Priorities for Next Pope: Successful Communication

News Story from RomeReports.com

Having a good message, is no longer enough. In today's world, it's essential to communicate it clearly. The Vatican has long perceived that communication is an ongoing issue, in which it needs to raise its game.

One of the last measures Benedict XVI took was hiring American journalist Greg Burke as the Vatican's media adviser, a formal role supervised by the Secretariat of State

GREG BURKE
Vatican Communications Adviser

“Things move very slow in the Vatican. I don't think we are totally up to date. But certainty in recent months, we saw the Pope go on Twitter, and I think that was positive. We saw also a hub, news.va. There had been a lot of criticism the Vatican had a website early on, but it's very slow to change. But the hub of news.va, bringing many of the Vatican news sources together, it's been very positive.”

To dialogue with society, outreach is essential. The Vatican recognized it and increased its online presence, as well as on social networks and mobile devices. But, there's one more thing the Vatican improve upon.

GREG BURKE
Vatican Communications Adviser

“I think we can learn from things that work. We can learn from things that work in other Church institutions, in local churches and we can learn from other institutions. I always use an example that might be slightly heretical, but of the UN World Food Program. They have a great website, they offer video, the have all their spokespeople, their names, the faces, the emails, the cells phone. And I thinks that's a very good kind of example.”

Communication of an international institution like the Church will pose a great challenge for whoever takes over the @Pontifex Twitter account.

Emotion fills St. Peter's Square: Benedict XVI flies overhead as he leaves Vatican

News from RomeReports.com

March 1, 2013. (Romereports.com) Hundreds of emotional people filled St. Peter's Square to watch the Pope emeritus' departure from the Vatican. It was their last chance to see Benedict XVI as he boarded the white helicopter that took him through across the skyes of Rome, and to Castel Gandolfo.

Read More: Benedict XVI

Routine Surgery Opens Door to Heaven

From CBN TV

Multiple organ failure during a routine kidney stone removal put Dean Braxton's life in the balance and gave him a glimpse of the afterlife and Jesus.

Overcoming Racial Hate with Love

The video and following excerpt is from CBN TV

Sisters Barbara Shores and Helen Shores Lee remember growing up in Alabama during the turbulent Civil Rights era.

Pope announces he will be stepping down as of February 28

News Bulletin from RomeReports.com

The Pope is unable to continue. He made the announcement today to the cardinals gathered in Rome. On February 28 at 8 p.m. Benedict XVI will no longer be Pope. That date will kick off the sede vacante, or vacant seat. According to canon law, within 20 days the cardinals must meet in conclave to elect the new Pope.

In the Vatican statement the Pope read in Latin to his cardinals, he explained that, “In order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”

His resignation is a rare occasion for the Catholic Church, as only three other Popes have resigned in their time, Celestine V, Clement I and Gregory XII.

Starting at 8 p.m. on the last day of February, all posts within the Vatican will remain vacant until a new Pope is elected, with exception of the Camerlengo, the Major Penitentiary and the Vicar of Rome. The new Pontiff will be the one to canonize new saints on May 12, attend the World Youth Day in Brazil, and guide the Church through the remaining Year of Faith.

Writer Vittorio Messori investigates Lourdes apparitions

Video and News Story - RomeReports.com:

Italian journalist Vittorio Messori is widely known for tackling current issues within the Catholic Church. Previously, he has published two books about John Paul II and Joseph Ratzinger.

Now, he is focusing his attention on the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes. He believes the authenticity of the message, lies in the credibility of Bernadette's testimony, since she says she saw the apparition directly. It's also the topic of his latest book Bernadette non ci ha ingannati, or Bernadette Does Not Deceive.

VITTORIO MESSORI
Journalist and Writer“History can show that the apparitions of Lourders are authentic. And when we have a faith crisis, which also happens to me, naturally, when we have doubts, when we have problems, then we can seize that which is true, and that is Lourdes.”

