June 18, 2012, Volume VI, Number 25

FEAST OF SAINT VERNA HOLYHEADSaint Aloysius Gonzaga – June 21, 2012

Patron Saint of Catholic Youth, Teenagers, and YouthSaint Thomas More – June 22, 2012

Patron Saint of Attorneys, Civil servants, Court clerks, Lawyers, Politicians, and Public Servants

Question of the WeekFor the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the BaptistThe child grew and became strong in spirit…” What does it mean to ‘become strong in spirit”? What are the characteristics you associate with someone who is “strong in spirit”? How are you “strong in spirit”? How do you foster growth “in the Spirit” in another person? in your parish? in yourself?

NCCL News

The theme for 2012 Catechetical Sunday is "Catechists and Teachers as Agents of the New Evangelization." The Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis has prepared a variety of materials to assist catechists and Catholic school teachers to better understand and embrace Pope Benedict XVI's invitation to be evangelists. The resources will assist parishes in celebrating Catechetical Sunday, not only in September, but also throughout the 2012-2013 year. These materials are provided free of charge. These resources can be found at Catechetical Sunday 2012 Resources (http://tiny.cc/m10nfw).

“Before Catholics can go out and evangelize, they must be evangelized,” said Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin, chairman of the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). “We celebrate catechists because, since they instruct our people, they have a crucial role in the New Evangelization.”

The New Evangelization, the effort to rekindle the faith in Catholics, whether practicing or not, is a major focus of the Year of Faith, an effort announced by Pope Benedict XVI beginning on October 11 and running through November 24, 2013.

We are featuring a Catechist In-Service this week entitled Catechists and Teachers as Agents of the New Evangelization by Rosa Monique Peña, OP, National Catechetical Consultant for William H. Sadlier, Inc. Download a PDF at (http://tiny.cc/ll4sfw). Along with a Commissioning Service (http://tiny.cc/lm4sfw)

As in past years, NCCL will sell printed copies of prayer cards, family commitment cards, posters, and certificates in English and Spanish. Watch you email and next week’s CL Weekly for more information on ordering your Catechetical Sunday materials. Help your organization and order your materials from NCCL. In the meantime, check out the free resources which include

Theological Reflection Catechist-in-service Teaching Aids Parish Resources (excellent parish bulletin inserts)

NCCL 2012 Conference Survey Available for Completion – Three Days Left

If you attended our 76th annual NCCL conference and exposition in San Diego, please respond to the survey link that was sent to you earlier this week. You have now had time to reflect on your experience and we are asking that you complete the evaluation survey by June 20, 2012. This will allow an initial summary to be prepared for the Board meeting in Washington DC during the last week of June. For the 91 who have already responded, THANK YOU.

The survey has a total of 57 questions and is divided into the following nine categories:

General Information 7 Questions ( 1 - 7) Conference Materials 7 Questions ( 8 -14) General Sessions 5 Questions (15-19) Prayer Feedback 3 Questions (20-22) Business meeting Feedback 4 Questions (23-26) Forum Meetings 6 Questions (27-32) Learning Session Feedback 5 Questions (33-37) Special offerings 10 Questions (38-47) Additional Information 10 Questions (48-57)

Please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012NCCLConfEval and complete your survey by Wednesday, June 20, 2012.

Fortnight for Freedom 

The fourteen days from June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day, are dedicated to this “fortnight for freedom”—a great hymn of prayer for our country. Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power—St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome.  Culminating on Independence Day, this special

period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action will emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty. Dioceses and parishes around the country have scheduled special events that support a great national campaign of teaching and witness for religious liberty.

Two videos on religious liberty can be found at http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/index.cfm. One is by Archbishop William Lori and deals with religious liberty as an inherent right, endowed by the Creator and based in our dignity as human persons, created in God’s image. The other is by Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, OSB and he addresses

persecution or harassment of a person based on religion is not a relic of the past. We must all work together to guarantee religious freedom:  "a cornerstone of the structure of human rights."

Pope explains how to let God work wonders

Pope Benedict XVI says that the life of St. Paul shows that God can work wonders through those who grow ever closer to him in prayer. “As our union with the Lord grows and our prayer becomes more intense, we too come to focus on the essential and to understand that it is not the power of our own means that creates the Kingdom of God, but God who works miracles through our very weakness,” the Pope said as he continued his exploration of the lessons taught by the prayer life of St. Paul.

