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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Adventures in Tithing

There is a curious passage in the biblical Book of Malachi: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, That there may be food in my house, and try me in this, says the LORD of hosts: Shall I not open for you the floodgates of heaven, ...
FULL STORY

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A New Look at the Creed

The new English translation of the Mass, introduced last Advent, invites Catholics to take a second look at the Nicene Creed. Phrases such as “consubstantial with the Father” and “incarnate of the Virgin Mary” replace more familiar words we’ve been using for decades. Early in Christianity ...
FULL STORY

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Iowa Diocese Reaches Agreement on Scholarship for Gay Student

DAVENPORT, Iowa (CNS) —The Diocese of Davenport has reached an agreement that will allow a gay student at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Clinton to publicly receive a scholarship awarded by an Iowa organization that promotes tolerance, quelling a controversy over presentation of the award.
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Student Keaton Fuller of Clinton, Iowa, is pictured in a photo provided by the Eychaner Foundation.

Family Hopes God's Plan Includes Trip to World Meeting

CHARLESTON, S.C. (CNS)—The Tuncaps have a lot of faith in God and his plans for their family, and they're hoping those plans include a trip to the World Meeting of Families in Milan, Italy. At a cost of $11,000 just for the flight, the May ...
FULL STORY

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The Tuncap family is hoping to catch a ride on a military cargo flight to attend the World Meeting of Families

To Filmmaker, 88-Year-Old WWII POW Is Still 'Daddy'

WASHINGTON (CNS) —Paul Loong was determined to survive the POW camps where he was held by the Japanese for three years. While imprisoned, Loong kept a journal that had a chance of surviving him if he never made it out alive. But Loong did. And ...
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World War II POW Paul Loong is seen in an undated photo.

Easter to Pentecost

Feast of the Ascension
As we look ahead to the feast of the Ascension, we realize that we now become Christ's presence in the world.

Send an Easter e-greeting!

Don't miss our Easter feature.

Explore the Easter Gospels.

AMERICAN CATHOLIC BLOG

Come on, Parents
Kid's sports are unfortunately a hotbed for bad behavior--among adults.

‘The Ferrari Might Be Next’
Turns out, the mid-life crisis isn't just for movies and sitcoms anymore!

‘Go Tell Aunt Rhody’
The death of a loved one, even when it’s anticipated, is tough. There are no magic words to take away another's pain. But our care, our presence, and our prayers do ...

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Bernardine of Siena: Most of the saints suffer great personal opposition, even persecution. Bernardine, by contrast, seems more like a human dynamo who simply took on the needs of the world.
<p>He was the greatest preacher of his time, journeying across Italy, calming strife-torn cities, attacking the paganism he found rampant, attracting crowds of 30,000, following St. Francis of Assisi’s admonition to preach about “vice and virtue, punishment and glory.” </p><p>Compared with St. Paul by the pope, Bernardine had a keen intuition of the needs of the time, along with solid holiness and boundless energy and joy. He accomplished all this despite having a very weak and hoarse voice, miraculously improved later because of his devotion to Mary. </p><p>When he was 20, the plague was at its height in his hometown, Siena. Sometimes as many as 20 people died in one day at the hospital. Bernardine offered to run the hospital and, with the help of other young men, nursed patients there for four months. He escaped the plague but was so exhausted that a fever confined him for several months. He spent another year caring for a beloved aunt (her parents had died when he was a child) and at her death began to fast and pray to know God’s will for him. </p><p>At 22, he entered the Franciscan Order and was ordained two years later. For almost a dozen years he lived in solitude and prayer, but his gifts ultimately caused him to be sent to preach. He always traveled on foot, sometimes speaking for hours in one place, then doing the same in another town. </p><p>Especially known for his devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, Bernardine devised a symbol—IHS, the first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek, in Gothic letters on a blazing sun. This was to displace the superstitious symbols of the day, as well as the insignia of factions (for example, Guelphs and Ghibellines). The devotion spread, and the symbol began to appear in churches, homes and public buildings. Opposition arose from those who thought it a dangerous innovation. Three attempts were made to have the pope take action against him, but Bernardine’s holiness, orthodoxy and intelligence were evidence of his faithfulness. </p><p>General of a branch of the Franciscan Order, the Friars of the Strict Observance, he strongly emphasized scholarship and further study of theology and canon law. When he started there were 300 friars in the community; when he died there were 4,000. He returned to preaching the last two years of his life, dying while traveling.</p>

Today, look around you, and find God in both good news and bad news, in the obvious and in the hardships. The hardships just might exist as a way to draw your hearts closer to Him.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

	Embracing Motherhood
	This new book addresses the vocation of motherhood, with all its joys and challenges.

	New book!
	Drink more deeply of the living water of the Holy Spirit in this new book from Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa!

	New book
	These amazing stories from American Catholic Radio are sure to inspire!

	New book
	Get help for your prayer life from the saints!

	The Catholics Next Door—new book!
	Greg and Jennifer Willits offer insight for every Catholic stumbling toward a more fruitful relationship with God.

Chris Padgett on Mary
The author of Wholly Mary talks about his devotion to the Mother of God.
	Read about Chris in the May St. Anthony Messenger.
	Find Chris Padgett's books here.

ENTERTAINMENT

What to Expect When You're Expecting
"What to Expect When You're Expecting" (Lionsgate) is a fruitless reproductive ...

Battleship
The great 18th-century lexicographer and sage Samuel Johnson once observed that ...

	More New Movies
	On Faith & Media with Sr. Rose Pacatte

What to Expect When You're Expecting CNS photo/Lionsgate

Matthew Morrison and Cameron Diaz star in "What to Expect When You're Expecting."

ST. ANTHONY MESSENGER

		Angels Watching Over Me
		This Catholic Mom talks about all the angels surrounding her on a daily basis.

CATHOLIC GREETINGS

	Seventh Sunday of Easter
	The Easter season officially ends one week from today, but that’s no reason to stop rejoicing!

	Armed Forces Day
	Lord God, we ask you to bless the members of our armed forces with courage, hope and strength.

	Easter Season
	The Easter season officially ends one week from Sunday, but that’s no reason to stop rejoicing!

	Ascension of the Lord
	Many begin a pre-Pentecost novena to the Holy Spirit with the observance of today’s feast.

	Graduation
	Let a special graduate know how proud you are of their accomplishment.

BIBLE REFLECTIONS



	Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter

	Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

	Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Jesus Leaves So We Can Get to Work
Sunday, May 20, 2012

More Bible Reflections

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