The Good Catholic Life

Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O’Connor Today’s guest(s): Rev. Mr. Eric Bennett, transitional deacon and seminarian at the Pontifical North American College Pontifical North American College “Bennett ordained a transitional deacon,” The Pilot, 7/22/11 Today’s topics: Deacon Eric Bennett Summary of today’s show: Scot and Fr. Chris welcome Deacon Eric Bennett to talk about his recent ordination to the transitional diaconate, his experiences as a seminarian at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, being one of two siblings among his eight to be studying for the priesthood, and the five places in Rome every visitor should see. 1st segment: Scot asked Fr. Chris how St. John Seminary fared in Hurricane Irene. It did well and it was their first day welcoming back seminarians and the new men. All of them did show up. No one had cold feet at the last minute. He told them as he welcomed them that there are two major days for the seminary: welcoming new men and the ordinations. Scot asked what the first week is like at the seminary. On Sunday afternoon, Bishop Kennedy celebrated a Mass of welcome and then there was a dinner. They explained how they do what they do and they follow Pope John Paul’s Pastores dabo vobis (“I will give you shepherds”), which is a program for seminary formation. The first week does have a spiritual component, but they include recreation and prayer and Scot will come to give some presentations on virtues that any Catholic man should have. Priestly virtue builds on human virtue. What are the virtues and vices that are presented to Catholic men and how can seminarians grow in human virtue? Simplicity of life, getting priorities in order, building strong relationships with people. Fr. Chris said Pope John Paul II said the intellectual and pastoral must be formed on the human virtues. Priests have to be aware of the rough edges that get in the way of proclaiming Christ. He’s also thrilled to have Scot at the seminary to see excited, intelligent, articulate young men getting ready to go out into the vineyards to proclaim the Gospel. Scot said seminarians of Boston study at St. John Seminary, Blessed John XXIII Seminary in Weston, MA, and the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Both Fr. Chris and Scot have spent one year at the NAC. Deacon Eric is studying there now. Fr. Chris said there are joys to serving in Rome. 2nd segment: Scot and Fr. Chris welcome Deacon Eric Bennet, ordained one month ago to the diaconate. He was ordained on July 16 at St. Patrick, Natick. That was his parish before entering the seminary. He was living there when he was working as a physical therapist when he applied for the seminary. Scot said it’s been a long time since an ordination took place outside the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, but with just one man being ordained a smaller church was good even though it was filled with friends and family. He went to high school in Rhode Island and attended Boston University. At BU, he got a sense of knowing Jesus Christ through the ministry of the Brotherhood of Hope at the university. After graduation, he moved to Maryland and thought he was called to marriage, but once in Maryland he found the call back to Boston and to the priesthood. It was through his work as a physical therapist, mainly in the cancer ward of Johns Hopkins Hospital. He saw it as a grace and blessing to be with the people and helping them physically and spiritually as they wished. People kept asking him if he ever thought of being a priest and over time he came to see that he was being called to that. He is one of eight children in his family. His family didn’t necessarily see him as headed for the priesthood. He was a bit of a terror as a child and his mom told a friend of his that if she’d had him first, she wouldn’t have had any more. In the Pilot, she was quoted at the ordination: For Bennett’s mother, Kathleen, seeing her son lying prostrate reminded her of when he was two years old and would lie on the floor in fits of anger. “Well he used to get upset and lie on the floor and I’m thinking ‘Look at him at now’ it’s just like, a miracle,” said Kathleen. Many of Eric’s classmates will be ordained together in Rome, but Eric chose to be ordained here in the summer so his friends and family could attend, including friends from other states and even from Ireland. He was able to share Boston as his home with them. Eric has a brother entering seminary in Providence this fall. Fr. Chris asked if they are a religious family. His mother raised them in the faith although his father had been Baptist. He eventually converted to Catholicism. Ever since he’s entered seminary his family has become very zealous and on fire for the faith. Fr. Chris said at Eric’s ordination, his two young nephews brought up the gifts to the cardinal and gave a very solemn bow in a very moving moment. Scot asked what it’s like for his brother to enter seminary. For Eric, it’s a sense of newness and a sense of hope to see another man answering the call of God to the priesthood. A pivotal person in his discernment was Fr. Paul Helfrich of the Brotherhood of Hope at BU. Scot asked what was it about him? Eric said it was the way he gave his entire life over to showing Jesus Christ to every student, being there every morning until late at night. He made many sacrifices for people to know Jesus Christ. He also showed a lot of patience. He may have seen Eric’s vocation, but didn’t force it. Eric saw him as a spiritual father. Scot said many young Catholics from BU are very inspiring in their faith. It’s not a Catholic university, but there are many Catholics within the larger community. Eric said the students see that their community is because of Jesus Christ. Seeing the truth lived out in a loving manner, it’s very attractive and that’s the way the Brotherhood of Hope has done ministry. 3rd segment: Eric will be going back to Rome for two more years in preparation for ordination. He will be studying for a Licentiate in Ministry. Scot asked him what his reaction was to finding out he would be studying in Rome. He said he never expected it. There was a sense of it being a mistake. He was excited and a little hesitant. When the Cardinal asked him formally, he was able to embrace the idea. He feels a great sense of responsibility but also a sense of joy to experience a world he’s never encountered before. Many of the states in the US are represented, with 250 men studying there, including some Australians and Canadians. One of the blessings in being Rome is seeing the Church in different countries throughout Europe, to see how universal the Church is, but also how different. Fr. Chris said he’s had an apostolate in Rome. Eric said every seminarian has an apostolate and his was to go to St. Peter’s Square and evangelize people visiting the church, to help them make a pilgrimage, not just a tourist visit. His group of seminarians would answer questions and bring them to a spiritual level. On St. Joseph’s Day of his first year at seminary, he met a young couple from Oklahoma who were asking questions and had misconceptions about the Church. By the end of their conversation, they were floored by the faith they encountered in room. The five places in Rome any visitor should go: 1. St. Peter’s 2. St. John Lateran 3. St. Mary Major 4. An Italian restaurant, La Fraschetta 5. The neighborhood of Trastevere He’s met Pope Benedict last January when the seminary was celebrating its 150th anniversary. He was surprised to see how small in stature he was, but he was also surprised by how he shook the hand of every person in the hall. He goes to the Sunday Angelus messages a couple of times per month, but he doesn’t get to go to the Wednesday audiences because he’s in classes. Fr. Chris noticed all his classes are in Italian. He asked what the most interesting class was. He said it was his moral theology class on bioethics and sexual morality last summer. But he would also say his class on the doctrine of grace, how the Church fathers saw it, and how it’s centrality to our understanding of Christ. Fr. Chris asked him to define grace: It’s the overflowing of God in our lives and his divine assistance to bring us to be fully human and to one day be with him in eternal life. NAC seminarians can study at either the Gregorian University or the Angelicum (where classes are in English) or Santa Croce. The cardinal had asked him to go to the Gregorian so he could learn Italian which would benefit him. Fr. Chris said the NAC is where the men reside and receive some formation, but they study at universities where they are side by side with men and women from all over the world. Eric said the stereotypes of cultures are often true and to see the cultures of religious and laity as well as from different nations. He said the US is very blessed to have priests and bishops who are very knowledgeable and with great understanding. Seeing places in Rome where the saints have been and praying at their tombs is a great blessing to studying there. Going throughout different parts of Europe to see the ancient Church there as well. He also loves the fraternity of the NAC, especially with guys from all over the country. Scot asked him how he stays in touch with his family. Older priests tell him that most communication was mail or a phone call every few months. But now all the guys have their own cell phones, email, and Skype to have videoconferences with family. In his studies, he has the equivalent of a bachelor’s, an STB. Now he’s studying for the STL, Licentiate of sacred theology, which is about halfway between a Master’s and a doctorate. The topic is moral theology, which was a choice made by Cardinal Sean from Eric’s own list of preferences. Fr. Chris asked Eric where in Rome he loves to go to pray. San Luigi dei Francesi has a beautiful Caravaggio painting of the Call of St. Matthew and where he loves to pray. His favorite tradition is on Holy Thursday to go to all the churches where people pray before the Blessed Sacrament in repose using all their local customs. The hardest part of being in Rome is being away from the Archdiocese, especially priests and friends here, as well as being away from family and all the family occasions. He looks forward to coming back full-time after he’s ordained. The other men from Boston include Tom McDonald, a third-year seminarian; Msgr. Connie McCrae; Msgr. Bob Deeley has just come back from Rome to be vicar general; Fr. Richard Erikson, outgoing vicar general will be going to Rome. A few other priests will be going for three-month sabbaticals for the fall and spring. Msgr. Paul McInerney is at St. Mary Major. 4th segment: This summer Eric was at St. Rose of Lima in Chelsea for pastoral ministry. It’s not usual for seminarians at the NAC to be able to go to work in a parish in the summer. He’s done a lot of work in the parish, following the pastor, and learning about ministering to Hispanic immigrants and newcomers. He’s also seeing the challenge of bringing together three communities of Spanish, Vietnamese, and English. Fr. Chris asked Eric what his one homily he is preaching is about: Jesus Christ wants us to be saints and the call to holiness that Pope John Paul was so energetic about preaching. He has not yet preached in Spanish, but he will do so this weekend, his last weekend. The people of St. Rose show how much they love seminarians and recognize his limitations, but are willing to show him his strengths and how he has helped them. Scot asked him what he plans to do in his ministry as deacon in Rome. Eric said every deacon gets to preach at least once during the year on a weekday Mass. Outside of that they assist at the altar, do Holy Hours once or twice a month. They also have an apostolate. His is at St. John’s University in New York’s Rome campus. He will be doing campus ministry with the students, Holy Hours, and preaching on Sundays. Fr. Chris asked him what from the Brotherhood of Hope he has learned for campus ministry. Eric said the key trick is offering food. He also notes that the students are only there for a short period of time, so giving them a spiritual perspective on Rome, rather than a touristy. His favorite church in Rome is San Clemente. It is one of the oldest churches in Rome, built on the ruins of churches dating back to the first century. Cardinal O’Connell was the priest of San Clemente. Fr. Chris explained that Cardinals become priests of the churches of Rome to become part of the clergy of Rome so that the Bishop of Rome is elected by the clergy of Rome. Fr. Chris’ favorite church in Rome is Santa Maria Trastevere. It is one of the oldest churches dedicated to Mary. The mosaics are especially beautiful. Scot’s favorite church is St. Peter’s at 7am, where it is really a house of prayer. There aren’t tourists there at the time. He also loves St. John Lateran, especially the statues of all the apostles. St. Peter’s can be overwhelming, but St. John is not. What Eric will bring back from Chelsea to the rest of his formation is encountering the poor and the broken, to help them and speak with them, to show that God loves them and get them the human help they need. He encounters the poor in Rome every day, but it’s a different experience in the US. His ordination date is set for June 23, 2012 along with five others. For those thinking of priesthood, go on a discernment retreat in February at St. John’s Seminary. Also continually to pray before the Blessed Sacrament and trust that God will call you and he find you.

