Salt + Light Blog

After a long summer of brainstorming and “re-creating”, Perspectives Weekly is back in business! We are excited to showcase the fruits of our discussions and, thanks to your feedback, we have lots of fuel to keep the Perspectives fires burning well into the winter.

The suggestions we have received cover a variety of topics; some of you wanted to hear about new religious communities; some of you wanted to talk about the sex abuse crisis; some of you were concerned about how social networking is affecting our young people and our culture; others want to know why some sisters don’t wear habits.

These are just a few of the all-encompassing requests we have received. But there are many more.

For our first week back in studio, tune in as host Pedro Guevara Mann discusses the peace process in the Middle East as witnessed through the eyes of an Episcopalian priest living in Galilee. Father Samuel Barhoum and his family visited Salt + Light during a short stopover in Toronto to tell us about inter-faith relations in the Holy Land.

This episode will serve to merely whet your appetite, however. In the coming year, you can expect a full-length documentary on Kids4Peace: a grassroots initiative launched by the Episcopalian Diocese of Jerusalem to further the cause of peace in the Middle East.

Father Barhoum is convicted that to foster peace we must seek to know one another. By nourishing friendships across religions beginning in the younger generations, he believes, we will establish a true and lasting peace.

This September 21st at noon, a world-wide prayer initiative for peace is being launched in honour of the U.N. International Day for Peace. The organizers, A Million Minutes for Peace, are a multi-faith movement set on “mobilizing the power of prayer”. Watch the powerful promo spot for the initiative here and pledge to join in the worldwide prayer campaign.

In the meantime though, don’t forget to tune in tonight at 7pm Eastern, 8pm Pacific for the return of Perspectives. Visit us on our Facebook page or on our Perspectives page for all of the updates. See you tonight!

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Jenna Murphy

Cor ad cor loquitur — heart speaks to heart.

That’s the motto Cardinal John Henry Newman chose for his coat of arms when he was given the red hat.

Some 130 years later, it’s the theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Journey to the United Kingdom – a visit that will be highlighted by the Beatification Mass of Cardinal Newman.

Salt + Light Television will bring you the Beatification, as well as all the other events surrounding the Holy Father’s September 16th-19th trip. Visit our Apostolic Journey page for full broadcast details HERE.

The first day begins in Scotland, and will be highlighted by a meeting with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and an open-air Mass in Glasgow. The Pontiff will travel to London for the second day and meet with Catholic educators, religious congregations, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The day will close with an ecumenical prayer service. Saturday will be highlighted by Mass at Westminster Cathedral and a prayer vigil at Hyde Park in anticipation of Newman’s beatification. The final day of the visit consists of a meeting with Bishops in England, Scotland, and Wales and Cardinal Newman’s Beatification Mass at Cofton Park, in Birmingham, England.

Follow our blog in the lead up and during the trip for insight, addresses, homilies, and background information. You can also keep in touch on our Facebook page, and stream us live online here, or on your iPhone 3Gs/4G.

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Matthew Harrison

Tonight’s edition of Perspectives features an interview segment with Sparrow Records’ newest gem, Audrey Assad.

A recent convert to Catholicism and a New York City suburb native, Audrey told us about her vision for Catholic music and about how we should not be afraid to set the bar high.

As mentioned in a previous post, her newest album, The House You’re Building, is proof of her strong convictions.

The album has been eagerly received by Catholic and non-Catholic fans alike (the album’s first single received one of iTunes strongest debuts on the Christian/Gospel Singles chart) and having toured already with the likes of Matt Maher and Chris Tomlin, it appears that Audrey will be sticking around for a while.

“A lot of new artists come and go in this business,” says Charlie Lowell of Jars of Clay, “Audrey Assad will not be one of those- she’s a refreshing artist- a voice comforting and challenging together. Her melodic sensibilities are infectious and she communicates God’s caring and creative hear in a way that cuts through the day-to-day mess of life. It will be a privilege to share the stage with Audrey, and to watch her grow as an artist over the years.”

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Audrey about her art as vocation, about her convictions on the nature of “Catholic” music and about her dreams for the future.

Below is a complete transcript of our discussion.

