Recently, Pew Research Center surveyed a variety of Americans on their opinions about genetically modifying animals.  They compiled their results and drew parallels between views and the people who held them.  Those who were in favor of using animals in research were more likely to support genetic engineering.  The groups who approved proposals tended to be male, held a very scientific view on the world, and were not religious; however, results varied by question.  One question, asking about the genetic engineering of mosquitos, received 70% approval, while a question about engineering aquarium fish to glow in the dark only received 20%.  Those who disapproved of genetically modifying animals explained that they feared the consequences of such actions or that this sort of science was unnecessary and wasteful.  Some were concerned with animal or human welfare, especially regarding using animals to grow organs and tissues.  Still, others held more faith-oriented motives, believing that tampering with God’s creation and plan was fundamentally wrong.  As more and more advances are made, scientist will be faced with a moral dilemma: Are the benefits of genetically engineering animals worth the ethical drawbacks?

Source: Catholic News Service, OSV Newsweekly
https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/Article/TabId/535/ArtMID/13567/ArticleID/26434/Americans-surveyed-on-views-on-ethics-of-genetically-engineering-animals.aspx

 

"Americans surveyed on views on ethics of genetically engineering animals"

Steve Larkin

 

People were asked questions about genetically modifying animals for many reasons. In general, people with high science knowledge and low religiosity were more in favor of genetic engineering than those that were less scientifically knowledgeable and more religious. Questions that were asked were about mosquito breeding, using animals to grow organs, producing more nutritious meat, glow fish, and bringing back extinct animals. Most people opposed to these things had reasonings varying from "messing with God's plan" to worrying about a "Jurassic Park scenario."

Most people know what the term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) means, but we typically associate it with veterans. People are sometimes surprised to find out that anyone who has lived through a traumatic event may have PTSD. You can even develop PTSD within churches, so it is important to support those who have PTSD. When you’re in a traumatic event, your brain switches to fight or flight mentality. Other symptoms include quick heartbeat, shallow breathing, and adrenaline rushes. These symptoms are uncontrollable. It’s also important to understand that when someone who experiences PTSD talks about being “triggered,” they mean they’re experiencing those uncontrollable fight or flight responses. A part of their brain has interpreted some stimulus as meaning their life is in danger. When trying to help someone that experiences PTSD, don’t try to act like a therapist, but try to offer them your support. 

“Nuncio says U.S. bishops committed to addressing abuse scandal” 

              Bishops in the U.S. are facing the fact that there are many cases of sexual abuse. They are realizing that it shouldn’t be a topic that is covered up. The Church says that we must find a real response to this problem. In August a grand jury report was released about decades of sexual abuse and cover-ups in six dioceses.  The pope is calling everyone who is a part of the whole Church to take responsibility for their actions and to come up with a solution for this ongoing problem. When a problem affects a large part of the Church, it affects the whole Church. He calls us to move to a more intense missionary activity to meet the deepest needs of our hearts. 

https://cnstopstories.com/2018/08/20/nuncio-says-u-s-bishops-committed-to-addressing-abuse-scandal/ 

Source: Religious News Service, America Magazine, Anthea Butler

https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2018/08/21/church-public-stage-aretha-franklin-earned-her-respect

Even though Aretha Franklin sadly died on August 16th of last week, her vibrant memory will live on for lifetimes. It is commonly known that Franklin got her start performing gospel music at her minister father's church; however, people often give Franklin's father more credit than he actually deserves. Although C. L. Franklin might have recognized his daughter's talent, it was Aretha Franklin who captured the churchgoers and America alike with her incredibly powerful and soulful voice. Being an African American woman back in the 1950's and 60's, she had to work extra hard to get to where she wanted to go in the music business. Through it all, though, Aretha Franklin made sure to carry God with her at all times. She even included a rendition of "Ave Maria" on her "Live in Detroit 1987" album. 

