Pope Francis is inviting the world to unite in prayer for his monthly intentions through a new initiative with the Apostleship of Prayer, “the Pope’s prayer group.”
AOP carries the Pope’s monthly prayer intentions on its websites and social media, but the Jesuit prayer ministry began a new monthly video series this week.
You can view the video at ApostleshipofPrayer.org and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thepopevideo (English) and https://www.facebook.com/elvideodelpapa (Spanish).
Each video will focus on a global challenge. This month’s topic is interreligious dialogue. The project is expected to reach thirty-million people in ten languages. “In a world where everything pushes towards fragmentation, opposition, and division, it is more necessary than ever that members of different religions and all peace-loving people mobilize in common cause,” said Rev. Frédéric Fornos, S.J., managing director of the international Apostleship of Prayer. “Each month, Pope Francis asks people everywhere to pray for a challenge that concerns all humanity. Religions must show that they can pray and work together for peace, brotherhood, and solidarity to address the common challenges facing humanity.”
Mercy is “the beating heart of the Gospel,” Pope Francis said in announcing the Holy Year of Mercy earlier this year.
From Dec. 8, 2015, to Nov. 20, 2016, the Holy Father is encouraging all people to spend more time practicing the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. In their recently released book Intimate Graces, bestselling author and media personality Teresa Tomeo and her husband, Deacon Dominick Pastore, invite couples to enrich their marriages by reciprocating the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.
Ave Maria asked the couple to reflect on marriage and the Holy Year of Mercy.
Ave Maria Press: What does the year of mercy mean to you personally?
Teresa Tomeo: For me, it is another beautiful reminder of what mercy really is; a constant call to conversion. We don’t need mercy unless we have fallen short in some way. So it is a huge encouragement to continually try and work on our relationship with God. For marriage, it is another opportunity to bring that same approach to the husband and wife relationship.
Dominick Pastore: It’s a time to remember all that God has done for me in my life and in particular my marriage because of one thing and one thing only—His unconditional love. St. Paul says in Romans 5:8 that “while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” What an awesome act of mercy that I hope I can bring in some way into my marriage.
Ave: How does the message in Intimate Graces embrace what Pope Francis is calling for in this holy year?
Tomeo: While the emphasis of the holy year is not necessarily mercy in marriage, this idea that we are hearing so much about in terms of accompanying one another along the faith journey certainly applies. We, as couples, are supposed to help each other get to Heaven, so this upcoming year is perfect for our putting that into practice with more and more mercy.
Pastore: In his letter introducing the Year of Mercy, the Pope spoke of his desire that the “balm of mercy” may reach all people. We hope that the corporal and spiritual works of mercy we explore in the book will aid in soothing hurting relationships and heal hearts so that marriages can be a witness of God’s mercy already present in the world.
Ave: Are any one of the works of mercy more important in practicing mercy in marriage?
Tomeo: I really think it can change depending on what couples are going through at any given time. Each of the works when looked at through the lenses of marriage can really work to bring couples closer.
Pastore: As Teresa said, I don’t think any one is more important than another, but in any particular marriage there will be ones that resonate more deeply than others; that address areas that could use some attention; or that open hearts and eyes to a new way of looking at one’s marriage.
Ave: What is the first thing that couples can do to bring Jesus into their relationship or to make Him a bigger part of their lives together?
Tomeo: First would be to commit or recommit one's life and marriage to Christ and the teachings of the Church. Second would be to be in His word. Reading the daily Mass readings is an easy, non-threatening way of praying together and bringing God into the marriage. It is something we started years ago and still try to do each morning.
Pastore: I agree totally with Teresa and would add for couples to talk about Jesus and to Him in prayer as a couple. Bring Jesus into the everyday fabric of our lives, not see Him as someone we go and visit for an hour on Sunday. Discuss how Jesus is moving in your life individually and as a couple. What is He asking of you? What are you asking of Him? Questions like these can be very fruitful in our marriages.
Ave: Is there a verse in the Bible that describes your marriage?
Tomeo: Romans 8:28 "all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called to His purpose." God can turn lemons into lemonade. He can and does use our suffering for good. If we hadn't had our crisis we wouldn’t be where we are today in our marriage. Not that God wants us to suffer, but if we turn to him, he can and does use it for good.
