http://www.catholicchronicle.org/ Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:11:07 +0000 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.catholicchronicle.org/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.catholicchronicle.org/ The Catholic Chronicle serves the Toledo Diocese by providing a Catholic prospective on news and current events that affect the Catholic church, its members, and the world at large http://www.catholicchronicle.org/index.php/editors-blog/keeping-our-lenten-promises.html http://www.catholicchronicle.org/index.php/editors-blog/keeping-our-lenten-promises.html
One of the issues I’m having trouble with already is keeping a positive outlook and remembering to see God in everyone. Some days are easier than others and it is no doubt easier to see God in some people than it is in others.

This was especially difficult for me within the first few days of the Lenten season when all the television news channels were clamoring about Tiger Woods’ first public statement after his Thanksgiving fiasco and subsequent sex addiction rehabilitation.

My first reaction: I couldn’t believe that local news stations planned to run his statement live and I couldn’t understand why in the world this would be the lead story on national morning news programs. Really? Why?

Then I started thinking about Tiger and his “addiction.” Is it real or is it just a convenient moniker for lack of self control? And then, I wondered why the American public really needs to know so much about Tiger’s (or any celebrity’s) personal life. (Notice I didn’t include politicians in this category, because I believe we should know the kinds of morals and ethics of the men and women who represent us and create laws.)

But the question remains: Why do we need to know so much about Tiger’s personal life? Or Brad and Angelina’s marital problems. Or what the Kardashian family is up to. Or the divorce of Jon and Kate. Or who Jon is dating this week. The list could go on and on.

I suppose digging deeper, we might find good reasons for the plethora of celebrity news (gossip). For one, it seems to help drive home the fact that we really don’t need to idolize celebrities. Unfortunately, this is a double-edged sword. We do want great role models for our society — people that act in a way that gives us something to emulate. But there’s a fine line between admiring good qualities in others and hero worship.

When personal shortcomings are exposed, I suppose most of us would be less likely to idolize celebrities. But could it also teach impressionable young people that these behaviors are OK?

Seeing those in the public eye take missteps in their lives can also teach us quite a bit. Depending on the honesty and grace in which they overcome obstacles, their actions can be inspiring. It could also remind us that we are all flawed and that we need to be forgiving as the Gospel of Matthew reminds us: “Then Peter approaching asked Him, ‘Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often should I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I say to you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’ ” (Mt 18:21-22)

Here, then, we are reminded that there was only one man who walked the face of the earth that was perfect and only one that we are to idolize and worship. It was this man that told us, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25:40) And it is in these words that we are reminded to see Him in everyone we encounter.

May we all grow in faith during this Lenten season. ]]> Angela Kessler Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000 http://www.catholicchronicle.org/index.php/editors-blog/lessons-of-christmas.html http://www.catholicchronicle.org/index.php/editors-blog/lessons-of-christmas.html
No, I’m not one of those who is dreaming of the hot sun on my skin and warm sand under my toes. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not a summer hater. One of my favorite parts of living in the Midwest is experiencing the glory of all the seasons. But I must admit, the Christmas season is one of my favorites.

Like most children, I looked forward to Christmas. Memories that immediately come to mind are getting dressed up before going to visit Santa at the mall, making one new hand-made ornament for the tree every year, my dad asking my brother and me to play carols on our instruments for the family gathering and the general hustle-bustle of the day as family members filled the house.

Just like the seasons of the year, our holiday events have changed over time. I can’t remember the last time I stood in line to see Santa or even hand-making anything besides dinner. (Apparently, the arts and crafts gene went to my sister.)

Now I look forward to the holidays as one of the few times each year extended families gather at one place at one time. I get more satisfaction in the excitement of seeing the joy in others’ faces as they unwrap the gifts chosen just for them. That’s a lot better than the fun I had playing with a new toy or reading a new book. The newness of receiving wears off quickly, but I never tire of the feeling I get when I bring joy to someone else.

That, I think, is the gift of Christmas that God gives to each one of us. The more we think about others and experience the joy of giving, the more we learn the lessons taught by Jesus during His lifetime. Loving and caring for those we already know is easy enough, but that same joy can be said of giving yourself in service to others.

While its thrilling to watch your child, spouse or parent open a special gift at Christmas, that feeling is just as powerful when giving to someone you don’t know. Upon delivering wrapped gifts for a needy family we “adopted” for Christmas, one of the coordinators gave me a hug and thanked me profusely. Mind you, she wasn’t a member of the family receiving the gifts, but was truly happy for the time and effort our family took to help make another’s Christmas a joyful one.

I can only imagine the reaction of the family when they opened their gifts. But even the thought of what happiness we could bring to the family brings a smile to my face. I have to think that’s part of the divine plan: if we are exhilarated by giving, we are compelled to continue.

I’m guilty, though, of being generous to others at this time of the year, but forgetting my obligation to others and the good feeling that comes with it much of the rest of the year.

