What is the role of the Catholic Church in today's society?

The role of the Catholic Church in society has existed for many centuries. The Catholic Church is more than an institution. Its influence and authority extends beyond borders, embracing everyone from all walks of life.

When the times get tough, His people turn to Him for guidance and there is no better place to find that than in the arms of the church.

It certainly cannot be denied that the Catholic Church is still an important part of today’s world. Let us take a closer look at the role of the Catholic Church in society. How does it affect the lives of ordinary people? How does it help shape the events of the world, in the past and today?

The globalized world is fraught with contradictions and injustice. Humanity is in need of a God who is merciful and provident, who will bring people together and raise awareness to their vocation to be brothers and sisters to one another. Christianity has forged the large part of Western civilization. The Church has humanized social and political structures, giving life to the tradition of humanitarian and educational works.

The age of enlightenment ushered a new dawn for humankind. There was a considerable thirst for learning and a great appreciation for knowledge. But do you wonder where all those prior wisdom come from?

The Catholic Church has helped preserve the heritage of past civilizations through the hard work and patience of the people in monasteries who copied much of the writings of the Greeks and Romans. It was because of them that future generations learned and greatly improved the discoveries of the past for the advancement of mankind.

In its quest to promote and advocate for man’s humanity, the Church proclaims Christ as man’s ultimate source of truth and salvation. It strives to be a reliable companion for man, as it helps to fulfil his intimate nature through the combination of nature and reason.

The Church is not here to provide a mere pastoral service. It seeks to help people find and fulfill their God-given identity. The Church helps us see that we are not just mere creatures living in a senseless world. We are all created in the image and likeness of God and so each human being deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion. This belief is an important hallmark of our faith.

Do you consider the Catholic Church an important part of your life?

What influence does it have in your walk of faith and day to day life?

Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of Musicians and Singers. She was given away for marriage by her parents to Valerian. She told her husband the secret that she has an angel protecting her from being touched by anybody. In order to see the angel he believed in God and was baptized. She spent the rest of her life converting several people to Christianity. She was arrested and was condemned to be sacrificed to suffocate in the baths of the city. However, she survived and was sentenced to be beheaded. After three strikes she was only injured but didn't die. After three days, she died.

Thanksgiving gives us and our loved ones the opportunity to be thankful to the source of all the blessings we have received all year round and that is our Heavenly Father. It is by His grace and mercy that we are able to enjoy life and live it to the fullest. Here are seven thanksgiving traditions that can help us tap into the spirit of thankfulness which this occasion calls for.

Our Faith teaches us to believe that God is the source of all our blessings and reading the Bible is a good way to remember this. There are many accounts in the Holy Book that capture the unwavering grace of God. For Thanksgiving this year, take time to read and reflect upon these Bible stories. Here are some stories from Scripture that we can read during Thanksgiving:

• A Psalm of Thanksgiving, Psalm 100:1-5
• The Church as Christ’s Body, Ephesians 1:15-23
• The Return of the Twelve and the Feeding of the Five Thousand, Matthew 14:13-21
• The Cleansing of the Ten Lepers, Luke 17:11-19
• The Raising of Lazarus, John 11:1-44

Instead of the usual Thanksgiving dinner at home, you and your loved ones can go on a trip someplace new. Consider going to a place that is quiet and where you can commune together as a family and reflect on the many things that you should be grateful for. You can go camping or have a beach trip with the whole family. Aside from spending time with your loved ones, take this as a chance to appreciate the beauty of the natural world and acknowledge how amazing God is as the creator of it all.

Let us invoke gratitude in our hearts and minds to capture what Thanksgiving really is about. If you plan to have Thanksgiving get-together as a family, start the gathering off with a prayer of thanks. Make it more meaningful by asking everyone to recite an individual prayer in which they can express their heartfelt gratitude to God.

Thanksgiving Prayer

Lord, we thank you
 for the goodness of our people
 and for the spirit of justice
 that fills this nation.
 We thank you for the beauty and fullness of the
 land and the challenge of the cities.

