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Thursday, August 6, 2009

CATHOLIC NEWS WORLD : FRI AUG 7, 2009

Catholic News World: Aug. 7:headlines *Pope asks Argentinians to contribute to the poor *Pope to visit CZECH REPUBLIC SEPT. 26-28 *Europe: Cardinal points to St. John Vianney as example for Priests *Africa: Madagascar: Scarce access to food *Asia: Vietnam: Government blocks Catholic News Sites *America: Researcher reports on tila of GUADELUPE *Australia: New Play on MARY MACKILLOP *Feature: Year of the Priest: FR. KIERAN'S STORY POPE ASKS ARGENTINIANS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE POOR Aug. 7: The Pope called on Argentinians to contribute to the
40th edition of the Sept 13 collection to raise funds for society's poorest. The Pope hopes reduce the scandal of poverty and inequality thus fulfilling the Gospel requirements to build a more just & fraternal society possible for all. The Pope expresses his profound gratitude for all those who contribute to the success of this campaign.
Last Sunday the Pope recalled the word's of today's Saint Cajetan: "It is not with sentimental love but rather with loving actions that souls are purified. "
POPE TO VISIT CZECH REPUBLIC SEPT. 26-28
(Schedule: from vatican.va)
Prague Welcoming Ceremony at Stará Ruzyně International Airport of Prague Address of the Holy Father Visit to the "Infant Jesus of Prague" at the Church of Our Lady Victorious Greeting of the Holy Father Courtesy visit to the President of the Republic in the Presidential Palace of Prague Meeting with the Civil and Political Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps in the Presidential Palace of Prague. Address of the Holy Father Celebration of Vespers with Priests, Men and Women Religious, Seminarians and Lay Movements gathered in the Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert Address of the Holy Father Sunday, 27 September 2009 Departure by plane from Stará Ruzyně International Airport of Prague for Brno Brno Arrival at Tuřany Airport in Brno Holy Mass at Tuřany Airport in Brno Homily of the Holy Father Angelus Domini at Tuřany Airport in Brno Address of the Holy Father Departure by plane from Tuřany Airport of Brno for Prague Prague Arrival at Stará Ruzynědo International Airport of Prague. Ecumenical Meeting at the Throne Hall of the Archbishop's House of Prague Address of the Holy Father Meeting with members of the academic community at Vladislav Hall in the Prague Castle Address of the Holy Father Monday, 28 September 2009 Stará Boleslav Visit at the Church of Saint Wenceslaus in Stará Boleslav Holy Mass on the liturgical memorial of Saint Wenceslaus, Patron of the Czech Republic at the Esplanade on the Way to Melnik in Stará Boleslav. Homily of the Holy Father Message to the young people at the Esplanade on the Way to Melnik in Stará Boleslav Address of the Holy Father Prague Luncheon with the Bishops of the Czech Republic and the Papal Entourage at the Archbishop's House of Prague Farewell from the Apostolic Nunciature of Prague Farewell Ceremony at Stará Ruzyně International Airport of Prague Address of the Holy Father Departure by plane from Stará Ruzyně International Airport of Prague for Rome (SOURCE: http://www.vatican.va/)
EUROPE
CARDINAL POINTS TO ST. VIANNEY AS EXAMPLE FOR PRIESTS
CNA reports that the prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes celebrated Mass in Ars, France today to mark the feast of St. Jean Marie Vianney. In his homily, he said that by celebrating the Year for Priests on the 150th anniversary of the saint’s death, Pope Benedict XVI hopes the spirit that pervades this jubilee year will be one of sanctification. At the Shrine dedicated to the Cure d’Ars, with Bishop Guy Marie Bagnard and numerous priests concelebrating, Cardinal Hummes underscored that the Church “desires to say to priests that she thanks God for them, she admires them and loves them, she wants to sustain them with her prayers, she accompanies them in their journey of fidelity, she recognizes them, she wants to concretely help them and collaborate with them in their pastoral work.” After noting that the priests of the world have a date with the Holy Father June 9-10, 2010 at the International Congress in Rome, Cardinal Hummes underscored the example of the Cure d’Ars, whose life was “rich with teachings.” “He was a model priest because of his life of faith and constant prayer, because of his profound and solid spirituality, his penitence, his humility and poverty, his manner of placing the celebration of the Mass at the center of parish life, his untiring and marvelous ministry of the sacrament of Confession, his ministry of the Word of God for preaching and catechesis, his love for the poor, his pastoral charity which led him to an encounter with each parishioner to lead him or her towards conversion and salvation.” St. Jean Marie Vianney, the cardinal added, “did not want to lose anybody and did not want to rest without first seeing everyone in church, assiduously and frequently receiving the sacraments.” “Thus we priests,” he continued, “for the mere sake of our ordination, are all consecrated to participating in the universal mission of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It is our priestly and missionary essence. With the task of adapting ourselves to the specific needs of our age, we are ‘sent’ to proclaim the Good News to all men, in particular, as did the Cure d’Ars, to the baptized that have strayed from the light of the faith, beginning with those who are poorest.” After pointing out that priests cannot limit themselves to their parish but must go out in search of the faithful, Cardinal Hummes underscored the importance of assisting them in the sacrament of Confession because “still today, certainly, our contemporaries seek forgiveness, interior peace, reconciliation with God and neighbor, but frequently they do not find the person to show them the way or who understands them in their confusion. This is truly an essential ministry of every priest,” he said. At the conclusion of his homily, Cardinal Hummes invited those present “to make of their families true domestic churches, ardent lights of faith and love, where they pray together. Do not be afraid if the Lord chooses one of your sons to be a priest. Strive instead to pray to the Lord for the grace of a priestly vocation in your family.” (Edited from: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16754
