The Good Catholic Life

Summary of today’s show: Fr. Stephen Linehan served for 37 years as a chaplain in the US Navy, 23 years on active duty. When he retired in 2010, he had the opportunity for a sabbatical, and decided to walk the thousand-year-old pilgrimage route called the “Camino” from southern France to Santiago de Compestela in northwestern Spain. The journey left Fr. Linehan with some lessons he shares with Scot Landry and Fr. Mark O’Connell, including that we are a pilgrim people and the less we carry, both literally and figuratively, the further we’ll go, both on the Way and in life. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: BostonCatholicLive.com Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Mark O’Connell Today’s guest(s): Fr. Stephen Linehan Links from today’s show: St. Margaret Mary Parish, Westwood The Way of St. James or “El Camino” Fr. Linehan’s US Navy retirement ceremony Today’s topics: Fr. Stephen Linehan and the Camino de Santiago 1st segment: Scot Landry and Fr. Mark O’Connell talked about the Cardinal’s cabinet meeting today. They reflected on the assisted suicide referendum as well as the latest from the Catholic schools office. Scot said tomorrow is a holy day of obligation and he noted that parishes have Masses tonight and tomorrow. They discussed that people should go to Mass tomorrow and Sunday as well. 2nd segment: Scot and Fr. Mark welcomed Fr. Stephen Linehan. Scot noted that Fr. Linehan has a great voice for radio. Fr. Stephen started by saying hi to his mom. He said he was baptized at St. Paul’s in Cambridge and had first communion at St. Peter’s and they moved later to Sacred Heart in Watertown. He has two brothers and two sisters with nine nieces and nephews. His mom worked as a cook and his dad was a police officer. Fr. Stephen said he remembered thinking about the priesthood when he was in fifth grade, but the idea went away until he was preparing for college. He said he always had a gift of talking to people. He studied at St. John Seminary and ordained in 1975. He then entered the US Navy chaplaincy. During the seminary he spent one summer checking out Navy chaplaincy. That was in 1973. Ultimately, he became a Reserve officer in 1977 and in 1987 went on active duty. He’s served all over the world, starting out in Guam. He was supposed to be sent to Twenty Nine Palms in California to serve with the Marines, but got changed at the last minute. From Guam he served all over the world and retired from Spain in 2010. His favorite assignment was in Long Beach, California, which is the seaport of Los Angeles. He said Los Angeles has everything and he met some great people there. Fr. Stephen was a chaplain on the USS Forrestal, the first of the big aircraft carriers. That was on his second tour of active duty. The ship had 3,000 people and the air wing had another 2,000 people. Deployments were generally about 6 months, but they also visited ports and so they would be at sea for three to four weeks at a time. He would typically be the only Catholic chaplain. The ship would have three chaplains and the air wing might have another one. Part of their duty was to be flown from the carrier to the smaller ships in the task force to celebrate the sacraments. Sometimes they would be lowered from the helicopter on a rig. He was in the Navy for a total of 37 years with 23 years on active duty. Fr. Stephen’s first assignment was St. Mary’s in Franklin and then to St. Margaret Mary in Westwood and then to St. Francis of Assisi in Medford before going to the Navy. And then his first assignment back in the Archdiocese was at St. Margaret Mary. He said there were a number of people who remembered him in the parish.He said the major difference between the parish then and now would be the size and growth of the town, but he said the main distinguishing feature is the overall stability. He said a major part of the town’s focus is on young people. He did note that the town has aged as well, with many more older retired people living in communities within the town. Scot noted that Fr. Stephen’s predecessor was named a bishop. Bishop Christopher Coyne is now an auxiliary in Indianapolis. Fr. Stephen said Bishop-elect Deeley has also been coming to the parish which worries him that there must be something in the water. Scot asked about the difference in ministry between Navy chaplain and pastor in Westwood. Fr. Stephen said part of the ministry of priesthood is healing and reconciliation and visiting the homebound and sick and elderly has been new for him. In the Navy the community is generally younger. Today, he works with many people who are estranged and wanting reconciliation. Fr. Mark noted Fr. Stephen was in the Navy during the abuse crisis. Fr. Stephen said the effects will stay with us, but healing and reconciliation are desperately needed. Scot asked how Fr. Stephen would commemorate the events of December 7, 1941 in the Navy. He said he served in Hawaii for three years and he said there are always ceremonies, including wreath-laying events at the USS Arizona Memorial. He was working with the Marines at the time and at the Kaneohe air base, they would also have a ceremony, noting that the Japanese planes flew over that base first. 3rd segment: Scot said in an earlier show when they discussed the Martin Sheen movie The Way, he and Fr. Mark talked about people who had gone on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compestela. Scot said it is the longest active pilgrimage in the Church, because for many years people couldn’t go to the Holy Land. Santiago means St. James and the pilgrims go to the tomb of St. James in northwest Spain. Fr. Stephen said the pilgrimage began in the 800s. He said the great pilgrimage sites include Jerusalem, Rome, and Tours for St. Martin of Tours. Fr. Stephen had heard of the Camino while he was serving in Rota, Spain, and when he retired he decided to try it out. He heard from people who’d gone how moving it was. He noted that Rota was the most popular duty station in the Navy. He said they took people to Fatima and to Lourdes, but he began to look into this pilgrimage. It was while he was sitting in a cafe in Seville that he decided to do it. He said there’s a minimum pilgrimage distance of 100 kilometers or 62 miles, but the traditional pilgrimage starts in a small town in France on the other side of the Pyrenees. Fr. Stephen hiked over the mountains over two days. He said there are many starting points all over Europe, and the tradition is you start at your front door and walk. The route he chose was 800 km or 500 miles. For some younger walkers, it talks 30 days. For Fr. Stephen they took 46 days, but walked only 36 days and rested the other ten. They did have to stop for medical care for their injuries and the hospitals gave them free care because it’s traditional not to charge pilgrims. Fr. Stephen said it’s not bad to walk. Ninety percent of pilgrims don’t train, but he likes to train and didn’t find it taxing. He said people often carry too much stuff in their backpacks. The average person can do it with a pair of shoes broken in and a light pack. He said you can go with friends or do it in a group, but you do it alone. He said it’s a great opportunity for prayer. At times, you don’t want to walk with others at time and just want to be alone. Fr. Stephen said it was wonderful. He had only purchased a one-way plane ticket and they didn’t set themselves a schedule without trying to rush it. The Camino is a paradigm of life, you have to take your time. Don’t rush it. The first day, climbing out of St. Jean Pied is tough. At one point you feel yourself walking fast, but he had to remind himself to walk at a relaxed manner. It takes a week or so to slow down and take it easy. He said people walk at their own pace, but you often reconnected with other pilgrims in the towns and at hostels and in cafes. There’s also a sense of anonymity because you may never see these people again. There is a fellowship and camaraderie. In some hostels, they have kitchens and people buy food and cook it together. He said there also pilgrim meals, say 10 euros for three courses. He noted that you burn a lot of calories every day. Fr. Stephen said he’s a history buff and loved the idea of traveling the same roads that Charlesmagne would have traveled and other famous people. The theology of the communion of the saints is very real in the pilgrimage. He said the Camino has the whole range of people. He admitted that there were times when he just wanted to throw in the towel, just like in life, but you keep on going. Keep pointing one foot in front of the next at a slow pace. Fr. Stephen said many of the cities along the way are big cities with lots of tourists, but he didn’t find it distracting. Part of the journey was to learn how to tell better stories, to become a better preacher, and to learn about himself. He talked about the spiritual symbolism of the pilgrimage. Reaching Santiago was emotional. The cathedral was jam-packed with pilgrims, many of them who have traveled by bus. The saw the famous thurifer, which is immense. It’s about four or five feet, and they swing it from one side of the cathedral to the other. Fr. Stephen talked about a pillar in the church that has been worn down by pilgrims touching it at the end of their journey. He said he feels like the pilgrimage transformed him. He said the transition from active duty Navy to parochial ministry is a transition that takes a while, so he does it while walking slow in a relaxed manner, trusting the God has a plan. It was a chance to move along, but also to meditate and to pray. Fr. Stephen said most people go during the summer, but it’s very hot. He chose to go during the fall and it was gorgeous. He’d love to go in the spring. It would look and smell different although it might be rainier. The winter is more dangerous. He left in early September. If someone wants to do it, buy open-ended air tickets and outfit themselves with the proper gear and clothes and boots. You could stay in inexpensive hostels or expensive hotels. They could spend $500 each way for airfare and spend about $30 to $40 per day. You don’t have to di it all at once. He saw guys who were doing it two weeks at a time each year for 10 years. The highest point on the Camino is called the Cruz di Ferro, the Iron Cross. It’s a huge pile of stones that was built by people carrying a rock with them to lay down there. He suggested people read up about it and all the customs and traditions. He said it would be great for all priests and seminarians to do the pilgrimage. If you carry less, you’ll go further. Think about all the stuff you drag around in life. Keep it simple. Because we are a pilgrim people. Now as we do every week at this time, we will consider the Mass readings for this Sunday, specifically the Gospel reading. Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent (Luke 3:1-6) In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Scot said St. John the Baptist is one of the key figures of Lent and Advent and is a symbol of preparation. We’re called to prepare the way for Jesus, especially the way to our hearts. Fr. Mark said in Advent we come to God and God comes to us in a new way. That’s what John is screaming about. Fr. Stephen said the imagery of make straight his paths in the first reading is all imagery from the camino. How do we straighten out the crooked paths? The camino is a meditation on all that. How do we straighten them? With God at our side.

