http://catacombers.com/ Catacombers en-us Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:00:24 GMT 1440 CPG-Nuke Dragonfly Catacombers News http://backend.userland.com/rss http://catacombers.com/images/logo.gif http://catacombers.com/ http://catacombers.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=32 The United States Catholic Bishops have asked that all Catholic faithful set aside today as a day of penance, prayer and fasting for an end to abortion in solidarity with those at March for Life. Prayer for the Helpless Unborn (from EWTN) Heavenly Father, in Your love for us, protect against the wickedness of the devil, those helpless little ones to whom You have given the gift of life. Touch with pity the hearts of those women pregnant in our world today who are not thinking of motherhood. Help them to see that the child they carry is made in Your image - as well as theirs - made for eternal life. Dispel their fear and selfishness and give them true womanly hearts to love their babies to give them birth and all the needed care that a mother can give. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen. Art: "Kissing the Face of God" by Morgan Weistling Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:00:24 GMT http://catacombers.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=31 Catholic Writers to Hold Online Conference World Wide Web--Writers, editors, agents, and other publishing professionals from around the world are gearing up for the second annual Catholic Writers’ Conference Online, which will be held February 2-9, 2009. Sponsored by the Catholic Writer’s Guild and the Extraordinary Moms Network, the online conference is free of charge and open to writers of all levels who register by January 15. Last year’s conference drew over 300 participants and had more than 30 editors and writing professionals from all over the country presenting. Editors on this year’s faculty include Brian Saint-Paul (InsideCatholic.com), Ami McConnell (Thomas Nelson Publishers), Susan Brinkman (Canticle Magazine), diocesan newspaper editor Kyle Eller, and Sister Maria Grace (Pauline Books & Media). Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Lea Schizas, Mark Shea, Melanie Rigney, Michelle Buckman, and Tom Grace will also be presenting in their areas of expertise. Eric Sammons, who participated in last years’ conference, shared this success story: Before the conference began, I had been working on a proposal for a manuscript I had recently completed. As a first-time author, I had a bit of trepidation about entering the whole process of submitting to publishers. When I saw that the Catholic Writer's Conference was having a pitch session with Pauline Books & Media, I decided to register for it, even though I wasn't quite ready yet. This gave me the incentive to get my proposal in a final form. During the pitch session, Pauline asked me to send my full proposal. They ended up passing on the project, but their desire to see my proposal gave me the impetus and confidence to continue to submit my proposal to publishers. After a few rejections, Our Sunday Visitor just this week offered me a contract! I appreciate the opportunity that the Catholic Writer's Conference gave me last year, and I wish it continued success in the future. I'll be sure to attend this year. Early registration is recommended. Although the conference is offered free of charge, donations are accepted; proceeds will go toward future conferences. To register or for more information, go to http://www.catholicwritersconference.com. Mon, 07 Jan 2008 03:37:15 GMT http://catacombers.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=30 Christmas Reflection by Cardinal Basil Hume OSB No man can say "God became man" unless it is the Spirit within him who prompts that act of faith. So when we celebrate a great feast our attitude must always be one of helpless humility, recognising that it is never by any power of our own that we can take one step of progress in our understanding of the things of God. It is a gift, and one for which we must ask earnestly, sincerely and constantly. If we do not believe, we remain in the dark and the dark brings fear and sadness. If we do not believe, we miss the true meaning of life and the future has no hope. How, for example, do we see our celebration each Christmastide? What is our belief? Do we go the whole way and kneel at the crib and say, "Yes, God became man in Jesus Christ"? For it is that which we celebrate on Christmas night; that and nothing less. To believe in the fact that God became man is not to walk in doubt and illusion, it is to step into the world of God and so into reality. The Christmas celebration, like all great feasts of the Church, is a celebration of the mystery of God's love for us. It is often easier to understand the love we have for others in our hearts; it is less easy to understand, or guess at, the love which others have for us. That is true about human love; it is even more true when we come to think and talk about the love of God. God so loved the world that He sent us His only begotten Son. That is a familiar truth, which contains mystery. It is made richer still by the fact that God who became man was prepared to lay down his life for us. No greater love has any man than the love which prompts him to lay down his life for his friends. But what of the love that will die for the worthless, the enemy? The characteristics of Christian love are: to dedicate ourselves to others, our Lord lived that kind of love to the utmost limit. He showed us what God should mean to us, and what we mean to God. Wed, 27 Dec 2006 03:29:02 GMT http://catacombers.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=29 This article begins: ROME: The Vatican's secretary of state on Sunday asked the faithful to pray for Pope Benedict XVI's pilgrimage later this month to Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country where anger lingers over the pontiff's remarks linking Islam and violence, Italian news agencies reported. Keep in mind that the important detail of this journey to Turkey is a pilgrimage. Here is the prayer for those of us who make this spiritual pilgrimage with him: Heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name, we humbly ask that you sustain, inspire, and protect your servant, Pope Benedict XVI, as he goes on pilgrimage to Turkey – a land to which St. Paul brought the Gospel of your Son; a land where once the Mother of your Son, the Seat of Wisdom, dwelt; a land where faith in your Son’s true divinity was definitively professed. Bless our Holy Father, who comes as a messenger of truth and love to all people of faith and good will dwelling in this land so rich in history. In the power of the Holy Spirit, may this visit of the Holy Father bring about deeper ties of understanding, cooperation, and peace among Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and those who profess Islam. May the prayers and events of these historic days greatly contribute both to greater accord among those who worship you, the living and true God, and also to peace in our world so often torn apart by war and sectarian violence. We also ask, O Heavenly Father, that you watch over and protect Pope Benedict and entrust him to the loving care of Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Fatima, a title cherished both by Catholics and Muslims. Through her prayers and maternal love, may Pope Benedict be kept safe from all harm as he prays, bears witness to the Gospel, and invites all peoples to a dialogue of faith, reason, and love. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:57:59 GMT http://catacombers.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=28 Saint Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His people, I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession. For the love of God, Who made you so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer. You know the value of my soul in the eyes of God. May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me. I desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and your great love for God and people. And since you are God's messenger for the care of His people, I entrust to you this special request: Please protect our Holy Father Benedict XVI on his trip to Turkey, and may good fruits grow from his visit. Saint Michael, since you are, by the Will of the Creator, the powerful intercessor of Christians, I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy will my petition will be granted. Pray for me, Saint Michael, and also for those I love and for our Holy Father. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through your powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach heaven where we may praise and love God with you forever. Amen. Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:06:10 GMT http://catacombers.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=27 "VATICAN CITY, NOV. 19, 2006 (http://www.Zenit.org).- Sacred art and music help man to open his heart to God, says Benedict XVI. This was the message the Pope gave to the organizers and musicians of the fifth international festival Pro Musica e Arte Sacra, which ended today in St. Peter's Basilica with Mozart's Coronation Mass, K. 317. The Mass was presided over by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra resounded the Austrian composer's notes, under the direction of Leopold Hager. Later, at the midday Angelus in St. Peter's Square, the Pope greeted the musicians to applaud the event and said: "The beauty and grandeur of the faith resound in spiritual music and sacred art." He added: "Music and art touch our senses and help us to open our spirit and heart to God and his Word." ZE06111908" Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:44:16 GMT http://catacombers.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=26 Catholic Culture writes of us: "This is a nice site that contains wonderful resources not only for Catholic artists of all kinds, but also for Catholics who want to appreciate the beauty of our culture and take advantage of the many graces of our Catholic heritage." Thank you to Catholic Culture for giving Catacombers a stellar recommendation. We do appreciate it! You can read the complete review here. Wed, 19 Jul 2006 01:02:58 GMT http://catacombers.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=25 It's a sad statement of humanity that anyone would be so ignorant as to believe the Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code to be fact when it is a piece of fiction, a novel - and a poorly researched one at that. And yet, some people do. As Catholic artists, we stand for the Truth of the Church, and try to lead the way creating works of writing, art and even fiction that glorify God and His Church. We can use this book to tell people the truth. And for that, we must be aware of the truth. Therefore, we ask all of you to educate yourselves about this book, and to be aware of how it will affect the faith of those around you. Below are some resource links on this book, its errors, and how you can defend the your faith and encourages others to do the same: Beliefnet's Demystifying DaVinci Case Resources UK's page on The DaVinci Code Amy Welborne's site on The DaVinci Code Also, please check out these books: The Da Vinci Deception by Mark Shea The DaVinci Hoax by Carl Olson & Sandra Miesel and Fact and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code by Steve Kellmeyer Mon, 08 May 2006 14:09:42 GMT http://catacombers.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=24 The Exultet Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God's throne! Jesus Christ, our King is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation! Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your King! Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Darkness vanishes for ever! Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory! The risen Savior shines upon you! Let this place resound with joy, echoing the mighty song of all God's people! My dearest friends, standing with me in this holy light, join me in asking God for mercy, that he may give his unworthy minister grace to sing his Easter praises. The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise. It is truly right that with full hearts and minds and voices we should praise the unseen God, the all-powerful Father, and his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. For Christ has ransomed us with his blood, and paid for us the price of Adam's sin to our eternal Father! This is our passover feast, When Christ, the true Lamb, is slain, whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers. This is the night, when first you saved our fathers: you freed the people of Israel from their slav'ry, and led them dry-shod through the sea. This is the night, when the pillar of fire destroyed the darkness of sin. This is night, when Christians ev'rywhere, washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement, are restored to grace and grow together in holiness. This is the night, when Jesus broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave. What good would life have been to us, had Christ not come as our Redeemer? Father, how wonderful your care for us! How boundless your merciful love! To ransom a slave you gave away your Son. O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so great a Redeemer! Most blessed of all nights, chosen by God to see Christ rising from the dead! Of this night scripture says: "The night will be as clear as day: it will become my light, my joy." The power of this holy night dispels all evil, washes guilt away, restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy; it casts out hatred, brings us peace, and humbles earthly pride. Night truly blessed, when heaven is wedded to earth and we are reconciled to God! Therefore, heavenly Father, in the joy of this night, receive our evening sacrifice of praise, your Church's solemn offering. Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God. Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the darkness of this night! May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning: Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all mankind, your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. Art: The Resurrection of Christ and the Women at the Tomb Fra Giovanni Angelico of Fiesole of the Order of Friars Preachers Painter (1387-1455) Sun, 16 Apr 2006 13:02:22 GMT http://catacombers.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=23 Romans 6: 3 - 11 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For he who has died is freed from sin. 8 But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. 9 For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Art: Angel on Christ's Tomb, a detail from a fresco in the monastery Mileseval, 1234 A.D. Sat, 15 Apr 2006 14:53:33 GMT