Catholic Weekly Review – January 15, 2021
Take the time this weekend to check out these recent stories
Aliens and AI: Catholic society looks at science questions from a faith perspective
Do aliens have rational souls? Should we evangelize them?
They also wanted to dispel the myth that Catholicism and science are somehow opposed. “People think that the world of science is completely atheistic, because up until now, atheist scientists have been much more outspoken,” Barr said. “We wanted…to make people aware that there are a lot of religious scientists out there, including a lot of believing Catholics.”
If you are interested in how aliens, AI and other interesting subjects affect Catholics, subscribe to Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World Podcast
Cardinal Dolan: Catholics more ‘hung up’ on abortion as Biden administration looms
“…actually, we’re obsessed with the dignity of the human person and the sacredness of all human life! Yes, the innocent, helpless life of the baby in the womb, but also the life of the death row prisoner, the immigrant, the fragile elderly, the poor and the sick.”
“As a matter of fact,” Cardinal Dolan says, “this is not a uniquely ‘Catholic’ issue at all, but one of human rights. We didn’t learn that abortion was horrible in religion class, but in biology, and in our courses on the ‘inalienable rights’ tradition in American history.”
8 Great resources for Mass at home with kids
Some good resources here. My wife and I have been struggling to include our children in our Sunday obligation. Think it’s hard to get a child to stay focused in mass? It’s even harder when it’s a livestream.
An effective method for teaching children to do chores without complaining
Speaking of young children…
What gives meaning to true service? Its content — doing something useful; its purpose — doing it for someone else; its intention — doing it for free without wanting or expecting anything in return.
Capitol Hill riots addressed in homilies at some U.S. Catholic churches
America is in crisis. Will – and should – the U.S. bishops issue another statement?
In my opinion, the USCCB should and probably will issue another statement on this. As our country becomes increasingly divided, the bishops will need to take a more active role in bringing people together in the Catholic Church.
For Ash Wednesday, Vatican asks priests to ‘sprinkle’ ashes on heads
The congregation’s note on the “distribution of ashes in time of pandemic” was published on the congregation’s website Jan. 12 and directs priests to say “the prayer for blessing the ashes” and then sprinkle “the ashes with holy water, without saying anything.”
That’s all for this week. Make sure to bookmark https://encountermercy.com/blog so you can easily return each week for more.