AFRICA:
MADAGASCAR: SCARCE ACCESS TO FOOD AllAfrica reports that access to food for the people of Madagascar remains unreliable because of the impact of natural disasters, which routinely strike the island State, and continuing political tensions, a United Nations report warned today. The joint Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) mission tasked with assessing crop and food security in Madagascar underscored the effect a run of cyclones on the east coast in 2008-2009 and several years of drought in the south has had on the country's crops. In addition, the political crisis - involving the resignation of President Marc Ravalomanana in early March, amid a dispute with the mayor of the capital, Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, who now leads the country - combined with the global economic recession has had repercussions for public finances, exports, tourism, unemployment and the national currency, and a knock-on effect on the agricultural sector, according to the FAO-WFP report. The drought devastated the south, home to some of the country's poorest communities, has caused national maize, sweet potato and cassava production to slump. Commercial interests are likely to "wait-and-see" how market prices react to Government imports, which could lead to delays or breakdowns in stocks, causing a price explosion during the lean season - beginning in September-October - reminiscent of the timing of events that led to the 2004-2005 food crisis. (Edited from: http://allafrica.com/stories/200908070010.html
ASIA
VIETNAM GOVERNMENT BLOCKS CATHOLIC NEWS SITES
CNA reports that following international news coverage of its violent reactions to Catholic protests, the Vietnamese government is again censoring Catholic web sites.The VietCatholic News site has long been blocked by the government. Now the censorship has extended to sites like Catholic News Agency, Catholic Online, Asia News, Catholic World News and Independent Catholic News, Sr. Emily Nguyen, who lives in Vietnam, tells CNA. Previously, the government had blocked CNA for several months beginning in September 2008. The government has also monitored CNA’s reports on the protests in which Catholics are seeking the return of confiscated church properties. Vietnam strictly regulates internet access, using both legal and technological means. The government claims its efforts protect the country from obscene or sexually explicitly content. However, according to Sr. Emily, “in reality most of the filtered sites contain politically or religiously sensitive materials that have been observed as undermining the Communist Party's hold on power while porn sites can be accessed unrestrictedly.” Reporters without Borders considers Vietnam to be one of 15 “internet enemies,” while Amnesty International has reported many instances of internet activists being arrested for their online activities. The collaborative academic project OpenNet Initiative, which investigates internet filtering practices, has classified Vietnam’s online political censorship as “pervasive.” Its research has found that Vietnam’s blocking efforts focus on overseas and independent media, sites with content about overseas political opposition, human rights topics and religious topics. Proxies and other tools to circumvent the filtering, which are illegal to use in Vietnam, are also frequently blocked.The majority of blocked web sites were initially specific to Vietnam and were written in Vietnamese or dealt with issues related to the country. Sites not specifically related to Vietnam or sites only written in English were rarely blocked. Recently, however, popular Catholic English-language sites have been blacklisted, joining groups such as Human Rights Watch, Writers Without Borders, Amnesty International and other human rights groups. On July 21, Asia News broke the story about persecutions of Catholics throughout the country, centering on the parishioners of Tam Toa church in the province of Quang Binh. Catholics tried to erect a makeshift tent for worship services on the property of a church mostly destroyed in a Vietnam War U.S. air raid. The property had since been confiscated by the government for use as a war memorial. Police attacked the parishioners, leaving hundreds injured and dozens arrested. About 500,000 Catholics across the country began their own protests in response. Many lay faithful and clergy were harassed and beaten in retaliation. One priest visiting his injured fellow clergyman was thrown from a second story hospital window by a government-backed gang. His severe injuries left him comatose. The Vietnamese government is the exclusive owner of a network of more than 600 media outlets, which work under the strict supervision of the ruling communist party. “Since Vietnam has not been used to adverse news coming from a foreign, popular source they are apparently not happy with reports on an ongoing situation of abuse and persecution of Catholics,” Sr. Emily Nguyen remarked. “Action they took to make sure the Vietnamese public is shielded from the news is extreme, though not unexpected, for those who have to live under dictatorial, communist regimes such as China or Vietnam.”
