"Watch and Pray!"
"In everyday life there is the risk of being absorbed by occupations and material interests. Lent is a favorable time for a reawakening to authentic faith, for a salutary restoration of our relation with God, and for a more generous commitment to the Gospel."
That was the heart of Pope John Paul II's General Papal Audience this past Ash Wednesday in Paul VI Hall as reported by the ZENIT News Agency. Speaking in the Paul VI Auditorium, the Holy Father entreated all to use this time of Lent to recommit to being Christ-like in all we do and seeing Jesus in all we come in contact with. Only by living the Gospel can we better understand the graces afforded us by our penance, sacrifice and prayer in reparation for our sins and the sins of many. Yet, the Pope points out, this can be difficult for many because of these modern times and therefore, "precisely because of this, our effort must be stronger and more determined."
For his weekly catechetical message, see THE VICAR OF CHRIST SPEAKS
Attention Archbishop Hanus: We implore you to call Iowa Senator Tom Harkin to task for his unyielding pro-abort stance.
Today's "Herod's Hero" is from Iowa. Senator Tom Harkin lives in Ames under the jurisdiction the Archdiocese of Dubuque and Archbishop Jerome Hanus, O.S.B. is his shepherd. Iowa is a land of faithful citizens who cherish life. We cannot believe someone like Harkin would promote the culture of death so vigorously and not only be a Catholic, but also represent those who produce so much natural nourishment for life from the heartland. We call on him to repent and for his bishop along with Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Shepherd of the nation's capitol see to issue the ultimatum of the "Bell, Book, and Candle" if he will not hear even the Church. For another betrayer who seeks to perpetuate the culture of death and slay the innocents, see HEROD'S HEROES
Day of Pardon
On the First Sunday of Lent one year ago Pope John Paul II asked forgiveness for sins committed over the centuries in an unprecedented penitent ceremony at St. Peter's on a special "Day of Pardon." His Holiness John Paul II began his penitential path for "Mea Culpa Sunday" before the magnificent marbled statue of the Sorrowful Mother of God holding her Divine Son Jesus, so masterfully depicted in Michelangelo''s priceless treasure of the Pieta, asking the Virgin, Mother of the Church to help the entire Church ease the burden of the crucified Savior by being cleansed of sins of the past that. He then proceeded to the altar and during his Papal Mass, he, along with seven high prelates in the Curia, delineated general sins of the past in asking forgiveness at the Cross. For events, see JUBILEE MEMORIES .
 
Papal Visit to Greece this year rests with Greek Orthodox Church who will discuss this tomorrow in Synod
 Whether the Holy Father will be able to truly follow in the footsteps of the Apostle Saint Paul may rest with the Greek Orthodox Church who will meet tomorrow to consider extending an invitation to the Roman Pontiff. The President of Greece extended an invitation to the Pope while visiting the Vatican recently, but in respect to the Orthodox Church, the Pope has sent a letter of request to the Orthodox Archbishop of Athens. It is believed they will extend the invitation with stipulations that he is merely a pilgrim. While some curial officials are against that connotation, we believe that John Paul II in an effort for unity and as the servant of servants will agree to a low-key visit. As he has everywhere he's gone, he'll win the Greeks over. Count on it! For more, see News from ROME
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Overpopulation Myth Exposed!
Pro-aborts caught in the great lie. Scare fabricated. Experts fear underpopulation in developed countries in coming years.
For years the culture of death forces have been scaring everyone that if there were not contraception and abortions available this world would be overrun with people and there'd be no room for everyone, not enough food to go around. All lies and they have been exposed and admitted by UN findings that show wealthier countries especially are fast becoming more and more short-manned in all areas. While population could nearly double in Third World countries within 50 years, it will decrease substantially in developed nations because of the shortage of children because of abortion and contraceptives. The selfish generation will be left alone with few to carry on their lineage. For more, see USA News
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Kill the embryos or save them? Like Solomon, NJ Supreme Court wrestles with moral implications.
 This is a case worthy of Solomon. A Catholic father is fighting for the life of his children - seven of them - who haven't been born yet. That is because they are frozen embryos and the problem is the mother doesn't want them. She divorced the father in 1998 and now is asking the Supreme Court of New Jersey to destroy the children. She had won the lower court's favor to kill the embryos fashioned by in-vitro fertilization but the ex-husband filed an appeal in a desperate effort not to have them killed. For more, see Pro Life News
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After 200 years, British Parliament votes to allow Priests in
Controversy continues on Church-State issues on other side of the pond as well
While the United States wrestles with the new measures set down by President George W. Bush on Faith-based initiatives, the same stir might be picking up in England for there are still members of the Parliament who feel allowing priests to serve in Parliament could be a conflict of interest. Nevertheless Parliament passed a bill that removes Clergy Disqualification, a law that had been on the books for 200 years. It's highly unlikely though there will be a problem since Canon Law forbids clergy from taking a political post.
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
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Today is the FIRST SUNDAY of Lent while tomorrow we observe Lenten Weekday. Because of the Sunday Liturgy the Optional Feast of Saint Casimir is superseded this year. For today and tomorrow's Lenten Liturgy, see Daily LITURGY
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Purple vestments
SUNDAY, March 4:
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
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First Reading: Deuteronomy 26: 4-10
Psalms: Psalm 91: 1-2, 10-15
Second Reading: Romans 10: 8-13
Gospel Reading: Luke 4: 1-13
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"It is written, the Lord thy God shalt thou worship, and Him only shalt thou serve." Luke 4: 8
March 4th is the traditional Feast of Saint Casimir, Prince and Patron Saint of Poland. Following is the Opening Prayer in his honor.
All-powerful God, to serve You is to reign; by the prayers of Saint Casimir, help us to serve You in holiness and justice.
Blessed Pius IX restores the Dutch Church on this date
On this date 148 years ago in 1853, Blessed Pope Pius IX, 255th successor of Peter, recovered the Catholic hierarchy in the Netherlands, reestablishing Utrecht as the See of Holland where Catholicism flourished until the last thirty years where it has floundered badly because of liberal theology that has decimated the faith there. For other Time Capsule events that happened Today in Church history, see Daily TIME CAPSULES in Church History
Dare to be right!
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".
"Mediocrity can be a terrific form of tyranny, and it has a thousand and one penalties for those who forsake the external standards for an inward change of heart to a line of conduct above the level. When a thousand people are walking to the edge of an abyss, the one who is seen walking in the opposite direction is taunted for not following the mob. We must be humble to bear up under these reproaches and dare to be right when the majority is wrong."
Monthly Medjugorje Message for February 2001
For Our Lady's February 25th message for 2001 and more on Medjugorje, see MEDJUGORJE AND MORE
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March 4, 2001 volume 12, no. 63
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