The Good Catholic Life

Today’s topics: Knights of Malta pilgrimage to Lourdes for the Sick Summary of today’s show: Each year, the Knights of Malta make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, the site of an apparition of the Blessed Mother to St. Bernadette, bringing a group of malades–people afflicted with various ailments–and their caregivers for an experience of spiritual healing, and in some rare cases, even physical healings. Craig Gibson and Joseph Milano of the Knights of Malta in Boston, as well as Susan Kiely, a malade, and her husband Barry, join Fr. Chip Hines and Michael Lavigne to discuss the upcoming pilgrimage, how the grappling with disease and the idea of pilgrimage affect their faith; the logistics of the pilgrimage; and the results that they are seeking. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Fr. Chip Hines and Michael Lavigne Today’s guest(s): Craig Gibson, Joseph Milano, Barry & Susan Kiely Links from today’s show: Program #0532 for Monday, June 24, 2013: Knights of Malta and the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes Knights of Malta, Boston Order of Malta, International Overview of the annual Lourdes pilgrimage Pictures of the 2013 Lourdes Pilgrimage Craig Gibson’s photo slideshow of the 2013 pilgrimage

Today’s topics: Co-Workers in the Vineyard; Way of the Cross; Collaboratives in Holy Week; Lay Chancellor in Fall River; New Saints; Divorce and Communion Summary of today’s show: Our usual Thursday panel of Scot Landry, Susan Abbott, Gregory Tracy and Fr. Roger Landry consider the headlines of the week, including the Co-Workers in the Vineyard conference; the Annual Congress of Catechesis and Evangelization for Hispanic ministry; several planned Ways of the Cross sponsored by Catholic organizations; Holy Week as will be celebrated by the new parish collaboratives; the first lay Finance Officer/Chancellor; Three new saints from Pope Francis; Divorce, Remarriage, and Communion. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes 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. George Martell’s photos of the Co-Workers in the Vineyard conference Way of the Cross sponsored by Communion and Liberation is on April 18, starting at 10am at Boston Common, next to the Park Street T stop and concluduing at 2pm at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Information on the Way of the Cross for Life “Pope declares by decree three new saints for the Americas”, Catholic News Service, 4/3/14 “Communion for the Divorced-and-Remarried? The Anchor, April 11, 2014”, Fr. Roger Landry

Today’s topics: Catholic Relief Service’s Lenten Rice Bowl Summary of today’s show: Catholic Relief Services is the international face of the Catholic Church in US in charity work throughout the world, while Catholic Charities Boston has a similar mission in the Archdiocese of Boston. Every Lent, CRS coordinates the Rice Bowl program that helps individuals and organizations practice prayer, fasting and almsgiving by making sacrifices and giving funds to help the needy throughout the world. Twenty-five percent of the money raised in the Archdiocese stays in the Archdiocese to fund programs that help the needy on a local level. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry Today’s guest(s): Debbie Rambo of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston and Shelagh O’Brien of Catholic Relief Services Links from today’s show: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Relief Service CRS Rice Bowl Rice Bowl app

Today’s topics: The Station Churches of Rome and Canonizations of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII Summary of today’s show: George Weigel is known as the official biographer of Pope John Paul II, but he recently completed a new project with his son, Steven, and Elizabeth Lev on the Station Churches of Rome. The station churches are a series of churches in the city of Rome that pilgrims visit each day of Lent and Holy Week, one for each day. They also discuss George’s expert view on the twin canonizations of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII, why the two papacies are linked and what set them apart. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O’Connor Today’s guest(s): George Weigel Links from today’s show: George Weigel at the Ethics and Public Policy Center George Weigel’s syndicated column in Catholic newspapers All of George Weigel’s books on Amazon.com “Roman Pilgrimage: The Station Churches”

