Catholic New World - News Digest

News Update

Lent series

Nineteen parishes will hold a series of adult-formation evening meetings during Lent. Each session will focus on a common question about our faith such as: What do I mean when I say I believe? What is the connection between Jesus and the church? How do the sacraments put us in contact with God? Why does the church put such emphasis on Sunday Mass?

For a list of parishes, dates and times call (312) 534-5100 or visit www. catholicscomehomechicago.org.

Paul and Judaism

The 15th annual Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Jerusalem Lecture “Paul and Judaism: Ten New Perspectives” by Jesuit Father Daniel Harrington will be held 7-9 p.m., March 10, , at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, 610 S. Michigan Ave.

Cardinal George will deliver the event’s greeting. Admission is free, but reservations are requested. Call (312) 322-1773 or e-mail rsvp@spertus.edu

News Digest

Conversion breaks bonds of selfishness, Pope Benedict says in annual Lenten message

Conversion to Christ gives people the strength to break the bonds of selfishness and work for justice in the world, Pope Benedict XVI said in his message for Lent 2010.

“The Christian is moved to contribute to creating just societies where all receive what is necessary to live according to the dignity proper to the human person and where justice is enlivened by love,” the pope said in the message released Feb. 4 at the Vatican.

Church’s presence among sick can help protect human life, pope says

The church must increase its presence among the sick and in society so it can better help defend human life from conception to its natural end, Pope Benedict XVI said.

In his message for the Feb. 11 celebration of World Day of the Sick, the pope highlighted the important role of the church in bringing Christ’s love and healing to all those who suffer: be it from poverty, oppression, remorse or illness.