Sweet Tweets for 2/28/14 — On the Essential Nature of the Eucharist and Lenten Resources

Let’s keep Pope Francis in our prayers today in a special way. The Vatican is reporting that he cancelled today’s commitments due to a “minor ailment” and slight fever. Honestly, with the pace our Holy Father keeps, he needs our prayers every day. Here’s hoping that he’s tucked away in bed, getting some good rest!

His illness comes after a tweet this morning that was a wonderful reminder on the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives. In moments when I feel myself going too many different directions, I would do well to remember to spend extra time in silence before the Blessed Sacrament. It is in his true presence that I’ll find the grace I need!

Thank you to John Clem for making this weekly feature possible!

• Papal Tweet: The Eucharist is essential for us: it is Christ who wishes to enter our lives and fill us with his grace. (Pope Francis Feb. 28)
• Of Our Guardian Angel and the Hidden Mercies of God, as seen in a Commercial « Archdiocese of Washington http://ow.ly/tSD5Q 
• Pope Francis creates 19 new cardinals. Calls on them to evangelize with courage (Rome Reports) http://ow.ly/tTi5z 
• Infographic: Current Cardinal Electors by Region (CNS) http://ow.ly/i/4Gs85 
• Cardinals bring ‘voice of poor’ to Vatican :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) http://ow.ly/tUU2x 
• Bishop Pates calls US to join international land mine ban :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) http://ow.ly/tUckk 
• Which One Of Jesus’s Disciples Are You (Buzz Feed) http://ow.ly/tUEjm 
• Loyola Press releases a new series called Arts and Faith celebrating creative expressions of faith http://ow.ly/tW6JV 
• Fr. Robert Barron comments on the new Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati Window in his seminary chapel http://ow.ly/tWdZy 
• Feb. 24th begins Fast for Families Bus Tour: A Call for Immigration Reform & Citizenship http://ow.ly/tWvKk  http://ow.ly/i/4Hj36 
• Please help in letter writing campaign to help end hunger in our nation and abroad http://www.bread.org/ 
• For soccer-loving pope, goalies are great, but Jesus still makes the best saves | CNS Blog http://ow.ly/tWCoq 
• Pope unites Vatican’s finances under new administrative body Secretariat for the Economy under Cardinal George Pell http://ow.ly/tWDfW 
• Financial reform shows crafty political side of pope – (John Allen) – The Boston Globe http://ow.ly/tYtb5 
• Photo: Munchkin Pope spotted! (ANSA) http://ow.ly/i/4HzY8 
• Photo: Pope Francis blessed mini-pope today at The Vatican http://ow.ly/i/4IR4w 
• Pope Francis issues letter to families (Vatican Radio) http://ow.ly/tYtjN 
• Video: Has Science Refuted Aristotelian Causality? (#AskFrBarron) http://youtu.be/Mf79IoG0lE8 
• Inspired by St. Francis, young adults look to emulate his bond with nature | Religion News Service http://ow.ly/tYAYr 
• Video: Resoration of the Basilica of the Nativity (Franciscan Media Center) http://ow.ly/tYMMn 
• Not Science Fiction: FDA Evaluating 3-Parent Embryo Creation | http://CatholicVote.org  http://ow.ly/tZnRO 
• “Secrets of the Vatican” documentary on PBS’s Frontline is sloppy, one-sided on tonight at 10pm EST (CNS) http://ow.ly/tZHny 
• NEW Website: Discerning Hearts « dedicated to those on the discerning journey and spiritual formation http://ow.ly/u0173 
• 101 Catholic Priests You Should Follow on Google+ (Catholic Dating Sites) http://ow.ly/u03xX 
• Video: Wingsuit Fly-by past Christ the Redeemer in Rio http://youtu.be/9Y5MPbZ_B7E 
• Church History: Animals & Saints (MyCatholicSource.com) http://ow.ly/u0evc 
• Russell Crowe Lobbies Pope Francis to See ‘Noah’ – The Hollywood Reporter http://ow.ly/u0f0K 
• NRB :: National Religious Broadcasters and Paramount Pictures Jointly Announce Explanatory Message for ‘Noah’ Movie http://ow.ly/u6b21 
• Video: Rebuilding the Philippines’ Church (CNS) http://youtu.be/SziOz1xi0lM 
• Official web site of the visit of Pope Francis in the Holy Land, 24-26 May 2014 http://ow.ly/u1biH 
• Pope Benedict XVI responds: Ratzinger: “My resignation is valid. Speculations are simply absurd” – Vatican Insider http://ow.ly/u1bJ3 
• Will this World be for You a Tomb, or a Womb? « Archdiocese of Washington http://ow.ly/u1csv 
• The USCCB urges Catholics to stem the tide of Income Inequality (Billy Kangas – Patheos) http://ow.ly/u1m1U 
• CNS STORY: Schools test ‘cyber days’ to keep school ‘open’ during severe weather http://ow.ly/u1VXB 
• Cardinal Muller: Ignorance about marriage is no reason to change doctrine (CNS) http://ow.ly/u2ehX 
• Francis is the boost the Church needs, says 107-year-old nun :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) http://ow.ly/u2jbs 
• Women Youth Apostles’ Fatima Estorninos interviewed by Franciscan Media http://ow.ly/u2EmH 
• Head of Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church describes role of Churches in mass protests (Rome Reports) http://ow.ly/u3Hek 
• Win a copy of NEW Book – Love from Heaven by @lornabyrne #LoveFromHeaven http://ow.ly/u3I17 
• 3D printing lets blind parents hold model of their unborn child | http://LifeSiteNews.com  http://ow.ly/u3Kj9 
• Fr. Robert Barron’s Word On Fire – From ‘Cafeteria Catholicism’ to the Banquet (Brandon Vogt) http://ow.ly/u3XJn 
• Documentary: The Crown of the Aventine – tour of Motherhouse of the Dominican Friars (Blackfriar Films) http://ow.ly/u643n 
• Archdiocese of Los Angeles launches NEW news website The Tidings http://ow.ly/u68He 
• SIGNIS Announces Winners of the SIGNIS Competitions 2013 (Pontifical Council for Social Communications) http://ow.ly/u69Zi 
• NEW App — PeaceQuest | 3-D Path to Fascinating Places of Prayer (iTunes) http://ow.ly/u6hqp 

