When progress is good.

I remember on 9/11 I was employed as an Account Executive with Careerbuilder.com. In 2001, we still had to convince many companies that online ads were something they needed to use to recruit new employees.  At that time many of the 150 diocesan newspapers did not have websites and the popular blogs and daily checking of Catholic news sites wasn't part of a Catholic's day.

We can see how the use of the Internet by Catholic media has progressed to have networked, though not through a platform, to a real "industry" or to softly say, a community of sites. This is when progress is good.  Not only do we have favorite Catholic news sites to check each day, but the sites alert us to their new news postings through email sends. We have the opportunity to read and know and take to heart the exhortations and reflections of our bishops and the Magisterium very easily.  In their pastoral role they lift us on Church memorials and feasts and with the upcoming ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and our nation, our bishops help us cope with the memorials of profane history in this earthly city.

Zenit news has posted 9/11 reflections by Archbishop Dolan. These reflections matter.  They matter to us as a community of believers because of our coming together via the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we are united in heart when tragedies are remembered. Most important, as part of the community of saints our prayers build up the Church militant. Let us remember the communion among believers that would not exist without the Eucharist. We thank the Lord for the Church whom in her pastoral care establishes law to claim Sundays as a time to worship as one.

Here is the text of Archbishop Dolan's reflections:

Archbishop Dolan: Let 9/11 Legacy Be One of Hope
Says 10-Year Anniversary a Time to Remember, Go ForwardWASHINGTON, D.C., SEPT. 8, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took place in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, is a moment to not only remember, but also to go forward, says the president of the U.S. bishops' conference.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York wrote this in a statement released days ahead of the anniversary that marks a decade since four hijacked planes crashed in New York, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In total, some 3,000 died as a result of the attacks, including 19 hijackers.

"We reverently recall those who were most directly affected by this tragedy -- those who died, were injured or lost loved ones," Archbishop Dolan wrote. "In a special way we recall the selfless first responders -- firefighters, police, chaplains, emergency workers, and other brave persons -- who risked, and many times lost, their lives in their courageous efforts to save others."

It is estimated that more than 400 first responders, including 343 members of the New York City Fire Department, died in New York on 9/11. Most died when the north and south towers collapsed.

The archbishop said that it's important to not only to remember the attacks, but also the response: "We turned to prayer, and then turned to one another to offer help and support. Hands were folded in prayer and opened in service to those who had lost so much."

Going forward, Archbishop Dolan said that as a country "we remain resolved to reject extreme ideologies that perversely misuse religion to justify indefensible attacks on innocent civilians."

"This tenth anniversary of 9/11 can be a time of renewal," he added. "Ten years ago we came together across religious, political, social and ethnic lines to stand as one people to heal wounds and defend against terrorism.

"As we face today's challenges of people out of work, families struggling, and the continuing dangers of wars and terrorism, let us summon the 9/11 spirit of unity to confront our challenges. Let us pray that the lasting legacy of 9/11 is not fear, but rather hope for a world renewed."

9/12

In a column published Wednesday on the Web site of Catholic New York, Archbishop Dolan reflected that in addition to what took place on 9/11, there was a lot to be learned from 9/12.

He recounted how the parish priest of St. Peter's, located near Ground Zero, told him: "We New Yorkers don’t just remember the horrors and sorrows of 9/11; we also celebrate 9/12."

"It took me awhile to get the insight of his statement," the archbishop admitted. But then he explained: "New Yorkers were shocked, scared, angry, saddened and shaken by the unforgettable death and destruction of 9/11, true; but, New Yorkers were not paralyzed or defeated!

"They immediately rallied, becoming people of intense faith, prayer, hope, and love, as the rescue, renewal, resilience, rebuilding, and outreach began. And it has not stopped since."

"9/11 could have turned us into petrified, paranoid, vicious animals, and our demented attackers would thus have won," Archbishop Dolan continued, "or, it could bring out what is most noble in the human soul, such as heroic sacrifice, solidarity in service, non-stop rescue efforts, communities bonding, prayer for those perished and families mourning, healing and renewal."

"9/11 did not have the last word," he added. "9/12 did."

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On ZENIT's Web page:

Full text of statement: www.zenit.org/article-33379?l=english