Messori says the message of Lourdes can help many people reconcile with their Catholic faith, because her apparitions appear to strengthen the Pope's authority.

VITTORIO MESSORI
Journalist and Writer“Let's not forget that Lourdes is very Catholic. Our Lady appears always with a rosary in hand, she appears four years after a dogma on her Immaculate Conception, as if to confirm what Pius IX did. Our Lady appears according to the several cycles of the liturgy. It's why Lourdes is the place that the Popes have loved more.”

The Italian writer is also working on his next book, also dealing with Lourdes. He will attempt to explain why the grotto in Lourdes was the best place for Our Lady's apparition.

VITTORIO MESSORI
Journalist and Writer“In the fist book, I've been dedicated entirely to examining Bernadette's credibility. The second book will be called “Return to that Grotto,” where I will respond to questions about that mystery. Because we believers may say, why an insignificant town as Lourdes? Why a person as humanly insignificant as Bernadette?”

Vittorio Messori, was raised in an agnostic environment. He decided to document supernatural interventions, apparitions and miracles of Our Lady, because he considers them to be God's manifestations, that can reinforce the faith.

Brush with Death Changes Drug Addict's Life

The video and news story is from CBN TV

Cocaine addiction put Kim Ivory on the wrong side of a drug deal gone bad, but that's what God used to bring Kim a change of heart.

Fight against caste system in India unites Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox

The video and following news story is from RomeReports.com:

There is one week a year where Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox pray together for the same cause. It's known as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Over the course of the week, Christians from several denominations highlight their similarities, rather than their differences.

This year, organizers included a group of university students from India. They integrated their concern for the “dalit,” or the untouchables, the lowest caste in society which often suffers discrimination, and who make up a large portion of Christians in India.

MSGR. BRIAN FARELL
Secretary, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
“India is one of those places that division and injustice is very visible. Every year we have a reason to go for ecumenical dialog to India, and it takes a long time to understand of the separation between social classes, religious groups, and the consequences suffering that this division in society brings.”

For Brian Farell, the Year of Faith is an opportunity to promote ecumenism because it emphasizes going back to the roots of Christianity. He says the New Evangelization will only be possible if all Christians are united.

MSGR. BRIAN FARELL
Secretary, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
“This prayer must be one that the World believes. Well, of course, if we are not one, it can be much more difficult, if not impossible, for the World to believe the Christian message.”

This year's theme, “What does God require of us?” looked to initiate dialogue between the Christian denominations to overcome divisions. The goal is for a self-assessment of whether they discriminate each other, the way other castes discriminate against dalits in India.

Pope calls for peace, asking leaders to show the courage to negotiate

The following news story and video is from RomeReports.com:

In light of the ongoing conflict in Mali, Syria and Algeria, during Sunday's Angelus, Benedict XVI made a new call for peace. More specifically he asked for a new round of negotiations, that can pave the way to a peaceful accord.

BENEDICT XVI
“Once again, I ask that you pray for peace, so that all the open conflicts, may cease, including the violence and death of inocent civilans. May leaders find the courage to speak and negotiate peace.”

With the week of Prayer for Christian Unity taking place from the 18th to the 25th of January, the Pope talked about the need to pray for this very intention. He also talked about the Community of Taizé, an ecumenical youth group, which recently came to Rome.

BENEDICT XVI
“It was very significant for me, to have celebrated this vigil nearly a month ago in this very square with thousands of youths from all over Europe, including the ecumencial youth group of Taizé. It was a moment of grace in which we experienced the beauty of building one force, under Christ.”

Reflecting on Sunday's Gospel, in which the Virgin Mary asks Jesus to do something when the wine begins to run out at a wedding, the Pope asked pilgrims to pray to Mary for Christian Unity.

Priest publishes book on apparition of angels to 'mystic' women

The video and following news story is from RomeReports.com:

The book Angeli e Mistiche, or Angels and Mystics, profiles 61 women that claim to have clearly seen the intervention of Angels in their lives.

