ATTENTION AUTHORS - We are truly blessed to have a broad range of talents and skillsets here within our Vermont Diaconate Community. These areas of expertice range from technology to healthcare and everywhere in between. If you have writing skills and think our community may benefit from your literary efforts please don't 'keep your light under a bushel'. We are always looking for articles of interest to our community for our new website. If you think you would like to help us please feel free to submit your articles to the webmaster to include either on the public front-end of our website or the registration-only back-end. We appeal to the authors and writers within our community and are indeed blessed to have the opportunity for you to share your works with us. The email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC), established in 1972, conducts research, consultation, publishing and education to promote human dignity in health care and the life sciences, and derives its message directly from the teachings of the Catholic Church. The results of this research are available though this website and our various educational and publishing activities, workshops and seminars.

Please click this link to go to the NCBC Website

Today our society faces unprecedented scientific developments that penetrate the very mysteries of life and pose serious ethical challenges to human culture. The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) was established in 1972 to reflect on these developments and to promote and safeguard the dignity of the human person in health care and the life sciences. The Center is unique among bioethics organizations in that its message derives from the official teaching of the Catholic Church which draws from a moral tradition that acknowledges the unity of faith and reason and builds on the solid foundation of natural law.
 
The Center's staff consults regularly on life science issues and medical issues with the Vatican, the U.S. bishops and public policy-makers, hospitals and international organizations of all faiths. Vatican agencies which regularly consult with the Center include the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Pontifical Academy for Life and the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers.
 
The Center works to achieve its mission of defending the dignity of the human person in health care and the life sciences through educational programs, publishing, consultation and research. The Center publishes two journals (" Ethics & Medics" and " The National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly") and at least one book annually on issues such as physician-assisted suicide, abortion, cloning, and embryonic stem cell research. Educational programs include the National Catholic Certification Program in Health Care Ethics and a variety of seminars and other events.

A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP MATANO REGARDING THE CURRENT FLU CRISIS

April 30, 2009

To:  All Priests and Deacons

From:  The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano

Re:  Precautions in the Event of the Outbreak of Swine Flu Influenza

            To date, the State of Vermont has recently experienced the outbreak of the Swine Influenza virus circulating in the United States and Mexico.  It is prudent that caution be exercised and that a reemphasis upon proper protocols for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass be given.  To this end, I am asking all parishes and institutions of the Diocese to note the following precautions to assure the safety of all the worshipping community:

            1)  The faithful should be reminded that holding hands during the recitation of the Our Father is not a part of the Roman Rite and it is not indicated in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.  In the Pastoral Letter that I issued on August 15, 2006, entitled:  Gift of Life, Gift Eternal: The Most Holy Eucharist and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, I noted:  “First, regarding The Lord’s Prayer, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal simply states that the celebrant invites the faithful to join in the prayer ‘and all the faithful say it with him.’  There is no mention of holding hands during the prayer.”  (Cf. p. 20).

            2)  When concern arises about transmitting the influenza or other ailments, Holy Communion should be given under the one species of the Host, containing the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ.  Again, I quote from my Pastoral Letter:  “…as relates to the distribution of Holy Communion under both species, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: ‘Above all, they (the pastors) should instruct the faithful that the Catholic faith teaches that Christ, whole and entire, and the true Sacrament, is received even under only one species, and consequently that as far as the effects are concerned, those who receive under only one species are not deprived of any of the grace that is necessary for salvation.’  (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 81).”  (Cf. Pastoral Letter, pp. 20-21).  In instances where parishioners are afflicted with Celiac disease, the priest should offer the person the appropriate provision for receiving the special host for these cases or setting aside a chalice with the precious blood.

            3)  The faithful should be advised to offer the Sign of Peace with a simple nod or bow of the head, and simply say:  “Peace be with you,” and the response of the other being: “And also with you.”  The General Instruction of the Roman Missal also states that after the priest has said to the faithful “The peace of the Lord be with you always,” and the faithful have responded, “And also with you,” the priest, “when appropriate,” may add:  “Let us offer each other the sign of peace.”  ( Cf. Instruction, p. 64; also Pastoral Letter , p. 20).       

            4)  Priests, deacons and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion should be especially reminded of the need to practice good hygiene.  All distributing Holy Communion must be encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly before Mass begins.  Also, the number of extraordinary ministers should be monitored to avoid a number that exceeds the actual pastoral need of the community.

            5)  Following Mass, and subsequent to the purification of the sacred vessels by the priests or deacons, all vessels should be cleansed with hot water and soap.

            6)  Greeters at the doors of the Church should avoid shaking hands when there is the danger of transmitting the influenza.

            During this time, our people should be encouraged to thank God, by faithful attendance at Holy Mass, that we have been spared thus far from this influenza and to pray for those afflicted by this illness and for all public health officials as they guide us in eradicating this threat. 

