Catholic World News, Fri. Aug. 21, 2009.

Catholic world news: Fri. Aug. 21, 2009: headlines:

VATICAN-POPE'S CAST IS REMOVED:

ASIA-SRI LANKA: REFUGE FOR WAR WIDOWS & CHILDREN:

AFRICA-PRESSURE TO RELEASE GAMBIAN JOURNALISTS:
AMERICAS-US BISHOPS CONFERENCE RELEASES SITE FOR TRANLATION OF MISSAL:

40 DAYS FOR LIFE FALL CAMPAIGN:
EUROPE-MUSIC & LITURGY SUMMER SCHOOL WELL ATTENDED:
AUSTRALIA-MOVIE OF GIRL WITH HEART TRANSPLANT BRINGS HOPE:
TODAY'S SAINT: ST. PIUS X :

VATICAN

POPE: CAST IS REMOVED BY DOCTOR

COMMUNICATION FROM THE PRESS ROOM OF THE SANTA:

DECLARATION OF HOLY FATHER SIBIRSKY MEDICAL

STAFF. PATRICIAN POLISCA

His Holiness Benedict XVI, this morning, in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, had his cast removed. It was carried out a radiografa check which highlighted the consolidation of the divide. The doctor said the results were optimum. He will now begin therapy for the use of his wrist.

(Edited from http://www.vatican.va/)

ASIA

SRI LANKA: REFUGE FOR WAR WIDOWS & CHILDREN

UCAN reports as Tamil people languish in refugee camps after the end of the civil war, widows and children appear to be the ones hardest hit by the situation.

One Tamil widow who spoke to UCA News on the condition of anonymity said that her greatest concern is sexual violence against young women such as her 17-year-old daughter. The death of her husband last year has left her with three children at the age of 39.
In an effort to protect her daughter, she arranged for a marriage partner. Her story is common and similar fears for their daughters have forced parents to take similar steps.
Widows, whose relatives are in different camps, are often left without family support. They are then left to fend for themselves and try to provide an education as well as moral guidance to their children, many of them teenagers.
"Many men were killed in war and now their widows have to take care of themselves and provide for their children's future," says Father Paul Jeyanthan Pachchek, director of the Oblate Social Service (OSS)in Mannar diocese, which is helping these women and their children. OSS was formed on May 22, four days after the end of civil war, by 14 Oblate priests in Mannar diocese.
The OSS provides supplementary food and clothes as well as necessities such as cooking utensils and nursery items. It is also providing school textbooks and pocket money for children.
The widows are also hungry for their spiritual needs to be met. "Rosaries and prayer books are in demand," said Oblate Father Celestine Mascringe, the parish priest of St. Anthony's church in Cheddikulam.
So far, OSS has helped more than 700 widows in Kathirgamar camp, in Cheddikulam.
Father Pachchek notes that "employment and long-term security is only possible for the teenagers if they are released from camps." Like all Church aid workers, he has limited access to people in the camps. The government argues that it must ban aid agencies, media, right groups and even opposition parliamentarians from the camps as screening for Tamil rebels is not complete.
OSS is also preparing to provide sewing machines, cattle, farming equipment and dried food for those who are to be resettled in their villages, said Father Mascringe.
The Ministry of Disaster Relief Services estimates that there are 7,894 widows in 30 camps and 57,293 children, of which 1,034 are orphans. On top of that there are 3,100 expecting mothers, most under the age of 18, according to the ministry.
(SOURCE:http://www.ucanews.com/2009/08/20/oblate-center-helps-ease-war-widows-plight/

AFRICA

PRESSURE TO RELEASE GAMBIAN JOURNALISTS

CISA reports that the trial and imprisonment of six Gambian journalists last week has continued to elicit international condemnation, with the European Union expressing anxiety over press freedom in the tiny Western African nation.The EU said in a statement that it had been closely following the trial of the journalists accused of seditious and defamatory publications and had noted the verdict and sentences passed down on the journalists.“The EU is concerned by the heavy sentences handed down and the negative impact of these prosecutions on freedom of expression in The Gambia. The EU reiterates the views expressed in the local EU Presidency statement that was presented to the Gambian authorities on 26 June 2009.The right to freedom of expression is fundamental to democracy and a fundamental freedom laid down in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, to which The Gambia is a State Party.”The EU urged Gambia “to take these concerns into consideration and to act in conformity with its international human rights and treaty obligations in considering any appeals.”Six Gambian journalists, including three executive members of the Gambian Press Union, got a mandatory sentence of two years’ imprisonment and were fined US$10,000 on two of the six counts. Failure to pay the fines will result in having to serve two extra years for each count.The journalists were convicted on six counts of sedition and defamation. The six are: Emil Touray, Secretary General of the Gambian Press Union (GPU); Sarata Jabbi Dibba, Vice President of the GPU, Pa Modou Faal, Treasurer of the GPU; Pap Saine and Ebou Sawaneh, publisher and editor of Point newspaper; and Sam Sarr, editor of Foroyaa newspaper.The international human rights organization Amnesty international described the journalists as “prisoners of conscience, who are being punished for peacefully expressing their views.”

