William Hemsworth's Blog, page 8

Homily: Jesus the Living Bread

Fr Eugene Lobo S.J. Shimoga, India Twentieth Sunday of the year August 18, 2024 Proverbs 9:1-6; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 Jesus when he began his public ministry announced that he has come to establish the Kingdom of God and told the people that it is close at hand. The Kingdom is understood as God’s rule…

Homily: Jesus the Living Bread

Archbishop Broglio to Celebrate Annual Memorial Mass for Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM, Servant of God

WASHINGTON, DC— The annual Memorial Mass for Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM, Servant of God, will take place at 6:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue, Northeast, Washington, DC.  His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, will be the principal celebrant and homilist.

 

Archbishop Broglio celebrates this special Mass each year for the repose of Father Capodanno, killed in Vietnam on September 4, 1967, as he ministered to embattled U.S. Marines in South Vietnam’s Quế Sơn Valley.  For his uncommon valor Father Capodanno posthumously received the Nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, and in May 2006 the Catholic Church officially proclaimed him a Servant of God thus formally initiating his Cause for Canonization. 

The Father Vincent Capodanno Guild is the one and only official organization established to promote the Cause for Canonization of Father Capodanno. For more information, visit www.CapodannoGuild.org. 

All are invited to attend the Memorial Mass for Father Vincent Capodanno on the 57th anniversary of the day he laid down his life on a bloody battlefield for those to whom he ministered in service to God and Country. Media coverage is welcomed.

There will be open seating, so please plan to arrive early.  Military members are encouraged to wear the uniform of the day, and business attire is appropriate for civilians.   

Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal O’Malley, appoints new archbishop of Boston

VATICAN NEWS — After more than two decades, Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley has concluded his leadership of the Archdiocese of Boston, the fourth largest in the United States. On Aug. 5, Pope Francis accepted the resignation from pastoral leadership of the Capuchin cardinal, who turned 80 last June. Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, OFM Cap. (Photo…

Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal O’Malley, appoints new archbishop of Boston

Homily: Work for the Food That Endures Forever

Fr Eugene Lobo SJ – Eighteenth Sunday of the Year August 04, 2024 Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35 Today’s liturgy and the Word of God present us with Jesus as the Bread of Life. Bread is a substance known and used by every society on the face of the earth. It is […]

Homily: Work for the Food That Endures Forever

Lessons learned: Studying past prepares people for the present, archivist says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Regardless of what people might imagine, archivists are the happiest people on earth, said the prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Archives, Bishop Sergio Pagano. “Even if people say we work amongst cobwebs and dust, that we are library mice,” it does not matter, he said, because “we know how things went in the past so well that when we see how things are going now, we are not disappointed; we smile because we can see that it’s the same thing over and over.”

Lessons learned: Studying past prepares people for the present, archivist says

Spiritual Aridity

St. John Berchmans often experienced great consolation in prayer, but, from time to time, also great aridity. In such cases, he never lost his courage or cheerfulness. When asked what remedies he made use of against aridity, replied, “I pray, I take care to be occupied, and I have patience.” St. Philip Neri considered it […]

Spiritual Aridity

The Shocking Truth About Art and Faith You Need to Know

Join me, William Hemsworth, as I sit down with Nicole and Mark Thomasson from Thomasson Arts. Together, we explore the profound intersection of art and faith, diving into how beauty enriches our lives and spiritual journeys. From their journey as artists with theological backgrounds to the challenges of creating original, meaningful art, we discuss the vital role that authentic artistry plays in our homes and churches. Learn how they navigate the complexities of pricing, the impact of AI on creativity, and their innovative fundraising models for churches seeking original pieces. I highly recommend watching this engaging conversation to gain insights on why supporting original art matters. Join us as we explore the richness of faith expressed through creativity. Don’t miss out—check out ThomasonArts.com to discover how you can bring beauty into your life!