Summary of today’s show: Our usual Thursday panel of Scot Landry, Susan Abbott, and Fr. Roger Landry consider the news headlines of the week, including Pope Benedict joining Twitter as @Pontifex; the Holy Father’s new instructions for Catholic charities to remain authentically Catholic; a new smartphone app dedicated to the Pope’s words and appearances; CatholicTV moving to basic cable; a parish producing radio ads for the Year of Faith; and a new book that highlights how six saints helped one woman in the most difficult moments of her life. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: BostonCatholicLive.com Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Susan Abbott Today’s guest(s): Gregory Tracy, managing editor of the Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Roger Landry, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Fall River Links from today’s show: The Anchor The Pilot Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot’s and The Anchor’s websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. Today’s topics: Catholic identity for Catholic charities; Pope on Twitter; Parish radio ads for Year of Faith; New book: My Sisters the Saints 1st segment: Scot welcomed everyone to the show and asked Susan Abbott how things were going for her. She said she was on retreat earlier this week at the 2nd annual Collaborators in the New Evangelization retreat. It brings together people from Boston, Providence, Washington, New Jersey, Maine. She said Monday’s topic was communications and speakers included our own Domenico Bettinelli and Bonnie Rodgers of CatholicTV. On Wednesday, she had an enrichment day with catechetical leaders of the Archdiocese. Bishop Arthur Kennedy spoke to the group and hit it out of the park. Michael Lavigne also spoke to the group about resources available for the Year of Faith. Scot said one of the big stories that broke this past Saturday was a motu proprio from Pope Benedict on the Catholic identity of Catholic social service agencies. He said this document came out of the blue. “Pope makes new rules to strengthen charities’ Catholic identity”, CNS/The Pilot, 12/3/12 “Catholic charity groups welcome Pope’s call for fidelity”, CNA/EWTN News, 12/5/12 “Pope calls on bishops to run charities better”, CNA/EWTN News, 12/2/12 Apostolic Letter issued “Motu Proprio” Intima Ecclesiae natura on the Service of Charity Gregory Tracy said the Holy Father’s letter set up new rules for Catholic charitable organizations and how they must conform to the faith. It’s part of a larger effort to re-instill Catholic identity to Catholic institutions. As Catholic institutions have grown they have sometimes lost their unique identity, making them indistinguishable from secular organizations. Scot said he didn’t find anything surprising in the document except that the Holy Father felt he needed to say it. Fr. Roger explained what a motu proprio is. He said they can be confusing because the words literally means “by the Pope’s own action.” It can be something like this that gives new legislation. It’s more than an executive order, but more like new legislation from one ruler. The Pope noted that in canon law that there’s a lot in canon law for the bishop’s role as governor of Catholic institutions, but not for governing charitable organizations that call themselves Catholic. This document lays out the bishop’s role in ensuring the Catholicity of those groups. He wrote that the Church’s charity is not just social work; we’re supposed to be doing explicit work of Christian love. We hope the recipients will see that love and investigate the source of love further. The Pope also noted that parishes also are supposed to be involved in charitable work. He said St. Vincent de Paul Societies isn’t the same thing. The Holy Father is calling for something with a greater dependence on the actual leadership of the parish. Many St. Vincent de Paul conferences defer to the pastor, but technically they don’t have to. He said the largest point is that Pope Benedict wants to ensure that any Catholic institution is serving others, that they’re doing so in Christ’s name, and the bishop is making sure everyone involved in the work is respecting Catholic teaching. Fr. Roger said there’s two ways the Pope could have done this, the motu proprio or apostolic constitution, which sets down new law. The latter is much more formal and would involve a lot more consultation. An example was Ordinatio Sacerdotalis from 1994 when Pope John Paul wanted to remove doubt about the Church ordaining only men to the priesthood. Susan said she sees it as good news/bad news. It’s sad that things that seem so perfectly obvious and sensible need to be put down in writing. She also noted the number of times the Pope referred to the faithful. These works of charity weren’t referred to as the “Church’s” responsibility in the abstract, but as the responsibility of the faithful. Scot asked Greg how strongly the Church should be defining the line for Catholic practice. Greg said Americans seem to be obsessed with the ability to self-define themselves and to define what it means to be Catholic. He thinks it’s important for the Church to give clear instructions. Greg said there are some people who seem to want the Church to be like the Salvation Army, whose Christian identity can be obscured for those who see their work. He said many people want to do good to be nice, but Catholics do this work to be Christ to others, to project Christ into the world. Fr. Roger said the story wasn’t picked up by the mainstream media because the way it was written the significance would be lost on many and because the news of the document wasn’t leaked ahead of time. Fr. Roger said the definition of the organizations addressed here go beyond Catholic Charities, but includes hospitals and schools and others. 2nd segment: Scot said earlier this week, the Holy Father announced that he was launching eight new Twitter handles, the English one being @Pontifex. This was announced on December 3. Already this week, without the benefit of one Tweet, he has 525,000 followers. He will begin tweeting on December 12. His Spanish account has another 100,000. By next Wednesday, he will have more than 1 million followers. Greg said it’s a great testimony of the hunger in the world to hear what the Pope has to say. He added that this is not going to be an interactive account in general, although it’s been promised the Holy Father will answer a few questions. Pope Benedict’s Twitter page “With @Pontifex, pope reaches out to new kind of followers”, CNS/The Pilot, 12/3/12 “Papal events, Vatican webcam feeds streamed live with new ‘Pope App’”, CNS/The Pilot, 12/4/12 Scot said it seems the Pope is trying to embrace this mechanism to evangelize and share our faith. By his presence he’s authenticating the Twitterverse as a place for Catholic to share and embrace their faith among others. Fr. Roger said the Pope has emphasized in his recent World Day of Communications message that the Internet is a the new Aeropagus, where we share our faith. The vast majority of people who have signed up in great numbers to follow may never have listened to the Holy Father closely in the past. When the Pope launches next Wednesday, he will respond to a few questions that have been submitted via the hashtag #AskPontifex and this will be a regular opportunity. Scot wondered if @pontifex will be on t-shirts at the next World Youth Day. Susan said it will be a teachable moment as people learn that the word means “bridge-builder”. Scot said he’s not a big fan of the use of Latin when the Church could use English because he wants the Church to seem more accessible. On the other hand, in this case, it could cause people to go and find out what it means. Greg said one of the considerations in choosing the handle was that a lot of the handles were taken. He said that by choosing Latin, the Pope didn’t show favor to any particular language group because Latin is the common denominator of our faith. Fr. Roger said Pontifex is the technical title of the Holy Father. He is the Bridgebuilder between God and Man. To call the Pope Pontifex Maximus means we walk all over him to get to Jesus. Greg pointed out that the Holy Father said he would personally review everything that goes out and this is why the tweets will not be as frequent. Scot said Cardinal Sean is @CardinalSean, Scot Landry is @scotlandry, the Good Catholic Life is @GoodCathLife, and the Pilot is @BostonPilot. Scot said the Vatican is also releasing a new smartphone app that will include the Pope’s speeches and a webcam of his public appearances. It will be available on iPhones and iPads on December 10 and later on Android. It’s called The Pope App. Greg said he was particularly interested in this story, especially because of the live video feeds. He thinks virtually every public address of the Pope is recorded by someone, but not all of them can be viewed by everyone. But there are certain moments when you want to patch in. This app will even give you a reminder when a preferred event is starting. Everything will be archived as well. Scot said he’s become a big fan of web streams, including those from CatholicTV. Susan said she was able to watch the press conference of Bishop-elect Deeley on her iPhone that day. Susan noted that the company behind the app is also publishing an ebook for the Year of Faith, pulling information from dioceses around the world. Fr. Roger said it seems the Vatican is partnering with private companies. He noted that the Vatican’s aphorism is “We’ll use yesterday’s technology tomorrow.” He said people are often champing at the bit to use their technical gifts at the service of the Church. For a lot of these companies you can’t get a better promo than getting the Pope to tweet. Twitter has received an incredible amount of free publicity from the Pope. At every level, this is a win-win for the Church in the world. Scot also noted the good news that Comcast has moved CatholicTV to their basic package from the premium package it was on previously. They hope the other TV providers would also make CatholicTV part of their basic packages so more people can see their programming. The folks at CatholicTV have been pushing this several years. Greg said in his own home they finally have CatholicTV available on their TVs that have analog-to-digital converters. He noted that the digital TV conversion had pushed the channel to a place that many people couldn’t get it. CatholicTV Greg said that by adding it to the basic service, Comcast has made CatholicTV available to every customer in New England. Scot said it shows the importance of going to CatholicTVeverywhere.com to sign a petition for other cable providers to follow suit. Scot said that a parish in the Diocese of Fall River has decided to air 12 30-second radio commercials on stations on Cape Cod for the Year of Faith. It’s a version of the Catholics Come Home campaign but it was done just by the parish. It’s the brainchild of the pastor, Fr. George Harrison. Corpus Christi Parish, Sandwich, MA Fr. Roger said Corpus Christi has a track record of using advertising to promote coming back to the practice of the faith in their parish. Fr. Harrison wanted to expand beyond the narrow message of Christmas to the whole year of faith. He also likes the method of getting 12 parishioners of all kinds in a studio and asking them questions without scripts about why they love their faith. The Cape lends itself to this type of radio evangelization. He hopes that other Catholic parishes will follow suit. To listen to the ads, go to the website above and click on the Year of Faith logo. Also in the Anchor, Fr. Roger’s column gives a testimonial/book review of a new book by Colleen Carroll Campbell. Fr. Roger said he’d read the book the same afternoon he’d read Pope Benedict’s book. Ten minutes in he came to the conclusion that Campbell’s book, “My Sisters, the Saints” was the better of the two books. She profiles four different crises in her life and how six different saints helped her through those difficulties. My Sisters the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives

Summary of today’s show: For the past four years, Lift Ministries has taken a week in Advent for the God of This City Tour, traveling to five different churches in five towns to bring contemporary and original praise music, powerful speakers, and Eucharistic adoration to the five regions of the Archdiocese, each year ending in our mother church, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Next week, they do it again with their 2012 edition. Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams are joined in studio by Jon Niven, Heather Flynn, and Brett St. Gelais to discuss the history of the event, its powerful effect on those of all ages who attend, and what people can expect to experience if they come to one or more nights next week. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: BostonCatholicLive.com Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams Today’s guest(s): Jon Niven, Heather Flynn, Brett St. Gelais Links from today’s show: Lift Ministries God of This City Photos from God of This City in 2010 and 2011 The Glory Road album on iTunes Today’s topics: God of This City Tour 2012 1st segment: Scot Landry welcomed everyone to the show. He noted that one year ago today was a priests’ convocation that kicked off the big pastoral planning initiative. Scot said the Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults is now publicizing registration for the Pilgrimage for Life in January. Fr. Matt said this year Cardinal Seán will be celebrating the Mass in Washington, DC, ahead of the March for Life. He added that the cardinal has never missed a March for Life and has always made it a priority to invite young people to go with him. There will be three distinct tracks for the pilgrimage for Middle School, High School, and Young Adults. Scot said this is something every Catholic should do once in their lifetime and this year will be the fortieth anniversary. The pilgrimage is January 24-26. For more information go to www.One4Boston.org. Fr. Matt talked about empowerment in the Holy Spirit. He said he has often preached to youth about the importance of praying to the Holy Spirit. This past weekend, they had a special night on empowerment in the Holy Spirit at Immaculate Conception Parish in Salem. They concelebrated Mass and then prayed with the young people, laying hands on them, asking God’s power to come upon them. He’s still hearing stories from the kids about how they experienced the power of God’s Spirit. He said he just found out there was a young woman who was there who has suffered from scoliosis for years and has worn a back brace 24/7 the whole time. She had a doctor’s appointment today, they took the brace off, and it appears she has been healed. 2nd segment: Scot welcomed Jon Niven and Heather Flynn back to the show. He said this year if the fourth God of this City tour. It’s five nights in five parts of the Archdiocese. Jon said they started Lift six years ago and for the majority of the time have been located at Fontbonne Academy in Milton, so they wanted to make it more accessible. They also wanted to connect the five regions of the archdiocese. He said it’s almost a revival of sorts. The culmination of these five nights is at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the whole archdiocese praying together. On Monday, December 10, at St. George, Framingham, with Fr. Matt as speaker; Tuesday, St. Ann, Marshfield, with Jason Deramo; Wednesday, St. Joseph, Wakefield with Fr. Rick Martignetti; Thursday, Immaculate Conception, Stoughton with Fr. Paul Houlis; and Friday, Cathedral of the Holy Cross with Mother Olga Yaqob. Friday night ends an hour later than the others at 10pm. Heather said the night begins at 7 with about 1/2 hour of music, a speaker for 25 minutes or so, 45 minutes of Eucharistic adoration and then closing with more music and then announcements. The adoration is punctuated by silence, music, and prayer reflection by Fr. Matt. Jon is the music leader. Scot asked Jon what people should expect from the music. He said part of the goal is for people to have an encounter with Christ, that they would be a vehicle, that they would connect with someone in the church on a deeper level. Heather said this event was originally targeted at young adults, although they never said it explicitly, and it has become something that everyone of all ages comes to. She said the music and staging are geared toward a younger audience, they get everyone coming. Scot asked Fr. Matt if there’s a connection to Advent in the timing. Fr. Matt recounted the thinking of the original idea in getting the Lift events out to a greater audience. He said they wanted to tie it to a liturgical season. Lent is difficult because there’s already so much going on in parishes and they’re so busy. So they looked at Advent as an opportunity to bring some more of the focus that is made on Lent to Advent. Fr. Matt said the locations are chosen through an application process. They ask parishes to apply because they want to know that the parish really wants it and will really work for it and advocate for it so it’s as good as it can be. Heather said they have a questionnaire they ask parishes to submit and they ensure that all the regions are represented. Heather said there’s definitely a handful of people who come to all five nights. There are more who go on another night and then go to the cathedral on Friday. Scot asked how much variety there is each night. Jon said each night’s music is different. The band has added 8 to 10 new songs they’ve never done before, which is a lot. They also have their staples. If you come on Monday and on Friday, you won’t hear all the same music. Each night has a different speaker too with a different theme. On Monday, Fr. Matt will speaking about God revealing himself. Tuesday is God calling us for life. Wednesday is God stretching us. Thursday is God accomplishing great things. Friday is us responding to His call (cf. Isaiah 61). Jason Deramo is speaking on Tuesday. He was a youth minister in St. Mary in Dedham at the same time Fr. Matt was a parochial vicar there. Jason now teaches at Cardinal Spellman in Brockton. Fr. Rick Martignetti is a Franciscan who lives at St. Leonard’s in the North End. He is a frequent speaker at Steubenville conferences. Fr. Paul Houlis is from Newark and was ordained in 2011. Heather said they met him at a SoulFest concert in New Hampshire. Scot noted that Fr. Paul’s biography says: When Fr. Paul graduated from high school, he immediately started acting and doing stand-up comedy in New York City. He thought fame was coming his way and that’s all he wanted. However, after the attacks on our nation on September 11th, 2001, Fr. Paul’s life, like thousands others, was changed forever. Scot said it’s unusual to hear of a priest who was a stand-up comic. On Friday, Mother Olga is speaking and she’s spoken every year in the Tour. Fr. Matt said Cardinal Seán will also be joining them for a short time on Friday evening to welcome the people and offer some words of encouragement and give a blessing. 