AMERICA
RESEARCHER REPORTS ON TILMA OF GUADELUPE
CNA reports that researcher and physicist Dr. Aldofo Orozco told participants at the International Marian Congress on Our Lady of Guadalupe that there is no scientific explanation for the 478 years of high quality-preservation of the Tilma or for the miracles that have occurred to ensure its preservation. Dr. Orozco began his talk by confirming that the conservation of the Tilma, the cloak of St. Juan Diego on which Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared 478 years ago, “is completely beyond any scientific explanation.” “All the cloths similar to the Tilma that have been placed in the salty and humid environment around the Basilica have lasted no more than ten years,” he explained. One painting of the miraculous image, created in 1789, was on display in a church near the basilica where the Tilma was placed. “This painting was made with the best techniques of its time, the copy was beautiful and made with a fabric very similar to that of the Tilma. Also, the image was protected with a glass since it was first placed there.” However, eight years later, the copy of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was thrown away because the colors were fading and threads were breaking. In contrast, Orozco said, “the original Tilma was exposed for approximately 116 years without any kind of protection, receiving all the infrared and ultraviolet radiation from the tens of thousands of candles near it and exposed to the humid and salty air around the temple.” Dr. Orozco then discussed the Tilma’s fabric. He noted that “one of the most bizarre characteristics of the cloth is that the back side is rough and coarse, but the front side is ‘as soft as the most pure silk, as noted by painters and scientists in 1666, and confirmed one century later in 1751 by the Mexican painter, Miguel Cabrera.” Following an analysis of some of the fibers in 1946, it was concluded that the fibers came from the Agave plant, however, noted Dr. Orozco, the researchers couldn’t figure out which of the 175 Agave species the Tilma was made from. Years later, in 1975, “the famous Mexican researcher Ernesto Sodi Pallares said that the species of the agave was Agave popotule Zacc,” Orozco explained, “but we don’t know how he reached this conclusion.” Before concluding his presentation, Dr. Orozco made mention of two miracles associated with the Tilma. The first occurred in 1785 when a worker accidentally spilled a 50 percent nitric acid solvent on the right side of the cloth. “Besides any natural explanation, the acid has not destroyed the fabric of the cloth, indeed it has not even destroyed the colored parts of the image,” Orozco said. The second miracle was the explosion of a bomb near the Tilma in 1921. Dr. Orozco recalled that the explosion broke the marble floor and widows 150 meters from the explosion, but “unexpectedly, neither the Tilma nor the normal glass that protected the Tilma was damaged or broken.” The only damage near it was a brass crucifix that was twisted by the blast. He continued, “There are no explanations why the shockwave that broke windows 150 meters afar did not destroy the normal glass that protected the image. Some people said that the Son by means of the brass crucifix protected the image of His Mother. The real fact is that we don’t have a natural explanation for this event.” Dr. Orozco thanked the audience for listening to his presentation and closed by reassuring them that “Our Lady visited Mexico 478 years ago, but she remains there to give Her Love, Her Mercy and Her Care to anyone who needs it, and to bring Her Son, Jesus Christ to everyone who receives Him.” (Edited from: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16789
AUSTRALIA
NEW PLAY ON MARY MACKILLOP
CathNews Australia on the centenary of her death, Mary MacKillop, in line to be Australia's first Catholic Saint, is the subject of a new play touring Australia. At the Centre of Light is written and directed by Rosemary Johns who explains the fascination with Mary beyond the Catholic community. This edition of The Spirit of Things also focuses on the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Baha'is in Australia. The group are focusing their attention on the daughter of their prophet Bahaullah. Bahiyyih Khanum, known as "the Supreme Leaf" became the functioning head of the movement in her mid-40s and Janet Khan, of the Bahai World Centre in Haifa, Israel, has written her biography. (Edited from: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=15639
FEATURE: YEAR OF THE PRIEST: FR. KIERAN'S STORY
Father Kieran Kilcommons was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He was born in May, 1960 to Mike & Noreen Kilcommons. His father was from Ireland and his mother from Nova Scotia, Canada. He has 5 brothers and 2 sisters. He has worked at carpentry, ranching, and surveying. He studied Philosophy for 4 years, obtaining a BA in Philosophy. He also obtained a Masters of Divinity. He was ordained 4 years ago. Before entering the priesthood he lived & worked at Madonna House (lay apostolate) in Combermere, Ontario, Canada.
Father's favorite saying: "Here have I chosen to live". He counsels men considering the priesthood with these words: "Being a priest means being a man with strength, creativity. It is an exciting adventure."


