volume 9, no. 39
MONDAY
February 23, 1998
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 Breakthrough on Iraqi Crisis attributed to Holy Father
  
The phenomenal news out of Baghdad yesterday that United Nations Secretary General Koffi Annan and Iraq leader Saddam Hussein have come to an amiable agreement that could avert war in the Gulf. But many do not realize that the seeds for peace were first sown not by Annan or the United States but by the Vatican at the direction of the greatest peacemaker of this century Pope John Paul II as we discuss in today's commentary Because the Pope spoke, the world and Saddam listened!. Click on Today's CATHOLIC PewPOINT
Listening is the key!
 In his column today, Father Stephen Valenta, OFM Conv. brings the point home how noise and the cacaphony of the world have prevented man from listening - to each other, to himself, and to God. The fact Koffi Annan and Saddam Hussein "listened" is truly amazing and that can be attributed to the Holy Father listening to the Holy Spirit, which Fr. Valenta advises if we can get through the clutter and tune our ears and hearts to God's Will. Not easy when our eardrums are already damaged as Fr. Stephen explains in his first part of "Speak, Lord, your servant is LISTENING" with "They have ears, but do not hear." Click on HEARTS TO HEART TALK
The Laity is listening more to the calling.
 In his apostolic letter to the Laity entitled Christifideles Laici, Pope John Paul II emphasizes the importance of the laity's role in the Church in apostolate work and parish life. This apostolic exhortation is expertly summarized by Dr. Joseph Bagiackas who has written a series of books analyzing the Pope's writings and been praised in many high circles, specifically Cardinal John O'Connor. For the eighth installment of this feature on the Holy Father's Teaching on the Laity, click on THE VICAR OF CHRIST SPEAKS
Art for Art's sake? No! This site promotes Art for God's Sake!
 Today's recipient of our "Golden Chalice Award" is a worthy recipient for the cause they are advancing is even worthier - to restore reverence to, for and with art in a review titled  Renaissance for the Millennium in which we inform the reader of this excellent site and edifying paintings - probably the most spectacular paintings the reader has never seen. Click on SIGNIFICANT SITE OF THE WEEK
The final days of Jesus' public ministry
![Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit [graphic by Chris Curd]](../../images/itiscon4.gif)
Today we begin Lesson 2 on the Mysteries of the Rosary as imparted to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart from the Blessed Mother during Lent of 1993. The first part is a prophetic "intuition" to her spiritual director before beginning her interior vision of Jesus on his way to the House of Lazarus. For part one of Lesson 2 of this series we will continue to bring you daily throughout Lent, click on "IT IS CONSUMMATED!"
Last martyr before Lent Today is the feast of Saint Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr who holds the liturgical distinction of being the last martyr in Ordinary Time before Lent begins this year. For his story, the readings and meditations today and tomorrow, click on LITURGY OF THE DAY
PRAYERS & DEVOTION
Today's prayer is taken from the Opening prayer of today's Mass
God of all creation, You gave Your bishop Polycarp the privilege of being counted among the saints who gave their lives in faithful witness to the gospel. May his prayers give us the courage to share with him the cup of suffering and to rise to eternal glory.
Medjugorje Monthly Message for
January 25th
 Dear children! Today again I call all of you to prayer. Only with prayer, dear children, will your heart change, become better, and be more sensitive to the Word of God. Little children, do not permit satan to pull you apart and to do with you what he wants. I call you to be responsible and determined and to consecrate each day to God in prayer. May Holy Mass, little children, not be a habit for you, but life. By living Holy Mass each day, you will feel the need for holiness and you will grow in holiness. I am close to you and intercede before God for each of you, so that He may give you strength to change your heart. Thank you for having responded to my call!
For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE
676 and counting,
hoping and praying...
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 WORLDWIDEBR> NEWS
& VIEWS
with a Catholic slant
HEADLINES:
 Fruits of Pope's Visit paying dividends
One month from Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Cuba, claims have come from Havana that the Cuban government has complied with the Holy Father's request to release 300 prisoners who had been incarcerated for political and religious reasons. They claimed this weekend that 299 have been released with the exception of 70 dangerous criminals that Castro's regime points to being a hazard to the citizens if they are freed. For more, click on Cuba complies to read more.
China's new Cardinal is optimistic of more religious freedoms
Two were selected a cardinal designates from China: Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-Hsi and the other has not been revealed yet by the Holy See for fear of reprisal in his own land. Cardinal Kuo-Hsi in Rome for the consistory this past weekend, expressed optimism that progress is being made between China and the Vatican and that with prayer and perseverance slowly but surely China may enjoy relaxed restrictions on religious freedoms. For more, click on China cardinal to read more.
Pope continues crusade to unite God's children
Fresh from urging UN Secretary General Koffi Annan to go to Baghdad to personally speak with Saddam Hussein, the Holy See is turning its attention toward ecumenism with the Holy Father seeking to spearhead a unification of God's children as is God's Holy Will for the new millennium. Pope John Paul II is first focusing his attention on Europe who he collectively calls the "cradle of ecumenism." For more, click on Ecumenism to read more.
Acknowledgment:
 To subscribe to Catholic World News Service, available daily by e-mail, click on the CWN icon .
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PROVERB OF THE DAY"My son, to My wisdom be attentive, to My knowledge incline your ear." Proverbs 5: 1
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To read the graphics version of the November issues, click on NOVEMBER ISSUES
To read the graphics version of the December issues, click on
DECEMBER ISSUES
To read the graphics version of the January issues, click on
JANUARY ISSUES
To read the graphics version of the February issues, click on
FEBRUARY ISSUES
Coming
TUESDAY:
- Pope Honorius IIIand the institution of the Inquisition in the fifty-eighth installment of THE HISTORY OF THE MASS AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH
Lesson/Meditation #74 in THE HIDDEN WAY
Father John Hampsch's column
Part Two of Lesson 2 in "IT IS CONSUMMATED!"
Liturgy of the Day
...and much more in our thirty-ninth issue for 1998!
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