He noted that in “defending the legitimacy of his apostolate, Paul appeals above all to his profound closeness to the Lord in prayer, marked by moments of ecstasy, visions and revelations,” and yet, at the same time, he also “willingly boasts of his weakness, in order that the power of Christ might dwell in him.” St. Paul uses this approach because he is eager for his

readers to understand how “all the difficulties we meet in following Christ,” including “suffering, difficulty and persecution,” can be overcome “by opening ourselves trustingly to the action of the Lord,” the Pope said. The example of his life and trials should remind all Christians that it is “at the moment we feel our own weakness that the power of God becomes manifest.” Thus, “in a world in which we risk relying only on the power of human means,” St. Paul calls us to “rediscover and bear witness to the power of prayer, through which we grow day by day as our lives are conformed to that of Christ.”

Pope Benedict recalled that the Protestant theologian and 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Albert Schweitzer described St. Paul as “a mystic and nothing more than a mystic,” since the Apostle was a man so “truly enamored of Christ and so united to him as to be able to say: Christ lives in me.” The lesson for our own lives, suggested the Pope, is to follow his example and “remain constant and faithful in our relationship with God, especially in moments of aridity, difficulty and suffering.” Only then will we be able to face difficulties as St. Paul did, “in the conviction that we can do all things through him who gives us strength.” The Pope added that by giving more room to prayer “we will see our lives transformed and animated by the real power of God's love.” He observed that this was the experience of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta who in her contemplation of Jesus “discovered the ultimate reason and incredible strength to recognize him in the poor and abandoned, despite her fragile figure.” This is because, contrary to the suggestion of some, contemplation of Jesus Christ in prayer “does not distance us from reality” but “makes us ever more involved in human affairs” because the Lord draws us to himself in prayer, enabling us “to remain close to all our brothers and sisters in his love.”

Bishops Plan Materials, Events, Social Media Outreach For Year Of Faith  The U.S. bishops’ promotion of the Year of Faith will include homily helps, a gathering of theology professors and even Facebook posts about the lives of the saints, according to a presentation to the bishops at their Spring General Assembly in Atlanta, June 13. The bishops’ efforts are a response to recommendations made by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on how bishops’ conferences can help dioceses in their observances of the Year of Faith.

“The central image of the Year of Faith is the ‘door of faith’ based on Acts of the Apostles,” said Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay, Wisconsin, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis, in his presentation to the bishops. “The ‘door of faith’ is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year we are called to open it again, walk though it and rediscover and renew our relationship with Christ and his Church.”

The Year of Faith is a celebration by the entire Catholic Church, running from October 11—the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church— to November 14, 2013, the feast of Christ the King. Pope Benedict XVI announced the Year of Faith to confront secularism and other challenges and to encourage Catholics to rediscover the faith and the “joy and enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ.” The Year of Faith focuses on the New Evangelization. This effort to rekindle the faith of Catholics, whether practicing or not, was a central theme of Pope John Paul II that has been continued and expanded under Pope Benedict.

The Vatican recommends that dioceses make the catechism and the documents of Vatican II available to all Catholics during the Year of Faith. Bishop Ricken said USCCB is launching an online version of the catechism and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. The new online texts will include interactive features and will be supported by a variety of web-based platforms, including tablets and smart phones. Other online resources for the Year of Faith include the expansion of Facebook posts about the lives of saints, an online catechism quiz and a USCCB webpage at: www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/.

Bishop Ricken highlighted the document “Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization,” (http://tiny.cc/1tgvfw) a 2012 document by the USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis on welcoming returning Catholics, as a helpful resource for rekindling the faith of Catholics. USCCB will also produce catechetical pamphlets on different aspects of the New Evangelization, homily resources and prayer cards.

Events of the Year of Faith include the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization in Rome, October 7-28, with Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington serving as relator, and a second “Intellectual Tasks of the New Evangelization” conference for new theologians, tentatively scheduled for September 2013, in Washington.

Vatican set to control new 'catholic' Internet domain

Vatican is in line to control the new Internet address extension ".catholic" and decide who is allowed to use it. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, a nonprofit corporation that coordinates the assignment of Internet domain names and addresses around the world, is overseeing a huge expansion in the number of Internet extensions beyond the standard .com, .org., .edu and .gov. The extensions formally are known as generic top-level domains. The assignment of country-code top-level domains, like the Vatican's own .va, will not be affected by the change.

Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, told Catholic News Service that the Vatican's application to control the top-level domain .catholic "is a recognition of how important the digital space is for the church." Controlling the top-level domain "will be a way to authenticate the Catholic presence online," Msgr. Tighe said. The Vatican plans to allow "institutions and communities that have canonical recognition" to use the extension, "so people online -- Catholics and non-Catholics -- will know a site is authentically Catholic."

