Free Rapids-Galaxy tickets

I have eight free tickets for the opening night of MLS soccer for the Colorado Rapids. They're playing David Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy, probably the hottest ticket of the season.

Interested parties should e-mail me at editor@coloradocatholicherald.com and tell me how many you're interested in. If I get multiple requests, it will be first come, first serve. Whoever wants them must pick them up at the front desk of the Catholic Pastoral Center before 4:30 p.m. Friday.

[3-28 UPDATE 3 p.m.: The tickets were claimed this morning.]

Divine Mercy Novena begins today

The original Divine Mercy image at the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy's chapel in Krakow, Poland. St. Faustina Kowalska, who received messages from Jesus that led to the creation of the Divine Mercy image and devotion, lived here. (Photo by Bill Howard, courtesy of Texas Catholic)

In our latest Herald, I embarrassingly forgot to address the Feast of Divine Mercy coming up March 30. Spread the word that Bishop Sheridan will celebrate the feast day at the cathedral beginning at 1:30 p.m. with confessions. The Rosary, benediction and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy will take place beginning at 2:30 p.m. and Mass will take place at 3:15 p.m.

The Divine Mercy Novena, one of my personal favorites, begins today. Here's the link for the text:

http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/Novena/divine.htm

Just some notes about the above photo (you can click on it to enlarge it):

-- The white kneeler directly in front of the image was used by Pope John Paul II during his visits to the chapel.

-- Encased on the railing (on the right side of the photo) is a finger bone of St. Faustina.

Catholic Center on Good Morning America next Friday

Rumor has it that the Catholic Center at Citadel Mall, run by Franciscan Friars, will be featured on Good Morning America on Good Friday, March 21. Good Morning America can be seen on Channel 13 in Colorado Springs, and the show begins at 7 a.m.

Can you find...

Do you notice anything unusual (but valid) in this photo? The only hint I can give is that I've seen these before, but not one like this. If you click on the photo, you get a bigger look.

[UPDATE: I'm out of town until Monday, so I'll leave the comments open until then and then will congratulate any correct answer(s).-BH]

Warm Wishes for future hospital patients

From now through March 14, you can go to here and write your own special wish or blessing for future patients of St. Francis Medical Center, which will open in August in northeast Colorado Springs. The messages will be put in a time capsule that will placed in one of the interior walls of the hospital. Pass this along to your friends and family!

Christopher West talk to air on KFEL this week

The Colorado Catholic Herald and KFEL-970 AM Catholic radio are proud to announce that Christopher West's Dec. 4, 2007, talk, "Theology of the Body: Antidote to a Pornographic Culture," will make its initial airing in two parts at 6 a.m. this Wednesday and Thursday. This issue is probably not your first choice of breakfast-time chatter, but Christopher's presentation is quite inspirational and would be a great way to start to day.

If you like the talk, it is also available for audio streaming by clicking here or going to the Audio/Video page on http://www.coloradocatholicherald.com/.

Stay tuned also for the debut of another show, "Ask the Bishop," where we have students from local Catholic schools, as well as KFEL listeners and Herald readers, ask questions to Bishop Michael Sheridan. This is more of a conversational program where listeners will hear a more personal side to the bishop, in additional to some discussions about catechetical and theological matters. We will send another alert once we set the initial program dates. If you would like to submit a question for a future program, please send it to editor@coloradocatholicherald.com.

A special opportunity for a videographer

[EDITOR'S NOTE 3-10-08 : This opening has been filled. We will post the video at the Herald Web site and here when it is finished.]

This is very last-second, but we just received word of this special opportunity for a professional videographer willing to donate his/her time and equipment:

The Archdiocese of Washington D.C. wants to put together a "welcome" video for Pope Benedict XVI when he arrives for Mass at Nationals Stadium. The Archdiocese has put out a call for dioceses around the country to put together a 90-second video highlighting the good things going on in that diocese.

The catch is that videos are due by March 27. Bishop Sheridan has some ideas for a script but our regular video contacts are unavailable. If you have professional experience and equipment and would like to offer your services for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, let us know ASAP by sending an e-mail to editor@coloradocatholicherald.com and/or leaving a message at 719-866-6451.

Bella DVD... Out May 6

Bella is now available for DVD preorder, with a release date of May 6. Check your favorite DVD retailer. If you get it from Aquinas and More, tell them the Herald sent you!

Thanks to word of mouth and big push from the Catholic community, Bella was an independent movie made for about $3.5 million that grossed just under $8 million worldwide. This will surely get the makers of this touching film some more work in Hollywood.

Immigration question

In Shreveport, La., a nun is being threatened with deportation back to Italy because of an apparent mixup with her papers.

Angelini would not discuss specifics pending a conference with immigration officials later this week. But the reason for the deportation could have something to do with Hurricane Katrina and delays in processing her paperwork at immigration's New Orleans office.

So, this might get cleared up, but it does raise an interesting question. In the immigration debate, it seems like it often depicted is a battle with a stereotyped Latin American population. But what if the priest or nun near you, who you've come to know and respect, is told they have to leave because they don't have the proper papers? Does that change how you look at the immigration debate? Be honest.

Happy Birthday to Bishop Sheridan

Today is Bishop Sheridan's birthday. If you would like to wish him a happy birthday, write your message in the comment box and I'll compile them for him.