Every month, Pope Benedict XVI prays for a specific general intention.  Catholics around the world are invited to join in praying for the same intention.  For November 2009, the intention is as follows:

“That all the men and women in the world, especially those who have responsibilities in the field of politics and economics, may never fail in their commitment to safeguard creation.”

The following Catholic organizations will be hosting a conference in November or December 2009:

10/29/2009  – 11/1/2009 
La RED – National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana
La RED 2009 Annual Membership Meeting
Orlando, FL
A network of Catholic church-based organizations and pastoral ministers committed to the evangelization, holistic development, and ongoing support and formation of Hispanic jóvenes (teens and single young adults 18 to 26+). The mission of La Red is to promote the articulation of its members at the national and regional levels and to foster the creation of diocesan networks.
 
11/12/2009  – 11/15/2009 
CNVS – Catholic Network of Volunteer Service
2009 CNVS National Conference
Durham, NC
A membership organization of domestic and international volunteer and lay mission programs. The mission of CNVS is to promote full-time national and international service opportunities by providing training and resources, networking opportunities, and national advocacy.
 
11/19/2009  – 11/21/2009 
NFCYM – National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
NCYC – National Catholic Youth Conference
Kansas City, MO
The professional membership organization of diocesan directors for youth ministry. The mission of NFCYM is to serve those who serve the young Catholic Church.

12/28/2009  – 1/1/2010 
NCSC – National Catholic Student Coalition
NCSC Annual Leadership Conference – Our Communities in Need
Philadelphia, PA
A membership organization that seeks to be the representative voice of Catholic collegians, providing students with the necessary resources, network, and partners to aid the formation of faith-filled Catholics.

Visit the ActiveParishioner.com Calendar for more details and future events.

Catholic resources for high school-aged youth and also for young adults abound.  But there is not much out there specifically aimed at 10 to 13 year-olds, often called tweens.  Given the computer-savvy nature of this population, a static website with Catholic doctrine is not going to draw much interest. 

The Bishops Conference of England & Wales has sponsored a great website for tweens called Yfaith.  The site is dynamic and catchy.   It draws in the viewer (and not only if you are in this age group!)  In many ways, the site utilizes the best features of popular secular sites — lots of interaction, surprises, videos by tweens, and many invitations to learn and discover.  You just can’t predict what you will learn the next time you visit this site.  Did you ever wonder how many times cheese is mentioned in the Bible?  Visit Yfaith and find out!

Every month, Pope Benedict XVI prays for a specific general intention.  Catholics around the world are invited to join in praying for the same intention.  For October 2009, the intention is as follows:

“That Sunday may be lived as the day on which Christians gather to celebrate the Risen Lord, participating in the Eucharist.”

Vatican II marked major changes in how the Mass was celebrated.  Since then, however, additional minor changes have been made.  Most recently, in 2000 Pope John Paul II announced a new version of the Roman Missal, the book that details the language for celebration of the Mass.

Such changes are not adopted instantly.  First they must be translated into the many, many languages across the world.

For those of us in English-speaking countries, there is an organization named ICEL – the International Commission on English in the Liturgy - which takes on the task of the English translation.  Eleven bishops’ conferences are represented on ICEL.  Besides the US, they include Australia, Canada, England & Wales, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, The Philippines, Scotland, and South Africa.

Anyone who has traveled to other countries can begin to guess at the difficulty this entails.  I remember attending an international meeting in Europe and hearing an English translation where they referred to a torch.  This didn’t make sense given the context.  When those of us from the US asked what they meant, we were told, “In your country, you call it a flashlight.”  Such minor differences appear trivial.  But when the language pertains to prayer and how we interact with God at liturgy, the language takes on another deeper level of importance.

Because of the complexities involved, it has taken nine years to work on the English translation for the new Roman Missal.  The US bishops will be voting on the final version this coming November.  If approved, you will soon be seeing the changes on Sundays. 

The US bishops have set up a website to help parishioners become familiar with the changes.  Some changes appear to be stylistic.  Others more obviously present the fuller meaning of the original text.  For example, currently when Mass begins and the presider says, “The Lord be with you.”  We respond, “And also with you.”   The new Roman Missal changes our response to, “And with your spirit.”  If you have participated in a Mass in Spanish, you will recognize that these are the exact words that are already used in the Spanish Mass.