3rd segment: This week’s benefactor card raffle winner is Tomas Lichauco from Belmont, MA He wins the prayer book “Oratio: Rhythms of Prayer from the Heart of Christendom,” available at www.mysteriumonline.com If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit WQOM.org. For a one-time $30 donation, you’ll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for WQOM’s weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We’ll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program. 4th segment: Heather told a story about a night they had in Franklin two years ago about a man who came to the night, who was struggling with family issues. He came to the night and decided to return to his family and try to make it work out. Jon said over the course of four years in 20 parishes, they’ve set off fire alarms half a dozen times. Most of the time it was due to incense. They end up having to rush out of the church during adoration. He said it’s amazing how when people come back, their demeanor often changes. They come back more determined to adore even more. Fr. Matt said it tends to happen in newer churches which have sensitive smoke detectors while the older churches have heat detectors. Heather said one time Jon brought his guitar with him and played outside until they could return. Fr. Matt said what makes him blessed and humble each year is the dedication of the team and their servant hearts. They’re all volunteers with their own full-time jobs and they make great sacrifices all week. By Thursday they’re exhausted and they persevere. Second, the priests who come out in the midst of busy schedules to hear confessions. Confession is very important during these nights because the attendees are often moved to the point of wanting confession. He’s also heard some very powerful confessions during the tour as people are drawn by God’s mercy and called. Scot said he’s often struck at Catholic events, that they’re so fruitful to the point of encouraging people to go back to confession after a long time away. Fr. Matt said they invite people throughout the night to come. At the cathedral last year, they could have used twice the number of confessors because the lines were so long. Brett St. Gelais just joined the show. He said one of his favorite moments was in Franklin when he was a speaker. Other years, he produces the technical aspects of the tour. He loves the moment of people not sure what to expect from lights and speakers and electric guitars in a church and then to experience the power of adoration. He said those who have been going to Lift, they know what the expect. But first-timers see who the Holy Spirit guides them. The team allows the Spirit to guide them and they often don’t know exactly how everything will go. And all these elements provide an experience that people have never seen. Scot said he always hears people at events say they weren’t planning to come, but the Spirit led them there. But Scot always ask why they were thinking of not coming. Jon said it’s the same for the tour. A lot of times people have misconceptions about what it will be like. Sometimes people associate a guitar with something that can’t be worshipful. Jon said their goal isn’t to put on a show, but to reflect the light of Christ. Heather said to people who are worried about coming solo that it’s not a clique and they are always very welcoming. Every month at Lift they have new people coming. For many people it’s become a monthly meeting place where they don’t see each other at other times. Brett said if people aren’t sure they’re going to be comfortable, that’s good. We should step out of our comfort zones to experience God in new ways. Scot said part of allowing God to stretch us is to say God I trust iun you. Fr. Matt said this past Sunday marked the one year anniversary of the new translation of the Roman Missal. Ever since he’s been struck by the new line that God has chosen us worthy to stand in his presence and minister to Him. It’s a work of service and a gift of self to the Lord. As we minister to Him, He in turn showers down the gift upon us, He sanctifies His people. Lift is not the Mass, but it is para-litugical. It is based in the biblical imagery of the Psalms. Heather said that Jon and the Lift Ministry band put out an album called Glory Road, which is available on iTunes.

Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr Chris O'Connor Today’s guest(s): Msgr. James Moroney Links from today’s show: St John Seminary website Msgr. Moroney's blog Today’s topics: Advent and preparing for Jesus' coming at Christmas 1st segment: Scot welcomed the listeners to the show, recorded at St John Seminary instead of our usual location in the Pastoral Center in Braintree. Today's show will focus on the season of Advent, Scot said, which sometimes gets overlooked due to secular pressure and traditions. Msgr. Moroney agreed that Advent at the Seminary is a special thing, where men wait for the coming of Christ not only at Christmas but into their lives as well. Scot asked Msgr. Moroney what news there has been at the Seminary since he was last on over the summer. Msgr. Moroney commented that the Seminary opened this year completely full with no open rooms, a very positive sign for the future of the Archdiocese. He also said the Seminary has purchased Our Lady of Presentation church in Brighton just down the street from the Seminary to be used as an educational facility and lecture hall. Fr Chris also commented on the success of the visit of fifth graders from all over the Archdiocese in the month of October, and how touching it was for both the youth groups and the seminarians to visit, and how events like that truly enhance vocations in the Archdiocese. 2nd segment: Scot asked Msgr Moroney, who has been a liturgist for many years, how the season of Advent is intended to prepare us for the coming of Jesus. Msgr Moroney said there is a phrase that we use every day in Mass - "waiting in joyful hope." This waiting is something we do every day, but should be doing more intensely during the Advent season. We think of the preparation for Christmas as a preparation for Christ's birth in the manger, gatherings with family and friends, and cookies - but since the early Church, Catholics have held three comings of Jesus. The first was Jesus born in the manger in Bethlehem. The second is the one we look forward to when He comes at the end of time to judge the living and dead. The third coming is the coming of Christ into our hearts. When Christ is born into our hearts, Msgr Moroney concluded, we can understand the significance of the Incarnation and the purpose of Jesus' coming again. Throughout the Advent liturgies, we shouldn't focus on a cute baby in the manager, as much as that is an important entry into the mystery - we should not forget our longing for the Messiah to come and lead us home. Advent is building a manger in our hearts preparing for Jesus. Scot mentioned Isaiah as a prominent figure in the Old Testament who we hear from constantly during Advent. Msgr Moroney agreed, noting that Isaiah is read every Sunday of Advent during every Cycle of readings. Isaiah was waiting to be saved from the Diaspora, when the Babylonians exiled everyone from Jerusalem, to be led back home to Jerusalem. When we talk about waiting for Christ to come in glory, Monsignor said, we can relate to the longing of Israel to return to Jerusalem. Fr Chris mentioned that other figures who feature prominently are John the Baptist, Mary, and St Joseph, and asked Monsignor how those figures tie into the Advent season. He replied that an ancient painting in catacombs shows how tied to Mary the early Christians were - the prophet Balaam is shown pointing towards Mary, holding the infant Jesus in her arms. Monsignor also added that in most early depictions of the nativity, St Joseph is always falling asleep. This points to Joseph's penchant for hearing God's will through dreams. John the Baptist, Monsignor continued, figures heavily into Advent as the herald of the coming of the Christ - the one who prepares the way. We should join John the Baptist in preparing the way for Jesus in our hearts and all aspects of our lives. Scot noted there is a definite rhythm to liturgy, how Masses build one on the other during seasons. Scot asked how readings have a crescendo towards Christmas. Msgr Moroney said that the month starts with Christ the King, echoing the previous Sunday during the First Sunday of Advent. The season ends with a "little Christmas" - the fourth Sunday of Advent - is a reflection of the feast to come. The middle Sundays are an "ethical imperative," like John the Baptist telling us to prepare our hearts. Msgr Moroney quoted a collect from the First Sunday of Advent: "Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom". Monsignor Moroney told a story about having a gold star on a composition when he was younger, and the pride he had when he showed his mother and father his work. This is what we are experiencing when Jesus comes - we have the opportunity to show our good works to Him. This prayer says, Monsignor concluded, that we should all work to be ready to pick up in our arms every good thing, sacrifice, and prayer to run out in confidence to Jesus when he comes again. Scot asked Msgr Moroney what the "joyful hope" of Advent means. Msgr Moroney said that our joyful hope should be different than the emotional hope we feel, like when we get a scratch off a ticket and hope all the way to that last number being uncovered. Rather, our hope should be "sure and certain," the promise that Christ has given us that if we die with Him, we will rise with Him. The joyful hope that Advent and our whole lives are about is that Jesus has saved us. Fr Chris asked what the liturgical cues we should see at Mass are for Advent. Msgr Moroney replied that a very obvious one is the Advent wreath - some evergreens with a candle to be lit for each Sunday. The symbolism of the evergreen is important, he continued, that the branches stay green even after all the other trees have lost all their leaves, as Christ is the one promise of life even during the worst winters of our spiritual life. Another cue is the different vestment colors, to purple and rose. Purple was chosen as a penitential reminder, but also (according to St Ambrose) for the color on the horizon that appears just before sunrise - a preparatory purple that disappears once the light has appeared. In the same way, we are preparing with purple until the light of Christ comes on Christmas. Scot mentioned that the third Sunday of Advent is different - rose, not pink! Msgr Moroney said it is an intensification of the purple color, showing our approaching readiness. Fr Chris asked why we abstain from singing the Gloria during Advent. Monsignor Moroney said we "fast" from the Gloria so we appreciate it more when we go back to it on Christmas. 3rd segment: Scot asked Msgr Moroney about some of the hymns that we sing during Advent, and the lessons they can teach. Msgr Moroney said there is one hymn that almost every Church sings, O Come, O Come Emmanuel. The word "Emmanuel" is a scriptural term meaning "the God who is with us." One of the biggest problems people have with faith and Church today, Monsignor continued, is appreciating that God is indeed with us. Too many of us get stuck in a routine or a rut without God until a crisis happens in life, and then we go looking for God - most of the time, we take the presence of God in our lives so much for granted that we assume He will always be there with us. Fr Chris said we hear many action words about Advent, including "wait" and "prepare." Msgr Moroney said the words he needs to hear are "wake up!" We are lulled into a false sense of satisfaction because we got a good deal on Good Friday, or found the right Christmas card list long before the 25th. We get so caught up on those secular things that we forget to take care of our spiritual life. Waking up and remembering it is about Christ is something we could all do this Advent. Scot mentioned that his favorite Advent prayer is "Come, Lord Jesus," which can be prayed at any time of the day and in any place to avoid distraction. Scot mentioned that some people may not feel comfortable praying - Msgr Moroney suggested that sitting in quiet and just telling God that you don't know how to pray is a good start! The sacrifice people are called to offer to God is their heart and life. Formal prayers are important, but conversation plays an important role too. One thing Scot mentioned his family enjoys is singing Advent carols as a way to prepare for Christmas, and that if you forget words, ask your local Church for last year's missalette. The internet can get plenty of Advent hymns too, Monsignor added. Fr Chris said that we often plan times for shopping, getting haircuts, and more - Advent is the perfect season to plan family time to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Monsignor Moroney closed with the collect from mid-morning prayer on the 24th of December, one that is urgent and desires the coming of Jesus: Come quickly, we pray, Lord Jesus, and do not delay, that those who trust in your compassion may find solace and relief in your coming. Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: BostonCatholicLive.com Today’s host(s): Scot Landry Today’s guest(s): Allison Gingras Links from today’s show: Allison's website Buy Allison's Book, Three Persons, One God: Growing in Relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit Today’s topics: 1st segment: Scot welcomed everyone to the show and wished everyone a happy beginning of Advent, even though it will certainly seem like a short season again this year. Allison Gingras joined Scot for the second time, noting that last time she was on the show it was our Producer, Rick Heil's birthday and the studio looked much more festive. Scot noted it was photographer George Martell's 6 year anniversary of working with the Archdiocese on Saturday, and that will do for today's celebration! Scot explained that Allison's book is titled Three Persons, One God: Growing in Relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and said he was surprised that she wrote her first book on the Trinity - many theologians won't even tackle the subject until their later works. Allison said that she prayed and let God lead her to the book, and it came about as she found out who God really was through a Bible study with Fr Mitch Pacwa. Scot said that Allison took a Scriptural approach to the topic to offer group discussion opportunities for the book. Allison agreed, and said she attended some Protestant Bible studies several years ago, which grew her love for the Bible but made her miss the Catechism very much to give the fullness of truth. Scot noted that the book has six chapters, one each on the persons of the Trinity, and three on our relationship with God, totaling a short but manageable sixty pages. Allison talked about the Biblical image of "fertile soil" and how we need to be ready to accept and hold on to the seed of God into our life. Scot asked what advice she would give to people who have had spiritual "highs" and then come down into normal life. Allison replied that having a small group to hold her to the practice of the faith was very helpful for her. Scot added that asking God for "fertile soil" and to deepen your faith can help too. 2nd segment: Scot asked Allison why she was so happy that the book was being published now, in the Year of Faith. Allison said the book has been a five year long project - even though it is only 60 pages, Allison said that she had the first real copy in her hand two days after the Year of Faith started. Part of Pope Benedict's message, Allison said, was to discover the Trinity more through the Word of God, something that she has tried to do with the book. Many people think the Year of Faith and the New Evangelization is all about getting fallen away Catholics first, Scot added, but Pope Benedict also stresses that we must enhance our relationship with God before we go give testimony and witness to those who have fallen away. Scot noted that Allison's book emphasizes that our impression of God the Father comes strongly from our relationship with our father in our life. Scot said he was blessed to have a loving father in his life - Allison said that not everyone is blessed to have that experience, and that in talking to people about the book it was interesting to see how differently everyone perceives the Father. Some people, Scot and Allison discussed, are afraid