Take time for prayer, fasting, and dialogue

Ramadan, Islam's holiest month, starts this week. It marks the revelation of the Qur'an and is celebrated with prayer, day-long fasts, and festive evening feasts by Muslims throughout the world. Catholics aren’t strangers to fasting, and joining Muslims in their devotion can help bridge the gap between the world’s two largest faith groups. (And based on recent events, that gap needs bridging.) See if you can handle a sunrise to sunset fast, or visit a mosque and participate in an interfaith activity.

Of course, not all Catholics can visit a neighborhood mosque, so U.S. Catholic aims to bring the dialogue to you. Browse through our articles on Muslim-Catholic dialogue in our special section and share what you’ve learned with others.

This week on USCatholic.org

Culture: Let’s drop the bomb
Nagasaki and Hiroshima were destroyed 65 years ago this week, and the U.S. Catholic bishops still haven’t called for a complete ban of nuclear weapons. Recently deceased Bishop Leroy Matthiesen argues for a renewed effort among Catholics to do away with the bomb.

Life: Fast friends
A bit of humility—and peanut butter—goes a long way when Sue Stanton tries fasting with her Muslim hosts in Jordon.

Church: Death by eulogy
Father James Field has his funeral planned out and it won’t include one thing in particular: a eulogy. In this month's Sounding Board, find out why he’s against long and overly personal speeches at funerals, and then tell us what helps you grieve. The results will appear in the November issue of U.S. Catholic. Order your copy today!

USCatholic.org blogs this week

The Examined Life: My favorite judge: Anne Burke on sex abuse
David Gibson over at Politics Daily has a great post with comments from Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke on how the pope should respond to sex abuse.

Catholic Tastes: Bring on the Catholic kitsch
The pope's trip to England is still a month away, but the sale of merchandise has already begun. It's led the U.K. Catholic Herald to ask, "Does Catholic merchandising trivialise the faith?"

Margin Notes: Doctors don't torture
Evidence of medical doctors participating in torture has prompted protests among Catholics, writes Marie Dennis in a guest blog post.

The Examined Life: Prop 8 goes down: Now what?
Given that interested parties have had weeks to prepare alternate press releases on the fate of California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in that state, I'm a little surprised--even a little disturbed--by the silence emanating from most Catholic quarters in the wake of yesterday's news. 

News

Cardinal suggests preparing children for Communion even before age 7

Mexican cardinals endorse idea of debating legalization of drugs

Catholic leaders decry California judge's decision on same-sex marriage

U.S. Catholic Review

Book: Olivia and the Little Way 
by Nancy Carabio Belanger (Harvey House Publishing, 2008)

Review books, music, and movies for USCatholic.org

Read any good books lately?
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