FR. MARCELLO STANZIONE
Author, Angeli e Mistiche
“They are 61 profiles of exceptional women, very different among them. There are noble women, common women, educated women and ignorant, laywomen, nuns. But they have something in common in their lives, they choose Jesus Christ and had experiences with angels.”

The women Marcello Stazione writes about in his book are saints, blessed women, and even martyrs, such as Saint Cecilia, whom according to tradition would pray along with her guardian angel.

FR. MARCELLO STANZIONE
Author, Angeli e Mistiche
“We see how in the martyr's acts, the angels would come to console these women. I'm thinking of Cecilia and Agnes. The beautiful thing is that these women have changed the history of humanity within the Church. These are women that have founded religious orders, hospitals, schools. They were extremely pragmatic and realistic people. They were not lucid women, and their work has made it possible for angels to take action here on Earth.”

In the book, Stazione explains the importance that angels had in the lives of these women, and how they in turn influenced the history of the Church and humanity.

FR. MARCELLO STANZIONE
Author, Angeli e Mistiche
“There are also women from the modern era, such as Mother Theresa of Calcutta, whom had a great devotion to angels. Or Natuzza Evolo, the famous Calabrian mystic, whom would make accurate medical analysis to those that would go see her, despite being extremely ignorant. She would see the guardian angel of the person that would go to her.”

The new book by Father Marcello Stanzione shows how spiritual beings can have an even bigger impact in people's lives.

Week of prayer for Christian unity traced to American priest

Origins, meaning of week of prayer for Christian unity traced to American priest

The video and following news story is from RomeReports.com:

For many, Father Paul Wattson was a visionary. He was born 150 years ago, at the midst of division and war raging in his native Maryland during the American Civil War. Growing up such a difficult period of social unrest and reconciliation, he was exposed to the social issues of the time. They helped shape his life, which would lead him to the establishment of groups and movements which today carry on his legacy.

FR. JAMES PUGLISI
Minister General, Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
“He is an extremely human person, A person who was very related to what was going on in his time, but at the same time had a vision looking forward. Seeing beyond the concrete facts of today and seeing how God was moving the course of history.” Born to an Anglican preacher, his desire to care for others led him to establish the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. The society worked, among other things, to bridge the divide between the Anglican and Catholic churches. The unity he strove for inspired him to come up with the idea of an octave of prayer for unity. It takes place each year from January 18-25. FR.

JAMES PUGLISI
Minister General, Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
“They were two bookends; and the bookends were the Chair of St. Peter on the 18, so he saw this as the center of unity gathered around St. Peters Chair, and the 25 was the conversion of Paul who was the apostle preaching to all the nations.” The origins and purpose of week of prayer is ever present in the book Fire in the Night, an autobiography of Father Wattson. The book, soon to be published by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, explains how Father Wattson realized the need to pray for unity, especially to evangelize the world.

FR. JAMES PUGLISI
Minister General, Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
“They believe there's an Anglican God, a Catholic God, a Baptist God. But how can they accept us when we say that God is one. So you see this scandal of the division of Christians is fundamental. This is what pushed Father Paul to say that this prayer is necessary.” This year's theme centers on the topics of justice and solidarity within unity, inspired by the demeaning treatment of the 'untouchable' class in Indian society. During the week of prayer, people are asked to pray not just for ecumenical unity, as in the union between the Christian churches, but also for closer unity of each individual to God.

Joe Melendrez, Texan dedicated to spreading the Gospel through rap

The following news story and video is from RomeReports.com:

At the tender age of 11, Joe Melendrez wrote his first poem. His Puff Daddy album inspired him to put the words to a beat. At school, he would “break it down,” like Michael Jackson or Usher.

Then in 2001, at 15-years-old, he was invited to a spiritual retreat, where he decided his verses would praise God.

Since then, he has published two rap albums, and has toured throughout the United States. He's also breaking ground abroad, participating in World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, and in Uganda, where he volunteered at several orphanages.