that God is only a harsh judge, and viewing yourself as loved is a difficult thing when you consider all your human faults. Allison said her favorite image of God the Father is from John's Gospel as "God is love." Scot added that his favorite image is that of the father of the prodigal son. Allison continued and said that sometimes we can be the son who stayed with his father in that parable - grumbling that we were never lost and don't get a big party from God, even though we have been loyal and have our own inheritance. Scot asked Allison what portion of Jesus' life she likes the most - Allison said His humanity was an aspect that she has come to appreciate more and more. Scot agreed, and said it was important for him to see Jesus experience human emotions and problems throughout his life as as model of what a human Christian looks like. Scot noted that one part of Allison's book discusses the struggle between "my will" and "thy will." Allison said she struggles sometimes to pray those extra words seriously without trying to negotiate with God and trust His will, which is always best for us even if we don't realize it at the time. Scot noted the book asks readers to do some reflection on what they've just read, and to do a scripture search. Allison explained that she always gives the citation of chapter and verse instead of copying the passage - sometimes, God wants us to read something before or after. Opening the Bible and seeing it isn't intimidating as we think is a good thing, she said - with the help of the Holy Spirit we can discern what Scripture is telling us. 3rd segment: Allison opened by saying that the Holy Spirit is like the forgotten stepchild of the Trinity. We have good images for God the Father and the Son, but the Spirit is very ephemeral and hard to touch. Scot noted that the chapter on the Holy Spirit talks about the gifts and fruits of the Spirit, which are an essential guide and resource to know the other two persons of the Trinity. Allison agreed, and said that she sometimes thinks about the Apostles on the first Pentecost cowering in the room, afraid, and not knowing what to do next. But after getting the gifts of the Spirit, they were able to step out and evangelize the world, an example we should all learn from. 4th segment: Scot said that the 4th, 5th, and 6th chapters of Allison's book focus on the topics that God is Loving, that He is a Trusting God and we should trust ourselves to him, and that God is a Forgiving God. From knowing that God is loving and wants us to love Him through our free will to trusting that God's will is best, the second half of the book focuses more on our relationship with God than who God is. Allison said she sees how it can be easy to accept God's plan when it involves things like her and her husband adopting a child from China, but how it can be difficult when the plan includes difficult problems like sickness or death. It really takes knowing God's loving character to understand that His plan is best for us to get us through those situations.

Summary of today’s show: Our usual Thursday panel of Scot Landry, Susan Abbott, and Fr. Roger Landry return after the Thanksgiving hiatus to consider the news headlines of the week, including Fr. Roger’s column in the Anchor this week on the Four Last Things: heaven, hell, death, and judgment; Pope Benedict’s newest book on Jesus and the Infancy Narratives of the Gospels; Advent as a time of preparation and how fasting can play a role in that; Cardinal Seán’s upcoming Mass that will include a Rite of Blessing of a Child in the Womb; and a recent three-part story in the Boston Herald on those still holding vigils in closed parishes. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: BostonCatholicLive.com Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Susan Abbott Today’s guest(s): Gregory Tracy, managing editor of the Pilot, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Boston, and Fr. Roger Landry, pastor of St. Bernadette Parish in Fall River Links from today’s show: The Anchor The Pilot Some of the stories discussed on this show will be available on The Pilot’s and The Anchor’s websites on Friday morning. Please check those sites for the latest links. Today’s topics: Four Last Things; Pope Benedict’s new book; Advent fasting; Blessing unborn children; Vigils in closed parishes 1st segment: Scot Landry welcomed everyone to the show and noted to Susan Abbott that it’s tough to miss a Thursday news show because of Thanksgiving. They caught up on their Thanksgiving holidays. Scot welcomed Fr. Roger Landry and Gregory Tracy to the show. Scot said at the end of November we begin to think about Advent and he said in this week’s Anchor, Fr. Roger wrote a column on the Last Things. He asked Fr. Roger for a brief overview. He addressed the question quite frankly that our culture believes that all nice people end up in heaven. Fr. Roger said the Church calls the last things: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell. How we approach those things says a lot about us. He said there’s a lot less frequent meditation on these things because a lot of Catholics behave as if judgment and hell are irrelevant because they think no one will be judged and no one will go to hell. They believe that everyone who dies gets an A+ in life no matter how they lived their life. One of the great temptations of the devil is that life doesn’t really matter. But Jesus talked clearly that if you take a snapshot now of people going to heaven versus those on the road to hell, there are far more on the road to hell. One of the reasons he died on the cross was to get us off that highway to hell and onto the path to heaven. Jesus talked about as much about hell as about heaven, not to scare us, but to teach us that hell is radical possibility for human freedom and we should use every choice to choose heaven and to choose God. Scot said it seems that society has become accustomed that any good person will go to heaven because how could a good and loving God not show that mercy to us. Susan said it’s not what Jesus said. He said if you love him you will follow his commandments. She’s reminded of the presentation in RCIA on morality and how her pastor says our fidelity to God, our thanks for the gift of his love, is to abide by his morality. Reading from Fr. Roger’s column: And if it’s the case that only those with post-doctoral degrees in Satanic wickedness are candidates for the eternal hall of shame, then, at a practical level, we can all just calm down. because very little now matters to our or others’ eternal destiny. It doesn’t matter if we spread the faith, because everyone gets to Heaven whether or not they know Jesus Christ. The Sacraments don’t matter. The Word of God doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if we pray or play, if we keep or break promises, if we steal or sacrifice, if we come to Mass or sleep in, if we’re faithful to our spouse or cheat, if we provide for or neglect our family. if we forgive or settle scores, if we love or abuse the poor, or if we welcome or abort the littlest of Jesus’ brethren. None of this matters - or at least none of it matters much. Since almost everyone in the class is going to make the eternal honor roll no matter what they do, while we may still admire those who study hard , the really wise ones are those who eat, drink and he merry and still get their easy A. Greg said he sees this not only in the Church but also in general society. There’s a lot of rush to say everyone’s good, and everyone’s fine and everyone gets a trophy just for showing up. People get confused between the idea that God loves and God loves everything that they do, which isn’t the case. Scot said Fr. Roger asks two provocative questions: How is hell consistent with God’s love for us? And if we’re to forgive seven times seventy, then doesn’t hell suggest that there’s a limit to His mercy? Fr. Roger said this one of the reasons people think there just couldn’t be a hell. They can’t imagine a loving Father sending them to a place where they will be tortured for eternity. His response is not part of God’s original plan because everything God created was good. He gave us freedom which can be misused. Sin, suffering, death and hell are the creation of everyone who excludes God and his love. Jesus came into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it, yet the one who rejects him has a judge. Those who reject Jesus’ word become their own judges. He quotes C.S. Lewis: “‘There are only two kinds of people in the end. Those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done. All that are in hell choose it.” The Catechism defines hell as definitive self-exclusion. We who in our life say we don’t want to have anything to do with him send ourselves away from him. Susan said one of the most vivid examples from literature is Dante’s Inferno which depicts people living out their choices from life for eternity in hell. Scot said no one likes to talk about hell, but the Church gives us these topics at the end of the liturgical year to keep these important facts in mind, that we are accountable for our actions at the end of our lives. Susan said it’s not enough just to know about God, but we must know God Himself, and we do that through the sacramental life of the Church. And when we know God, we follow him. As we move in Advent, a season of joyful preparation and home, and recall the first coming of Christ, we also are reminded of the second coming at the end of time and we should pray to transform our hearts into mangers to receive him. Scot noted that the Holy Father is helping us prepare through his new book just published on the infancy narratives of Christmas. And the secular media has gotten much of what the Holy Father said wrong. What the Holy Father says that got the most attention is not consequential, like the Scripture never tells us whether there were animals present or if Jesus was born in 1 A.D. or on December 25. First of all, the important fact is that Jesus was born at all. The little details of the scene, what order they appeared in, whether shepherds were present in the stable, help us to imagine the scene, but don’t change the fundamental reality. Scot said the reports are missing the most important aspects of the story for the little details. “Nativity story’s significance continues to unfold today, pope writes”, Catholic News Service, 11/20/12 Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives (Kindle edition) Susan noted that there a lot of things people believe the Bible says that it doesn’t actually say. Fr. Roger said every Catholic should read it and anyone with a high school education will get something out of it. The Pope is not writing a theological treatise, but something for everyone. The Holy Father did a particularly good job on the genealogies from the beginning of the narratives, making them really intelligible. For anybody who prays the rosary, this is great meditation material for the joyful mysteries. Fr. Roger said he was shocked when Pope Benedict talked about Mary asking Gabriel how she would conceive a child and gave a different approach to the situation than one usually hears to explain it. Scot said that brings up a helpful thins about this book. It’s unusual for the Pope to write a book in his personal capacity. This book does not come with the guarantee of papal infallibility of an official teaching of the Church. Greg said there’s a lot of confusion surrounding the doctrine of infallibility, even among Catholics. There are very specific instances in which papal infallibility apply. Susan said that even so, even before he was Pope, the Holy Father was one of the most highly respected theologians. Scot said it’s great that the Pope wants to continue to teach in this way and that he’s willing to take the same risks as any other teacher or professor in writing about the faith and speculating on what these ideas mean. Also in the Pilot is a story about a day of preparation for Advent about fasting as a way of preparing. Greg said it was a retreat called Prepare the Way for the King and was connected to Andy Lavallee, a local baker who was developed a special kind of fasting bread (see the previous show on The Good Catholic Life.) Advent is not a time we traditionally think of as time of fasting. He said Advent is a penitential time. In previous eras, Advent was six-weeks long and involved fasting and abstinence. Scot said the busy-ness of December for most people today makes it tough to prepare for Christmas unless you intentionally decide to slow down and prepare. Susan said when we fast from food, we don’t just think about our next meal, but we spend it in productive contemplation. Scot said in another story Cardinal Seán on December 16 will conduct at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross a rite for the Blessing of the Child in the Womb at 11:30am. Scot said that is Gaudete Sunday. Fr. Roger said the US bishops had written a special blessing that they submitted to the Vatican for their approval. Priests had blessing for almost everything but not this and they wanted to cover that gap especially in this culture where abortion is so prevalent. It also gives us an opportunity to show how we should be praying for those children in their womb and their mothers and fathers. The whole Church can rejoice with these women. Fr. Roger said when he sees an obviously pregnant woman he will offer to bless the baby. On a few occasions, he’s felt the child kicking as he used his thumb to trace the sign of the cross on the mother’s stomach. On occasions when it’s a difficult pregnancy, those blessings have meant a lot to him and the couple. Now he’s grateful he doesn’t have to wing it. for more information on this Mass and the Blessing, contact the Pro-Life Office through BostonCatholic.org. 2nd segment: This week’s benefactor card raffle winner is Francis Goodwin from Melrose He wins an audiobook about St. Kateri Tekakwitha. If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit WQOM.org. For a one-time $30 donation, you’ll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for WQOM’s weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We’ll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program. 3rd segment: In this segment, we’ll be talking about three cover stories on the front-page of the Boston Herald this week about three churches where people remain in vigil after 3,000 days after the parishes were closed. Scot said he wanted to talk about this because they get some aspects of Catholic teaching wrong and that some critics claim that the new pastoral plan, Disciples in Mission, is just more reconfiguration and closing of parishes. Scot said it’s just not true. This plan is about providing more resources and support for evangelization and no parishes are slated for closure. Disciples in Mission In Monday’s story, they covered St. Frances in Scituate and the vigilers claim that this is their church built by their ancestors and that the archdiocese has no right to take this church from them. Scot said it’s not a Catholic worldview. It’s a congregational view. The Church is not a club. The Church is one worldwide Church and the bishop is a steward of the Church’s resources and is tasked with ensuring there’s enough resources for everyone to have the sacraments. “On a wing and a prayer”, Boston Herald, 11/26/12 “Century-old history at Our Lady of Mount Carmel”, Boston Herald, 11/27/12 “Parishioners hold out faith for St. Therese”, Boston Herald, 11/28/12 Greg said this mentality is a kind of Americanism and it’s an idea that we can each define what it means to be Catholic for ourselves. He said he understands their visceral reaction. He recalls how something he had given to his parish had been given away to someone else, but he realized that when he gave something, he had given a gift freely. Scot said he offered it without condition. Greg said many of these people speak about those who built the churches and he wonders what some of those forebears would say today about those who are acting in defiance of their bishop. Scot said what’s missing from these stories is that about 70 parishes closed and of them the people of 61 of them moved on immediately. And in the remaining parishes, 90 percent of the people have moved on to a welcoming parish. But there’s a very small group that remains and while their sense of community and commitment is laudable, their congregational impulse is wrong. Susan said the reality for the faithful Catholics of these three parishes is that these parishes were their spiritual homes and of course there’s a mourning when that home is gone. To not move on, though, to not realize that God is present and waiting for them in the next parish is a tragedy. It seems that the amount of time, energy, and anger that this has taken up is regrettable and it’s not going to change the situation. Scot said one of the arguments often made in these stories is that the Church only closed these parishes was for money, not for pastoral reasons. Scot said the leaders of the vigil in Scituate, who live right next door to the parish, claim that the archdiocese closed the parish to claim the 30 acres of seaside real estate, when some will point out that perhaps they are the ones who don’t want new developments built next to them. Fr. Roger said the Church is about the economy of salvation rather than the financial economy. He said in the early Church, the Christians sold all their property and laid them at the foot of the apostles with a real trust. Fr. Roger said Jesus didn’t us to love the building we worship in, but to love God. The building has become an idol. It’s sacred; Jesus was there; but now we’re called to follow Jesus, trusting in the apostles. He said the root of the word “parish” means “hostel” as in a temporary lodging on the journey, in this case to heaven.