We thank you for our work and our rest,
 for one another, and for our homes.
 We thank you, Lord:
 accept our thanksgiving on this day.
 We pray and give thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Thanksgiving is often celebrated with the family and this is great time to bond and nurture our relationship. Create an atmosphere of gratitude during your get-together by asking family members to share personal stories that made them thankful. Ask your loved ones to talk about moments that made them experience the abundance of God’s grace or any blessing or act of kindness that they are thankful for. You can do this after or during Thanksgiving dinner to make it more meaningful.

Gratitude is at the heart of Thanksgiving and we can manifest this by being thankful to everyone who is part of our lives. During this time of the year, make it a habit to express your gratitude to the people close to you. You can do this by simply talking to the people you are thankful for or you can go an extra mile and write them a heartfelt letter or give them a gift that captures your sentiment. Your gesture doesn’t have to be grand or expensive. The important thing is you are sincere in sharing how grateful you are.

Find a charity group that shares your beliefs and advocacy. Pray and ask God for guidance on what charity organizations you should reach out to. Coordinate with the group on the ways you can help them out, it could be a feeding program or by donating used clothes or helping raise funds for their cause.

What thanksgiving traditions do you usually practice with your family? How do you plan to celebrate this special occasion this year?

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/thanksgiving-day-prayer.cfm

God uses our familial relationships to help us become the people He created us to be. He considers families as agents to change the world therefore he encourages us to participate in his plans as a unit. This is why family time must be treated as the most important part of our lives because this is the way we strengthen our relationship as a whole.

Nowadays, many Catholics face challenges that make it harder and harder for us to spend quality family time together. Despite all the distractions and responsibilities weighing us down, we need to find the chance to get together and celebrate sacred family time.

Here are some eight simple ways that we can celebrate sacred family time and grow together as members of God’s universal family:

Like daily meals, praying and saying the rosary must be done together. As a family, these practices do not only bring husband, wife, and children together physically, but also unite them spiritually. Family members may say their individual prayers, but asking for God’s grace and blessing as a unit can open their minds and hearts into His vision of them as a family. This is an opportunity to ask for guidance as they seek to heed His words and lead a fulfilling life.

As a family, we must realize the essence of asking for forgiveness for our shortcomings in whatever roles and responsibilities God entrusted to us, be it husband, wife, mother, father or children. Being imperfect individuals, we must be humble enough to confess and repent our sins. By doing this as a habit, we become more aware of our limitations and weaknesses and find a way to overcome them. This awareness also helps us lead a more balanced and virtuous life.

God is our source of provisions and sustenance. It is our responsibility to give back what we have to others so that they, too, may know God’s grace. This is why doing volunteer work is good for families. As a family, we can choose a charity or cause that we believe in and invest our time and resources in this advocacy. Doing charity work is a wonderful opportunity to teach young ones about the importance of compassion, solidarity, and kindness.

Communication is said to be the key to a harmonious relationship. Families benefit the most from this practice as it nurtures an open mind and heart from one another. Parents can make use of this time to assure their children of their love and support and encourage the young ones to open up about their problems or difficulties. It is also a time where they can read and learn God’s words together.

Reading Catholic story books and devotionals together can keep us focused on God and the Church. While learning more about God’s word and plan, we will also be able to discuss the gospel values we learned from what we read. Media is becoming increasingly important in people’s lives so it is necessary for families to invest in media that will strengthen family ties and faith.

Elizabeth was the daughter of King Andrew II and Gertrude of Merania. Her ancestry included many European nobles including Vladimir the Great of the Kievan Rus. It is commonly believed that Elizabeth was born in Hungary, possibly in the Sárospatak castle, on July 7, 1207.

In 1211, Landgrave Hermann I of Thuringia sent a formal embassy to Hungary to arrange a marriage between Elizabeth and his eldest son Hermann. This was mostly a political move made to reinforce alliances between families. Elizabeth then traveled to the Thuringian court where she was educated and exposed to their culture in order to prepare her for marriage.

At this time Thuringia was a prosperous place and gave Elizabeth a luxurious and secular life. Despite living in comfort, the young Elizabeth cultivated a religious and pious way of living. She would pray diligently and even practiced small acts of self-mortification.

Elizabeth experienced many tragedies at an early age. In 1213, her mother was murdered by Hungarian nobles. On December 1216, her would-be husband, Hermann, also died. Elizabeth was then betrothed to the second son, Ludwig IV.

