Year: 2014

On
Fr. Robert Barron

Surprising lessons from YouTube viewers

Just last month, my media ministry Word on Fire marked a milestone: 10,000,000 views on our YouTube channel.

This achievement fills me with gratitude both to God and to the many people who watched one or more of the videos I’ve produced. It also provides the occasion for me to reflect a bit on both the pitfalls and advantages of evangelizing through the new media.

An experiment

When we commenced our outreach through YouTube seven years ago, we did so in the manner of an experiment. YouTube had just come into being at that time, and it largely featured crude, homemade videos of cats jumping off the roof and babies gurgling for their mother’s camcorder.

I thought we should try to invade this space with the Gospel, and so I resolved to make short video commentaries on movies, music, current affairs, cultural happenings, etc.

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On
John Huebscher

Message for November 4: Vote

Eye on the Capitol by John Huebscher

In Wisconsin, voting is a basic right enshrined in our state constitution. Voting is also a solemn obligation of all faithful citizens charged with a responsibility for the affairs of the community.

There are several powerful reasons for all of us to take the trouble to vote in the coming election.

Many don’t bother to vote

For one thing, the vote is a powerful weapon for those who use it, and too many of us don’t bother to vote.

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

Christ heals through Sacrament of the Sick

On August 4, 2013, a 19-year-old girl named Katie Lentz got in a serious accident along a Missouri highway.

She was barely clinging to life, and her vital signs were fading when she asked rescue workers to pray with her. Suddenly a priest appeared from nowhere. A rescue worker welcomed him with the words, “Father, we need all the help we can get now!”

The priest prayed, anointed the girl, and gave her absolution. Fire Chief Raymond Reed said that after the anointing, a peaceful calmness seemed to come over the girl and rescue workers. When he turned to thank the priest, he was gone.

The unknown priest became known as the angel or mystery priest. Eventually his identity was discovered. His name is Fr. Patrick Dowling. He told ABC News, “I have no doubt the Most High answered the prayers of Katie and the rescue workers. I was part of God’s answer, but only part.” Katie survived and is in the long process of recovering.

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On
Greg Wagner

Vote to uphold sanctity of all human life

To the editor:

For 40 years, the grim reality of abortion has hidden in the shadows of euphemisms and double-speak. As such, we can walk into the voting booth and forget the horrible damage caused by abortion: damage, first and foremost to the baby, but also damage to the mental, emotional, and spiritual health of the mom.

How important is the sanctity of each human life? St. John Paul II tells us, “truly great must be the value of human life if the Son of God has taken it up and made it the instrument of the salvation of all humanity!” (from The Gospel of Life)

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On
Jane Tarrell

Pro-lifers fight for unborn and all human life

To the editor:

For all you pro-lifers out there, I have to empathize with your plight in the struggle for respect and gratitude for the time and energy you have devoted to the fight for the unborn AND anyone at any other stage of human life.

We’ve been ignored by churches and ministers who refused to acknowledge our efforts for 40+ years. Tony Magliano has spelled it out for us. We’re war mongers!

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On
Chris Lee

Sister Mariel Blanche Bronson, OP, dies

SINSINAWA — Sr. Mariel Blanche Bronson, OP, died Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, at St. Dominic Villa. Her religious name was Sister Ethelwin. The funeral Mass will be held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa on Friday, Oct. 30, 2014, followed by burial of the cremains in the Motherhouse Cemetery.

Sister Mariel Blanche made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican August 5, 1947, and her final profession August 5, 1950. She taught for 36 years, served as support staff for one year, ministered in social work for seven years, and served as volunteer music teacher for nine years. Sister Mariel Blanche was a talented cello player who played with the War Production Board Orchestra, Washington, D.C.; Sedalia Symphony and Sedalia Trio, both Sedalia, MO.; D.C. Community Orchestra, Washington, D.C., where she was soloist for the Saint-Saen’s “Cello Concerto”; Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Dubuque, Iowa; and Sinsinawa Strings Orchestra, Sinsinawa, Wis. She served in Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Missouri, and the District of Columbia.

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