Event: 12th Call to Holiness Conference

If you are in the Detroit area or can easily travel to it, I'd highly recommend attending this event. Diane at Te Deum Laudamus writes:

The 12th Call to Holiness Conference is taking place in metro Detroit on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, Michigan. The conference theme for this year is: Treasures of the Mass.

Speakers: Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Karaganda, Kazakhstan (author of Dominus Est), Fr. John Zuhlsdorf (aka "Fr. Z" – What Does the Prayer Really Say?), Michael P. Foley (professor/author), Rev. Eduard Perrone (Pastor, Assumption Grotto in Detroit), and Dr. Ronald Prowse (Director of Music at Sacred Heart Major Seminary). John Vleko (Morally Responsible Investing) will MC the event.

For schedule, speaker topics, and registration, and other information, please go the Call to Holiness – Treasures of the Mass page.

US Postal Registrations are CLOSED, You may only use PAY PAL until 11:59 pm on the 5th, after that you must pay at the door. Cost: $25 for adults, $10 for students and FREE for seminarians. If you miss the online registration deadline there will be a $5 added fee for those who are buying tickets at the door.

I'll be in Orlando for the Catholic Leadership Conference from Sep. 10th-11th

From September 10th-11th I'll be attending the 12th Annual Catholic Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. On the 11th I'll be part of a panel discussion on "Catholic Blogging: Finding Common Ground Online" with Josh Mercer of CatholicVote.org (you may have seen their videos).

Below this picture of the Orlando skyline I've posted the conference press release.

===

The Catholic Leadership Conference Celebrates Vitality in the Church

Promoting and celebrating "vitality" in the Church in the face of "cultural hostility" will be the theme of the 12th-annual Catholic Leadership Conference over September 10-11 in Orlando, Florida. "CLC has invited speakers who epitomize the kind of vitality needed throughout our Church," says Bud Hansen, a founding member of the steering committee. Bishop Thomas Wenski will welcome the meeting of Church leaders from around the country by celebrating Mass at the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, with Rev. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, concelebrating.

At the dinner that evening, popular Fox news commentator Rev. Jonathan Morris will talk about his experience as a priest in the mainstream media. Patrick Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society, who played a leading role in protesting the award given by Notre Dame to President Barack Obama, will offer an overview of the controversy and its impact. And popular Catholic blogger Thomas Peters, of the American Papist, will brief the conference on the importance of Catholic media online.

The direct impact of the Obama presidency on the parish will be the subject of the talk by Rev. Jerry Pokorsky, a priest of the diocese of Arlington, Virginia, and a well-known commentator on EWTN. Maggie Gallagher, president of the Institute for Marriage and Family, will describe how she helped lead the fight to pass Proposition 8 in California. Father Pavone will celebrate the closing Mass, and former Sen. Rick Santorum will discuss his view of "Five Ways to Revitalize our Church."

(Contact Liz Kenny at clconference@aol.com for conference information.)

===

I'm looking forward to meeting Fr. Dwight Longenecker, who I know will be in attendence.

... I hope to see you there as well!

[picture credit - planetoftheweb]

Event: Catholic Homeschooling Conference in NJ

Two great things happening in New Jersey soon (details on the other one here):

The Sacred H.E.A.R.T. convention will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at St. John the Evangelist parish in Orange. The convention is designed to assist and edify both veteran and new Catholic homeschoolers in the Tri-state and New England areas, as well as other parents and families seeking guidance and support in raising their children in a Catholic culture.

Participants can hear distinguished speakers, visit vendor booths, ask questions of Catholic college representatives, listen to classical music, and celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with Archbishop Myers. Register at www.heartconvention.org

Steve Greydanus' presentation "Ready or Not: Homeschooling Kids in a Mass-Media World" looks especially interesting. He's the guy behind DecentFilms.com, my favorite place for Catholic movie reviews.

Event: Catholic Writers Conference, Aug 5-7th

From AmP reader Ann:

The Catholic Writers Conference Live!, an event sponsored by the Catholic Writers Guild, will be taking place August 5-7, 2009 in conjunction with the Catholic Marketing Trade Show in Somerset, New Jersey. The conference will provide a unique opportunity for Catholic writers of non-fiction and fiction to learn about improving their craft, sharing their faith in their writing and marketing their work. Panel discussions and presentations covering many topics essential for the professional (or professional-to-be!) writer will be offered along with opportunities to ask questions of major Catholic publishers. [Read the full press release online here.]

AmP to cover Abp. Carlson's installation Mass in St. Louis next Wednesday!

T-minus 5 days until AmP provides live, on-the-ground coverage of the installation Mass of Archbishop-elect Robert J. Carlson in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis next Wednesday at 2pm!

One of the hallmarks of Rev. Carlson's pastoral style is accessibility. In keeping with that charecteristic I was happy to note that he will be "travelling to several parishes in the Archdiocese in the days following his Mass of Installation to celebrate Holy Mass with members of the faithful. The Masses are open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to come and meet the new Archbishop!" More details on those plans here.