Today’s topics: The Corporal Works of Mercy in the City Summary of today’s show: Kerry Weber, a single young Catholic woman living in New York City, wanted to go beoyond the typical Lenten sacrifices in 2012 and so she came up with a plan to develop a mindset of mercy by performing the corporal works of mercy in a deliberate way over those 40 days. She chronicles that adventure in her new book, “Mercy in the City” and joins Michael Lavigne and Domenico Bettinelli to discuss what inspired her, how it went, the lessons she learned, and the surprises that she encountered. She also discusses her visit to Rwanda in 2013 under the auspices of Catholic Relief Services to understand the role of mercy in the remarkable reconciliation that has happened in the country over the past 20 years. Kerry said she draws inspiration from a quote from Pope Francis: “A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Michael Lavigne and Domenico Bettinelli Today’s guest(s): Kerry Weber, author of the new book “Mercy in the City” Links from today’s show: America Magazine Mercy in the City: How to Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Imprisoned, and Keep Your Day Job

Today’s topics: Caring for Our Priests at the Easter Collection Summary of today’s show: The Clergy Health and Retirement Trust collections at Easter and Christmas are the means by which the people of the Archdiocese of Boston show love and concern for their priests who need healthcare or are retiring, providing dignity and a quality of life in their times of need. Craig Gibson and Fr. Dick Messina join Fr. Chip Hines and Domenico Bettinelli to talk about the Clergy Funds, but also about the important roles that priests play in our lives. Craig tells how over 21 years as his pastor, Fr. Dick, has been there for him in his darkest days and happiest days and how they have a true friendship as brothers in Christ. Also, Dom and Fr. Dick find that they have an amazing connection neither of them realized before the show. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Fr. Chip Hines and Domenico Bettinelli Today’s guest(s): Craig Gibson and Fr. Dick Messina Links from today’s show: Clergy Health and Retirement Trust

Today’s topics: Firefighter Funeral; First Communicants; Bishops’ Lifestyles Summary of today’s show: Our usual Thursday panel of Scot Landry, Susan Abbott, Gregory Tracy, and Fr. Roger Landry consider the headlines of the week, including Cardinal Seán’s remarks at the end of the funeral for Firefighter Lt. Ed Walsh; Fr. Roger’s advice to parents of children preparing for First Communion; Pope Francis’ providing a good example for confession; and bishops confronted by the example of Pope Francis’ austerity of lifestyle. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes 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. Final Salute to Lt. Ed Walsh, including Cardinal Seán’s reflections Helping Children to Learn to Live the Faith, The Anchor, April 4, 2014, Fr. Roger Landry “Bless me, Father: Pope leads by example, goes to confession”, CNS, 3/28/14 Video: Pope Francis goes to confession “Atlanta archbishop apologizes, responds to criticism of new residence”, CNS, 4/2/14 “Vatican accepts resignation of Germany’s ‘Bishop Bling’”, CNS, 3/26/14

Today’s topics: Worcester Catholic Men’s Conference Summary of today’s show: The oldest Catholic men’s conference in the US takes place each year in Worcester and Bishop Dan Reilly and Angelo Guadagno join Scot Landry to discuss the 2014 conference coming up this weekend in the Worcester DCU Center. They discussed the speakers, who include Fr. Francis J. Hoffman, Kevin Reilly, Steve Ray, Gus Lloyd, and Christopher West, as well as the goals of a Catholic men’s conference and what happens at them. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry Today’s guest(s): Bishop Dan Reilly and Angelo Guadagno Links from today’s show: Worcester Men’s Conference Call for tickets at 508–929–4345

