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Powerful pro-life video from Ireland
This is a powerful, pro-life video from Youth Defence, an Irish group that promotes human dignity. From their website:
“Youth Defence is Ireland’s most active pro-life group – which means our campaigns reach people on many levels; where they shop, on campus, on the web, in local areas and on the high street. We aim to provide real information about abortion, and to find new ways of getting that information to the public. We’re honest and open about what we do, which means we’re not afraid to challenge politicians or upset the consensus.Most of all we believe that Ireland can be kept abortion-free. One person can make a difference and that person may be you.
Weekend calendar — Aug. 27-29
Aug. 27-29
Fall Kickoff for Parish leaders (Spanish) — Aug. 27-28 at Diocesan Pastoral Center. Featuring Fr. Victor Salomón with Priests for Life as keynote speaker and presenter on Rachel’s Vineyard training. An intro to Theology of the Body for youth and young adults is among six scheduled workshops. For details, call Carmen (062) 354-2031.
Cheer and Dance Clinic (for K-8th grade) — 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 28 at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School in Chandler. Learn to cheer and dance with the school’s award-winning Spirit Line. Students will perform during Seton’s half-time show Sept. 3. Cost and registration.
“Lourdes” — 8-10 p.m. EDT Aug. 28 on EWTN. The first of a two-part program exploring the life of St. Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879), the visionary of Lourdes, France, and the vast impact she has had in the lives of others. Profile concludes Wed. Sept. 1.
Singles group reunion anniversary — 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at Mount Claret. Join current and “CRYed” out members of the Catholic Retreat for Young Singles group for a special evening celebrating vocations. Celebrate the vocations of single life, marriage, religious life and priesthood fostered by this ministry. Hear a letter from Fr. Alberto Ruiz, founder, and the 17-year-old ministry’s link with the Cursillo Movement. Tapas dinner, silent auction, memorabilia display and more. $18 single, $25 per couple.
See more events on Sunday…
Take time to think, pray
You should read this New York Times article: “Digital Devices Deprive Brain of Needed Downtime.”
I’m an iPhone owner/addict and a chronic news junkie. Sort of comes with the territory, you know. Waiting in line for a taco, I’m reading the news. Picking up some milk at the grocery store, I read about the latest insurgent attacks in Iraq. Waiting for an interview? I’m getting tips on layout.
And, according to several studies mentioned in the Times article, that’s not good. Turns out I’m not actually taking a break. And taking a break is when real learning takes place. Read the end of this entry …
Super Spiritual Students
Super Spiritual Student Kalen Ordaz was recognized for showing compassion toward fellow classmates like Sabrina Erran and Diego Valencia.
Teachers at St. Catherine of Siena selected their first round of Super Spiritual Students for the new academic year. These students — one per class — are basically recognized for celebrating their faith in action by modeling one or more of the school’s Student Learning Expectations.
Teachers select a new Super Spiritual Student every two weeks.
The first set of kindergarten through eighth-grade Super Spiritual Students include:
- Kindergartner Kalen Ordaz for being helpful. “She always helps our new students and [is] concerned when someone does not feel well,” her teacher wrote.
- Seventh grader Ramon Candia who did a great job with his assigned “buddy” from the lower grades during a school Mass. His teacher said he served as a great example for fellow classmates by trying his personal best both academically and spiritually at all time.
Others were recognized for their preparedness, enthusiasm and manners.
St. John Bosco School has a similar program in which it honors students for showing LASER skills that are the set of Student Learning Expectations required for graduation. The school presents them with a certificate, which they can redeem at local businesses. Workers sometimes ask students how they earned the certificate.
My Book Report
Released April 2010
I finally finished reading “100 People Who Changed the World,” a new work by Life Books.
It by no means claims that those featured are the 100 people who changed the world and editors made no attempt to rank them either, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless and one that might make you proud to be Catholic, especially at the onset.
The 128-page book takes readers from religious figures and philosophers to political figures, inventors and cultural icons whose work significantly advanced the world we live in today. The reasoning:
Mankind’s religious and philosophical development informs its political progress, which encourages (or stifles) entrepreneurial and artistic creativity.
Seven of the 13 key religious figures featured — in a brief two-column paragraph plus large photo nonetheless — are central to our Church’s history. A handful of other influential Catholics are sprinkled throughout the remaining sections. Take a sneak peek inside.
Each concise entry is very digestible and written in a conversational tone. Editors are quick to squander possible disagreements with featured figures too in a gentle, yet educational fashion.
I like to think this book would give you enough knowledge about historical figures to excel on a TV game show.
The book costs $29.95, but may be available at a local library. That’s where I heard about the book and obtained my copy.
On another note, the Kino Library at the Diocesan Pastoral Center recently sent out its “newly acquired” list. The three page, 80-some title list may not be as easy of a read as “100 People…”, but they’re 100 percent Catholic. Subjects range from the Gospels to ecumenism to social teaching to overcoming sorrow to the popes and beyond. Call the library Tue-Thu at (602) 354-2251 for details.