USCCB Clips

The Catholic Church celebrated the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ election. Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Promoting Integral Human Development, reflected on Pope Francis’ vision for the Church.

This year, on March 19, many dioceses in the United States will observe the traditional Lenten practice of almsgiving by participating in The Catholic Relief Services Collection. Funds from this collection support the work of Catholic organizations that aid victims of war and natural disaster, provide pastoral care to migrant workers, and help welcome refugees fleeing violence and persecution. Bishop Seitz spoke about the role that this collection plays in vital Catholic programs that share in the Catholic mission of promoting the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person.

Read the CRS Collection annual report.

https://usccb.cld.bz/crs-2021-annual-report

On this week’s show, Bishop David Talley of the Diocese of Memphis and Chairman of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs joined the show to discuss this time of year and how it presents numerous opportunities to grow in our faith. Read more at: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecumenical-interreligious-affairs

This week, the USCCB Committee on Doctrine issued a Doctrinal Note on the Moral Limits to Technological Manipulation of the Human Body. The focus of the statement is in the area of gender identity and medical procedures, and it provides moral criteria for medical interventions. Read the full statement at: https://www.usccb.org/resources/Doctrinal%20Note%202023-03-20.pdf

Pope Francis visited with migrants, refugees, and representatives this week at the Vatican from various organizations to thank them for their work in the promotion of peace. His Holiness discussed moving refugees out of dangerous crisis areas and into demilitarized areas, as well as welcoming migrants in a dignified manner and assisting them in integrating into their new communities.

Read more at: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/welcoming-migrants-refugees-first-step-toward-peace-pope-says

Looking back three years ago this week, Pope Francis gave his “Urbi et Orbi” to an empty St. Peter’s square during the Covid-19 pandemic. This message will be embedded in a satellite and launched into orbit around the Earth, where it will transmit the Holy Father’s message every day. Read more at https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/popes...

Holy Week begins next week, as well as the Jewish celebration of Passover. Chairman of USCCB’s Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Bishop David P. Talley joined the show to discuss the work of the bishops to combat antisemitism in the United States. Find more information at: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecum...

The Dicastery of Culture and the Dicastery for Integral Human Development released a joint statement rejecting the Doctrine of Discovery, a series of 15th-century papal bulls that were used to justify colonization of indigenous peoples. The statement came after a 2022 papal visit to Canada, during which Pope Francis visited indigenous communities and met with leaders. The statement renounces the Doctrine of Discovery, saying “the church acknowledges that these papal bulls did not adequately reflect the equal dignity and rights of indigenous peoples”. Read more at: https://www.usccb.org/committees/ecum...

Catholic Current April 13, 2023 - Released 2023.04.13 by USCCB Clips

The North American Final Document for the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod was recently released. It marks the end of the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. Read the document and learn more at https://www.usccb.org/synod.

Before reciting the "Regina Caeli" prayer April 16, Pope Francis spoke about the day's Gospel reading and how the wounds still visible on the Risen Lord are signs of God's love and a call to the church to welcome all who have been wounded into the church, the body of Christ. Read more at CNS Rome: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/people-wounded-life-should-find-welcome-church-pope-says.

Catholic Current April 27, 2023 - Released 2023.04.27 by USCCB Clips

Recently the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of State announced a series of actions being taken in response to the anticipated end of the Title 42 public health order on May 11 and increased migration throughout the Western Hemisphere. Read about the response of the U.S. Migration Chair at https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-bishops-migration-chairman-addresses-new-regional-migration-mitigation-efforts

On May 3rd, Pope Francis asked the faithful to renew their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and met with a Russian Orthodox leader.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLYsCsVFLQU&t=11s

May is the month of Mary. In this week’s episode we visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to learn about the history of the month of Mary and popular Marian devotions, such as praying the rosary. The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Saint John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous. Learn more about how to pray rosary. https://www.usccb.org/how-to-pray-the-rosary

