CATHOLIC NEWS JULY 26: HEADLINES
POPE OFFERS REFLECTION ON YEAR OF THE PRIEST
POPE ASKS FAITHFUL TO HONOUR GRANDPARENTS
INDIA HOSTS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH LEADER PROGRAM
AFRICA: SEMINARIANS HELPED VICTIMS OF WAR
INDIA HOSTS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH LEADER PROGRAM
AFRICA: SEMINARIANS HELPED VICTIMS OF WAR
AUSTRALIA: SHOOTINGS IN PAPUA
ENGLAND: JOHN RYAN, CATHOLIC CARTOONIST DIES
POPE OFFERS REFLECTION ON YEAR OF THE PRIEST
The Pope offered a reflection on today's Gospel. He spoke in reference to the "year of the Priest". "The verb is ‘eucharistein’ and recalls directly the Last Supper, during which John does not refer to the institution of the Eucharist, but to the washing of feet."
During the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict said, "we priests especially can turn again to this text of John, where the Apostles say: Where will we be able to find bread for all these people? Reading of this anonymous boy who has five loaves and two fish, we too come to say spontaneously: But, what is this for such a crowd?"
"Who am I? How can I, with my limitations, help Jesus in His mission?" He continued: "The Lord’s response is that by placing in his ‘holy and venerable’ hands the little that they are, priests become instruments of salvation for many, for all!"
During the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict said, "we priests especially can turn again to this text of John, where the Apostles say: Where will we be able to find bread for all these people? Reading of this anonymous boy who has five loaves and two fish, we too come to say spontaneously: But, what is this for such a crowd?"
"Who am I? How can I, with my limitations, help Jesus in His mission?" He continued: "The Lord’s response is that by placing in his ‘holy and venerable’ hands the little that they are, priests become instruments of salvation for many, for all!"
POPE ASKS FAITHFUL TO H
ONOUR GRANDPARENTS
For the feast of St. Anne & Joachim, grandparents of Jesus, the Pope offered some reflections. He said grandparents "who in families are often the witnesses of the fundamental values of life."
"The educational role of grandparents is always very important and becomes even more so when, for various reasons, parents are unable to dedicate an adequate amount of time to their children. I entrust to the protection of St. Anne and St. Joachim all grandparents of the world, imparting a special blessing." He called the faithful to pray for their grandparents. (With files & images from: http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/index.asp)
ONOUR GRANDPARENTSFor the feast of St. Anne & Joachim, grandparents of Jesus, the Pope offered some reflections. He said grandparents "who in families are often the witnesses of the fundamental values of life."
"The educational role of grandparents is always very important and becomes even more so when, for various reasons, parents are unable to dedicate an adequate amount of time to their children. I entrust to the protection of St. Anne and St. Joachim all grandparents of the world, imparting a special blessing." He called the faithful to pray for their grandparents. (With files & images from: http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/index.asp)
ASIA
INDIA HOSTS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH LEADER PROGRAM
India is hosting 50 Catholic youth leaders from 20 countries attending the bhaichara (brotherhood) program jointly organized by the Federation Internationale des Mouvements Catholiques d'Action Paroissale (FIMCAP) or International Federation of Catholic Parochial Youth Movements, and the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM).
The FIMCAP hosts camps every three years and this is the first time that India is hosting one. The ICYM is part of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India's youth commission.
The event took place in New Delhi on July 18 and stayed for three days.
The leaders will spend the next two weeks with tribal families in Assam and Meghalaya in northeastern India, and Kolkata in the east. They would teach children, take care of the sick and interact with local diocesan leaders.
"This is not just a tourism project but a fellowship meeting with the people from rural areas," said one of the priests involved.
FIMCAP director Father Albeiro Vaquez said that program participants are active in their local parishes and dioceses. The Indian exposure program, he said, would give them an opportunity to interact with people of other religions, traditions and cultures. It would also help them learn about youth groups in other countries.
(With files from: http://www.ucanews.com/2009/07/24/youth-leaders-hope-to-gain-from-international-program/)
India is hosting 50 Catholic youth leaders from 20 countries attending the bhaichara (brotherhood) program jointly organized by the Federation Internationale des Mouvements Catholiques d'Action Paroissale (FIMCAP) or International Federation of Catholic Parochial Youth Movements, and the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM).
The FIMCAP hosts camps every three years and this is the first time that India is hosting one. The ICYM is part of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India's youth commission.
The event took place in New Delhi on July 18 and stayed for three days.
The leaders will spend the next two weeks with tribal families in Assam and Meghalaya in northeastern India, and Kolkata in the east. They would teach children, take care of the sick and interact with local diocesan leaders.
"This is not just a tourism project but a fellowship meeting with the people from rural areas," said one of the priests involved.