Today’s host(s): Scot Landry Today’s guest(s): Doug and Joanie Kingsley, Msgr. George Carlson, Joe D’Arrigo Celebration of the Priesthood Care for Senior Priests Today’s topics: Celebration of the Priesthood Dinner Summary of today’s show: Scot welcomed Doug and Joanie Kingsley, co-chairs of the Celebration of the Priesthood dinner coming up in September to benefit senior and ill priests; Msgr. George Carlson who is working with the Clergy Funds on the care of priests; and Joe D’Arrigo, executive director of the Clergy Funds to discuss the priests of Boston, the new initiative for the laity to show their appreciation for their priests, and efforts to close the previous operating deficits for the funds without cutting benefits. 1st segment: Scot said five years ago Cardinal Sean launched an initiative to continue care for our senior and ill priests. This year, the 3rd annual celebration of the priesthood dinner will continue to raise funds for their care ad well as to celebrate their lives. Scot welcomed the co-chairs, Doug and Joanie Kingsley, Msgr. Carlson from the board that oversees the funds, and Joe D’Arrigo executive director of the fund. Scot asked Doug why he was excited to say yes to the cardinal. They helped on the dinner last year and learned what a great event it is. The dinner is so important because the money goes to the clergy funds which provide for the healthcare and retirement of our priests. Scot said to Joanie that she and Doug are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. Joanie said they have four boys, two in college and two in high school. They have made it a point for them all to have a Catholic education. Our priests are God’s boots on the ground and it’s an honor to be part of this event. Scot asked them about priests who’ve mad an impact in their lives. Joanie said she’s one of 9 children and her family was active in their parish. She had two uncles who were priests. They had priests at their house almost every Sunday. They had a dear family priest friend, Fr. Howard at St. James the Great in Wellesley, one of the three priests at their wedding. He became part of the family. Doug said they carried on the tradition with their boys and so many priests are part of their lives. In their parish of St. Patrick, Natick, they’ve had so many great priests over the past 10 years, including Fr. Stephen Donohoe, now in Chelmsford, who has a real military bearing about him. Fr. Tom Rafferty is now at St. John the Evangelist in Swampscott. The pastor, Fr. Brian Kiely, is a good and holy priest, who gives you your Catholic marching orders at Mass. A few years ago, he vested himself at the beginning of Mass and taught the congregation what each piece is about, what is symbolizes, and so on. Doug said in just this last year, Joanie’s 89-year-old aunt came from the hospital to die in their house and she spent two weeks next to the Christmas tree in their living room, and there was a constant stream of priest-friends coming through the house to say prayers with her and anoint her. It was a wonderful example for the young people who are friends with their sons to see the priests. Scot said priests have been through so much in the past 10 years because of the crimes of a few of their brother priests. Scot said the dinner is important for the money it raises, but it’s also important because it celebrates our good, holy, and happy priests. Doug said the first dinner in September 2009 started to honor the work of our priests in the archdiocese and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ordination of Cardinal Sean as a bishop. About 1,600 people attended. The first event raised over $400,000 and the Cardinal decided to make it an annual event for the support of the clergy funds. The event will be on September 22 at the Seaport World Trade Center. Reception at 5:30, dinner at 7pm. It will run like clockwork and end early. It’s a $500 per person event. Some people are getting together in their parish to sponsor a table to honor their pastor. Even if you can’t attend, they’re accepting donations of all amounts. It’s an opportunity to thank your priests, write him a note or go see him and tell him how much he means in your life. See the website for details or call 617-779-3733, ask for Claudia. Scot asked why the dinner was renamed from Priest Appreciation Dinner to Celebration of the Priesthood this year. Many priests thought the old name didn’t quite capture the meaning and the purpose of the event: It’s in honor of the dignity and service of our priests. Doug said priests are important to Catholics because it is through them that we receive the sacraments. Priests don’t really retire. It’s not a job, like a doctor or lawyer. It’s a vocation like fatherhood and just like parents don’t retire from their parenthood, so priests don’t retire from the priesthood. Many senior priests still celebrate Mass in parishes on Sunday or help with other needs in parishes. Scot said priests give up everything to be priests for us and it’s important for us to take care of them in their need. Joanie said the following passage distills the need for the dinner like this: MArk 6:8 “And Jesus commanded them that they should take nothing for the way, but a staff only.” Our priests are commanded to go out into the world to preach and heal, but to take nothing with them; to rely on the generosity of those they meet. What a responsibility for us to take care of them. Doug noted that one of the precepts of the Church is to contribute to the support of our pastors. Scot asked about the program at the dinner. Doug said it will be emceed by Fr. Bob Reed of CatholicTV. A lay witness to the faith will be given by Chris Boyle. Cardinal Sean will speak. There will also be a video tribute to priests, showing the daily work of our priests, including senior priests. Many of them are doing things they were never trained for. 2nd segment: Scot welcomes Msgr. George Carlson from Holy Name, West Roxbury and Joe D’Arrigo, executive director of the Clergy Funds. Today is the 41st anniversary of Cardinal Sean’s ordination to the priesthood. Msgr. Carlson has been ordained 45 years. His first assignment was at St. Theresa, Reading, then St. Theresa, Watertown. He went into team ministry with Fr. Gerry Ostermann at St. Boniface, Quincy. Then to Sacred Heart, Roslindale, and then the Pastoral Institute at the Seminary for priests and the pastoral support of priests. They started a program for newly ordained priests as well. He got to know all the priests of the archdiocese. Then he went to St. Patrick, Lawrence, which he describes as a jewel of the Archdiocese. From there he went to Holy Name in West Roxbury about 11 years ago. Scot said we have a vocation shortage in the relative sense, not in the absolute sense, which means we ordained record numbers in the 1950s and and 1960s and now they are all elderly and retiring and needing care from the Church. Msgr. Carlson said when he was ordained there was no retirement policy and it was introduced in 1968. Before that priests just lived and worked in their parishes well after 75. Msgr. Carlson said what was normal in the 1950s and 60s was a blip in the history of the Church to have so many priests and religious. He said he’s never worried about the numbers. He’s only worried about being trusting enough to respond to the needs of the Church. One of the blessings of the priesthood is that people share their most intimate lives with their priests and trust them so much. That is a blessing. Scot welcomed Joe D’Arrigo back to the show. Cardinal Sean had asked Joe to come on in a consulting role originally to help with the Clergy Fund’s deficits and losses. The Cardinal had called Joe to ask him to help and Joe initially said No because of how overwhelming it was. He later changed his mind after talking with friends who said he should do it. He felt God calling him to use his talents to help the Fund. Three years ago, they had a $10 million operating deficit due to a lack of forethought and projection and many economic factors, one of which was the rampant increase of medical costs and housing costs. It had nothing to do with Reconfiguration or the clergy sex-abuse scandal. Joe said one of the strengths of Cardinal Sean was bringing in experts on particular subjects, businessmen who understand the particular problem and leave the priests in their ministry. Joe said they have not cut benefits to priests, and increased it in some areas. Joe was able to build trust with people by sharing the facts and speaking bluntly of the economic realities and the need for the people to support our priests. Joe said working collaboratively is important. Having a dialogue starts with data and you have to share it with those who need to solve the problem. He shared the data with the priests and answered all their questions, dispelling rumors. The problem was solved by Joe and the priests working together. Part of the solution was cutting expenses without cutting benefits and finding new sources of revenue, including a new collection in June and strengthening of Christmas and Easter collections. This dinner was also key because it also raised awareness. They cut expenses by cutting 7.5 Million dollars, part of which included getting priests on Medicare and Medicaid which they qualified for. They increased revenue by $6 million, by getting the priests to understand this was their fund and so they delivered this message to their people. They are projecting a break-even budget for this coming fiscal year. Joe said the first dinner in 2009 was a celebration. There was a phenomenal feeling in the room. He was stunned to see 1,600 people there. He remembers the feeling that the priests in the room had that so many people had come out to appreciate them. In 2009, they raised $400,00. Last year, it was a little over $1million. But even greater was seeing the smiles on the faces of the priests to see the people of the Archdiocese of Boston come out and support them. Msgr. Carlson remembers a priest-friend who was so happy to be at the dinner, but has now gone to God. Another experience he did not expect to have was all the priests singing Salve Regina at the end of the dinner. They sing the Salve Regina in Night Prayer and all the priests at a priest’s funeral sing it together as well. He was surprised how all the lay people were touched by that. He remembers Fr. John MacInness giving a powerful reflection on the priesthood. 3rd segment: Doug talked about the priest committee for the Celebration of the Priesthood. Fr. Higgins in Newton, Fr. Kiely in Natick, Fr. Ed Riley of St. John Seminary, Fr. Fitzgerald in Wellesley, Fr. Palardi at Bl. John XXII Seminary, Fr. Tom Rafferty in Swampscott, Fr. Evans in Weston, Bishop Boles, Fr. Armano in Methuen. They’ve worked hard reaching out to brother priests to let them know they’re invited guests to this event and spreading the word. Doug said all priests are invited guests at the dinner and are welcome to come to be appreciate and thanked. Scot asked Joe about the Clergy Fund board. He said it’s been a big help in getting the priests behind them. It is an independent board of trustees. Their objective is to make sure the benefits to the priests is there when they need them. The independence of the trustees is important for the credibility of the fund for the priests.

Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines Today’s guest(s): Father Richard Erikson, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Boston “A great privilege from every point of view,” Fr. Richard M. Erikson, The Boston Pilot (8/19/11) “New vicar general speaks on background, hopes for future,” Antonio Enrique, The Boston Pilot (6/16/06) Today’s topics: Fr. Richard Erikson reflects on his five years as Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Boston Summary of today’s show: Scot and Fr. Chip sit down with Fr. Rich Erikson to reflect on his five-year tenure as vicar general and moderator of the curia of the Archdiocese of Boston, which ends on September 1. Highlights include the move from crisis to a mission-oriented agenda, the move from Brighton to Braintree, Improved Financial Relationship with parishes, the Archdiocese’s bicentennial, and more. 1st segment: Scot welcomes Fr. Chip back to the show, substituting for Fr. Mark who will be back next week. Scot said Fr. Rich Erikson began his service as vicar general on June 16, 2006. Next Wednesday, he completes his service and will be replaced by Msgr. Robert Deeley. Scot welcomes him to the show. Scot said he’s astonished by how many things have been accomplished during his tenure as vicar general. In 2006, he said one of his priorities is to continue the healing that had begun under Cardinal Sean’s leadership. Fr. Erikson said we’ve come far, but there is a lifetime of effort to go. Scot mentioned the announcement yesterday of the consolidation of a lot of material related to clergy accused of sexual abuse on the archdiocese’s website. Fr. Rich said they’ve been working on this for many years. He believes the most eloquent part of the Cardinal’s letter is the final paragraph, but it does revisit painful and difficult times of our life together. Cardinal Sean wants to bring light to darkness and acknowledge with great contrition and sorrow what has been done. It’s a heavy and difficult decision. Fr. Rich said it’s the decision the cardinal has grappled with the most in the past five years. Fr. Chip asked if Fr. Rich has thought maybe he should pass this responsibility on to Msgr. Deeley. He does admit that it crossed his mind that it might end up on MSgr. Deeley’s plate, but alas here it is. Scot said we’re still in an era of crisis management since 2002. Together, Cardinal And Fr. Rich have led the archdiocese from crisis to a more mission-oriented agenda. He asked Fr. Rich what he sees as key moments in moving from crisis to mission. Fr. Rich said in 2006 coming back to Boston he said the care of survivors and care for children need to be first and foremost in his mission. Financial realities and painful reconfiguration are in a much better place now than we were in. We have dedicated ourselves to the care of survivors, especially through the Office of Support. Before Fr. Rich came, Cardinal Sean wrote a letter that said everyone is aware of the abuse crisis, but not everyone was aware of the financial realities from the settlements and the need for reconfiguration. When he came, there was a $15 million annual deficit, including $2 million in annual interest payments to Knights of Columbus. This year, they’ve completed their second annual balanced budget. He hopes Msgr. Deeley has a solid foundation to build on to go from maintenance to mission, including initiatives like the Light is On For You, Arise, Why Catholic? Scot has seen how Fr. Rich tries to restore trust in Church authority. He focuses not just on his own team in his office, but on everyone who works in the Pastoral Center, focusing on collaboration and communication and the respect of others. Fr. Rich said we’ve come a long way but we have a long way to go. The Cardinal is a prayerful who strives for holiness in his own life, which has to be the mark of a bishop and that’s what we need in someone who rebuilds trust. Fr. Rich remembers his first public appearance as vicar general-to-be, attending the Archdiocesan Pastoral COuncil meeting for the transparency initiative of 2006. The cardinal was about opening the windows within the Church and being open. He said he remembers being interviewed by Antonio Enrique in the first week on the job and being asked how it feels working in the “evil chancery”, referring to how many people referred to the church’s leadership during the scandal. Fr. Rich’s mother used to work in the chancery in accounts payable and she used to have walk to work through protesters and critics. He said the perception of the chancery as evil and inept is not true, but that’s the perception, so he tried to fix that perception by upholding that what we are about it is service and what happens in the 144 cities and towns of the Archdiocese. 