America will never be the same
by Bishop William Gomes
It is September 11, 2001, as I write these lines. That day will be forever etched in our memory as a day of darkness brought about shark hatred, which caused the total destruction of mighty buildings and the loss of countless lives in New York and the Pentagon. Obviously, this was the work of the forces of evil.
We read in the 12th Chapter of the Book of Revelation: "Then war broke out in heaven, Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.'
The dragon and its angels represent the forces of Evil while Michael and his angels stand the forces of Good. This has been the constant struggle from the moment of human history. Ultimately it depends on the choices we make. But we all need the grace of the Almighty in this regard. It is a test of Faith. Humbly recognizing our own limitations, we call uypon the help of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God who looks upon all of us, at this tragic hour, with pity and compassion. But we also need St. Michael the Archangel.
I remember in the days when Pope Leo XII recommended the St. Michael prayer be prayed. The celebrant would kneel after Mass, recite three Hail Marys, and the prayer to St. Michael, that he may defend us the day of battle and be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. It would be wonderful at this tragic time that all recite the powerful prayer.
It is a t time of Faith, but it is also a time for Healing, for the wounds of pain and sorrow inflicted upon us. that this may bring about a spiritual renewal, cherishing the values that has made America a great nation.
In this connection I see the Rosary Sunday celebration as a great opportunity for all of us, the faithful assembled from so many parishes of the diocese, to offer prayers and supplications to the Almighty. It is for us a clarion call of faith and sacrifice with a sense of unity for the nation.
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted
Diocese of Phoenix
A 56-year-old native of Oketo, Kan., Bishop Olmsted studied
for the priesthood in Denver and Rome and was ordained a
priest of the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb., in 1973.
Following his July 2, 1973, ordination, Bishop Olmsted was assistant pastor at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln from 1973 to 1976 and studied canon law from 1976 to 1979, graduating summa cum laude from the Gregorian University in Rome.
He then served in the Vatican Secretariat of State and as spiritual director of the North American College in Rome from 1979 to 1988 and as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church and promoter of justice at the Lincoln diocesan tribunal from 1989 to 1993.
Bishop Olmsted went to the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, in 1993 as dean of formation and was appointed president and rector of the college in 1997. The Josephinum is the only pontifical seminary outside Italy.
He speaks and writes Italian and Spanish.
Bishop Olmsted is a member of the U.S. bishops' Administrative Committee and the Committee on Consecrated Life; he is a consultor to the Committee on Priestly Formation. He is also on the board of directors of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.
Rev. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F.
The Rev. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., ordained as a Catholic priest in 1952, is a member of the Claretian Missionaries. Listed in Who's Who in Religion in America, he has served as parish priest, seminary professor and rector, college professor, lecturer, magazine writer, newspaper columnist, editor, retreat master, hospital chaplain, prison chaplain, campus chaplain, director of suicide prevention programs and Cursillo director. He earned degrees in philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University in Los Angeles and from Notre Dame University, with postgraduate work at the University of Southern California and the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois, in ascetical and mystical theology.
logo.gif (25318 bytes)Widely traveled in 57 countries and in all 50 United States, Father Hampsch calls himself an "itinerant preacher-teacher," with special emphasis on teaching and healing services. In addition to his personal appearances, his primary interest is in bringing Jesus to the hearts of people through the mass media with his two TV series, "Send Forth Your Spirit" and "Glad You Asked", and by his frequent role as a TV and radio panelist. His poetry and articles have been published in popular magazines. He has had academic writings published in such scientific periodicals as the Journal of Neuropsychiatry.
Father Hampsch is an officer in the Los Angeles Archdiocesan Communication Association, a psychological consultant to the National Broadcasting Company, a member of the Association of Christian Therapists, past president of the Catholic Philosophical Association. He has been active in the Charismatic Renewal for over thirty-six years and has been a speaker at the Southern California Renewal Conference every year since its inception.
Missions
As Director of the Claretian Tape (Teaching) Ministry, his audio and video recordings constitute one of today's largest Catholic communication ministries, with its proceeds supporting Claretian missions throughout the world. His popular books (17) and his 95 booklets are often used as discussion material for study groups and for small group home retreats.
CTM is one of the largest spiritual teaching outreaches of its kind, with Father John’s numerous books, more than 100 booklets, many podcasts, articles, CDs, DVDs, tapes, videos, etc. in single and album form. Because of his vow of poverty, all net proceeds from his ministry are used to help the poor of the Claretian missions worldwide.