For everyone else not able to make it to St. Louis personally, keep it tuned here and AmP Twitter.

Also, CatholicTV will be covering the events and airing segments about the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Robby George challenges Doug Kmiec to Public Debate on Cloning

Dan Gilgoff has been publishing an email exchange between "conservative Catholic legal scholars Robby George and Doug Kmiec over whether President Obama's executive order on embryonic stem cell research authorizes federally funded human cloning."

At the end of this (progressively more frustrating) correspondence, Robby issues a gentleman's challenge:

Given what is at stake for the cause of human life in President Obama's new policy, Doug, I invite you to debate me on the question: "Did President Obama Prohibit Human Cloning?" I would be happy to host the debate here in Princeton, and pay all expenses for your travel, etc. Alternatively, I will be happy to come to Pepperdine at your convenience and at my own expense, if you would prefer that. Or I could make arrangements for us to debate the question in Washington, DC or any other city that is convenient for you (again, covering your expenses). Perhaps we could hold the debate at the USCCB [United States Conference of Catholic Bishops] or at CUA [The Catholic University of America], where we both have many friends and where our discussion would, I'm sure, draw many of our fellow Catholics. I will be happy to take care of the arrangements; all you need do is show up and present your arguments. It is very important for our fellow citizens to know whether or not President Obama prohibited human cloning, and to understand exactly what his policy is on the creation of new human beings by SCNT and other methods to be destroyed in federally funded biomedical research in the embryonic stage of development. A public debate between us would, I'm sure, help to enhance public understanding. I sincerely hope you will consider and accept.

Given how it impossible it seems for Kmiec to debate rationally these topics (having read this most recent exchange of his), I have dim hopes of him accepting. I'm surprised, in fact, that he was willing to go head-to-head with Robby in a quasi-public forum in the first place. Maybe he thought he would fare better if he was given the time to prepare his remarks in advance. If so, I think he was mistaken.

At any rate, it will be interesting to see how he declines, presuming he does.

Reminder: $10 off St. Paul conference ends today

$10 Discount Ends March 6!

If you have not yet registered, time is running short to receive the $10 early registration discount for the conference “Lessons from St. Paul for the New Evangelization.”

$65 for all sessions including lunch and dinner becomes $75 after March 6 // $50 for all sessions without meals becomes $60 after March 6.

Register online here. Learn more about this conference here.

Event: Napa Valley Catholic Men's Conference

For Bay Area Catholic Men:

Come join fellow Catholic men for the Fourth Annual Napa Valley Catholic Men’s Conference. We all know the challenges of being a Catholic man in the modern world—you need support from your brothers in faith. On Saturday, April 18, we will be convening at St. Apollinaris Church Hall, Napa, California. Featuring talks by some of today’s top Catholic leaders, you won’t want to miss this event. There will be Mass and Confessions during the conference. Fathers are encouraged to bring sons who are teenage and older. Click here for the conference schedule.

There is limited space—first come, first served—so register as early as possible! Pre-register by April 7 for only $40 (save $10.00!). Late registration will be $50. The registration fee covers a gourmet lunch and continental breakfast at the conference.

Two LC priests to appear on EWTN this Friday

This Friday (8pm EST) Fr. Thomas Williams and Fr. Jonathan Morris will be appearing on EWTN's The World Over with Raymond Arroyo. Both priests are well-known authors and TV commentators.

I understand that the show was planned long before the news came out about Marcial Maciel's pattern of sin and deception. You can watch a live stream of the EWTN feed online here.

As it stands, this appearances may provide the first opportunity for two prominent Legionary priests to answer questions that have been raised in light of the Maciel revelations, especially if no official response is published by the Legion in the next 48 hours. I'll be watching.

Video: ALL's Training And Activism 2009

If you are in town for the March for Life, check it out:

More info here. It's free!

Events: March for Life 2009

The Cardinal Newman Society has compiled a great list (items in bold I plan on attending):

• 1/21 Tenth Annual Cardinal O’Connor Conference at Georgetown featuring Robert George and Feminist for Life’s Serrin Foster
• 1/21 “Exposing the Truth of Abortion” talk and screening of Beyond the Dark Valley at the Catholic Information Center
• 1/21 March for Life Convention at Hyatt Regency
• 1/21 An Afternoon of Prayerful Remembrance and Intercession at the National Shrine Crypt Church
• 1/21 Solemn Vigil Mass for Life at the National Shrine
• 1/21-1/23 American Life League’s Rock for Life Training and Activism Week in Washington
• 1/22 Cardinal Newman Society Breakfast Briefing for officials of Newman Guide Colleges
• 1/22 Solemn Mass for Life at the National Shrine
• 1/22 Youth Rally, Confessions and Mass at the Verizon Center
• 1/22 The 36th Annual March for Life (Washington, D.C.)
• 1/22 Catholic Athletes for Christ post-March reception at Kelly’s Irish Times
• 1/22 Rose Dinner at the Hyatt Regency
• 1/23 Pro-Life lobby day on Capitol Hill with Concerned Women for America (CWA, 1015 15th St, NW, D.C.)
• 1/24 Students for Life of America (SFLA) conference and VIP Reception

