Make Friday a day of prayer for Deaf Catholics

A request from a Deaf Catholic Priest doing amazing work in this under-prioritized ministry:

Fr Michael Depcik, an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales now living in Chicago, was our Deaf pastor during his ministry in the Diocese of Lansing. His website, Fr. MD's Kitchen Table, is a spiritual treasure for Deaf Catholics and anyone else who knows some American Sign Language.

Recently, Fr. Mike asked Catholics to join him in praying, especially on Fridays, for the Deaf Catholic Church. After a short Introduction video as to why he thinks that special prayers are needed for the Deaf Catholic community, Fr. Mike sets out in ASL a simple, very short, but beautiful prayer for our Deaf Catholic brothers and sisters. Here is my translation of that prayer.

Please consider accepting Fr. Mike's request to join him in praying for a renewal and a deepening of Christ's Gospel in the hearts of the Deaf community! Thanks! - Ed Peters

In the mailbox: Seven Last Words of Jesus

Talk about fantastic lenten reading:

Description:

Addresses many everyday concerns: marriage, liturgy, suffering, vocations, etc. The sacred mysteries of Christ crucified carefully explored through the lens of sacred art.An invaluable companion a beautiful resource you will return to throughout the year An ideal gift for Catholics and for those who wish to understand the mystery of the Cross of Christ. Well suited for adult catechetical instruction and RCIA.

I've made it my AmP book-of-the-month and am going to begin reading it tonight.

AP Video: Catholics Told to Silence Hi-tech Toys for Lent

Ironic that this pastoral message will be conveyed to you through ... youtube and a blog:



Interesting that the focus seems to be on text message abstaining. This is true:

Leaders said abandoning technology puts the focus on the physical rather than the virtual world. (AP)

Since I'm lazy, I'll just say this from memory (folks are welcome to fact-check me and clarify): One of the "fundamental human goods" of the new natural law theorists is that of "reality" over "virtual reality." Simply put, technology should be at the service of man in his bodily existence, in his relationship to God, with his fellow human beings, and also the world.

AmP, of course, keeps you better in touch with each. I hope it at least falls into the category of "good use"!

BotC: Mocking of Christ with the Virgin and Saint Dominic

[Beauties of the Church #9 ~ Apologies for letting this series go dormant lately ... it's back!]

Mocking of Christ with the Virgin and Saint Dominic by Fra Angelico and Workshop at the Museo di San Marco

Photo by Dennis Marsico/CORBIS

Good for McDonald's - Have a Fish Sandwich

I think it's no surprise that McDonald's chose to advertise its filet-o-fish sandwich on a Friday in Lent to people in St. Louis (a very Catholic town). And ya know what? Good for them. I appreciate advertising which is sensitive to the dietary demands of observant Catholics. And now I have a huge craving for a fish sandwich. I'll probably take McDonald's up on its offer.

40 Ways to Get the Most out of Lent

A great list from Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D., published at Catholic Exchange.

Noted: U.S. bishops offering Lent 2009 resources

CNA explains them. USCCB provides them.

Cardinal DiNardo promotes Bible-listening Lenten devotion

Sounds good to me:

"Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, recently urged Catholic leaders to get involved in a city-wide Bible listening campaign called You've Got The Time Houston.

So far more than 50 different parishes have signed up to listen through the entire New Testament, which represents more than 160,000 Catholics."

Faith Comes Through Hearing is offering a free audio download of the (NAB) New Testament:

Faith Comes By Hearing.com

Cardinal DiNardo is trying to get Catholics to listen to the Bible for 30 minutes a day for Lent.