FIMCAP director Father Albeiro Vaquez said that program participants are active in their local parishes and dioceses. The Indian exposure program, he said, would give them an opportunity to interact with people of other religions, traditions and cultures. It would also help them learn about youth groups in other countries.
(With files from: http://www.ucanews.com/2009/07/24/youth-leaders-hope-to-gain-from-international-program/)
AFRICA
SEMINARIANS HELPED VICTIMS OF WAR
In northern Uganda, a seminary is training pastoral workers to help many refugees who are traumatized by the civil war. Fr Cosmas Alule, rector of the Gulu seminary, said although the war is over, many people are deeply traumatised, having witnessed such horrors as their own mothers, sisters and wives being raped, children abducted and others murdered.
Future priests at the seminary who have also been scathed by the war, some born in refugee camps or had been among those abductees, are helping refugees re-build a new life for themselves as an entire generation has grown up not knowing a normal life.
"The refugee camp that had built up around the seminary during the time of the civil war is now becoming progressively emptier and around 80 per cent of the refugees have returned to their home villages," the rector said.
"Now these future priests are going into the villages, helping the returning refugees to build a new life for themselves. Many are teaching the children in the schools," Fr Alule said.
(With files from: http://allafrica.com/stories/200907240764.html)
Future priests at the seminary who have also been scathed by the war, some born in refugee camps or had been among those abductees, are helping refugees re-build a new life for themselves as an entire generation has grown up not knowing a normal life.
"The refugee camp that had built up around the seminary during the time of the civil war is now becoming progressively emptier and around 80 per cent of the refugees have returned to their home villages," the rector said.
"Now these future priests are going into the villages, helping the returning refugees to build a new life for themselves. Many are teaching the children in the schools," Fr Alule said.
(With files from: http://allafrica.com/stories/200907240764.html)
AUSTRALIA
SHOOTINGS IN PAPUA
Police arrested 15 suspects after shootings in Papua, but a local priest said the real perpetrators of the crime are thought to be military-linked gunmen.
On Wednesday, gunmen targetted a convoy of buses carrying Freeport employees as they drove on the sole road from the coast to the highland mine, where a series of similar ambushes killed three people earlier this month, Radio New Zealand International reported.
Attacks near the Freeport McRoRan mines since July 11 has killed one Australian, a mine employee. Drew Grant, 29, of Melbourne, had just become a father nine weeks ago.
An Indonesian police spokesman said 15 people, all understood to be Papuans, have been arrested in relation to the killings on July 11 and 12, eight of whom are considered suspects, the Radio New Zealand International report said.
Fr Neles Tebay of the Catholic Peace and Justice Secretariat in Jayapura says it's widely believed that military linked gunmen are behind the shootings.
"But I think it will be difficult for the police to really publicise the real party responsible for the attack. I think at the end, Papuans will pay the price. Some Papuans, I think, will be blamed as being responsible for the attack."
(With files from: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=15357)
On Wednesday, gunmen targetted a convoy of buses carrying Freeport employees as they drove on the sole road from the coast to the highland mine, where a series of similar ambushes killed three people earlier this month, Radio New Zealand International reported.
Attacks near the Freeport McRoRan mines since July 11 has killed one Australian, a mine employee. Drew Grant, 29, of Melbourne, had just become a father nine weeks ago.
An Indonesian police spokesman said 15 people, all understood to be Papuans, have been arrested in relation to the killings on July 11 and 12, eight of whom are considered suspects, the Radio New Zealand International report said.
Fr Neles Tebay of the Catholic Peace and Justice Secretariat in Jayapura says it's widely believed that military linked gunmen are behind the shootings.
"But I think it will be difficult for the police to really publicise the real party responsible for the attack. I think at the end, Papuans will pay the price. Some Papuans, I think, will be blamed as being responsible for the attack."
(With files from: http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=15357)
EUROPE
JOHN RYAN, CATHOLIC CARTOONIST DIES
John Ryan cartoonist for the Catholic Herald has died at the age of 88. He died yesterday at Cottage Hospital in Rye, East Sussex. Luke Coppen, editor of The Catholic Herald, said: "There is great sadness in the office today. John was one of our longest-serving and best-loved contributors. He created a hilarious visual chronicle of the post-Vatican II Church. No other Catholic cartoonist, it is safe to say, depicted the period with such consistent wit and insight. He will be greatly missed." Ryan began to work for the Herald in 1964. Please pray for the repose of his soul & his family. (With files from: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/articles/a0000601.shtml)
AMERICA
DIVINE MERCY CONFERENCE
A Divine Mercy Conference entitled: "Jesus Our Healer and Strength" will take place
August 1, 2009 - 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Located in the Los Angeles Convention Center on
1201 S. Figueroa St.Los Angeles, California, United States
The price is
$25.00 (30.00 after July 19 and at the door) 10.00 for children 5-15 years old
Please contact
Frances Guerrero, Guadalupe Radio 87.7 FM
Email: mailto:fguerrero@guadaluperadio.com
Telephone: 626-444-4442 Ext 139
for additional information.
