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Matthew Bunson entered the room.
Matthew Bunson: Good evening.
Cathy D: Hello Matt! Welcome to the Our Sunday Visitor chat. Mary is already in the chat room with us.
Cathy D: Mary, do you have a question for Matt?
Matthew Bunson: Good evening Mary. How are you this evening?
Mary: I'm doing good! A have a couple questions for you.
Mary: What do I tell an Evangelical friend who says that the Catholic Church today isn't doing as much missionary work as in the past? Where can I find the number of Catholic Missions at work today?
Jenny entered the room.
Cathy D: Welcome Jenny! Matt Bunson is here and ready to take your questions.
Matthew Bunson: Well, a good place to start with research is the Catholic Almanac. It lists the many missions around the world as well as the work of American missionaries in detail.
Matthew Bunson: As for missionary work, the Church is incredibly active -- in Africa, South America, Eastern Europe, and Asia. It just does not get the publicity.
Mary: Is there any way I can get statistics?
Matthew Bunson: It might be useful to note as well that more non-believers have entered the Church in the last twenty-five years under Pope John Paul II than in the previous century.
Mary: That's good news!
Cathy D: Would the work of Catholic Charities be classified under "missions"?
Matthew Bunson: The Almanac has quite a few statistics, especially in terms of Americans around the world. There are also figures for catechists in every country, from the Antilles to Vanuatu!
Matthew Bunson: Yes, the missions include the work of Catholic Charities, as well as organizations such as the Mission Aid Society and the Catholic Near East Welfare Society.
Jeanne entered the room.
Cathy D: Welcome Jeanne! Matt Bunson in the room and ready for your questions!
Matthew Bunson: Good evening Jenny and Jeanne.
Mary: Thanks! We will get a copy of the Almanac then. In the case of Haiti, it seems that the Catholic Church gets mixed up with voodoo. Do you know anything about Haiti in particular?
Tami entered the room.
Cathy D: Welcome Tami! Matthew Bunson is here and ready for your questions.
Matthew Bunson: Yes, the current situation is troubled politically and socially. However, the Church is very active in providing welfare to the poor. As for voodoo -- there are more common troubles in Brazil.
Tami has left the room.
Mary: Thank you very much for your help!
Jenny: Good evening, Mr. Bunson! What do you think of Focolare?
Matthew Bunson: The form of voodoo in Brazil is a mixture of Christianity and voodoo sometimes called Umbanda.
Jeanne: I'm here to observe. I just received a computer and am trying out the chat room to see what it's all about.
Cathy D: That's fine Jeanne! Feel free to jump in if you wish
Matthew Bunson: Hello Jenny. I am impressed with the work of Focolare in promoting the faith in modern culture. They are part of a wider movement of Catholic societies that have sprung up in the last decades.
Guest entered the room.
Cathy D: Hi again Tami. Matt has just been asked a question about Focolare.
Cathy D: Hello "guest"! Matthew Bunson is answering questions on a wide variety of topics.
Matthew Bunson: A few years ago, the organizations and apostolates gathered in Rome -- there were millions in attendance.
Cathy D: What type of work does Focolare do?
Tami: Do you know where I can find information about St. Aibhle? He is the patron saint of wolves.
Mary: Is there any particular Catholic Mission that you would recommend to support?
Matthew Bunson: Focolare does educational work and promoting the faith and spirituality in the modern environment of the world.
Jenny: I've heard good things about Focolare, but recently I read that they're mixed up with the Masonic lodge and that they tend toward Indifferentism. I hope this is incorrect!
Cathy D: Tami, do you mean St. EDMUND of East Anglia? You can read about him here: http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainte08.htm
Matthew Bunson: I would suggest encouraging any mission you feel personally moved to assist. They are in need of our assistance.
Tami: No. St. Aibhle is an Irish bishop.
Mary: Ok. Thank you!
Cathy D: St. Edmund is also a patron of wolves.
Tami: I'm sorry I spelled his name wrong. It's Ailbhe.
Matthew Bunson: Jenny, I feel personally, that you should investigate Focolare and review their information. You may find that other societies have other aspects that you find are best suited to your own needs.
Cathy D: Tami, try this site: http://www.krayel.com/predator.html
Jenny: What is your personal favorite part of the Almanac?
Tami: Thank you. I will.
Matthew Bunson: I am most fond of the section on the countries around the world.
Guest has left the room.
Cathy D: Matt, perhaps you could tell our guests a little bit about how the Almanac is put together.
Matthew Bunson: The listings of every country (literally) include amazing facts and histories. It shows how the Church truly is universal.
KSTomM entered the room.
Cathy D: Welcome, KSTomM! Matt is answering questions about the Almanac, including what his favorite section is!
