Three for three!

Never thought I'd see the day, and then WHAM - out of the blue, not only does the USCCB meet and discuss worthy issues, but almost immediately worthy fruit of their efforts emerges!

ALL people, not just Christians and not just Catholic Christians, need to read the three documents that were approved and released today by the USCCB. All three were written with the average Catholic in the pew in mind, yet they sacrifice nothing in terms of the teaching they uphold. Written very smoothly, neither are they terribly difficult to read:

Married Love and the Gift of Life It explains very well the reasons for the Church's teaching on marriage and contraception. It's all here, nothing held back. It even recommends that JPII's Theology of the Body is a good way to help our young students to learn about chastity! Amen, bishops!

Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care Written for everyone to read, but with a mind towards helping bishops to make decisions on catechesis and programs in their dioceses. And yes, Courage and Encourage are listed as examples!

Happy are Those Who are Called to His Supper: On Preparing to Receive Christ Worthily in the Eucharist Where was this twenty years ago??? This is wonderful, not just to help Catholics reflect on their own worthiness for Communion, but also for helping Catholics to understand practically what they should do when attending another Christian worship service. And, even better, it is a wonderful resource for our non-Catholic friends and relatives to have so that they can understand better why we ask that they not receive the Eucharist - I am going to have a few of these on hand for these types of occasions!!

I have half a mind to print out copies of all three of these and start distributing them everywhere I can find places to put them! In particular - those of you who are involved with RCIA groups, THESE are documents your catechumens and candidates need to have! Print 'em off today!

I have to admit that I was one of those who was a bit skeptical about these documents, as I considered the muted rumblings about them that went around the blogs. I didn't expect much out of them, I figured they'd be another "official" document that said all kinds of things and yet said nothing.

I am very delighted to report that I was completely wrong.

(The complete listing of statements and documents that the USCCB will be releasing during this November meeting can be found at here)