IN BRIEF: According to the Vatican paper, L’Osservatore Romano, for the first time ever, the CIO – International Olymic Committee – has formally invited a delegation of the Holy See to participate in the inauguration of the Winter Games in Pyeonchang, Korea on February 9. Led by under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Msgr. Melchior Sanchez de Toca, the delegation will also be able to attend an Olympic session as an observer from February 5 to 7. This meeting is a kind of general assembly of CIO members as they discuss great themes of the world’s sport agenda.
POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY: SAY “NO” TO CORRUPTION
Pope Francis has released a video message accompanying his monthly prayer intention for February 2018.
This month’s intention – “Say ‘No’ to Corruption” – is that those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.
The text of the video message reads: “What is at the root of slavery, unemployment, and disregard for nature and goods held in common? Corruption, a process of death that feeds the culture of death. Because the thirst for power and possessions knows no limits.
“Corruption is not countered with silence. We must speak about it, denounce its evils, and try to understand it so as to show our resolve to make mercy reign over meanness, beauty over nothingness. Let us pray that those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.”
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network of the Apostleship of Prayer developed the “Pope Video” initiative to assist in the worldwide dissemination of monthly intentions of the Holy Father in relation to the challenges facing humanity.
SUPER PRELATES MAKE A WINNING BET
Minneapolis, Minn., Jan 31, 2018 / 05:00 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- On Sunday, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles will go head-to-head in Super Bowl LII, facing off to claim the Lombardi Trophy at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The archbishops of Boston and Philadelphia have already placed wagers on the game.
The archbishops jointly announced a bet Wednesday: Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia said he would donate $100 to Catholic Charities Boston if the Patriots prevail, while Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston said he would donate $100 to St. John’s Hospice in Philadelphia if the Eagles win.
Catholic Charities Boston offers social services to thousands of individuals and families in the Massachusetts area. St. John’s Hospice is an emergency service provider to the homeless in Philadelphia and also helps the homeless to find stable residences.
To raise the stakes, Archbishop Chaput and Cardinal O’Malley, who are both Capuchin Franciscans and friends from their seminary days, also said they would add Philadelphia cheesesteaks and Boston lobsters to the wager.
“Each year the Super Bowl is viewed by millions of people throughout the world,” read a Jan. 31 statement.
“In the spirit of friendly competition, we have issued our wager because we have confidence in our teams and, more importantly, based on our admiration for the commitment of the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots to assist their local communities and respond to the needs of the less fortunate,” the statement continued.
Archbishop Chaput and Cardinal O’Malley also made predictions for the Super Bowl outcome. The Philadelphia shepherd is counting on an Eagle’s victory, 24-20, while the Boston shepherd believes the Patriots will claim the trophy, 34-21.
No matter the outcome, they both pray for a safe sporting event for everyone involved.
Joan's Rome 