Summary of today’s show: Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Parish has a long history, from its beginning as the mother parish for Needham and Newton to being days away from closing in 2005 to its present vibrant life today as a parish that attracts Catholics willing to travel an hour for Mass on Sundays. Scot Landry and the TGCL team travel on location to Newton to talk with Fr. Charles Higgins and a panel of parishioners about the unique life of this parish in which reverence for liturgy is their top priority and where fellowship grows from that commitment. The people of Mary Immaculate of Lourdes celebrate both the Extraordinary Form and the Ordinary Form, the Latin and the English, with equal joy, love, and beauty, and you can hear their love for the Mass and their parish in how they talk about it on today’s program. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: BostonCatholicLive.com Today’s host(s): Scot Landry Today’s guest(s): Fr. Charles Higgins John DeMatteo Ron Goguen Manny Goguen Jeanette Pappin David Allen Tina McCormick Jean Johnson Rose Delgrosso Links from today’s show: Mary Immaculate or Lourdes Parish, Newton "Growing the Church through the reverential celebration of Mass", Scot Landry, The Pilot, 11/23/12 Today’s topics: Parish Profile: Mary Immaculate of Lourdes, Newton 1st segment: Broadcasting live on location today from Mary Immaculate of Lourdes parish in Newton, Scot Landry welcomed everyone to the show. They serve parishioners throughout the general region of the Archdiocese. The plan for the show is to show how parishes are coming up with new ideas for welcoming people back to the Church but also to help people grow in their faith. The pastor is Fr. Charles J. Higgins, who is celebrating his 25th anniversary of ordination. They were both at St. Michael’s in Lowell, when Scot was a young man and and Fr. Higgins was a deacon preparing for ordination. Fr. Higgins said Mary Immaculate of Lourdes is the mother church of Newton and Needham, starting in 1870 as St. Mary’s Parish. In 1909 the cornerstone was laid for the “new” church, which is the present church. It was built on a hill and meant to be seen from far and wide. It has the style of an Italian hill town church with a soaring 135-foot bell tower. When it was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day in 1910, the new archbishop of Boston, William O’Connell, decided that St. Mary’s was too plain a name so he chose Mary Immaculate of Lourdes. Fr. Higgins remembers it from growing up at St. Joseph in Needham and his family often attended Mass at Mary Immaculate on Sundays. He remembers his own fascination with the beauty of the church as a child. As time went on, the demographic trend worked against the territorial parish and in 2004, there was thought that the parish should be closed. Many felt there were many reasons to keep it open and so from 2004 to 2006 the final situation of the parish was uncertain and it was 5 days away from being closed. Vendors were cancelled and the end-of-life parish party had already happened. But then Cardinal Seán revisited the decision and at the end of 2006 a solution was found. Since Holy Trinity Church in Boston, where the Latin Mass community had worshipped for a decade, was slated to be closed too, they decided to merge the communities and give the parish a second life. The canonical status of the parish was changed from territorial to a mission parish. Since 2007, they’ve started a second life. Scot welcomed Jean Johnson, director of religious education, and Ron Goguen, superintendent of the parish cemetery. He asked Jean about the parish praying for a new life in those days. Jean said she was appointed religious education director for 3 months until the parish closed and now she’s still here. Scot asked her about activities in the parish in those months they thought it was closing. She said there were many prayer meetings as well. There’s a lot more life to the parish after having experienced that and people are hopeful for the future. Scot said Ron is a father of 10. He asked what attracted him to this parish. Ron said he didn’t even know about the parish until after the non-closure. He’d known Fr. Higgins and brought his family when Fr. Higgins was assigned. It’s worth the travel for them. It’s very reverent and it’s just Catholic. He doesn’t have to worry about correcting a priest on the way home to Mass. He and his family travel 33 miles to the parish. His eldest son, who is 26, was the one on the drive home from Mass at their old parish one Sunday who suggested they just start going to Mary Immaculate of Lourdes every Sunday. Ron said it was the reverent liturgies and preaching that attracted them. Scot said places with very high expectations on the most important things seem to attract people. He asked Fr. Higgins how he fosters the universal call to holiness among the people. He said encourages them in their journey of faith and continuing conversion. We see the fracturing of morality and knowledge in society. Young people who have never known the old Church, have grown up in this current chaos under what Pope Benedict calls the dictatorship of relativism. When they find this treasure. it’s like a ray of light for them. Scot said Pope Benedict says that Vatican II has been misunderstood as a rupture with the traditions of the past, but we should see it as a continuity. Scot says many of what has been re-introduced at Mary Immaculate of Lourdes is what Pope Benedict is trying to reintroduce worldwide. Fr. Higgins said the Pope is trying to bring us back to the core of our faith. 2nd segment: Now joining the show are David Allen, a cantor, and Jeannette Pappin of the Ladies’ Sodality Prefect. David said he and his wife love both the Extraordinary Form Latin Mass and the Ordinary Form. He said the great musical tradition of the Church is enjoyed in its fullness at this parish. He said there’s a great continuity. For example, the propers of the Mass are an important part of the Extraordinary Form and that tradition is kept in the Ordinary Form, just in English. they sing many English-language hymns as well. Scot said growing up in Lowell, two different parishes, one the men never sang and in the other the men out sang the others. David said the choir at Mary Immaculate for the Extraordinary Form is wonderful and they have about 15 members singing very difficult works. The faithful appreciate their ministry. Jeannette said she’s one of those who came from Holy Trinity in Boston. She had worked in Waltham and needed a place for daily Mass and at the time Fr. Higgins had just arrived. She started attending in February 2007 for the daily Novus Ordo Mass and then a few months the Extraordinary Form came on Sundays. She also said at Mary Immaculate there was finally a pastor instead of rotating priests, so there was a parish life that could flourish. She said what she experiences is the fullness of what is supposed to be. she said the Mass there is sublime and you taste heaven and earth. She thinks of how her ancestors worshipped in the same way. This is how the Church changes with time and yet remains timeless. It’s what it means to be Catholic. She notes how people remark on the numbers of children at the parish. On Sundays there will be 16 altar boys serving the Mass. Jeannette also noted how they just had a young man enter seminary and another preparing to enter. She said they also have a priest who teaches truth from the pulpit in a kind, loving, and firm way, not regaling them with stories of his childhood or talking about the Red Sox. Scot said Cardinal Dolan has talked about living the Year of Faith by returning to the basics. The fundamental way we live our faith is to draw people around us to the altar of the liturgy. This is one of the things that makes Mary Immaculate. Fr. Higgins said the Mass is everything and we allow it to be the act of worship, we’re just taking what has been handed down and respecting it as worship given to God, first and foremost. Scot asked David and Jeannette what they love about the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Mass. Jeannette said that the way you pray is the way you believe and the way you live and when you look at the liturgy at this particular parish, you have much of that. In the Ordinary Form, there is still the reverence and still feel as though heaven is on earth. At the Extraordinary Form, it touches every sense and your heart wants to explode and your soul longs for heaven even more. Some will say it’s outdated, but it’s who we are as Catholics. We are a 2,000-year-old Church. She said she prefers the Extraordinary Form. David said what sticks out for him in this parish is the eastward orientation of the altar. This ancient practice opens up so much of the dimension of the transcendent and mysterious as a pilgrim people greeting Christ as the rising Sun. We move forward together with the priest toward Christ. Scot said the priest leads in prayer, not looking at us, but looking forward. David said we are an open circle facing the Lord. He said there is also a sense of silence and serenity that bleeds into the way the Ordinary Form is celebrated. Jeannette said the Ladies Sodality began in the late 1800s and became dormant and was resurrected in the 1950s and then became dormant again. A few years ago, the Ladies Sodality began again. They have 33 professed members and many postulants. The sodality is not just a ladies group. It was originally established as a way for the faithful to seek a lifestyle to form their lives to be children of Mary. They have young ladies from age 12 up to 70 or so. They meet once per month and pray the Vespers of Our Lady, hear a reading from Fr. Higgins on virtues to live by. 3rd segment: Scot now welcomes Ron’s son, Manny, who is 21 years old and the parish sacristan. Manny said Fr. Higgins had asked him to help out on the weekends at the parish and when other sacristans left he took on more responsibility. As a sacristan, Manny keeps the church neat and clean; prepares for the Masses, funerals, baptisms; keeps track of candles and altar breads and ensures that everything will run smoothly when it’s time for Mass. Scot asked Manny about the youth of the parish. Manny said the main reason he and those age come is because is you get a real sense of heaven and there are fewer distractions at Mass. At other places, everyone has the same goal of being reverent in their prayer, which makes it easier for him to focus on God. Manny said when he comes to Mass, it’s nice to be where it’s all about God for at least an hour or so. Ron said he and his wife try to focus everything on Christ even as society tries to take their focus away. He said it seems that everyone in the parish is focused on that. His family travels a lot and they go to many different Masses and it’s very different. Something has been lost somewhere for many of the priests and parishes they see. He notes they don’t even go to the Latin Mass generally, because they have little kids for whom its quite long, and the Novus Ordo is really reverent and holy and the music is the same from the Latin Mass. The music is very helpful in keeping things reverent and holy. The music is the biggest difference they notice in different parishes. Scot said music that is well done can help you focus more on the Mass and when it’s not good it can become a distraction. Scot said the Holy Name Society for men has also been revitalized. He asked Fr. Higgins how the sodality and Holy Name Society have helped reinvigorate the parish. Fr. Higgins said the groups extend the experience of worship into a deeper fellowship. People get know each other and bond. These kinds of religious/social experiences are necessary to create a human connection. In the sodality, he sees how these women are becoming closer friends. when there is trouble in their families, they are there for one another and it’s the same way in the Holy Name Society. Many Catholics complain that you go to church and at the end of Mass people rush out the doors and there’s no sense of fellowship. It’s also a way to experience ongoing faith formation. There’s prayer with one another. They are accountable to one another. It strengthens them in their promise of their confirmation to be public witnesses for Christ. 4th segment: Now joining Scot are John DeMatteo and Tina McCormick. Scot asked Tina what attracted her and her family to Mary Immaculate of Lourdes parish. Tina said it was the focus on the Eucharist. Her family attends the Ordinary Form of the Mass, which still incorporates the many beautiful elements of the Latin Mass. Even with her five children, they found that the focus on the Eucharist is important. The children have come to appreciate and enjoy that, realizing that the Eucharist is the center of our faith. Scot said John told him how the parish has three communities: the territorial parish, the Latin Mass community that comes for the Extraordinary Form, and the large community that comes from outside the parish area for the reverential celebration of the Novus Ordo, the Ordinary Form. John said this is why he and his family come here. He and his wife had read back in 2007 that the Latin Mass community was coming and they decided to see what it was like. The Mass lasted two hours and their 7 kids weren’t happy about the length of time, but Fr. Higgins in his homily welcomed everyone and encouraged them to come to any Mass that fits for them. They’d never heard a similar welcome like that, one that integrates the whole life of the parish. They never went back to their old parish. He feels like a new community started at that first Ordinary Form Mass. Tina said that after the Easter Masses, especially after Good Friday, you find a whole group of people outside the church after the services standing around and saying to one another how amazing it was. They were stunned. She’d never experienced anything like that. People often stand around after Mass, talking about how wonderful it was. It was something they took with them the whole week. John said the example of seeing a group of people that take a project seriously is inspiring in any situation, but when it’s something like your faith that a person or group of people clearly have devoted their whole life to, it’s inspiring and encourages others to be with them and do more of the same. It encourages other to come and stand with them in this Mass in this place. You can tell it’s a group of people who take it all seriously. That’s what has inspired his own family. The fact the parish is there and doing that is what has lead and will lead to evangelization, because spiritual seekers do just show up for whatever reason. Some internalize what they see here and come back. One of the best tools for evangelization is the church’s beauty, not just art, but also how we pray. Fr. Higgins welcomed any listener to come and stop and by. This parish is one of the heritage parishes of the archdiocese and the country. It’s one of the last of what is called decorated churches. The whole interior of the church was the artist’s palette. The church and its stained glass windows are a catechism in stone.