(SOURCE: http://www.cisanewsafrica.org/story.asp?ID=4078

AMERICAS

US BISHOPS CONFERENCE RELEASES SITE FOR TRANLATION OF MISSAL

The USCCB reports that a new Website from the U.S. Conference of Catholic will educate Catholics about the forthcoming English translation of the new Roman Missal. The site, www.usccb.org/romanmissal, launched August 21, includes background material on the process of development of liturgical texts, sample texts from the Missal, a glossary of terms and answers to frequently asked questions. Content will be added regularly over the next several moths. The bishop’s Committee on Divine Worship hopes the site will be a central resource for those preparing to implement the new text. “In the years since Vatican II we have learned a lot about the use of the vernacular in the liturgy and the new texts reflect this new understanding,” said Bishop Arthur Serratelli of Paterson, NJ, in a welcome-to-the-site video. “The new texts are understandable, dignified and accurate,” said Bishop Serratelli, who chairs the Committee on Divine Worship. “They not only strive to make the meaning of the text accessible for the listener, but they also strive to unearth the biblical and theological richness of the Latin text.” After more than five years of consultation, study and reflection, the bishops are expected to conclude their review and approval of the final portion of the translated texts at the end of this year. Final approval (recognitio) of the text from the Holy See for the complete translation will be the last step before the publication of the texts for use in the liturgy. Bishop Serratelli sees this time of waiting as an opportunity to learn and prepare. “We have a great opportunity during this period not only to learn about the changes, not only to learn about the revised texts, but also to deepen our own understanding of the Liturgy itself,” he said. “We encourage priests, deacons, religious, liturgical ministers, all the faithful to avail themselves of the information that we are making available.” In May 2002, the Vatican published the Latin text of the Third Edition on the Missale Romanum. Since 2003, the bishops of the English-speaking world have been working to prepare an English translation of the Roman Missal. For information visit www.usccb.org/romanmissal. (SOURCE:http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2009/09-173.shtml

40 DAYS FOR LIFE FALL CAMPAIGN

CNA reports that the 40 Days for Life campaign is preparing for the launch of its fall campaign in 209 cities in 45 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces and Denmark.

The campaign is to take place from September 23 to November 1. The community-based campaign involves 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion, 24/7 peaceful vigils outside abortion facilities, and grassroots educational outreach.
David Bereit, national director of 40 Days for Life, said the organization was “incredibly encouraged to see record numbers of people in cities across America willing to take a stand.”
He added that participants will “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and seek God's protection for innocent children in the womb -- and mothers -- at risk of abortion.”
Bereit said the campaign takes place at a time when abortion advocates are trying to “exploit” the current health care reform debate to mandate taxpayer funding for abortion.
Bereit is also working with the Stop the Abortion Mandate coalition, which successfully urged more than 36,000 Americans to voice their opposition to what the coalition characterized as an abortion mandate in health care reform proposals.
The 40 Days for Life website is at http://40daysforlife.com/

(Edited from: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16900)

EUROPE

MUSIC & LITURGY SUMMER SCHOOL WELL ATTENDED

A record number of people attended a music and liturgy summer school in Norfolk during the week of August 3. One hundred and eight participants, including clergy, religious and laity from all over the country and as far away as Denmark, converged on St Gabriel's conference centre in Ditchingham for the five-day course organised by the Society of St Gregory (SSG). The theme for the week was "As we wait in joyful hope" and keynote addresses on the theme of Christian hope were given by the Bishop Michael Evans of East Anglia, by his vicar general, Mgr Tony Rogers, and by Ann Blackett, from the Diocese of Nottingham liturgy commission. Workshops looked at various aspects of church music and liturgy, including sessions on composition led by internationally renowned composer Christopher Walker. Other workshops included planning liturgies, proclaiming the Word, and sight-reading music. There were also seminars on liturgy and devotion, diversity of liturgical practice and musical repertoire. The week was co-ordinated by Fr Timothy Menezes, lecturer in liturgy at Oscott College Birmingham and parish priest in Coventry. The musical director was Paul Wellicome, editor, composer and parish musician at Our Lady's parish, Lillington, Warwickshire.The undoubted highpoint of the week was the celebration of Mass for the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6. The SSG is the national society for liturgy and music in the Catholic Church in the British Isles. It was founded in 1929, continues to flourish and is delighted to welcome Christians of any denomination who seek to achieve similar aims through liturgy, music and the arts. (SOURCE: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/life/cl0000435.shtml

