Being About Our Father's Business ... Really!

I, for one, am truly impressed! I hope this idea takes off, spreads like wildfire and produces much fruit.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord, henceforth now and forever!!

Pope Benedict XVI begins marathon televised Bible reading.

The Pope has kicked off a week-long Bible-reading marathon intended to deliver the word of God into the homes of Italians.

"If welcomed, this seed will not fail to bring abundant fruits," Pope Benedict XVI said before reciting the first chapter of the Book of Genesis.

The marathon will feature more than 1,200 people reading the Old and New Testament over seven days and six nights.

While the pontiff recorded his segment at the Vatican on Sunday, most of the reading will be performed live in Rome's Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, a basilica built in the fourth century.

The Pope, whose reading was shown on a giant screen in the church, was followed by Bishop Ilarion, a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Rome's chief rabbi, Riccardo di Segni, had originally agreed to take part but withdrew from the event last month, saying it had become "too Catholic".

Famous Italians taking part in the reading include the Oscar-winning actor and director Roberto Benigni, former showgirl and now government minister, Mara Carfagna, and the former prime minister Giulio Andreotti.

Protestants, Jews and Orthodox Christians will also take part in the event, which the state broadcaster RAI television has called "The Bible Day and Night". It will end with the Vatican's second most senior official, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, reading the final chapter of the Apocalypse.

The continuous reading, which is being broadcast live on Italian television, coincides with a worldwide meeting of more than 250 bishops on the contemporary relevance of the Bible.

The British contingent at the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops is led by The Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool, and Bishop David McGough of Birmingham.