Salt + Light Blog

Today he is 165 years old.  If he were still alive, that is.

Even before he died in 1937, people all over the world regarded him as a saint.  About two months from now, on October 17th, Brother André Bessette CSC will be the first Canadian-born male to be officially named a saint by the universal Church.

Salt + Light Television has been busy this summer filming a documentary on the life and legacy of Brother André in both English and French.   The filming has taken us to St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, to the Brother André archives of the Cantin family in London, Ontario, and to different parts of the United States.  Brother André had many friends and supporters from the United States and the Congregation of Holy Cross in the United States still live out his spirit in their various ministries.

In the weeks leading up to the canonization of Brother André on October 17th, we will be presenting you with a series of blogs from some of the people we’ve met.  These people have much to say and share about Brother André in their lives and in the life of the Church.

One of the places we went to in the United States is Portland, Oregon.  Our crew visited the Downtown Chapel, a Roman Catholic parish located in the heart of Old Town Portland.  Its mission is to provide hope and healing to the most marginalized members of society.  Here we met Associate Pastor Fr. Ronald Raab CSC, who lives out the hospitality of Brother André everyday.

Starting today, you can follow Fr. Ron’s weekly blogs leading up to the canonization of Brother André.  You can read the first one by going HERE.

And stay tuned to our website for more information on the French and English documentaries airing in October!

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Mary Rose Bacani| Print This Post |

A little boy once came across a sparrow laying on his back with his feet sticking up to the sky.  The boy looked at him and asked “Sparrow, why are you lying on his back on your back with your feet pointing up to the sky?”  The sparrow replied, because if the sky falls, I will use my feet to prevent it from falling on us.”  The boy replied “But you’re just one little bird, and the sky is so giant!”  The sparrow responded: “I know, but I’m just doing my part.”

I’m paraphrasing this story — one that was told to Archbishop Charles Chaput, of Denver, when he was at a conference on Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.   The Archbishop shared this story today during his homily at the profession Mass of the Sisters of Life, at the beautiful Basilica of St. John the Evangelist in Stamford, Connecticut. 

Salt + Light was on hand to film the first vows of 10 novices, and the perpetual vows of one sister — a native of Vancouver, Sister Antoniana Maria of the Trinity.

The point that Archbishop Chaput was making is that the Sisters making their profession are “doing their part.”  It may seem insignificant at times, it may not seem very glorious, but in each act they do, they live out their vows more fully; they bring Christ to others; they help build the culture of life. 

And this is the mission of the Sisters — to build a culture of life; to show the beauty and dignity of life.  This is part of their charism of life.  In fact, the Sisters take a fourth vow at their profession: to protect and enhance the sacredness of life. 

The founder of the Sisters, the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal John O’Connor, who passed away ten years ago, wrote:

It is my vision that the Culture of Death will be converted into a Culture of Life – not simply the life of the unborn infant, not simply the life threatened by euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide, but the spiritual life of those created in the image and likeness of God. Ultimately, the salvation of the soul is infinitely more important than the salvation of the body. To bring about the conversion of souls, conversion of hearts – this is surely the charism, the apostolate of the Sisters of Life. (Vision Conference, July 31, 1998)

The work the Sisters of Life do is vitally important, and inspiring.  Salt + Light Television will be capturing their charism of life in a documentary, that you can watch for in the Spring of 2011. 

For more on the Sisters of Life, visit their website HERE.

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Matthew Harrison| Print This Post |

In Washington D.C. our Salt + Light team came across a young man from Kansas who comes from a long line of Knights of Columbus in his family. He’s eagerly awaiting his 17th birthday so he too can join the Catholic fraternal organization. I spoke with him about why he wants to be a Knight:

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Alicia Ambrosio| Print This Post |

Even before the G8 and G20 Summits began, the world’s religious leaders were under no illusions that they could greatly influence the politicians. Still, eighty faith leaders were gathered in Winnipeg for their own assembly. While they were confident they had something important to say, many had been through this before, and they kept their expectations modest.

“I have my doubts,” admitted Rev. Suzanne Membe Matale, regarding the faith leaders’ ability to influence the summits. The Zambian pastor knows how it works. Agendas for the G8 and G20 had long since been set and their declarations pre-drafted. While the hype had been escalating for several months, both summits lasted just three days combined—hardly enough time to address more than a few issues.

As expected, the G8 summit in Huntsville was highlighted by its maternal health agreement, while Toronto’s G20 focused on economic recovery. The faith leaders’ recommendations, expressed in “A Time for Inspired Leadership and Action”, were not rewarded with many firm commitments in either summit declaration. (The lengthy G8 and G20 Summit declarations can be read here and here, respectively.)

“If you are genuinely worried about the threat of climate change,” wrote John Ibbitson for the Globe and Mail, “this is a grim G8/G20 summit.”

“More aid for Africa was referred to,” commented Jeffrey Simpson for the same newspaper, “but since aid-givers have largely fallen short of previous commitments, not much was specific on that score either.”

Media analysis of the maternal health initiative was more positive.