S+L: Audrey, thanks so much for agreeing to speak with me today. This is a really big deal; your first Nashville-produced CD especially given that your producer actually works with Marc Broussard, Natasha Beddingfield and Brooke Fraser to name a few…and the album’s first single did so well on iTunes when it first debuted. I can imagine it must feel kind of surreal for you. Can you tell us a little bit about the path that led you to where you are now and how you feel about making the journey?

AA: I’ve been a musician my whole life but I’ve always kind of had it as a hobby until I was 19 which was 8 years ago because I’m 27 now. And I had this sort of awakening at 19 to many things particularly in a spiritual way to Jesus. But also, I think I figured out that music was sort of my gifting and not just something to do on the side. So since then, I’ve literally for 8 years just been writing and singing and plugging away kind of with no strategy per se. The only think I knew was that eventually I needed to make a record which I ended up doing independently in 2008 .That was the beginning of the process with all the record label stuff and that was what got the attention of the people I work with now (that 5 song EP that we put out independently with some friends of mine that worked on it with me). That whole project cost about $7000 and then a week later, Sparrow records was on the phone and two years after that, here we are. Read more…

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Jenna Murphy

His Eminence Marc Cardinal Ouellet has been a gift to our nation; a visionary for Canada in what some would consider to be bleak times.

Though he has been called away from us for a new and exciting mission in Rome, he has left an indelible imprint on many of us, particularly on the hearts of the young.

Throughout his time as primate of Canada, the good Cardinal continuously announced the dawn by his unwavering faith in the young people of Canada.

One recent article likens his pastoring style to that of John Paul II:

“Like John Paul, Ouellet understood the power of mass assemblies, grand liturgical celebrations, and direct cultural engagement.”

The Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City as well as the founding of Montée Jeunesse were two manifestations of the Cardinal’s deep conviction that the faith is not dead in Quebec nor is it dormant in Canada.

In honour of his journey among us, there will be a youth prayer vigil on Saturday August 14th at the Cathedral Notre Dame of Quebec, Quebec City, to show our solidarity with this shepherd who so loved the young people.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend this evening of Eucharistic Adoration and intercessory prayer with the Cardinal for the young people of our country. If anyone is planning on attending from afar and is in need of a place to stay, accommodations are available (visit the archdiocese of Quebec website here or write to info@hommagecardinalouellet.com).

The next day, Sunday August 15, 2010 (the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady), the Archdiocese of Quebec will host a 3pm Thanksgiving Celebration at St. Anne de Beaupré. This will mark Cardinal Ouellet’s last formal Eucharistic Celebration in Quebec City before his departure to Rome. All are welcome to attend.

As a mark of our commitment to his Spirit-led vision for the Canadian Church, we have all been invited to take part in a country-wide gift to Cardinal Ouellet: that is, a country-wide photo/commitment initiative.

To voice your thanks (and the promise of your prayers) to Cardinal Ouellet please send your photo to: info@hommagecardinalouellet.com before August 13th.

Along with the photo, well-wishers are being asked to include one word describing:

• what the Cardinal represents for you; OR
• what you remember from his teachings; OR
• what you wish for him.

Cardinal Ouellet has a visionary spirit, he understands that what young people need is an escape from virtual reality where we are often separated from one another by technology. He firmly believes that rooms (auditoriums) filled with waiting, prayerful hearts unfailingly usher in new apostolic zeal among the faithful. The Cardinal’s gatherings were always marked with deep reverence and anchored in the youthfulness of the Holy Spirit. Let us therefore let him know of our profound gratitude for his generous “yes” to Our Lord.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• www.hommagecardinalouellet.com

Or visit the tribute to Cardinal Ouellet page on Facebook. Click here for English and here for French.

-

Photo: CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec

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Jenna Murphy

Pope John Paul II described them as the “strong right arm of the Church,” and many a priest would consider them backbone to parish activities.

More than just an “arm” or a “backbone” the Knights of Columbus are the largest organized “body,” so to speak, of lay Catholic men.  In fact, they’ve just cracked over 1.8 million members!

The Knights do a tremendous amount of work, all in the spirit of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.  They participate in a wide range of activities: from taking care of parish gardens, to coat drives for kids, to distributing wheelchairs in earthquake devastated Haiti.

As Canadians, we should be proud to know how generous Canadian Knights are: at last year’s convention Supreme Knight Carl Anderson announced that of all the state jurisdictions, the Knights in Ontario donated the most amount of money to charity — $9.1 million.  Second place was Quebec with $8.5 million (Quebec had been in first for the last few years).  Per capita donations’ top spot went to Knights in British Columbia and Ontario was second place.