2nd segment: Scot said in 2008 the Archdiocese moved the chancery from the City of Boston, where it had been since 1808 to Braintree. It wasn’t universally applauded by those who were affected. Fr. Rich said the decision to move to Braintree came after a great deal of deliberation, but Tom Flatley gave us the gift of this building. If he hadn’t given the gift , there wouldn’t have been a move because it would have been too expensive. There was also Cardinal Sean’s vision that this building would become a spiritual and pastoral center for the Archdiocese of Boston. Some people scoffed that it would be in an office park. Even Fr. Rich saw it before the old tenant moved out, it looked Stalinesque with cubicle after cubicle, but the transformation has exceeded everyone’s dreams. Even the color scheme is bright and warm, plus the beautiful photos by George Martell throughout the building of all our parishes and schools, and the jewel of the Pastoral Center of the Bethany Chapel. It is such a prayerful place and has exploded into a daily Mass community of well over 100 people with standing-room only on many occasions. Plus there’s Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament each day and Sacrament of Reconciliation is available regularly. There have also been many people coming for pastoral workshops and other events. We save more than $500,000 in overhead each year by being consolidated in one place instead of being scattered among many buildings throughout the Boston area. One of the best experiences of the past five years was being asked by Msgr. Carlson to be in residence at Holy Name in West Roxbury. The chancery was three miles from the rectory and 15 miles away now. But he chose to stay in West Roxbury because of the great community it is. Fr. Chip said he thinks there’s been great success in this building over the past three years. He thinks part of the loss of the Brighton property is a loss of some retreat space. Are there any plans afoot to have retreat space run by the Archdiocese? It’s nice to have the building for workshops, but there’s no space for retreats. Fr. Rich said there are already wonderful retreat houses in the Boston area that are having trouble filling all their available slots. Scot said when they left Brighton, there was no retreat space left anyway after the first sales of properties. There were no downsides to the move other than the change in the commute. Scot said the cafeteria is great not just for food, but also to be a gathering place. Also a number of high-tech meeting rooms. He said it was extremely tough to leave someplace that had been our home for so long. If they had polled staff when it had been announced, they might have been 90% opposed. When they got to tour it, people were more 50-50%. And then when the chapel opened, people came to learn that it was not just an office building and we now had a beautiful and large chapel at the center of our building. Fr. Rich said the people who know him best at the Pastoral Center are the daily communicants, which is odd given how present he is in the building. They know his heart the best because that half hour is the most important moment of the day and where his faith and who he is is most visible. He is a priest first and vicar general second. Scot said on the first full day workday in the pastoral center, Fr. Rich began the tradition of a monthly all-staff meeting, profiling one of the various ministries in the building and also take any question, including anonymous questions, and answer them forthrightly. Fr. Rich mentioned that in Brighton most people ate at their desks because there was nowhere to eat and so nowhere for everyone to gather so the monthly meeting is a way to be together. Fr. Rich did a survey about 2 years ago about the meetings. The overwhelming response was positive. In 2008, the Archdiocese celebrated the bicentennial, and among the activities was going to New York City for Mass with Pope Benedict. Fr. Rich got to concelebrate with the Holy Father. Fr. Rich said he’s only done three trips on behalf of the archdiocese in five years and he had originally signed up to distribute communion. He would have been in the stands. But because Boston was a bicentennial diocese, the Holy Father invited them to concelebrate at the altar. Scot said at the end of 2008 and entering 2009 they launched an initiative to streamline the financial relationship between parishes and central ministries, called the Improved Financial Relationship Model. Working with parishes to help them with their finances and how they support the central ministries has helped stabilize the archdiocese. Fr. Rich described Scot as one of the architects of the IFRM and said it is one of the best initiatives the last five years mainly because it improves the relationship between parishes and the archbishop. If parishes do well financially, then the archdiocese does well financially. The model is one of mutual responsibility and respect. In 2010, a significant decision by Cardinal Sean was the sale of Caritas Christi to Cerberus. He wanted to preserve Catholic healthcare in the region and preserve the pensions of so many who had provided great Catholic healthcare. Fr. Rich said when he became vicar general, the hospital system was in dire straits. They brought together these hospitals that were not succeeding into one system in order to continue providing care to those who needed it. But the financial distress continued and they were concerned they would lose Catholic healthcare in Massachusetts completely. When every non-profit refused involvement, they turned to for-profits to come in and infuse the system with the resources they needed to survive. Cardinal is deeply committed to continue Catholic healthcare in the Archdiocese and is committed to those who have pensions in the systems. They also have a commitment from Cerberus to continue the Catholic identity through funding of Catholic chaplaincy and that ethical and religious directives of the Catholic Church would be followed and promoted. This week he just met the new ethicist hired to make sure that those directives are followed. Fr. Chip asked Fr. Rich how he internalizes the criticism he and the Cardinal have received, especially that which seems so unfair. Fr. Rich said God knows his heart and God knows that every decision has been made intending the good. People who receive the decisions may disagree with the process,m rationale and t he outcome but they don’t know his heart which is for the Lord and the people. In yesterday’s Office of Readings, the image was of the wounds of love. In Boston, you are bounded to be wounded but for Fr. Rich they are wounds of love. He can also understand the criticism they receive in two regards. Very often the criticism is from one point of view and in decision-making you get every point of view. He’s been criticized for decisions but people don’t know what he knows, including sensitive information and other privileged data. He’s a better person because of the criticism he’s received. 3rd segment: On September 1, Fr. Rich will be assigned for three months to the Pontifical North American College in Rome for sabbatical. He’s only spent three days in Rome in his lifetime. They were in the city for just three days in 1999. To be in Rome and at the Vatican as well as the Institute for Continuing Theological Education is a privilege. Many priests rave about it. Cleaning out his office, he has taken a ton of continuing education courses in sociology and military courses (he’s an Air Force chaplain). He will be taking a week of retreat in Assisi as well. He’s been a reserve and active-duty chaplain in the Air Force chaplain since 1982. He will be allowed to continue as a reserve chaplain. Service to military troops is part of who Fr. Rich is. His father is World War II Navy veteran and his nephew is an Ensign in the Navy. There is a great need of care for our troops. He has served in Iraq, bringing sacraments to the soldiers. He also works in leadership at the Pentagon bringing the needs of the Catholic community to the military leadership. Scot wished Fr. Rich well on behalf of everyone who works in the Pastoral Center.

Listen to the show: Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry Today’s guest(s): Fr. Roger Landry, Executive Editor of The Anchor, newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River, and Domenico Bettinelli of Pilot New Media Archdiocese of Boston’s Publication With Respect To Its Clergy Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Child Today’s topics: Archdiocese of Boston’s release of names of clergy accused of sexual abuse Summary of today’s show: Scot was joined by Fr. Roger Landry and Domenico Bettinelli to discuss Cardinal Sean’s statement today regarding the Archdiocese’s release of the names of clergy publicly accused of abuse of a minor over the past 60 years, both living and deceased, the names of clergy whose public accusations against them were deemed unsubstantiated, and the website that makes all the information available to the public. 1st segment: Because our usual transcriptionist was a guest on the show today, we do not have a transcript. However, we do have the text of Cardinal Seán’s open letter to the Catholic community. Cardinal’s Decision Regarding the Archdiocese of Boston’s Publication With Respect To Its Clergy Accused of Sexual Abuse of a Child August 25, 2011 My Dear Friends in Christ, The Archdiocese of Boston’s commitment and responsibility is to protect children and to ensure that the tragedy of sexual abuse is never repeated in the Church. Since the crisis erupted in 2002, we have endeavored to regain trust by addressing the needs of survivors and those who have suffered as a result of clergy sexual abuse, investigating and responding to all allegations of misconduct involving minors, removing abusive priests from active ministry consistent with our zero tolerance policy, and creating and maintaining safe environments for children in our churches and schools. Much has been accomplished in Boston since 2002, but our work in this area is continuing, and we will remain ever vigilant. The Archdiocese is continually evaluating its policies and practices to ensure that our child protection and abuse prevention efforts are further strengthened. Consistent with that effort, I have studied suggestions that we enhance the present Archdiocesan policy with respect to sharing information about clergy accused of sexually abusing minors. This is a complex issue involving several competing considerations. On the one hand, there is the critically important need to assure the protection of children and also important considerations related to transparency and healing; on the other, there are interests related to the due process rights and reputations of those accused clergy whose cases have not been fully adjudicated, including deceased priests who were not alive to respond to the allegations. After a careful study of our present policy in light of these considerations, as well as after a chance to consult with my advisors and advisory bodies, including the Presbyteral Council and Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, I am announcing today revisions to the policy of the Boston Archdiocese with respect to disclosing names of clergy accused of sexually abusing minors. This revision comes after serious and thoughtful consideration and prayer by myself and many others. I am acutely aware of the harm that the abuse of children by clergy has caused in the lives of so many. And while I know there will be some who believe our policy changes should go further, after careful consultation and consideration of views expressed by many people and groups, I believe that the changes we are making are appropriate and I would like to share my rationale for arriving at this decision. Since 2002, the Archdiocese has had in place a vigorous policy with respect to disclosing information about clergy accused of abusing minors. First and foremost, it is the policy of the Archdiocese to immediately report to law enforcement all allegations of clergy sexual abuse of children. These notifications are made to local District Attorneys’ offices, the Massachusetts Attorney General, and, when appropriate, federal law enforcement. These notifications are made whether or not the person reporting the abuse is still a minor, whether or not the accused cleric is still alive, and whether or not the allegations have been evaluated to have even the semblance of truth. Second, the Archdiocese publicly discloses when a member of its clergy is removed from active ministry pending an investigation into an allegation of child abuse. Finally, the Archdiocese publicly discloses when a member of its clergy is convicted of sexual abuse of a child as a result of a criminal process or when, after a canonical process, a member of the clergy is removed from the clerical state. In addition to these disclosures in individual cases, the Archdiocese has released extensive information about the abuse cases in Boston. The Archdiocese published, in February 2004, a comprehensive report on the number of accused priests in the Boston Archdiocese, as well as the number of victims of those priests, in the period 1950-2003.[1] This report compiled various key statistics regarding the allegations of abuse made against clergy in the Boston Archdiocese, as well as information on settlements that had been reached historically by the Boston Archdiocese. In addition to this report, the Archdiocese has published annual financial reports starting in 2006, including, among other financial information, information about the abuse settlements reached each year, the financial sources for those payments, and the related costs for Archdiocesan pastoral and child protection efforts.[2] Additionally, the Archdiocese has produced extensive documentation with respect to past allegations of clergy sexual abuse both in response to requests from law enforcement and in civil litigation. Information from those files has been summarized in a report published in 2003 by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office.[3] The policy which I am announcing today will retain our present practices and also supplement them in key respects. First, the Archdiocese has created for its website (www.bostoncatholic.org) a compiled list of names of accused clergy in the following categories: The names of all Boston Archdiocese clergy who have been found guilty of sexually abusing a child, either by the Church (canon law), the State (criminal law), or both. In the case of criminal convictions, the cleric either has been convicted after a criminal trial or has pled guilty to a crime involving the sexual abuse of a child. In the case of canonical processes, the clerics whose names are included either have been dismissed from the clerical state at the end of the canonical process, or have been assigned to a life of prayer and penance, with no ministry possible. The names of all Boston Archdiocese clergy who have been laicized after having been accused of sexually abusing a minor. Laicization under Church law is a process whereby the priest voluntarily requests that he be separated from the clerical state. The names of all clergy of the Archdiocese who have been publicly accused of sexually abusing a child where canonical proceedings remain to be completed. In each case, the cleric involved has been removed from public ministry and remains on administrative leave. The names of Boston Archdiocese clergy who have been publicly accused of sexually abusing a child, but who had already been laicized and therefore were no longer in active ministry by the time the accusations were received. The names of those deceased clergy of the Archdiocese who have been publicly accused of sexually abusing a child, but where criminal or canonical proceedings were not completed. In most of these cases, the accused priest had died before the allegations were received. This represents the first time that names of accused clerics have been compiled by the Archdiocese in a central location and a readily accessible format. Second, as to each member of the clergy whose name is listed in these categories, the Archdiocese has included in this website the following pertinent information: the cleric’s year of birth and year of ordination; whether the cleric is alive or deceased, and if deceased, the year of death; for members of the clergy who are alive, their status as well as the date of any laicization, dismissal, or conviction of the accused cleric; and a link to the cleric’s assignment history. This list, which is searchable, will be regularly updated as additional announcements are made in the future. Third, I have decided to publish a separate listing of the names of those clergy who have been publicly accused of sexually abusing a child where the allegations have been found unsubstantiated by the Review Board after a preliminary investigation or where the priest has been acquitted after a canonical process. In a number of cases, these priests have been returned to active ministry. The revised policy being announced today attempts to balance appropriately several considerations which bear on this matter: The Church needs to be open about clergy accused of crimes against children in order to help foster the process of healing and restoration of trust. Accused priests or deacons who have been laicized or dismissed are no longer in the clerical state and consequently no longer under the authority of the Archdiocese; to the extent they pose any ongoing risk to children, a comprehensive disclosure of their names may assist in addressing that risk. Not only must the Archdiocese honor its commitment to protect children, it must also be mindful of the due process concerns of those whose guilt has not been established. In the present environment, a priest who is accused of sexually abusing a minor may never be able to fully restore his reputation, even if cleared after civil or canonical proceedings. Reputational concerns also become acute in cases concerning deceased priests, who are often accused years after their death with no opportunity to address the accusations against them. In arriving at our revised policy in this area, I have carefully weighed these considerations. I also have considered what a number of other dioceses have done. I believe that, to the extent possible, our revised policy addresses the concerns and views that have been expressed, is consistent with if not more expansive than civil law, and best balances the considerations mentioned above. In arriving at this revised