“The total contribution – $7.3-billion over five years – is big enough to save many lives,” judged the Globe and Mail’s editorial. But Canada’s generous contribution to that fund will likely pull resources from other international aid commitments, since there is no corresponding increase to the overall foreign aid budget.

“Maternal health runs the risk of being the latest flavour-of-the-month of international summitry,” the Globe concluded.

If the faith leaders had no dramatic impact on the results of the G8/G20, they cannot be faulted for their effort, given that their’s was the most substantial lobbying effort directed at the summits. Together, the delegates represented millions of believers from their diverse religions. It could be there, in the leaders’ own churches, temples, mosques and synagogues, that the World Religions Summit finds its legacy.

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Kris Dmytrenko| Print This Post |

As we have discussed over the last three days the theme of the Knights of Columbus’ 128th Supreme Convention has been I Am My Brother’s Keeper.

On the third and final day of the Convention, the Knights remembered their deceased brothers and family with Mass, on the memorial of the dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

The principle celebrant and homilist, Supreme Chaplain Bishop William Lori shared that part of the charitable works of the Knights are to other Knights — reaching out to their brother Knights when they may have experienced a death in the family, or experienced some kind of a difficulty (this of course touches on the principle of fraternity).  But the Knights also have another kind of charity to brother Knights.  Quoting a close friend to the Knights, Cardinal John Foley, Bishop Lori explained that Knights are also called to a spiritual charity… and a key to spiritual charity includes praying for our beloved dead.  That act of spiritual charity fits with being my brother’s keeper. 

The most perfect prayer for our dead is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, said Bishop Lori, which was why it was important that the attendees had gathered together.  During the Mass, the names of Knights who passed away in the last year was read.  It was a quiet moment to remember the dead, and to pray for their souls, and to offer Mass for them and for their friends and family. 

After the Mass, closed business sessions continued and finished around noon bringing the 128th Supreme Convention in Washington, D.C., to a close.  Next year’s convention will head west next year — to rockies.  Denver, Colorado, will be the host city for the 129th Supreme Convention.

It has been a busy three days, but one that has celebrated the incredible work by an organization dedicated to charity, the Church and Gospel values.  As Catholics we should be proud of the activities and the outreach that the Knights participate in, not only because the works are good, but because it is in imitation of our Lord.  Each task that extends a helping hand, is an act of loving our neighbour.  In each act, it is more fully realized that I am in fact my brother’s keeper.

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Matthew Harrison| Print This Post |

A few weeks ago, my mixed feelings about multi-faith advocacy were brought to the surface.

Before I confess my misgivings, I must tell you that I’m especially indebted to people of other religions and denominations. When I was an agnostic high school student, a Bahá’í friend stoked my interest in God by inviting me to his religion’s “Fireside” gatherings. I was confirmed as a Catholic at 19, but then struggled to live out my faith in university. It was then that I stumbled upon a Pentecostal student convention, which introduced me to rich fellowship with evangelicals. They taught me passion and commitment.

Yet despite those positive experiences, and many more during my time in the Holy Land, I remained privately skeptical about the efficacy of interreligious coalitions.

On June 21st I arrived at the University of Winnipeg to cover the World Religions Summit. The event’s goal was to influence the upcoming G8 and G20 meetings. (Michèle Nuzzo-Naglieri detailed the aims of the summit on Headline Bistro.) I wondered, though, whether a multi-faith assembly could garner much more influence or publicity than, say, the pronouncement of a singular Catholic Archbishop, who already represents a sizable constituency. Moreover, how much common ground could possibly be shared by this collection of miters, turbans and vibrant robes, representing a broad spectrum of traditional to reformed ideologies? Could eighty leaders representing nine world religions manage to draft a strong statement?

If there was tension among the delegates, this was kept well hidden. Their spirit of fraternity would have provided an edifying witness for combative clerics elsewhere, or for atheists who maintain that religion only breeds conflict.

The closing debate on the final statement centered on minor points of expression, rather than content. As it was put to a vote, the moderator, Rev. Dr. James Christie from the Canadian Council of Churches, convinced delegates to accept a declaration that he described as good, if imperfect.

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Kris Dmytrenko| Print This Post |

With the opening formalities out of the way, today, the second day of the 128th Supreme Convention, the Knights of Columbus get down to business. Mass this morning was celebrated by Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia at 8:00am. He reminded the congregation that today is also the feast day of Saint John Vianney, the patron saint of priests. St. John Vianney served his parish and community selflessly, and Fr. Michael McGivney, the founder of the Knights of Columbus continued that charity in his own ministry. He founded the Knights of Columbus on the basis of that charity.

It is fitting then, that the theme of the Knight of Columbus’ convention this year is “I am my brother’s keeper” Cardinal Rigali said, adding that the theme is merely a reflection of the Knight’s core ideals and a challenge to all Knights to show solidarity with “all brothers and sisters.”

