CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: SUN. OCT. 18, 2009: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: POPE MESSAGE FOR WORLD MISSION SUNDAY -
EUROPE: LEFEBVRISTS TO MEET HOLY SEE ON OCT. 26-
VATICAN: POPE MESSAGE FOR WORLD MISSION SUNDAY -
EUROPE: LEFEBVRISTS TO MEET HOLY SEE ON OCT. 26-
ASIA: PAKISTAN: SOLDIERS MOVE TO HAKIMULLAH-
AMERICA: NEBRASKA: CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF PERPETUAL ADORATION-
AFRICA: NAMIBIA: BISHOP SAYS CONDOMS PROMOTE PROMISCUITY-
AUSTRALIA: BISHOPS' CONFERENCE REPORTS ON ASYLUM SEEKERS-
VATICAN
POPE MESSAGE FOR WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
Thousands of faithful gathered in St Peters Square to hear Pope Benedict recite the Angelus on this World Mission Sunday. The Church, recalled the Pope is missionary by vocation and is called to continue the work of Jesus by proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to all peoples. All Christians, he added are called to cooperate in this project, according to the different states of life and particular charisms. Then the Pope said:On this World Mission Sunday I remember the missionaries - priests, religious and lay volunteers - who devote their lives to bringing the Gospel into the world, also facing hardships and difficulties and sometimes even real persecution. (SOURCE: http://www.youtube.com/VATICAN#p/a/u/1/vWjk_iTaTXs
EUROPE
LEFEBVRISTS TO MEET HOLY SEE ON OCT. 26
Catholic Online reports that several months after Pope Benedict lifted the excommunications of four Society of St. Pius X bishops, the Director of the Holy See's press office, Father Federico Lombardi, announced today that the first meeting with representatives of the society will take place in Rome on Monday, October 26. The meeting will be attended by a number of individuals, including Archbishop Guido Pozzo, secretary of the Ecclesia Dei Pontifical Commission; Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, 
secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF); Dominican Father Charles Morerod, secretary of the International Theological Commission and consultor with the CDF; Archbishop Fernando Ocariz, Vicar General of Opus Dei and consultor with the CDF; and Jesuit Father Karl Josef Becker, also a CDF consultor. According to Father Lombardi, the meeting will take place at the Palace of the Holy Office, which is where the CDF is housed. “The conversations will focus on open doctrinal questions and will remain confidential. A statement will be released at the conclusion of the meeting,” Lombardi explained. After Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of the four Lefebvrist bishops, the Vatican Secretary State issued a statement on February 4, 2009, explaining a series of demands that the Lefebvrists must meet including “full recognition of the Second Vatican Council” and of the magisteriums of all the Popes since Pius XII. On March 10, the Holy See released a letter from Pope Benedict XVI to the bishops of world in which he explained the reasons for lifting the excommunication, noting that “until the doctrinal questions are clarified, the Society has no canonical status in the Church, and its ministers – even though they have been freed of the ecclesiastical penalty – do not legitimately exercise any ministry in the Church.” Despite this clear warning, the Lefebvrist bishops ordained a group of priests at the end of June, which prompted a statement from the Holy See’s Press Office reiterating what the Pope said in his letter to the world's bishops. (SOURCE: http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=34647
secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF); Dominican Father Charles Morerod, secretary of the International Theological Commission and consultor with the CDF; Archbishop Fernando Ocariz, Vicar General of Opus Dei and consultor with the CDF; and Jesuit Father Karl Josef Becker, also a CDF consultor. According to Father Lombardi, the meeting will take place at the Palace of the Holy Office, which is where the CDF is housed. “The conversations will focus on open doctrinal questions and will remain confidential. A statement will be released at the conclusion of the meeting,” Lombardi explained. After Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of the four Lefebvrist bishops, the Vatican Secretary State issued a statement on February 4, 2009, explaining a series of demands that the Lefebvrists must meet including “full recognition of the Second Vatican Council” and of the magisteriums of all the Popes since Pius XII. On March 10, the Holy See released a letter from Pope Benedict XVI to the bishops of world in which he explained the reasons for lifting the excommunication, noting that “until the doctrinal questions are clarified, the Society has no canonical status in the Church, and its ministers – even though they have been freed of the ecclesiastical penalty – do not legitimately exercise any ministry in the Church.” Despite this clear warning, the Lefebvrist bishops ordained a group of priests at the end of June, which prompted a statement from the Holy See’s Press Office reiterating what the Pope said in his letter to the world's bishops. (SOURCE: http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=34647ASIA
PAKISTAN: SOLDIERS MOVE TO HAKIMULLAH
Asia News reports that at least 30 thousand soldiers and tanks moved toward the Hakimullah stronghold of Mehsud, the new leader of Islamic extremists in Pakistan. An operation of encirclement which aims to eradicate the fundamentalist struggle in Pakistan. The authorities have imposed a curfew in the region.