Other changes are not as clear.  For example, in the Nicene Creed at Mass we currently say, “… Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.”   The revision proposes changing the last part to, “begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.”  Although theologically correct, the word “consubstantial” is not one that will have instant meaning for most Catholics.

If you would like more of a preview, visit the USCCB site and learn about the changes that are coming.

The following Catholic organizations will be hosting a conference in October or November 2009:

9/26/2009  – 10/1/2009 
NCDVD – National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors
2009 NCDVD Convention
Newark, NJ
The professional membership organization of those who work in diocesan vocation offices. The mission of NCDVD is to promote priestly vocations by supporting diocesan vocation directors in their work. 
 
9/27/2009  – 10/1/2009 
ANSH – Asociación Nacional de Sacerdotes Hispanos en Estados Unidos
XX ANSH Convention
Chicago, IL
The organization of Hispanic priests in the US. The mission of ANSH is to promote unity, collaboration and support for Hispanic priests in the US, to serve as the official voice for Hispanic priests at the national level, to support the ministry of priests within the Hispanic community, and to participate in the development of the Catholic Church in the US.
 
9/29/2009  – 10/2/2009 
CCC – Catholic Cemetery Conference
CCC 60th Annual Convention and Exposition
Chicago, IL
The organization that helps Catholic Cemetery staff enhance their skills in caring for the deceased and comforting their loved ones through ministry, education, network and service opportunities. Members come from the US, Australia, Canada, Italy and Guam.
 
10/2/2009  – 10/4/2009 
National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus
2009 National Black Catholic Men’s Conference
Birmingham, AL
This event is cosponsored by several organizations including the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, the Society of the Divine Word, the Knights of Peter Claver and the Diocese of Birmingham.
 
10/6/2009  – 10/9/2009 
FDLC – Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions
FDLC 2009 National Meeting – Liturgical Formation with Zeal and Patience
Plymouth, MI
The membership organization for diocesan liturgical personnel. This includes members of diocesan liturgical commissions, worship offices and/or equivalent liturgical structures. FDLC’s mission is to promote the liturgy as the heart of Christian life, especially in the parish community.
 
10/8/2009  – 10/11/2009 
BCTS – Black Catholic Theological Symposium
BCTS 20th Annual Meeting
Atlanta, GA
A national interdisciplinary theological society established to foster among Black Catholics an ethical community of scholarly dialogue. BCTS encourages the teaching and discussion of Black Catholic religious and cultural experiences; encourages the identification and development of Black Catholic Scholars in the fields of theology, liturgy, ethics, canon law, church history and biblical studies; and encourages theologically and theoretically grounded ministry and program development responsive to the needs of Black Catholic within the Church and society.
 
10/12/2009  – 10/15/2009 
CLSA – Canon Law Society of America
2009 CLSA Convention
Louisville, KY
The official membership association for Catholic canon lawyers in the US and Canada. CLSA’s mission includes promoting the pastoral ministry of the Church by cooperating in the continuous revision and renewal of the universal law of the Church, encouraging canonical research, responding to practical canonical needs, and facilitating the interchange of canonical ideas, practices and decisions.
 
10/14/2009  – 10/17/2009 
CRA – Catholic Radio Association
Global Catholic Radio Conference
Birmingham, AL
The membership association for Catholic radio. CRA facilitates the sharing of knowledge and resources among Catholic radio apostolates and Catholic radio program providers in the US. The organization seeks to contribute to, and help shape, the thought and reflection on Catholic radio, including the development and growth of Catholic radio from both theological and practical perspectives.
 
10/22/2009  – 10/24/2009 
CMA – Catholic Medical Association
78th CMA Educational Conference – The Theology of Suffering: Bringing Faith, Hope & Love to the Art of Healing
Springfield, IL
An organization of individual Catholic physicians, dentists, nurses and other health care professionals. The mission of CMA includes coming together to grow in the spirit of Christ in the members’ personal and professional lives and bring His Spirit to all touched by members’ science and art.
 