policy, there were a few issues that were particularly difficult and I would like to comment briefly on them. The first issue has to do with the listing of the names of deceased priests who have been accused of abusing a child. More concern was expressed as to this category than any other. As to deceased priests, there is, by definition, no consideration relating to child protection, and the countervailing considerations related to due process and protecting reputations become more substantial. In the vast majority of these cases, the priest was accused after he had already passed away and accordingly had no chance to address the allegations being brought against him. In a very large percentage of these particular cases, there has been a single allegation of abuse; that is not said by way of minimizing the allegations of misconduct, but rather to point out that there is little evidence on which to base a decision of guilt or innocence. It is extremely difficult to determine the credibility of these accusations, given that they involve matters that typically occurred decades ago. After consideration of all perspectives, I have decided to include in our compiled list the names of deceased priests if the criminal or canonical proceedings against that priest were completed before his death or if the priest has already been accused publicly. I emphasize that our decision not to list the names of deceased priests who have not been publicly accused and as to whom there were no canonical proceedings conducted or completed (most were accused well after their death) does not in any way mean that the Archdiocese did not find that the claims of particular survivors who accused those deceased priests to be credible or compelling. Indeed, in many of those cases, the Archdiocese already has proceeded to compensate the survivor and provides counseling and pastoral care to those individuals. Another issue which drew substantial commentary was whether a standard of “credibility” should be used to determine the listing of an accused priest. After consideration, I have decided not to rely on that term in making decisions about those accused clergy that should be listed on our website. The term “credibility” can have a variety of meanings, and, in this context, can mean anything from “plausible” but not proven, to “more likely than not” (the standard used in civil cases), to the high standard used for convictions in criminal and canonical cases (“beyond a reasonable doubt”/subject to “moral certitude”). I have decided instead to proceed by listing the names of clergy in the categories described above. Another issue to which I have given substantial consideration has to do with listing names of accused priests who are not priests of the Boston Archdiocese, but are religious order priests or priests from other dioceses. After careful consideration, I have decided to limit the names that are being published on our website to clergy of the Boston Archdiocese. I have decided not to include names of religious order priests or priests from other dioceses on our list because the Boston Archdiocese does not determine the outcome in such cases; that is the responsibility of the priest’s order or diocese. I recognize that, over the years, many religious order priests and priests of other dioceses have served within the territory of the Boston Archdiocese, including in assignments at our parishes. In its 2004 report, the Archdiocese published information with respect to the number of religious order priests and priests from other dioceses who had been accused of abusing minors while serving within the Archdiocese. Archdiocesan policy is that, as soon as an accusation of misconduct is received against a religious order priest or a priest from a different diocese, we immediately notify law enforcement, as well as the superior of that order or the bishop of that diocese, and revoke the accused priest’s faculties to minister within our Archdiocese. Under canon law, it falls to the superior or to the bishop to investigate and evaluate the accusation, taking appropriate canonical action. I urge the religious orders and other dioceses to consider their own policies with regard to publishing the names of accused clergy. I hope that other dioceses and religious orders will review our new policy and consider making similar information available to the public to the extent they have not already done so. Lastly, I have considered what should be done with the names of priests as to whom allegations were found unsubstantiated. I have decided to include in a separate list the names of accused clergy where the accusations have been found not substantiated after an investigation by civil authorities or by the Church if the names of those priests are already in the public domain. The Archdiocese already makes an announcement when a priest who previously has been publicly removed from ministry is allowed to return to active ministry following an investigation. However, I have decided not to include the names of accused clergy against whom allegations have been found unsubstantiated where their names have not been previously publicized. I believe it would be unfair to these clerics to release their previously unpublicized names on a list of accused priests after civil or Church processes have already found the allegations against them to be unsubstantiated. In total, 159 names of accused clerics of the Boston Archdiocese are included on the lists being published today. Of these, 22 represent cases that are still in process canonically, with the priest on administrative leave and having no public ministry. It is my wish and goal that these remaining cases be processed as expeditiously as possible. At the conclusion of those cases, additional announcements and amendments to the list will be made accordingly. To put this information in context, there have been to date a total of 250 clerics of the Boston Archdiocese accused of sexually abusing a minor. There are 91 names that are not being included on the lists published today, which can be summarized as follows: 62 names of deceased clergy as to whom canonical proceedings were never conducted or completed and who have not been publicly accused; 22 priests of the Boston Archdiocese as to whom the accusations of misconduct with a minor could not be substantiated;[4] 4 priests or former priests of the Archdiocese who are not in active ministry and are the subject of a preliminary investigation; and 3 priests who were already laicized or dismissed by the time they were accused, and who have not been publicly accused. It is important to note that the allegations of sexual abuse by Archdiocesan priests generally do not involve claims about current misconduct, but rather involve abuse occurring decades ago and before the Church adopted its current child protection policies. As described in detail in the report published by the Archdiocese in February 2004, the vast majority of the complaints received by the Archdiocese before 2004 involved incidents alleged to have occurred from 1965 to 1982, with a substantial decline in the number of incidents thereafter. More recent data, collected through 2010, confirm that same historical pattern. Only 4% of the 198 allegations received by the Archdiocese in the past six years involve child abuse alleged to have occurred more recently than 1990; over 90% of the incidents are alleged to have occurred before 1985. I do not say this in any way to minimize the abuse of minors by Boston priests, which is heinous, or the serious mistakes made by the Church hierarchy in responding to it. Nor do I seek to ignore the harm caused to survivors by these historical incidents, harm which is both current and the subject of our ongoing pastoral response. Rather I simply seek to place the problem in context and to give the faithful some confidence that the policies adopted by the Church to protect its children starting in the early 1990s have been effective. These policies include equipping children to report abuse; training our clergy, volunteers, and staff to identify and report suspected abuse; conducting annual background checks for all clergy, volunteers, and staff; and upholding the norm of zero tolerance by ensuring that no priest who has sexually abused a child will be permitted to exercise any ministry. Since 2003, approximately 300,000 children have received safe environment training through their parish schools or religious education programs. Approximately 175,000 adults – including diocesan and religious order priests, deacons, candidates for ordination at Archdiocesan seminaries and in diaconate formation, educators, employees, parents, and volunteers – have been trained to recognize and report suspected abuse. More than 300,000 CORI checks have been conducted for Archdiocesan and religious priests, deacons, educators, volunteers, and other personnel working with children. Almost 400 reports of child abuse or neglect (51A reports) have been filed with the Department of Children and Families (formerly the Department of Social Services) by our parishes and schools since these safety programs began. The majority of reports were made as a result of a child self-disclosing abuse to someone in the parish. In almost all cases, the abuse involved someone in the child’s family, a neighbor, other children, or an adult known to the child. The Archdiocese will supplement the lists being published today on its website on a regular basis and will continue to make announcements at key stages of individual cases, consistent with prior policy. In addition, nothing that is being announced today undercuts the continued willingness of the Archdiocese to discuss with individual survivors of abuse information with respect to the accused priest. Despite our every effort to provide accurate and current information, in this first effort to provide a listing there will be errors and omissions. I would ask that anyone with additional information or corrections to the lists being published to contact our Delegate for Investigations at (617) 746-5639. It is my belief that in amending our policy and organizing this information on our website so that it is readily accessible, we take one more step forward in our efforts to assume responsibility for our past failures and reaffirm our commitment to assure that our present day standards protect the children of our community. We recognize that this announcement may serve as a painful reminder of the wounds many survivors carry and we invite any individual who has been harmed by clergy sexual abuse to contact our Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach at (781) 794-2581 or (866) 244-9603. Having met with hundreds of survivors, I know firsthand the scars you carry. And I carry with me every day the pain of the Church’s failures. I express once again my sorrow for your pain and my apology for any way the Church and its clergy have failed you. My deepest hope and prayer is that the efforts I am announcing today will provide some additional comfort and healing for those who have suffered from sexual abuse by clergy and will continue to strengthen our efforts to protect God’s children. Sincerely Yours in Christ, Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap. Archbishop of Boston [1] Statement of Archbishop Sean P. O’Malley Regarding Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Boston from 1950-2003, available at <[>a href="http://www.bostoncatholic.org/uploadedFiles/News_releases_2004_statement040226.pdf">http://www.bostoncatholic.org/uploadedFiles/News_releases_2004_statement040226.pdf. [2] Available at http://www.bostoncatholic.org/annualreport.aspx?pid=508. [3] Available at http://www.bostoncatholic.org/uploadedFiles/BostonCatholicorg/Offices_And_Services/Offices/Sub_Pages/Professional_Standards_and_Oversight/reillyreport.pdf [4] Of these 22 priests, ­4 are deceased, 8 are retired or on health leave, 1 has been restricted by the Archdiocese from engaging in active ministry for other reasons, and 9 are in active ministry without restriction.

**Listen to the show:** [Subscribe for free in iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-catholic-life/id425362545) **Today's host(s):** Scot Landry **Today's guest(s):** Fr. Roger Landry, Domenico Bettinelli, and George Martell * [WYDMadridBoston.com](http://www.wydmadridboston.com) * [Flickr.com/BostonCatholic](http://www.flickr.com/bostoncatholic) * [Pope Benedict's Address to Young People during Saturday night vigil](http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2011/august/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20110820_veglia-madrid_en.html) * [Welcoming Words and Homily from World Youth Day Mass on Sunday](http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20110821_xxvi-gmg-madrid_en.html) * [Sunday Angelus Message](http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/angelus/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20110821_xxvi-gmg-madrid_en.html) **Today's topics:** World Youth Day wrap-up **Summary of today's show:** Fr. Roger Landry, Dom Bettinelli, and George Martell wrap up coverage of World Youth Day with reflections on their experience of the dramatic Saturday night vigil, including the wild weather, and Mass with Pope Benedict XVI and 1.5 million people on Sunday. **1st segment:** Scot welcomed everyone to the show. Last week, we spent a lot of time talking about World Youth Day, but the most important activities happened on Saturday and Sunday during the Vigil and Mass with Pope Benedict. Dom and George are in studio and Fr. Roger Landry, who took more than 30 people from his parish to Portugal and Spain. Scot asked Fr. Roger about his pilgrimage's route. They started in Lisbon, because so many in his parish have Portuguese ancestry, they had Mass at the birthplace of St. Anthony of Padua, the patron of their saint. They then went to Fatima where they spent parts of three days. He had his young people prepare talks of 10 minutes each because they were missing the catecheses of World Youth Day. The youths were blown away by how poor Francisco, Lucia, and Jacinta were. The kids said they came to know how much the Blessed Mother intercedes for them. Participating in a candlelight procession of the Stations of the Cross was very moving for them. They then went to Santiago de Compestela, where St. James the Greater, the apostle, is buried. Most of the kids said the best part of the pilgrimage was visiting the tomb of an apostle and celebrate Mass there. Fr. Roger made an analogy between the thickness of the pillars of Santiago the church with how sturdy and deeply rooted their faith should be. * [Santiago de Compestela](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_de_Compostela) Fr. Roger explained why Santiago de Compestela became a big pilgrimage spot in the Middle Ages, and why people still walk the way of the pilgrimage for up to 500 miles. It's still a place of enormous graces for the pilgrims. Afterward, they saw the Cathedral of Leon, Spain and stayed in the city of Vallodalid. They visited Segovia and the tomb of St. John of the Cross. He's had a big impact on Fr. Roger. He considers St. John to be the greatest teacher in the Church after Christ. He charted the interior life, how God takes on a journey of prayer. Three stages of prayer are the purgative, the illuminative, and the unitive. * [The Three Ways of the Interior Life](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14254a.htm) They then went to [Valles en los caidos](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valle_de_los_Ca%C3%ADdos), the Valley of the Fallen. Francisco Franco, the Spanish leader during the Spanish Civil War, built a church inside a mountain that is the longest in the world. They went to El Escorial, where Pope Benedict spoke to young religious. They visited Avila, where St. Theresa of Avila is from. They visited to Toledo and the last three days they spent in Madrid. **2nd segment:** *A complete transcript of today's show will be available on Thursday morning*

**Listen to the show:** [Subscribe for free in iTunes](http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-good-catholic-life/id425362545) **Today's host(s):** Scot Landry and Fr. Chris O'Connor **Today's guest(s):** Kevin Winn and Jim Leo * [Permanent Diaconate Office](http://bostondiaconate.org/) * [What is a deacon?](http://bostondiaconate.org/Resources/what_is_a_deacon.html) **Today's topics:** Candidates for ordination to the permanent diaconate **Summary of today's show:** Kevin Winn and Jim, two of the 13 candidates for the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of Boston due to be ordained next month discuss with Scot and Fr. Chris their vocational journeys, how they discerned the call, how important their wives were to their decisions and their formation, and what they expect from their future ministries. **1st segment:** Scot welcomed Fr. Chris O'Connor back to the show. He recalled that in May they had seminarians on the show just before their priestly ordinaiton and today are two men just a few weeks before their ordination to the permanent diaconate. Fr. Chris said it will let them draw distinctions between the transitional diaconate for the road to priesthood and the permanent diaconate. Scot and Fr. Chris commented on the earthquake that was felt along the East Coast. Some people