 Sr. Mary Jean Ryan of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary just celebrated five decades in the health car industry. She was the first CEO of SSM Health system and is recognized today for pushing the organization in the right direction. Before she was a sister, she was a nurse. She graduated from SLU and immediately helped out at community hospitals. Her role and the organization's role is to heal as Jesus heals. She says that mandates them to a higher level of care. Her drive to help others with love and compassion shaped her into the great nurse/CEO that she is. She saw the National Quality Award and wanted it. She would challenge the facilities she managed to step up their game and have the drive to receive the award. She says she is committed to caring for people. She has now been running the organization for 25 years and plans to continue spreading God's care to others in the best way she can.

 

 

Source: Religious News Service, OSV Newsweekly, Don Clemmer https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/ByIssue/Article/TabId/735/ArtMID/13636/ArticleID/26420/Underground-period-marks-Ukrainian-Church.aspx

During World War II and under Soviet reign, being Greek Catholic in Ukraine was not easy and often dangerous. When the Soviets took control over Ukraine, they seized all Greek Catholic properties and either imprisoned or killed the Greek Catholic bishops. The Soviets took such drastic measures in order to eradicate the so-called "spies of the Vatican," and the only way a Greek Catholic bishop was not exiled to Siberia or executed was for him to become Orthodox. Although these cruel acts must have been truly disheartening for Ukrainian Greek Catholics, they found other ways to practice their faith. Instead of going to church in an actual church, people's homes became churches and liturgies were held underground; there was even a Ukrainian Greek Catholic seminary underground! Because these men were involved in "illegal" activities, the seminarians had to be extra careful to not get caught. They couldn't write notes on paper, in fear of leaving a paper trail; they had to go all the way up to the mountains to sing, so as not to be heard; and they were also trained on what to say if they were brought into questioning by the KGB. Among all of these hardships, Ukrainian Greek Catholics maintained their faith and loyalty to Christ. Not even war could stop them from following God.

Archbishop Vigano accuses about a dozen Vatican cardinals who served in papacies of John Paul of being part of a cover-up. It could be that Vigano is a disgruntled employee. He was sent to the U.S. as a representative. He complained and said that he was being exiled. He became angry when Pope Francis became pope which is where some of these accusations of cover up may come in. Vigano claims Pope Francis did not listen to him on some issue and that he should resign. “I will not say one word on this,” the pope said and does not give any more information.

https://religionnews.com/2018/08/28/doubts-about-viganos-accusations-aside-pope-francis-needs-a-better-response/

 

That is the question. 

Pennsylvania’s state senator proposed the idea to public that, in order to compensate in any way for the abuse that thousands of victims have suffered at the hands of the church, the church should begin a fund to raise money for the victims. He promotes the idea that this is a better alternative than the church being sued by the families of the victims. He supports the idea that “admitting [failure] is not enough” and that the “church must continue to remove any priest who was implicit in this ordeal”. He also states that the donations must be “administered by a neutral third party” in order to “ensure fairness and objectivity.”  The purpose of raising money, although it cannot wipe the abuse from peoples mind, is purely to help aid victims in their lives moving forward, and to show the support of both the church and community. 

 

"We cannot let the sexual abuse crisis lead us into homophobia"

J.D. Long-García

 

At the author's parish, a new pastor did not mention any of the survivor accounts of the recent sexual abuse situation, but instead praised Archbishop Carlo Mario Viganò’s letter, which accuses many church leaders, including the Pope, of covering of sexual misconduct allegations. The pastor then continued to bring up the John Jay report on clergy sexual abuse and noted that 81 percent of the survivors of that report were male. The pastor then said that the cause of the sexual abuse crisis was "predatory homosexuality." Because Archbishop McCarrick had a pro-LGBT agenda, the pastor thought this was to blame for the child abuse in the church. Jesus tells us that we should not judge people who are different than we are, especially because "people who are gay and lesbian and bisexual do not choose to be so." People who are gay are not responsible for the abuse done to the children, the priests are. Long-García writes, "The idea that 'predatory homosexuality' is the cause of the sexual abuse crisis in the church is absurd. It is an old myth that has nothing to do with facts. It is dangerous." The article also stresses the importance of protecting children not only from predators, but also from those who demonize people because of their sexual orientation.

