Netflix has released a trailer for its new, original film entitled, “The Two Popes.” The film will, no doubt, stir up some interest in both the Catholic media and the secular press.
Editorials
A Statue for Mother Cabrini
The decision of the “She Built NYC” committee not to include Mother Cabrini among the seven women to be honored by New York City caused outrage among the city’s Italian-American community and Catholics in general.
An ‘American Schism’ and Church Unity
On Sept. 10, while flying back to Rome from his apostolic visit to Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius, Pope Francis was asked about schism in the church, and he replied: “There always is the schismatic option in the church,” and said, “It’s a choice that the Lord leaves to human freedom. I am not afraid of schism … I pray for them not to happen, as the spiritual health of many people is at stake.”
Trouble Looming With The National Debt
You never know how history will judge the time you live in. Will our opinions be relevant a hundred years from now? A thousand years from now? Johann Sebas-tian Bach was a forgotten musician for almost a century. But suddenly in the 1800s, he was “brought back to life,” and to this day is considered among the best composers ever.
Sept. 11 and the Cross
A priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn who was ordained a few brief years before 2001 related this story, reflecting on the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001:
Pope Emeritus Benedict Responds
In April, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI published an essay written in German and translated into English for the National Catholic Register and Catholic News Agency on the sexual abuse crisis.
Verdict Upheld for Cardinal Pell
This past week, Cardinal George Pell, who was the Vatican’s first prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy and who was archbishop of Sydney, had his conviction for sexual offenses upheld by a court of appeals in Melbourne, Australia. The statement by Chief Justice Anne Ferguson read:
Mary, Our Queen
On Aug. 15, we as the Church celebrated the great solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As we know, it was a Holy Day of Obligation, one in which countless parishes around the Diocese of Brooklyn celebrated multiple Holy Masses, and it is our hope that they were well attended.
Pray for Seminarians
In a few weeks, seminarians will be returning from summer vacations, from retreats and from parishes. The seminary formation program usually takes at least seven years, consisting of two years of philosophy studies, four years of theological studies and, in many cases, a year of placement in a parish. The formation doesn’t include the years in which those young men may have attended a college-level seminary program or a high school seminary program.
Enjoy Your Vacation, but Remember to Keep the Faith!
There was a time when seminarians would be sent on their summer break with this reminder — there’s no vacation from a vocation. It was good advice to the distractions of being out of the seminary environment.