Notes & News(Follow the bouncing ball.)

The"healing priest," Fr. Peter Mary Rookey, O.S.M., from the International Compassion Ministry, Chicago, Illinois will conduct two healing Masses at St. Cecilia's Church, San Francisco, on February 26 and 28; Our Lady of Angels Church, Burlingame, on February 27; and at St. Mary’s Cathedral, on Tuesday, March 3. All Masses begin with the Servite Rosary at 6:15 pm and the Mass at 7:00 pm. Fr. Rookey, 82, was honored by the Pope, who designated him a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. Heather Duncan’s book, Man of Miracles, is about Fr. Rookey’s healing gift.

A recent ad in the Washington Post and New York Times called for Cuban-American reconciliation and dialogue and lifting of the U.S. embargo on Cuba—a sentiment expressed by the Pope on his recent visit to Cuba and several U.S. Cardinals. Sponsored by the Washington Office On Latin America, a non-governmental organization working to promote human rights, democracy and social justice in Latin America; the ad had 150 religious groups as signers. Nearly half are Catholic organizations.

On March 1, millions of Americans will begin 40 days of synchronized, focused, fervent prayer and fasting to "Pray American Back to God!" Using the reproducible 40-day Pray USA Prayer Calendar as a format, many Christians believe that revival is our only hope for survival and that it must come through God’s Church. Pray USA is on the web at http://www.usprayertrack.org

In San Francisco, Christians of all denominations will gather on Saturday evening, April 4, 1998 at 7:30 pm for an evening of Prayer and Praise. This second annual event of Christians at Prayer is sponsored by twenty Christian Churches, The Archdiocese of San Francisco Office of Ecumenical Affairs, Pray USA, Women’s Aglow Fellowship International and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal who, in connection with the League of the Sacred Heart, will host it at St. Cecilia’s Church. Cornerstone Church, will provide music. Last year’s event attracted nearly a thousand Christians. •Franciscan University of Steubenville has been selected as part of the John Templeton Foundation’s 1997-1998 Honor Roll of Character Building Colleges. The designation recognizes colleges and universities that emphasize character building as an integral part of the college experience.

•US Bishops’ web site offers answers to wide range of questions about the Church and practical information—is this movie appropriate for the kids—www.nccbuscc.org

•New Polls show shifting U.S. attitude on Abortion. A survey by Baselice & Associates on behalf of the U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities showed "a slight shift tending more toward the pro-life position, with 57% opposing abortion except in cases of rape and incest or to save a woman’s life. Its results coincide with a similar poll made by Wirthlin for the Family Research Council.

•Fr. Robert DeGrandis, noted author and lecturer, with the St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart, Galveston, Texas, will conduct three days of teaching and healing events starting with the June First Friday Mass of the Sacred Heart at St. Cecilia’s Church, San Francisco.

Lenten Seminars of Spiritual Enlightenment have begun at St. Cecilia Church, San Francisco. Open to all, they are designed to help Christians grow in holiness during Lent through studying the faith. A $5.00 donation at the door is requested. The series will be presented in the Collins Center immediately following the 9:00 am Mass in the main church.

On March 21, the topic of interest to everyone, is—Celebration of the Christian Mystery and the Liturgy—Rev. John Talesfore, STL, Director of the Office of Worship, Archdiocese of San Francisco. The second session at 10:30 am—Worship in Songs & Testimonies will be presented by Jun Madriaga, St. Patrick’s Parish, is for prayer group leaders.

On March 28 the main topic is—Prayer in Christian Life—with Ms.Ann Grycz, Director of Liturgy, Diocese of San Jose. The second session is Living our Faith, is presented by Modesto de los Reyes, a prayer group leader from St.Elizabeth Parish.

Representatives from each of the 92 prayer groups which make up the Charismatic Renewal of the Archdiocese will hold their annual meeting on May 9, 1998 at 10 am in the Collins Center at St. Cecilia Church, San Francisco. The meeting will be followed by a luncheon hosted by the Renewal Board.

Representatives from the 200 Northern California Hispanic Charismatics Prayer Groups will be meeting at St. Cecilia School Auditorium on May 9, 1998 from 8am to 4pm. For information phone (650) 367-7134.