Also, Thursday, January 22, 12:45 pm at the Catholic Information Center in downtown DC:

• A screening of Beyond the Dark Valley, a short film featuring compelling testimonies of many who have been devastated by abortion. (For more information and to view a trailer for the film, visit www.BeyondTheDarkValley.org.)
• Discussion moderated by Joyce Zeunis, radio talk show host.
• Author Jane Brennan discusses her book, Motherhood Interrupted, a collection of sixteen stories of healing and hope after abortion.

For more events and tips, see my post last week.

Free Overnight Housing offered to March for Life participants!

From AmP reader Colleen:

Jan 21. Overnight Housing for Pilgrims - Free Housing at Catholic University's DuFour Center! Housing space is available for groups, individuals, and families. Contact the Campus Ministry office at Catholic University at 202-319-5575.

Also see the comment thread on this post for more housing opportunities. Thank you, readers!

Summit report and the future of pro-life in the U.S.

Deal Hudson spoke at the recent Michigan summit which I advertised and notes its wild success:

Five-hundred people were turned away from the "Pro-Life Summit to End Abortion" held by Dr. Monica M. Miller this past weekend in Ann Arbor, MI. Most of the 500 who did have tickets made it to Christ the King Church in spite of the ten inches of snow that started falling Saturday morning.

It's been quite a while since I've seen any group of Catholics as energized as those gathered by Miller's apostolate, Citizens for a Pro-Life Society. Anyone who had predicted the withdrawal of pro-life Catholics from political engagement after Barack Obama's victory would have been stunned by what they saw and heard at Christ the King. [Read on.]

500 attendees + 500 turned away = 1,000 active Catholics passionate about the pro-life cause.

And that's just the tip of the iceburg.

Remember, for those of you who missed the conference, CDs of the talks will be made available soon.

Don't miss it! Live streaming of Pro-Life Summit

I've been hearing rumblings about this summit for some time and I think it is very important.

It's hosted by Citizens for a Pro-Life Society and will be taking place this Saturday at Christ the King parish in Ann Arbor, MI. The topic is how to end abortion in post-election America.

The bad news? It's sold out (500 attendees).

The good news? The summit is being streamed live on local WDEO Catholic radio here at 10am EST.

The better news? Relevant Recordings will be recording and selling CDs of the event here.

Speakers include Janet Smith, Al Kresta, Deal Hudson, Bishop Earl Boyea, Fr. Frank Pavone - you name it.

May such a gathering of pro-life luminaries and activists yield good fruit for the cause of the unborn.

Vitae Caring Foundation event tonight

Through the kind invitation of individuals at Family Research Council, I'll be attending the Vitae Caring Foundation's 2008 "Benefit dinner to build a culture of life in the D.C. area" featuring:

Mark Melcher: A staunch defender of life, Mark L. Melcher is an award-winning writer and for many years was voted top political analyst on Wall Street by Institutional Investor magazine.

He is founder and president of The Political Forum, a research and consulting service that looks at cultural, political and social trends and how these affect both U.S. and global economies and securities markets for institutional investors.

He is a member of the Board of The National Humanities Institute and of O'Meara, Ferguson, Whelan, and Conway, an investment banking firm specializing in helping religious organizations manage their temporal affairs.

It sounds very pertinent, and I'm eager to hear his comments about the current state of affairs.

Please take some time to learn about VCF, and support their efforts if you are able.

Co-Creating with God conference a success!

I've heard a few on-the-ground reports - all of them favorable - about Sacred Heart Major Seminary's "Co-Creating with God: Humanae Vitae Today" conference (previous AmP posts about it here).

Evidently they had several hundred participants, which is a phenomenal turn-out. The local Free Press also noticed. At least one group of folks came from several states away, after seeing the event advertised here on AmP.

Be sure to check back here in case SHMS decides to post a follow-up press release about the even - I'll be sure to give that a mention. As the organizers said, "Although this is a one-time event, we hope it will bear lasting fruit in the lives of those who attend." Amen!

Related: "Canadian Bishops Issue Pastoral Letter Encouraging Faithfulness to Anti-Contraception Encyclical Humanae Vitae" (LifeSiteNews)

Reminder: This weekend, Co-Creating with God Conference

This Saturday my alma mater Sacred Heart Major Seminary is hosting a conference to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the encyclical letter Humanae Vitae entitled "Co-Creating with God: Humane Vitae Today".

If you are free this weekend and live near Detroit, please consider attending!

