Find within these pages a clearinghouse of articles, news, links, events, collaboration tools and other resources shared with fellow priests. New pages every week — look forward to an expanding toolbox of practical resources at your fingertips!
Mediators for God
A priest is unable, on his own, to make himself a mediator for God, says Benedict XVI. In a meeting with parish priests of Rome, the Holy Father observed that "The priest needs divine authorization, institution, and only by belonging to both spheres the divine and the human can he be a mediator, can he be a 'bridge.'" He added, "The priest must be on God's side. Only in Christ is this need, this prerequisite of mediation fully brought about."
Technologically Challenged
A priest who hosts an award-winning Internet show and has a Web site that averages 1.5 million hits a month has a secret: He doesn't know much about computers or high technology. Father Leo Patalinghug, who has a site at www.gracebeforemeals.com, acknowledges: "I simply offer my service and my priestly presence and the tech experts take care of the rest. In my case, the tech people are a group of young, innovative and talented crew who are able to take my message and make it viable." He adds, "Some of the tech staff are not even Catholic."
News Bytes for Your Parish Bulletin
- Hello, Is God There?
- US Bishops Offer Prayers for Chilean Brothers
- Appeal of Crucifix Ban Is Accepted
- Churches Seek Accord in Eastern Europe
Feeding the e-Sheep
Benedict XVI has urged priests to use the Internet to evangelize, and a veteran of the Web has some advice for his fellow clergy. Father Dwight Longenecker observes that "Technology now allows us to 'narrowcast' instead of 'broadcast.'" This shift means that audiences for all forms of Internet media are selecting what and when they want to view, read and listen. "Because of the 'narrowcast' element," writes Father Longenecker, "it sometimes feels like I am not evangelizing at all, but simply 'feeding the sheep.’" But he also sees an advantage in that approach.
Seminars on the Revised Missal
The U.S. bishops' conference will be offering a series of seminars nationwide to introduce changes in the forthcoming revised Roman Missal. The workshops will be offered from April through November to prepare priests and diocesan leaders to implement the changes. The seminars will include content about the missal's history and theological context. The conference noted that these workshops will "highlight the role of the priest celebrant in both proclaiming and singing the next texts." Registration for the seminars is now open.