JOSE MELENDREZ
Rapper
“Notorious BIG, a big time rapper said you always gotta rap about what's real to you. And God is real to me, and that's all I wanna rap about it. I wanna rap about what's real to me. I'm gonna rap about things or topics that can encourage people to live better lives, to know Christ. Because I know it's so necessary, and God it's everything to me.”

Above all things, Joe Melendrez enjoys his concerts. It allows him to get closer to his fans and explain to them his verses.

He goes on to say that much of today's music is dominated by superficial messages. He aspires to something greater. Melendrez explains that some of the greatest rappers also talk about their faith in their verses because God is still a relevant topic. However, he recognizes there's a lot of work.

JOSE MELENDREZ
Rapper
“A lot of time people have negative ideas of rap, and they're like 'oh you can't do that.' And rap is a literally a style, it's poetry with rhythm. I call mine spiritual poetry. And so once you get past it, once you see the fruits of the rap, once they see people going deeper into prayer... Moms come up to me and say 'Hey my kids wanna rap the rosary every morning when it's time to go to school.'”

Music, performing and helping those in need define the life of Joe Melendrez, since that retreat in 2001. Nearly 12 years later, he now helps organize similar retreats in California to help young people there find their way to God.

Creed's Scott Stapp Returns to his Faith

CBN TV - Video

Lead singer Scott Stapp of the rock group Creed shares about his journey to find a real relationship with God.

Dorothy Day: former atheist and social advocate journalist, on the way to sainthood

The video and following news story is from RomeReports.com:

The story of Dorothy Day depicts a passionate woman, always in search of truth. As a journalist, her journey could have her become Church's first journalist saint.

LUCETTA SCARAFFIA

Osservatore Romano

“She was a great writer and American journalist, who was not Catholic. She was an atheist and a socialist, who was very involved in the worker movement. At a certain point she converted to Catholicism and created a large movement working closely with workers, and with the poor, through a magazine called the Catholic Worker.”

She had a tough life, and even underwent an abortion. But after her conversion, she changed her life. In addition to the magazine, she also established soup kitchens and shelters where victims of the Great Depression could eat and sleep. She also advocated actively during the Second Vatican Council to condemn war.

LUCETTA SCARAFFIA

Osservatore Romano

“She worked with a group of women from all around the world and from different religions to pressure or lobby the Second Vatican Council, and to make a statement for peace and to condemn war, which until then the Church had never done. They achieved it.”

A woman with a strong will, she never stopped fighting her entire life for causes she deemed as just. Her stance is supported by “Women, the Church and the World,” a supplement to the Osservatore Romano, the official Vatican newspaper.

LUCETTA SCARAFFIA

Osservatore Romano

“We published a page from her diary where she talks about how they were invited to an audience with the Pope, and he addressed them. That was, in fact, the last audience of John XXIII, and it took place precisely with those women who asked for peace. They were very happy.”

Dorothy Day died in New York City in 1980, at 83 year old. Precisely there, in her hometown, the canonization process has started. And her supporters are expecting good news soon.

'Miracle' in the Marsh

View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.

NBC 10 Philadelphia

The following excerpt and video is from NBCPhiladelphia.com:

A 3-foot tall statue standing in the marsh along the shoreline in Brick Township, New Jersey is being called a miracle.

Since Hurricane Sandy hit, residents had been focused on the clean-up and recovery.

It wasn't until days after the flood waters receeded those who live along Sheldon Avenue, spotted Saint Francis of Assisi. The small concrete statue, faces away from the waters that flooded their homes.

While no one knows for sure how the statue is still standing in a spot where so much has been torn down, Saint Francis has become a welcome sight at the shore and a sign that things will get better.

Read More: Miracle in the Marsh

Rome is home to one of the most picturesque, Christmas markets in the world

The video and following excerpt is from RomeReports.com:

December 22, 2012. (Romereports.com) Bundled in the heart of Rome, in Piazza Navona, you will find one of the most visited Christmas markets in all of Europe. The smell of roasted chestnuts fills the air, and you are sure to find chocolate nuggets and Italian pastries.

