TEXT for Today's Front Page

THURSDAY April 2, 1998 Vol. 9, no. 66 The "USA Today for CATHOLICS!" at http://www.catholic-internet.org To print out entire text of Today's issue, go to SECTION ONE and SECTION TWO

      On the twentieth year to the date that velcro was introduced to the world, we question why the conscience of the world won't stick, why people are so indifferent to the news out of Australia that over 500 embryos from in vitro fertilization will be destroyed. We ask why this is such an "open and shut" case handled in such clinical fashion with nary a thought to the sensitivities of life - a sacred life - while people fanatically defend the right of a great gray whale to once again swim free in the depths of the ocean. Something is not cohesive here and we try to seal it all together with our editorial The modern barbarians at the gate!. Click on today's CATHOLIC PewPOINT

     In her Meditation on Lesson 10 THE SCOURGING AND CROWNING WITH THORNS, the Blessed Mother reminds us that everytime we sin, that we discard her Divine Son's Will, we are inflicting another scourge, another lash, another deep gash in his precious, sacred skull. That is why she asks us all to do penance and fast, especially during this time of Lent as we near Holy Week. These meditative lessons, imparted by Our Lady to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart during Lent of 1993, are meant to inspire and prompt a greater understanding of the season of Lent in helping us all prepare for His Passion and Death, and ultimately the glorious Resurrection. Click on "IT IS CONSUMMATED!"

      In the sixty-fourth installment of our on-going feature mega series on the Church today, we bring you the sixth segment on the topic of Saint John Bosco's dream vision he received well over a century ago. Today we follow up last week's installment on verifying that the pontiff referred to in these prophecies is indeed Pope John Paul II and the messages do indeed portend to our current times. We continue with this trend, indicating further prophecies from both John Bosco, Amsterdam, Fatima and Akita that confirm the plot to remove our beloved Holy Father. We further stress the important words of Fatima visionary Sister Lucia, still living today, who says "We must pray for the Pope!" This is the supreme pontiff God has chosen to lead us all into the third millennium - the one who will safely guide the flagship to the safe moorings of the twin pillars and officially proclaim Mary the Co-Redemptrix, Advocate and Mediatrix of all graces before the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart that will usher in the new era of Peace, but we have to be on our guard against those who would seek another venue. Click on WHERE IS HOLY MOTHER CHURCH HEADING AS WE NEAR THE MILLENNIUM?

     In her final words of 1991, the Blessed Mother encourages us to focus on family and togetherness and to pray for the Triumph of her Immaculate Heart. She further exhorts us to discern the signs, receive the Sacraments and to not be deceived by the politics of our times. These messages were imparted to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart in late 1991. For messages one hundred thirty-six and thirty-seven from over 630 messages to the world, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

      "I assure you: this day you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23: 43) Father, help me, that my faith, hope and love may encourage me to reach my true home - Heaven and to help others share that eternal reward.

For the readings, meditations and liturgy of Thursday and Friday in the Fifth Week of Lent and a brief vignette on today's optional feast of Saint Francis of Paola, hermit and religious founder, click on LITURGY OF THE DAY

     Dear children! Also today I call you to fasting and renunciation. Little children, renounce that which hinders you from being closer to Jesus. In a special way I call you: Pray, because only through prayer will you be able to overcome your will and discover the will of God even in the smallest things. By your daily life, little children, you will become an example and witness that you live for Jesus or against Him and His will. Little children, I desire that you become apostles of love. By loving, little children, it will be recognized that you are mine. Thank you for having responded to my call.
For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE

Events today in Church History

      For events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history, click on ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

HEADLINES:

Vatican responds strongly to Clintons' feeble excuse for receiving Holy Communion

     The Vatican stated in no uncertain terms that no bishops' conference can permit a different rule than what is in Canon Law. This arose from the fact the Clintons received Holy Communion at Regina Mundi Church in South Africa Sunday and placed the blame on the pastor who allowed it. As we stated emphatically in our editorial yesterday, the Clintons knew better and this is one more attempt at passing the buck and a blatant disregard for the Sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. Though Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua ablsolved the first couple of not doing it intentional, the circumstances and prior knowledge dictate otherwise. For more on this story, click on controversy to read more.

Pope elevates Sacrament of Baptism as the ultimate compared to all other rites

     Though his words rang true, it is possible Pope John Paul II might have sparked a possible rebuttal by the liberal Jewish contingent who are already upset with him for not laying the blame of silence during the Holocaust on Pope Pius XII. The reason for this anticipated retort is that the Holy Father affirmed, during his Wednesday public audience at Pope Paul VI Hall, that the meaning of the Sacrament of Baptism far surpasses all other rites of initiation, including the Jewish rituals. For the rest of the story, click on Baptism to read more.

Melbourne Archdioces laments orchestrated deaths of unborn embryos

      Stating uncategorically that the destruction of innocent, frozen unborn embryos is sinister and wrong, the Archbishop of Melbourne, Australia spoke out strongly against the action ordered by a 1995 law that mandates the frozen children be eliminated. The Archdiocese likened it to the crowning blow in society's decline as a caring, loving people whose hearts have been hardened. For the rest of this story, click on unborn to read more.

Rwandan rebels release last of kidnapped nuns

     In a follow-up to a story last week, the news is good. After a week in captivity, it was announced that the two remaining Spanish nuns retained to tend to the kidnappers wounds, have finally been set free. They join the six others who were released earlier after eight were kidnapped on March 24th from a Rwanda medical center. The last two sisters were released in the Congo where the kidnappers had moved them and many feel they were released to allow the rebels to move faster and more freely in trying to evade government patrols. For the rest of this story, click on Rwanda to read more.

For all other standard features, articles and columns, click on Archives

April 2, 1998 volume 9, no. 66          DAILY CATHOLIC