outside the building felt it. They saw that news says that there have been no casualties. Scot also noted that there have been problems with the WQOM signal over the past day or so, but those problems have been repaired. Scot outlined the five ways to listen to the show live or recorded: streaming live at WQOM.org, on the radio at 1060AM, through the iPhone or Android app iCatholicRadio, through The Good Catholic Life podcast at the iTunes Store, or on our website at TheGoodCatholicLife.com Scot was also guest blogger on Cardinal Sean's Blog last Friday describing the work of the Archdiocese of Boston's Catholic Media Secretariate, including The Good Catholic Life. * [Evangelization through the media, Cardinal Sean's Blog](http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/2011/08/19/evangelization-through-the-media/) Fr. Chris is preparing for the academic year at St. John's Seminary. On Sunday night, 26 new men will arrive at the seminary, one of the largest classes he's seen in the 8 years he's been at the seminary. Bishop Kennedy will celebrate Mass for them and friends and family, then orientation will begin. They will look at the four pillars of the seminary life: the academic, pastoral, human, and spiritual. A new diocese is joining the seminary: Hartford, Connecticut. There Redemptorist religious order is also sending its seminarians to St. John's. Two men from another Vietnamese diocese will also train at St. John's. After these messages, we will meet two of the 13 men to be ordained in September for the Permanent Diaconate. **2nd segment:** Scot and Fr. Chris welcome Kevin Winn and Jim Leo. They are within 3 weeks of ordination. Kevin said it's an exciting time for him. He's going through the gamut of emotions. He's preparing to serve God in a different way, in a vocation he's felt called to. Jim said he's nervously excited. With Christ at the center of his life, he's grounded in prayer and knows that this is the right thing. He can't wait for September 17. Fr. Chris asked Kevin about the signs that God was calling him to the diaconate, especially for those who might be wondering if they are called. Kevin said he doesn't think there's a single moment. As he grew as a Catholic, he was welcomed to St. Joseph Parish in Kingston and they became involved in parish life. One day at Mass, he asked the pastor why there were no altar servers. He said there was no one to train them and "thank you very much." That was the beginning of his involvement in parish life, religious education which turned into youth ministry and retreat work. All the while God was converting and transforming Kevin, unbeknownst to him.God has healed Kevin in so many ways as a person and shown him who's he's been created to be. Kevin said he also grew in his prayer life. Eucharistic adoration as well as Our Lady and the Rosary were important for him, helping to realize what God has done for us. A deacon and other priests he'd worked with had asked him if he was interested in the diaconate. He felt a gnawing that turned out to be a calling and throught prayer it became a sense to look into it. Fr. Chris said wives are an important part of the formation, including the classes. How did they break the news? Kevin said his wife is his best friend and she's the one who has taught him about God's love in her patience and kindness and willingness to do for others. She's been the quiet steady rock and confidant. When the idea of diaconate came, they talked about and she thought it would be a great idea for him because of his love for the Lord and his heart and passion. The wives are irreplaceable part of the formation. They are present in all the classes, some more than others, depending on what's going on in the family life. When the candidates talk about formation, it's not just the candidates, but it's also as much about the wives. When they begin formation, they are told their first vocation is to their marriage. Jim said he's been married 36 years and his wife Vivian is his best friend. He grew up in East Boston, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, he felt Christ calling him then. He went to Catholic school and met Vivian and she wanted him to go on a Cursillo retreat. ALthough he balked at first, it was a great experience and he wanted more. He then went deeper in his faith and the low fire grew higher and higher in him. A deacon of his acquaintance encouraged him to explore becoming a deacon and his spiritual director reinforced the idea. The minute Jim mentioned it to Vivian, she said go for it. Scot said the diaconate program is a rigorous 4-year program that studies the faith both broadly and richly. Jim said his wife went to every single class. For the first year, the wives need to go to every single class, but after that they don't need to go to every class, as Kevin said. Jim said he would ask his wife how they could get through this, but Vivian encouraged him and was his strength every step of the way. Jim said Fr. Bill Palardy taught a class on Patristics, the study of the Church Fathers, and it was truly eye-opening with a tremendous amount of learning. Kevin concurred and said it was one of the hardest classes he took. He loved it very much. He agrees with Jim that he used to think he had a fair handle on his faith, but learned how much more he had to learn and has to learn. This relationship with Christ is ongoing and ever-deepening. Fr. Chris asked what sort of skills from being an air traffic controller he brings to the diaconate. He said communication will be a gift. He loves people and to communicate with them. The reality of the job is that they communicate with people and provide a service to the pilots and passengers. He noted St. Josemaria Escriva's philosophy of finding holiness in what we do. Jim is a civil engineer by trade. He worked for the City of Boston for 41 years and dealt with the public every day. How he dealt with the public, he will deal with the people of his parish: a sincere heart, listening to people. Listening is the number one skill to help people and settle problems. In his job, he had to settle people down when they had problems and reassure them. That skill will help in his ministry. **3rd segment:** Scot said there are 213 permanent deacons in Boston and 13 more will be added in September. Kevin said the difference between transitional and permanent is t hat the transitional diaconate is a step on the way for men called to the priesthood, and the permanent deacon is a man called to service in the Church as a secondary vocation. Sometimes the primary vocation is a vocation to the single life and sometimes to marriage. They are called to the threefold ministry of sacrament, Word, and charity. They have a unique place in the Church in that they have a secular job as well as an office within the Church and it's a blessing to the Church to be able to be that bridge. Fr. Chris asked what ministries the deacon does. Jim said he and his wife are on the baptismal coordinating team at his parish and in one month he will be baptizing children with his wife as part of that ministry. Deacons also proclaim and preach the Gospel at Mass. Scot said earlier this week at the Pastoral Center where all the deacon candidates professed the faith and took the oath of fidelity in a ceremony with Fr. Tom Foley. Kevin said every step closer to ordination brings with it more joy and emotion and excitement. They represented their letters of request to Cardinal Sean through his representatives that were present. The letters were handwritten and their wives wrote letters as well. While their formation was four years, their discernment was even five more years than that. Then they took an Oath of Fidelity on the Book of Gospels which was was held by their wives. Jim said that having his wife alongside him at the moment made him feel so lucky to have her by his side in this very emotional and spectacular moment. The Oath of Fidelity: > I, N., on assuming the office __________ promise that I shall always preserve communion with the Catholic Church whether in the words I speak or in the way I act. > With great care and fidelity I shall carry out the responsibilities by which I am bound in relation both to the universal church and to the particular church in which I am called to exercise my service according to the requirements of the law. > In carrying out my charge, which is committed to me in the name of the church, I shall preserve the deposit of faith in its entirety, hand it on faithfully and make it shine forth. As a result, whatsoever teachings are contrary I shall shun. > I shall follow and foster the common discipline of the whole church and shall look after the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those which are contained in the Code of Canon Law. > With Christian obedience I shall associate myself with what is expressed by the holy shepherds as authentic doctors and teachers of the faith or established by them as the church's rulers. And I shall faithfully assist diocesan bishops so that apostolic activity, to be exercised by the mandate and in the name of the church, is carried out in the communion of the same church. > May God help me in this way and the holy Gospels of God which I touch with my hands. > I shall foster the common discipline of the whole church and urge the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those which are contained in the Code of Canon Law. > With Christian obedience I shall associate myself with what is expressed by the holy shepherds as authentic doctors and teachers of the faith or established by them as rulers of the church. And with diocesan bishops I shall gladly devote my energy so that apostolic activity, to be exercised by the mandate and in the name of the church, is -- with provision made for the character and goal of my institute -- carried out in the communion of the church. Kevin said being a deacon is not something you do, not something you put on on Sunday. It's who they are, who God calls them to be as his servant. God reveals to them in their lives the people he's forming them into. You are a deacon 24/7. Fr. Chris said it's the life of every Christian. It's not just something you do on Sunday. The Christian receives the Word of God and the Eucharist and then is sent back into the world to live the Eucharist that was celebrated. Jim said on the day of ordination, they will make a Profession of Obedience. They also make a promise of prayer. They pledge to pray the Divine Office every day at morning and evening. Kevin said it's been awesome for him. While it's required, he loves it. Like we are required to attend Eucharist on Sunday, but it's something we should love and desire. The Liturgy of the Hours has been feeding him every day already. The Word of God is alive in the Divine Office. Scot said you don't have to be ordained or a religious to pray the Divine Office. Some people also pray a form of the Office in the [Magnificat](http://www.magnificat.net). Kevin said the Liturgy of the Hours is the prayer of the Church. It is a reminder that God is the center of our lives and everything we extends from that center. Fr. Chris said it's a reminder to us never to wander too far from the Lord, called back every few hours to contemplate the Lord. **4th segment:** Scot said Deacons are ordained to a ministry of Word, sacrament, and charity. They serve at the altar, baptize, witness marriages. They serve the poor and marginalized, sick and dying, the imprisoned. Jim has been helping at Mass. General Hospital as part of his service. He started five years ago as a Eucharistic minister. They saw the hospital chaplain was looking for Eucharistic ministers for the patients. Then he served his internship as a deacon at the hospital as a pastoral visitor to the sick. He was bale to talk about Christ to people in their lowest moments. He saw how deep the faith of people were. Kevin said his primary assignment will be at his parish, St. Joseph's, and his secondary assignment will be in the office of marriage ministry at the Pastoral Center. Jim said his first homily at his first Mass will be on the Gospel of the laborers in the vineyard, which is wonderful. Christ is there even at the 11th hour. Kevin said he is intrigued by God's persistence in that Gospel, how he doesn't give up on his, to continue to heal us and restore us, continuing the work he began in us at baptism. To a man who might be thinking about the permanent diaconate, Jim said he should ask for the application and pray on it. If it's the right thing, you will feel the burning in your heart. Kevin said his other 11 classmates including all sizes, shapes, and colors, a great snapshot of the diversity of God's people. You could clearly see the growth of their faith over the past year, especially in the homilies they gave in their homiletics class. Jim said the other men include doctors, a professor, an academic doctor, teachers, retired men, and more. It's a cross-section.

Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry Today's guest(s): Father Patrick Byrne, former International Secretary General of the Holy Childhood Association; Father Rodney J. Copp, JCL, Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Boston; Maureen Heil, Director of Programs and Development for the Pontifical Mission Societies in Boston. Today’s topics: The four Pontifical Mission Societies, the international work of the Holy Childhood Association, how Holy Childhood Association programs impact Boston children, and Fr Pat's mission work in Ecuador. Summary of today’s show:Scot, Fr. Patrick Byrne, Fr. Rodney Copp and Maureen Heil discuss the work of the Holy Childhood Association both nationally and internationally, and Fr. Byrne discusses his work in the missions. Visit the Pontifical Mission Societies of Boston website See Cardinal Seán's visit to the Pontifical Mission Societies offices from January on his blog 1st segment: Scot welcomed everyone and welcomed Fr. Patrick Byrne, the Provincial for Ireland and Great Britain for the Divine Word Missionaries, who served previously in Rome as the Secretary General for the Holy Childhood Association. Fr Pat said that he was at St. Dennis in Westwood and St John in Hopkinton the last two weekends, and will be speaking at St John in Wellseley this coming weekend. Fr Pat thanked Scot for having him on the show. Fr. Pat explained that the Divine Word Missionaries were founded in Germany by Fr. Arnold Janssen in 1875. Fr. Janssen was a diocesan priest, Fr. Pat said, who thought that Germany should have it's own missionary order. Today, the order is about 6,000 priests and brothers strong all over the world, along with 4,000 Holy Spirit Sisters. Fr Pat said the whole outlook of the Divine Word Missionaries is ad gentes - "to the nations." Read more about the Divine Word Missionaries Scot asked Fr. Pat why he wanted to be a priest, and specifically why he wanted to be a missionary priest. Fr. Pat said he grew up in Ireland in the 1950s as the oldest of 6 children, and a lot of boys thought about the priesthood - especially in that time as a young boy, there was a sense of adventure and romanticism attached to the missions still. After a high school presentation from a Divine Word Missionaries and attending a vocations retreat, he joined them in 1967. Fr. Pat said that while the majority of his class went to a local seminary, he got the opportunity to go to London and do his theology studies there. He was ordained two months before his 24th birthday, and was sent to Ghana for 6 months right out of seminary. After those 6 months, he returned and did 6 years of vocations work in Ireland and Great Britain. Scot asked Fr. Copp to speak about the Missionary Co-operative program in the Archdiocese and how many missionaries it brings into the Archdiocese. Fr. Copp said that each parish gets a missionary, but some have several parishes so it is hard to give a quick count. The visits serve a dual purpose, he continued, in that the missionaries can receive not only financial support but prayerful support, and the people in the parishes receive formation and education about the missions. Scot asked Fr. Copp to talk about the Pontifical Mission Societies - people in Boston may know them as the Propagation of the Faith, but there are actually four societies all over the world. Fr. Copp explained that the Society for the Propagation of the Faith is the biggest society; the Society of St Peter Apostle supports the formation of priests and religious, the Holy Childhood Association facilitates children helping children through prayer and sacrifice, and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious is a spiritual support group for the other three societies. Scot and Fr. Copp also discussed that while the Pontifical Mission Societies have offices here in the Archdiocese and that Fr. Copp serves at the pleasure of the Cardinal, much of the policy, fiscal decision-making, and reporting structure is to the National Office and, through that office, to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in Rome. Scot asked Maureen to describe how Boston fares on the national scale with support of the Missions. Maureen answered that Boston has a huge history of supporting the Missions - both Maryknoll and the St James Society were founded in Boston, leaving the area with a rich history of sending missionaries