Islamabad (AsiaNews / Agencies) - This morning, the Pakistani army began to converge troops and heavy artillery toward the Taliban hideouts in South Waziristan, a north-western region of the country bordering Afghanistan. This is confirmed by local officials, who speak of 30 thousand soldiers, backed by tanks, heading toward the Hakimullah stronghold of Mehsud, the new leader of Islamic extremists in Pakistan.
After weeks of announcements and air strikes, the ground offensive to root out the fundamentalist guerrillas in the country has begun. The military is moving from the north, east and west in an attempt to encircle the Taliban. "The ground operation is underway," said Tariq Hayat Khan, secretary of the Pashtun tribal areas of Pakistan, who refused to specify the details of the attack.
The campaign against the Taliban in South Waziristan will last a couple of months. Tight-lipped military are maintaining the absolute secrecy of operations. Foreign journalists have no access to the area, as authorities imposed a curfew in the early hours of the morning.
At least 170 people have been killed in the last two weeks in Pakistan, in a progressive wave of violence unleashed by the fundamentalists that have hit Islamabad, Peshawar, Rawalpindi. (SOURCE: http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=16613&size=A
Islamabad (AsiaNews / Agencies) - This morning, the Pakistani army began to converge troops and heavy artillery toward the Taliban hideouts in South Waziristan, a north-western region of the country bordering Afghanistan. This is confirmed by local officials, who speak of 30 thousand soldiers, backed by tanks, heading toward the Hakimullah stronghold of Mehsud, the new leader of Islamic extremists in Pakistan.
After weeks of announcements and air strikes, the ground offensive to root out the fundamentalist guerrillas in the country has begun. The military is moving from the north, east and west in an attempt to encircle the Taliban. "The ground operation is underway," said Tariq Hayat Khan, secretary of the Pashtun tribal areas of Pakistan, who refused to specify the details of the attack.
The campaign against the Taliban in South Waziristan will last a couple of months. Tight-lipped military are maintaining the absolute secrecy of operations. Foreign journalists have no access to the area, as authorities imposed a curfew in the early hours of the morning.
At least 170 people have been killed in the last two weeks in Pakistan, in a progressive wave of violence unleashed by the fundamentalists that have hit Islamabad, Peshawar, Rawalpindi. (SOURCE: http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=16613&size=A
AMERICA
NEBRASKA: CATHEDRAL CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF PERPETUAL ADORATION
CNA reports that the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln, Nebraska will mark 50 years of perpetual Eucharistic Adoration with a celebratory Mass on Sunday evening.
More than 436,000 consecutive hours of prayerful Eucharistic Adoration have been logged dating back to October 1, 1959, Southern Nebraska Register reports.
After Sunday’s 6 p.m. Mass at the cathedral, a special 40 Hours devotion will begin with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The following day, Msgr. Adrian Herbek will be the homilist for Benediction at 7 p.m. Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz will celebrate the closing Mass Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Mrs. Cassie Chandler, one of the adoration team captains, explained the inspiration behind perpetual adoration by quoting the Gospel of Mark: "Will you not watch one hour with me?" As Mrs. Chandler told the Southern Nebraska Register, "These words of Jesus on the night before His crucifixion embody the spirit of perpetual adoration."