By Neela Kale, Busted Halo

https://bustedhalo.com/questionbox/will-the-church-ever-add-any-new-sacraments
It's very unlikely that the church will add any new sacraments any time soon. Right now there are seven sacraments, and seven is a very holy number. Another ritual to be made a sacrament would also have to be truly universal because the church is not just a small group of people, but a global community. While there are some customs that are extremely important to certain sects of the Catholic community, such as quinceaneras in Hispanic culture, they are not widespread enough to be considered to be promoted to a sacrament.

This article discusses the homily given on Sunday about Jesus healing the deaf man. Father Dave relates the newfound voice and ability to understand that the main gains to the new outbreaks of sexual abuse confessions. Just as God gave that man a voice, he gives a voice to the victims. Father Dave relates the past month's homilies to the current events we are facing. Of course when the new stories of sexual abuse are coming out, we hear a homily about a man finally being able to speak on what he has faced. Overall, God works in mysterious ways and most homilies are very relative to current events.

Source: Religious News Service, Catholic News Agency, Christine Rousselle
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/judge-rules-lawsuit-against-faith-based-adoption-agencies-can-continue-91785

In September of 2017, the American Civil Liberties Union (the ACLU) filed a lawsuit against Michigan's state funding for faith-based adoption agencies. Many of these religious agencies turn away same-sex couples that are looking to adopt, because they believe that it is against their religious beliefs. However, many people argue that faith-based agencies make it harder for thousands of children to find a loving home. Besides Michigan, states like Massachusetts and California have also received criticism and had cases filed against them due to their support of religious adoption agencies. The case filed in Michigan is called Dumont v. Lyon, and earlier this week, Federal Judge Paul D. Borman ignored the request to dismiss this case. 

Source: Religious News Service, National Catholic Reporter, Joshua J. McElwee
https://www.ncronline.org/news/francis-praises-lithuanian-spirit-welcoming-migrants-practicing-tolerance

Pope Francis has begun his four-day visit to the Baltic States today, starting with Lithuania. The Baltic States, which includes Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, were once occupied by the Nazis in the 1940's and then by the Soviet Union until the early 1990's. Both of these occupations challenged Lithuania to become a divided society, but the country has remained steadfast in showing their hospitality to others. Currently, all three of the Baltic states are members of both the European Union and the international North Atlantic Treaty Organization. When visiting Lithuania today, Pope Francis praised the country's history of accepting people from all different backgrounds and ethnicities. He suggested and proclaimed that "all conflicts presently emerging will find lasting solutions only if those solutions are grounded in the concrete recognition of [the dignity of] persons, especially the most vulnerable." Pope Francis will continue to stay in Lithuania until Sept. 23, and then will travel to Latvia on the 24th and visit Estonia on the 25th, before returning to Rome.

The Society of the Sacred Heart, a religious order, has a mission to "make disciples of all nations." This means that they try to make the good news of Jesus Christ available to all people, even those living far away in third world countries. The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception have a similar mission. They focus on hospitality and minister to the needs of the poor in poverty-stricken countries. This trend of going where conditions are unfavorable to spread the Gospel message has reached many organizations, including Sisters of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians), the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, the Congregation of St. Brigid from the Rustenburg Diocese, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. These religious orders, based all over the world, are currently making the good news of Jesus available worldwide and changing peoples' lives.
https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/ministry/including-everyone-how-sisters-go-ends-earth-share-jesus-55413

Thomas Wenski, archbishop of Miami gave a homily recently on the abuse charges in the Catholic Church. He claims that Catholics are losing faith in the leaders of the church. In his homily he used what is preached in Corinthians to explain his stance. He compares the leaders of the Church to shepherds. He says that although the Church has seemingly tried to sweep these issues under the rug, or in other opinions not address the issue soon enough, Wenski believes that we must not lose faith the in the system of building new leaders. Faith must remain in the future of the church and in our rising priests and clergy because if we turn our backs from the church due to human sin we are ignoring our calling of forgiveness and reconciliation addressed in the bible.