Generous Benefactors Contribute Over $100,000 to Set Record in AMS Day of Giving

WASHINGTON, DC — This year, for the first time ever, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), has raised more than $100,000 in its annual AMS Day of Giving campaign. The funds, donated by hundreds of generous benefactors over the past week, will support Team Saint Paul (TSP)—a steadily growing apostolate of the AMS, and committed to a common purpose: to accompany young adults in the U.S. Military by forming authentic relationships on the installations where they serve, leading to genuine discipleship with Christ.

The AMS Day of Giving is held annually on July 21 to commemorate the date in 1986 when the AMS, erected by Pope Saint John Paul II, established operations in the Nation’s Capital. Since Sunday, July 21, 501 benefactors have given more than $105,000 to the 2024 campaign, breaking the previous record of $86,466 from 466 donors last year. Calling the 2024 AMS Day of Giving “an unprecedented success,” AMS Director of Advancement Salvador (Sal) Perez extended his “heartfelt gratitude” to the magnanimous donors who contributed to this year’s campaign.

TSP was created in 2021 by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, in response to the Holy See’s call for a New Evangelization. “No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church can avoid this supreme duty,” Pope Saint John Paul II declared in his 1990 encyclical, Redemptoris Missio: “to proclaim Christ to all peoples.” Last year at the Vatican, Pope Francis told a gathering that evangelization “does not begin by seeking to convince others, but by bearing witness each day to the love that has watched over us and lifted us back up.”

AMS Young Adult Missionary Coordinator McKenzie Mauss leads TSP, coaching members on how to bear witness in their daily lives. “It has been an honor to be a part of the growth of Team Saint Paul,” she said. “From two missionaries in June of last year to seven, in all, set to be sent to begin ministry this fall, I am always amazed at people’s ‘yes’ to serve those who serve.”

Currently, three commissioned TSP members are active at their assigned locations: Ms. Caroline McDermott and Ms. Regina Fontana at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, and Ms. Jurate Reventas at Travis Air Force Base (AFB) in California. Another four, including Ms. Juliana Gahr, Ms. Ashley Rivera, and the first two men to join TSP, Mr. Peter Bockrath and Mr. Noah Mize, a former U.S. Marine, are set to be commissioned by Archbishop Broglio in September following two weeks of training at the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center, the AMS home base, in Washington, DC. Ms. Gahr and Ms. Rivera will be assigned to Travis AFB, Mr. Bockrath and Mr. Mize to Fort Campbell.

“Witnessing the impact of Team Saint Paul at Travis Air Force Base and Fort Campbell,” Mrs. Mauss said, “has been an incredible blessing. The mere presence of young people excited to live out their faith and intentionally care about cultivating relationships has sparked a change of heart among the active duty communities. Missionaries have been able to witness people return to the sacraments and receive Christ for the first time in the Eucharist. It is one of my greatest joys to accompany the missionaries in this journey.”

Funds raised in the 2024 AMS Day of Giving will support training, logistics, travel, retreats, and other TSP ministries. It’s not too late to contribute. Gifts are gratefully accepted through Monday, July 29, at givingday.milarch.org.

Each TSP member is individually responsible for raising money to cover living expenses, ranging from $3,000 to $4,000 per month. To support an individual TSP member, visit milarch.org/missionaries/support/.

Anyone interested in becoming a Team Saint Paul member may apply at milarch.org/missionaries/.

Pope will find ‘strong and multicultural’ Church in Papua New Guinea

As Pope Francis prepares to visit Papua New Guinea in September, the Superior General of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart shares the current challenges facing the Christian community on the island nation, as well as the rise of local vocations. “Pope Francis will find a Church with a strong practice of faith, but in…

Pope will find ‘strong and multicultural’ Church in Papua New Guinea

Pope visits children of Vatican employees attending summer camp

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Children of Vatican employees began their summer holidays at a new outdoor sports area and pool as part of an annual summer program. The St. Joseph Center was inaugurated in June and features a number of small astro-turfed fields, a tennis court and an above-ground…

Pope visits children of Vatican employees attending summer camp