Ludwig succeeded the throne in 1221 and would become a great ruler and courageous soldier. Because of his valor, he was revered as a saint by Germans. He and Elizabeth were married also in 1221. Their union was a happy one as husband and wife supported one another.

Elizabeth and Ludwig had three children, Herman II, Sophia and Gertrude. Herman and Sophia became members of nobility while Gertrude devoted herself to a religious life by becoming an abbess.

In 1223, Elizabeth learned all about the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi through Franciscan friars that arrived in Thuringia. After hearing all about what St. Francis stood for, Elizabeth sought to emulate his example. She started to wear simple clothing and devoted time to helping the poor in her land.

When Thuringia was flooded and plagued with disease in 1226, Elizabeth helped care for the afflicted. She also used her dowry to establish a hospital in honor of St. Francis. There she personally tended to the sick and supported those who were impoverished.

Elizabeth’s life was changed when her husband died in 1227 from an illness. The news devastated Elizabeth who vowed never to remarry despite pressures from relatives. She made solemn vows similar to those of a nun to Master Conrad of Marburg, who was an inquisitor, preacher of the crusade. Although Conrad did not belong to any order he was well known for being ascetic and harsh.

Elizabeth vowed to be celibate and completely submit to Conrad as her spiritual director. His treatment was very strict and even cruel. He imposed standards that were almost impossible to meet and his punishments often included physical beatings. He also ordered that Elizabeth’s children be sent away. His firmness, however led Elizabeth to the path of sanctity and he was very active in the efforts to have her canonized when she passed away.

Another miraculous event in Elizabeth’s life took place when she cared for a leper named Helias of Eisenach. She laid the afflicted upon the very bed that she shared with her husband. Her mother-in-law was horrified and told Ludwig about this when he returned home.

Just as Ludwig was removing the bed sheets he saw the figure of the crucified Christ stretched upon the bed instead of the leper.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary passed away in 1231 at the age of 24. Miracles began happening in her grave site and these were usually miracles of healing. Many people would embark on pilgrimages to visit her grave.

St. Elizabeth is usually portrayed in art as holding a basket of bread or other forms of food and drink, a symbol of her devotion to the poor. Other art works also depict her as a princess giving alms to the poor or holding roses in her lap.

Saint Andrew the Apostle is the patron saint of Fishermen and Scotland. Andrew is known as the first Apostle. He was killed by being crucified on a saltire, or x-shaped cross, for baptizing Maximilla, the wife of the Roman governor of Patras. His symbol, the saltire, is featured on the flag of Scotland, where he established the Church of Saint Andrew.

Catholic evangelization is one of the main responsibilities of the church and it is as relevant today as it was in the formative years of the early Christian church. The Catholic Church is not just an evangelizer, she is a community made up of believers. As members of the Catholic Church, we all share the responsibility to spread the good news to others.

The Catholic Dictionary defines evangelization as the zealous proclamation of the gospel in order to bring others to Christ and His Church. It must include three distinctive elements:

1. Interior conversion to Christ and His Church
2. The individual and the whole culture becoming affected by the conversion
3. Transformation of the culture and its institutions to make them more Catholic

In this way, we can practice Catholic evangelization by sharing love, being a good example and supporting the people around us. Parents can do to his by teaching their faith to their children, can teachers do this by encouraging students to be honest, managers can do this by being fair, healthcare professionals do this by giving heartfelt service and the list goes on.

Two things must always be at work when we evangelize. First, we live by faith and follow the example of Christ and, second, we share the good news. Regardless of what method we use to share the news of salvation, we must put love at the center of all our words and actions just as Jesus put love at the heart of everything He did for humanity.

We live in an increasingly complex world but the message of evangelization remains simple: God loves us and He offers us the gift of salvation through His son Jesus Christ.

Matrimony comes from the Latin word maritare, meaning, “to wed, marry, give in marriage.” It refers to the contract made by the couple­ – a mutual alliance they enter into when they made the vow to support each other and be together for life.

According to the Catechism of the Council of Trent, ”marriage is a conjugal union between a man and a woman, both in legal status, in which they establish a perpetual and indissoluble union of lives. There are two goals in this union – procreation and education of the offspring and the mutual support of the spouses."