Summary of today’s show: There’s more for a Catholic in Boston to see than Holy Cross Cathedral and St. John Seminary. Dr. Phil Crotty takes Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O’Connor on a virtual tour of Boston, the same one he gives to the new seminarians, taking them to sights with both obvious and not obvious connections to their Catholic faith, but also to Boston’s and America’s history. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: BostonCatholicLive.com Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O’Connor Today’s guest(s): Dr. Philip Crotty, Professor of Latin at St. John Seminary Links from today’s show: St. John Seminary Today’s topics: A Catholic Pilgrim’s Tour of Boston 1st segment: Scot Landry welcomed Fr. Chris O’Connor to the show and said they were recording on location at St. John Seminary. They’ve been recording episodes of the show with some of the great people at the seminary. They discussed their Thanksgiving celebrations. Scot said his family acquired a church organ with an eye toward teaching his children to play so that perhaps someday they might play in church. They then talked about the playing of music in families and how music lifts our spirits. Today’s guest is Prof. Philip Crotty, who will talk about the places in Boston that everyone should visit. Fr. Chris said Phil is a man of faith who loves to show off Boston to the new seminarians who arrive at St. John’s. He’s also a man of great faith. 2nd segment: Scot welcomed Phil Crotty to the show. He said Phil’s resume is extremely long and distinguished. He asked why at this stage in his life he decided to teach Latin in the seminary. He said because it’s a return to his boyhood experiences of Latin. Scot said all of his four Latin teachers he’s had all loved Latin. Phil said part of the reason is the historical context. It’s not just language, but it comes alive with significance and history. Phil said Pope Benedict has started a new Pontifical Latin Academy in Rome. An American has been appointed to head it and another American, Fr. Reginald Foster, has long been the dean of Latin scholars in Rome. Phil said he often said that it’s strange for priests of the Latin Church not to know Latin. Scot said he took it in high school because he thought it would help on the SATs and vocabulary, but he thinks it also helped with math because it taught logic. Phil said he never really understood English as a subject until he studied Latin. Many of his students tell him that they are learning as much English as Latin. Phil said before coming to St. John’s, he worked at Northeastern University for 30 years, rising as high as Senior Vice President of Administration. They then discussed a story of how Phil helped a hardworking undergraduate student 30 years ago who has now just made a $30 million gift to the university and credits Phil for helping all those years ago. Fr. Chris asked Phil about his faith. He said when he was 18 he remembers being at Mass on a Sunday and he made a decision that he will always give the Church the benefit of the doubt and not her enemies. He attended Catholic schools, including Holy Cross College. The Jesuits there wanted to prepare you for your profession and make you a Catholic gentleman. He remembers learning apologetics during his freshman year. He internalized his faith in those courses and that stayed with him ever after. He talked about his experiences in the Army, which challenged his moral uprightness, and in industry and then academia afterward, where he didn’t find challenges to his faith. In those days, they were still quite friendly to faith. He started on the faculty of the business school in the mid-1960s. At the time the university had about 40,000 students total. 3rd segment: Fr. Chris asked Phil what he loves him about his Catholic Church after all these years. He said the Church is so big, with so much history, culture and music with something in it for everybody. Scot said his favorite saying is “Here comes everybody.” Phil said he’s a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, which was founded in 1099 to provide an honor guard to Christ’s tomb. The Knights of Malta were founded at the same time to provide aid to pilgrims. They remain essentially true to those missions even today, in different ways. Of places that everyone should see, there are some obvious ones like the cathedral and St. John Seminary. But there are others that aren’t obvious. Phil said he starts with Mission Church, a beautifully maintained and enormous church. Scot noted it’s one of only about 70 basilicas in the US. Fr. Chris said a basilica is a church designated by a pope as a church of particular honor. Tradition is that when a pope visits a city with a basilica, he will make that particular basilica. Fr. Chris said there are many crutches hanging in Mission Church from people who have been healed from illnesses. He also said Ted Kennedy was buried from that church. It is maintained by the Redemptorists. Scot said because it’s in the Mission Hill area, many people won’t see it unless they’re going there specifically. From there he takes the tour to Harvard Medical School, the second oldest medical school in the country after U Penn and Columbia. That complex was built in 1907. It’s at the head of Avenue Louis Pasteur. He said Pasteur was from a French peasant family. He related an anecdote of Pasteur’s Catholic faith. Phil said he brings the seminarians there as a way to tell this story of faith. Then they go to Boston Latin School, the oldest school in the country, founded in 1635. This is Phil’s alma mater. It has always been a public school, which has graduated many famous personages in history. Scot asked when Catholics started to go there in large numbers. Phil said the first Catholic headmaster was Patrick Campbell and later became first Catholic superintendent of public schools in Boston in the 30s. So Catholics began going in the early part of the 20th century. They were drawing largely from the city of Boston. Phil said Bishop John Fitzpatrick attended Boston Latin. This was one of the reasons Protestants were so supportive of the building of Holy Cross Cathedral. Next is the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Gardner was eccentric and an art collector and the terms of her will was that nothing in her home-turned-museum should ever be changed. Fr. Chris said her connection to Catholicism was her friendship with Cardinal William Henry O’Connell. After that is the Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Phil said it’s nice but not really grand as you might think. Then there’s the Museum of Fine Arts, built in 1907. The Boston wealthy didn’t have great wealth but they did much of it. After that is Northeastern University. This is where he usually takes a break on the tour. He points out Horticultural Hall, which is now used for offices. There’s also Symphony Hall, built in 1903. Henry Lee Higginson was the major donor for the Hall and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Then through the Christian Science Center, where he usually tells some stories about the founder Mary Baker Eddy. The building itself is neo-Baroque with a Romanesque building and a cloister, all of which architectural styles come from Catholicism. Next they go to the Top of the Hub for a panoramic view of the city. Then to the Boston Public Library. Phil told a story of an Italian pushcart peddler who went to Haymarket every day but spent all his free time in the reading room of the library. When he died, he left $1.5 million to the Boston Public Library, saying all the pleasure he ever had in life, he had in the reading room. Then they look at the John Hancock Tower. They visit Arlington Street Church, which is where Massachusetts ratified the Constitution of the United States. then Old Granary Burying Ground and then King’s Chapel. This was the first Anglican Church in Boston and then later became the first Unitarian Church in Boston. To this day it’s high church Unitarian and they use the Book of Common Prayer. the first Catholic Mass in Boston was celebrated in the basement of King’s Chapel, which was a funeral for a French sailor. They go to Quincy Market, whose lower floor is always to be a market by the will of its first owner. Over to the North End to Christopher Columbus Park and then St. Stephen’s Church), which was formerly a Unitarian church that the Catholic Church bought. Cardinal Cushing spent $1 million to restore it to its original historical form from its Protestant days. Then the tour goes to the Old North Church, which is Episcopalian. Phil said perhaps his favorite stop on the tour is Top of the Hub at the top of the Prudential Building for the panoramic view of Boston.

