May the Peace of Christ be with you.

We all woke this morning to the news that Pope Benedict XVI will be offering his resignation at the end of the month.

He has determined that after prayerful discernment that his “strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.” A conclave will be called and we will soon enough have a new Pope.

Please begin to consider how this might affect your upcoming programs and classes. There is so much to share about the Church and her mission, about the role of the Holy Father and the succession of the Chair of Peter, and about how we, as individuals and as Church, prayerfully discern towards our future. Let us not allow this moment to pass!

Know that in upcoming days we will be providing you resources towards these efforts as well as calling your attention to resources being made available from other partners in ministry. Please join us and all the Church in prayers for Benedict and his successor, for Baltimore’s Cardinal O’Brien who will enter into the conclave that he might respond fully to the will of the Spirit, and for our Church as we continue to advance through our third millennium.

We will be posting up resources as we find them:

NEW: Prayer for the Church in anticipation of the Vacancy of the See of St. Peter
NEW: USCCB Resources for Liturgy

> Catholic News Service: Understanding the Papal Transition 
> RomeReports Video: Who’s in charge when a Pope leaves his post?
> Aggie Catholic: FAQ on Pope Benedict’s resignation
> Busted Halo Video: How Do They Choose a Pope?
NEW: Terms for Catechetical Reference in Regards to Papal Succession

NEW: Diocese of Wilmington, DE resources 
NEW: Washington DC Resources (includes multiple Lesson Plans)
NEW: Life Teen and Edge Nights

NEW: Pope Benedict Speaks to Young People
> LifeTeen’s Mark Hart: Why Do We Need a Pope?
> LifeTeen’s Randy Raus: The Pope’s Fearless Decision
> Busted Halo’s Dr. Tom Gibbons: A Brave Decision

> Baltimore’s Archbishop Lori
   > reflects on Pope Benedict’s legacy
   > requests prayers for both Pope Benedict and his successor.
> Cardinal O’Brien (formerly of Baltimore) was in the room when the Pope announced his resignation. His views.

NEW: On The Feast of the Chair of Peter
   > St. Mary’s Press
   > American Catholic

Here’s some updates offered in a fun, relaxed manner:
> The Colbert Report – Fr. James Martin
> Best Youth Ministry Podcast… Ever Episode #38: Pope Resigns – Ideas for Your Youth Ministry (Fun, Relaxed Background for Youth Ministers) Diocese of San Jose

> Life Teen and Edge Nights
> LifeTeen’s Mark Hart: Why Do We Need a Pope?
> Pope Benedict Speaks to Young People
> LifeTeen’s Randy Raus: The Pope’s Fearless Decision

> Busted Halo’s Dr. Tom Gibbons: A Brave Decision

> Baltimore’s Archbishop Lori
> reflects on Pope Benedict’s legacy
> requests prayers for both Pope Benedict and his successor.
> Cardinal O’Brien (formerly of Baltimore) was in the room when the Pope announced his resignation.His views.