Today’s topics: Mass on the Border with Cardinal Seán in Nogales, Arizona Summary of today’s show: Cardinal Seán and 7 bishops traveled to Nogales, Arizona, on Tuesday, to the US-Mexico border to celebrate Mass for all the immigrants who have died coming to the US and to call attention to the need for immigration reform. Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O’Connor discuss Cardinal Seán’s homily at the Mass and the way in which the cardinal is emulating Pope Francis’ similar journey to the island of Lampedusa, Italy. They also discuss the new movie “Noah”. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O’Connor Links from today’s show: Scot Landry on “8 reasons why Catholics to see the upcoming Noah movie” Pope Francis’ homily in Lampedusa, Italy Justice for Immigrants George Martell’s photos from Nogales, Arizona Video of the Mass on the Border Text of Cardinal Seán’s homily in Nogales on April 1, 2014: For 20 years I worked in Washington D.C. with immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and from all over Latin America. The vast majority did not have the advantage of legal status. Many came to the States in great part fleeing the violence of the civil wars in Central America. I often share the story of my first days at the ‘Centro Católico’ when I was visited by a man form El Salvador who sat at my desk and bursts into tears as he handed me a letter from his wife back in El Salvador who remonstrated him for having abandoned her and their six children to penury and starvation. When the man was able to compose himself, he explained to me that he came to Washington, like so many, because with the war raging in his country it was impossible to sustain his family by farming. So a coyote brought him to Washington where he shared a room with several other men in similar circumstances. He washed dishes in two restaurants, one at lunchtime and one at dinnertime. He ate the leftover food on the dirty plates so as to save money. He walked to work so as not to spend any money on transportation, so that he could send all the money he earned back to his family. He said he sent money each week, but now after six months, his wife had not received a single letter from him and accused him of abandoning her and the children. I asked him if he sent check or money orders. He told me that he sent cash. He said: “Each week I put all the money I earn into an envelope with the amount of stamps that I was told and I put it in that blue mailbox on the corner.” I looked out the window and I could see the blue mailbox, the problem was it was not a mailbox at all, but a fancy trash bin. This incident helped me to glimpse the hardships and humiliations of so many immigrants who come to the States fleeing from poverty and oppression, seeking a better life for their children. Sadly enough many immigrants spend years without the opportunity to see their loved ones. How many rural areas are peopled by grandparents taking care of little grandchildren because the parents are off in the United States working to send money back home. Many of the priests and bishops with me have much more experience of the border. However I did bury one of my parishioners in the desert near Ciudad Juárez who was murdered there. We know that the border is lined with unmarked graves of thousands who die alone and nameless. Today’s Gospel begins with a certain lawyer who is trying to test Jesus. The lawyer is an expert in the laws, but he is hostile to Jesus; he seems to want to know how to attain eternal life, but his real intent is to best Jesus in a public debate. Jesus responds to the man’s question by asking “What stands written in the law?” The lawyer answers artfully with the great commandment: love of God above all else and love of neighbor as oneself. Jesus says “You answered correctly. Do this and you will live.” God’s love and love of neighbor is the key to a good life. The amazing thing about the Gospels is how love of God and love of neighbor are intimately connected. The lawyer is a little embarrassed so he asks another question to appear intelligent and perceptive. The question is so important: “Who is my neighbor?” This wonderful question affords Jesus the occasion to give us one of the great parables of the New Testament – the Parable of the “Good Samaritan”. In Jesus’ day the term “Good Samaritan” was never used by the chosen people. Indeed it would seem a contradiction of terms. How could someone be both a Samaritan and good? The Samaritans were the despised foreigners, heretics and outcasts. Yet Jesus shows us how that foreigner, that Samaritan, becomes the protagonist, the hero who saves one of the native sons who is rescued not by his fellow countryman and coreligionists but by a stranger, an alien, a Samaritan. Who is my neighbor? Jesus changed the question from one of legal obligation (who deserves my love) to one of gift giving (to whom can I show myself a neighbor), and of this the despised Samaritan is the moral exemplar. Jesus is showing us that people who belong to God’s covenant community, show love that is not limited by friendship and propinquity but a love that has a universal scope and does not look for recompense. The parables function either to instruct or to shock. This parable was to jolt peoples’ imagination, to provoke, to challenge. The usual criteria for evaluating a person’s worth are replaced by that of unselfish attention to human need wherever one encounters it. We come to the desert today because it is the road to Jericho; it is traveled by many trying to reach the metropolis of Jerusalem. We come here today to be a neighbor and to find a neighbor in each of the suffering people who risk their lives and at times lose their lives in the desert. Pope Francis encourages us to go to the periphery to seek our neighbor in places of pain and darkness. We are here to discover our own identity as God’s children so that