind the facade to protect stem cell research and the use of aborted fetuses. There's big money in that! For more, see Pro Life News
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Newest new-age fad in Korea has Church officials concerned
Church authorities in Korea are concerned that Catholics are taking a new age health promotion program too far and embracing it as a be-all that will not only preserve their body but also their soul. It follows the new-age theology that man is in control of himself and therefore it follows that he can control his destiny and doesn't need "superstitions" like religion to gain eternity. This is pure heresy and the Bishops have warned Catholics of this danger. For more, see Universal News
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For more Daily News, we recommend sources we rely on. For these news agencies, see News Sources
Last Observance of BVM until June
Today, besides being a Weekday in Ordinary Time, is the final Observance of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday until June 9th when we will resume Ordinary Time after Pentecost Sunday. Tomorrow is the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the last until July 1st when the Church will observe the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. For more on these liturgies, see Daily LITURGY
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Green or White vestments
SATURDAY February 24:
Weekday and
Observance of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday
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First Reading: Sirach 17: 1-15
Psalms: Psalm 103: 12-18
Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 13-16
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"Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for of such is the kingdom of God. Amen I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter into it." Mark 10: 14-15
 
Rosary Prayer
In honor of the Observance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we share the special prayer at the end of the Holy Rosary
O God, Whose Only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life; grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imigate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Anniversary of the First African Martyrs
On this day in 259 the little known African martyrs Saints Flavian, Julian, Lucius, Montanus, Rhenus and Victoricus achieved their Heavenly reward at the hands of the Carthaginian procreator who executed them before the new proconsul who was to pardon them, arrived from Rome. It is fitting that today also, the Holy Father arrived one year ago in northern Africa where 1,742 years ago these men gave their life for Jesus, so also today there are so many little-known African martyrs in Nigeria, the Sudan, Rwanda, the Congo and numerous other countries throughout the continent. For other Time Capsule events that happened Today in Church history, see Daily TIME CAPSULES in Church History
Two kinds of pain!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".
"When we consider the human condition, we find that there are two kinds of suffering: the pure and the impure. The impure pains are those which come from without through no fault of our own, such as plagues, diseases, accidents, etc. Pure pain is that which comes from ourselves, such as physical pains resulting from an abuse of the laws of health: excesses in drinking, or worries, anxious fears caused by the violations of the moral law."
Monthly Medjugorje Message for January 2001
For Our Lady's January 25th message for 2001 and more on Medjugorje, see MEDJUGORJE AND MORE
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February 24, 2001 volume 12, no. 55
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