(These latest photos of the Popes after his fall are from Vatican Radio {site linked below})
Vatican Radio reports that the Pope's Sunday message suggests hope in hard economic times. The Pontiff held Holy Mass in Romano Canavese, a village in the province of Turin. The Pope now wears a cast on his right arm due to his fall & operation. He thanked that doctors who treated him. Pope Benedict also thanked all who prayed and sent wishes for his recovery. Benedict XVI said: "Dear friends” Providence always helps those who do good and are committed to justice; it helps those who think not only of themselves but also of those who are worse off”. He hopes that his new encyclical "Caritas in Veritate” - will "help mobilize positive forces". He addressed the youth saying they should be “examples and models that encourage them to follow the ways of the Gospel and of real freedom”. Then he said: “Young people are full of resources but they must be helped to overcome the temptation of the easy and deceptive paths to find the path of true and full life”. (With files from: http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=303546)
LATEST WORLD NEWS
16 PEOPLE KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN
CNN reports that a helicopter crashed in Kandahar in Afghanistan today, killing 16 people.
NATO said the aircraft was a "civilian contracted" helicopter, not a military one.
All the dead were civilians, ISAF said.
It "was on a mission to support the peacekeeping forces".
NATO said the aircraft was a "civilian contracted" helicopter, not a military one.
All the dead were civilians, ISAF said.
It "was on a mission to support the peacekeeping forces".
Catholics are called to pray for peace in these war ravaged countries.
(With files from: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/19/afghanistan.helicopter/index.htmlAfrica's Catholic Church has grown by close to 30 million members in seven years, according to statistics from the Holy See.
The time period of 2000-2006 indicates Catholics increased from 130 million in 2000 to 158.3 million. Other countries have shown a smaller growth rate and for some a decrease. Africa has a 23.24 percent growth then Asia with 17.71 percent growth. There were 265, 781 diocesan priests in 2000 and 271,091 in 2006. Female religious have increased in Africa: up by 15.45 percent. (With files from http://allafrica.com/stories/200805270902.html)
The time period of 2000-2006 indicates Catholics increased from 130 million in 2000 to 158.3 million. Other countries have shown a smaller growth rate and for some a decrease. Africa has a 23.24 percent growth then Asia with 17.71 percent growth. There were 265, 781 diocesan priests in 2000 and 271,091 in 2006. Female religious have increased in Africa: up by 15.45 percent. (With files from http://allafrica.com/stories/200805270902.html)
UCAN reports that Auxiliary Bishop John Baptist Tseng King-zi of Hualien translated the Gospels into the language of the Ethnic Puyuma people.
He was told by some of his people that they could not understand the bible in Mandarin Chinese. So he began to translate the Gospel into his native tongue for his people. Since the Puyuma language has no written form, the Bishop used Roman script to translate the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. This took him 35 years. Copies of the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles in both Chinese and Puyuma were released on June 21. The people of Puyuma had only a "verbal Bible" -by reading the Chinese Bible and then translating immediately into Puyuma for listeners. He is continuing to translate the rest of the Bible for the Puyuma people. (With files from:
http://76.75.215.132/2009/07/16/bishop-translates-biblical-books-into-indigenous-language/
He was told by some of his people that they could not understand the bible in Mandarin Chinese. So he began to translate the Gospel into his native tongue for his people. Since the Puyuma language has no written form, the Bishop used Roman script to translate the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. This took him 35 years. Copies of the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles in both Chinese and Puyuma were released on June 21. The people of Puyuma had only a "verbal Bible" -by reading the Chinese Bible and then translating immediately into Puyuma for listeners. He is continuing to translate the rest of the Bible for the Puyuma people. (With files from:
http://76.75.215.132/2009/07/16/bishop-translates-biblical-books-into-indigenous-language/
EUROPE
DAY OF LIFE on JULY 26 in ENGLAND
The country's Day for Life (July 26) will focus on the Church's teachings on suicide. The Catholic Herald from England reports that bishops say that suicidal people should be treated with compassion. Auxiliary Bishop Bernard Longley of Westminster said: "Suicide is a grave sin. But an individual must be mentally healthy to be fully aware that what they are doing is a sin. When a person commits suicide, they are generally so clouded by confusion and despair as to be no longer in full control of their mental faculties. God does not condemn anyone not fully aware of what they are doing; His mercy is without end."The Church has consistently taught that suicide is "contrary to love for the living God" and "seriously contrary to justice, hope and charity". "We're emphasising a more compassionate approach based on a greater understanding," he said. "The Church's teaching has not changed. The Church prays for those who have taken their own lives." The theme for the Day of Life is "You are precious in my sight."(With files from http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/articles/a0000590.shtml)
AUSTRALIA
PILGRIM HOUSE IN ROME FOR AUSTRALIANS
According to CathNews of Australia, the Domus Australis is being renovated as a pilgrimage centre in Rome for Australian pilgrims. It was formerly used by Marist Fathers.