May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In this week’s episode we highlight a story out of the Diocese of Tulsa which reflects the diversity and richness of our faith! Fr. Samuel Perez, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Miami, Oklahoma celebrates mass every weekend in Chuukese for local Micronesian Catholics in addition to five other masses in English and Spanish. People in the pews wear brightly colored traditional clothing and hairstyles. One Micronesian family from southwest Missouri makes the almost two-hour drive to hear Scriptures, prayers and songs in Chuukese. Adding a weekly Mass in Chuukese has improved not just Mass attendance but religious education enrollment at Sacred Heart, from 30 students to 120. Baptisms are up too: Father Perez’s calendar in May had 11 baptisms for members of the Micronesian community. Farming jobs attracted many of Oklahoma’s Micronesian natives from the island of Chuuk in the South Pacific. For their part, the community members are grateful that Father Perez has worked to learn their language and integrate their culture into the worship experience. “It shows that he really cares,” one altar server said. Father Perez points out that he made a lot of pronunciation mistakes early on, and he’s still learning. There was no textbook; he caught on by repeating words his parishioners taught him. “They were very patient with me,” he said. “My accent is thick. I don’t know how much they understand me, but it looks like they’re OK with it.” Father Perez wants every Catholic to feel welcome and included in their Church home. “When God calls you to be a priest, you are called to serve all people.” The Diocese of Tulsa is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary jubilee year. Click here learn more about the Diocese and the Chuukese Catholic Community at Sacred Heart Church: https://dioceseoftulsa.org/

Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II, patriarch of Alexandria, Egypt, was at the Vatican to mark the 50th anniversary of a joint declaration signed by St. Paul VI and Pope Shenouda III in 1973 outlining the beliefs shared by their churches. Pope Tawadros II called for unity between Catholics and Copts during Pope Francis' general audience.

Read the CNS Rome story: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pope-let-our-churches-be-united-christs-love

Watch the video of this historic meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCTAC7dE_uI

May 22nd is the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and Seafarers. Bishop Brendan Cahill discusses the ministry of the church to seafarers through the work of Stella Maris. The day is intended to remember the men and women seafarers. Many seafarers are Catholic Christians and largely a migrant population in the world. Because of the nature of their work, they are not always a visible community presence. In over 50 ports, there are more than 100 Stella Maris chaplains, maritime deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers who minister to seafarers. They welcome, network, and reach out to seafarers, fishermen and women, their families, and all who work or travel on the seas. Through the celebration of the Eucharist and the Word of God, the chaplaincy team helps seafarers discover the loving presence of God in an often-challenging world. Their continued presence is a clear indication of their dedication to this vital pastoral ministry and love for the people of the sea. https://www.usccb.org/committees/pastoral-care-migrants-refugees-travelers/stella-maris-who-we-are

On Wednesday, May 10, a panel of advisors to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted unanimously to make the birth-control drug, Opill, available to consumers over-the-counter in the United States. The FDA is reportedly poised to make a final decision this summer. In response to the FDA panel’s recommendation, Bishop Robert E. Barron of Winona-Rochester, and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, urged the government agency to reject this advice as “not good medicine” and continue their efforts to protect women’s health. Read the full statement. https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/fda-acknowledges-harm-oral-contraceptives-while-its-own-panel-advisors-push-make-drug

After literally hundreds of public prayers for peace in Ukraine and 443 days after Russia launched an all-out war on the Eastern European country, Pope Francis welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Vatican. This was their first face-to-face meeting since the war began. Read the Catholic News Service Rome story. https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-ukrainian-leader-talk-about-humanitarian-situation-provoked-war

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has appointed Bishop Joseph N. Perry, auxiliary bishop of Chicago, to serve as the next chairman of the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. Read the pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/open-wide-our-hearts.pdf

Laudato Si’ Week is an eight-day campaign held annually in May to mark the anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on creation care. Find prayer and action resources to engage your community. https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/index.cfm

Archbishop Broglio sent a special message for Memorial Day. Watch the video and pray for those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Prayer: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/prayer-memorial-day-last-monday-may