@CatholicHawaii: Love and Lent–Top Catholic Tweets for the Week of 02/13/15

If you’re watching me on social media, you probably already know that I’m in Waikiki this week. As I type this, I’m watching three whales breaching while countless surfers bob nearby on longboards. My “office” this week overlooks the beautiful ocean. I’m getting in a few hours of “work” each day while my husband Greg speaks at a medical conference. Believe me, I’ve felt somewhat guilty posting photos to Facebook while so many of you are digging out of snow drifts!

One odd thing about being in Hawaii is not only the sense of endless vacation in the air, but also the lagging time zone. I was sharing with a media friend this week that I feel perpetually “behind” because of the time zone difference.

But here in Hawaii, the work of the Church is also very obviously in the air. Next door to my hotel, the beautiful parish of St. Augustine by the Sea offers two daily masses and invites visitors to the Damien and Marianne Heritage Center. The Diocese of Hawaii is offering a full calendar of events, and the work of Catholic Charities is on display daily. Domestic Churches here may be filled with flowers and sunshine, but Catholics in Hawaii are very obviously preparing their hearts for a well-lived Lent.

Being here is a blessing in so many ways. Not only did I greatly need some extra time with my beloved after Tanzani, but I also needed to slow my pace a bit. Here, with the sand between my toes and God’s majesty on display everywhere I look, it is easy to feel loved and restored. With so much news that is challenging and hurtful, a restored spirit helps me to trust the Father’s providence in all things.

I’m grateful to my friend John Clem, O.F.S. for this week’s Top Catholic Tweets:

Top Catholic Tweets for 02/13/2015

• Papal Tweet: “Jesus is not a figure from the past: he continues now and always to light the way for us.” (Pope Francis Feb. 8th)
• The Green Popes (Aleteia) ow.ly/IDlxE
• Living on the Edge of the Inside: Simplicity and Justice | American Catholic Blog ow.ly/IG3zx
• Could two new laws suffocate the Catholic Church in DC? (CNA) ow.ly/IG46i
• Vatican presser on sexual-abuse commission. | Commonweal Magazine ow.ly/IGxC4
• Pope Francis prays for victims of human trafficking (Vatican Radio) ow.ly/IGy1X
• I Got Married Today: #NationalMarriageWeek (Lisa Hendey – Patheos) ow.ly/IHTjH
• Awaiting an ecology encyclical, everyone wants Pope Francis’ support :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) ow.ly/II0jg
• Pope Francis makes a surprise visit to shantytown on outskirts of Rome (News.va) ow.ly/IJk2F
• XXIII World Day of the Sick – 2015 – Message from Pope Francis ow.ly/IJlab
• Pope Mass: Protecting Creation a Christian responsibility (News.va) ow.ly/IJr01
• Mystery and Music (Br. Peter Joseph Gautsch, O.P. – Dominicana Blog) ow.ly/IJx1t
• The Powerful Humility of Mothers | CatholicMom.com ow.ly/IJAzR
• Santorums’ new book reveals how faith and love are tested by a daughter’s disability (The Washington Post) ow.ly/IJHEr
• Year of the Consecrated Life: Brian Stacy, OFM Cap.: “The Seminarian” on Vimeo ow.ly/IK5Ip
• Mission launches Hope for the Pope – The Orange County Register ow.ly/IMAwQ
• Statue of Pope Francis’ new saint could be kicked out of US capitol :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) ow.ly/INCe3
• FREE video series from Brandon Vogt to improve your reading skills (Read More Books Now) ow.ly/INGsT
• NEW Podcast: Soundseeing in Molokai, in the Footsteps of Father Damien (Dr. Paul Camarata – The SaintCast) ow.ly/IOx99
• Life of Sr. Dorothy Stang celebrated at her California alma mater (National Catholic Reporter) ow.ly/IPfxV
• The College of Cardinals new balance of power (Rome Reports) ow.ly/IPghT
• Vatican releases comprehensive Homiletic Directory (Catholic Culture) ow.ly/IPDVp
• What Buzz Lightyear Taught Me About Humility (Monsignor Charles Pope – Archdiocese of Washington) ow.ly/IQOD9
• A DC “Secret” Uncovered: The Franciscan Monastery in Brookland (KidFriendly DC) ow.ly/IS78k
• #Giveaway: GOD FIRE, the “Purgatory Lady,” and Her Amazing New Book! (Water into Wine – Lisa Mladinich) ow.ly/IToVy
• Changing the systems that marginalize people (Global Sisters Report – NCR) ow.ly/ITqFe
• Border Bishop Urges Congress To Pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform Instead Of Harsh Enforcement Bills (USCCB) ow.ly/ITyDW
• ISIS Hostage Kayla Mueller Was Killed, Leaves Behind Letter Of FAITH (GodVine) ow.ly/IUISN
• Pope Francis opens Extaordinary Consistory with call to unity (News.va) ow.ly/IWcWM
• Pope Francis opens cardinals’ discussion of Curia reform; new offices explained (CNS) ow.ly/IWXrI
• World’s cardinals talk Vatican reform (CNS)ow.ly/IY7aG
• Remembering Bob Simon (Deacon Greg Kandra – Patheos) ow.ly/IWK6i
• Year of the Consecrated Life:  National Open-House Day Opens Minds and Hearts (NCRegister.com) ow.ly/IWSdp
• Reimagining Catholic education – Notre Dame’s ACE Program (CNS) ow.ly/IXaAS
• US pushing Cuba to improve record on human trafficking, State Dept. says :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) ow.ly/IXvq8
• Music Video: “Because He Lives (Amen)”: The Song Sessions – (Matt Maher) ow.ly/ITzCZ
• NEW Catholic Radio + Podcast: Catholic Moments with Lisa Hendey (Radio Maria) ow.ly/IUjS6
• St. Valentine’s Day – Catholic Greetings from Franciscan Media ow.ly/IXuzy
• My Funny Valentine | CatholicMom.com ow.ly/IYfsv
• Catholic Benefits Association appoints first-ever CEO :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) ow.ly/IZXll
• ‘We’re all one’: Chapel Hill shooting victim’s heartbreaking StoryCorps interview (The Washington Post) ow.ly/IZXMz
• Are wealthy US foundations paying to suppress religious freedom? :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) ow.ly/IZX3z
• U.S. Bishop: immigration reform not harsh enforcement bills (Vatican Radio) ow.ly/IZWlm
• Alligator OK to eat on Lenten Fridays, archbishop clarifies (CNA) ow.ly/IYIKE
• 50 Shades of Marian Blue – LifeTeen.com for Catholic Youth ow.ly/IYkye

Tweets for Lent

• Christopher West | What is Lent? (CRS Ricebowl) ow.ly/II3Q4
• What Should I Do For Lent? Pope Francis’ 10 Tips (FOCUS Blog) ow.ly/IXbPE
• Lent resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ow.ly/IXiie
• Sign-up for FREE Lent Reflections with Fr. Robert Barron (Word On Fire) ow.ly/IGyz4
• Ash Wednesday – February 18th 2015 – Preparations (Holy Land Franciscans) ow.ly/IHyxD
• Enter Lent, Insert Apps: Three Lenten Apps to Consider (Sarah Reinhard – NCRegister.com) ow.ly/IJpqn
• Who Wants to Be One of Our 100 MEGA Giveaway Winners? LentSanity – FOCUS Blog ow.ly/ITaEy
• Ash Wednesday & Lent in Two Minutes (Busted Halo) ow.ly/ITpPm
• Redhook Beer-battered fish at Carl’s, Hardee’s for Lent ow.ly/IXcGL

John Clem, O.F.S is the Director and Media Minister at Catholic Web Services (http://catholicws.com/). John is a professed member of 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+.