Description:

"Sacred Heart Major Seminary hopes through this conference to give witness to our confidence that human experience and divine wisdom demonstrate the truth of Humanae Vitae.

Featuring 8 nationally known speakers on life issues, it is aimed at those who already embrace the document and wish to understand it more deeply, and to those who are skeptical about it."

You may register online here (walk-ins also welcome). I have more information in my first post.

"Conference examining effects of abortion on fathers held in Chicago"

A continually-forgotton side of the abortion debate:

he Knights of Columbus-sponsored “Reclaiming Fatherhood” conference was held in Chicago on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the effect of abortion on men. Psychologists, counselors, academics, and clergy argued that not only women but also men suffer the “invisible problem” of profound grief and suffering as a result of abortion.

Monday’s speakers included several fathers who had lost their children to abortion. (CNA)

Abortion: One dead, two wounded.

*Save the Date* "Co-Creating with God: Humanae Vitae Today" (Sep. 20)

updated 9/16 (see below...)

Here's something you don't want to miss!

On Sep. 20th, Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit is hosting a conference to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the encyclical Humanae Vitae entitled "Co-Creating with God: Humanae Vitae Today".

Presenters include Dr. Michael Waldstein, Dr. Janet Smith and Dr. Pia de Solenni. I've had the privilege to study under the first two and can highly recommend them to my readers. You can see the full list of presenters here. Also, the conference's Mass celebrant and homilist is Bishop Robert Carlson of Saginaw (pitured right)!

More about the conference:

The fortieth anniversary of the landmark encyclical Humanae Vitae (On Human Life) of Pope Paul VI is being celebrated this year. Catholics are generally misinformed about the Church's teaching on birth control. In response, Sacred Heart Major Seminary has developed a one-day conference, "Humanae Vitae Today: Co-Creating with God," which will examine the encyclical's critical and prophetic teachings. The conference will be held at the seminary on Saturday, September 20, 2008, from 9:00 AM until 8:30 PM.

.... Sacred Heart Major Seminary hopes through this conference to give witness to our confidence that human experience and divine wisdom demonstrate the truth of Humanae Vitae. Featuring seven nationally known speakers on life issues, it is aimed at those who already embrace the document and wish to understand it more deeply, and to those who are skeptical about it.

Although this is a one-time event, we hope it will bear lasting fruit in the lives of those who attend. [More]

Resources:

• Conference information and registration sheet (PDF)
• Facebook Event Page - Spread the word!

Contact: (313) 883-8792 // keller.marybeth@shms.edu. Registration here.

Please help me spread awareness. I'd love to see this conference well attended.

update: I've been provided with the speaker topics and descriptions:

Pia: “Generations X and Y and Humanae Vitae”

Many experts have commented on the fallout of Humanae Vitae (or rather the fallout from the neglect and refusal of this monumental document). Forty years later, there are signs that younger generations are understanding Humanae Vitae better than their parents and grandparents if only because they've had to live through the original fallout. Even the oft criticized mainstream media or secular media can't avoid certain truths about life and love that can be used effectively to teach the truths of marriage - truths that apply even to non-Catholics.

Alexanders: “Sex, Lies and the Truth of Humanae Vitae ”

Several years ago when Julie and Greg Alexander were considering a divorce, a priest challenged them to live their marriage in accord with Church teaching. They are now devoting their lives to helping others find the happiness they have found in living by Church teaching rather than the destructive mores of modern culture.


Fagan: “Contraception as a Social Justice Issue”

The contraceptive revolution led to multiple crises in social justice in matters of birth, marriage, family and society, such as increases in unwed pregnancy, abortion, divorce, and poverty. Social science data subsequent to Pope Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae (1968) tends to support the Pope's depiction of what works (and does not work) for human nature in life, love and sexuality.

[Special Lunch Hour Presenter:]

Dr. Mark Latkovic, professor of moral and systematic theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, has written and spoken widely on bioethical issues. He will review the principles of Humanae Vitae for the attendees during the lunch hour.

Waldstein: “Theology of the Body and Humanae Vitae”

The question of contraception is not simply one among other moral questions of our age. In his Theology of the Body, John Paul II shows that it is a pivotal question. It is the question in which the many concerns of our age come together as in a tight knot.

Smith: “Parents as Co-Creators with God”

One of the great joys and responsibilities of marriage is having children. In doing so, they become “co-creators” with God. In having conjugal relations they invite God to create a new human soul and he entrusts that soul to them with the gift of a child. This truth is a truth that underlies all of sexual morality.

Sure looks like a powerhouse line up!

Other blogs which have linked to this post:

• Against the Grain: 40th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae
• Catholic & Loving It: Humanae Vitae Roundup Bonanza!
• Curt Jester: One-day conference to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae

Have you blogged about this conference? Drop me a line and I'll add you to this list!

Update: New Bishop of Lansing Earl Boyea to be installed at 2PM EST

See the Diocese of Lansing website for more details.

