ANZAC DAY Saturday, 25 April 2009

Truth Conquers!

Dear Friends,

It's been a marathon programming effort over the last week getting the Catholica Video Channel (video.catholica.com.au) "just right" in preparation for what I am sure is going to be a crucial part of our success in the future. It's now almost complete technically — the major change in the future will be linking it into a database rather than serving up the information more manually. It's all working though — what now remains is far more content. I'm confident, as with the rest of Catholica, that will build in time.

My immediate focus this coming week will be preparing for our get together at Carcoar with Tom McMahon and developing some kind of structure for the legal ownership of Catholica. Today's lead commentary, as I explain, in the commentary has been partly sparked by discussions a few of us have been having in how we structure Catholica and define its objectives. It's also a discussion on the ultimate objective of institutional Catholicism.

Don't miss today's lead commentary...
<Read today's lead commentary>
www.catholica.com.au/gc0/bc2/053_bc_250409.php

A love letter? It's an interesting question whether St Paul ever wrote an intimate love letter in his life. It is perhaps ironic that some of his words on love are amongst the most popular chosen for wedding ceremonies. Our lead commentator today, Dr Ian Elmer today resumes his journey with St Paul after the pause last week to look back in overview of where we've travelled so far. He's looking at St Paul's dealings with the community at Philippi - a community that Paul appears to have held in high regard. <more>

Camelot and the revolt against Victoria... Tom McMahon continues his provocative exploration of the evolution of the institution of marriage as perceived by the ordinary person in society, the ordinary person in the church, and those who acted as God's spokespersons within the Church. In recent days in Australia we've learned that even fewer people now are seeking nuptials in a religious ceremony. Is the Church's grip on the lives of ordinary people weakening? <more>

Jesus Wept (cf John 11:35): The stories of Martha, Mary and Lazarus have been a favourite theme of painters. That perhaps reflects the impact these stories have had on Christians down through the centuries. In today's lead commentary Dr Andrew Kania goes in search of the deeper meaning to be drawn from the story of the Raising of Lazarus. Andrew titled this essay "Jesus Wept (cf. John 11:35)". <more>

Does God need, or answer, our prayers? Via our email list today we are drawing wider attention to a discussion that has been underway on the Catholica forum for three days already. James started it by posting a column by Klaus Ziegler in El Espectador, the Colombian daily. James concludes: "I am not sure if Newberg and Waldman have got to the stage of comparing the dendrite growth rates in believers and non-believers … in any event, it seems from what they say, that prayer, whether of the contemplative type, or just straight out toadying and groveling is good for us. And so is putting a Zeigler on it all." What are your thoughts on prayer: do you have a sense that God needs your prayers – or answers your prayers? <more>

Best wishes for a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life or in our world!

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher