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Nuns Go from Convents, Cloisters to Web
The World Wide Web is home to everyone, including many Catholic sisters, brothers and priests. A recent church study in conjunction with the World Day for Consecrated Life, to be marked in the United States, February 5-6, found that more than half of the nation's religious orders have Web sites. "Religious orders are using the Web for vocation recruitment, information on the ministries of the order and background on the order's history," said Sister Mary Ann Walsh, a spokespersons for the U.S. bishops. "The Web has wonderful potential for reaching the public. We've just begin to see how much it can assist religious in spreading the Gospel."
Sister Mary Ann Walsh can be reached at 202-541-3201.
Jubilee Day for the Sick: Recall Those with HIV/AIDS
On February 11, the Jubilee Day for the Sick, Catholics across the world will pray for and with those who are sick, and pay tribute to those who devote themselves to caring for them. "This also presents a timely occasion to pray for those who face the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS," according to Rev. Robert J. Vitillo, President of the Board of Directors of the National Catholic AIDS Network and Executive Director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. "This epidemic was the deadliest of the twentieth century and continues to spread rapidly to all parts of the world," Father Vitillo said. "Some 33.6 million people worldwide live with this virus and almost one million are so affected in North America. In the United States, African-Americans and Latinos are disproportionately affected by the disease, and an increasing number of infections can be found among teenagers and young adults."
Father Vitillo can be reached at 202-541-3367.
Presidential Primaries Call for Faithful Citizenship
Presidents' Day, February 21, is a time to consider the bishops' election year statement, Faithful Citizenship: Civic Responsibility for the New Millennium. The statement is a non- partisan appeal to Catholics to use the principles of their social teaching in the public arena, particularly during this presidential election year, to stop abortion, help poor children, protect the rights of immigrants, and address other pressing social concerns. "Catholics should speak for the unborn and the poor in the electoral process," says John L. Carr, Director, USCC Department of Social Development and World Peace. "We can't be heard if we let cynicism impair our participation."
John Carr can be reached at 202/541-3181.