10/23/2009  – 10/25/2009 
USCMA – US Catholic Mission Association 
2009 Annual Mission Conference
New Orleans, LA
USCMA is a membership organization which unites and supports people committed to the cross-cultural and global mission of Jesus Christ in service to Church and world.
 
10/25/2009  – 10/28/2009 
CACE – Chief Administrators of Catholic Education
2009 CACE Annual Meeting
Salt Lake City, UT
An organization within NCEA, CACE is the association of chief administrators of Catholic education encompassing three areas – total Catholic education, schools, and religious education. CACE’s mission is to exert leadership on and in behalf of Catholic education, to influence the development of leadership and to be a strong advocate for Catholic education at the national level.
 
10/29/2009  – 11/1/2009 
La RED – National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana
La RED 2009 Annual Membership Meeting
Orlando, FL
A network of Catholic church-based organizations and pastoral ministers committed to the evangelization, holistic development, and ongoing support and formation of Hispanic jóvenes (teens and single young adults 18 to 26+). The mission of La Red is to promote the articulation of its members at the national and regional levels and to foster the creation of diocesan networks.
 
11/12/2009  – 11/15/2009 
CNVS – Catholic Network of Volunteer Service
2009 CNVS National Conference
Durham, NC
A membership organization of domestic and international volunteer and lay mission programs. The mission of CNVS is to promote full-time national and international service opportunities by providing training and resources, networking opportunities, and national advocacy.
 
11/19/2009  – 11/21/2009 
NFCYM – National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
NCYC – National Catholic Youth Conference
Kansas City, MO
The professional membership organization of diocesan directors for youth ministry. The mission of NFCYM is to serve those who serve the young Catholic Church.

Visit the ActiveParishioner.com Calendar for more details and future events.

Here in the US, we are becoming accustomed to seeing many of our parishes and dioceses publish financial reports at the end of each fiscal year.  These reports promote financial accountability and transparency. They also encourage a sense of responsibility among parishioners. 

Catholics will be interested to note that the Vatican has also released a top-level report of its finances for the fiscal year 2008.   All figures are in Euros.  As of today, 1 Euro = 1.44 US dollars.

The Vatican’s finances are kept in two different categories.   First is the pastoral work of the Holy See, officially known as the work of the “Dicasteries and Organisms of the Holy See.”   This includes all  ministry and charity work, as well as the Pope’s pastoral care around the world.  The second is the “Governorate of Vatican City State” which basically covers all of the support services for the territory.  This includes, for example, security, utilities, and maintenance.

The Dicasteries and Organisms of the Holy See employ 2,732 people (2,206 men and 526 women).  Employee categories are as follows: 761 priests, 334 religious, and 1,637 lay. 

Figures for the pastoral work of the Holy See for Fiscal Year 2008 were as follows:

• Total Revenue:  253,953,869 Euros
• Total Expenses: 254,865,383 Euros
• Net: -911,514 Euros

The Vatican City State employs 1,894 persons (1589 men and 305 women).  The majority, 1,835, are lay people and 59 are religious.  The Vatican City State ended fiscal year 2008 with a deficit of 15,313,124 Euros.  Major expenses included a study for a new internet/phone communications system, new solar panels, maintenance of the vast artwork including that in the Vatican Museums, extension of visitors’ hours, security expenses, restructuring the Apostolic Library, and major restoration work at two basilicas, St. Paul Outside-the-Walls and St. Mary Major.  As can be expected, Vatican finances also were negatively impacted by the worldwide economic crisis.

The largest donations from Catholics to the Vatican as a whole came from the US, Italy and Germany.  Catholics in Korea and Japan also gave large donations, on a per capita basis.

All financial records were audited and certified, according to the Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano.

The National Pastoral Life Center (NPLC) is a great resource for parishes.  Recently they announced a new conference for and about Parish Life Coordinators.  The conference is titled “Extraordinary Pastoring” and will be held in Michigan on January 25-28, 2010. 

NPLC took the lead many, many years ago, under the direction of the late Msgr. Phil Murnion, in sponsoring the first-ever gathering of parish life coordinators.  It is good to see them continue to provide much needed resources in this area, especially with a stellar list of speakers.