The Vatican does not plan to allow individual bloggers or private Catholics to use ".catholic," Msgr. Tighe said. Use of the domain would be limited to those with a formal canonical recognition: dioceses, parishes and other territorial church jurisdictions; religious orders and other canonically recognized communities; and Catholic institutions such as universities, schools and hospitals.

The Vatican filed four separate applications for new domain names, seeking to control ".catholic" and its equivalent in other languages using Latin letters, as well as the equivalent of the word "Catholic" in the Cyrillic, Arabic and Chinese alphabets. The fee for each application was $185,000, which Msgr. Tighe said "is a lot of money, but if you think of the money you have to spend to maintain a church structure," and then consider how important the structure of the Catholic presence on the Internet is, it was a good investment. Controlling the domain name will promote "a more cohesive and organized presence" of the church online, "so the recognized structure of the church can be mirrored in the digital space."

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has set up a process for resolving conflicting claims to the same or very similar names, although an auction of some extensions is possible. It said that of the 1,930 applications received, "there are 231 exact matches" with two or more applicants competing for the domain

name. The Vatican was the only applicant asking for .catholic.

When the corporation discussed the idea of expanding the number of generic top-level domains in 2009, the Vatican representative to the corporation's governmental advisory committee, Msgr. Carlo Maria Polvani, expressed concern about "the possible perils" connected with

religious domain names, including the risk of "competing claims" and "bitter disputes" between individuals or institutions claiming to represent, for example, Catholics or Muslims or Buddhists.

Once the corporation decided to move forward with the expansion, he said, "we decided we were best suited to apply for 'catholic.'" The applications for Latin alphabet domain names revealed

Msgr. Tighe (CNS/Bob Roller)

June 13 included one request for ".christmas," but no requests for ".christian." Two applicants asked for ".church," but no one asked for ".orthodox," ".lutheran" or ".anglican." Seven applicants asked for ".love," one requested ".islam," but no one requested ".jewish."

The vetting process is ongoing and even entities that appear to have a right to the name and the ability to run the new domain are unlikely to have anything online before spring 2013, said Kurt Pritz, vice president. He also said the corporation is asking comments from the public for 60 days. In addition, he said, for the next seven months it will be accepting "formal objections" based on specific criteria such as possible brand or trademark infringement. But formal objections also can be submitted to demonstrate opposition to the applicant from a significant number of people who feel they are represented by the domain name.

The annual fee for the new generic top-level domains is $25,000, the corporation said. When the Internet corporation began accepting applications in January for new Internet extensions, there were about two dozen approved generic top-level domains, including .info, which was added in 2000, and .travel, which was added in 2004. The current expansion of top domains will be the largest in Internet history.

Dorothy Day: A Catholic Life of Action – FREE – You Pay S & H.

Dorothy Day lived her life helping the hungry and the homeless and sticking to her pacifist principles, even during World War II. You will learn about Day's life--from her efforts to further peace and equality as a young woman to her work helping the hungry and homeless with food, shelter, and unconditional love--and her belief that we all have the power to make the world a better place. Shaw notes that Day was considered a saint for her good works, though she was still quite human--a woman who sometimes lost her temper and had little use for volunteers who didn't work. What emerges most clearly is the way Day's common-sense Christianity translated into better lives for untold numbers of people.

Originally $12.95, this is an excellent opportunity. Order copies for your students, your catechists, your families. Quantities are limited. Over 2000 already have been sent. Only a few hundred left. Call/Fax the office with your request. Filled on a first come basis.

From the Inside FlapIf You Answer "Yes" to Any of These Questions, You Have Something in Common with Dorothy Day Do you ever see people who don't have enough food to eat or a place to live? Does it bother you when things are not fair, or when people don't respect each other and seem to ignore that they can help poor people? Are you one of the more outspoken kids in your class at school? Do you think it's important to be kind to everyone? This book is for you!

2012 “Excellence in Publishing Awards”

The 2012 Excellence in Publishing Awards were recently given out by the Association of Catholic Publishers at the 2012 Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit (RBTE) in St. Charles, IL. The goal of these awards is to recognize the best in Catholic publishing.

In the special category for the new Roman Missal, Third Edition, first place went to both Magnificat and World Library Publications with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops receiving third place. Roman Missals were judged on their artwork, general layout, and music engraving.

Awards were given for books falling into six categories: General Interest, Inspirational, Prayer and Spirituality, Scripture, Theology, and Resources for Ministry. The “Book of the Year” All Is

Grace, a biography of Dorothy Day by Jim Forest was named from among the first-place finishers of the first six categories. A complete list of the winners by category follows. All can be order from the NCCL Amazon Bookstore by clicking on the title.