"The unbroken chain of devotion is recorded in a collection of register books, which show hour by hour, the names of those who have watched and prayed with Jesus at their appointed hour," Mrs. Chandler said.
The idea for the devotion took hold in the Fall of 1959 because of the advocacy of a local priest. The cathedral’s predecessor, Holy Family Church, put the idea into practice.
Because the church was small, schedulers relied on non-Catholic spouses and and priests from other parishes to maintain a constant presence before the tabernacle. Men and couples were encouraged to take the nighttime hours, while women took daytime hours.
In 1965 the church was replaced by Cathedral of the Risen Christ, which was built on the same grounds.
One scheduler, the late Katherine Easley, would welcome new priests to the parish by asking them which late night hour they would take, recalled Msgr. Robert Tucker, the pastor of the Cathedral.
He told the Lincoln Star of another scheduler, the late Barb Miller, who was always concerned about finding volunteers for the overnight hours.
Whenever an hour became unfilled, she would pray to the Blessed Virgin: “Mary, you don't want your son to be alone tonight. Help me find somebody.”
“Then she would call and someone would say yes. She never worried about finding people, she always prayed about it,” the monsignor said.
When she was asked about finding adorers for the night hours, Mrs. Chandler explained,"There is a mystical aspect in perpetual adoration which is not present in partial adoration. In parishes that have abandoned the overnight hours, adoration had degenerated. Adorers sign up for daytime hours, but many never keep their hours."
While it might seem difficult – or even unfulfilling – to devote a weekly hour before the Blessed Sacrament, the Cathedral perpetual adoration team would be the first to say that a person receives far more than he or she gives during that one hour.
"The benefits to each person are immeasurable and the graces showered on our parish are the greatest gift of this program," Mrs. Chandler said.
A dinner for perpetual adorers and substitutes, past and present, will follow the close of 40 Hours. Among the honored guests will be adorers who have been part of the program since its inception: Lou Keady, Dolores Young, and Raymond and Mary Zink.(SOURCE: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17421
More than 436,000 consecutive hours of prayerful Eucharistic Adoration have been logged dating back to October 1, 1959, Southern Nebraska Register reports.
After Sunday’s 6 p.m. Mass at the cathedral, a special 40 Hours devotion will begin with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The following day, Msgr. Adrian Herbek will be the homilist for Benediction at 7 p.m. Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz will celebrate the closing Mass Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Mrs. Cassie Chandler, one of the adoration team captains, explained the inspiration behind perpetual adoration by quoting the Gospel of Mark: "Will you not watch one hour with me?" As Mrs. Chandler told the Southern Nebraska Register, "These words of Jesus on the night before His crucifixion embody the spirit of perpetual adoration."
"The unbroken chain of devotion is recorded in a collection of register books, which show hour by hour, the names of those who have watched and prayed with Jesus at their appointed hour," Mrs. Chandler said.
The idea for the devotion took hold in the Fall of 1959 because of the advocacy of a local priest. The cathedral’s predecessor, Holy Family Church, put the idea into practice.
Because the church was small, schedulers relied on non-Catholic spouses and and priests from other parishes to maintain a constant presence before the tabernacle. Men and couples were encouraged to take the nighttime hours, while women took daytime hours.
In 1965 the church was replaced by Cathedral of the Risen Christ, which was built on the same grounds.
One scheduler, the late Katherine Easley, would welcome new priests to the parish by asking them which late night hour they would take, recalled Msgr. Robert Tucker, the pastor of the Cathedral.
He told the Lincoln Star of another scheduler, the late Barb Miller, who was always concerned about finding volunteers for the overnight hours.
Whenever an hour became unfilled, she would pray to the Blessed Virgin: “Mary, you don't want your son to be alone tonight. Help me find somebody.”