Local coverage:

Faithful to greet newest bishop (Lansing State Journal)
Local news in brief (Detroit Free Press)
Bishop's installation will be a large logistical challenge (MLive)

I lived in the Diocese of Lansing for six years, and covered Boyea's nomination here when it happened.

My father, Canonist Ed Peters, will be co-anchoring live coverage of the liturgy with Al Kresta on Ave Maria Radio here.

update: you can hear the live coverage right here. I'm trying to listen in now.

Papal Mass in Yankee Stadium beginning now

The pope's final public appearance - celebrating Mass at Yankee Stadium in NYC - is beginning now.

I would recommend watching it on the USCCB's papal visit site: http://www.uspapalvisit.org

Cardinal Arinze at University of Dallas, April 14th

The University of Dallas Theology Department is hosting him:

The Theology Department is very pleased to announce that the speaker for the 2007-08 John Paul II Lecture will be Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. {more details}

On Friday, LifeSiteNews discussed a recent video Q&A session with Cardinal Arinze that pro-abortion politicians "must" be "refused" Communion. I made the video in question available here last Wednesday.

Maybe it's time for another (polite) Q&A session with the Cardinal to allow him to repeat the teaching?

Ph/t: Phatmass user "dUSt".

Event Highlight: Milwaukee Pallium Lecture Series

Regular readers of AmP will have noticed this BlogAds advertisement:

"Join Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee as he hosts Archbishop Charles Chaput, Colleen Carroll Campbell, and Michael & Jana Novak."

The Pallium Lecture Series was begun in 2003, initiated by Abp. of Milwaukee Timothy Dolan. The 2007 Lectures can be heard online here.

This is a fantastic free opportunity. Here's a bit more information:

"In preparation for World Youth Day 2008, to be held in Sydney, Australia, Archbishop Timothy Dolan has decided the 2008 Pallium Lecture Series will focus on the need to inspire our youth with the power of faith."

You can learn more about the series in the press release or flyer (PDF).

There will be three lectures this year, held on the Alverno College Campus at 7pm.

The first one on Thursday, March 6, presented by Archbishop of Denver Charles Chaput:

Catechesis That Impacts the Public Square

The kind of catechesis that will transform American public life has little to do with good technique, persuasive vocabulary or an appealing personal style – though these are wonderful things. The only effective Catholic catechesis will flow from our personal witness, personal zeal and personal suffering for the Gospel and the Church. Real discipleship has a cost. If we’re not willing to accept the cost of discipleship -- each and every one of us -- then nothing else will work.

Colleen Carrroll Campbell will speak on April 10. Michael and Jana Novak on May 8. Mark your calendar!

And my special note of gratitude to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for using AmP to spread the good word.

Call for Submissions: World's First Pro-Life Film Festival, Cinema Vita

This news should be of special interest to some readers. Marjorie gives us the goods:

"The Cinema Vita Film Festival has been established to encourage young, emerging filmmakers and to showcase movies about contemporary issues concerning the meaning and value of life. Coordinated by the San Francisco Archdiocesan Office of Public Policy, the Oakland Diocesan Respect Life Ministry, Marriage for Life, and Ignatius Press, the festival is based on the recognition that art, especially the medium of film, shapes the popular imagination and has a tremendous influence on culture."

They are looking for submissions spanning 3-5 minutes in 3 categories: high school, college and open. For each there is a cash prize of $250 and a Canon HG10 High Definition Camcorder (value $1100).

Read the submission criteria here. Entries must be postmarked by February 14, early entries encouraged.

Here, again, is the official website.

More details:

The winning films will be shown at the festival on March 7, 2008 at the Delancy Street Theater in downtown San Francisco, along with the award-winning feature film After the Truth, a provocative look at a fictional trial of Dr. Josef Mengele, the notorious Angel of Death at Auschwitz.

Ignatius Insight has an extensive article explaining the motivation and goal of the festival.

Any questions? Marjorie, blogging at Deal W Hudson is point-lady for blog outreach and news.

This is exactly the sort of innitiative I love prompoting at AmP. Get to it, you young media-savvy papists!

Notice of Complete Coverage: March for Life in 7 Days

The 2008, 35th Annual March for Life will be happening in my backyard of Washington DC's National Mall on January 22nd, with numerous activities taking place in the days leading up to it, which I'm now in the process of compiling into a one-stop list.

I also plan to provide exclusive audio/video coverage of these important events, so bookmark AmericanPapist, start your preparations and then check back soon!

Fr. Hardon Day of Remembrance this Saturday in Detroit

I emerge from my Christmas blogging hiatus to post about this upcoming local event:

Dear Friends,

Attached is a flyer with information on the annual Day of Remembrance in honor of Fr. John Hardon, the saintly Jesuit whose influence still reverberates throughout America, particularly in the archdioceses of Detroit and Chicago.

