Archbishop Robert Carlson

Dignity of human person is foundation of Catholic social teaching

lisajohnston — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:43:07 +0000

By Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

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The foundational principle of Catholic social teaching is the dignity of the human person. From a faith perspective, we strongly affirm this because we believe that every human person is made in the image and likeness of God. But even from a purely human perspective, we are convinced that every human being has rights and responsibilities that come from human nature itself. This double perspective of faith and reason is at the heart of all our Church's social teaching.

Priest bios for the class of 2013

jenniferbrinker — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:36:47 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

Michael Benz

Age: 48

Home Parish: Holy Trinity in St. Ann

Transitional diaconate service: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in Oakville

Degrees: Bachelor's in English from University of Missouri-St. Louis, master's in English from Ohio State University, and bachelor's in philosophy, master's in theology and master's in divinity from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Ray Buehler

Age: 32

Home Parish: Curé of Ars in Shrewsbury

Transitional diaconate service: Ascension in Chesterfield

Soon-to-be priests are stars of the new evangelization

Thu, 16 May 2013 02:55:20 +0000

Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

The concept of the new evangelization was introduced years before their entrance into the seminary. But six men to be ordained this week are living in the heart of the new evangelization -- which, put simply, calls on Catholics to reinvigorate those who have fallen away from their faith.

Sacredness of human life underlies Catholic social teaching

Wed, 15 May 2013 22:46:42 +0000

By Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

You'll recall that last fall, as part of our observance of the Year of Faith, I wrote a series of articles based on the Apostles' Creed. In Lent, I reflected on the sacraments. During the next two months, I'd like to offer practical reflections on what has come to be known as Catholic social teaching.

Following an outline recommended by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I'll organize my articles based on the following themes:

BEFORE THE CROSS | God's divine love and mercy are the source of all our Easter joy

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:12:34 +0000

By Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

This is a special time in the Church's year of grace -- the time between Easter and Pentecost. During these weeks, we celebrate with joy our Lord's Resurrection from the dead. We also anticipate that truly momentous occasion when Christ sent the Holy Spirit to enflame the hearts of His disciples and to send them out to the whole world to evangelize and to carry on His work of healing and bringing hope to all.

Before the Cross | Christians called to be ambassadors of joy

Wed, 01 May 2013 22:43:56 +0000

By Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

Robert F. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of Green Bay, Wis. He is a full-time pastor, a poet and a very popular speaker. In 1999, St. Anthony Messenger Press published a little book by Bishop Morneau called "A Retreat with C.S. Lewis." The first chapter of this book, which corresponds to the first day of the retreat, is called, "The Great Surprise: Joy."

Communion with the Lord brings us joy

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:04:24 +0000

By Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

During this Easter season, I am writing about joy. As we hear repeatedly in the readings from the Acts of the Apostles, the disciples' initial fear was transformed by God's grace into great courage and the boldness of faith. Their experience of utter aloneness became intimate communion with Him and with each other through the gift of Christ's presence-with-us in the Eucharist, in Sacred Scripture and in the ministries we carry out in Jesus' name.

Archbishop's Prayer Breakfast to be May 22

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:15:29 +0000

The fourth annual Archbishop's Gospel of Life Prayer Breakfast will be Wednesday, May 22, in the Khorassan Ballroom of the Chase Park Plaza, 212 N. Kingshighway in the Central West End.

The event, hosted by the St. Louis Chapter of Legatus, will begin at 6 a.m. with the Angelus and Rosary. Archbishop Robert J. Carlson will celebrate Mass at 6:30 a.m. After a buffet breakfast, participants will hear the keynote address by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of Galveston-Houston. Archbishop Carlson will give the final blessing at 9 a.m.

Before the Cross | The paradoxes of joy in Christ

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:15:14 +0000

The life of St. Francis of Assisi is full of paradoxes. Perhaps more than any other saint, Francis is regarded as a joyful disciple of Jesus Christ. He called himself God's "troubadour" or "jester" and he was known to sing and dance with joy as he contemplated the wonder of all God's creation and the amazing beauty he found in every human being -- even those disfigured by poverty and disease. People the world over -- in his own time and ever since -- are attracted to St. Francis because his joy is contagious.

Bishops, priests, deacons are images of Christ

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:00:50 +0000

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI observed that Christ gave His disciples a double command that at first may appear contradictory. He admonished them, first of all, to remain close to Him -- to be His intimate companions who are united with Him in all things. Secondly, Jesus sent His disciples out as missionaries -- to teach, to heal and to serve the needs of others.

News of papal selection met with surprise, joy

lisajohnston — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:37:15 +0000

By Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org & Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@archstl.org

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Several St. Louisans

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 23:12:56 +0000

Several St. Louisans spent a day last week lobbying at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.

Auxiliary Bishop Edward Rice, along with other St. Louis members of the Missouri Catholic Conference's Public Policy Committee met with legislators Feb. 20 for the group's annual Lobby Day. Joining Bishop Rice were Diane Daly, John Schwob, Deborah Meister and Pat Dougherty, along with other committee members from other parts of the state.

Zest for life defines 95-year-old staff member

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 02:37:14 +0000

By Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

The smile is ever-present and his eyes always sparkle.

Jimmy Munford, 95, demonstrates a zest for life.

In recent years Munford has received various honors for nearly 45 years of service at the archbishop's residence in the Central West End of St. Louis.

Baptism is God's most beautiful, magnificent gift

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 02:23:57 +0000

By Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

"The faithful are born anew by baptism, strengthened by the Sacrament of Confirmation and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life."

Pope Paul VI

St. Katharine Drexel, a stewardship saint

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:15:35 +0000

By Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

Katharine Drexel was born in Philadelphia, Pa., just six years after the death of Rose Philippine Duchesne in St. Charles in 1852. St. Katharine's life, including the years immediately preceding her death, mirror that of St. Rose. Both women were tireless missionaries who established schools and who dedicated themselves to the poor, especially minorities. Both women spent the final years of their lives in retirement, dedicating themselves exclusively to the ministry of prayer.