Pope Francis has named Bishop Charles C. Thompson of Evansville, Ind., to head the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Bishop Thompson is pictured in an undated photo. (CNS photo/the Message)
Formed In Faith
Sharing the Word through Faith Formation, Archdiocese of Louisville
THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA
Special Masses will be held through out the Archdiocese of Louisville to observe Out Lady of Fatima’s centenary on July 13, 2017.
St. Augustine Church in Lebanon, Ky., will celebrate Mass at 7 a.m.
Holy Name of Mary Church in Calvary, Ky., will celebrate Mass at 8 a.m.
St. Louis Bertrand Church, 1104 S. Sixth St. will celebrate Mass at 6:30 p.m.
Immaculate Conception Church in LaGrange, Ky., will have Mass at 7 p.m.
The Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, Ky., will have a Mass (time is to be determined).
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As the second millennium gives way to the third, Pope John Paul II has decided to publish the text of the third part of the “secret of Fatima”. The twentieth century was one of the most crucial in human history, with its tragic and cruel events culminating in the assassination attempt on the “sweet Christ on earth”. Now a veil is drawn back on a series of events which make history and interpret it in depth, in a spiritual perspective alien to present-day attitudes, often tainted with rationalism. Throughout history there have been supernatural apparitions and signs which go to the heart of human events and which, to the surprise of believers and non-believers alike, play their part in the unfolding of history. These manifestations can never contradict the content of faith, and must therefore have their focus in the core of Christ’s proclamation: the Father’s love which leads men and women to conversion and bestows the grace required to abandon oneself to him with filial devotion. This too is the message of Fatima which, with its urgent call to conversion and penance, draws us to the heart of the Gospel. |
To continue reading The Message of Fatima from the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith click here.
Living as Missionary Disciples
This year, the Church will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on September 17, 2017. The 2017 theme will be “Living as Missionary Disciples.” Those who the Community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.
Bishop Charles C. Thompson named to head the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Archbishop-designate Thompson, 56, a native of Louisville, was vicar general of the Louisville Archdiocese from 2008 until he was named bishop of Evansville. He also served as pastor of Holy Trinity Church beginning in 2002 and taught canon law at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Southern Indiana.
Second Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima- June 13
In Portugal the 13th of June is a great feast, the feast of St. Anthony of Lisbon, known to most Catholics as St. Anthony of Padua. This Franciscan miracle-worker was born in Lisbon and had entered religious life as a Canon Regular of the Holy Cross, residing first in Lisbon and then Coimbra, before leaving the Portuguese order for the new Order of Friars Minor and a hope of martyrdom. It was, and is, THE children’s feast in Portugal, so the parents of Lucia naturally thought that the festivities at the parish church in Fátima would distract her from the appointment at the Cova. However, undismayed by this tactic Lucia and the Marto children proceeded to the apparition site to keep their noon day rendezvous.
Focus on the Liturgy
Catechist Credit is available.
We’re all impostors in the Church, so let’s leave the doors open
By Simcha Fisher
Simcha Fisher is the author of The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning and blogs daily at simchafisher.com
“We usually keep this one locked,” the friendly usher explained as he opened the little door. He smiled brightly and tried to usher us in.
It was Sunday Mass and we were, of course, outside the church. In our family, we don’t expect kids to make it through the entire service until they are at least four; and this particular kid is only two, and such a two year old. She wants to give glory to God by ripping up the paving stones out of the little Mary garden and throwing them over the railing, shouting, “BYE, ROCKS!”To change things up last week, she circled around the other side of the church, and, before I could reach her in my Sunday heels, she started pounding on a little side door and rattling the handle. Thus the friendly man unlocking that mostly-unused door and trying to let us in.
The reason I’m telling you this is because the Francis Papacy has sparked many a fracas over who does and does not get to come in to the church, and how.
I find it hard to take it seriously when folks argue that we have to be very, very cautious and strict about whom we let in. If that were the case, 100% of us would be out of luck, disqualified, cast out to wail and gnash our teeth. It behooves us – those of us who consider ourselves solid Catholics with uncomplicated marital histories with a firm grasp of basic doctrine – to remember that we don’t have any right to be here. We didn’t earn it, and we certainly don’t deserve it. And yet here we are, every week or maybe even every day, eating God and fumbling our way toward eternal life. Non nobis, domine, non nobis. I know.
SPECIAL NEEDS MOM REFLECTS: ALL ARE WELCOME AT THE FEAST
by Melanie Miller
A week after Christmas, after months of preparation, my two youngest children received their First Holy Communion. I had always assumed that while welcome at mass, this particular avenue of grace would always be closed to them because of their disabilities. Jude was born with severe cerebral palsy due to an injury at birth and his older sister, Josie, has profound autism.
Click here to continue reading the article.
Resources for Catechesis for Persons with Disabilities
The National Catholic Partnership on Disability has extensive resources for catechesis (and inclusion in parish life):
https://www.ncpd.org/ministries-programs/catechesis
The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Curriculum is a time-tested, traditional resource for sacramental preparation:
https://store.rclbenziger.com/product/rose-fitzgerald-kennedy-program-english-version-special-needs
There are several options in the Inclusive Catechesis Resources from University of Dayton’s Institute for Pastoral Initiatives:
https://www.udayton.edu/artssciences/ctr/ipi/inclusive_catechesis_resources/index.php
Loyola Press publishes various adaptive and inclusive catechetical materials:
https://www.loyolapress.com/products/special-needs
For more information about catechesis of adults or children with disabilities contact Maureen Larison, Consultant for Adult Formation and Initiation, at mlarison@archlou.org or 502-636-0296 Ext. 1269.
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