This definition applies to two types of marriages, the one between non-baptized person and the one between two baptized persons. There former is made according to Natural Law while the latter is the marriage according to the Catholic Church.

As stated in the Sacred Scripture, God instituted marriage as the pinnacle of creation. Marriage was instituted when He created Eve and gave her as a companion to Adam. 

After the original sin was committed, He blessed them, saying, “Be fertile and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1: 27-28). The Scripture teaches that marriage is not simply a human institution. It is also something God established from the foundation of the world.

When Jesus Christ healed the people of sin and its effects, marriage is also recreated and made new in Christ. Jesus tells us that in the Kingdom of God, the original intention of God in the permanent union of husband and wife can be realized once more.

Our Lord Jesus Christ has elevated marriage to the level of a Sacrament because of the deviations and disparities that marriage suffered under the Natural Law. Disparities such as the introduction of polygamy and remarriage. The Sacrament of matrimony confers a grace to the natural marriage. 

It is communitarian. Married couples form a permanent, life-giving community. They live as communities that spread God’s blessings, reach out to heal the brokenness of the family and the world, and share their gifts with those around them.

Marriage is also missionary. Happily married couples show the others what it means to be in a loving relationship where Christ is the center. They also let others know the gift of faithful married life and love. They have the potential to show others what it means to embody the life of the Holy Spirit within them.

As Catholics, do we have any special considerations to keep in mind when naming our child? Are we required to name our child after a saint or can we name them with anything we want? What are the reasons why parents choose the name of saints as Catholic baby names?

Here are some of things you need to know about the naming conventions in the Catholic Faith. 

According to the Code of Canon Law of the Vatican, “Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to take care that a name foreign to Christian sensibility is not given.” This canon does not specifically require that a child be named after a saint. In fact, the canon does not specify that a child be given a particular name at all during baptism.

Canon Law only restricts us from choosing names that are “foreign to Christian sensibility.” These names are those that are charged with negative connotations and which go against our faith and Catholic convictions, for example, “Satan,” “Death,” “Lucifer,” and so on.

If a parent picks a questionable name, the priest who is to baptize the child not only has the right but the responsibility to intervene. The priest a well as the child’s godparents will need to object to the choice of name and ask the parents to select another name instead. The baptism cannot take place if the parents insist on their offensive choice of name. 

Many parents choose to name their baby after saints even though it is not a requirement of the Catholic Faith. The following are some of the reasons why they do this: 

When we recite the Apostle’s Creed, we say that we believe in the “communion of the saints.” This means that we acknowledge being united spiritually to those who have passed on and are in heaven. Naming our child after a saint is one way of reaffirming our faith in this said communion of saints. We proclaim to the world that we believe in the saints and their power enough to let them become a part of the lives of our children. 

In today’s world, it can be difficult to find good role models for our children and the lives of saints are an excellent source of insight into how we can practice our Catholic Faith. Through their namesake saints, our children can find inspiration in the way they behave, make choices and live as Christians. 

Keep in mind that evangelization is one of our duties as members of the Catholic Faith and reaffirming our faith in our day to day choices is one way of practicing this.

Popular Catholic Baby Names 

Boys include: Jacob, Michael, James, Daniel, Elijah, Benjamin, Matthew, David, and Joseph. 

Girls include: Sophia, Elizabeth, Mary, Grace, Evelyn, Abigail, Zoe, Anna, Leah, Sarah, Naomi and Faith.

Are you named after a saint? What is the story behind your name? 

Saint Jude Thaddeus is the patron saint of desperate situations. He was one of the chosen Twelve Apostles, the brother of Saint James the Lesser and a cousin of Jesus Christ, whom he greatly resembles. Saint Jude made missionary journeys, during which he preached and dispensed the Sacraments.

As Christian parents, how do we develop our child’s faith? We have a responsibility to train our children in the ways of God and one of the first steps is to cultivate their faith.

Faith is an important part of our spiritual journey here on earth so how do we share this with the younger generation?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines faith as our response to God who reveals himself and gives himself to us, at the same time bringing us a superabundant light as we search for the ultimate meaning of our life.

