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AMERICA Magazine
A balanced Catholic weekly magazine published by the jesuits of the United States for an intelligent Catholic readership. Go online to subscribe.

Liturgy
This link will keep 'parishioners-at-large' in touch with current creative liturgy sources and resources that respect a variety of 'traditions' within the Church.

Voice of the Faithful
A 'movement' of lay Catholics 'inspired' by the abuse scandal calling for greater accountability of bishops to 'Catholics in the Pew.'

Survivos' Network for those Abused by Priests or Religious
A National Network of self-help support groups for people abused by clergy or religious.

Bishop Accountability
Vital information about the disclosure of sexual abuse and related issues affecting Catholics in the pew and the manner in which Bishops continue to exempt themselves from accountability

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A national Catholic lay newspaper covering events not usually covered or presented with a clerical bias in the local diocesan press or but of concern and interest to Catholics.

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A 'lay' Catholic weekly publication with an accent on an intelligent analysis and commentary on curent issues, trends and concerns of interest to Catholics.

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Daily Scripture

+ Ascension Thursday

There is no proof; there are only witnesses.

Readings: Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:14-23 Luke 24:46-53

You are witnesses of all these things. And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high. [Luke 24:50-51]

In an age of technology and scientific progress, we have an explanation for everything or at least the promise of the same. Yet, there are still truly human experiences – both positive and negative—that defy human explanation. Death is one such experience. Doctors know the medical reasons for death but an autopsy doesn’t tell the whole story. Conversely, who can explain the field of energy that binds lovers for life?

During his life on earth Jesus created a field of energy that changed the course of history and it did not cease at his death or even at his resurrection. It continues to this day – locally and globally. Or else how explain the heroism of the saints of yesterday and the saints of today? Women and men, energetic witnesses who have said ‘yes’ to unconditional love under any and all circumstances continue to change the course of history in the face of those who attempt to chain the Word of God. No, most of them are not formal preachers or even religious teachers per se, but people who live the message of the Gospel of Jesus day in and day out.

The gospel today is typical of the departure of a hero. We might even consider it the conclusion of a hero story. Jesus assures his disciples that he is not abandoning them. Not only that but he will send an advocate who will empower them to continue his mission. “You will be clothed with power from on high.” They will be clothed with the mantle of Christ just as the ancient Elijah was clothed in the mantle of Elias before Elias departed in his chariot to the heavens. It’s metaphor and allegory, of course but the underlying truth of Jesus mission will continue to be proclaimed as Good News for all.

But hang in there until Pentecost when the gifts of the Spirit will be renewed and we will be empowered once more to preach the Good News—using words only when necessary.

Editorial - Op Ed

Monday March 19, 2007

It’s a matter of conscience

For several weeks in succession, I repeated the ‘pulpit’ announcement at the conclusion of Mass at Assumption Church in Morristown where I preside every Sunday at the 8:30 AM Liturgy. “Parishioners are invited to participate in the Rally for Darfur on Sunday, March 18th at 2:00 PM on the Morristown Green.”

I’m not one for rallies and rarely participate in public demonstrations especially on a Sunday afternoon. However, a little voice inside me told me to ‘show up’ for the rally that, due to the snowstorm on the previous Friday, was moved to the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer on South Street. In recent years, ‘Redeemer’ has been on the cutting edge of social justice issues that cross religious, social and socio-economic boundaries. It was no surprise that parishioners opened their doors and their sanctuary for the five hundred Jews, Christians, and Moslems who attended. There was not an empty seat in the church and many stood for the two-hour program of brief but powerful speeches, prayer and music.

The enthusiasm in the crowd brought me back to the civil rights movement and the anti-Vietnam War rallies of the sixties across the nation but without the rancor of those days. The mood of the gathering was indeed spirited but not raucous. As the speakers shared the memory of their experience of pillage and rape, as they described the horror of bombs, the torching of entire villages and the execution of survivors, one could hear a pin drop in the attentive congregation.

The phrase that came to mind was, “Justice delayed is justice denied!”

After the holocaust, we Americans said, “Never again!” but it happened again in Cambodia, in Bosnia, in Rwanda and now it is happening in Sudanese Darfur and the world has again looked the other way. Why does it take so long for us to recognize the ‘killing fields?’ Why has it taken so long for ME to see what is happening under our watch?

Three weeks in succession the media was obsessed and we were saturated with nightly interviews about the death and burial of Anna Nicole Smith but hardly a word about the daily genocide in Sudan. The nightly news has changed from what people need to know to what people want to know. Not good!

I don’t think we are complacent. Rather many of us are overwhelmed with the enormity of the problem and paralyzed by our assumed inability to make a difference.

I mentioned earlier that at this stage of my life, I’m not into rallies and demonstrations but I can write a good letter and I have yet to give to the point of hunger.

The theme of the rally on the 18th was “It’s a matter of conscience.” Indeed it is.

What would happen if at least one member of every website visitor in wrote a personal letter to our congressional representatives and to our UN ambassador demanding sanctions and a peacekeeping force in Sudan? And if every parish did the same, I’ll bet it would make a difference. What do you think?

This is really what is means to be Catholic with a large and small ‘C.’ This is what it means to be pro-life at every stage of life.

We can start by visiting: NJ Coalition where there are links to many other organizations helping victims of this humanitarian scandal or click on to: Save Darfur.

First inform yourself. Then write a letter to your representatives. Give to the cause through a trusted charity of your choice. We can’t afford to wait until our children ask us where we were when Darfur was massacred.

Father Lasch