Copyright (c) 2010 The Georgia Bulletin http://www.georgiabulletin.org/ Catholic news happening in the Archdiocese of Atlanta and around the world from the The Georgia Bulletin 32070 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/sacredheartbasilica/?s= Pots of flowers adorn the entrance of Sacred Heart Basilica, Atlanta, where a new symbol was placed above its doors to mark the historic building’s elevation to a minor basilica. (Photo by Thomas Spink) ATLANTA— The ringing of the new tintinnabulum marked the beginning of a joyous celebration of... 32071 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/southeasternmusicsymposium/?s= ATLANTA— The Southeastern Music Symposium had been carefully planned for months. It was just fortuitous that the annual gathering of liturgical musicians in Atlanta was held one day after the long-awaited proclamation came from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that the final English translation of the new Roman... 32072 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/letters2editor/?s= Letter ‘Mistaken’ On Pro-Life Focus To the Editor:   The recent letter in the Aug. 19 Georgia Bulletin regarding the obligation of pro-life organizations to support Latino immigration, while well intentioned, is sadly mistaken. The pro-life arm of the Church struggles to save the unborn from the abortionist’s knife,... 32073 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/murray/?s= Some words change your life forever. Three simple ones—“I love you”—top the list. There are also “You’re wonderful,” contrasted with “You’re fired.” But the saddest words of all, the most shocking, the hardest to bear, are “She’s dead.” For Christians death is a doorway, not a brick wall. We believe... 32074 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/awg/?s= This summer three special celebrations came together on my calendar, and they all honored and offered an opportunity for us to express our gratitude to some of the women religious serving in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. On Aug. 12, I celebrated Mass with the Visitation Sisters in Snellville as they... 32075 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/awg_esp/?s= Este verano hubo tres celebraciones especiales en mi calendario, todas en honor de mujeres religiosas que trabajan en la Arquidiócesis de Atlanta, y tuvimos la oportunidad de expresarles nuestro agradecimiento. El 12 de agosto celebré misa con las Hermanas de la Visitación en Snellville; cumplían 400 años desde que Santa... 32076 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/deaconassignments/?s= ATLANTA —Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory has announced the following change in deacon assignment. Deacon Robert Kepshire has been assigned to serve at St. Joseph Church, Athens, effective Sept. 1.... 32077 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/priestassignments/?s= ATLANTA —Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory has announced the following changes in priest assignments. Father Balappa Selvaraj has been assigned to the Metropolitan Tribunal, effective Aug. 18. For canonical status, he has been appointed to serve as parochial vicar at Transfiguration Church, Marietta, where he will reside. Father Victor Galier... 32078 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/suecolussyretires/?s= Sue Colussy was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award at the July gathering of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) in New Orleans. The Fulton, N.Y., native is a graduate of Georgia State University’s law school. (Photos by Michael Alexander) ATLANTA— The job description wouldn’t have enticed... 32079 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/finney/?s= My family and I spent Katrina in an enclosed corridor leading to the stairwell of my fourth-floor office, a decision that with the clarity of 20/20 hindsight ranks somewhere on the top 10 list of “Mistakes I Have Made in My Brief Sojourn on Earth.” There’s a line describing a... 32080 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/crshaitipartnerships/?s= Catholic Relief Services Atlanta program officer Simone Blanchard listens to a local parishioner give suggestions on how CRS can be more active and effective on the parish level. Nearly a dozen parishes were represented at the luncheon, which focused on relief efforts in Haiti, on Aug. 19. (Photos by... 32081 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/crossingwiththevirgin/?s= “Crossing With the Virgin” is a collection of stories told by migrants about their risky border crossing. The stories were compiled from firsthand accounts shared with volunteers for the Samaritans, a humanitarian group that attempts to prevent unnecessary deaths by providing the migrants with medical aid, water and food.... 32082 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/adoptionlawyeraccused/?s= ATLANTA— Leaders at Catholic Charities Atlanta are confident that the nonprofit’s internal controls are protecting clients after authorities arrested lawyer Lynn Swank after she allegedly forged a judge’s signature on adoption documents. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said the questionable documents were connected to cases she worked on... 32083 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/deathoffatherhughes/?s= Father Eugene Hughes, SM ATLANTA— Marist Father Eugene Hughes served the church for more than five decades, teaching in classrooms and working in parishes. Father Hughes, 80, died Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the North East Atlanta Health and Rehabilitation Center, in Atlanta, while he was recovering from a car... 32084 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/notable/?s= Immaculate Heart of Mary School seventh-grader Jakob Spitzer moved quickly when a boat’s propeller severely cut his aunt’s arm. The quick thinking of this 12-year-old and his act of heroism during his summer vacation was applauded by his school community. Jakob rescued his aunt from Lake Hartwell after she was... 32085 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/stpatricks40years/?s= St. Patrick Church, Norcross, celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special eucharistic liturgy, Aug. 25. (Photos by Michael Alexander) Auxiliary Bishop Luis R. Zarama, center, was the main celebrant for St. Patrick Church’s 40th anniversary Mass. While the bishop was joined on the altar by a number of his... 32086 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/fosteringparishministry/?s= ATLANTA— “Transforming Hearts, Living the Gospel,” a regional workshop on parish social ministry, will offer inspiration about the connection between faith and actions of charity and justice. The gathering is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15-16, at Holy Spirit Church, 4465 Northside Drive, Atlanta. This regional event offers... 