Pastore: Teresa stole my answer, but if there is one verse that made a huge difference in turning our marriage around it would be the one she mentioned above, Romans 5:8. Not until we both embraced the beauty and truth of that verse did we start seeing each other through the eyes of Christ and begin helping each other on our journey to heaven as spouses are called to do.
Ave: What else is beneficial for readers to know about the Year of Mercy to strengthen their marriage?
Tomeo: The Church has all kinds of beautiful tools to help us apply mercy starting with Confession. Once we are forgiven, we are or should be more merciful to our spouse. We have an entire year to pray, reflect, and embrace this idea of mercy in all of our relationships, but mercy is really needed in marriages as so many couples are struggling.
Pastore: The other day I saw a sign in my doctor’s office that read: “October is breast cancer awareness month,” except the word “October” was crossed out and replaced with: “Every month.” Every day, month, year is an opportunity to practice the works of mercy in our marriages to help struggling marriages become good marriages and good ones to become great ones.
The hour-long PBS documentary featuring The Congregation of Holy Cross and its apostolates, including Ave Maria Press, is now available to view on YouTube.
Sacred Mission-Civic Duty, which looks at how Holy Cross and its apostolates have been influential to the growth and development of South Bend, Indiana, is part of PBS-affiliate WNIT’s celebration of South Bend’s 150th anniversary.
Ave Maria Press also celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding by Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., this year. Ave is actually several weeks older than the city of South Bend.
Thomas Grady, Ave’s publisher, is among those featured in the documentary.
View the video here. Read more about Sacred Mission-Civic Duty here.
Tom Corcoran, coauthor of Rebuilt, will be featured on Telecare TV’s “Good News” program various times throughout the week of Nov. 22.
For viewers not in the greater New York area, the program will run on the Telecare TV website and on YouTube: www.telecaretv.org and https://www.youtube.com/user/TelecareTV/videos.
Corcoran, associate to the pastor of Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland, will be talking about the newest book in the bestselling Rebuilt Parish series, Rebuilding Your Message.
In the new book, Corcoran and Rev. Michael White share dozens of carefully honed strategies to help Catholic parishes establish and sustain excellent communication from the parking lot to the pulpit so they can better proclaim the irresistible and life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rebuilt is the compelling story of Nativity’s rebirth as a parish. Tools for Rebuilding was the follow-up.
The station and online schedule for Corcoran’s interview includes:
9:30 p.m. (Eastern) Sunday, Nov. 22
1:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23
1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24
1:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25
1:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26
1:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27
1:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28
Click on the "Watch Live Now" button located on the right side of the station’s web page.
Sr. Terry Rickard, O.P., is executive director of RENEW International and author of Daily Devotions for Advent 2015, the newest seasonal reflecting book in the Living Gospel series. We asked her to reflect on the new book and how people can be spiritually renewed during the Advent season.
Ave Maria Press: What makes Daily Devotions for Advent 2015 unique?
Sr. Terry Rickard: I imagined this book as a personal conversation with the reader: one person of faith speaking with another. I tried to weave my real-life faith experiences and observations with the Word of God in a way that would resonate with busy Catholics in today’s world.
Q: How does Daily Devotions for Advent fit into the mission and ministry of RENEW International?
A: The heart of what we do at RENEW is help people connect their faith with everyday life and ultimately to be comfortable sharing their faith with others. This daily reflection format is a wonderful tool for making those connections.
Q: How does Daily Devotions help with spiritual renewal during the Advent season?
A: During this busy season filled with shopping and family obligations, I am happy to help people find a doable and simple way to set aside quiet prayerful time.
Q: How would you recommend people fit prayer into their busy lives?
A: Praying first thing in the morning works best for me, before the demands of my professional ministry and community life begin. However, others might find quiet time at the end of the day. The most important thing is to find 15 minutes that you can commit to.
QL Anything else you think would be helpful to readers?
A: Hopefully, as people read and reflect on how I perceived God at work in my life, they too will be able to find God in the ordinary experiences of their own lives.
Bonus Interview from the World Meeting of Families
The University of Notre Dame Folk Choir will have its twenty-second-annual Concert for the Missions at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2015, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, according to Rev. Michael DeLaney, C.S.C., director of the Holy Cross Mission Center.