Following the deal between the Vatican and the pope, Pope Francis reinstated seven “illicitly ordained” bishops” back into the Catholic Church. These bishops are now fully integrated into the church once more. The pope is attempting to fix the relationship between China and the Catholic Church. He hopes that this new relationship “will allow the wounds of the past to be overcome, leading to the full communion of all Chinese Catholics”. Pope Francis urges the Catholic community in China to overcome past misunderstandings and strains. Pope Francis is encouraging the strengthening of the Catholic community in China by reinstating bishops and establishing new dioceses.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-recognizes-illicitly-ordained-chinese-bishops-12035

Recently, a Kansas priest, Terrance Klein, released an article exploring the idea of enemies.  This thought was sparked by an assignment from his bishop to return to his hometown of Ellinwood, Kansas. Although he was excited, he was apprehensive about reuniting with his childhood enemy, Jerry Wirtz. However, when he arrived, Jerry treated him kindly, causing Klein to question the concept of enemies.  Do we create them ourselves?  Throughout history, humans have found the need to have adversaries to compete with.  The idea of nationalism is based on the same elements; you have allies and you have enemies.  In the Gospel, we can see that Jesus too had enemies.  However, he did not feel hatred towards them, but even surrendered himself to their cruelty.  In today's world, we quickly jump from having opposing opinions with someone to hating them.  When terrible scandals and crises arise, it is important to confront our own sin before that of others.  We cannot draw lines between each other and must first examine ourselves before we immediately label others as our enemies.

Source: America Magazine, The Good Word, Terrance Klein
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2018/09/26/why-do-we-create-our-own-enemies

Life is often very busy, and the truth is it will always be busy. It can feel overwhelming sometimes. However, by living in the moment and making the most of every minute we have, we can still find ways to talk to God. For example, you can listen to worship songs, spiritual podcasts, and audio bible readings while on your way to work or while you walk your dog. Another way is spending time with family and friends. This is always a good way to relax and ease stress. Sometimes, we just need to slow down and take the time to appreciate our surroundings instead of rushing off from thing to thing. Lastly, it's always important to end the day with God. Saying a nightly prayer before you go to sleep can help you feel more at peace and gives you the opportunity to reflect on your day.
https://bustedhalo.com/life-culture/learning-to-live-in-the-moment-even-when-youre-busy

The rosary has always been a safe haven for people in their times during prayer. It gives a sense of structure and faith which is why it is perfect for families. The rosary is a great way to join together in prayer. Father Peyton even has the famous quote "the family that prays together, stays together.” Because the rosary is so simple, it is easy for everyone in the family to follow along. The significance of the rosary however, is not lessened by it's simplicity. It is also perfect for families because it brings peace. Many families have arguments and drama, but praying the rosary together can help lessen the tension. It also tells the story of how to live everyday life. It's simplicity and peace can help give families guidance on a better life.

https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/10/01/yes-democratic-socialism-compatible-catholic-social-teaching
With many new faces running for political positions, this article tackles the topic of democratic socialism and if it can in fact be compatible with Catholic teachings. In short, yes it can, but many reasons were given to justify this simple answer. The Catholic church says that four criteria must be met in order for ideas stated politically to correlate with Catholic teachings. These four questions would be; people over markets, people over labor, people over profit, and subsidiarity. The pope spoke on the market saying it must be for the good of the people, and the market is made allow humanity and its work to flourish and serve others. As for labor, we must show respect to all classes. Success is not defined by money, it is defined by hard work and what is being done to better serve God. This also correlates with people over profit. Low-wage earners deserve just as much respect and dignity as high-wage earners do.  the first papal encyclical of Catholic social teaching in 1891 requested protection of workers, so that they are not victimized by persons working above such as their boss. Subsidiarity means that the needs of the people should be met by the government when feasible. This article says that democratic socialists have their eyes on the bigger picture and may sometimes dismiss the little problems.