Doors open at 7am.Speakers:Father Fernando Suarez, CC- Complete trust in Jesus the HealerFather Kazimierz Chwalek, MIC and Marie Romagnano, RN- The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion for the Sick,Injured and DyingConcert/Testimony: Donna Lee - God is Rich in MercyMusic Ministry: Forever Grateful Charismatic CommunityCome and immerse yourself in: - the Sacrament of Confession- a Healing Mass with Father Fernando Suarez- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (5th decade of the Chaplet to be chanted by music ministry)(With files from: http://thedivinemercy.org/news/event.php?EID=299)
August 1, 2009 - 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Located in the Los Angeles Convention Center on
1201 S. Figueroa St.Los Angeles, California, United States
The price is
$25.00 (30.00 after July 19 and at the door) 10.00 for children 5-15 years old
Please contact
Frances Guerrero, Guadalupe Radio 87.7 FM
Email: mailto:fguerrero@guadaluperadio.com
Telephone: 626-444-4442 Ext 139
for additional information.
Doors open at 7am.Speakers:Father Fernando Suarez, CC- Complete trust in Jesus the HealerFather Kazimierz Chwalek, MIC and Marie Romagnano, RN- The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion for the Sick,Injured and DyingConcert/Testimony: Donna Lee - God is Rich in MercyMusic Ministry: Forever Grateful Charismatic CommunityCome and immerse yourself in: - the Sacrament of Confession- a Healing Mass with Father Fernando Suarez- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (5th decade of the Chaplet to be chanted by music ministry)(With files from: http://thedivinemercy.org/news/event.php?EID=299)
TODAY'S SAINTS
St. Anne
MOTHER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Feast: July 26
Patron of:
Housewives, women in labor, cabinet-makers, and miners
apocryphal literature, chiefly the Protoevangelium of James, second century. In this document we are told that Anne, wife of Joachim, an angel appeared and said to her, "Anne, the Lord hath heard thy prayer and thou shalt conceive and bring forth, and thy seed shall be spoken of in all the world." Anne replied, "As the Lord my God liveth, if I beget either male or female, I will bring it as a gift to the Lord my God; and it shall minister to Him in holy things all the days of its life " Her emblem is a door. The name Anne derives from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning "grace."
(With files from: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/stanne.asp)
St. Anne
MOTHER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Feast: July 26
Patron of:
Housewives, women in labor, cabinet-makers, and miners
apocryphal literature, chiefly the Protoevangelium of James, second century. In this document we are told that Anne, wife of Joachim, an angel appeared and said to her, "Anne, the Lord hath heard thy prayer and thou shalt conceive and bring forth, and thy seed shall be spoken of in all the world." Anne replied, "As the Lord my God liveth, if I beget either male or female, I will bring it as a gift to the Lord my God; and it shall minister to Him in holy things all the days of its life " Her emblem is a door. The name Anne derives from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning "grace."
(With files from: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/stanne.asp)
St. Joachim
FATHER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
Feast day: July 26
Patron of:
Fathers, Grandparents
Joachim (whose name means Yahweh prepares), was the father of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (With files from: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjoachim.asp
FATHER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
Feast day: July 26
Patron of:
Fathers, Grandparents
Joachim (whose name means Yahweh prepares), was the father of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (With files from: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjoachim.asp
TODAY'S SAINTLY QUOTE
Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray. St. Louis de Montfort
TODAY'S MASS READINGS
2 Kings 4: 42 - 44
A man came from Ba'al-shal'ishah, bringing the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Eli'sha said, "Give to the men, that they may eat."
But his servant said, "How am I to set this before a hundred men?" So he repeated, "Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, `They shall eat and have some left.'"
So he set it before them. And they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the LORD.
Psalms 145: 10 - 11, 15 - 18
All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O LORD, and all thy saints shall bless thee!
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and tell of thy power,
The eyes of all look to thee, and thou givest them their food in due season.
Thou openest thy hand, thou satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.
Ephesians 4: 1 - 6
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love,
eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.
John 6: 1 - 15
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiber'i-as.
And a multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased.
Jesus went up on the mountain, and there sat down with his disciples.
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, "How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?"
This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?" Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost."
So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.
When the people saw the sign which he had done, they said, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!"
Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiber'i-as.
And a multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased.
Jesus went up on the mountain, and there sat down with his disciples.
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, "How are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?"
This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,
"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are they among so many?" Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place; so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.
And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost."
So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.
When the people saw the sign which he had done, they said, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!"
Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
