Today on Kresta - July 20, 2011

Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 20

4:00 – Catholic Biblical School
The Catholic Biblical School offers adults a four-year course of study of Sacred Scripture in accord with the teachings of the Church and with reference to its application to contemporary life. Every book of the Bible is covered. The goal of the Catholic Biblical School is to make God's word alive and active in the Church. Started in the Archdiocese of Denver, it is now in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Peter Williamson and Deacon Jack Gardiner are here to discuss it.

4:20 – Clouds of Witnesses: Christian Voices from Africa and Asia
As Africa and Asia take their place as the new Christian heartlands, a new and robust company of saints is coming into view. In seventeen inspiring narratives Mark Noll and Carolyn Nystrom introduce pivotal Christian leaders in Africa and Asia who had tenacious faith in the midst of deprivation, suffering and conflict. Spanning a century, from the 1880s to the 1980s, their stories demonstrate the vitality of the Christian faith in a diversity of contexts. The book is Clouds of Witnesses and Carolyn joins us.

4:40 – Winnie the Pooh / Harry Potter / Zookeeper
Catholic Film Critic Steven Greydanus is here to review some recent films including the new “Winnie the Pooh”, Kevin James’ latest flick “Zookeeper,” and the final installment of the Harry Potter series “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”

5:00 – Gay “Welcoming” Mass Takes Place at Boston Parish
It made headlines last month when it was scheduled – then postponed - but the controversial “Rainbow Mass” finally happened on July 10 at St. Cecilia’s Parish in the Archdiocese of Boston. St. Cecilia’s congregation has a large gay and lesbian population, many of whom arrived after the South End’s predominantly gay Jesuit Urban Center closed in 2007, parishioners said. Almost 200 members of St. Cecilia’s are active in its Rainbow Ministry, which hosts events for members and supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Al has some comments.

5:30 – Mandate for Birth Control, Sterilization in Private Health Plans?
The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine has recommended that certain forms of birth control should be among the mandated services offered in basic health insurance plans under the new health care reform law. The recommendations were made to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and have not yet been approved by the government. Cardinal DiNardo, chair of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has issued a statement denouncing some of the provisions as they relate to contraception, sterilization and abortifacients. "I strongly oppose the Institute of Medicine's recommendation today that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate coverage of three particular practices in almost all private health plans: surgical sterilization; all FDA-approved birth control (including the IUD, 'morning-after' pills, and the abortion-inducing drug Ella); and 'education and counseling' promoting these among all 'women of reproductive capacity.'" Richard Doerflinger, director of the USCCB’s Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities is here to discuss this.