Catholic aid agencies were helping many victims of the earthquake tsunami that hit the island of Sulawesi. These natural disasters killed about 800 people and they expect the death toll to rise. Yenni Suryani, who is the country manager for the Catholic relief Services, said that is hard to help the victims because the airport, roads, and phone towers are damaged. The Catholic aid agencies are helping the people of Sulawesi and the parishes and churches that were destroyed. Pope Francis said a prayer for the victims and the deceased on September 30.
https://www.catholicregister.org/home/international/item/28116-catholic-agencies-aid-victims-of-indonesia-earthquake-tsunami

With bad news constantly flooding our news streams and daily lives, it can be very beneficial to take the time to appreciate the good things in life. One way to do this is through an ode. An ode is “a formal, often ceremonious lyric poem that addresses and often celebrates a person, place, thing, or idea." According to Tania Runyan, the author of this article, writing odes can be a freeing form of self-expression and a easy way to celebrate the good things in life.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/goodletters/2018/10/on-writing-odes-taking-time-to-celebrate/ utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_ campaign=FBCPCAT&utm_ content=October2018

Mountains appear more than 500 times in the Bible, from the Great Flood in Genesis to the Transfiguration of Jesus. Although they are common in the landscapes of the various stories, they also have a deeper meaning. Mountains symbolize closeness to God, and God often reveals himself on mountaintops. For instance, He gives Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, and Jesus preaches the Beatitudes at the Sermon on the Mount. The mountains are also the setting for Jesus' temptation, many of His healings, and His Transfiguration. During the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah, who had also encountered God on a mountaintop, appear with Jesus.  Concluding this article was an interesting chart of the significant mountains in the Bible and their elevations. From highest to lowest, the mountains ranked as follows: Mount Ararat, Mount Sinai, the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, Mount Tabor, Mount Carmel, and the mountain of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Mountains are not only a detail about a given Bible story's setting, but a symbol of God's presence and revelation.

Source: Busted Halo, Ministry Resources, Joe Paprocki
https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/what-is-the-significance-of-mountains-in-the-bible

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/bridgeport-bishop-says-lifelong-path-of-beauty-began-with-his-parents-36369
Frank Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a delegate to the 2018 Synod of Bishops. He told CNA that his own youth was shaped by the lessons of his parents. He talked about his father and how he had a third-grade education. He didn't speak English very well, but his father always spoke about integrity and respect. Caggiano also talked about how his mother was a saint. He said beauty “was the engagement of the heart in faith. It was the piety. It was the gentility. It was-- the house itself-- you knew the seasons of the Church’s year in my house. It was the ritual. It was the traditions that we had. In my mind, all of that is wrapped up in beauty. The conveyance of meaning apart from that written word-- that’s beauty. And that was my mom.” During Caggiano's synod speech he talked about how beauty is an important way to evangelize young people who "wonder whether or not they are lovable or loved."

Pope Francis has recently publicly declared that religions, although meant to build bridges, sometimes contradict themselves by doing the opposite and not pursuing peace. In a written letter to an annual gathering of religious and cultural leaders from all over the world, Pope Francis said, "Our differences, therefore, must not pit us one against the other; the heart of a true believer seeks to open paths of communion always and everywhere." A meeting called the "Bridges of Peace" was organized by the lay Community of Sant'Egidio in Rome. This meeting served as an opportunity to create connections and new ideas and to overcome conflicts and brutalities.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-chronicles/religions-do-not-pursue-peace-are-contradiction-pope-says

Source: Religious News Service, America Magazine, Catholic News Service
https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/10/15/catholic-leaders-welcome-pepfar-reauthorization-congress

PEPFAR, or the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, was recently reauthorized by Congress. PEPFAR has helped save millions of lives around the world and has prevented millions of new infections for fifteen years. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for Military Services and Sean Callahan, the president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, applauded the congressional committees and stated that PEPFAR ensures U.S. leadership in the campaign against HIV, AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The U.S. Bishops' Overseas Relief and Development Agency has received funding under PEPFAR since 2004. The program supports services like providing free antiviral medicines, supporting families devastated by AIDS, and after-school programs for children whose parents died from the disease. Because of PEPFAR, the number of deaths each year caused by AIDS and other serious diseases has been reduced to one third since 2002 in the countries where the Global Fund invests. Hopefully, this re-authorization keeps the program in place for another five years. 