Faith is not simply believing that God is our creator, master and king, it is manifesting that belief in our daily choices and using our Heavenly Father as a light to guide our everyday lives. Our faith, therefore, is an important part of who we are as Christians.

As Christian adults, we have a responsibility to share our faith to our children. How do we do this?

1. Read Stories from the Bible

The Word of God is a good source of wisdom for deepening your child’s understanding of faith. Make Bible reading a part of your activities with your son or daughter. There are countless of stories in the Bible about men and women whose faith were tested and strengthened. Aside from the Bible, there are also books and devotionals with colorful illustrations that captivate young readers.

Here are some stories about God’s people overcoming great trials by faith:

• The story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 shows how David, the champion of God, defeated Goliath, a gigantic man who was the champion of the Philistines. The young boy overcame Goliath with a sling, stone and, more importantly, his unwavering faith in God.
• Matthew 8:23-27 shows how Jesus calmed a raging storm while on a boat with his disciples. This story is a wonderful reminder of how nothing is impossible with God and that He is master over everything, even natural forces.
• Matthew 9:20-22 tells the story of a woman who suffered from a hemorrhage for 12 years and her miraculous healing. She was healed from her ailment simply by touching Jesus’ cloak and for her strong faith in God.

2. Share Personal Testimon​ies

Parents can best teach their children by example. Do not just stop at reading stories about faith, share personal experiences in which your faith was tested and strengthened. We need to be living examples of our faith for the younger generation and one way to do this is by living faithfully by God’s commands.

Prayer is an important part of our walk of faith. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we are told to “pray without ceasing.” We need to teach our children that prayer is not just about asking God to give us what we want. It is opening our hearts to Him, having gratitude for all the blessings we received and pouring our deepest concerns to our Heavenly Father.

Teach your son or daughter that our God is a living God. He cares for us and wants us to grow closer to Him. We can only do this if we spend enough time to pray. Just as we need to regularly keep in touch with our loved ones, we also need to regularly communicate with God.

4. Support your Child's Dreams

Every child has a dream and as parents and guardians it is our responsibility to support that dream. When we encourage our child’s dreams, we are giving them a simple demonstration of what it means to believe. But we must not forget to remind them that blessings and opportunities come from God. We need to help our children become self-confident but still humble and grateful.

You can nurture your child’s faith by encouraging them to meditate on Bible verses. The Bible is filled with inspiring stories and words of wisdom that can be used for navigating difficult situations. If your son or daughter is going through tough times, give them a passage from Scripture that you can reflect on together.

Even if your child is not going through a tricky circumstance, you can still encourage them to meditate on the Bible. Encourage your child to make it a habit to read and reflect on Bible verses even for at least 10 minutes every day before going out of bed or before sleeping.

Here are some verses about faith to get you started:

“Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.” - Mark 11:24

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

“But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind.” - James 1:6

As a child, what are your earliest experience of your faith being tested? How do you cultivate your personal faith?

Here are a few of our favorite books to share with your little one.  

Click images to learn more about each book.

To better understand demonic oppression, we need to first acknowledge that there is a spiritual war taking place between the forces of God and the forces of Satan. The forces of the Devil were formerly angels who resisted God and they will do all that they can to tempt people into turning away from the path of righteousness.

Demonic oppression happens when we fall into the temptation of evil spiritual forces. Demons cloud our judgement and cause us to stay in bondage to our sinful nature. It is different from possession because when someone is possessed, demons assume control of their body. This usually results in the person displaying unusual physical attributes like extraordinary strength.

In Mark 5, we can read an example of a man possessed by an unclean spirit and he could not be chained because of how strong he was:

On the other hand, when someone experiences demonic oppression he becomes beset with difficulties. He experiences many troubles and temptations and may feel weighed down emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. If he is unable to resist, he will eventually fall under the influence of the evil spirit that is wreaking havoc upon his life.

The story of Job in the Bible is one example of a man who experienced demonic oppression. Job went through tremendous hardship in his life. His family was killed, he lost his wealth and he got physically sick. Although Job was not possessed, he was oppressed spiritually.

We become vulnerable to demonic oppression when we do things that open us to the influence of the Devil. Some examples of these activities include abusing substances and drugs that alter our state of mind, dabbling in occult activities like divination, astrology, Ouija boards and tarot cards and exposing ourselves to media like books and movies that are depressing, dark and demonic.

