Five Things to Know on May 5

1. U.S. Bishops will meet in New Orleans for Spring General Assembly, June 11-13. Agenda items include discussion on “Marriage and the Economy” and “the New Evangelization and Poverty.” Other agenda items include the upcoming Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family; World Meeting of Families, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) regarding the relief efforts in the Philippines. Other issues include the National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons, the cause for canonization of Father Paul Wattson, Servant of God, update and Faithful Citizenship. Coverage of the meeting is open to credentialed media. Sessions open to the media will be Wednesday, June 11, and the morning of Thursday, June 12. Media conference follow open sessions of the meeting. Reporters seeking to cover the meeting can download a credential application form at www.usccb.org/about/media-relations/upload/application-news-media-credentials.pdf and submit it by June 1 to media-relations@usccb.org, or mail to: June Meeting Credentials, Office of Media Relations, 3211 4^th St. NE, Washington, DC 20017-1194

 

 

2. Sister Mary Ann Walsh comments on a Boston College a Boston College study on Hispanic Ministry in Catholic Parishes released May 5. Good News: There are many Hispanic Catholics. Challenge: To Meet Their Spiritual Needs. The practice of Catholicism by U.S. Hispanics has never been higher, but the needs of  this huge community require the Church to do more. http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2014/05/good-news-many-hispanic-catholics.html?m=1

3. Pope Francis in his homily May 5 warns that "Christians must keep away from vanity, power and greed." Jesus – Pope Francis pointed out – mentions three attitudes we must avoid when we follow God or search for Him. The first is vanity. In particular he refers to those who are in public positions who give alms or fast because they want to be seen doing so. Another attitude that is not good is thirst for power: “in what way do I follow Christ? Only for Him, even to the Cross, or do I do it for power? Do I use the Church, the Christian community, the parish, the diocese to gain some power?" he asks. The third is money: “Those who follow Jesus for money, trying to take economic advantage of the parish, of the diocese, of their Christian community, of the hospital, or the college… Let us think of the first Christian community that was swayed by this intention: Simon, Ananias and Sapphira… this has been a temptation right from the beginning. And since, we have heard of so many good Catholics, good Christians, friends and benefactors of the Church that – it has been revealed - acted for personal profit. They presented themselves as benefactors of the Church and made money on the side…”

4. May is dedicated to the Blessed Mother and parishes enjoy such activities as May processions to honor Mary and special recitations of the rosary. More on Marian devotions can be found at
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/devotionals/mary-and-the-saints/index.cfm

5. God loves you.