R.I.P. Chuck

Charlton Heston (October 4, 1923 – April 5, 2008)was an Academy Award winning actor known for playing heroic roles, such as Moses in The Ten Commandments, Colonel George Taylor in Planet of the Apes and Judah Ben-Hur in Ben-Hur. Early in his career, he was one of a handful of Hollywood actors to speak out against racism and was active in the civil rights movement. He later became known for conservative politics and was president of the National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003. In July 2003, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House from President George W. Bush. "The largeness of character that comes across the screen has also been seen throughout his life," President Bush said at the time. In August 2002, Heston publicly announced he was diagnosed with symptoms consistent with Alzheimer's disease. Rest in peace Chuck!

Live Like You Were Dying

Randy Pausch, a 47-year-old computer-science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has terminal cancer. He gave his "last lecture" to his students intending that it would be saved for his 3 small children as well. His message is not overtly religious but there is a quality to his hope that is very much grace filled. His message challenges one to live the life that we have been given to the full. I coupled it with the video "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw. Let's pray for one another that we might live our lives to the full! Let's also pray for those who suffer from human illness that they too might live in the hope of the new life that our faith offers!

Good News for Religious Life

We hear far too many stories of aging religious and closing Churches. Unfortunately that is the time in which we live. However, there are wonderful signs of hope as well! We have to celebrate the good news whenever we encounter it! The short news story below displays one group of religious sisters who have grown remarkable fast over the past 20 years. The community was founded in Argentina and has 900 members in just 20 years! That is great sign of hope

The Human Experience

The film company that did Fishers of Men and God in the Streets of New York are making a new film! I can't wait to see The Human Experience! Sometimes we need to be moved and this trailer for the film is very, very moving! I pray that the film reaches millions and that it moves all of us to be more compassionate and Christlike to others... especially those most in need! Watch the trailer and tell me what you think!

From Grassroots Films of Brooklyn, New York comes THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE – the story of a band of brothers who travel the world in search of the answers to the burning questions: Who am I? Who is Man? Why do we search for meaning? Their journey brings them into the middle of the lives of the homeless on the streets of New York City, the orphans and disabled children of Peru, and the abandoned lepers in the forests of Ghana, Africa. What the young men discover changes them forever. Through one on one interviews and real life encounters, the brothers are awakened to the beauty of the human person and the resilience of the human spirit.

Hermits for Today

Before my ordination I was blessed to spend a week with the Hermits of Bethlehem in Chester, NJ. It is a beautiful secluded spot in northern New Jersey that I had never heard of before. I was a bit nervous to spend a week with "hermits" and had not idea what to expect. It turned out to be a remarkably prayerful experience and a wonder way to prepare myself for ordination. The founder of the community was a diocesan priest from Paterson, NJ named Fr. Eugene Romano. He is a very grandfatherly man who is exceptionally welcoming. His story and the story of Bethlehem Hermitage can be seen on the video. It provides a history of the place and a brief exploration of how the hermits live and why they chose to do so. The program emphasizes that the hermits do not seek to isolate themselves from a suffering humanity. Rather, through prayer and daily sacrifice, they seek to serve the Church and to be a spiritual support for all who are actively involved in carrying out the mission of Jesus. I have occasionally driven up to the hermitage just to make a visit to the chapel and to pray. It reminds me of my ordination retreat and the challenge to live my Salesian priesthood with devotion. I hope you enjoy this half hour in a hermitage!

Beautiful Tribute

Five for Fighting just won a new fan! This is a beautiful song and a wonderful tribute to all the folks who protect us and for the millions who have died for our freedom. Enjoy the video and pray for our troops!

Favoured Sons and Daughters

The video below comes from the ANS website and is a fantastic 7 minute summary of the past few days of the Salesian General Chapter. The elections and the visit to the Holy Father are all covered here. I want to thank Br. Tom Dion for keeping his blog going during this busy time in Rome. It has been so easy to keep up with the most important information coming from the Chapter through his timely blog. Much has been written lately about the Salesians and their activity in the Church. I encourage you to read the London Tablet's article here if you would like to learn more about the Salesians of Don Bosco. The article is well done! God bless!