The bottom line is when we allow ourselves to be influenced by things that are contrary to the ways of God, we become oppressed spiritually.

Demonic oppression may seem subtle at first but if we do not pay attention to the red flags and do something, it becomes insidious and devastating. The following are some of the signs that we should look out for:

How to Overcome Demonic Oppression

1. Admit that you have sinned and evaluate your situation.

Spend time to evaluate your life and how you got to the present situation. What decisions and behavioral patterns caused you to be ensnared in the sinful act? Awareness of your thoughts and actions will help keep you from falling into the same problem in the future.

2. Confess your sins and ask God for forgiveness.

Go to your parish priest and confess your sins. Sincerely ask God for forgiveness and renounce your sin. You must resolve not to fall into the same sinful patterns again by identifying your triggers and vulnerabilities.

3. Claim God’s promises.

Renouncing your sin requires daily commitment and there will be days in which you will feel vulnerable and weak. This is where God’s Word will come in. The Bible has many words of wisdom and promises that we can claim during difficult times.

Whenever you feel like you are experiencing demonic oppression once again, cling to these passages from Scripture and use these to rebuke the evil spirit that is tempting you:

4. Pray constantly.

Make prayer a daily habit. Spend time first thing in the morning to pray to God. Pour out your heart to Him and let Him know your deepest struggles. Ask Him for guidance and wisdom that you can use for your day.

At a minimum we suggest you should pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Nicene Creed.

5. Find a spiritual accountability person.

Your spiritual accountability person is someone who will be praying for you and helping you in your journey out of demonic oppression. This person should be more spiritually mature than you and who is willing to help you in your struggles by giving you sound advice and guidance. You may ask your parish priest to be your accountability person. 

What hardships are you experiencing in your life right now?

Could this be demonic oppression?

How are you dealing with your struggles?

What is a Papal Conclave

The papal conclave was developed over several centuries to address certain issues that take place during papal succession. The electoral body is made up of the College of Cardinals, or the group made up of all cardinals in the church. In 1274, Pope Gregory X made additional policies such as keeping the bishops in a secluded conclave in the Sistine Chapel until they had all agreed upon a successor. In 1970, Pope Paul VI made changes to the electoral body, limiting members to those under 80 years old. Two-thirds of the conclave’s vote is required for the election of a new pope.

Papal conclaves take place during “Tempe Sede Vacante,” a Latin phrase that translates to “with the seat being vacant,” and the seat refers to the bishop’s throne. This is the time when the episcopal see of a particular church has become vacant following the death or resignation of the pope. In the case of the papacy, the church is the Diocese of Rome while the vacant seat is the Cathedral of Saint John Lateran, the church of the Bishop of Rome.

The Voting Process

On the afternoon of the first day, one ballot may be held but it is not required. If no ballot takes place or nobody is elected, a maximum of four ballots are held on each successive day. Two ballots are held in the morning and the remaining two in the afternoon.

The electors take an oath affirming their obedience to the rules of the conclave before they cast their vote in the morning and in the afternoon. If there is no result after three days of balloting, the voting process is suspended for at most one day. Prayer is observed during this time and the senior cardinal deacon or Camerlengo gives an address.

If no result is achieved after another seven ballots, voting is once again suspended and the senior cardinal bishop gives another address. After a further seven ballots, a day shall be set aside for prayer, reflection and dialogue. During this ballot, only the names of the two bishops who received the two highest votes shall be eligible in a runoff election. These two people will not be eligible to join the voting process at this point.

Until a new pope is elected, the Camerlengo becomes church administrator.

Smoke Colors

The original practice was to add damp straw to the fire in order to create dark smoke. If a new pope has been elected, the ballots were burned on their own to create white smoke. Since 1963, chemicals have been used in the burning procedure.

In addition to the smoke colors, ringing bells are also used to announce the success of the election process.

The New Pope

Once a cardinal receives the required two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts his election. If the pope elect is not a bishop, he will be consecrated as one before succeeding as pope. He will then choose a papal name, usually the name of a previous pope whose example he hopes to emulate. The new pope is then taken to the Room of Tears where he is dressed in papal vestments.