Fr. Hardon was the spiritual director of Mother Teresa, and was the only priest at the altar at her public funeral Mass. He developed a catechetical curriculum for her order, and for 26 years traveled worldwide giving retreats at Missionaries of Charity convents. Fr. Hardon has been declared a “Servant of God” by the Vatican, and efforts are well underway for his eventual canonization.

This day-long event, slated for Saturday, Dec. 29, at Assumption Grotto Church in Detroit, has been held every year since Fr. Hardon died in 2000. The event is always a great time to not only learn more about Fr. Hardon, but to spent time with and meet with many people who knew and worked with him during his 10 years in Detroit.

Three speakers will talk about their personal experiences with Fr. Hardon.

• Marlene Elwell, long-time pro-life political activist/strategist and most recently founder of Catholics in the Public Square. Marlene is one of the giants of the pro-life movement in the United States, and she is responsible for the brilliant strategic success of getting a pro-life plank in the Republican platform in 1980, when the GOP’s convention was in Detroit.
• Carole Breslin, who assisted Fr. Hardon in many ways. Including helping to prepare his manuscripts for publication. Particularly noteworthy was her help in the writing of his last project, his remarkable Catholic Prayer Book.
• Jay McNally, journalist and biographer of Fr. Hardon. Jay has done investigative reporting for the Wanderer, the National Catholic Register, New Oxford Review and Catholic World Report, and was executive director for six years of Call to Holiness, one of the last of many apostolates founded by Fr. Hardon.

A great highlight of the event will be the 4 p.m. Vigil Mass at Assumption Grotto.

The PDF flyer is available here: HardonDayofReflectionDec29.

Blogging will be sporadic for the remaining Twelve Days of Christmas.

Mark your calendar, Colorado!

Cardinal Arinze is coming to Colorado Springs on the 19th of this month!

51 Archbishops to receive their Pallium in Rome on Friday

Here is the list of those receiving a Pallium in Rome this Friday. The list includes only one Archbishop from America, the recently appointed Joseph Kurtz of Louisville [blogged about here].

Fordham hosts two events in NYC during coming weeks

Some interesting events taking place at the Fordham University in the next couple weeks:

The first event will be held on Saturday, June 9 on "Leadership in the U.S. Catholic Church".

The second event will be held June 14-16 on St. Augustine and the Orthodox Church: "Orthodox Readings of Augustine."

Thanks to the reader who notified me. I'm always interested in giving pubilicity to good upcoming Catholic events - so feel free to drop me a line!

Local event: *free* pre-screening of Bella

On the heels of the director of the Population Research Institute saying Catholics should support the movie "Bella" (more on that here), here's some exciting news for folks in Michigan: a free pre-screening of the movie in Ann Arbor, Michigan, hosted by a local pregnancy counseling center.

More from the organizers:

"This is a FREE EVENT and may be your only chance to see "Bella" on screen. Bella is a tender and life-affirming movie that is so good, it won the coveted 2006 Toronto Film Festival People's Choice Award -- even though it's pro-life!

Follow the two main characters as they discover their own capacities for love in the face of unexpected -- and ostensibly unwelcome -- events.

Following the film, its lead producer, Leo Severino, will give his moving testimony regarding the film's inception and production. Learn more about Leo and the lead actor, Eduardo Verastegui, at http://www.bellathemovie.com/.

"Bella" has already changed the hearts and minds of mothers considering abortion. I had the privilege of seeing it in St. Louis, and it's a beautiful movie. Don't miss it -- it isn't scheduled to be released in Michigan, so this may be your only chance to watch it on the big screen.

The screening is free!

FYI, the new pregnancy center (ArborVitae Women's Center) will be located just a few doors down from the Michigan Theater, in the Starbucks building. If construction is finished, you are invited by after the movie to take a tour!

[More on their website.]

I've blogged at-length about Bella before.

I'd also invite you to checkout the website for ArborVitae, an excellent center that offers crisis pregnancy counseling (I'm good friends with executive director, who has been giving me updates on their progress).

They are currently in the process of moving to a location in the heart of the University of Michigan main campus - right next to a Starbucks, which means that ideally the students of UofM will now have easy access to abortion alternatives and the many other good services they offer.

I'd urge you, finally, to consider contacting them and supporting their efforts. After all, theater tickets in my neck of the woods cost almost $10 for an evening showing, and this one will be free!

Here is the website for Bella (again).

And here is a trailer for it:



Sadly, I won't be able to attend the screening because of prior plans, but I really can't wait to see this movie after the continual good reviews I hear of it! I hope to hear that this event was well-attended.

Last minute notice!

The Call to Holiness conference is tomorrow!

DETAILS HERE.

I will be attending this conference over the weekend

I'll be attending the Intercollegiate Studies Institute's spring leadership conference on "Russell Kirk and the Prospects for Conservatism" this weekend in Indianapolis.