AUSTRALIA

MOVIE OF GIRL WITH HEART TRANSPLANT BRINGS HOPE
Students from St Therese Primary School in Sydney's Mascot have won a Eureka Science Prize for a video of how the heart works, inspired by the experience of 5 year old schoolmate Kiara Lloyd's heart transplant.
Kiara was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and her parents were told when she was 2 and a half years old that she would die by age 5 without a heart transplant.
She couldn't run or play, and speaking more than a few words turned her blue, the Daily Telegraph reported. She underwent a successful transplant late last year.
"We wanted to explain the human body but that was too much for a three minute video so we did the heart," student Emma Gale, 11, said. "And we thought it would be great if we did it with Kiara because of her heart, so she joined our team."
The video, Kiara's Gift, won the primary division of the University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize.
The students from Years 3 to 6 researched, wrote, produced and acted in the film which won the primary division of the prestigious science award sponsored by the University of Sydney and the Australian Museum, the Sydney Catholic Education office said.
The students are donating the $1,000 prize to the Heart Foundation.

To see a movie clip of the girl:http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/cms/Jahia/op/edit/pid/4154
(SOURCE http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=15906

TODAY'S SAINT

St. Pius X
POPE
Feast Day:
August 21
Born:
2 June 1835 at Riese, diocese of Treviso, Venice, Austria (now Italy)
Died:
20 August 1914 at Vatican City
Canonized:
29 May 1954 by Pope Pius XII
Patron of:
first communicants, pilgrims

Born 2 June, 1835, at Riese, Province of Treviso, in Venice. His parents were Giovanni Battista Sarto and Margarita (née Sanson); the former, a postman, died in 1852. In 1850 he received the tonsure from the Bishop of Treviso, and was given a scholarship of the Diocese of Treviso in the seminary of Padua, where he finished his classical, philosophical, and theological studies with distinction. He was ordained in 1858, and for nine years was chaplain at Tombolo, having to assume most of the functions of parish priest, as the pastor was old and an invalid. In 1867 he was named arch-priest of Salzano, a large borough of the Diocese of Treviso, where he restored the church, and provided for the enlargement and maintenance of the hospital by his own means, consistently with his habitual generosity to the poor; he especially distinguished himself by his abnegation during the cholera. In 1875 he was made a canon of the cathedral of Treviso, and filled several offices, among them those of spiritual director and rector of the seminary, examiner of the clergy, and vicar-general; moreover, he made it possible for the students of the public schools to receive religious instruction. In 1878, on the death of Bishop Zanelli, he was elected vicar-capitular. On 10 November, 1884, he was named Bishop of Mantua, and consecrated on 20 November. In 1887 he held a diocesan synod.
At the secret consistory of June, 1893, Leo XIII created him a cardinal under the title of San Bernardo alle Terme; three days later, he was preconized Patriarch of Venice. In 1898 he held the diocesan synod. Giuseppe Sarto was elected Pope on 4 August, 1903.
In his first Encyclical, wishing to develop his programme to some extent, he said that the motto of his pontificate would be "instaurare omnia in Christo" (Ephesians 1:10). He advised all to receive Holy Communion frequently and, if possible, daily, dispensing the sick from the obligation of fasting to the extent of enabling them to receive Holy Communion twice each month, and even oftener. Finally, by the Decree "Quam Singulari", he recommended that the first Communion of children should not be deferred too long after they had reached the age of discretion. It was by his desire that the Eucharistic Congress of 1905 was held at Rome, while he enhanced the solemnity of subsequent Eucharistic congresses by sending to them cardinal legates. The fiftieth anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was an occasion of which he took advantage to enjoin devotion to Mary (Encyclical "Ad illum diem", 2 February, 1904); and the Marian Congress, together with the coronation of the image of the Immaculate Conception in the choir of St. Peter's, was a worthy culmination of the solemnity. As a simple chaplain, a bishop, and a patriarch, Giuseppe Sarto was a promoter of sacred music; as pope, he published, 22 November, 1903, a Motu Proprio on sacred music in churches, and at the same time ordered the authentic Gregorian Chant to be used everywhere, while he caused the choir books to be printed with the Vatican font of type under the supervision of a special commission. In the Encyclical "Acerbo nimis" (15 April, 1905) he treated of the necessity of catechismal instruction, not only for children, but also for adults, giving detailed rules, especially in relation to suitable schools for the religious instruction of students of the public schools, and even of the universities. He caused a new catechism to be published for the Diocese of Rome.
(Edited from: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpiusx.asp

SAINTLY QUOTE

The devil strains every nerve to secure the souls which belong to Christ. We should not grudge our toil in wresting them from Satan and giving them back to God. St. Sebastian

TODAY'S GOSPEL

Matthew 22: 34 - 40
34
But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sad'ducees, they came together.
35
And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, to test him.
36
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"
37
And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
38
This is the great and first commandment.
39
And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
40
On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."