January 1, 2006 is World Day of Peace. Pope Benedict XVI’s first World Day of Peace Message can be read at www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm. Click on Message for Peace 2006. In his message, Pope Benedict notes that “The very name Benedict, which I chose on the day of my election to the Chair of Peter, is a sign of my personal commitment to peace. In taking this name, I wanted to evoke both the Patron Saint of Europe, who inspired a civilization of peace on the whole continent, and Pope Benedict XV, who condemned the First World War as a ‘useless slaughter’ and worked for a universal acknowledgment of the lofty demands of peace.”

A long-awaited Vatican document prepared by the congregation for Catholic Education, said the Church cannot ordain men who are active homosexuals, who have “deep-seated” homosexual tendencies or who support the “gay culture.” Those who have overcome “transitory” homosexual tendencies, however, could be ordained, it said. The document was officially released by the Vatican November 29, 2005 after years of preparation. To read further report on the document, visitwww.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0506714.htm

Pope John Paul II to Benedict XVI: An Inside Look at the End of an Era, the Beginning of a New One, and the Future of the Church, a book that recounts the papal transition in April 2005, has been released by Sheed & Ward publishers. The 212-page volume was edited by Sister Mary Ann Walsh, RSM, deputy director for media relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Department of Communications. It includes material produced by the Washington-based Catholic News Service, the world’s leading religion wire service, and photographs by Nancy Wiechec, CNS photo editor. It also includes reminiscences by seven of the papal electors: Cardinal Edward Egan of New York, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, Cardinal Adam Maida of Detroit, Cardinal William H. Keeler of

Baltimore, Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington and Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia.

The book brings last April to life once again as people look back on the great and historic moments of 2005. It is enhanced by graphics which put the election into perspective. Chapters note the mood surrounding the death of John Paul and the election of his successor, the reasons for Benedict’s choices in his coat of arms and an appraisal of the challenges the pope faces at the start of the 21st century. The book is on sale in both the United States and England and is available in bookstores and through the Web, particularly on Amazon.com. List price is $21.95.

The Minnesota State Council Knights of Columbus recently presented Bishop John C. Nienstedt a check in the amount of $6,000 to assist seminarians in the Diocese of New Ulm. The Minnesota Council raised the money through its Pennies for Seminarians' fund. The money will be directed to the New Ulm Diocesan Seminary Aid Fund to be used for tuition and room and board for the New Ulm seminarians. Bishop Nienstedt urges all the faithful of the diocese to “continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.”