LENTEN RESOURCES

• Truth & Life Audio Bible App is a FREE Download – try the 40 day challenge http://ow.ly/tWgiw 
• Lenten Activities for Children from http://CatholicMom.com  http://ow.ly/tYQ1k 
• Lentsanity: Fast, Pray, Love. – FOCUS Blog http://ow.ly/u1Tb9 
• Lenten Video Series from Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in DC for Ash Wednesday http://ow.ly/u3VFP 
• Catholic Cuisine: Recipes for Lent ~ From the Archives http://ow.ly/tWuq7 
• The Catholic Foodie’s King Cake Recipe http://ow.ly/u4iHA 
• Alligator approved seafood for Lent? The Alligator and the Archbishop: A Lenten Tail http://ow.ly/u4luG 
• Lenten Care for Creation Calendar (Archdiocese of Washington) http://ow.ly/tZx9p 
• Fast Pray Give Lenten Calendar from Busted Halo http://ow.ly/u2ddx 
• Video: Catholic History of Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Lent & Ash Wednesday (TheMassExplainedApp) http://youtu.be/R9XM0bsjLMw 
• Vatican releases Pope’s liturgical schedule for Lent, Easter :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) http://ow.ly/u5lcI 

John Clem is the Director and Media Minister at Catholic Web Services (http://catholicws.com/). John is currently in formation to join the Secular Franciscan Order, and loves to share his talents in faith, technology, and journalism in service to the church.  John also writes a blog entitled Call To Holiness  (http://www.calltoholiness.us/). Follow John on Twitter at @Catholicwebs, on Facebook and at Google+.