Catholic Fire

"The evangelization of the working world entails fidelity and honesty in carrying out one's professional service, moral consistency in lesser and greater decisions and fraternal solidarity towards those in need. It also requires the witness, wherever possible and appropriate, to one's Christian identity, so that the message of Jesus Christ, the one Savior, may be offered in every workplace as a gift and grace of inner renewal and a force for social change. Indeed, the Son of God 'worked with human hands he thought with a human mind. He acted with a human will, and with a human heart he loved.' Whoever believes in him and follows him finds the light and strength to be salt and leaven in every situation and circumstance." -- Pope St. John Paul II, "Letter on the Gospel of Work", From the Vatican, December 8, 1998, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Vatican released Pope Francis' first message for the World Communications Day. In line with the main themes of his pontificate, the focus is on using modern methods of communication to build "authentic encounters.” With the Internet and social networks dominating the way people reach out to others, the message calls on people to go beyond just connecting with each other. MSGR. CLAUDIO MARIA CELLI Pontifical Council for Social Communications "There is an avalanche of communications: messages, sounds, everything. And it's sometimes hard for humankind to decide which of these messages can best serve them in their search for the truth.” The message conveys two central concepts. The first is proximity, or being neighborly, with one another. In his message, Pope Francis uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to explain how it applies to the way we communicate today. He said that, just like the Good Samaritan took responsibility for the wounded person, it is...