Humble Pope Appeals For Peace In Annual Address

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis made an impassioned New Year's peace address on Wednesday, saying the heart of humanity seemed to have gone astray and too many people were still indifferent to war, violence and injustice.

The pontiff, who took his papal name from St Francis of Assisi, the saint most associated with peace, urged the world to listen to the "cry for peace" from suffering peoples.

"What on earth is happening in the hearts of men? What on earth is happening in the heart of humanity?" he said to tens of thousands of people in St Peter's Square on the day the Roman Catholic Church celebrates its World Day of Peace.

"It's time to stop!" he said, departing from his prepared text.

Francis was speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square that popes traditionally use for their addresses.

Pope asks for reflection over past year Play video

Unlike his predecessors, Francis has not used the spacious apartment behind the window since his election in March, shunning pomp and preferring instead to live in small quarters in a Vatican guest house.

"Everyone must be committed to building a society that is truly just and caring," he told the crowd on Wednesday, acknowledging the many peace banners and blue balloons held aloft.

In a message for the World Day of Peace sent to world leaders last month, Francis said that huge salaries and bonuses were symptoms of an economy based on greed and inequality

In that letter, the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina again urged nations to narrow the gap between rich and poor, more and more of whom were getting only "crumbs".

Francis, named Person of the Year by Time magazine and a number of other publications, has urged his own Church to set an example by being more fair and frugal and less pompous, and to get closer to the poor and afflicted.

The new year is expected to bring concrete changes to the Vatican, plagued by a series of mishaps and scandals under Pope Benedict XVI, who in February became the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.

Francis has appointed a committee of eight cardinals from around the world to advise him on how to reform the central Vatican administration.

He has also named commissions to advise him on what to do with the scandal-plagued Vatican bank, on transparency in other parts of Vatican finance and on how to deal with the Church's many sexual abuse scandals.

Vatican officials expect changes to start taking shape in late February, when his council of advisors has a pivotal meeting in the Vatican.

On February 22, Francis will name his first batch of cardinals to join the exclusive group that will one day choose his successor.

The names of the new cardinals are expected to be disclosed sometime in late January, and will offer another indication of the type of humbler Church that Francis wants.

(Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

2014 Goals

It's the first year of what I'd call "Phase 3" of my life. Phase 1 were my school years, Phase 2 were my working years. Phase 3 is for what? Adventure? Play? Rebirth? It will be whatever God and I make of it. Here are my first steps. I may modify them as the year goes on:

Exercise/Stretch 5+ Days a Week, Body Fat 12%

Health first! I've kept this one for several years, though I have to figure out a way to measure the body fat. This year I'm adding "stretching" to it for the first time since flexibility is more important with each passing year.

Healthy Elbow, Eyes, Teeth

This is sort of a sub-goal of the previous one, but foundational enough to justify the separation. I've accumulated some aches in the last year that have slowed me down.

Tutor 300 Hours

This ought to fund some extra fun and keep my creative ambition exercised. I'd like to increase my daytime hours (i.e. college) and possibly decrease my evening hours so that I can explore more activities, maybe get back into the theater. I'd like to partner up with other tutors if possible.

Blog Thanks Weekly

Journaling continues to help keep my mind and peace healthy by practicing gratefulness and optimism.

Make 10 New Acquaintances

This goal is part social health, part adventure. New acquaintances keep life fresh and exciting, as well as teaching me lessons.

Clean House

This is a catch-all for a few things. Our basement wall needs a good scrubbing. A major project to repair driveway/carports will improve our property greatly. My wardrobe and files need an overhaul. A cleaner home is a launching pad for the fresh start that is 2014.

Happy New Year Hidden Bloggers! Thanks to God for the gift of another year and a future of wonderful possibility.

2013: The Year In Review

What an eventful year! I'm in a new job, with a new car, a new basketball team and new cat. And back with an old friend, Leadership McLean County.

It's a favorite time of year for goal-oriented types. First, to take a look back at what was planned. Later, to plan for next year.

The review will go in ascending order of finish.

Watch NCHS Game Film 


The most disappointing discovery for me is that, after five years of trying, my talent and passion for coaching basketball is only average. I'd hoped that adding this to the resolutions list would give me a push, like playing summer hoops did to turn my playing career around 25 years ago. Instead, it wound up as a confirmation that a change is probably in order in the new year.

Spend All Gift Cards

This one I did pretty well at, and actually still have a day to spend my last card at Best Buy. I've dined at several places this year courtesy of generous students.

Expenses At 2012 Level

The purchase of a cat and increasing donations to missionaries skews things some, but thanks to the likes of Sam's Club, shifting from cable to Netflix, and so on we've kept our routine expenses on track. Medical and business expenses are up, but fortunately so is business income.

Top 10 List Of New Acquaintances

The Spelling Bee theater experience introduced me to several people, tutoring led to a bunch more, and we participated in a Bible study to meet others. This goal will definitely stay aboard in 2013.

Blog Thanks Weekly, Dream Daily

My retirement dream came true; the tutoring business took off; there's been a lot to celebrate this year. I blogged thanks regularly, and with my next post I'll have completed another full year of 50 monthly blog posts. And in fact, the next post will start a fresh year of new dreams to chase.

Exercise 5+ Days Weekly, 12% Body Fat

I hit this one solidly again, despite a handful of persistent new aches and pains which will be a focus for 2014. I made it to the gym six days almost every week. I don't have an easy way to measure body fat right now, and I will have to find a way, but my weight's at 160 so not too much extra fat could have accumulated.

Tutor 150 Hours

This was a slam dunk, with an assist from the State Farm departure. I actually had 150 hours, or 10 a week on average, in the fall semester alone even if you ignore the 8 weekly hours at Heartland. My long-range goal was 10 hours a week - it got here fast and has fueled exciting revenue possibilities for next year.

Thanks #23: Blogger

This site's been an outlet for over six years and 4,000 posts to keep the writer and optimist in me sharp. Fifty monthly exercises in what's good in the world is a welcome tonic against the endless sources of counterexamples all around. Blogger's not only been an adapting, easy-to-use source for my pollyannish brand of internet journalism, but also a window through which tens of thousands of people have (hopefully) been able to connect with a little more light in their days.

Thanks #22: Fantasy Sports

Ryan introduced me to fantasy baseball 15 or so years ago. I won the first league I played in, and in the years since have become what I never was in high school: a three-sport athlete, and a winning one at that. It blends competitive instinct with intense analysis for those who are into that sort of thing. It keeps me informed about even the least useful players in baseball, basketball and football. And in the many examples of championships, serves as validation.

Thanks #21: State Farm

The company that inspired me to make my first car purchase a red one, and funded my financial future, is undoubtedly a source of great thanks for my family. The State Farm career was a great place to learn about leadership and service through trial, error and observation. It was also where I reunited with the man who would eventually introduce me to my wife. Plus, they insure my condominium and auto at affordable rates!

Thanks #20: Christmas

It's the time of year where some radio stations play Christmas songs, perfect for playing with harmonies, for a solid month. The time when families are united from coast to coast (in Jack and Kate's case, literally). As a teacher, it's a two-week break from work. And for certain new family members, it brings fabulous new places to hide and be indescribably cute.