Congratulations, Bishop McFadden!

Source: Archdiocese of Philadelphia

"Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, announced at a news conference at the Archdiocesan Office Center in Philadelphia this morning that Pope Benedict XVI has named Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, currently Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, as the Tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg. Cardinal Rigali also announced that the Holy Father has appointed Monsignor Michael J. Fitzgerald as Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia."

Read all about it here.

Pope Benedict on the Eucharist

vatican — June 16, 2010 — Tuesday evening in the Roman Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Pope opened the proceedings of the conference of the Diocese of Rome, dedicated to the Sunday Eucharist and the witness of charity. The celebration of the Eucharist, Benedict XVI explained in his address, is a meeting with the Risen Christ "present in our day," requires us to become, and at the same time makes us capable of becoming, the bread broken for our brothers and sisters, meeting their needs and giving of ourselves." Pope Benedict XVI: "For this reason, a Eucharist celebration that does not lead us towards men and women where they live, work and suffer, to bring them the love of God, fails to express the truth it contains." The ge ...

Opening communication

vatican — June 14, 2010 — Full adhesion to the Pope and the Magisterium and a passion for the ecclesial community should characterize those who are formed by the Holy See's diplomatic service. This was the message underlined by Benedict XVI today in his address to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. He said to represent the Roman Pontiff means being able to secure a channel of communication between particular the churches and the Apostolic See: first, by providing the Pope and his assistants with an objective, accurate and in-depth perspective of the ecclesial and social realities where they live. Secondly, it means transmitting the information of the Holy See, at the same time respecting and valuing the efforts of the bish ...

End of Year for Priests

We praise God for the Year for Priests!

This year has given me an opportunity to give more importance to our priests. Though not exactly reflected on my blog posts in terms of content and quantity, I've, however, allowed myself to spend more time in looking at the life of priests. I've assisted a priest in a huge project for a catholic television network and embraced the call to be more supportive of our orthodox priests in general. I am, in fact, looking forward to having a priest come to our diocese who will be a speaker for a marian conference. He happens to be one of my spiritual sons whom I met through the blogosphere. I'd welcome the opportunity of serving our Lord through him. I also look forward to having my children spend some time with him, to get to know him, and ask him questions relating to discernment of vocations.

My classes in Theology have a great bearing on this segment of my life. I am enjoying learning more about the Catholic Church, and I hope to be able to apply what I learn more fully in the future.

My first book Serving God Joyfully Right Here in Hawaii supports my bishop's diocesan road map, with an emphasis on its social service: I am raising funds for our homeless through sales of this book. My next book will be for support of his plans for our priests and seminarians. Though my goals are focused on supporting my diocese, I am really just an individual, a parishioner, and a Catholic stay-at-home mom who desires to use God-given gifts for the unity of the body of Christ. I do not work for my diocese and all funds raised are strictly donations.

Plenary indulgence, anyone, for the end of the Year for Priests? Here's the info from Spiritual Mothers Apostolate in the Diocese of Honolulu.