To prepare for the conference, I've been reading Russell Kirk's The Conservative Mind, and if I find the time, the book of another presenter, Rod Dreher's (Crunchy Cons). A quick disclaimer: I'm neither a "crunchy con" nor a conservative at this point (though I clearly lean conservative if you've read these pages at any length). Anyway, this weekend is primarily an educational experience for me. Political identities aside, I believe these people are doing fine work and I'm eager to learn more about them and support their endeavors.

(aside: if anyone is looking for a really fantastic Austrian-economics master's level program taught by conservative and thomistic-formed professors, shoot me an email. I'm sitting on a hot tip.)

Here is the conference summary:

"Russell Kirk has long been considered the father of the conservative intellectual movement in America. The publication of The Conservative Mind in 1953 identified a coherent strain of conservative sentiment and ideas that could be traced to America's founding, and that found its roots ultimately in the British statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke. As historian, political theorist, literary critic, and novelist, Kirk reminded an ever-changing world that true progress depends on a grounding in a community's traditional prudence and wisdom.

ISI will convene a one-day conference at the historic Columbia Club in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, to reflect on Kirk's life, thought, and prescriptions for a diverse and often fragmented movement. Participants will also be lead to consider broader questions about the future of conservatism in America.

Join ISI's best and brightest students and faculty in this day-long networking and leadership conference. Seating is limited."

The conference schedule is available here (in that annoying PDF format).

So, if anyone is planning on attending, please drop me a line. I always love meeting my awesome readers!

National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

The 4th Annual Catholic Prayer Breakfast will be held in Washington, D.C. this weekend (April 12-14th), with a keynote address by Abp. Wuerl on "Christianity and Our National Identity." President Bush has attended past NCPB's but that's not gauranteed this time (and probably won't happen).

In addition, Scott Hahn, and Richard John Neuhaus will be giving talks.

Unfortunately, I'll be unable to attend this year (for reasons I'll explain in my next post). I would have been especially interested in the bioethics panel scheduled for Friday afternoon. Another fascinating panel is on the topic of "Catholics in Entertainment and the New Evangelization", with the producers of Passion of the Christ and Bella (which I've mega-posted about here), and the excellent Fishers of Men vocation video.

One slightly distressing topic to an AmericanPapist like myself is Neuhaus on "Why I Am Not an American Catholic." I'd be interested to see where he takes that. I'm sure his speech will be made available either on their website or elsewhere after it is delivered.

Ticket sales have closed for this year's event it says on the NCPB's website (outside of email invitations), but it's still good to be aware of it and what has occurred in past sessions.

S.E. Michigan theology on tap this week

I might be attending this local theology-on-tap this week. I've been to a couple of these events before and found them very enjoyable (and even a little educational):

Theology on Tap: Back by popular demand! For young adults!

Thursday, April 12th, 2007 8:00pm - 11:00pm

The topic will be RESURRECTION! THE FRUITS OF THE CROSS IN DAILY WORK. Topic to be presented by Sr. John Dominic Rasmussen O.P., Co-Founder of Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.

Event will be held at Box Bar 777 W. Ann Arbor Trail Plymouth, MI 48170.

Contact Jeremy Priest for further information at 231-392-2652 or at jpriest@madonna.edu

Must be 21 with I.D. to be served alcohol.

CNA on Detroit's Catholic Mens Conference

CNA has a brief report on the Detroit Catholic Men's Conference that met last weekend (which I was unfortunately unable to attend).

Be alerted, the Call to Holiness conference is taking place at the end of this month.

Call to Holiness 2007: Saturday April 27

I'm going to be linking to the Call to Holiness 2007 conference for the next week or so, just to help spread the word.

I have Bishop Flores as a professor this semester, had Robert Fastiggi last year, and Fr. Neil Roy is a friend of mine from way back.

Good folks! I recommend anyone in the Detroit area check it out.

Two new bishops for Tuesday

"Safe!"

A quick break from thesis work to serve up a few links for New Bishop Tuesday:

• Vatican Information Service release
• Associated Press: New Dallas Catholic bishop debuts
• Off the Record: Better Late than Never Dept.
• Dallas News: New bishop's top priority: Get familiar with diocese
• Whispers: D-Day = May Day
• Happy Catholic: Let the Joyful News Be Spread ...
• Closed Cafeteria coverage

... and let's not forget Lake Charles got a new bishop as well!

Appointed Msgr. Glenn John Provost of the clergy of the diocese of Lafayette, U.S.A., pastor of the parish of Our Lady of Fatima, as bishop of Lake Charles (area 13,755, population 284,000, Catholics 84,000, priests 74, permanent deacons 32, religious 41), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Lafayette in 1949 and ordained a priest in 1975.

... ending the longest bishop vacancy in the United States (since March of 2005). If Papa Benedict is filling vacancies in order of time left vacant, perhaps Birmingham, AL is next...

The Diocese of Lake Charles, Louisiana website, with a very informative announcement.