32087 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/fppwstandrews/?s= ROSWELL— Catholics will explore the connection between their faith and politics at the Faith and Public Policy Workshop, sponsored by the Georgia Catholic Conference The focus will be on Catholic social teaching, “Faithful Citizenship” document and today’s public policy issues. The program is Saturday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m.... 32088 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/foodpantryseekingdonations/?s= MARIETTA— MUST Ministries, a faith-based, nonprofit charity, is at its lowest food level in years and needs help. The organization’s cupboard has run out of food, from canned chicken and tuna to beans and spaghetti meals. In addition, supplies are low for rice, dry beans, macaroni and cheese and... 32089 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2010/09/02/pincrestgirlsopener/?s= Pinecrest Academy pitcher Katerina Saker delivers pitch in the sixth inning. Saker had 11 strikeouts on the day during the team’s 13-6 loss to Fellowship Christian School. (Photo by Michael Alexander) Cumming— In the battle of the Paladins, Fellowship Christian School, Roswell, spoiled the softball season opener for Pinecrest... 32090 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/02/us-1/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Jewish, evangelical and Catholic speakers, some with backgrounds in national security and interfaith relations, called the controversy over plans to build an Islamic community center and mosque a few blocks from ground zero in New York "contrived" and likely to help those who would recruit potential terrorists.... 32091 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/02/us-2/?s= SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) -- The California Catholic bishops' conference is alerting parents and guardians of public school children that they have the right to "opt out" of many influences and classes that contradict their family's values -- from instruction in how to perform sexual acts to the ins and outs... 32092 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/02/us-3/?s= DES MOINES, Iowa (CNS) -- Thieves electronically stole more than $600,000 from a Diocese of Des Moines bank account on two days in August, the diocese and the bank involved said. As of Sept. 2, $202,000 had been recovered by the bank, according to Anne Marie Cox, director of communications... 32093 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/02/world-1/?s= CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- As the first direct peace talks in two years between Israeli and Palestinian leaders were launched in the United States, Pope Benedict XVI and Israeli President Shimon Peres met in a private audience. The two leaders expressed hopes that the renewal of direct talks in... 32094 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/02/world-2/?s= LAHORE, Pakistan (CNS) -- Church leaders in Pakistan have condemned the triple bombings that killed more than 30 people and injured more than 200 at a Shiite religious ceremony in Lahore. The Asian church news agency UCA News reported that Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore said the bombings, committed as... 32095 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/02/world-3/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A small Florida Protestant church's plan to burn copies of the Quran has drawn international condemnation. The head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, Indonesian religious leaders -- including two Catholic bishops -- and the bishop of St. Augustine, Fla., are among a growing group of... 32096 2 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/02/world-4/?s= CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) -- South Africa's bishops have called on the government to withdraw a bill on state secrets, which they say violates the spirit of openness and accountability essential for a healthy democracy. The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference "has serious concerns about the wisdom and the... 32060 1 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/01/us-1/?s= CALABASAS, Calif. (CNS) -- A memorial Mass was held Sept. 1 for Sister Mary Campbell, who was killed Aug. 25 in a car crash that also severely injured the retired pastor of a Malibu parish and left the driver, Douglas Kmiec, U.S. ambassador to Malta, with serious injuries. Sister Mary,... 32061 1 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/01/us-2/?s= CHICAGO (CNS) -- The Catholic Church Extension Society has provided more than $14 million in grants to help Catholic communities recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina five years ago. The grants provided by the Chicago-based organization have been primarily earmarked to support church-related projects and encourage faith in... 32062 1 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/01/us-3/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- New stands have been taken on the indecency front, but discouraging signs continue to surface. In what is potentially the most important stand, the Federal Communications Commission filed an appeal Aug. 26, asking a federal appeals court to reconsider its July ruling striking down the FCC's indecency... 32063 1 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/01/world-1/?s= SANTIAGO, Chile (CNS) -- Diana Olivares' husband, Daniel Sanderson, had one foot out the door before a gentle nudge from his wife convinced him to stay with the family instead of heading to the mine for work. Later that day, the couple received word that the San Jose mine where... 32064 1 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/01/world-2/?s= CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- St. Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th-century German mystic, used her gifts to build up the church at a time of trouble similar to today, Pope Benedict XVI said. St. Hildegard is relevant today because of "her love for Christ and his church, which was suffering... 32065 1 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/01/world-3/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Lay members of Asia's tiny Catholic minority can be effective witnesses of the Christian faith by being models of married love, defending human life, helping the poor and showing their willingness to forgive those who hurt them, Pope Benedict XVI said. "Asia's Catholics are called to... 32066 1 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/01/world-4/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace joined 27 other Christian leaders in welcoming the renewal of direct peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders brokered by the United States. Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, N.Y., and leaders representing Catholic, Protestant,... 32067 1 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/01/world-5/?s= TRIER, Germany (CNS) -- The German Catholic Church will require all employees who work with young people to obtain police checks and undergo psychiatric tests when necessary, under new guidelines published Aug. 31. "The new guidelines now extend to clerics, order members and other employees in the church's service," said... 32068 1 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/01/world-6/?s= SEOUL, South Korea (CNS) -- A whistle-stop visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il to a church in China is not a sign that the secretive communist regime's stance toward religion is softening, South Korean Catholics say. Kim visited a Catholic church in Jilin, in northeastern China, during his... 32069 1 Sep 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/09/01/world-7/?s= SAO PAULO (CNS) -- Ten years ago, workers escaping brutal working conditions in Brazil's Amazon region had only one place they could turn to for help: the Pastoral Land Commission of the Brazilian bishops' conference. "The police and even Labor Ministry officials would send these people over to us," said... 32052 30 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/30/us-1/?s= SAN DIEGO (CNS) -- A lineup of high-profile presenters, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, headlined the first Mother of Life Conference. About 1,800 people attended the conference held Aug. 14 at San Diego State University's Viejas Arena and sponsored by the San Diego chapter of the Knights of Columbus.... 32053 30 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/30/us-2/?s= DAVENPORT, Iowa (CNS) -- Boosting morale in a diocese deeply wounded because of the abuse of children by some clergy in past decades, Catholics in the Davenport Diocese pledged $22 million in a capital campaign that succeeded despite the worst economic conditions in decades. The campaign was the first in... 32054 30 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/30/us-3/?s= PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) -- A parish in a Portland suburb helps scores of African immigrants as they settle in to life in this country. The Open Arms and Helping Hands ministry based at Christ the King Parish in Milwaukie provides furniture, clothing, referrals and other aid that is especially important... 32055 30 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/30/us-4/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The general counsel of the U.S. bishops was one of more than 100 leaders from varying religious organizations asking Congress to turn back legislation that would deny religious charities the right to hire only people of the same faith if those charities receive federal grants. Anthony Picarello... 32056 30 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/30/us-5/?s= WATERTOWN, Mass. (CNS) -- New shows focusing on campus ministry and on Catholic traditions in art will premiere on CatholicTV cable outlets and on CatholicTV.com in September. The 13-part series, "Hope on Campus," explores the work of the Brotherhood of Hope, a relatively new religious order that serves at large,... 32057 30 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/30/world-1/?s= CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI offered his prayers for the 33 men trapped underground in a gold and copper mine in Chile. At the end of his Angelus address Aug. 29, the pope prayed that the miners remain calm as rescue workers begin an excavation process that... 32058 30 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/30/world-2/?s= CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- People today have a duty to leave the earth in a state in which future generations "can live in dignity and safeguard it further," said Pope Benedict XVI. Expressing his support for the Sept. 1 Day for Safeguarding Creation, the pope told people gathered in... 32059 30 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/30/world-3/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The controversy surrounding a bishop in a Catholic diocese about 100 miles outside of Beijing illustrates the problems facing Chinese Catholic communities trying to follow Pope Benedict XVI's instructions to unite. Coadjutor Bishop Francis An Shuxin of Baoding, who spent 10 years under house arrest for refusing... 32043 27 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/27/us-1/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Five years after the devastating effects of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, rebuilding efforts are still very much a work in progress. Many, but not all, Gulf Coast residents have returned and although many homes and buildings have been rebuilt, more still needs to be done. Amid the... 32044 27 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/27/us-2/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- People who choose to enter the religious life often say God called them to their vocation. But student debt sometimes stops them from answering the call. Religious orders are reluctant to accept candidates who have substantial debt. That means many people are faced with the possibility that... 32045 27 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/27/us-3/?s= WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A group of 10 interreligious figures who visited Vietnam in late spring said the toxic, corrosive effects of Agent Orange still jeopardize the Vietnamese people 35 years after the war's end. Traveling as the Agent Orange in Vietnam Information Initiative, the group said money is still needed... 32046 27 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/27/us-4/?s= NEW YORK (CNS) -- More than 1,000 people dressed in blue and white filled a cordoned traffic lane across from the Empire State Building Aug. 26 to protest the decision of the building's owner to deny a request to illuminate the upper floors in honor of the 100th birthday of... 32047 27 Aug 2010 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2010/08/27/world-1/?s= VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The life of an ambassador to the Vatican is filled with meetings, liturgies, conferences, reports and social events. About a dozen members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Vatican seem to be everywhere -- at every papal event, every big conference and even at the...