Each year the Bishops of the Province of Los Angeles begin the New Year with a silent, directed retreat at the Cardinal Timothy Manning House of Prayer for Priests in Los Angeles.
These are always blessed days since we are able to set aside the concerns and the worries of every day life, and to spend these eight days in quiet prayer and reflection. This year I am using Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation, The Gospel of Joy, for my reflections.
It is so reassuring that Francis grounds his Exhortation in the great virtue of Joy, and that he begins by assuring us that God's overarching love and mercy for us brings us the gift of joy. We are not to understand God as one who is constantly angry with us because of our failures and sins; rather, our God is one who never tires of calling us to himself, of loving us, and of forgiving us.
That is truly "good news" for all of us, and a wonderful mind-set with which to begin the New Year!
The Gospel of Joy is divided into five chapters, making it ideal for a week of retreat.
I would urge all of you to get your own copy of The Gospel of Joy and to reflect upon each of the chapters. Sadly, some commentators have chosen to quote a few sentences of the document without understanding the context--one based on Jesus' life, teachings, and personal example.
May all of us discover anew God's great love and mercy towards us, and the joy which God's presence in our lives brings us!
The Gospel of Joy can be purchased through the Publications Office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: http://www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?SKU=7-458
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Download: "Post-Sacrament Evangelization" Powerpoint Presentation by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, March 2014.
This Power Point presentation on "Post-Sacrament Evangelization" was given by Cardinal Roger Mahony at the 2014 Religious Education Congress. You are free to use it any way that helps evangelize our people following the reception of the Sacraments.
Our Commitment to the Protection of Young People
August 31, 2018 statement by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez on the continued commitment of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to protect Young People.
Post-Sacrament Evangelization
Download: "Post-Sacrament Evangelization" Powerpoint Presentation by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, March 2014.
This Power Point presentation on "Post-Sacrament Evangelization" was given by Cardinal Roger Mahony at the 2014 Religious Education Congress. You are free to use it any way that helps evangelize our people following the reception of the Sacraments.
About Cardinal Mahony Blogs L.A.
Cardinal Roger Mahony Blogs L.A. is the official blog of the Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony. Cardinal Mahony is the fourth and recently retired Archbishop of Los Angeles. Born in Hollywood, he is the first native Angeleno to be created Cardinal.
CIVIC INVOLVEMENT: Cardinal Mahony has served on a number of committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, including those on Pro-Life Activities, and Migration & Refugees. He was a member of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (1984-1989) and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants (1986-1991); he is presently a member of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications (1989-2911), the Congregation for Eastern Churches (2009-2013), and on the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See (2000 to 2013. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Catholic University of America.
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