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TODAY'S SAINT St. Cajetan FOUNDER Feast Day: August 7 Born: October 1, 1480, Vicenza, Veneto, Republic of Venice (now Italy) Died: August 7, 1547, Naples, Campania, Kingdom of Naples Canonized: April 12, 1671, Rome by Pope Clement X Patron of: workers; gamblers; job seekers; unemployed people Founder of the Theatines, born October, 1480 at Vicenza in Venetian territory; died at Naples in 1547. He became a doctor utriusque juris at Padua in his twenty-fourth year. He became a priest in 1516. He founded the Theatines. http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/C/stcajetan.asp
SAINTLY QUOTE
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my whole will, all I have and all I possess. You gave it all to me; to you, Lord, I return it. It is all yours: do with me entirely as you will. Give me your love and your grace: this is enough for me. ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA
TODAY'S GOSPEL
Matthew 16: 24 - 28 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."

CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: THURS. AUG. 6, 2009










CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: AUG. 6, 2009:HEADLINES
*APPOINTMENT OF THE BISHOP OF HINCHE (HAÏTI)
*TURKISH GOV. REFUSES POPE;KEEPS CHURCH AS A MUSEUM

*EUROPE: 200FT HIGH SOLAR ENERGY-PRODUCING STATUE OF P.PIO TO BE BUILT
*AFRICA: 4,000 PRISONERS SAVED FROM DEATH PENALTY
*ASIA: REMEMBRANCE OF PHILIPINE'S CATHOLIC PRESIDENT
*AMERICA: FAMILY OF THE YEAR AWARD

*AUSTRALIA : JEHOVAH WITNESS GRANTED RIGHT TO REFUSE TREATMENT


APPOINTMENT OF THE BISHOP OF HINCHE (HAÏTI)