For those who may be unaware, Parish Life Coordinators is the term that has evolved to cover those individuals (whether lay, religious sisters or brothers, or deacons) who are responsible for a parish which has no resident priest-pastor.   Many other terms were used in previous years, from lay pastors to parish coordinators.  With the work of the bishops’ conference in the areas of lay ministry and pastoral practices, much discussion and reflection led to the selection of the term “parish life coordinator” as a consistent one across the US.

This conference will be invaluable, not only for parish life coordinators, but also for priests responsible for parishes with pastoral life coordinators and for diocesan staff with such parishes.

On August 4, the US Senate confirmed Miguel Diaz as the US ambassador to the Vatican.  What makes this appointment so intriguing is that Diaz is a Catholic theologian, the first-ever to be appointed to this position.  Often, diplomats have a political career history.  Although Diaz was active in President Obama’s campaign, serving on the Catholic advisory group, he is by training and practice a theologian. 

Until now, Diaz has been employed as a professor of theology at both St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN and at the College of St. Benedict, also in Minnesota.  He was born in Cuba and is also the first Hispanic American to serve as ambassador.

It should be fascinating to watch the dialogue between the Vatican and the US during Diaz’s term.  His ability to understand and apply theological language to our political actions should be a big plus all around.  Stay tuned…

The following Catholic organizations will be hosting a conference in August or September 2009:

8/1/2009  – 8/1/2009 
NAfIM – National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry
NAfIM Annual Membership Meeting
Cleveland , OH
A membership organization of parish ministers, diocesan leaders, university professionals, parents, and persons with mental retardation, intellectual disability and other developmental differences. NAfIM’s mission is to lead the Catholic community to the full inclusion of persons with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
 
8/1/2009  – 8/4/2009 
NCADDHM – National Catholic Association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry
NCADDHM 2009 National Conference
Notre Dame, IN
The professional association of Diocesan Directors for Hispanic Ministry. The mission of NCADDHM is to promote the full participation of Hispanics in the Church and society.
 
8/11/2009  – 8/15/2009 
LCWR – Leadership Conference for Women Religious
2009 LCWR Assembly
New Orleans, LA
The association of the leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the US.

9/12/2009  – 9/18/2009 
NCDVD – National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors
2010 NCDVD Convention
Milwaukee, WI
The professional membership organization of those who work in diocesan vocation offices. The mission of NCDVD is to promote priestly vocations by supporting diocesan vocation directors in their work.
 
9/20/2009  – 9/23/2009 
ICSC – International Catholic Stewardship Council
ICSC 2009 Annual Conference
Dallas, TX
An association of organizations, including parishes and dioceses, focusing on the concept of holistic Christian stewardship. ICSC’s mission includes encouraging the growing professionalism of diocesan stewardship and development programs as well as that of parish-centered stewardship programs.
 
9/20/2009  – 9/23/2009 
NCDC – National Catholic Development Conference
NCDC 2009 Annual Conference
Arlington, VA
An association of organizations involved in fundraising to support religious, educational or other charitable activities. NCDC’s mission is to provide educational opportunities, training and networking in the area of fundraising.
 
9/24/2009  – 9/27/2009 
NCCW – National Council of Catholic Women
NCCW – 2009 General Assembly
Jacksonville, FL
An organization of parish and diocesan based Catholic women’s organizations. NCCW’s mission is to support, empower and educate all Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service.
 
9/24/2009  – 9/27/2009 
CALGM – Catholic Association for Lesbian & Gay Ministries
CALGM Annual [Inter]National Conference
Las Vegas, NV
A network encouraging pastoral care with lesbian and gay Catholics and their families. The organization provides a network of communication regarding Catholic lesbian and gay ministry, provides educational resources and models of ministry, and encourages the participation of lesbian and gay Catholics with the Church.
 
9/26/2009  – 10/1/2009 
NCDVD – National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors
2009 NCDVD Convention
Newark, NJ
The professional membership organization of those who work in diocesan vocation offices. The mission of NCDVD is to promote priestly vocations by supporting diocesan vocation directors in their work.
 
