Galileo and the Catholic Church in 2009

March 25, 2009

Most people know that Galileo was condemned by the Catholic Church for his scientific views during his lifetime.  As time progressed, Galileo’s theories became well known and accepted scientifically.  Theologians and Church leaders alike came to realize that the fact that God created a world where the Earth revolves around the Sun is not a threat to our Christian faith. 

More recently, the Church officially pardoned Galileo during Pope John Paul II’s papacy. Now during 2009, which has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Astronomy, the Catholic Church is contributing to the celebrations and discussions of Galileo and the impact of his life. 

From May 27 to 30, the Vatican and other Catholic organizations are gathering in Florence, Italy for a world congress.  “For the first time after 400 years, members of the Vatican Observatory, the Pontifical Council for Culture, The Sciences Academy and many other Institutions that were historically involved in the Galileo affair, are among the experts invited to the congress with a view to showing how ‘recent scientific and historical research’ might alleviate the ‘tension and conflict’ still clouding the relationship between the church and science.”  The entire program can be downloaded here.  This is one of several events being co-sponsored by organizations within the Vatican.  Others include a special exhibit on Galileo at the Vatican Museums in October.

My father always used to say that the Church moved slowly.  I would say that 400 years qualifies as a slow pace.  But at least the Church does move.  Let’s celebrate the progress and also celebrate Galileo’s life this year. 


World Youth Day Message for Palm Sunday, April 5, 2009

March 23, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI has released his message to young people worldwide for the 24th World Youth Day (WYD) in 2009.  The theme of the message is “We have set our hope on the living God” from 1Tim 4:10.  Not surprisingly since 2009 is the year of St. Paul, the Pope speaks of St. Paul as a witness of hope.


Schedule of Catholic Conferences in April or May 2009

March 19, 2009

The following Catholic organizations will be hosting a conference in April or May 2009:

3/29/2009  – 4/1/2009 
NACPA – National Association of Church Personnel Administrators
2009 NACPA Convocation
Chicago, IL
The membership organization for personnel and human resource professionals within the Church. NACPA’s mission is to advocate for workplace justice rooted in Gospel values by promoting comprehensive church personnel systems; strengthening working relationships among church leaders, ministers and employees; developing church personnel and human resources skills and competence; and identifying and addressing church and societal issues which affect the church in its role as employer.
 
4/14/2009  – 4/16/2009 
NCEA – National Catholic Education Association
106th Annual NCEA Convention
Anaheim, CA
The official organization for Catholic educators in elementary schools, secondary schools, religious education programs, seminaries, chief administrators of Catholic education and boards/councils of Catholic education. NCEA’s mission is to advance the educational and catechetical mission of the Church.
 
4/14/2009  – 4/17/2009 
CLA – Catholic Library Association
2009 CLA Convention – Leadership, Direction Service
Anaheim, CA
The membership association of individuals and organizations involved with Catholic libraries. The mission of CLA is to provide leadership for professional development, coordinate the exchange of ideas, offer spiritual support, promote Catholic and ecumenical literature, and foster community.
 
4/14/2009  – 4/16/2009 
NPCD – National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors
17th NPCD Convocation: “Leadership. Direction. Service.”
Anaheim, CA
An organization within NCEA’s Department of Religious Education, NPCD is an association for parish catechetical leaders. It’s mission is to support members in their role of advancing the catechetical mission of the Church and to enhance the professional development of parish catechetical leaders.
 
4/22/2009  – 4/25/2009 
NADD – National Association of Diaconate Directors
NADD Convention 2009
Chicago, IL
The membership association for directors of diaconate programs. NADD’s mission is to serve as a documentation and resource center, to develop professional expertise, promote research, training, and self-evaluation procedures, and to facilitate communication.
 
4/26/2009  – 4/29/2009 
CPPCD – Conference for Pastoral Planning and Council Development
2009 CPPCD Annual Convention: Persevering in Mission to Build the Body of Christ
Plymouth, MI
The professional membership organization for Catholic Church leaders who are responsible for planning, research, and council development at the diocesan and parish levels. CPPCD’s mission is to promote and advocate consultative processes that foster effective planning for the pastoral life of the Church.
 
4/27/2009  – 4/30/2009 
CADEIO – Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers 
2009 CADEIO Annual Program
Phoenix, AZ
The official membership organization for diocesan ecumenical and interreligious officers. CADEIO seeks to stimulate an exchange of ideas, experiences and networking among the ecumenical officers of the dioceses, to promote programs that further work of Christian unity and interreligious cooperation, and to cooperate with other organizations.
 
4/27/2009  – 4/30/2009 
NCCL – National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
2009 NCCL Conference: Focus on Adult Faith Formation
Dearborn, MI
The official organization of diocesan, parish, academic, publishing,and other catechetical personnel. NCCL’s mission is to enrich and strengthen the ministry of catechesis throughout the Catholic dioceses of the US.
 
4/27/2009  – 4/30/2009 
NFPC – National Federation of Priests’ Councils
2009 NFPC Convention – The Parish of Tomorrow – Today!
San Antonio, TX
The membership association for priests’ councils. NFPC’s mission is to promote priestly unity and fraternity, to provide a national forum for priests to discuss pastoral matters, to enable priests councils to speak with a common voice and to promote pastoral research.
 
5/26/2009  – 5/29/2009 
Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit
RBTE – Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit
St. Charles, IL
Annual gathering of Catholic and Episcopal book publishers and dealers. This gathering includes members of the Association of Catholic Booksellers.
 
5/27/2009  – 5/30/2009 
NALM – National Association for Lay Ministry
NALM 2009 Annual Conference
St. Paul, MN
A professional membership association for lay ministers in the Catholic Church. NALM’s mission is to support, educate and advocate for lay ministers and promote the development of lay ministry.
 
5/27/2009  – 5/30/2009 
CPA – Catholic Press Association
CPA 2009 Catholic Media Convention
Anaheim, CA
The official membership association for Catholic press/media personnel.
 
5/31/2009  – 6/3/2009 
ACHTUS – Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the US
ACHTUS 2009 Colloquium
Chicago, IL
A membership association of Roman Catholic Hispanics who possess a doctoral degree in theology, Scripture, ministry or general religious studies and are actively engaged in the North American Hispanic religious experience. The mission of ACHTUS is to promote research and critical theological reflection with the context of the US Hispanic experience.

Visit the ActiveParishioner.com Calendar for more details and future events.


Pope’s Prayer Intention for March 2009

March 1, 2009

Every month, the Pope prays for a specific intention. You are invited to join the Pope and Catholics from all over the world in praying for this intention.

For the month of March 2009, the prayer is “that the role of women may be more appreciated and used to good advantage in every country in the world.”


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