(Exact text from Vatican website)
Pope Benedict XVI accepted the surrender of the pastoral Government of the Diocese of Jérémie (Haiti), presented by h.e. Mons. Joseph Willy Romélus, in accordance with the can. 401 § 1 of the code of Canon law.The Pope has appointed Bishop of Jérémie (Haiti) the Rev.do p. Gontran Décoste, S.I., Professor and Director spiritual in the major Seminary "‘ Notre-Dame d Haiti" to Port-au-Prince.Rev.do p. Gontran Décoste, S.I.The Rev.do p. Gontran Décoste, S.I., was born on 24 April 1957 Saint Jean du Sud, in the Diocese of Les Cay. You have completed secondary education at the minor seminary Mazenod and then at the Collège Saint Jean Les Cay. In 1978 became the major Seminary "‘ Notre-Dame d Haiti" in Port-au-Prince, where followed philosophical and theological courses. He was ordained a priest on 1 July 1984 for the Diocese of Les Cay.In 1998 came into the society of Jesus and has the novitiate in Montréal (Canada). He obtained a master of Science in Pastoral Counselling at Loyola College, in Maryland (USA) and has finished his training to the novitiate of the Jesuits in Haiti and Lyon (France).After his ordination priestly, from 1984 to 1989, the following posts held: the hospital chaplain Immaculée Conception of Les Cay, Professor of Littérature haïtienne Collège Saint Jean of Les Cay, Chaplain of the Salesian Sisters to Les Cay community and Director of the Diocesan Radio "Men Kontre".From 1989 to 1993 has achieved the PhD in theology spiritual at the Pontifical University Angelicum in Rome. From 1993 to 1998, indented in Haiti, spiritual director in the major Seminary was "‘ Notre-Dame d Haiti" in Port-au-Prince, Professor of theology spiritual in the same seminar and Secretary of the Episcopal Conference.‘ 2005 Is Professor of theology spiritual at the seminar Maggiore Notre-Dame d ' Haiti, at the inter-Instituts de Formation Religieuse Centre and at the Office de Catéchèse of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince.[01190-01.01] (Internet translation from: http://www.vatican.va/)





The Pope has appointed the Bishop of Hinche (Haiti) h.e. Mons. Simon Pierre Saint-Hillien, C.S.C., Bishop hitherto holder of Lamdia and auxiliary Port au Prince.H.e. Mons. Simon Pierre Saint-Hillien, C.S.C.H.e. Mons. Simon Pierre Saint-Hillien, C.S.C., was born on 6 July 1951 to Les Gonaïves, in the homonymous diocese. After the primary studies carried out at the brothers of Christian education to Les Gonaïves and studies minor at the Lyceum Fabre Geffrard and Saint-the "Petit Séminaire Collège martial" at Les Gonaïves, philosophical and theological courses attended at seminar Maggiore "‘ Notre-Dame d Haiti" in Port-au-Prince, and got the baccalaureat in each of the two disciplines. Studied Ethnology to Haiti and letters State University with specialization in history from the Catholic Institute in Paris, conseguendovi license.He delivered his first religious profession in the Congregation of Holy Cross on 8 September 1976 and the perpetual 5 October 1980. He was ordained a priest on 28 December 1980.He then covered the following posts: teacher College Notre Dame of Cap-Haïtien and head of pastoral care of young people (1980-1982); Director of the Postulantato of his congregation to Cap-Haïtien (1984-1985); Director of the Scolasticato in Port-au-Prince (1985-1990); superior of the Congregation of the Santa Croce (1988-1993); Haitian district Secretary of the Episcopal Conference (1994-2002). Since 1996 has also been National Director of the Pontifical Mission societies and head of pastoral care of young people of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince.Elected Bishop of Lamdia and appointed Auxiliary of Port-au-Prince on 10 December 2002, has been devoted 22 next February.[01191-01.01]




(Exact text & Internet translation from: http://www.vatican.va/)