84-year-old Tomie dePaola has written and illustrated more than 250 books. His bright illustrations evoke a sense of welcome and comfort. DePaola was raised Catholic and has illustrated many Catholic children's books. His newest book, Quiet, invites readers to meditate and simply slow down. Its message helps people to deal with the distractions in today's society. All of his stories offer beautiful messages of faith and love that help children connect with God at a young age and remind others of the mission of God.
https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2018/10/09/tomie-depaolas-books-help-us-find-sacred-stories-service-and-stillness

Source: Religious News Service, America Magazine, Joshua Heavin
https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/10/26/where-our-regard-sanctity-life-yemen

A Saudi-led war effort in Yemen, which the United States helps aid, has killed many of the country's innocent children. Not only have school buses been bombed by air forces that were supplied by the U.S., killing dozens of children, but 14 million Yemeni people are now at risk of starvation. Additionally, in Yemen, there are 10,000 cases of cholera per week; clean drinking water has become scarce; and the country's medical system is on the verge of collapse. The United States' desire for Saudi oil and a friend in the tumultuous Middle East has caused the U.S. to overlook the terrible human rights violations by Saudi Arabia in Yemen. Ultimately, the United States has the power to end the war in Yemen, but they would potentially be losing economic and national security. Jesus once said that the most important commandment was to love God and one's neighbor, but the United States must consider who there neighbor is. Is it really Saudi Arabia, who causes death, famine, poverty, and destruction to Yemeni children and citizens?

Many people are confused about the question whether the soul dies or if only the earthly body does. Soul signifies the "spiritual principle in humanity." The Greeks frequently put emphasis on the fact that the soul needs to escape the body. This isn't what Catholics believe, however. As Catholics, we believe that the body and soul work together during human life, and therefore we need to treat our bodies respectfully. The soul is immortal, and it is a necessary part of us. Although it separates from the body when one dies, it is believed to reunite with the body at the final resurrection.
https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/does-the-soul-ever-die

As U.S. Catholic leaders urged compassion and a solution to a possible collision over migration at the border that respects human dignity, Pentagon officials said today that the number of military troops deployed to the southern border could be in the thousands, not hundreds. This may be as big as 5,000 troops. But the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops pushed back against rising anti-migrant rhetoric in a joint statement the same day issued with Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services. “While nations have the right to protect their borders, this right comes with responsibilities: governments must enforce laws proportionately, treat all people humanely, and provide due process,” they said.T he U.S. church leaders added that “seeking asylum is not a crime.”

https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/10/29/us-catholic-leaders-call-compassion-and-dignity-migrant-caravan

Ever since we were younger the number 666 has always been associated with the devil. This idea is first mentioned in the New Testament's Book of Revelation which says, “One who understands can calculate the number of the beast, for it is a number that stands for a person. His number is six hundred and sixty-six." Many people believe the reason why it is this number because it falls short of 7 which in the bible means wholeness. The author of this article did some research and learned that if you take the Greek version of the Roman emperor Nero(emperor when the book of revelation was written) and translate it to Hebrew(letters have numeric value), then you will come up with the number 666. The important lesson of this article is that there are a lot of symbols in the bible that relate to a certain time period and the number 666 is most likely associated to the emperor Nero, who was a kind of beastly person.
https://www.uscatholic.org/articles/201309/what-666-bible-27901

After the recent shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pennsylvania, people of all religions and cultures have united to help the victims. Among these are Muslims. After the Jummah (Friday) prayers at one mosque, leaders requested that people attend a night service at a synagogue to honor those affected by the shooting, especially 97-year-old Rose Mallinger, whose funeral took place an hour before the request. Although Jew and Muslims struggle in the Middle East over the lands of Palestine and Israel, those in the United States still band together to do good. Both share the common struggle of those who demonize immigrants, nativists who believe that the Jews are trying to replace whites with immigrants, "invading" America.  This situation is particularly disturbing to Jewish elders who remember a similar situation in Nazi Germany.  In the meantime, Muslims in Pittsburgh have raised about $232,000 and offered their protection to their Jewish neighbors, proving that, while politics tend to divide people, faith unites.