Matthew Bunson: The Almanac is put together every year using literally hundreds of sources of information from all over the world. These are then used to update facts, statistics, documents, and addresses.
Matthew Bunson: It is a huge undertaking, but that is what makes the Almanac both immensely fun and so unique -- if you do not mind a bit of self-promotion!
Cathy D: It's also very fulfilling that it serves such a need--there is nothing else like it.
Matthew Bunson: As for Ailbhe, he lived in the 6th century and supposedly was visited by a she wolf who laid her head on his breast.
Matthew Bunson: So, there is quite a connection between Ailbhe and wolves.
Jenny: That's a neat story!
Cathy D: Matthew is also author of The Encyclopedia of Saints!
William entered the room.
Cathy D: And the Saints of John Paul II.
Matthew Bunson: His feast day is September 12. The Irish have long revered him, but he is little known outside of Ireland.
Cathy D: Welcome William! Matthew is here answering your questions about the Almanac, saints, or other subjects.
Matthew Bunson: Good evening William.
Cathy D: Matt, aren't there other patrons of wolves, including St. Nicholas?
Matthew Bunson: I am very fond of St. Francis -- with the wolf of Subiaco.
Jenny: Do you know if there is a patron saint of harpists?
William: Is there a patron saint for a woman named Carol???
KSTomM: What are signal graces?
Matthew Bunson: I am not sure about harpists, but Gregory is beloved as patron saint of musicians, as are St. Dunstan and few others.
Matthew Bunson: William, I don't recall a saint named Carol, but it can be a derivative of Cyril.
Matthew Bunson: Jenny, there is also a tradition of St. Patrick blessing the musicians of Ireland.
Mary has left the room.
William: Is there a patron saint for pro-life prayers in addition to our blessed mother?
Matthew Bunson: Maria Goretti is honored as a patron saint of children.
Matthew Bunson: I have heard of some Pro-life supporters (and there are many) who pray to her.
Cathy D: Welcome Guest! Matthew Bunson is here to answer your questions about the Almanac, its contents, and other topics.
Guest: Hi.
Matthew Bunson: Good evening -- how are you?
Cathy D: Guest, and everyone, please feel free to ask your questions!
Cathy D: If you wish to e-mail questions or comments to us, please e-mail us at: almanac@osv.com.
William: Why did Saint Faustina burn her original diary recording her conversations with divine mercy?
Guest: Have other Popes ever intervened during a time of crisis to world peace?
Jenny: Sorry! Is Saint Isidore going to be the patron of the internet?
Matthew Bunson: I am not entirely certain what you mean by signal graces. Could you be more specific?
Matthew Bunson: Jenny, St. Isidore has been proposed by many people as a possible saint of the Internet. I believe that a petition was sent to the Vatican about it.
Cathy D: Here is the definition I found for signal graces: Signal Graces are sent by God to help us to make the right decisions in life.
KSTomM: In the promises of the Virgin Mary to those that pray the rosary one will receive 'signal graces'. I've yet to find what those are.
Cathy D: Read more about St. Isidore here: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08186a.htm
Matthew Bunson: There has been no response yet from the Vatican -- things like that do take time, though!
Cathy D: And here is more: http://www.catholic.org/isidore/
William: Was Moses taken into heaven with his body like the Virgin Mary and Elijah?
Matthew Bunson: Guest, yes, popes have intervened on a number of occasions. A good example is Pope St. Pius X, who tried valiantly to prevent World War I in 1914.
Matthew Bunson: As far as I am aware, William, we do not know if Moses was taken up into heaven.
Noah S. entered the room.
Matthew Bunson: As for Pope Pius, he died in part from a broken heart over the war.
Cathy D: Welcome Noah! Matthew Bunson is here answering questions about the Almanac, its contents, saints, and other topics. Please feel free to post your question.
Matthew Bunson: Another pope who tried to prevent a war was Pope Pius VII in the early 19th century. He tried to prevent Napoleon's war with most of Europe.
Guest: Is the Blessed Virgin still appearing to the people in Medjugorje?
Matthew Bunson: Pope John Paul II also tried to find a diplomatic solution to the Gulf crisis in 1990-91; he also sent representatives to prevent a war in South America.
KSTomM: And to add to Guest, Lourdes?
Guest: In the Almanac, is there like a history of the Popes?
William: What is the duty of a bishop when Catholic schools in his diocese support teaching abortion as choice for Catholics?
Matthew Bunson: First, as I think about it -- I recall that Moses was buried following his death, but the place of his burial is not known. I think it is in Deuteronomy.
Matthew Bunson: As for Our Lady, the apparitions at Lourdes and Medjugorje are not ongoing.