They sell everything from sweets, to warm beverages, cotton candy, and of course, Nativity sets, Advent wreaths and Christmas tree ornaments. But the lifeline of these markets are the artisans. They spend half a year toiling in their shops and the other half, in the market selling their work. They fear that one day, they will be out of job.  

Read More: Christmas Markets

Pope 'deeply saddened' by Connecticut school shooting, asks for prayers and consolation

The video and following news story is from RomeReports.com:

December 17, 2012. (Romereports.com) Benedict XVI expressed his sorrow for the victims and survivors of Friday's mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school that left 27 dead, including 20 children and the alleged gunman.

The Pope addressed the tragedy publicly for the first time, during the Angelus on Sunday.

BENEDICT XVI
“I was deeply saddened by Friday’s senseless violence in Newtown, Connecticut. I assure the families of the victims, especially those who lost a child, of my closeness in prayer. May the God of consolation touch their hearts and ease their pain.”

The Pope first offered his condolences on Friday, soon after shooting took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

On Saturday, the Vatican Secretary of State issued a press release on behalf of Benedict XVI saying he was praying for God to console all those affected by the shooting.

That message was reinforced during Sunday's Angelus.

BENEDICT XVI
“During this Advent Season, let us dedicate ourselves more fervently to prayer and to acts of peace. Upon those affected by this tragedy, and upon each of you, I invoke God’s abundant blessings!”.

The community of Newtown has a population of about 2500, and is part of the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Its Catholic Church, St. Rose of Lima, has become a gathering point in the aftermath of the shooting, for mourners to honor the victims and survivors of the shooting.

The Johnsons: God's Amazing Grace

CBN TV - Video

A couple adopts a baby from Africa and witnesses a miracle in her life and theirs. Born with Hepatitis B, Gracie Johnson is healed of her illness.

Father Leo Patalinghug: Spicing Up Married Life

CBN TV - News Video

Author Father Leo discusses marriage and how healthy marriages strengthen family bonds.

Author, Spicing Up Your Married Life (2012)

Priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, MD

Chairman of the Pastoral Theology Dept. at the seminary of Mount St. Mary's Univ. (the nation's 2nd oldest Catholic Univ.)

Founded grassroots movement Grace Before Meals, which strengthens family relationships around the dinner table.

3rd Degree Black Belt Instructor in Tae Kwon Do (Korean Martial Art) and Arnis, the National Philippine Martial Art of full contact stick and weapon fighting. World Champion 1992, and other titles from 1978 – 1992.

Forensics, Public Speech and Debate Distinctions, 1984-1988 (Teacher and Coach for Catholic HS 1989-1992)

Univ. of Maryland Baltimore County – B.A.; Pontifical Gregorian Univ. and Pontifical Instit. Marianum - Rome

Katie Souza: God's Love Found in Lockdown

CBN TV - Video

The following excerpt is from CBN.com:

This salvation story proves that God can find a lost soul anywhere... even in solitary confinement.

Katie Souza says,“I remember slumping back against that cold cement wall, thinking, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ I had been fighting everybody out on the streets, and now I’m fighting everybody inside. I didn’t even realize I was fighting God Himself. Right then, the Lord spoke to me. ‘I want you to surrender to your captivity, because this is My plan and it’s perfect.’”

Katie prayed to become a Christian. She read the Bible and shared what she was learning with her fellow inmates.

“The only book in the whole place was the Bible. I remember picking it up, reading through it and I just thought that this is the coolest thing I’ve ever read in my life. This is amazing. I would go from the front to the back over and over again. As I did that, the Holy Spirit began to point out these Scriptures about these people called the ancient Israelites who went to prison. I was going, ‘Wow, this is my story. It’s the story of every con I’d ever known. I started getting excited about it, and I started teaching it to everyone that I could teach it to.”

Her tough girl attitude and reputation began to change.

Read More: Katie Souza