that many other places don't have. About $60 million is sent from the United States each year to Rome for the Holy Father and the Congregation to give to projects internationally, she said - and most of that is from the average person in the pew giving a small donation. Scot asked Fr Copp why the average parishioner should be aware of the missions. Fr Copp said that, as is read at many baptisms from Matthew's Gospel, Jesus told us to go forth and baptize all nations - and that call belongs to all Catholics by reason of baptism. To not have that part of one's faith, he said, is to be missing a big chunk. Every Catholic is called to spread the faith however they can. Fr Copp said he explains to people at parishes he visits that "some people give by going, and some people go by giving." People who go to far away lands and leave family and familiar language behind are one type of missionary, Fr Copp said, but the vast majority of people will be missionaries because they support with prayer and sacrifice, even though they may not see directly everything they are supporting. Scot asked Fr Copp what has been the biggest surprise for him working as Director for only just over a year now. Fr Copp said he enjoys the daily geography lessons and the support from his staff, but truly loves meeting all the people who come to the office. Scot asked Fr Pat what it was like to go into a parish for just one weekend to preach for the missions. Fr Pat said that he knows some of his fellow priests who would be scared to do the job - to walk into a place in a strange country. He explained that he's always excited when he gets assignments, even when he's not positive specifically where he'll be preaching. Fr Pat said that the biggest support is knowing he has a message to convey to the people he'll meet when he's preaching and when he greets parishioners after Mass. 2nd segment: Scot started the segment by asking Fr Pat about the founding of the Holy Childhood Association. Fr Pat said that some older listeners may be asked to help with "African" or "pagan babies" - the language of the time. In 1843, Fr Pat continued, Bishop Charles Forbin-Janson was very distressed by reports coming out of China about the number of babies that were dying, young girls especially, because they were abandoned by their parents. The Bishop asked children to pray for the children in China and give up pennies to support the work of the sisters who were caring for these orphans. From that humble beginnings, Fr Pat said, the Holy Childhood sends $25 million to over 3,000 projects worldwide each year. Most of those projects involve young children infected with HIV/AIDS, helping child soldiers return to normal lives, and assisting orphans and street children. Scot asked how many countries contributed versus how many countries receive money - Fr Pat said the amazing thing about the Holy Childhood Association model of children helping children is that all countries contribute, even the poorest. He told a story of receiving $50 from Liberia for the world fund, even during the middle of their brutal civil war. While the recipients are many of the poorer countries you would think of, Fr Pat concluded, all countries are involved in supporting each other through prayer and sacrifice. The aim is not charity, as with many other organizations, but to raise money and prayers in solidarity with children all over the world. Scot asked Fr Pat about a project that sticks in his mind. Fr Pat said he always likes to see progress being made as a result of the projects. One of his first trips, he said, was to a hospital for babies with AIDS in South Africa in 1999. Many of the children looked healthy, but all of them were dying by the time they were 5 years old. In Zambia in 2008, he visited another care center, and the children are now living until 15 or 16 years old due to the care that Holy Childhood Association projects are providing. Scot asked Maureen what we do here in Boston to raise money for the Holy Childhood Association. Maureen replied that there are many programs that vary between parishes and schools - programs can follow the liturgical year, be integrated as part of Geography or English programs in a Catholic school, and be activities tied into holidays. Maureen explained one program during Thanksgiving has many handcrafts that the children can make that feature the colors of the World Mission Rosary. Then, when they are at the Thanksgiving meal, they see the colors and remember to give thanks for all that they have that another child poorer than them may not have. Maureen said that Holy Childhood has two important pillars - prayer and sacrifice. Those pillars, she continued, cannot exist without each other. Asking children to reach into their pockets alone doesn't convey the message of stewardship. Maureen said one thing she teaches in all the schools is that "found money is mission money" - if you found it and it wasn't yours to begin with, someone else probably needs it more than you. Maureen also said that an important part of the sacrifice is that it is the child's sacrifice, not a handout from their parents - the child makes a pact with God about what they'll sacrifice and offer up in prayer. Learn more about how to pray the World Mission Rosary Scot asked Maureen what people could do to find out more about the Holy Childhood Association programs if there was not already an active program in their parish. Maureen said they should speak to their school's Principal, Director of Religious Education, or Pastor - she and Fr Copp both stressed that these programs are not only approved of but highly recommended by Cardinal Seán for implementation in all grade schools and religious education programs. Scot said that it must be important that the children feel they are not just doing it for God, but also for people who really need it, and that as a parenting vehicle it helps everyone involved be less materialistic and consumeristic. Maureen said it also teaches stewardship from a very early age, giving the next generation of Catholics a good foundation of thinking of others in the ministries of the Church. Scot asked Fr Pat what surprised him the most when he took over as Secretary General of the Holy Childhood Association in Rome. Fr Pat said he had some exposure to the society as a National Director in Ecuador, but didn't appreciate the extent to which the Association exists all over the world. When he started traveling, Fr Pat said he would go to a school in the middle of nowhere late at night and there would be a thousand children eager to sing songs, recite poetry, and say prayers in their own language. Fr Pat continued and said he was very conscious as well of the people on the ground working. The people living the message of Jesus in dangerous conditions were inspiring to him, especially the native sisters. Scot, Fr Pat, and Maureen discussed the differences in the level of poverty - $5, Fr Pat said, is a small fortune even for an adult in some places in Africa and other poor areas. Maureen said that something many kids don't understand is just how far those $5 can go. That amount of money may feed fifty children in Haiti for a day, or give ten children bags of IV fluids to save them from dehydration and malnutrition. Maureen highlighted that in Africa, malaria is still almost as much a problem as HIV/AIDS. She said sacrifices work almost like the loaves and fishes miracle Jesus takes what we think of as small sacrifices and makes them have massive impact. 3rd segment: Scot started the final segment of the show by asking Fr Pat about his experience in Ecuador. Fr Pat said that while he was working as a vocations director in England, he had the opportunity to visit Mexico during Blessed Pope John Paul II's first trip there as Pope. Fr Pat said before he went to Mexico, he always thought of mission as somewhere like Papua New Guinea, as far away as possible. But when he was in Mexico, Fr Pat said he realized how much he enjoyed the area and the people there and later returned to learn Spanish. He explained that Ecuador has a diverse population, made up of many native Indians, black Ecuadorians who trace their roots back to the time of the slave trade, with a large group of Caucasian and mixed-race people. He said that even though the atmosphere was generally Catholic, there were many different ethnic perceptions of religion, faith, and God. Fr Pat continued his story, saying that his first six years in Ecuador were spent in education as a chaplain and then later as headmaster of a small city four hours south of Quito. He said even though he originally didn't want to work in schools, he was dedicated to it because his job was to do what was needed. He looked back on it later and said it was a good thing because it helped him sharpen his language skills. After that assignment, he went into mission animation - creating a mission awareness among people. Ecuador was a country that needed help to look outward from itself, he said, and people were very focused on their own problems and nowhere else. Fr Pat said his greatest experience was learning to listen to the people around him. Fr Pat said the overall role of the Missionaries of the Divine Word was to be an advocate for mission and encourage the role of the universal Church in local areas - local people becoming missionaries and going to witness to the worldwide needs of people. Scot wrapped up the show by asking Maureen how people can find out more about the Pontifical Mission Societies. Maureen said that people can learn more by going to their website, calling them at (617) 542-1776, or emailing them at [email protected]. Maureen said they are happy to send information on any of the four societies or how people can get involved in mission support programs. Fr Copp concluded the segment by asking listeners to pray for the work in the missions and to speak to their pastors about supporting the Pontifical Mission Societies through Mass cards and enrollments.

Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Chip Hines Today’s topics: Pope Benedict's messages to young women religious, university professors, and the World Youth Day Pilgrims; Gospel reading for August 21st, 2011. Follow along with the pilgrims and their stories at WYDMadridBoston.com View pictures of the World Youth Day 2011 Pilgrimage on the Archdiocese of Boston's flickr account Watch video of Cardinal Seán and pilgrims on the Archdiocese of Boston's YouTube account Summary of today’s show:Scot and Father Chip analyze Pope Benedict's addresses in Madrid during World Youth Day and discuss this Sunday's Gospel reading. 1st segment: Scot welcomed Fr. Chip back to the show, as he hadn't been co-hosting in a while. Fr. Chip said the best thing to catch up on this week is football - he and Scot both agreed that the Patriots looked very strong in their pre-season game last night. Scot said that even though January 1st is the start of the calendar year, so many things start right around Labor Day. Fr Chip agreed, saying that at his parish the Director of Religious education and Confirmation class teachers are gearing up getting ready - very similar to how the teams are gearing up for the season, everyone at St Mary's in Wrenthem is preparing for students to come back and programs to start up for the Fall. 2nd segment: Scot said that pilgrims at World Youth Day woke up early this morning in Madrid to attend a catechesis session with Archbishop Timothy Dolan from New York at a center sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Scot also mentioned that the pilgrims very much enjoyed their time at the center - it is one of the few air-conditioned venues in Madrid! Scot noted that Pope Benedict's first address this morning was to women religious from Spain and all over the world. Scot read a short excerpt from the speech: In the consecrated life, this means going to the very root of the love of Jesus Christ with an undivided heart, putting nothing ahead of this love and being completely devoted to him, the Bridegroom, as were the Saints, like Rose of Lima and Rafael Arnáiz, the young patrons of this World Youth Day. Your lives must testify to the personal encounter with Christ which has nourished your consecration, and to all the transforming power of that encounter. This is all the more important today when “we see a certain ‘eclipse of God’ taking place, a kind of amnesia which, albeit not an outright rejection of Christianity, is nonetheless a denial of the treasure of our faith, a denial that could lead to the loss of our deepest identity." In a world of relativism and mediocrity, we need that radicalism to which your consecration, as a way of belonging to the God who is loved above all things, bears witness. This Gospel radicalism proper to the consecrated life finds expression in filial communion with the Church, the home of the children of God, built by Christ: communion with her Pastors who set forth in the Lord’s name the deposit of faith received from the apostles, the ecclesial Magisterium and the Christian tradition... Read all of Pope Benedict's greeting to young religious (PDF) Fr. Chip said that he loved the idea of a "Gospel radicalism" - he said since the Gospel is the Truth, there is no mediocrity in it. The Gospel is both the central teaching of the Church and what we are supposed to live, and these women religious are living out the Gospel through their charisms and vows. Fr Chip said that the young women religious are a special witness to the faith. He continued, relating a story about an internet discussion about his hometown of Reading, Massachusetts. One poster said she remembered nuns walking in their habits back and forth from the parish at the center of town. A discussion ensued about the Church - even from that witness long ago. When the Pope brings up this witness up, Fr. Chip continued, it shows that the Pope knows this kind of witness needs to be more common in the world today. Scot noted that the word radical comes from "root" - and that a Gospel radical must be rooted well in the faith, the motto of this World Youth Day. Scot said what he found very compelling about Pope Benedict's words is how he calls out exactly what he sees happening in culture - saying "we see an eclipse of God," something that the Pope in the past has referred to as a practical atheism. Read Pope Benedict's encyclical "Caritas in veritate," which speaks of the dangers of practical atheism in paragraph 29 Scot said that there are many forces trying to encourage that eclipse of God, even in the United States - organizations like the ACLU claim that any mention of God or religion in the public square or a public school is forcing Catholicism on them, but at the same time they deny forcing their atheism on the general public. The Pope also talked about a general amnesia, Scot said, which seems to be making us forget our Christian roots in both the United States and Europe. Scot then moved to the Pope's message that relativism and and mediocrity have taken over in some areas of society. He said that relativism means that there is no objective truth - just our own subjective opinions. In a relativist society, there is no way to know what is really true. Fr. Chip said that we need to step back and realize that culture has compartmentalized truth as well - for example, he said, euthanasia or abortion aren't murder, but if someone were to kill a pregnant woman they would be charged with two murders. Scot said that the secular trend towards doing the minimum or being mediocre has also infected our Church. Many people attend Mass every Sunday, but forget about their faith for the other 167 hours of the week, Scot said. We are all called to do well beyond the minimum in following Christ. Scot ended the segment by reading the end of Pope Benedict's message thanking the young women religious for their dedication and witness, and asking them to challenge, nourish and illuminate young people with their lives. 