When a new pope has been chosen, the Camerlengo walks onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and announces “Habemus Papam” which means “We have a new pope” to the crowd waiting in St. Peter’s Square. The new pope then processes out and gives his blessing to the city of Rome and the whole world. 

We often turn to the saints for intercession to God on our behalf. Saint Luke, the Evangelist, is the patron saint of physicians, surgeons and artists. A person who asks St. Luke for intercession may use one of the following prayers.

As members of a society that embraces this occasion, we need to know where we stand in light of our Catholic faith. 

To better understand the relationship between Catholics and Halloween we must first trace the roots of this holiday. Halloween is a contraction of the phrase “All Hallows’ Evening.” Many countries celebrate it on October 31, the eve of All Hallow’s Day.

The exact origins of Halloween is not clear. It is commonly believed to have Pagan roots and many of its traditions are influenced by Celtic harvest festivals. More typically, Halloween is associated with the Celtic festival of Samhain, which means “summer’s end” in Old Irish.

Samhain is an ancient Gaelic festival that celebrates the harvest and marks the beginning of winter. The harsh season of winter brought with it an unshakeable feeling of death. The popular Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating or going door to door asking for treats was said to have originated from a belief that the souls of the dead came to the mortal world during Samhain. The only way to appease these spirits was to give them offerings of food and drink. In exchange for these offerings, the spirits would grant people good fortune.

To answer the question of whether we as Catholics can celebrate Halloween we will need to discover our reason for wanting to practice it in the first place. Halloween is not bad per se. In fact, looking back to its history we can see its Christian influences.

In modern times, however, the holiday has become increasingly associated with the sinister and even the debauched. Many people no longer associate Halloween with the more religious All Hallow’s Eve but as a secular holiday that glorifies evil and the supernatural.

To have a faith-based perspective about these things we must keep in mind what the Bible says about practices that are related to magic or the supernatural. 

Chapter 18 in Deuteronomy clearly stops us from dabbling in the occult, consulting with spirits and practicing divination. Even if we do these questionable things out of fun, we are going against the commands of God and He views these activities as “abominations.”

The bottom line is if we are to join in the festivities we need to bring back the Christian aspect of Halloween into the celebration. 

There are plenty of ways that we can celebrate this occasion without violating any of the teachings of the Catholic Faith. Here are three practical ways to do this.

Remember the saints

Instead of focusing on just fun and merriment, let us emphasize the significance of All Hallow’s Day to the celebration of Halloween. All Hallow’s Day or All Saints Day is a meaningful celebration of the lives of all the saints and these saints include our loved ones who are now in heaven. Halloween is an opportune time to remember the saints with our family and friends.

Talk about spiritual warfare

Halloween is full of references of evil spirits and dark forces. The occasion is an opportune time to evangelize others about the reality of these evil elements. We can talk to our friends and family about spiritual warfare. More importantly, we can share to them that God is powerful and He will faithfully protect us from harm.

Dress appropriately

It is unnecessary to completely shun Halloween. We just need to shift our focus back to what is pleasing before God and not offensive to our Catholic sensibilities. 

How do you plan to celebrate Halloween this year?

How does your faith come into play in the activities and traditions of the occasion?

Infertility isn’t just a woman’s problem, though. In about 8% of couples having infertility issues, the identifiable cause is a male factor.

IVF is one of the many methods used to overcome infertility but this procedure has stirred up many moral and religious debates. What is IVF and what are the views of the Catholic Church on it?

What is IVF?

In Vitro Fertilization or IVF is an assisted reproductive technology in which a woman’s eggs are extracted and a sperm sample is retrieved. These two are then manually combined in a laboratory dish and the resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus.

Couples turn to IVF to treat infertility when they have the following conditions:

• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes

• Low sperm count

• Low sperm motility

• Ovulation disorders

• Uterine fibroids

• Premature ovarian failure

• Various genetic disorders

• Unexplained infertility

Stories of Infertility in the Bible

There are many accounts of women who suffered from infertility in the Bible. One of them is Hannah who became so distraught with her condition that her husband, Elkanah, cried to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart so sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” Sarah, the wife of Abraham, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, also struggled to conceive. The stories of these women reveal the amazing power of God and that there is no limit to what He can do to our lives.

