Catholic parish sells out of its Packers raffle tickets

By Henry Rosoff, FOX6

he success of the Green Bay Packers is spilling over to charity raffles in southeast Wisconsin. That's particularly evident at Queen of Apostles Catholic parish in Pewaukee.

The parish was conducting a raffle to send one lucky winner to see the Packers play the Steelers in Super Bowl 45 in Dallas. They had 1,500 tickets to sell at $25 a piece. They sold out in just three days.

A winner for the Queens of Apostles parish raffle will be picked on Wednesday, February 2nd.

From: http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20110129-packers-raffle,0,6075283.story

Pakistani Christians to Pray for Peace, Asia Bibi's Release

By Rachel Ford, Christian Post

Christians, human rights activists and representatives from other religions are being called by the Catholic Church of Pakistan to participate in a “day of prayer and fasting” on Sunday.

However, the Day of Prayer is intended to serve as a peaceful response to the intensifying, and often violent rallies led by radical Islamic groups in defense of the laws.

“We Christians do not wish to react nor respond to the provocations, instead to pray and fast, placing the difficulties that the country is experiencing in God's hands,” Father John Shakir Nadeem, secretary for social communications for the Episcopal Conference, told Fides News Agency.

To continue reading, visit: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20110129/pakistani-christians-to-pray-for-peace-asia-bibis-release/

Pipe-bomb ‘meant to intimidate Catholics’

By Catherine Lynagh, Belfast Telegraph

A pipe-bomb at new housing development was an attempt to intimidate prospective Catholic buyers, it has been claimed.

The Army was called to the security alert at Rashee Road in Ballyclare in the early hours of Friday morning.

A viable pipe-bomb was removed and the security alert ended at 9am yesterday. No homes were evacuated during the alert.

There have been claims that the incident was an attempt by loyalists to dissuade Catholics from moving into the area.

To continue reading, visit: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/pipebomb-lsquomeant-to-intimidate-catholicsrsquo-15067288.html

New English translation alters familiar language of the Catholic Mass

By Nancy Haught, The Oregonian

Catholics whose memories of Mass are mostly in English will be asked to relearn their lines when a new translation of the English Mass debuts later this year.

Parishioners who have worshipped, wed and buried loved ones to what have become familiar phrases may find the new language inspiring, jarring or confusing.

Beginning Nov. 27, Catholics reciting the Nicene Creed -- the statement of faith many memorized as children -- will no longer describe Jesus as "the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father" but as "the only begotten son of God, born of the Father before all ages."

Instead of saying Jesus is "one in being with the Father," they'll say he is "consubstantial with the Father."

And those are just two of thousands of changes in the Roman Missal, the massive book of prayers used during Catholic services. Most are in the words recited by priests.

To continue reading, visit: http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2011/01/new_english_translation_alters.html

British soldier shot in Afghanistan is saved by his ROSARY... just like his great-grandfather in WWII

By Daily Mail Reporter, Daily Mail UK

A soldier who stood on a landmine and was shot in the chest in Afghanistan is convinced a rosary saved his life in exactly the same way as his great-grandfather towards the end of the Second World War.

Glenn Hockton, 19, who is now home from a seven-month tour of duty with the Coldstream Guards in Helmand Province, was on patrol when his rosary suddenly fell from his neck.

His mother Sheri Jones said today: 'He felt like he had a slap on the back. He bent down to pick up his rosary to see if it was broken. As he bent down he realised he was on a landmine.'

Glenn had to stand there for 45 terrifying minutes while his colleagues successfully managed to get to him.

Mrs Jones, from Tye Green, Essex, said she was physically sick when her son rang to tell her of his ordeal.

His great-grandfather Joseph 'Sunny' Truman also credited a rosary with saving his life in a World War II blast that killed six members of his platoon.

He was with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and after being captured towards the end of the war, he and other prisoners were forced to march away from the advancing Allied armies.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1299648/My-rosary-saved-Incredible-story-soldier-cheated-death-standing-landmine-shot.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0vUkui6yO

Tiny Fragment Holds Oldest Writing Ever Found in Jerusalem

From FOXNews.com

JERUSALEM -- Archaeologists say a newly discovered clay fragment from the 14th century B.C. is the oldest example of writing ever found in antiquity-rich Jerusalem.

Dig director Eilat Mazar of Hebrew University says the 2-centimeter (0.8-inch) long fragment bears an ancient form of writing known as Akkadian wedge script.

The fragment includes a partial text including the words "you," "them," and "later."

It predates the next-oldest example of writing found in Jerusalem by 600 years, and dates roughly four centuries before the Bible says King David ruled a Jewish kingdom from the city.

Continue reading here: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/07/12/tiny-fragment-oldest-writing-jerusalem/

University of Illinois Instructor Fired Over Catholic Beliefs

AP, FOXNews.com

URBANA, Ill. -- The University of Illinois has fired an adjunct professor who taught courses on Catholicism after a student accused the instructor of engaging in hate speech by saying he agrees with the church's teaching that homosexual sex is immoral.

The professor, Ken Howell of Champaign, has taught at the university for nine years. He says his firing violates his academic freedom.

A professor at the university who is also president of the American Association of University Professors agrees. Cary Nelson says teachers are allowed to express their own beliefs.

Continue reading here: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/09/university-illinois-instructor-fired-catholic-beliefs/