3rd segment: Scot reminded the listeners that the words of Pope Benedict at World Youth Day aren't meant just for the young - they're also meant for all Catholics all over the world of all ages. Scot said that the Pope also met today in Madrid with university professors today, the first time such an event has been part of a World Youth Day. Scot read excerpts from Pope Benedict's message: I have looked forward to this meeting with you, young professors in the universities of Spain. You provide a splendid service in the spread of truth, in circumstances that are not always easy... t where will young people encounter those reference points in a society which is increasingly confused and unstable? At times one has the idea that the mission of a university professor nowadays is exclusively that of forming competent and efficient professionals capable of satisfying the demand for labor at any given time. One also hears it said that the only thing that matters at the present moment is pure technical ability. This sort of utilitarian approach to education is in fact becoming more widespread, even at the university level, promoted especially by sectors outside the University. All the same, you who, like myself, have had an experience of the University, and now are members of the teaching staff, surely are looking for something more lofty and capable of embracing the full measure of what it is to be human. We know that when mere utility and pure pragmatism become the principal criteria, much is lost and the results can be tragic: from the abuses associated with a science which acknowledges no limits beyond itself, to the political totalitarianism which easily arises when one eliminates any higher reference than the mere calculus of power. The authentic idea of the University, on the other hand, is precisely what saves us from this reductionist and curtailed vision of humanity. In truth, the University has always been, and is always called to be, the “house” where one seeks the truth proper to the human person. Consequently it was not by accident that the Church promoted the universities, for Christian faith speaks to us of Christ as the Word through whom all things were made and of men and women as made in the image and likeness of God. The Gospel message perceives a rationality inherent in creation and considers man as a creature participating in, and capable of attaining to, an understanding of this rationality. The University thus embodies an ideal which must not be attenuated or compromised, whether by ideologies closed to reasoned dialogue or by truckling to a purely utilitarian and economic conception which would view man solely as a consumer. Read all of Pope Benedict's message to young professors (PDF) Scot said that before Pope Benedict went to Rome, he was a university professor in Germany, and probably still would be had Pope John Paul II not called him to lead the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In many ways, Scot said, the Holy Father was trying to help these professors to go beyond mediocrity in their profession. Fr. Chip said he went to a liberal arts school, and that he thinks there's something important to understanding literature and politics, and not just being taught to be an accountant or a scientist. A broad, well-rounded education helps students be better citizens and better Catholics. Fr Chip said that students need to understand that going to college is not just about getting a professional degree, it's about the process of learning and education. Scot said that the Holy Father wants the professors to view themselves as forming the whole person, not just passing on facts and allowing a relativistic perspective - no matter what discipline is being taught. Fr. Chip said he finds it ironic that many of the secular humanists who populate universities these days tend to forget that the university system was a Catholic idea - they forget that some of the great theorists were Catholic priests. Scot read another segment from the Pope's message that emphasized that professors need to "be a source of encouragement and strength... on the path to fullness and truth... a path of understanding and love, of reason and faith." Fr Chip agreed, saying that the best professors he had throughout college and the seminary were the ones who took time to sit down and care about his learning progress and understanding of the material. Scot related that one of his favorite professors from business school always said there was a difference between being a professor and a teacher - a teacher conveys not only course lessons, but life lessons too. One lesson Scot remembered was having breakfast with the professor and some classmates, and the professor explaining that men at work are always competitive, and to avoid bringing that need for a "score card" back home. Scot said that he agreed strongly - one can have little victories or achievements during the day at work, but home life or a relationship with a wife or children just can't be measured the same way. Fr. Chip agreed, adding that a pastor's work can't be measured in the same score system either. The number of baptisms or confirmations is all well and good, but he said if all the pastor is worried about is numbers he's missing part of the point. Fr. Chip said he'd rather just one person have a closer and better relationship with God than have the highest numbers any day. 4th segment: Scot started the segment by reading a short passage from Pope Benedict's message to youth at World Youth Day after the Way of the Cross in Madrid: As we were making our way with Jesus towards the place of his sacrifice on Mount Calvary, the words of Saint Paul came to mind: “Christ loved me and gave himself for me." In the face of such disinterested love, we find ourselves asking, filled with wonder and gratitude: What can we do for him? What response shall we give him? Saint John puts it succinctly: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." Christ’s passion urges us to take upon our own shoulders the sufferings of the world, in the certainty that God is not distant or far removed from man and his troubles. On the contrary, he became one of us “in order to suffer with man in an utterly real way — in flesh and blood ... hence in all human suffering we are joined by one who experiences and carries that suffering with us; hence con-solatio is present in all suffering, the consolation of God's compassionate love — and so the star of hope rises." Dear young friends, may Christ’s love for us increase your joy and encourage you to go in search of those less fortunate. You are open to the idea of sharing your lives with others, so be sure not to pass by on the other side in the face of human suffering, for it is here that God expects you to give of your very best: your capacity for love and compassion. The different forms of suffering that have unfolded before our eyes in the course of this Way of the Cross are the Lord’s way of summoning us to spend our lives following in his footsteps and becoming signs of his consolation and salvation. “To suffer with the other and for others; to suffer for the sake of truth and justice; to suffer out of love and in order to become a person who truly loves — these are fundamental elements of humanity, and to abandon them would destroy man himself." Read all of Pope Benedict's message to young people at the Way of the Cross in Madrid (PDF) Scot said that this was one of the most moving homilies he has heard about human suffering. Fr. Chip agreed, and said that one of his favorite parts of Lent is Friday night Stations of the Cross with his parishioners. He said it shows in a visual way what walking the path of suffering is like, but also can relate their own suffering to Christ's - where he falls, but gets back up. Fr. Chip said that Pope Benedict's message reminds us that we walk the Way of the Cross with Jesus - but that we don't walk it alone. Scot highlighted the Holy Father's question of what we give back to Jesus, and said that the only true response is to give ourselves back to Him. 5th segment: First Reading for August 21, 2011, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Isaiah 22:19-23) Thus says the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace: "I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station. On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; I will clothe him with your robe, and gird him with your sash, and give over to him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim's shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut when he shuts, no one shall open. I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot, to be a place of honor for his family." Second Reading for August 21, 2011, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Romans 11:33-36) Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Gospel for August 21, 2011, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 16:13-20) Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. Scot said that he views the Gospel for this Sunday as four parts: the first as "who do you say I am," the second as St Peter's response to that question and Jesus changing his name, the third as the powers that Jesus gives St Peter, and the fourth as Jesus' request for the disciples not to tell anyone he was the Christ. In the first section, Scot said, we answer that question every day as Catholics with how we live our faith. If we truly say that Jesus is God who sacrificed himself on the cross for us, Scot continued, then do we show others by our actions that we believe it? Or do we only say it for an hour on Sunday morning? Fr Chip said that the key to believing is living out our faith in both our words and actions, even though it is difficult and requires effort on our part. Scot moved to the second part of the Gospel reading, where Jesus tells Simon/Peter that he is the rock the Church will be founded on. Jesus then gives Simon a new name - Scot said that in religious congregations then and now, when someone gets a new name it means they have a new mission or vocation. Simon was a friend or follower of Christ, Peter was at that moment the first pope. Fr Chip agreed, and said that even though Peter fails a bit by denying Jesus later on and being afraid, Jesus already knows that Peter has what it takes to shepherd the new Church. Fr Chip also reminded the listeners that this Gospel is also important in that it shows us the importance of sacramental confession. As successors of St Peter, the bishops and the men they ordain have the power handed down from Jesus to forgive in both Heaven and Earth. Scot joked that the last segment of the Gospel is the one time where we can forget what Jesus says in the Gospel - at the time, Fr Chip explained, Jesus was not quite ready to be too public and hence asked his disciples not to start spreading the news far and wide yet. Today though, Scot said, we need to tell everyone about the Good News that is Jesus Christ.

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 Newspaper. Today’s topics:Cardinal Seán and Pope Benedict deliver messages to the pilgrims in Madrid for World Youth Day, a petition in support of euthanasia is submitted to the Massachusetts Attorney General, and Fr. Rich Erikson reflects on closing his term as the Vicar General. Follow along with the pilgrims and their stories at WYDMadridBoston.com View pictures of the World Youth Day 2011 Pilgrimage on the Archdiocese of Boston's flickr account Watch video of Cardinal Seán and pilgrims on the Archdiocese of Boston's YouTube account Summary of today’s show: Scot, Susan, and Greg discuss messages at World Youth Day and local and international Catholic news. 1st segment: Scot welcomed Susan back to the studio, as it's been a while since they co-hosted a show together. Susan explained that, contrary to what we said on the show two weeks ago, she was not on vacation - she was at a conference in Springfield with other catechists. Reporter John Allen was the keynote speaker for the event. Susan said she was also at CatholicTV last week talking about Catechetical Sunday, which is coming up on September 18th. Susan explained that John Allen spoke about his most recent book, The Future Church, about ten trends he sees, and said the book is hopeful work from an objective writer. She said one of the biggest trends Allen identifies is that the Church is no longer a Church of East and West but of North and South. Scot recalled a column where Allen shared his themes, and said he agreed with Allen's analysis of a shift in our Church to South America and Africa. John Allen's blog at the National Catholic Reporter John Allen's book The Future Church CatholicTV's "This is the Day" program 2nd segment: Scot welcomed Greg Tracy from the Pilot newspaper to the program, and talked about the Pilot's front page story this week - a picture of the massive crowds gathered in Madrid. Greg lamented that the Pilot is only a weekly newspaper and couldn't get pictures of the Pope's arrival today in time for printing, but promised a full issue next week dedicated to coverage of the Pope's time spent in Madrid over the next few days. Scot said that even though Pope Benedict has only been on the ground for a few hours, he's already had the chance to give three significant addresses - the first almost as a head of state to diplomats and the King and Queen of Spain, the second when he first greeted the pilgrims, and the third after a reading from Scripture in a homily to the youth. Scot read an excerpt from the homily: Dear young people, listen closely to the words of the Lord, that they may be for you “spirit and life” (Jn 6:63), roots which nourish your being, a rule of life which likens us – poor in spirit, thirsting for justice, merciful, pure in heart, lovers of peace – to the person of Christ. Listen regularly every day as if he were the one friend who does not deceive, the one with whom we wish to share the path of life. Of course, you know that when we do not walk beside Christ our guide, we get lost on other paths, like the path of our blind and selfish impulses, or the path of flattering but self-serving suggestions, deceiving and fickle, which leave emptiness and frustration in their wake. Read Pope Benedict's entire homily at WYDCentral.org Scot highlighted that Pope Benedict is addressing a common theme - that youth have pressure from many sources to conform to values that aren't of the Catholic faith. Susan said she was struck by the sometimes poetic language that the Pope used. Susan said she also enjoyed a piece of the previous paragraph talking about words, where the Holy Father said that "...there are words which serve only to amuse, as fleeting as an empty breeze; others, to an extent, inform us; those of Jesus, on the other hand, must reach our hearts, take root and bloom there all our lives." Scot said that the Holy Father used the theme of World Youth Day and themes from last month's Gospel readings about fertile soil to encourage the youth to "grow in divine grace." Greg said it was interesting to hear that he was reaching out to the youth in a more cerebral way, approaching the youth with great ideas and asking them to think about their reality more carefully. Greg continued to say that Pope Benedict seems to be also speaking out against the individualistic society - we should build communion among each other, not being alone. Greg said it was interesting to hear the Pope mention the word "friend" in respect to online activities - many people on their Facebook pages may have a thousand friends. The Holy Father was asking the youth to be careful not to dilute the meaning of the word. Susan said it's important for all of us to follow along with World Youth Day, and how amazing it is that the technology can help us do so, and how that can help make all feel connected to the events in Madrid even from this side of the Atlantic. Scot mentioned that a few websites are doing excellent coverage of World Youth Day Activities: Salt and Light TV's website WYDCentral.org Father Roger Landry and parishioners from St. Anthony of Padua blog about their experiences at SaintAnthonyYouthGroup.blogspot.com Boston pilgrims post on WYDMadridBoston.com 3rd segment: Scot introduced a segment from Cardinal Seán's catechesis session to English-speakers at World Youth Day on Thursday morning in Spain. Click here to listen to Cardinal Seán: What would it be like to be around Jesus when He was alive? Scot highlighted the Cardinal's words that the Eucharist is an extreme expression of God's love for us, and recalled that the founder of World Youth Day, Blessed John Paul II, often talked about love as self-gift or self-donation. Greg commented that he very much agreed with Cardinal Seán - this is only the second World Youth Day that Greg hasn't been to. He said that it is difficult to sit at home and watch the coverage and wishing he was there to experience it, especially with three of his kids there - but came to the conclusion that even though he'd sell an organ to get a plane ticket to Madrid, he should be driven with the same exact zeal to go to church every single Sunday, not just to go to a large mass in Madrid. He emphasized that we need to remember that we can be part of the worldwide community of the Church every single weekend in our own parishes - no need to spend a thousand dollars on a plane ticket or travel to somewhere halfway across the world. Scot said that many of the pilgrims have shared that they're excited to see the Pope - but that the Pope said he doesn't want to be the star of the show, the star of the show should be Jesus Christ. Scot continued that it can be tough to bring the same excitement about a more routine Mass to a once-in-a-lifetime trip like World Youth Day, but that it is what we are all called to do. Susan said she was tickled to see that Cardinal Seán started his catechesis by drawing comparisons to Don Quixote - Scot commented that it isn't surprising knowing that he has a doctorate in Spanish and Portuguese literature. Susan said another favorite part was when Cardinal Seán asked why, if so many youth can read Harry Potter books, could they not read the Bible as well? Cardinal Seán continued and said that many people do not get what they should from the Eucharist because they don't ponder what they hear in the Gospel before receiving Jesus. Susan also said that one of Cardinal Seán's common themes is that we live in an age of entertainment - everyone wants to be entertained all the time. We need to come to Mass to hear the Word of God, give Him glory, and receive the Eucharist, and Cardinal Seán did a great job reminding us that the Mass is not entertainment but growth. Scot said that the Cardinal sometimes preaches at Confirmations and asks the confirmands to know and have an appreciation for what is happening at the Mass so that they might keep coming back. Greg said the Cardinal's answer to a question about the role of scripture in the Church stuck out to him as a former Protestant. Greg said he grew up being very connected to the Bible, and Cardinal Seán's words were important because of how difficult it was to come to grips with the idea that the Church had curated and organized the Bible as we know it. Greg compared it to giving someone a photo album of your life - a viewer of the album would know that you were at a beach, or in a forest, but not if you were having a good time. They wouldn't know if that was the vacation where you broke your toe or that it rained the whole time or that it was beautiful. In the same way, Greg continued, the Church's tradition fills in the context to the scriptures - a very important part of our faith. 