What the Church Says About Fertility Procedures

In 1987, the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued Donum Vitae (The Gift of Life) which examined the different fertility procedures of the modern day in the context of morality and the Catholic Faith. The document did not condemn the use of technology as a cure for infertility as wrong in itself. It made clear that while some fertility methods are moral, the procedures that do violence to the dignity of a person and the institution of marriage should be considered immoral.

Donum Vitae also emphasized our responsibility to protect all human life when using technology and methods to have children. It pointed out that people can do harm to themselves and others even when their goal of overcoming infertility is good.

According to Donum Vitae, if a medical intervention helps the marriage act to achieve pregnancy then it is to be considered moral. On the other hand, if the intervention replaces the marriage act in order to engender life, it is not moral.

How the Church Views In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

So why is IVF immoral? First we must take into consideration how IVF is carried out which is by extracting eggs from a woman’s ovary and then joining it with sperm in a petri dish. The new life is allowed to develop for several days before the embryos are transferred to the woman’s womb. This procedure apparently eliminates the marriage act as a means to achieve pregnancy. It replaces the act of love that should take place between a couple with a laboratory procedure.

In IVF the husband and wife become mere sources of raw materials of egg and sperm. Also, the procedure will involve several embryos but only the one which shows the greatest chance of survival is implanted in the womb. The others are discarded or used later on for experiments.

Another factor that should be considered is something known as “fetal reduction” or “selective reduction” which is sometimes performed during an IVF procedure. Here, doctors monitor babies in utero to see if they have defects and they will usually eliminate those that are deemed unhealthy. These methods are dehumanizing and a great act of violence against life.

Last but not the least, it is not uncommon for couples to seek out donors for eggs and sperm and this means that the biological parent of the child may well be someone outside the marriage. These circumstances could create complications later on. For example, the child may be confused when he or she learns that one parent is not actually biologically related to him or her. Or it could also result in half siblings marrying one another because they do not know who their biological parent is.

He is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn of all creation.  - Colossians 1:15

Technologies Compatible with Catholic Teachings:

• Observation of the naturally occurring sign(s) of fertility (Natural Family Planning). Time intercourse on the days of presumed (potential) fertility for at least six months before proceeding to medical interventions.
• General medical evaluation of both spouses for infertility. 
• Post‐coital test to assess sperm number and viability in "fertile type" mucus. These tests are undertaken after normal intercourse. 
• Appropriate evaluation and treatment of male factor deficiency. Seminal fluid samples can be obtained from a non‐lubricated, perforated condom after normal intercourse. 
• Assessment of uterine and tubal structural competence by imaging techniques (e.g., ultrasound, hysterosalpingogram, etc.). 
• Appropriate medical treatment of ovulatory dysfunction.
• Appropriate (usually surgical) correction of mechanical blocks to tubal patency (the state of  being open).

Reproductive Technologies under Discussion (neither "approved" nor "disapproved"):

• Gamete intra‐fallopian transfer (GIFT).  (The Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has not yet pronounced on the subject.)
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) of "licitly obtained" (normal intercourse) but technologically prepared semen sample (washed, etc.).

Reproductive Technologies in Disagreement with Catholic Teachings:

• Obtaining a sample of seminal fluid by masturbation. 
• Artificial insemination by a non‐spouse (AID), or even by the husband (AIH) if the sample is obtained and handled by non‐licit means (masturbated specimen).  
• In vitro fertilization (IVF), zygote intra‐fallopian transfer (ZIFT), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), ovum donation, "surrogate" uterus. 

Although IVF is considered immoral by the church, we must understand that children who are conceived through this method are still to be considered children of God and part of His family. We as human beings are created in the image and likeness of God so we must honor and treat each and every human life with respect. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding their conception, these children should be loved, respected and cared for.

What are your thoughts on infertility and the Church's view?

Reproductive-Technology-Evaluation-Treatment-of-Infertility-Guidelines.pdf
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/reproductive-technology/upload/Reproductive-Technology-Evaluation-Treatment-of-Infertility-Guidelines.pdf

Donum Vitae (Instruction on Respect for Human
Life in its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation)
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1987.
USCCB: Call 800-235-8722