Tsunami Relief, Year of the Eucharist, Christian Unity and Lent

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Q U I C K S C A N

Parish Site of the Month
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Inform your site visitors of the need for donations following the December 26 earthquake and tsunami that wreaked devastation in Asia and Africa. Relief organizations are working nonstop to provide food, medicine and shelter to the victims of this catastrophe. The link to the right takes your visitors to the listing of reputable, Catholic-Church-sponsored relief efforts.

With the Christmas season ending January 9 (Baptism of the Lord), it is time to look forward to the season of Lent, which begins early this year (Ash Wednesday is February 9). However, in addition to providing visitors to your Web site with links to Lent-related features, prayers and articles this month, consider creating links and content for the Year of the Eucharist and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

This is a good time to continue your celebration of the Year of the Eucharist. Visit our Eucharist feature to read newsletter articles, Eucharist FAQs and Pope John Paul II’s 2004 message Eucharist and Mission. Also at our Eucharist feature is an opportunity for you to share your reflection on the Eucharist and to view the reflections of others in our online forum. Place our Year of the Eucharist graphic and link (in the right column) on your site, and keep it there as the Year of the Eucharist continues.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is January 18-25. Read articles to aid your understanding of different Christian denominations and their connections to the Catholic faith. “The Christian Family Tree: Celebrating Jesus Together,” provided by Catholic Update, overviews the history and important beliefs of the Eastern and Western Churches. A recent issue of Vatican 2 Today, “Catholicism Welcomes the World” discusses the Catholic Church’s efforts to unify the community of Christians worldwide.

Before Ash Wednesday, place a link to our Lent feature on your Web site, and prepare visitors for the season with a history of Ash Wednesday, Lenten customs and daily activities. Also, provide a link to our list of Lent FAQs where you can find answers to questions about the dates of Lent, fasting, the Triduum, Palm Sunday and more. Finally, don't forget the January issue of Catholic Update, "Stillness in Lent: Day by Day," where you will find daily Lenten prayers based on Scripture.

Parish Site of the Month

Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Diocese of Richmond
In reaction to the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, this Web site encourages its visitors to raise funds and send donations to the communities in Asia and Africa hit by this disaster. On the site’s homepage you will find a link to the Catholic Relief Services Web site, as well as an address and number for those wishing to make donations via mail or phone. Other features of this parish Web site include a useful javascript menu, an illustrated weekly bulletin and a downloadable pre-registration application in .pdf format.

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CHRISTIAN UNITY
National Council of Churches USA
During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25), find articles on ecumenical dialogue at the Web site for the National Council of Churches, an organization comprised of 36 Christian denominations in the U.S. This site is also a valuable resource for information on social issues such as violence, poverty and racism, as well as reviews of other Christian resources on the Web.

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