Noah S: Do we know which Jewish sect St. Joseph belonged to?
Matthew Bunson: Hello Noah, do you mean what tribe for St. Joseph?
Matthew Bunson: William, bishops have the responsibility to support the Church's teachings throughout their diocese.
Noah S: No, I believe I know that he must have belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, the house of David. I was referring to the religious sect. I recently learned there were about 25 to 30 different sects then.
Matthew Bunson: In some cases, however, bishops are not aware of what goes on.
Matthew Bunson: Noah, you are, of course, correct, that there were many different sects in existence in the 1st century area of Palestine. As far as I know, St. Joseph was an observant Jew.
Matthew Bunson: In other words, I am not aware of his membership in a specific sect.
Matthew Bunson: I hope that helps.
Noah S: Thank you.
Jenny: Did the Blessed Mother die before she was assumed?
William: When was the practice of eucharistic adoration (host in a monstrance) started?
KSTomM: In your opinion, how can Catholics best spread the news that pedophilia and the like are not just a catholic clergy phenomenon but one that crosses society? A shame I know.
Matthew Bunson: Jenny, as the Catechism memorably tells us, she was assumed into heaven after the end of her earthly life.
Matthew Bunson: KSTomM, I agree about the shame involving our current problems.
Matthew Bunson: The best thing for Catholics to do is to be as informed as possible about the situation everywhere.
KSTomM: Good night all. Off to CCD!
Matthew Bunson: I know reliable information is hard to find, but Internet research and other sources of information are invaluable. And then there is word of mouth -- one person talking to another.
Guest: Good Night! We now call that, Religious Education!
Matthew Bunson: Thanks KSTomT -- God bless!
KSTomM has left the room.
Noah S: My other question has to do with John 19:14. He says that Jesus was crucified on the eve of Passover when the sacrificial lambs were being slaughtered. Why the discrepancy with the Synoptic Gospels?
Matthew Bunson: Indeed -- or RelEd as someone I know calls it.
Matthew Bunson: John -- like the other Gospel writers -- had a specific audience and theological intent to his work. That is why we see differences among all of the Gospels, even the Synoptics.
Noah S: The Mary Foundation has a great resource guide to Catholic sites on the Internet. I find it very useful.
Matthew Bunson: What is remarkable, is how different they are -- and yet they joyously proclaim the same Gospel.
Joya entered the room.
Matthew Bunson: The last years have really seen some great sites springing up.
Cathy D: Welcome Joya! Matthew Bunson is here chatting about the Almanac, saints, and other topics. Please feel free to ask your question.
Matthew Bunson: Hello Joya!
William: Was there one event in the life of Saint Francis of Assisi that caused him to renounce all his wealth?
Joya: Is the Catholic church and the Vatican strong enough to rise above the current crisises?
Guest: Good Night all! God Bless! Thanks for the info.
Matthew Bunson: Yes, after being captured in battle with a early Italian city-state, Francis spent time in a dungeon as a wounded prisoner. Like St. Ignatius of Loyola after his injury during a siege.
Matthew Bunson: I believe absolutely that the Church will survive and flourish.
Cathy D: Everyone, we have about five minutes left. If you have a last question please ask it now, or send it to us at almanac@osv.com. And be sure to visit the Catholic Almanac web site: http://www.catholicalmanac.com.
Joya: Also, I am deeply horrified at the exploitation of Fr. Judge.
Matthew Bunson: There are already signs of a new springtime in the Church, despite our currently long winter.
Noah S: Thank you all. God bless. Good night.
Joya: I am glad to hear it.
Cathy D: Thanks!
Joya: Oh boy, I just got here! Okay night!
Matthew Bunson: Fr. Judge was a truly beloved figure on the NYC fire department. As it turned out, my predecessor as editor of the Almanac, Fr. Felician Foy, was a fellow Franciscan and was a friend.
Joya: Interesting.
Noah S. has left the room.
Matthew Bunson: I was recently asked about moves to open his cause for canonization.
Cathy D: Matt, do you have any wrap-up thoughts?
Joya: I am planning to get involved with the McDonald Judge Foundation.
Cathy D: And everyone, the text of this chat will be posted by the end of the week on http://www.osv.com.
Matthew Bunson: It has been a privilege to be here tonight. I hope that all of you return to other chats and that you enjoyed yourselves.
Joya: Thank you! Night.
Cathy D: Thanks Matt and everyone who joined our chat!
Matthew Bunson: Joya -- you might want to make sure the foundation is supported by the Franciscans or the Archdiocese of NY.
Jenny: Thank you!
William: Good night and God bless you.
Matthew Bunson: Thanks Cathy and everybody!
Joya: I will check that, thanks.
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