Haiti: Basic Facts and Resources for Exploration

Here’s another one of my resource guides for the Operation Rice Bowl classes I’m teaching this Lent:
 
Haiti: Basic Facts and Resources for Exploration
Basic Facts (Source: CRS 2008 Rice Bowl Educators Guide)

Population 8.3 million
population below age 15 38%
% population with access to safe drinking water 71%
Infant mortality rate (under age 5, per 1,000 live births) 118
Adult literacy rate [...]

India Resource Guide from Rice Bowl Class

One of the things keeping me busy is a Lenten course based on the countries highlighted by Catholic Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl. Each week our group makes a meal from the highlighted country and I provide some background on the country. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to have a speaker who has visited or lived [...]

Liturgical Music From the Vatican

Ever wonder what sort of music is played when Pope Benedict has his services at the Vatican? Wonder no longer, just take a trip to http://www.va/news_services/liturgy/cap-mus-sistina/documents/index_inni_en.htm.
Yes. It’s an odd posting for Valentine’s day. But I do my V-Day celebrating privately. Hope your V-Day is filled with light, hope, and the kind of love that lasts [...]

We are Administrators, Not Owners - Pope

In Pope Benedict XVI’s 2008 Lenten Message, he reminds us of a truth that should be familiar to all Christians:
According to the teaching of the Gospel, we are not owners but rather administrators of the goods we possess: these, then, are not to be considered as our exclusive possession, but means through which [...]

Today is Ash Wednesday

Turn away from sin and embrace the Gospel. From dust you came and to dust you will return.
Love your enemies and resolve to do better.
Perhaps take time to review Lents past from the Vatican’s point of view. Or let the Claretians give you some ideas on how to celebrate this reflective time of year.

MLK: Love Your Enemies

Today, January 21st, is Martin Luther King, Jr. day in the United States.
Just over a half century ago, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a sermon on Loving Your Enemies at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama, on November 17, 1957.
I just discovered this sermon a few days ago, but I think it is the [...]

I Read the Whole Bible and You Should Too

On December 31, 2007, I finished reading the complete Bible for the very first time using My Daily Catholic Bible. I think it is very important for every self-identified Christian to become familiar with the entire Bible and not just their favorite bits or the portions they hear in church.
Reading the whole Bible offers several [...]

New Year’s Resolution: Renounce Omnipotence

Every once in a while during the second Star Wars trilogy, Anakin Skywalker says stuff to the effect of “I should be all powerful!” He wanted power over death itself and basically seemed like the world should bend to his will. I had a lot of enjoyment making fun of those quotes. It’s easy to [...]

Merry Christmas/Happy Growing Days

To all my Christian friends and colleagues out in the blogosphere, a very Merry Christmas to you all! Let us celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace and make his teachings more than empty words in our lives. Let us strive to make Paul’s words in Galatians 5:22-23 a reality for us and an [...]

Be Provoked, True Meaning of Turn the Other Cheek

I’ve added Provoke Radio, a Catholic podcast out of Baltimore, to my podcast listening. Whether or not you subscribe yourself, I suggest you listen to episode 60, available from the show archives. Show 60 is titled Pax Christi - Preaching Non-Violence and is notable for three things — a clear description of why “turn the [...]