The annual concert benefits the mission work of the Congregation of Holy Cross in East Africa, Latin America, and Bangladesh. The concert coincides with the weekend’s promotion of Holy Cross missions during all masses at Notre Dame.
Funds raised from this year’s event, as well as World Mission Sunday appeals at the Basilica, will go toward educating children and young adults who are among the world’s poorest in Uganda, Peru, Chile, and Bangladesh.
You can view a video of the folk choir practicing for the concert on its YouTube channel.
Award-winning author, blogger, and speaker Lisa M. Hendey, founder and editor of CatholicMom.com, has joined Ave Maria Press as editor-at-large.
In her new role, Hendey will acquire books in all areas of Catholic life and spirituality. She will help authors shape and develop book proposals and then guide them through the publishing process, working with her colleagues in the editorial, marketing, and design departments. Hendey will also continue to write books for Ave and serve as editor of the CatholicMom.com book series.
“Through her inspiring and tireless work, Lisa Hendey has developed a vast network of friends and contacts, and she is at the center of a powerful and important movement in the Catholic Church,” said Tom Grady, publisher of Ave Maria Press. “We’re delighted that she’ll be joining our team in this new capacity.”
Hendey is the bestselling author of several Ave books, including The Handbook for Catholic Moms, A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms, O Radiant Dawn, and most recently, The Grace of Yes. She is also coediting a book of daily reflections with Sarah A. Reinhard that will be released in 2016. In addition, Hendey has published several children’s titles in the Chime Travelers series (Servant), which were released earlier this year.
“I am thrilled beyond description by the opportunity to be a part of the work Ave does for the Church and for people of faith and those on a path toward knowing and loving Christ,” said Hendey. “As one who has been spiritually fed and formed by Ave Maria Press resources for many years, I am honored to be joining such a committed team of professionals and to be a part of the Holy Cross family.”
In 2015, Hendey was awarded first place by the Catholic Press Association for best group or association blog for CatholicMom.com, which was launched in 1999 and includes contributions from more than 150 columnists who write about topics ranging from technology to music and NFP to parenting humor.
Hendey has also received awards from the Association of Catholic Publishers for A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms (2012) and The Grace of Yes (2015).
Hendey has extensive contacts throughout Catholic publishing and broadcasting. As a board member and frequent host on KNXT Catholic Television, she has produced and hosted multiple programs. She has additionally appeared on a number of Catholic radio programs, on EWTN and CatholicTV, and as a part of the Momnipotent DVD series, and she is the technology contributor for EWTN’s Son Rise Morning Show. A blogger for several sites, Hendey has also written for Catholic Digest, National Catholic Register, and Our Sunday Visitor. She is also a board member of WINE: Women in the New Evangelization.
Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and Catholic new media topics. Her schedule has included the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Catholic Marketing Network, University of Dallas Ministry Conference, National Catholic Youth Conference, Midwest Family Conference, and National Council of Catholic Women. In 2013, Hendey was selected as an Elizabeth Egan Journalism Fellow and traveled with Catholic Relief Services in Rwanda to study and write on the aftereffects of the Rwandan genocide on the eve of its twentieth anniversary. She also has been a guest of the Israeli Ministry of Tourism with the Catholic Press Association.
Hendey is a 1985 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. She lives with her family in Fresno, California.
Ave Maria Press was founded by Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., in 1865 and is recognized as a leader in publishing Catholic high school religion textbooks, parish resources, and books on prayer and spirituality. Ave Maria Press is a ministry of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers.
Family Dinner, a faith-based film released by Family Theater Productions, a ministry of Holy Cross Family Ministries, has been recognized by three major film festivals.
According to Rev. Willy Raymond, C.S.C., president of HCFM, the movie received a Gabriel Award in the religious TV/National Release category. Family Dinner also was a finalist in the 2015 New York Festivals, an international competition where work is judged around the world by panels of peers. It was also a bronze winner for film/video at the 2015 Telly Awards, which honors outstanding tv, video and film productions, and web commercials, video and films.
Family Dinner is a modern and entertaining drama about learning the nature of true love and the selfless service Christ’s love calls us to share.
View the trailer or learn more about Family Dinner on the Family Theater Productions website.
HCFM, Family Theater and Ave Maria Press are apostolates of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers.
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