Update: A photo of Msgr. Provost from the AP newswire.

[photo: AP Photo/Ron Heflin]

New Bishop for Dallas to be announced tomorrow?

Rocco's all a-buzzin' about it, and has been since early last November.

And when Rocco's a-buzzin', the secular prints begin churnin' (especially when there's already an ambient buzz to get things going).

Finally, Tuesday is new bishop day in America, and tomorrow is a Tuesday....

So, all you "Dallasites", (which include several of my good friends studying at the University of Dallas), prepare yourselves to possibly welcome Kevin Farrell, who has been serving as an auxiliary in Washington. And in the next 12 hours or so, maybe consider placing a few friendly wagers. :-)

More about Bp. Farrell:

Dublin-born and a former member of the Legionaries of Christ -- for which he was ordained in 1978 -- both the administrative and demographic situations on-the-ground play to Farrell's strengths, making him the clear front-runner for Dallas since speculation began at Grahmann's 75th birthday last summer.

... Since 2001, he has served as DC's moderator of the curia and chief vicar-general after 12 years as the capital see's top financial overseer. He's the brother of Bishop Brian Farrell LC, the Stato veteran currently serving as secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. [more from Rocco.]

Well, at the very least, Bp. Farrell might now have a good excuse to be in Dallas for St. Patrick's Day....

Megapost: Bella, the movie we need to see.

Update: As promised, I have posted my advance review of Bella and also have provided an "all you need to know" summary about the movie (theater locations, news tracking, etc). You've come to the right place!
___________________________________________________________________________

Original post: I'm quickly becoming convinced that Jeff Tan of One Bread, One Body had it right when he wrote: "Bella is a message that needs more messengers." This movie has already won the coveted People's Choice Award of the Toronto Film Festival and looks extremely promising from everything I've been reading about it.

First off, important links: here is the movie's official website, imdb page, and Wikipedia page.

Robert Novak recently introduced the film to his readers:

"Bella" was conceived by three young Mexican men -- producer, director and lead actor -- who are conservative Catholics and want to make movies removed from Hollywood's movie culture of sex and violence. Bankrolled by a wealthy Catholic family from Philadelphia, they shot the film in 24 days in New York City.

The star is Eduardo Verastegui, a Mexican heartthrob as a lead performer in TV soap operas who now lives in Los Angeles. A devout Catholic, he told me he was tired of movies showing Latinos as disreputable and immoral. He has learned to speak English in three years well enough to play the lead role mostly in English (with subtitles over the Spanish).

It was a stretch to get "Bella" even shown at Toronto, much less win an award. "Going into the festival," said the Hollywood Reporter, "absolutely no one, including the team of filmmakers that made 'Bella,' ever imagined it would capture the People's Choice Award, voted on by festival audiences."

Causa Nostrae Laetitiae has an early (rave) review of it (with some general thematic spoilers). She talks about it more here (though the site seems to be having some picture formatting difficulties). Some revealing words about the producer, Leo Severino:

He told of leaving a prosperous career as Latin American business mangaer at Fox studios to begin Metanoia Films (Greek for conversion). "I wanted to make films that if the Virgin Mary sat next to me during the screening, I wouldn't have to cover her eyes."

Victoria Labecki has been to a showing of it and relates an interesting story about one day of Bella's filming:

Another interesting story takes place on the set of Bella. It was the last day of filming in New York City and the forecast called for a 100% chance of rain for the whole day–the radar image was fully green. This was bad. After shooting half of the scene the day earlier on a dry, sunny day, while the budget demanded the shoot to be finished that day, the cast & crew prayed and began working in faith despite the rain. As the camera began rolling, the rain stopped! The rest of the day, there was a patch of clear sky just above them, as it poured all around them and on one side of the ice cream truck at the end of the block. People were walking onto the set soaking wet just because they came from the end of the block!

Cheri Lomonte was also at this showing and tells us that there were other amazing occurances during filming.

Brian Murphy of Vivat Jesus (contains spoilers) tells us the movie received a 5 minute standing ovation at one of its screenings.

Columcille of Fumare introduces us to the producer of the film:

I give you Leo Severino, the young lawyer and producer of this film. Here is a guy who is Catholic and has integrated his faith [profoundly] into his career. Here is an article for more background on the making of this extraordinary film to inspire [...] And here is a link to a number of catechetical talks Mr. Severino has given to Catholic youth interested in Hollywood.

John says that flyers introducing Bella were widely distributed at this year's March for Life.

Sean Loomis from Franciscan University of Steubenville adds his testimony:

Last night, the main actor and producer from the movie Bella came here and showed their movie . The movie is an excellent work of art made by a famous actor/singer who had a major conversion and has dedicated his life to "undoing" what he has done with his previous works. The film won the Toronto film festival and will hopefully hit the big screen. Look it up. It's amazing!

*content out of date, please see here.*