That of course, is the financial aspect, but the Knights are also incredibly generous in their time.  It was outlined in last year’s report that the Knights participated in over 68.7 million hours of volunteer service.  That was an increase of almost 88-thousand hours from the previous year.  Already this year, the Knights have announced that they have shattered that record.

Recognizing these impressive totals, and the fraternity that goes along with the Knights, they gather once a year, along with their families, to celebrate their faith and work.  This year’s gathering, the 128th Supreme Convention, comes from Washington, D.C., August 3rd to 5th.

Joining the over two thousand Knight delegates, priests and prelates, will be our own Fr. Thomas Rosica, Matthew Harrison, Sebastien Lacroix, Alicia Ambrosio and Rita Sawaya. Our extensive live coverage will bring you unmatched insight, analysis and testimonials and interviews from the convention floor.

Our coverage begins Tuesday, August 3rd at 9:00am ET.  We’ll be with you all day, bringing viewers the Opening Mass, the Business Session and the States Dinner.  In between these events we’ll broadcast Men of Faith, a historical documentary offering a fascinating look into how Knight activities intertwine with the political and social fabric of the 20th century; A People of Life, our documentary examining the work of the Knights in spreading a culture of life; and other features on the Knights work with the Special Olympics, their Ultrasound project, their work in Rome, and much more.  We’ll also broadcast Mass from Washington on Wednesday and Thursday mornings too.

Visit HERE for more broadcast details, and for more information on the Knights of Columbus visit their website HERE.

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Matthew Harrison

Archbishop Albert LeGatt, of the Archdiocese of St. Boniface, Manitoba, has received the Pallium from Pope Benedict XVI.

He was among 38 Archbishops to receive the woolen band today as part of Mass on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

Salt + Light CEO Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB, explains the significance:

This ancient sign, which the Bishops of Rome have worn since the fourth century, may be considered an image of the yoke of Christ, which the Bishop takes upon his shoulders.

The pallium is a circle of wool that hangs around the neck and shoulders with two long pieces draping one over the chest and the other along the back. It is decorated with six black crosses and weighed with pieces of lead.

The wool for the pallium comes from two lambs offered every year to the Pope on January 21, Feast of St. Agnes. They are first taken to the Church of St. Agnes to be blessed. The lambs arrive wearing floral crowns, one white and one red. These represent the purity of Agnes, which the archbishops should emulate, and the martyrdom of Agnes, which the archbishops should be prepared to follow.

Read more…

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Matthew Harrison

Tuesday marks the feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

As always, it is also the day that Metropolitan Archbishops who have been appointed in the last 12 months receive the Pallium. The Pallium symbolizes their role as shepherds and teachers (Fr. Rosica’s offers more on the Pallium in a blog entry from 2009 HERE).

This year, Pope Benedict XVI will impose the Pallium on one Canadian Archbishop: Archbishop Albert LeGatt of the Archdiocese of St. Boniface, Manitoba.

He’ll join 37 other Archbishops from around the world who have gathered in Rome to receive the Pallium and celebrate Mass with the Holy Father.

Join S+L Vatican correspondent Alicia Ambrosio for full coverage of this special Mass.  It will be broadcast live on Tuesday, June 29th at 3:30am ET, followed by an encore presentation at 8:30pm ET/9:30pm PT.

Leading up to the Pallium Mass, join Salt + Light Monday, June 28th at 12:00pm ET as the Holy Father presides over first Vespers for the feast of Saints Peter and Paul at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

As always, you can visit our Papal Events page for more information on our coverage of the Holy Father’s upcoming activities.

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Matthew Harrison

So far we’ve looked at sin and at the reasons why the Sacrament requires that we confess to a priest. I know some of you still struggle with that.

Perhaps going through the ritual will help a bit. Remember that every Sacrament has a ritual – but the Sacrament is not just the ritual. In the case of Reconciliation there are some things that have to be part of the ritual for the Sacrament to “work”, so to speak. These are, in short, the same elements that need to be in place for the Sacrament to take place: repentance, confession, forgiveness and penance.

Remember that all Sacraments consist of matter and form. In Reconciliation the matter is the sins confessed   The form are the words of absolution: “By the ministry of the Church, may God grant you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” There are also two essential elements that need to be present for the Sacrament of Reconciliation to take place:  the acts of the penitent and the absolution of the confessor.