General Interest

1. All Is Grace: A Biography of Dorothy Day by Jim Forest (Orbis Books)

2. Wisdom for Living the Final Season by Kathy Kalina (Pauline Books & Media)

3. Why Stay Catholic?: Unexpected Answers to a Life-Changing Question By Michael Leach (Loyola Press)

Inspirational

1. The Other Side of Chaos: Breaking Through When Life Is Breaking Down by Margaret Silf (Loyola Press)

2. A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms: 52 Companions for Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul by Lisa Hendey (Ave Maria Press)

3. Forgiveness: A Catholic Approach by R. Scott Hurd (Pauline Books and Media)

Prayer & Spirituality

1. Lectio Divina Bible Study: Learning to Pray in Scripture (Lectio Divina Bible Studies) by Stephen Binz (Our Sunday Visitor)

2. God in the Dark: Suffering and Desire in the Spiritual Life by Susan R. Pitchford (Liturgical Press)

3. The Road to Eternal Life: Reflections on the Prologue of Benedict's Rule by Michael Casey (Liturgical Press)

3. The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Daily Life by Kevin O'Brien (Loyola Press)

Scripture

1. The Bible and Science: Longing for God in a Science-dominated World by Vincent Smiles (Liturgical Press)

2. Building Our House on Rock: The Sermon on the Mount as Jesus Vision for Our Lives as Told by Matthew and Luke by Dennis Hamm, SJ (The Word Among Us Press)

3. Numbers: Book 1 by Irene Nowell, OSB (Liturgical Press)

Theology

1. Being About Borders: A Christian Anthropology of Difference by Michele Saracino (Liturgical Press)

2. Efficacious Engagement: Sacramental Participation in the Trinitarian Mystery by Kimberly Hope Belcher (Liturgical Press)

3. Become What You Receive: A Systematic Study of the Eucharist by John H. McKenna (Liturgy Training Publications)

Resources for Ministry

1. I Will Remember You: What to Do When Someone You Love Dies - A Guidebook Through Grief for Teens by Kimberly B. Schuler (Pauline Books & Media)

2.Adaptive First Eucharist by David Rizzo, Mercedes McBride Rizzo, Brendan Rizzo (Loyola Press)

3. Practice Makes Catholic: Moving from a Learned Faith to a Lived Faith by Joseph Paprocki (Loyola Press)

3. Living the Word, Year B: Scripture Reflections and Commentaries for Sundays and Holy Days: November 27, 2011 Through November 25, 2012 by Dianne Bergant, CSA and Rev. James A. Wallace, CSsR (World Library Publications)

Knowing Jesus and His Message – Conociendo a Jesus y su Mensaje

This is an excellent resource. Immediately following the Learning Session on this resources at the NCCL Conference and Exposition in Atlanta, the NCCL Bookstore sold over twenty (20) copies of the book in English and Spanish.

Based on the protocol used to evaluate elementary religion series, the book used

fifteen standards for Pre-K and K through Grades 7 & 8. Included with the binder is a CD with all the materials available for duplication. This is an ideal help for any elementary catechist regardless of the series you might be using. Check out the following and use the Order Form.

PREFACE - Knowing Jesus and His Message (http://tiny.cc/nysql) EXPLANATION - Knowing Jesus and His Message (http://tiny.cc/xuvw8) Standards - Explained (http://tiny.cc/65wmc) Normas y Fundamentos (http://tiny.cc/zfrg2) ORDER FORM - Knowing Jesus and His Message (http://tiny.cc/9j0mb)

Looking For A Good Book?

Stop by the NCCL Bookstore. Purchasing books, CDs, DVDs, and other products on Amazon through the NCCL Bookstore (http://astore.amazon.com/natioconfefor-20) helps support this valuable online ministry.

If you are an on-line shopper and you frequent Amazon.com, please enter through the NCCL Amazon Bookstore as the organization benefits from every purchase you make. It’s an ideal way to support our ministry. Just go to our Home page (www.NCCL.org) and click on the Store tab or click on http://astore.amazon.com/natioconfefor-20 and it will take you directly to our bookstore. It doesn’t matter what you buy, as long as you enter through the NCCL Amazon Bookstore, we get a percentage of your purchases.

We are just building our bookstore and adding titles every day, so if you have any suggestions for books you believe should be available through our bookstore, please drop NCCL a note. All books mentioned in CL Weekly are available at the NCCL Bookstore.

Feedback/Comments should be addressed to: lnagel@nccl.org