TURKISH GOVERNMENT REFUSES POPE & KEEPS CHURCH AS A MUSEUM




AmericanCatholic reports that the Turkish government has decided that the only church in Tarsus, the city of St. Paul's birth, will remain a government museum.The Church of St. Paul, built as a Catholic church in the 1800s and confiscated by the government in 1943, was used throughout the 2008-2009 year of St. Paul for prayer services by Christian pilgrims.After the end of the yearlong celebration commemorating the 2,000th anniversary of St. Paul's birth, the Turkish government decided the building could not be used exclusively for worship.Bishop Luigi Padovese, the apostolic vicar for Anatolia and president of the Catholic bishops' conference of Turkey, told the Vatican newspaper Aug. 1 that the government decided to return to the practice of allowing Christians to pray in the church as long as they made reservations three days in advance and bought an admission ticket. Meeting the Turkish bishops in February during their "ad limina" visits to Rome to report on the status of their dioceses, Pope Benedict had expressed his hopes that the government would give Christians permanent use of the building for prayer.Bishop Padovese told L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, that in addition to asking Christians to pay to enter the church, Turkish authorities have placed a time limit on Masses and other prayer services so they do not disrupt the normal operation of the museum."It is a lack of respect for the right to religious freedom and freedom to worship," the bishop said. (Edited from: http://www.americancatholic.org/news/report.aspx?id=1460

EUROPE:
200FT HIGH SOLAR ENERGY-PRODUCING STATUE OF P.PIO TO BE BUILT



Italy is planning to build a 200ft high, solar energy-producing statue of Saint Padre Pio. It will cost several million pounds, with the money to be raised from his followers around the world. The statue will be coated in a special photovoltaic paint which will enable it to trap the sun's heat and produce solar energy, making it an "ecological" religious icon, according to the Ansa news agency.
The planning and construction of the project, near the town of San Giovanni Rotondo in the southern province of Puglia, will be put out to international tender in the next few weeks.
Padre Pio, whose real name was Francesco Forgione, was born into a poverty-stricken family in 1887 and died in 1968. He entered the Church as a teenager and became a Capuchin monk.
His followers believe that he performed many miracles during his lifetime and that his body bore stigmata – marks corresponding to Christ's Crucifixion wounds. (Edited from:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/5978928/Italy-to-build-solar-energy-producing-statue-of-saint.html


AFRICA
KENYA: 4,000 PRISONERS SAVED FROM DEATH PENALTY

CISA reports that the Catholic Church here has welcomed President Mwai Kibaki’s decision to save some 4,000 prisoners from the hangman by reducing their death sentences to life imprisonment.But at the same time the church called for total abolition of the death penalty, saying it did not a deter crime and that any criminal could be reformed.In Kenya, persons convicted of murder, illegal possession of dangerous weapons, robbery with violence and treason could be sentenced to death by hanging. Although the death penalty is still handed to convicts by the courts, no one has been hanged in the past 22 years.President Kibaki announced on Monday that he had commuted all death sentences imposed on convicted prisoners to life imprisonment. However, he clarified that the decision does not suggest the abolition of death penalty.Reacting to the news, the head of the Catholic Prisons Chaplaincy, Fr Peter Kimani, said, “I welcome this move because there are many inmates who are innocent who could have suffered death.”Fr Kimani said that the death sentence is not a solution to crime and that it should be abolished because there is nobody who could not reform.President Kibaki said his decision to save the 4,000 convicts from the hangman was necessitated the fact that extended stay on death row causes undue mental anguish and suffering, psychological trauma, anxiety while it may as well constitute inhuman treatment.Kibaki also directed all relevant Government Ministries and Departments to conduct empirical studies urgently to determine whether the continued existence of the death penalty in the laws of the land has any value or impact in the fight against crime. (Edited from: http://www.cisanewsafrica.org/story.asp?ID=4057)