3rd segment: Scot introduced an article in both the Pilot and the Anchor this week about a petition submitted to the Massachusetts Attorney General in support of euthanasia - so that elderly and sick people could legally take their own lives. Scot recalled that from what they have discussed on past shows, this is already legal in two states in the Northwest, and many pro-euthanasia activists consider Massachusetts "low hanging fruit." Greg said that the petition wasn't really a surprise, as there was a "Final Exit Network" billboard on I-93 weeks ago (now taken down) promoting support for euthanasia. The petition proposes a "death with dignity" ballot initiative, which must collect about 69,000 signatures to be accepted for a vote. If the signatures are collected, the petition goes to the Legislature who can either let it go, amend it, or offer an alternative to it. Greg listed the criteria for euthanasia according to the petition: the person must be given 6 months or less to live, the request must be made twice in writing, 15 days apart, the requests must be signed by two witnesses who can attest the person is not under duress, and the witnesses may not stand to gain anything from the death of the person. Greg said he thinks the important thing is that the Legislature avoid what we spoke about in the Netherlands several weeks ago - requirements started as stringent as the ones proposed here, and have slowly relaxed and become almost meaningless and are not enforced. Read a Zenit article about the euthanasia problem in Europe Susan said the concept of euthanasia makes her crazy, and the possibility of people being given "death with dignity" without their permission is frightening. She continued, saying that the oversight board in one state is made up of doctors who perform these procedures - that kind of oversight isn't effective or safe for the public in the first place. Scot said that we all need to be speaking up against this, as there's a very well-funded lobby on the other side of the issue. Scot cautioned that if we don't form ourselves, neighbors, kids, and friends, we'll lose on this valuable issue like we have on many in the past. On a related note, Scot highlighted a short piece from the Pilot about Peter J. Cataldo, who was named this week as the first Chief Healthcare Ethicist for the Archdiocese of Boston. Scot said that Dr. Cataldo comes from a similar role in New Hampshire and spent 18 years at the Catholic Bio-Ethics Center as a policy lead as well. Scot explained that Dr. Cataldo will be helping oversee Catholic identity at the former Caritas Christi hospital now owned by Steward Health Care System. Scot quickly mentioned an opinion piece by Monsignor Francis Kelley on the IFRC from a Pastor's Viewpoint. Scot explained that the IFRC, or Improved Financial Relationship Committee and Model, is a better way for parishes to financially support each other and the whole Archdiocese. Msgr. Kelley was one of the first to implement and test the new model, and shares key lessons about what he has learned from the model. First, that stewardship must be tied to a parish's mission; secondly, that some people only buy into the mission of a parish when they feel an "ownership" of their place in the parish; and thirdly that "a rising tide floats all boats." Greg talked about a final column from the outgoing Vicar General, Father Rich Erikson, entitled "A great privilege from every point of view." In the column, Fr. Rich gives a farewell before going to Rome to study next month. Fr. Rich wrote about coming to know Cardinal Seán and respect his leadership, and how much he appreciates working with the Pastoral Center staff. Susan expressed that she had mixed feelings about Fr. Rich's departure - while she is happy that Fr. Rich has the opportunity to go to Rome to study, she will miss his leadership, intelligence, and personality in the building every day. Scot said that Fr Rich will join us on The Good Catholic Life for a show on Friday, August 26th, and encouraged listeners to tune in to hear from Fr Rich directly. Scot quickly mentioned Dr. E Joanne Angelo, a Tufts University assistant professor of psychiatry and medical doctor who was named one of three recipients of the 2011 People of Life Award. Susan added that she lives in Cambridge and is a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Scot also brought up that two parishes will be getting new pastors - Father Thomas Keyes will move from St. Francis of Assisi parish in Medford to be the new pastor of Our Lady of Hope parish in Ipswitch, and Father Albert Faretra will be moving from his current position as pastor at St Joseph parish in Belmont to be the new pastor of St Blaise parish in Bellingham. Scot and Greg closed by discussing a gathering the annual Vianney Cookout that the priests of the Archdiocese have every year to fraternize and hear a speaker. This year's speaker was Monsignor Peter Conley, a former Pilot editor. Greg said he wasn't personally present, but that he was told Msgr Conley's comparison of rectory life of the past and now as well as stories about Cardinal Kushing were well received by his fellow priests.

Subscribe for free in iTunes Today’s host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams Today’s guest(s): Dom Bettinelli, Sister Olga Yaqob, Danny Menardi and Allison Daley. Today’s topics: Continuing coverage of World Youth Day 2011 live from Madrid. Follow along with the pilgrims and their stories at WYDMadridBoston.com View pictures of the World Youth Day 2011 Pilgrimage on the Archdiocese of Boston's flickr account Watch video of Cardinal Seán and pilgrims on the Archdiocese of Boston's YouTube account Summary of today’s show: 1st segment: Scot welcomed everyone back to the show to hear more coverage of World Youth Day 2011 directly from Boston pilgrims in Madrid. Scot welcomed Fr. Matt Williams and Dom back to the program. Fr. Matt said the most impressive thing to him about the pilgrims so far is the reality of the young people's witness to not only each other but to random people from all over the world. He said that even in the airports, the joy of the pilgrims was infectious and made people around them ask about it. They were able to discuss their faith, and one person even asked about how he might be baptized. Fr. Matt continued saying that their group got to Madrid before many pilgrims, so it was good to have some extra time to gather just as Boston pilgrims and watch the city fill up. On Sunday night, the Cardinal consecrated the young people on the trip to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Fr. Matt continued, saying it was incredible to see almost 500,000 people fill up the streets and squares for Mass on Tuesday night - and that the organizers were still getting new registrations for more pilgrimages. Scot asked Fr. Matt about what goals the Office of the New Evangelization had for the pilgrims. Fr. Matt replied that the first goal is for the youth to rediscover the life of Christ within them, and to hear the invitation to vocation - that God has a special plan for their lives, whether it be religious life or a lay vocation. Scot asked Fr. Matt to describe the opening Mass - Fr. Matt said his Spanish is a bit rusty so it is sometimes difficult to follow along, but said it was amazing to concelebrate a votive Mass of Blessed Pope John Paul II and feel his spirit and witness still alive in the event that he started. Scot brought up a quote from Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela of Madrid at the Mass on Tuesday saying that the current youth are "the Benedict XVI generation" - many of the youth attending World Youth Day now might not even have much memory of who Blessed John Paul II was. Fr. Matt said the youth understood their call to be living witnesses and bring the Good News to everyone. 2nd segment: Sister Olga of the Eucharist joined Scot and discussed the group from Boston University that she is leading in Madrid. She said she is thankful for the opportunity to work with them again, even though she completed her work at Boston University last month. There are 34 young men and women in the group, she said, and it was awesome to see the excitement of the youth yesterday at the opening Mass. She said for some people, it was deepening existing faith, but for some it was a new reconversion to the faith. Scot asked Sister Olga to describe her message at a Theology on Tap event held just before the show for the group members over 21. Sister Olga said she spoke about devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary - "how to be a man or woman after His own heart." She chose this theme because the Holy Father will consecrate all the youth of the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and wanted the youth to be prepared for that event. Sister Olga said Pope Benedict is calling young people to be firm and strong in their faith, and that the best way to do that is to return to the Heart of Jesus. Sister Olga said she is also encouraging the youth to take every opportunity to be with Jesus through Adoration of the Eucharist. She said that many of the young adults are taking time out to visit the many side chapels and local churches that have perpetual Adoration for the next week. Scot highlighted a picture from George Martell that showed the massive crowds at the catechesis session with Cardinal George Francis of Chicago: Scot asked Sister Olga if it was difficult to find time away to pray quietly or reflect on the day's events. Sister Olga replied that many of the youth were using the time spent in Adoration to do exactly that - even in that crowded church during the catechesis session, there was a side chapel where pilgrims could go to spend time with the Lord quietly. She said even during the question and answer session, many youth took advantage of the time for quiet meditation. Sister Olga described her two favorite moments of the pilgrimage so far. Her first was the private pilgrimage to Avila with 110 of the youth from Boston, setting the prayerful tone for the rest of the week before the massive crowds came to Madrid. Her second favorite moment was the pilgrimage to Toledo with Cardinal Seán, especially that he traveled on the tour bus with the youth and joined them for walks and lunch. Sister Olga said it was beautiful to see the Cardinal shepherding part of his flock. 3rd segment: Scot was joined by Allison Daley, one of the pilgrims from the Boston University group. She is going into her senior year and has been active with the Catholic Center at Boston University since she was a freshman. After some technical difficulties, Allison said she has always wanted to be on a World Youth Day pilgrimage. That desire was sparked by World Youth Day being in her home town, Denver, when she was a child. Scot asked Allison to describe some of the highlights of being present at World Youth Day so far. She described that her favorite part so far was visiting the Carmelite monastery in Avila. Allison said that even though the sisters were cloistered and the group couldn't physically see the sisters, the group felt blessed and empowered. She said the witness of the sisters showering the group with gifts and prayers, even though they didn't meet them, was indicative of the best of being brothers and sisters in Christ. Allison said her sister asked her to take a picture of the crowd "so she could see what 2 million people looks like." Allison said that even the Mass last night with only 500,000 people was incredible - it is almost impossible to imagine what it looks like to see people as far as you can look. She said the camaraderie between the country groups was always cheerful, and that countries cheered back and forth for each other as they passed by. She said Cardinal George focused in his catechesis about the name of Jesus - how God gave us His name so that we could know Him, trust Him, and call on Him by name. She also said the questions asked by the crowd very very deep. She finished by saying that the event she was most excited for on the trip is the upcoming consecration on Saturday night. 4th segment: It's time to announce the winner of the weekly WQOM Benefactor Raffle. Our prizes this week are a copy of Peter Herbeck's book When the Holy Spirit Comes in Power and a copy of Pray and Never Lose Heart by Sister Ann Shields. This week's winner is Francis Bane from Watertown, Massachusetts. Congratulations Francis! If you would like to be eligible to win in upcoming weeks, 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. 5th segment: Scot welcomed Danny Menardi, another Boston University student traveling with Sister Olga on the pilgrimage. Scot asked Danny about a cheer for Cardinal Seán that Sister Olga had referenced earlier in the show - Danny said that their group was very lively and sometimes noisy. Danny and Allison sang their chant for Cardinal Seán - he said that at first, he wasn't sure if the Cardinal would be ok with it, but when the Cardinal smiled they all laughed. Danny said the experience of praising the Lord through music in public was one of the most unbelievable experiences so far, even singing and playing with groups from other countries. Danny described a day in Toledo where they were playing and singing in front of a Cathedral, and other groups came up and started singing in Italian and other languages, and even the deaf apostolate pilgrims were signing. He said the unity was a beautiful experience. 6th segment: After some technical difficulties, Scot started the final segment by reading a quote from the homily at the World Youth Day opening Mass: John Paul II conceived World Youth Day as a valuable instrument of the new evangelization. Our Holy Father Benedict XVI as well. Dear young people: you need to live this Eucharistic Celebration of the World Youth Day, saying thanks to the Lord, for being called from this moment to become his disciples and witnesses! Do not doubt it! Jesus Christ shows you the way and the aim of the real happiness. Not only to you; but also to your fellows and friends who moved away from religious practice and, even, from their faith or who do not have any knowledge about it. Jesus is searching you to put down roots in the heart of young people of the Third Millennium. Live the celebration as the great Prayer of the Church, which offers the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ Crucified and Resurrected to the Father as your own, for the salvation of all people ; and in the Eucharistic Communion of his Body and Blood do not reject that he will make you as part of himself. Keep in mind during these days that the Lord, through the Pope, is going to ask you: Do you accept the wonderful and beautiful challenge of “the new evangelization” of your young peers? Answer him yes, remembering that vibrant and brave call of John Paul II in the Homily on Monte del Gozo on the 20th of August, 1989: “Do not be afraid to be saints”! “Let Christ reign in your hearts”! Answer him yes with a complete hope and a generous opening to the big life’s goals, as it is typical to young people. Answer the renewed call of Benedict XVI with a clear and coherent engagement of life! You can evangelize with words and works, today more then ever. Scot said one of the most powerful things to him for this World Youth Day was the message that the young people attending are not just the future of the Church, they are also the present - youthful witness can help renew the faith of people of all ages. Scot was then rejoined by Danny Menardi, who said that while he doesn't know what to expect from the Vigil on Saturday he is excited that there will young people excited about Jesus, Cardinal Seán who is excited about Jesus, and Jesus himself through the Eucharist. He said it doesn't really matter where they camp out - the prayer and worship is the most important thing to the group. 7th segment: Scot was joined again by Fr. Matt Williams to wrap up the day's coverage of World Youth Day. Fr. Matt said that the faith alive in both Allison and Danny is inspiring to all around them. He said that this encounter with witnesses is really at the heart of World Youth Day, inspiring all and teach the way to holiness and live for Heaven. Fr. Matt finished by saying that the events for tomorrow include a catechesis and Mass with Cardinal Seán, welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to Madrid, and receiving his apostolic blessing in their first experience with him.