So we segue from Christmas to a new year, and a tradition for many is to make resolutions to be better people. Often, those resolutions center on the self. Maybe this year, we can make a pact to work on being better and more consistent givers during the entire year. Count me in. ]]> Angela Kessler Sat, 26 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0000 http://www.catholicchronicle.org/index.php/editors-blog/online-evangelization.html http://www.catholicchronicle.org/index.php/editors-blog/online-evangelization.html
The story quoted Bishop Jean-Michel di Falco Leandri of Gap, France, as saying, “The Internet is as important as the invention of the printing press.” He said the Internet can make the Gospel accessible to everyone
who uses the Internet, just as the printing press helped make the Bible accessible to those who could read. The bishops see the Internet as a useful way to evangelize to a worldwide audience and are trying to figure out how to use this tremendous tool to keep or get people connected to the Gospel message.

Using social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter make it easy to evangelize online. Just as missionaries travel to different parts of the world to proclaim the Gospel, we can get our message to people who participate in a variety of communities online.

Certainly, the church can (and already does) take an active role in communicating in these various environments. Here, in the Diocese of Toledo, there are several organizations active online. Most parishes and schools have established Web sites to communicate with their parishioners and students.

Organizations throughout the diocese are also active on the social networking site Facebook and some are active on the microblogging Twitter community. Some that immediately come to mind include the Diocese of Toledo, Catholic Chronicle, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Equal Access Ministry, Toledo Central Catholic High School, Oregon Cardinal Stritch High School and the Sisters of Notre Dame.

As we all know, evangelization is the work of all of the faith community, not just the priests, employees of the church and official church organizations. And evangelizing can come in many forms. The Sisters of Notre Dame do a great job with their Facebook posts. While the sisters do use the site to promote vocations and events, it is well balanced with thought-provoking questions and Bible verses.

But beyond the “official” work of organizations like these, individuals also have a great opportunity to evangelize by using the Internet. I can’t even begin to count the number of people I have prayed for over the past few weeks that I would not have otherwise known needed prayers if it weren’t for Facebook. I also found a unique opportunity to join a conversation in which friends were saying they left organized religion because they felt there are too many people who quote and preach the Bible while acting in un-Christian ways.

Even if you’re not into social networks online, simply passing along a link to a story found on the Web is a great way to evangelize. Most newspapers have online tools available that make it easy to share stories via e-mail and social networks with just a click of the mouse button. For introverts, the Internet makes sharing your faith a lot less intimidating than talking to your neighbors and friends about your faith.

To help you get started, why not spend just 10 minutes a day on either the Diocese of Toledo (www.toledodiocese.org) or Catholic Chronicle (www.catholicchronicle.org) Web site to find information or a story that really speaks to you and share it either via e-mail or a social network post. ]]> Angela Kessler Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000 http://www.catholicchronicle.org/index.php/editors-blog/a-great-zoo-attraction.html http://www.catholicchronicle.org/index.php/editors-blog/a-great-zoo-attraction.html
Nature’s Neighborhood opens June 19 at The Toledo Zoo

TOLEDO—Imagine a place where kids can do what they do best — play, splash, jump, climb and crawl! Imagine a place that’s 100 percent explore-able, where young people can develop a lifelong love of the natural world. On June 19, that place will become a reality as The Toledo Zoo unveils Nature’s Neighborhood, a brand-new, year-round children’s zoo that’s perfect for young folks (and their families) — and it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before!

Nature’s Neighborhood gives kids a chance to connect with an amazing array of animals, from the familiar goats and guinea pigs of our previous children’s zoo to exotic birds, fish and even insects. They’ll also engage in activities that will spark their imaginations and help them learn — through play, which studies show is the best way for kids to learn.

As young people observe the behavior of leafcutter ants and honeybees, practice proper pet care by interacting with the zoo’s education dogs and cats, or just enjoy the company of an adorable guinea pig, they’re sure to have so much fun they may not realize they’re learning!

The Toledo Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on the Anthony Wayne Trail (US 25), four miles south of downtown Toledo. For more information, visit www.toledozoo.org or call 419-385-4040. ]]> Angela Kessler Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:43:22 +0000 http://www.catholicchronicle.org/index.php/editors-blog/we-are-not-the-caricature.html http://www.catholicchronicle.org/index.php/editors-blog/we-are-not-the-caricature.html
• Most don’t procrastinate. More than half — 58 percent — file their returns in March, well ahead of the April 15 deadline. Fourteen percent are early birds, filing in January or February. Twenty percent file in early April, and only 8 percent file after April 15.

• They file electronically. Sixty-two percent file electronically, a method that appears to be more popular each year.

• Most file a few “schedules” with their returns. Seventy-seven percent file a 1040 Form with a Schedule A plus other schedules, a reflection of a complex tax code that often requires multiple forms.

• Most don’t drink while doing their returns. While the complexity of the tax code might tempt some people to drink alcoholic beverages while completing their returns or preparing documents for a tax preparer, only 19 percent do so. Fifty-two percent choose other beverages, with coffee and soda as popular choices, and 29 percent drink nothing.

• They are reasonably organized. Seventy percent file their records in file folders so they are well-organized when tax time comes. Others stack records in a certain place, keep them in a drawer, or store them electronically. Only 6 percent don't organize their records.

• They spend several hours doing their returns. Tax returns take time, even if it only involves preparing records for a tax professional. Forty-nine percent spend at least five hours doing their returns. Forty-two percent spend between 1-5 hours, and only 8 percent spend less than one hour.

• Most use independent tax preparers. Fifty-one percent use independent tax preparers. Of those who do their own taxes, 46 percent use tax-preparation software they purchased.

]]> Angela Kessler Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:38:05 +0000