we can discover who our neighbor is, who is our brother and sister. As a nation of immigrants we should feel a sense of identification with other immigrant groups seeking to enter our country. The United States is a nation of immigrants. Only the indigenous Native Americans are not from somewhere else. So the word of God reminds us today that our God wants justice for the orphan and the widow and our God loves the foreigners, the aliens and reminds us that we were aliens in Egypt. Because of the potato famine and political oppression, my people came from Ireland. Thousands upon thousands perished of starvation. On the coffin ships that brought the Irish immigrants, one third of the passengers starved. The sharks followed the ships waiting to devour the bodies of those “buried at sea”. I suspect that only the Africans brought on the slave ships had a worse passage. Frank McCourt of Angelas’ Ashes fame wrote a play called: “The Irish… how they got that way.” In one of the scenes the Irish immigrants are reminiscing saying: “We came to America because we thought the streets were paved in gold. And when we got here we discovered the streets were not paved in gold, in fact they were not paved at all, and we found out we had to pave them.” The hard work and sacrifices of so many immigrant peoples is the secret of the success of this country. Despite the xenophobic ranting of a segment of the population, our immigrant population contributes mightily to the economy and well being of the United States. Here in the desert of Arizona, we come to mourn the countless immigrants who risk their lives at the hands of the coyotes and the forces of nature to come to the United States. Every year four hundred bodies are found here at the border, bodies of men, women and children seeking to enter the United States. Those are only the bodies that are found. As the border crossings become more difficult, people take greater risks and more are perishing. Last year about 25,000 children, mostly from Central America arrived in the US, unaccompanied by an adult. Tens of thousands of families are separated in the midst of migration patterns. More than 10 million undocumented immigrants are exposed to exploitation and lack access to basic human services, and are living in constant fear. They contribute to our economy by their hard work, often by contributing billions of dollars each year to the social security fund and to Medicare programs that will never benefit them. The author of Hebrews urges us to practice hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. He urges us to be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment. We have presently over 30,000 detainees, most of whom have no criminal connections. The cost of these detentions is about $2 billion a year. The system is broken and is causing untold suffering and a tenable waste of resources, human and material. We find in those prisoners, neighbors, fellow human beings who are separated from their families and communities. The sheer volume of the cases has led to many due process violations and arbitrary detentions. At Lampedusa Pope Francis warned of the globalization of indifference. Pope Francis, speaking at the borders of Europe, not a desert, but a sea, said: “We have lost a sense of responsibility for our brothers and sisters. We have fallen into the hypocrisy of the Priest and Levite whom Jesus described in the parable of the Good Samaritan: we see our brother half dead on the side of the road and perhaps we say to ourselves: ‘Poor soul’ and then go our way. It is not our responsibility, and with that we feel reassured, assuaged. The culture of comfort, which makes us think only of ourselves, makes us insensitive to the cries of other people living in a soap bubble, indifference to others.” (burbujas, pompas de jabón) Our country has been the beneficiary of so many immigrant groups that had the courage and the fortitude to come to America. They came fleeing horrific conditions and harboring a dream of a better life for the children. They were some of the most industrious, ambitious and enterprising citizens of their own countries and brought enormous energy and good will to their new homeland. Their hard work and sacrifices have made this country great. Often these immigrants have been met with suspicion and discrimination. The Irish were told “they need not apply”; our ethnicity and religion made us undesirable. But America at its best is not the bigotry and xenophobia of the no nothings, but the generous welcome of the New Colossus, that mighty woman with a Torah, the Statue of Liberty, the Mother of Exiles who proclaims to the world: “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp,” cries she with silent lips, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” (Emma Lazarus) We must be vigilant that that lamp continues to burn brightly. Who is the neighbor? The one that treated the man with compassion. He tells us to go and do likewise.

Today’s topics: Books About Pope Francis for Children and Adults Summary of today’s show: Pope Francis has become an international sensation in among both Catholics and non-Catholics alike and Pauline Books and Media is serving the hunger to know more about him with books for children and adults. Michael Lavigne and Domenico Bettinelli are joined by Jaymie Stuart Wolfe and Sr. Marlyn Monge, FSP, authors of “Jorge from Argentina”, and Sr. Anne Flanagan, FSP, author of “Five Keys to Understanding Pope Francis” to discuss their books and the incredible interest in the Holy Father. Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Michael Lavigne and Domenico Bettinelli Today’s guest(s): Sr. Marlyn Monge, FSP, Sr. Anne Flanagan, FSP, and Jaymie Stuart Wolfe Links from today’s show: Pauline Books & Media Jorge from Argentina Jorge de Argentina: La Historia del Papa Francisco Para Nios (Spanish Edition) 5 Keys to Understanding Pope Francis