Source: Religious News Service, Yonat Shimron
https://religionnews.com/2018/11/02/in-pittsburgh-muslims-are-eager-to-join-jews-in-fight-against-immigrant-hate/

Often times, our society is divided by the many political and social issues that fill our country. These issues divide not just strangers, but friends and families. When the author of this article went to mass during a time where there was a lot of controversy among people, he entered the church with a sense of hopelessness and with the country's problems weighing him down. However, during the Sign of Peace, he saw what would be a rare sight out in society. People were reaching out to each other without asking questions or making accusations. There was nothing to divide each other, because at that moment, they all were looking at each other through God's eyes. This brought him to the realization that not only is the Sign of Peace a great and important part of the mass, but it is a reminder that peace between people is achievable and within reach.
https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/why-the-sign-of-peace-means-more-now-than-ever

BY  CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Ethiopia's bishops welcomed the first female president of the nation,  Sahle-Work Zewde, with open warms. They said that they are glad that women are having a large part in the development of the country. Zewde has already done a lot for the country and has been in many diplomatic positions. The Ethiopian Catholic Church believes that Zewde will be a wonderful leader for the country and that she will further strengthen the nation. The Church has been an advocate for women rights and has done a lot for education for girls. Now that there is a woman president, they believe more girls will be inspired to strive for greatness. Already, the country has elected their first female Supreme Court president, Meaza Ashenafi.
https://www.catholicregister.org/home/international/item/28377-ethiopia-s-first-female-president-welcomed-by-bishops

Years before writing this article, author Gregory Hills spoke with a Trappist monk in Kentucky about the cloistered life and received an interesting response.  Hills explained that he was envious of the time the monk had to pray, and, in response, the monk expressed a similar envy toward him, wishing for the opportunities for spiritual development with families and friends that common men had.  In the monastery, he lived out the strict rules established in St Benedict’s Rule.  Although it is a set of guidelines designed for monastic life, others can still learn from it, as Judith Valente author of what the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community explains.  She seeks to live out the precepts of Rule in her own life and shows that the book has wisdom for those living in the modern world also.  She discovered that this religious text is not just a set of unimportant rules.  In her review, Valente explores the 22 chapters of Rule and writes a reflection on each, highlighting the ways in which people can use aspects of Benedict’s work in the real world.  As she came to understand, the main message of Rule was to live a balanced and meaningful life, attentive and caring for others and recognizing our own flaws.  Overall, we can still learn from this text the importance of mindfulness and awareness of our neighbors and God’s presence in our lives.

Source: America: The Jesuit Review, Gregory Hills
https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2018/12/28/review-what-life-outside-cloister

Years before writing this article, author Gregory Hills spoke with a Trappist monk in Kentucky about the cloistered life and received an interesting response.  Hills explained that he was envious of the time the monk had to pray, and, in response, the monk expressed a similar envy toward him, wishing for the opportunities for spiritual development with families and friends that common men had.  In the monastery, he lived out the strict rules established in St Benedict’s Rule.  Although it is a set of guidelines designed for monastic life, others can still learn from it, as Judith Valente author of what the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community explains.  She seeks to live out the precepts of Rule in her own life and shows that the book has wisdom for those living in the modern world also.  She discovered that this religious text is not just a set of unimportant rules.  In her review, Valente explores the 22 chapters of Rule and writes a reflection on each, highlighting the ways in which people can use aspects of Benedict’s work in the real world.  As she came to understand, the main message of Rule was to live a balanced and meaningful life, attentive and caring for others and recognizing our own flaws.  Overall, we can still learn from this text the importance of mindfulness and awareness of our neighbors and God’s presence in our lives.
 
 Source: America: The Jesuit Review, Gregory Hills
 https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2018/12/28/review-what-life-outside-cloister