ASIA
REMEMBRANCE OF PHILIPINE'S CATHOLIC PRESIDENT




UCAN reported on the funeral of President Aquino. "Take care of each other," Corazon Aquino had said to her family members as she lay dying in hospital. But for her daughter, Kris Aquino-Yap, "those words were not meant just for our family." (pictured placing cross on coffin)
Aquino-Yap was delivering her family's message to over 2,000 people who attended the former president's funeral on Aug. 5 in Manila Cathedral.
In her speech, the tearful woman spoke about her mother's work after her presidency and highlighted the foundation Aquino set up which finances vocational projects for poor women and scholarships for young people.According to Jesuit Father Catalino Arevalo, Aquino’s spiritual director, it was precisely this concern for the country and its people that inspired Aquino to run against dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 election.
In his homily for the two-hour Mass, the theologian said the former president offered herself completely to God, to her country and its people, and to her family.
Following the assassination of her husband, opposition Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. in 1983, she ran against Marcos in a disputed election which spurred the "people power revolution" that swept her to office. She served as president until 1992.
Outside the cathedral, thousands more mourners stood in the rain-drenched grounds on what was a national holiday declared by the government in honor of Aquino.
She was to be buried there next to her husband.
Even Aquino's personal bodyguard, speaking during eulogies on the eve of the funeral, remembered how she would offer him a bowl of hot noodles that she had cooked herself at the end of a long day.
Aquino "made ordinary people feel special," said business leader Ramon del Rosario, Jr. at the same gathering.

(Edited & with picture from: http://www.ucanews.com/2009/08/05/aquinos-service-to-country-remembered/


AMERICA
FAMILY OF THE YEAR AWARD

CNA reports that the Vetter family of Torrington, Wyoming is this year’s recipient of the Knights of Columbus award for Family of the Year. The honor was presented to Leland Vetter, his wife and 10 children yesterday during the awards session of the Knight’s annual conference in Phoenix.
According to the Knights, the Vetters were chosen as recipients of the award for their “extraordinary record of service to the Church and their community.”
Leland, who has been a member of the Knights for 33 years, has held several leadership positions within his council and is well-known for his service to the community. For example, when it snows in his hometown of Torrington, Wyoming, Leland spends his early mornings plowing the church parking lot. In addition, he has raised funds for parish hall expansion, helps train parish altar servers and teaches at Eastern Wyoming Community College.
Leland was also recently appointed by the Governor of Wyoming to the state’s Community College Task Force on Education. He also comes from a family who won the Family of the Year award in 1994 for the state of North Dakota.
Leland’s wife Mary Ann has also contributed to the vitality of the parish by setting up and organizing Thursday Eucharistic devotions at their church. A “Mom’s Group,” which spiritually assists mothers in their parish, was also started by Mary Ann.
Their 10 children, who range from ages two to 27, are also highly active volunteers in the Church and the community.

(Source: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16772


AUSTRALIA
JEHOVAH WITNESS GRANTED RIGHT TO REFUSE TREATMENT


CathNews Australia reports that a Jehovah's Witness has been granted the right to refuse life saving medical treatment by the NSW Supreme Court, on the grounds of religious belief. The ruling isn't a recognition of the man's "right to die", the court said.
Justice Robert McDougall found directives by the 70 year old man, who developed renal failure last month and was being kept alive by mechanical ventilation and kidney dialysis, should be followed "even if the likely consequence of giving effect to Mr A's wishes ... is that he will die," said an AAP report published in The Australian.
In a document he had legally prepared last year, the man identified only as "Mr A" stated: "As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I direct my guardian to refuse consent for a transfusion of whole blood, red cells, white cells, platelets, or blood plasma to be given to me under any circumstances even if heathcare providers believe that such are necessary to preserve my life."
Justice McDougall found that Mr A was competent when he signed the directive, drawn up by a solicitor, the Daily Telegraph reported. He emphasised that the court was in no way recognising Mr A's "right to die".
"If (it) is made by a capable adult, and is clear and unambiguous, and extends to the situation at hand, it must be respected," Justice McDougall said.
"A valid refusal may be based upon religious, social or moral grounds or indeed upon no apparent rational grounds; and is entitled to respect regardless."
(SOURCE:http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=15624


The Transfiguration of the Lord
Feast: August 6

Remembrance of the Lord's Trasfiguration on mount Thabor with Saints Peter, James & John witnessing.




"and he was transfigured before them, and his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Eli'jah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah." For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him."

(Picture from: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/T/transfigurationofthelord.asp



SAINTLY QUOTE

Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows. Pope Paul VI



TODAY'S GOSPEL

Mark 9: 2 - 10
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them,
and his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
And there appeared to them Eli'jah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus.
And Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli'jah."
For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid.
And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him."
And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only.
And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of man should have risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.