I was delighted this morning, to hear the words of our parish priest during his homily. He was saying that as Catholics, we use all our senses in our search for God. That is how we were "fearfully and wonderfully made" by our Creator. We are called to "guard our senses", especially in this media-saturated age. We are to avoid watching and listening to things that will weaken our faith and instead, fill our senses with images and music that lift our hearts and minds to the Lord. I was delighted this morning, to hear the words of our parish priest during his homily. He was saying that as Catholics, we use all our senses in our search for God. That is how we were "fearfully and wonderfully made" by our Creator. We are called to "guard our senses", especially in this media-saturated age. We are to avoid watching and listening to things that will weaken our faith and instead, fill our senses with images and music that lift our hearts and minds to the Lord. 
I listened on the radio to the ceremony from the White House welcoming Pope Benedict this morning. Even without any visuals, it was very moving. Having been present at Pope John Paul II's Mass in Washington in 1979, I was a bit surprised at how pastoral Benedict was in his remarks.From the dawn of the Republic, America's quest for freedom has been guided by the conviction that the principles governing political and social life are intimately linked to a moral order based on the dominion of God the Creator. The framers of this nation's founding documents drew upon this conviction when they proclaimed the "self-evident truth" that all men are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights grounded in the laws of nature and of nature's God. The course of American history demonstrates the difficulties, the struggles, and the great intellectual and moral resolve which were demanded to shape a society which faithfully embodied these noble principles. In that process, which forged the soul of the nation, religious beliefs were a constant inspiration and driving force, as for example in the struggle against slavery and in the civil rights movement. In our time too, particularly in moments of crisis, Americans continue to find their strength in a commitment to this patrimony of shared ideals and aspirations.
Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility. Americans know this from experience – almost every town in this country has its monuments honoring those who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, both at home and abroad. The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, sacrifice for the common good and a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate. It also demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one's deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate.
Mr. President, dear friends: as I begin my visit to the United States, I express once more my gratitude for your invitation, my joy to be in your midst, and my fervent prayers that Almighty God will confirm this nation and its people in the ways of justice, prosperity and peace.
God bless America!
I listened on the radio to the ceremony from the White House welcoming Pope Benedict this morning. Even without any visuals, it was very moving. Having been present at Pope John Paul II's Mass in Washington in 1979, I was a bit surprised at how pastoral Benedict was in his remarks.From the dawn of the Republic, America's quest for freedom has been guided by the conviction that the principles governing political and social life are intimately linked to a moral order based on the dominion of God the Creator. The framers of this nation's founding documents drew upon this conviction when they proclaimed the "self-evident truth" that all men are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights grounded in the laws of nature and of nature's God. The course of American history demonstrates the difficulties, the struggles, and the great intellectual and moral resolve which were demanded to shape a society which faithfully embodied these noble principles. In that process, which forged the soul of the nation, religious beliefs were a constant inspiration and driving force, as for example in the struggle against slavery and in the civil rights movement. In our time too, particularly in moments of crisis, Americans continue to find their strength in a commitment to this patrimony of shared ideals and aspirations.
Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility. Americans know this from experience – almost every town in this country has its monuments honoring those who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, both at home and abroad. The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, sacrifice for the common good and a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate. It also demands the courage to engage in civic life and to bring one's deepest beliefs and values to reasoned public debate.
Mr. President, dear friends: as I begin my visit to the United States, I express once more my gratitude for your invitation, my joy to be in your midst, and my fervent prayers that Almighty God will confirm this nation and its people in the ways of justice, prosperity and peace.
God bless America!
"I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.""I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me."
Today is the feast of St. Gemma Galgani, my patron saint. Born in 1878, she has been described as "both modern and Medieval". Today is the feast of St. Gemma Galgani, my patron saint. Born in 1878, she has been described as "both modern and Medieval". 
It's amazing what you'll find when you actually LOOK. I was digging around in my basement today and found some things I've been looking for in my head, but not actually looking for, if you kwim.It's amazing what you'll find when you actually LOOK. I was digging around in my basement today and found some things I've been looking for in my head, but not actually looking for, if you kwim.
Today is the third anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. He was the FDR of the Catholic world--many knew no other pope in their lifetime. 
Yet, he was an avid outdoorsman and athlete. As a priest in Poland, he used to go hiking and mountain climbing with groups of other young people, and say Mass outdoors. (Remember, this was Mass in Latin.) When he was elected to the Papacy in 1978, he was only 58 and still very much a sportsman.
And, he embraced his suffering publicly, refusing to step down, showing the world how to truly die "with dignity." On God's own time.Today is the third anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. He was the FDR of the Catholic world--many knew no other pope in their lifetime. Yet, he was an avid outdoorsman and athlete. As a priest in Poland, he used to go hiking and mountain climbing with groups of other young people, and say Mass outdoors. (Remember, this was Mass in Latin.) When he was elected to the Papacy in 1978, he was only 58 and still very much a sportsman.And, he embraced his suffering publicly, refusing to step down, showing the world how to truly die "with dignity." On God's own time.