            Be assured that all are remembered in my prayers, asking the Lord to heal His people and make us strong in His name.

On behalf of the Office of Safe Environment Programs, it is with great enthusiasm that I invite you to click on the link below to preview the latest effort the Diocese of Burlington has undertaken to reach out to fellow parishioners, clergy, staff, volunteers and parents. This continued effort is to inform our community what we do to promote and establish safe environments for you and our children.

This video was produced under the auspices of the Vermont Catholic Tribune and the Diocesan Office of Communications to introduce and further familiarize you with our staff as well as the prevention and awareness programs currently used. You will find more in-depth information on these programs on our website as well as the entire United States Conference of Catholic of Bishops (USCCB) document, The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Click Here To View The Video

Calling All Deacons!

Click here to Sign up for Deacons for Life

Deacons in the Service of Life seeks to;

1. Unite, encourage, and provide ongoing training to deacons who give a special emphasis to the "life issues", especially abortion and euthanasia, in their ministries;

2. Instill a sense of urgency in all clergy to teach about these issues and to mobilize their people to help stop abortion and euthanasia;

3. Assist clergy and laity to work together productively for the cause of life;

4. Provide ongoing training and motivation to the entire pro-life movement.

The primary purpose is simply to provide deacons a forum by which they can network with each other across the nation to share information and encouragement in carrying out those aspects of their ministry related to the defense of human life from abortion and euthanasia. Some practical avenues whereby this would occur would be:

1. Clergy seminars would be offered in local communities. These seminars deal with various aspects of preaching, counseling, and organizing activities on "life issues." We are also happy to present seminars and retreats for groups of deacons-only.

2. A deacons' newsletter will be prepared and offered to dioceses, free of charge, for their deacons. We will communicate with the diocesan diaconate directors, the national office for the diaconate at the USCCB, as well as with the national associations and publications for deacons.

3. The website, deaconsforlife.org, will provide helpful information.

4. We can provide consultation to deacons, their pastors and their bishops regarding suggested respect life activities. This can include organizing prayer initiatives on behalf of life, assistance in strengthening local efforts to provide alternatives to abortion, sponsoring educational seminars, and assisting the laity to take an active and responsible role in building up community respect life efforts. The existence of a "Deacons in the Service of Life" network across the nation will make it easier for deacons to communicate with each other to share ideas and encouragement specifically on this theme.

Contact information: Deacons in the Service of Life

PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314

Phone: (718) 980-4400

Is Jesus Enough? - Submitted By Pat Putis

Lysa TerKeurst

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)

I stopped in my tracks the other day as I was mindlessly singing a beautiful praise song. I say mindlessly not because I wasn't focusing on God. I was definitely lifting up my heart to Him. But the mindlessly part came when I realized I had no clue of the weight of the words in this song. Did I really mean what I was singing? The song said this to Jesus: "You're all I want. You're all I ever needed."

Really? Did I really mean those words? Is my Jesus enough? Ultimately the question should be: Is my relationship with Jesus in such a place that if He was truly all I had today, would I still stand and sing those powerful song lyrics?

The economy is shaky, funds are tight, prices at the gas pumps and grocery store keep rising. Am I going to let my heart be drawn into a place of worry and fear over all this instability? Or will I quiet my soul and calmly proclaim, "Jesus is my Provider and He is enough."

Today my son Jackson, who just got his driver's license, will be driving to a friend's house to watch the football game. His friend lives less than five miles from our house. But statistics show that most car accidents happen on the roads we are most familiar with, those closest to our homes. Will I be able to smile, tell him to be careful and let him drive down our driveway with full confidence that no matter what, Jesus is enough?

I don't know what kinds of twists and turns might come during my life journey. But, I know the only way to travel with a joyful peace is to settle in my heart the answer to this question once and for all. So, today, I declare Jesus is enough. Before I even know in what way this declaration will be tested, I've made the decision to say it, believe it and settle it.

Jesus is enough.

I think this is why Proverbs 31 is my favorite portrait of a godly woman. Proverbs 31:25 reminds us, "she can laugh at the days to come."

She was filled with such incredible joy not because life was perfect but simply because she had decided to make laughter, peace, and truth the hallmarks of her life. Proverbs 31:30 goes on to say this was a woman to be praised because she so reverenced God in the shrine of her heart. She knew without a doubt, He was - and still is - enough.

Dear Lord, Thank You that in this world we don't have to live consumed with fear of the unknown. For You know all things. Nothing will happen to us that does not first pass through Your hands. May I find peace in Your love, which is so consuming for us that You only have our best interests in mind. Help us to believe and trust in that truth no matter what. In Jesus' Name, Amen