This challenge to be in solidarity with all brothers and sisters has taken the Knights far and wide.  Here in D.C. , I met a couple from Manitoba. Larry and Margaret Kustra made a trip to Cuba this past year to deliver wheelchairs to those in need. Larry is the immediate past State Deputy to Manitoba. Knights from Saskatchewan also went on a special trip to Haiti and the Dominican Republic to deliver wheelchairs this past year.

Haiti is the major focus for the Knights this year. Today, along with Project Medishare, the Knights announced a new initiative called Hope for Haiti’s Children. Approximately 800 children lost limbs as a result of the earthquake and the Knights will provide prostetic limbs for all of those children. 

Receiving a prosthetic limb requires physiotherapy, so the Knights will also provide each child with a two-year program of physiotherapy administered by the University of Miami’s Medishare Hospital in Port-au-Prince.  The estimated cost of the initiative will be one million U.S. dollars.

The director of rehabilitation services for Medishare, Professor Robert Gailey, explained in Haiti, children are very low priority for prosthetic limbs.  Men are the highest priority because they are the “workers” and are generally supporting the family.  It is unheard of for a child to receive a prosthetic limb.  This initiative will ensure that kids are no longer overlooked; that if a child is missing a limb, that he or she can still live a full life and that hope is not lost. 

Gailey shared that in Haiti if a child is missing a limb, then the child is often shunned or ostracized – he may be seen as bad luck, or he did something wrong.    Gailey was hopeful that in the future, an educational component would develop to counter the stigma associated with prosthetics. 

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Alicia Ambrosio| Print This Post |

Named after the wisest of all the Israelite kings, Solomon, the book of Wisdom was used as a manual or textbook for young Jews living in a Greek culture from 300 B.C. to 200 A.D. The Jews were awed by the brilliant culture around them, and perhaps feared that their traditional values might be inferior to those of Egyptian society. Wisdom consisted of a series of wise sayings, philosophical and moral discussions, religious apologetics, science, and rhetoric. The authors strove to educate and build up the Jewish faith in a foreign environment.

The final section of the book of Wisdom, from which today’s first reading is drawn [Wisdom 18:6-9] praises God as the liberator of his people. One of the high points of the text glorified God for his great power that destroyed the first born of the Egyptians, yet, at the same time, freed his people. Israel was saved because it had “awaited the salvation of the just” [v 7]. The Egyptians had been destroyed because they did not listen to God; Israel was saved because they listened to God’s word.

Portrait of religious faith

Whenever I have moments of frustration, discouragement or sadness about the state of things in the Church today, I go back and read chapter 11 of the Letter to the Hebrews. This chapter draws upon the people and events of the Old Testament to paint an inspiring portrait of religious faith, firm and unyielding in the face of any obstacles that confront it.

Today’s second reading [Heb 11:1-2, 8-19] is drawn from a chronologically-developed chapter. Hebrews 11:3-7 draws upon the first nine chapters of Genesis [1-9]; chapter 11:8-22, upon the period of the patriarchs; chapter 11:23-31, upon the time of Moses; chapter 11:32-38, upon the history of the judges, the prophets, and the Maccabean martyrs.

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Father Thomas Rosica| Print This Post |

Today was the first day of work at the Knights of Columbus Supreme Annual Convention in Washington D.C. Traditionally the convention kicks off with a concelebrated Mass at the conference venue. This year was a little different and whole lot more spectacular.

The opening Mass was celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Washington. The Basilica is one of, if not the largest church in North America and is home to the largest collection of modern ecclesiastical art. That is not, however, the reason the Basilica is so dear to U.S. Catholics. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the patroness of the United States and this Basilica is dedicated to her in that context.

A Mass with the Knights is like no other. The entrance procession alone takes 10 minutes because of the honour guard that precedes the 80-plus concelebrants. This year the main celebrant was Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington D.C. Several Canadian Bishops where among the concelebrants, as was Salt + Light’s CEO Fr. Thomas Rosica.

In his homily Archbishop Wuerl marveled at the work he has seen the Knights do in his 30 years involvement with the order. He also said that Mary, with her entire life, pointed humanity toward Jesus. The challenge today, he said, is for the faithful to do the same. The faithful have to encourage others to live out the Gospel through their very lives, all their actions words and deeds. Part of this means recognizing that we are not individuals and, yes, we are responsible for those around us; we are our brother’s keeper, so to speak — – in fact the theme of this year’s convention is I Am My Brother’s Keeper.

Looking out for the “next door neighbour” in need, is perhaps one of the things the Knights do best.  In his annual report Supreme Knight Carl Anderson revealed that immediately after the earthquake in Haiti, the Knights gave Catholic Relief Services (the equivalent of Canada’s Development and Peace) $50,000 to provide immediate aid to victims of the quake. (Ultimately they’ve donated $600,000 to Haiti.) The Knights later followed that up with a special trip to Haiti during which they delivered wheelchairs to people who had been incapacitated due to injuries sustained in the earthquake. Anderson also announced that the Knights will provide prosthetic limbs for all children who have lost limbs because of the quake.

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Alicia Ambrosio| Print This Post |

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.

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Photo: CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec

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Jenna Murphy| Print This Post |