9/27/2009  – 9/30/2009 
DFMC – Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference
DFMC Conference 2009
Chicago, IL
A membership organization for diocesan fiscal managers. DFMC’s mission is to promote the spiritual growth, the exchange of ideas and information, and the development of professional relationships among its members.
 
9/27/2009  – 10/1/2009 
ANSH – Asociación Nacional de Sacerdotes Hispanos en Estados Unidos
XX ANSH Convention
Chicago, IL
The organization of Hispanic priests in the US. The mission of ANSH is to promote unity, collaboration and support for Hispanic priests in the US, to serve as the official voice for Hispanic priests at the national level, to support the ministry of priests within the Hispanic community, and to participate in the development of the Catholic Church in the US.

9/29/2009  – 10/2/2009 
CCC – Catholic Cemetery Conference
CCC 60th Annual Convention and Exposition
Chicago, IL
The organization that helps Catholic Cemetery staff enhance their skills in caring for the deceased and comforting their loved ones through ministry, education, network and service opportunities. Members come from the US, Australia, Canada, Italy and Guam.

Visit the ActiveParishioner.com Calendar for more details and future events.

Before President Obama met Pope Benedict XVI in July 2009, Catholic media reported that the President’s staff had been busy searching for a gift to give the Pope.  They finally settled on a liturgical stole that was a relic.  For 18 years, the stole had covered the remains of St. John Neumann at St. Peter’s Church in Philadelphia.  This was a very appropriate gift, especially since St. John Neumann was the first US Bishop to become a saint.  The Redemptorists, who had recently made changes to the tomb, were honored to have the stole serve as the gift. 

What then, people wondered, would be the Pope’s gift to the President?  The Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, recently published the answer.  The Pope gave the President several gifts.  In addition to rosaries and pontifical medals, the Pope gave a mosaic of St. Peter’s and an autographed copy of his latest encyclical, Caritas in Veritate.  These also are very appropriate gifts and in line with gifts given by the Pope in similar circumstances.  But then the Pope added another gift.  He gave the President a copy of last year’s Instruction on bioethics, Dignitas Personae.  The thought behind this last gift was that the document would help the President to better understand the Catholic Church’s position on these matters.  Bioethics is an area of disagreement between both, especially when focused on abortion.   

During last May’s controversy when the University of Notre Dame invited President Obama to speak at its commencement, University President Fr. Jenkins said that he believed it was important to both illuminate “issues with the moral and spiritual wisdom of the Catholic tradition” and to serve as a place where “people of good will are received with charity, are able to speak, be heard, and engage in responsible and reasoned dialogue.”  The Pope’s cordial welcome of President Obama was certainly an example of this.  The meeting between the Pope and the President marked the face-to-face beginning of a dialogue.  Let the dialogue continue.

On July 7, 2009, the eve of the G-8 meeting, Pope Benedict XVI released his latest encyclical letter titled “Caritas in Veritate” or Charity in Truth.

The Pope begins his encyclical by reminding us that love is the driving force which leads people to justice and peace. “Charity is at the heart of the Church’s social doctrine.”  The Pope then makes the case for the necessity of linking charity to truth. “Truth needs to be sought, found and expressed within the ‘economy’ of charity, but charity in its turn needs to be understood, confirmed and practised in the light of truth.”

The introduction ends with this timely comment, given the current economic crisis. “The Church does not have technical solutions to offer and does not claim ‘to interfere in any way in the politics of States.’”  However, the Pope concludes, the Church does have a responsibility to preach truth and the promotion of human dignity in all aspects of society.

The encyclical is divided into six chapters:

1) The message of Populorum Progressio (Pope Paul VI’s encyclical issued right after the close of Vatican II)

2) Human Development in Our Time

3) Fraternity, Economic Development and Civil Society

4) The Development of People, Rights and Duties, the Environment

5) The Cooperation of the Human Family

6) The Development of People and Technology

The Pope reminds us that we do not work alone and that we can accomplish nothing without God.  He ends the encyclical with the words from Paul’s Letter to the Romans, “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honour.” 

It would be interesting to see what the G-8 meeting results would be if the leaders truly put Paul’s words to practice.