Summary of today’s show: Liturgical Publications has been serving Catholic parishes’ communications needs for 40 years and Scot Landry talks with Joe Luedtke and Tim Potrikus about how they are preparing parishes to communicate online through websites and social media and online stewardship while helping their bulletins evolve to continue its role as the most popular communications tool for Catholics. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: BostonCatholicLive.com Today’s host(s): Scot Landry Today’s guest(s): Joe Luedtke and Tim Potrikus of Liturgical Publications Links from today’s show: Liturgical Publications Seek and Find Today’s topics: Liturgical Publications and it variety of solutions for parishes 1st segment: Scot Landry welcomed everyone to the show. Scot said we like to profile from time to time the leading firms that serve our Church. Today, we profile one of the firms serving not just the Archdiocese of Boston, Liturgical Publications. He welcomed Joe Luedtke and Tim Potrikus. Scot asked Joe how LPI started to serve the Church in 1972. He said they started in Milwaukee, a father and son printing bulletins just for a few churches. They now cover most of the central, northeast, and some of the western United States and have 4,100 parish customers for their church bulletins. About 4 years ago, they saw how the Internet is starting to affect how people consume information and they knew the Church will be changing how people consume information and started a few new technology initiatives. Scot said there are 18,000 parishes in the US and LPi serves about 150 parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston. They’ve been here over the past 30 years. Tim said when he began in 1992, his job was to go to churches and have them sign agreements for bulletin services. They were taking parishes from typewriters and glue sticks and exacto knives to Word 5.1 for DOS. They realized that the work the secretary did for the bulletin was just a side job, so they brought their skills to answering those needs and responding to their questions as quickly and comprehensively as possible. Scot asked how many in the average parish get their information from the different media. Joe said for the average Catholic, he bulletin remains the standard way of parishes communicating to the parishes. Even on the parish websites, the bulletin is the most frequently accessed piece of content. It also says something about the state of Church communications online. In many cases, the parish website is not the best form of communication as parishes struggle to keep them updated and fresh. In the long run, as parishes adopt better websites, that will change. Parishioners’ behavior is changing online. LPi hosts about 350 parish websites online and they see about 21% of all requests to these websites are coming from smartphones and another 10% from iPads and other tablets. Scot said his sense was when he was young that people used bulletins or the telephone to get information about the parish and that’s moving increasingly to the web. In 10 or 15 years, Scot thinks the bulletin will still be around, even if it’s used differently, without including every announcement and all the contact information. Joe said 5 or 10 years from now, the bulletin isn’t going away. It will remain a staple of church communication. LPi has called it connecting your community and they view it as happening both in print and online. Email communication will be more important with email newsletters going out to every parishioner, not just those who made it to Mass this weekend. Joe can’t predict more than 10 years out. He’s planning for print to be around 10 or 20 years from now, but we can’t discount the presence of print, even if we can’t predict technology. Tim said they’re now advocating as bulletins not having a cover, but a page one, like a newspaper with the headline news and current events on the front page. the first thing that people see is most important. that type of information on the front-page makes a difference in readership and the use of content. 2nd segment: Tim said his mom is a typical daily Mass Catholic and he and his whole family was brought up Catholic. She still reads the bulletin and diocesan newspaper. For Tim and his wife, they still get the bulletin too. As his kids grew up, he signed them up to receive the parish bulletin via email. He’s also downloaded a video from Fr. Dave Dwyer of Busted Halo on Advent in 2 minutes that he emailed to his kids. His daughter asked why the priest never said it like that when they were growing up. Scot said Pope Benedict has made his World Day of Communications message about reaching people with one foot in the Church and one foot in the new media in a way that reaches them. Joe said these messages gives us credence that we are headed down the right path. It is difficult o see sometimes where the world is going and there is both good and bad on the Internet. There are often concerns raised about data privacy and defamatory content on social media. But hearing the Pope push use to that digital continent, the Internet, encourages us down that path. Joe said LPi views the Internet as twofold. Every parish needs a website as the marketing face of the church on the Internet for the general public, parishioners, and occasional parishioners. The most common search is still the basic information, like Mass times. The number one thing they push is making the content as easy to maintain as possible. Churches don’t have staff to hire developers and content managers. So if someone knows how to use Microsoft Word, they will know how to use their website product, WeConnect. They also believe in engagement through social media. This is different than marketing. They believe that Facebook and Twitter are marketing to the world, while their product WeGather is for just the parish social network. It’s a closed website just for parishioners that encourage them to communicate and coordinate. It helps the church engage their parishioners online. The average American spends two to four hours per day online and starting to surpass TV. They hope this will help parishes connect with parishioners online. They now also have WeShare, an online giving product. It came from WeGather, as parishes asked for ways to organize events and receive payments for them. They first added payment functionality into WeGather and then they built into an online donation product within WeGather and that grew beyond WeGather. Joe noted that for many people the only checks they write is to their parish and school. Scot said he views the parish website as the parish’s virtual front door and asks people to imagine driving down the street and seeing graffiti and a poorly maintained yard in front of the church. This would deter many people from coming in. The same with websites. People wonder if any of the information is accurate when the whole website looks like no one has been maintaining it. Tim agreed that it doesn’t give people the sense of how lively and active the parish is. Scot talked about the different types of information sought by the different audiences, general public, regular parishioners, and newcomers. He asked Joe who he thinks the parish website editor focuses on the most when building the website. Joe said it is a marketing tool. Churches do make the mistake of designing for not just the average parishioner, but the committed parishioners. On some sites, the most promoted content on the site is the history of the church. For most people, they won’t be interested in that level of detail. We need to design websites for the typical parishioner and non-parishioner. Once you have some content on your parish homepage, ask your neighbor—especially if they’re not Catholic—what that website says to them. 3rd segment: Scot asked Joe about WeGather and what feedback they get from parishioners on what they like most about it. Joe said once it starts to take off, it typically starts with one or two groups using it to communicate agendas and meeting minutes. Then they see parishioners communicating directly with parishioners, talking about both faith topics, but also the general community. They connect with each other. For example, a group of moms use it to plan playdates. They have replaced phone calls and email and it brings it to the attention to the rest of the community what else is going on. Joe said you can do some of the same things on Facebook and Google+, but those can be too open. Many parishes when starting are worried about negative postings. They don’t censor proactively, although an administrator can delete later. However, on WeGather people are talking to fellow parishioners on an account approved by the parish and using their real name. It’s not anonymous, which is one of the reasons why there’s so much negativity online. How difficult is it to convince parishioners to sign up and use WeGather? How does LPi help the parish create a critical mass. Joe said the hardest part is getting started. You need some content to bring the site to life. They start with one volunteer group within the parishes that’s active, especially one that’s struggling to communicate. Some churches have a large home and school group or a men’s group or women’s group with a couple hundred. That gets unwieldy to manage through email. WeGather eliminates it immediately. As a member of WeGather, you can either log on to access the site or elect to receive a daily or weekly summary of what’s happening in your groups. This gives the parishioners flexibility. Email is still the number one form of communication online. Tim added that there’s a widget that also allows you to automatically put information from WeGather right on the church website automatically. Scot said he’s found it takes a while for parishes to adopt new ideas and many want to see that the product is mature and the bugs have been worked out by others. Joe said they have about 500 parishes signed up to use WeGather. It’s free to sign up. Of the 500, probably about half have had good success. The other half have seen struggles engaging parishioners. These are just tools. Engagement has to come from the parish. They almost need a technical evangelist within the church to help bring the community to life. For anything to become part of the culture of a group, it needs to be talked about frequently, not just by the leaders, but also by someone who uses it as a member of a ministry. Moving onto WeShare, which helps with stewardship. Scot said stewardship has bad connotation of asking for money without asking. But it’s really a rich aspect of Catholic theology of understanding our gifts from God through prayerfully considering how we should give back to God in the Church and how much. Tim said it’s not enough to put the Visa sign up. People want to give to people and they need to tell the story of the good work being done by the parish. They are bringing the tools together to tell the story of what the parish is about. Scot said online giving is growing quickly in terms of the amount of money given, but slowly based on the percentage of total parishioners, especially compared to percentage of those people paying bills online. Joe said the first reason is mistake that he’s seen parishes make. When parishes think of online giving they think of their own bank. They often create an EFT program with a paper form to be filled out by parishioners. Only one to two percent of parishioners will respond to that. The reality is that most want to manage their finances. They worry about data privacy and worry about putting their data on a form. People want to be able to make changes without having to go into the parish office to make the change. Scot said five or six years ago there were not a lot of Catholic solutions to online giving. In the last couple of years, Catholic organizations like Our Sunday Visitor and LPi have come out with solutions. They’ve worked with parish business managers for many years and understand what parishioners are looking for and know what they want from them. It’s easy for pastors to say they trust LPi. Tim said LPi also has the technical resource, where parishes can still call the same people they always have. And parish secretaries have the ability to create new offerings on the fly with information on how the donations will be used. Scot said all the products from LPi are approved by the Archdiocese of Boston for use by its parishes. He asked Joe how much money comes through online giving in parishes that have WeShare. Joe said their initial goal in parishes in 20% adoption rise and expect to see it rise 10-20% each year after that. Tim said individuals are increasing 10 to 25% their own donations. Part of this is just helping people give every single week, including when they’re not at their own parish on a particular weekend.

Summary of today’s show: Each year, Cardinal Seán O’Malley recognizes the contributions of dozens of laypeople, religious, and deacons in the Archdiocese of Boston with the awarding of the Cheverus medals. These individuals and couples are recommended by their pastors (or in the case of religious and deacons, their regional bishop) for their decades of selfless service to the Church, work that has often gone unrecognized to most others before now and performed in hidden ways. Recording live on location at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Sunday, November 18, 2012, Scot Landry interviews a handful of the 122 recipients of the 2012 Cheverus Awards, giving us a glimpse at the vast diversity of those honored, all united in their love of their Church. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: BostonCatholicLive.com Today’s host(s): Scot Landry Today’s guest(s): George and Joan Bishop; Deacon Robert Breen; Lawrence Destefano; John DiMasi; Fr. Shawn Allen; John Dwyer; Patricia Gavin; Dr. Robert Sperber; Mary Grassa O’Neill; Sr. Mary Jude Waters, OP Links from today’s show: Background and list of recipients of the Cheverus Awards, BostonCatholic.org Photos of the Cheverus Awards ceremony, including individual recipients Slideshow from the 2012 Cheverus Awards The complete ceremony of the 2012 Cheverus Awards as broadcast by CatholicTV Today’s topics: 2012 Cheverus Awards 1st segment: Scot Landry welcomed all to the 2012 Cheverus Awards at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. We’ll hear from many of those who’ve received an award this year. But first, Cardinal Seán’s homily for the ceremony. 