"It has been a long-term ambition to establish a center for Australian pilgrims in Rome - we would like tourists to have a genuine pilgrimage," Cardinal Pell said. "We are entering into an important new stage with the start of renovation works of the chapel and the pilgrim house.
"This is the result of over two years of detailed planning by our architects and expert advisors."
It is hoped to be open by 2011.
"It has been a long-term ambition to establish a center for Australian pilgrims in Rome - we would like tourists to have a genuine pilgrimage," Cardinal Pell said. "We are entering into an important new stage with the start of renovation works of the chapel and the pilgrim house.
"This is the result of over two years of detailed planning by our architects and expert advisors."
It is hoped to be open by 2011.
(With files from http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=15164)
AMERICA
REGULAR CONFESSION IMPORTANT
According to CNA Bishop Walsh of Santa Rosa, California encourages confession. He calls the sacrament of Penance an "oil change for the soul”. He suggests a return to regular confession for forgiveness of sin. He noted, in a letter, that car engines which don’t receive oil changes eventually result in “major and costly problems.”
He also said “It’s like moving the furniture of our souls and getting to the places that escape everyday cleaning. It is like periodically checking the garden of our souls for weeds that hamper our discipleship.”
“Since the Second Vatican Council and the cultural revolution of the 1960’s, the Sacrament of Penance has experienced a decline,” Bishop Walsh said. “We can list many reasons but I don’t think one of them is that we have stopped sinning! I think in our permissive society we have lost the sense of sin.” “I know there are many people who for many reasons haven’t been to confession for a long time and may not remember how to go, or may not feel comfortable going. Whatever the reason, I invite all to come back home, come back to the Lord.”
Bishop Walsh said, Jesus asks us what he can do for us. After unburdening our hearts we will hear Him say “Go in peace, your faith has made you well.”
He also said “It’s like moving the furniture of our souls and getting to the places that escape everyday cleaning. It is like periodically checking the garden of our souls for weeds that hamper our discipleship.”
“Since the Second Vatican Council and the cultural revolution of the 1960’s, the Sacrament of Penance has experienced a decline,” Bishop Walsh said. “We can list many reasons but I don’t think one of them is that we have stopped sinning! I think in our permissive society we have lost the sense of sin.” “I know there are many people who for many reasons haven’t been to confession for a long time and may not remember how to go, or may not feel comfortable going. Whatever the reason, I invite all to come back home, come back to the Lord.”
Bishop Walsh said, Jesus asks us what he can do for us. After unburdening our hearts we will hear Him say “Go in peace, your faith has made you well.”
(With files from: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16588)
TODAY'S SAINT
St. Macrina was the daughter of St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia. The family with 10 children lived in Caesarea. Macrina, the eldest, was born around 330. She remained unmarried throughout life. Three of her brothers are Saints: St. Basil the Great (January 2), St. Peter of Sebaste and St. Gregory of Nyssa and they were also bishops. She gave away everything the family owned except was needed. She died in 379.
TODAY'S SAINT QUOTE
When I am before the Blessed Sacrament I feel such a lively faith that I can’t describe it. Christ in the Eucharist is almost tangible to me. When it is time for me to leave, I have to tear myself away from His sacred presence. St. Anthony Claret
TODAY'S MASS READINGS (16th Sun. Ord. Time)
Jeremiah 23: 1 - 6
"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" says the LORD.
Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD.
Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.
I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, says the LORD.
"Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: `The LORD is our righteousness.'
"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" says the LORD.
Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the LORD.
Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.
I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, says the LORD.
"Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: `The LORD is our righteousness.'
Psalms 23: 1 - 6
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;
he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;
he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Ephesians 2: 13 - 18
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end.
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near;
for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end.
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near;
for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Mark 6: 30 - 34
The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.
And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves.
Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them.
As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.
And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves.
Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them.
As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