The acts of the penitent are four:

1. Examination of conscience (so you can truly find all the sins)
2. Contrition (that you are truly repentant)
3. Confession (you gotta confess them) and
4. Satisfaction/Penance (what the Priest asks you to do to make amends)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that: “Those who approach the Sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against Him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labours for their conversion.” (CCC#1422)

Read more…

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Pedro Guevara-Mann

Last time we looked at sin: mortal sin and venial sin and the reason why we continue sinning even after Baptism. We all have a tendency to sin called concupiscence and so that’s why we need Grace to help us bring those disordered appetites into proper order.

And I don’t think most people have a problem with that. We know we sin and that we need God’s grace. The problem people have with the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the part about confessing to a priest. It’s not a question about Sacraments; it’s a question about the Priesthood.

After Jesus rose from the dead, John 20:21-23 tells us he appeared to the disciples:

When it was evening on that day and the doors were locked… Jesus stood among them and he said, ‘peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.’ Then he breathed on them the Holy Spirit and said, ‘receive the Holy Spirit.’ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.

This is when Jesus gave the power to forgive sins to the disciples. Those disciples in turn passed it on to their disciples (through the laying of hands, or “ordination”), and so on, until this day.

Jesus gave the Apostles the power to forgive sins, but really it’s God who forgives our sins, not the priest. God forgives our sins THROUGH the priest. Bishops and priests act as God’s instruments of reconciliation.

Why then, do we have to confess our sins to a priest? Why not just go directly to God?

Read more…

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Pedro Guevara-Mann

Fifteen thousand priests, 350 bishops and 80 cardinals joined Pope Benedict today in celebrating the closing Mass of the Year for Priests.

It’s the largest concelebration ever held at the Vatican.

The Holy Father did not shy away from addressing the clerical sexual abuse scandal in his homily.  He brought it up early explaining that he had called the Year as a time of renewal and reminder that God has given us a great gift in the priesthood.

It was to be expected that this new radiance of the priesthood would not be pleasing to the “enemy”; he would have rather preferred to see it disappear, so that God would ultimately be driven out of the world. And so it happened that, in this very year of joy for the sacrament of the priesthood, the sins of priests came to light – particularly the abuse of the little ones, in which the priesthood, whose task is to manifest God’s concern for our good, turns into its very opposite. We too insistently beg forgiveness from God and from the persons involved, while promising to do everything possible to ensure that such abuse will never occur again …

The Pontiff also suggested to “look upon all that happened as a summons to purification.”  He then continued his homily with a beautiful reflection on the solemnity of the Sacred Heart, highlighting the psalm and antiphons.  See the homily below.

At Mass, the Holy Father used a chalice that belonged to St. John Mary Vianney.  The patron saint of parish priests has been the patron of the Year for Priests, which coincides with the 150th anniversary of his death.  The Pope also led priests in a consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  For a summary of the homily and highlights of the Mass, see the article by Catholic News Service’s Cindy Wooden.  For more Vatican resources on the Year for Priests visit HERE.

You can also catch an encore presentation of the Mass this evening at 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT or Saturday, June 12th at 1:00pm ET/10:00am PT.  As always, our network is streaming online HERE.

CONCLUSION OF THE YEAR FOR PRIESTS — HOLY MASS
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Dear Brothers in the Priestly Ministry,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Year for Priests which we have celebrated on the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the death of the holy Curè of Ars, the model of priestly ministry in our world, is now coming to an end. We have let the Curé of Ars guide us to a renewed appreciation of the grandeur and beauty of the priestly ministry. The priest is not a mere office-holder, like those which every society needs in order to carry out certain functions. Instead, he does something which no human being can do of his own power: in Christ’s name he speaks the words which absolve us of our sins and in this way he changes, starting with God, our entire life. Over the offerings of bread and wine he speaks Christ’s words of thanksgiving, which are words of transubstantiation – words which make Christ himself present, the Risen One, his Body and Blood – words which thus transform the elements of the world, which open the world to God and unite it to him. The priesthood, then, is not simply “office” but sacrament: God makes use of us poor men in order to be, through us, present to all men and women, and to act on their behalf.

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CNS photo/Paul Haring

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Matthew Harrison