2nd segment: Scot and Rick Heil read the names of the first 30 Cheverus Award recipients: Mrs. Anna Abbruzzese, Cohasset Mrs. Deborah Albano, Tewksbury Deacon John Alexander, Merritt Island Ms. Mary Beth Ammann, Somerville Dr. Angelica Avcikurt, Chestnut Hill Ms. Judith Bell, Dorchester Mrs. Cecile Benotti, Weston Sister Kathleen Bettencourt, OCarm/P, Peabody Mrs. Donna Biggins, Sudbury Mr. George & Mrs. Joan Bishop, Somerville Mr. James Bocelli, Malden Mr. Charles Braid, Revere Sister Mary Braley, S.C.N., Newburyport Deacon Robert Breen, Medford Mrs. Madelyn Brown, Medford Mr. Timothy Buckley, Waltham Ms. Kathleen Callagy, Lawrence Mr. Stephen Cavanaugh, Brockton Mr. Peter & Mrs. Laura Chan, Stoneham Mrs. Mary Frances Chisholm, Tyngsboro Dr. Henry (Hang Rok) Cho, Canton Sister Maureen Clark, CSJ, Watertown Mr. John Collier, Braintree Ms. Margaret Costa, Boston Ms. Olga de los Santos, Lynn Mr. Lawrence Destefano, Lexington Mr. David & Mrs. Anne DeVoe, Salem Ms. Shirley Di Iorio, Jamaica Plain Mrs. Felicia DiFeo, East Boston Mr. John DiMasi, Billerica Scot welcomes John Dimasi from St. Theresa’s in Billerica and his pastor Fr. Shawn Allen. He asked Fr. Shawn what makes John such a wonderful parishioner. Fr. Shawn said he’s been in the parish only about a year, but he sees all that John does so quietly in the parish, serving at daily Masses and funerals and singing in the choir. Scot asked John how long he’s been a parishioner at St. Theresa’s. John said since 1961. Fr. Shawn said it’s the year he was born. Scot asked John about his volunteering. He said it started with his wife. He taught CCD for 18 years after the nun in charge of the program had said she had 2,200 children and needed 300 teachers. John felt his wife jab him in the side and told him he could do that. He taught eighth grade for 18 years. They agreed it’s the toughest year to teach. John said he moved to the parish all those years ago because he fell in love with St. Theresa’s. He moved from Arlington to Billerica after attending Mass there for a month first. Fr. Shawn said the women’s club in the parish contracted a bus and they had 30 people who came to celebrate with John. He said it’s a tribute to John to have so many people come at what was the last moment and to fill a bus to be there with him. John said he can’t fully believe it because he works so quietly. So many people make him feel so honored. 3rd segment: Scot and Rick read the next group of Cheverus Award recipients: Ms. Patricia Dineen, Belmont Ms. Marijane Dosdall, Wellesley Ms. Joyce Durst, Mattapan Mr. John Dwyer, Duxbury Mr. John Ellis, Jr., Brighton Mrs. Mary Fagan, South Boston Ms. Anne Farmer, Danvers Ms. Madeline Feldmann, Braintree Ms. Herondina Ferreira, Watertown Ms. Elizabeth Folloni, Bridgewater Mrs. Iwona Gajczak, Quincy Mr. Joseph Galluzzo, Andover Mrs. Elaine Garcia, Marlborough Ms. Kathleen Garon, North Andover Ms. Ann Garvey, Natick Mrs. Anna Gaudet, Newton Mrs. Patricia Gavin, Norwood Mr. Craig Gibson, Winchester Mr. James Gregory, Stoneham Mr. Meynardo Gutierrez, Medford Mrs. Loretta Haley, Newburyport Ms. Katherine Harless, Malden Mr. John Harrington, Reading Mrs. Lois Harrington, Stoneham Mr. Michael Hatch, Sr., Avon Mr. Walter Hunt, Boston Mrs. Mary Hurley, Hingham Mrs. Justine Hyppolite, Waltham Miss Clare Joyce, Milton Ms. Margaret Keefe, Lowell Now joining Scot is John Dwyer from Holy Family Parish in Duxbury and a member of the Catholic Appeal lay leadership team. He asked John about his role in helping supply some guidance for the Catholic Appeal team. He’d been helping with the appeal in his own parish when the pastor asked him if he’d assist on the archdiocesan level. So he attended regular meetings at the Pastoral Center to provide some of his experience in business. He’d previously assisted in the Diocese of Hartford, where he’d previously lived for thirty years. Scot noted how Catholic business leaders can help the development office make the Catholic Appeal materials better for donors and parishioners. Scot said being someone who asks other to give to the Church financially is one of the more difficult tasks. John said if we don’t support the Church, then we won’t have a Church. If the people don’t support their parishes today, then they won’t have a parish. John said he was taken aback to be selected for this honor. It’s convinced him to try harder to be worthy of the award. The next guest is Deacon Bob Breen of St. Francis of Medford and master of ceremonies for Bishop Emilio Allue when he does confirmations across the archdiocese. Deacon Bob has been ordained about 4-1/2 years now. He said he was initially at St. Joseph in Medford for a year. He’s a native of Medford. Bob said as Bishop Allue was getting closer to retirement, he had asked for someone to assist him. Bob said that while Bishop Allue is a native Spanish speaker, most of his confirmations are in English. Scot said going around the archdiocese for confirmations shows him the potential in the young people there. Bob said he loves to see all the different parishes and the different ways they approach the sacrament of confirmation. It’s also great to see so much activity within the archdiocese and he recognizes many of the faces at rthe Cheverus Awards from his confirmations. Deacon Bob said being a deacon in the archdiocese is wonderful because it’s not just the ability to help out with faith formation, but also to be available to assist the archbishop in other ways he may need assistance. Scot asked how Bob heard the call to the diaconate. Bob said he and his wife were first approached about the idea about 22 years ago and they didn’t think it made sense for them at the time. About 15 years later, they were approached again and he figured those who were asking him knew something he didn’t know. It turned out to be a great experience for him and his family. Bob said receiving the award today gives him mixed feelings. At his ordination, he didn’t do that so he could get a medal, although the medal is cool. It’s a recognition that so many people are doing so many different things in the archdiocese. It gives people visibility into the different ways to fulfill our baptismal call to live the Gospel. 4th segment: The next group of Cheverus Award recipients: Mr. Francis Kelley, Boston Ms. Jean Kelley, Boston Mr. Donald Kelly, Halifax Mrs. Theresa Kiernan, Dorchester Mr. Fred Klingmeyer, Wellesley Deacon William Koffel, Framingham Mrs. Paulette Lacoursiere, Hingham Ms. Mary Laverdure, Groveland Deacon Roland Leduc, Lowell Mrs. Janice Leonard, North Reading Ms. Eveline Lima, Marlboro Brother James Lucas, O.M.I., Tewksbury Dr. Aloysius Lugira, Woburn Attorney Henry Luthin, Brighton Mrs. Raye Mahoney, Peabody Mr. Charles Mangine, Needham Mrs. Carmella McCourt, Brockton Mr. Gerard McGrath, Quincy Mr. John McNeice, Canton Mr. Charles J. Murphy, Sudbury Ms. Joan Nelson, Boston Mr. Peter Thong Nguyen, Saugus Deacon John Nicholson, Marlborough Ms. Bernadette Obas, Mattapan Mr. William O’Halloran, Watham Mr. Richard Paquette, Haverhill Ms. Carol Parillo, Dedham Mrs. Edith Pedro, Cambridge Mr. Phong Pham, Lawrence Dr. Wilfrid Pilette, Framingham Joining Scot is a couple receiving the award jointly, George and Joan Bishop from St. Ann in Somerville. Scot asked George if it’s Joan’s work that they’re getting the Cheverus Award this year. George agreed. Joan said she volunteered at St. Ann’s for about 45 years. George said way back in 1972 he was asked to get involved in the finances of St. Polycarp parish in Somerville. He was chairman of the finance committee from 1972 to 1995. St. Polycarp has transitioned into St. Ann’s since then. Scot said it can be difficult to make such a transition. George said it was difficult because their hearts with St. Polycarp and didn’t know anyone at St. Ann’s but the priests and people were great and soon they felt at home. It was difficult, but only for a short time. Scot asked Joan she’s worked with over those 45 years. She thought maybe 20 to 25. He asked her what she thought when she found out she would receive an award this year. George said you don’t think of it in terms of being rewarded. You do it because it needs to be done. He happened to be Director of Accounting at Harvard University and this was his expertise and there was a need so he filled it. They discussed the differences between the balance sheets of a parish versus Harvard. Scot said being chair of finance council is a tremendous help to pastors. Most pastors don’t have a background in finances. George said each pastor was very appreciative and grateful. Scot asked Joan her favorite part of her work. She said it was greeting people and helping with St. Vincent de Paul. There are many families who would come to the parish office for help. Scot said in many ways she was the face of the Catholic Church for them. George said they were floored to be notified of the award. Joan couldn’t figure out why they should be rewarded for doing what they ought to do as Christians. Scot asked them how long they were married. George said 56 years, but Joan corrected him to 53. George joked that it feels like 56. Scot asked what it means for them to receive this as a couple. George said he was greatly pleased because Joan is one who works in the background and doesn’t receive the accolades he sometimes receives. Scot now welcomes Patricia Gavin from St. Catherine’s in Norwood. Scot said he’s worked with her sons in the past. She’s worked at St. Catherine’s for 46 years. It’s been a part of their family life ever since they moved into the area. Right now, Patricia is active in St. Vincent de Paul and has become her passion. They serve a number of those in need in Norwood, but she feels she is served as well. She also ministers to those in nursing homes and has been doing it for 20 years in the same nursing home. They do a communion service every Sunday and bring Eucharist to those who can’t attend. She helps run coffee hours on Sundays too and is an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist. Scot noted that her son is a priest in the Society of Jesus. She thanks St. Catherine’s for that and believes his vocation was nurtured in the parish. Her other sons are now also fathers and husbands as well. 5th segment: The final group of Cheverus Award recipients: Ms. Judith Pinard, Ayer Mrs. Angiolina Pizzicannella, East Boston Ms. Janet Platt, West Newton Mrs. Mary Plourde, Brockton Ms. Jacqueline Proctor, Beverly Ms. Charlotte Quealey, Lowell Mrs. Maureen Rodino, Wellesley Ms. Mary Romano, Boston Mr. Mario Rosa, Cambridge Mr. Francis Russell, Readville Ms. Jan Sandberg, Lowell Ms. Frances Shawcross, Winchester Mr. Walter Shea, Kingston Mrs. Josephine Silva, Somerville Mr. Alvaro Soares, Nashua Dr. Robert Sperber, Brookline Mr. Ernest St. Laurent, Foxborough Deacon Daniel Sullivan, Milton Mrs. Barbara Suojanen, Medfield Mrs. Janet Swenson, Braintree Ms. Jennie Swenson, Hanover Mr. Charles Tautkus, Abington Mrs. Malida Thelusme, Brockton Mrs. Susan Tocci, Townsend Mrs. Donna Vaira, Ayer Mr. Raoul Vincent, Newton Mr. Thomas Walsh, Beverly Sister Mary K. Walsh, CSJ, Milton Sister Mary Jude Waters, OP, Watertown Ms. Virginia Williams, Duxbury Mr. Lee & Mrs. Eleanor Wright, Medford Sister Peggy Youngclaus, SND, Boston Scot welcomes Dr. Robert Sperber to the show and congratulated him on his award. Also joining the show is Dr. Mary Grassa O’Neill, superintendent of archdiocesan schools. Scot asked her why Dr. Sperber is a phenomenal recipient of this award. She said he’s an extraordinary volunteer who has given hours and hours in helping with educational leadership and decision-making. He’s a former superintendent of Brookline public schools and a longtime educator. Dr. Sperber said he got involved, after knowing Mary for many years, and he also got involved because he shares deeply the social justice ministry of the Church. He’s long been committed to helping kids who wouldn’t otherwise benefit from a good education. Scot asked Dr. Sperber what Catholics should know about Catholic schools in the archdiocese. Dr. Sperber said that they are safe, that the academic level of performance is higher than that of charter and public schools, and we now have a strategic plan being unveiled to all the schools that give benchmarks to measure progress and make Catholic education in the archdiocese unparalleled throughout the country. Scot asked what being a Cheverus recipient means to him. Dr. Sperber said it means a great deal. Volunteers don’t often get recognized for the work and to be singled out by the cardinal means a great deal to him. He’s very grateful also for the opportunity to working under Mary’s leadership. Scot said the volunteers in our Catholic schools make the difference because there’s so much more to be done than the paid staff can do alone. He asked Mary about all the other volunteers like Dr. Sperber. Mary said all the volunteers deserve God’s blessing and her sincere gratitude. She said Bob provides guidance and mentorship and provides the services of a consultant and is an integral part of their team. Now joining Scot is Lawrence Destefano from St. Patrick Parish in Watertown. Lawrence said his family moved to the parish when he was 11 years old and he’s been there ever since and he’s now 85 years old. He loves St. Patrick’s and loves being Catholic. He said they have three of the most wonderful priests. They are very caring and show they care. Lawrence said the words of his first catechism always stuck with him that God made him and that makes him special. Scot asked Lawrence about how he has helped at the church. He reluctantly told some stories of how he helped. He noted how he had three elderly friends who were sisters who when they died they left more than $100,000 to the parish to install air conditioning in the church. He eventually brought the parish a check for over $500,000. Scot noted that it’s a beautiful church. Lawrence said the priests have made the church even nice since they’ve been there. They brought Lawrence to the Cheverus Awards. Scot asked Lawrence what it was like to hear that he was getting an award. He said he couldn’t figure out what he had done to deserve it. Lawrence noted he was also very friendly with CatholicTV, which is right next door to the parish and then said he will be at St. Patrick’s until they carry him out the door after his funeral one day. Our next guest is Sr. Mary Jude Waters, OP. Scot said he’s known her through email as she’s been serving at Blessed John XXIII Seminary helping the rectors. Sr. Mary said he’s been there for eight years. She’s the administrative assistant for Fr. William Palardy, the rector. Before that she’s had a number of ministries in the archdiocese. Her first was teaching at North Cambridge Catholic High School. From there she went into the Catholic schools office and worked there for close to 20 years. She taught math and science and she favored math, maybe because it was easiest to teach. Scot asked her what led her to the Dominicans. Sr. Mary said she is from Kentucky and she joined the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine and their motherhouse was just a few miles down the road and had been a student at the academy and college. Scot asked her about the most lifegiving and fulfilling parts of religious life. She said the congregation she joined was a teaching ministry and she knew that’s what she would be doing. She enjoyed working with the young people. Also the prayer life of the order appealed to her and she found it fulfilling. Now she’s at Blessed John XXIII, which is a national seminary for delayed vocations to the priesthood. She feels like she fits in with the older men who are there. They come in with life experience and work experience and they are to be commended at beginning this whole new ministry at this time in their life. They discussed the challenge presented to the men in going to seminary at this stage of their lives. Scot said many of the people in the Pastoral Center remember Sr. Mary Jude and said that it was fitting she should receive this award. Sr. Mary said this is a privilege as well as an honor for herself and her congregation. She receives it in the name of a lot of different religious in this area.