Greetings!

This has been a busy week for me, but that busy-ness has allowed me chance to intersect with some very interesting people and ideas. I will share some of those with you briefly today.

But first. This week we mid-westerners tasted of the infamous Bombogenesis, which is not a reference to the first book of the Torah. Rather, it is a word created to attempt blending brilliant science and bellicose imagery. It was a fantastically amazing storm.

Then today on the Bishop’s radio show, we interviewed representatives of the Paul VI Institute that promotes natural fertility care consistent with both good medicine and good ethics. Along with its trademark Creighton Model FertilityCare System, Paul VI has created a breakthrough approach to (in)fertility called NaPro. It’s all quite extraordinary, and seems to be a new spark in a revolution that intertwines a Catholic vantage on reproductive ethics with a universal vision of the good. In other words, NaPro gives a new, scientifically grounded expression to the Catholic conviction that its own moral vision of human fulfillment is not just-4-Catholics, but is truly a human vision of fulfillment that speaks to Everyman and Everywoman. The natural moral law shakes hands with empirical science and yields wondrous results.

Check ‘em out online and spread the Good News of Natural Fertility Care. And this coming week the show will be posted on Bishop's radio page hyperlinked above.

I'm thinking maybe we could call this NaPro, in tune with the contemporary vogue of all-things-natural, Viridis Veritas – Green Truth.
God loves green, no doubt.

Then, there was that great commercial about the art of translation.

It was a great week.

Peace out.

Mid-East Catholic Synod

The Synod of Middle-Eastern Catholic Bishops that gathered in Rome completed its work on October 23, and the results of their deliberations were both hopeful and tragic.
The Bishops presented to Pope Benedict 41 proposals for action, and though Synodal proposals are usually not made public, Pope Benedict chose to make them public. No dount a sign of his concern that the world be made aware of their plight.
Here is a summary offered at the end of the Synod - well worth the read.
May the Lord grant strength and hope and valor to our brothers and sisters who bear the light of the Gospel in the Middle East.

Christ Our Life

For those who had the opportunity to attend the Christ Our Life conference this past weekend, I am sure you will agree that the atmosphere of the weekend was electrified with the blending of the faith of those who attended and the witness of those who spoke and sang. Christ was in our midst.

I, for one, was deeply edified by the dynamic and majestic Liturgies, the menagerie of speakers, the extra-ordinary music, the faith fellowship and the spiritual joy that permeated Wells Fargo Arena. My wife and children likewise found it uplifting.

Kudos to all those who worked tirelessly to make that event a reality.

For those who did not catch the Cardinal Arinze's radio interview with Bishop Pates, check it out in segments 2-4.

And if you want to podcast the Cardinal, he's got a trove!

May COL-Iowa bear great fruit in our Catholic community! Deo gratias!

Tom