“Then she would call and someone would say yes. She never worried about finding people, she always prayed about it,” the monsignor said.
When she was asked about finding adorers for the night hours, Mrs. Chandler explained,"There is a mystical aspect in perpetual adoration which is not present in partial adoration. In parishes that have abandoned the overnight hours, adoration had degenerated. Adorers sign up for daytime hours, but many never keep their hours."
While it might seem difficult – or even unfulfilling – to devote a weekly hour before the Blessed Sacrament, the Cathedral perpetual adoration team would be the first to say that a person receives far more than he or she gives during that one hour.
"The benefits to each person are immeasurable and the graces showered on our parish are the greatest gift of this program," Mrs. Chandler said.
A dinner for perpetual adorers and substitutes, past and present, will follow the close of 40 Hours. Among the honored guests will be adorers who have been part of the program since its inception: Lou Keady, Dolores Young, and Raymond and Mary Zink.(SOURCE: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17421
AFRICA
NAMIBIA: BISHOP SAYS CONDOMS PROMOTE PROMISCUITY
CNA reports that during his remarks at the Synod of Bishops for Africa taking place at the Vatican, Bishop Joseph Shpandeni Shikongo of Capra, Namibia said condoms spread a “secular and relativistic vision of sexuality” and “encourage promiscuity,” thus increasing the spread of AIDS. Speaking about the public health situation in Namibia, the bishop explained that while the Church in that country does everything possible to promote abstinence in the fight against this disease, she cannot compete with the government, “which is much better financed, has international advisors and access to the national media: television, radio and newspapers. So it has a greater influence than we do.” Thus, the bishop continued, “a secular and relativistic vision of sexuality is spread. For the government, the primary concern is the prevention of infection and the main practical means of avoiding it is the condom: thus an unrealistic trust in its efficacy is being promoted.” “The inefficacy of this means,” he explained, “is deliberately ignored and explained in a vague manner. Thus promiscuity is encouraged, which leads to a greater number of infections.” (SOURCE: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=17400
AUSTRALIA
BISHOPS' CONFERENCE REPORTS ON ASYLUM SEEKERS
Cath News reports that Australian Catholic Bishops Conference delegate for refugee and migrant issues Bishop Joseph Grech said the annual numbers of asylum seekers entering Australia are not a significant burden for a wealthy country and urged compassion.
"While the assessment of each individual's claim for refugee status must be left to the formal process, we should all be aware of the incredible trauma being experienced by many people in present and past war zones such as Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Iraq," Bishop Grech said.
"Not only does Australia have humanitarian obligations under UN Charters, but many Australians are descendants of people who came to Australia to escape persecution in their countries of birth. This can help us understand and open our hearts to those who are suffering."
"I am not suggesting that we can take everyone in the world, but we should particularly look towards the needs of those in our immediate area of the world. Let us look at the reasons why these people have become asylum seekers and let us encourage our government to talk to other governments in our region to offer assistance to relieve such suffering."
"While the assessment of each individual's claim for refugee status must be left to the formal process, we should all be aware of the incredible trauma being experienced by many people in present and past war zones such as Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Iraq," Bishop Grech said.
"Not only does Australia have humanitarian obligations under UN Charters, but many Australians are descendants of people who came to Australia to escape persecution in their countries of birth. This can help us understand and open our hearts to those who are suffering."
"I am not suggesting that we can take everyone in the world, but we should particularly look towards the needs of those in our immediate area of the world. Let us look at the reasons why these people have become asylum seekers and let us encourage our government to talk to other governments in our region to offer assistance to relieve such suffering."
TODAY'S SAINT
St. Luke
APOSTLE
Feast: October 18
Information:
Feast Day:
October 18
B
orn:Antioch, Turkey
Died:
Greece
Major Shrine:
Padua, Italy
Patron of:
Artists, Physicians, Surgeons
The great apostle of the Gentiles, or rather the Holy Ghost by his pen, is the panegyrist of this glorious evangelist, and his own inspired writings are the highest standing and most authentic commendation of his sanctity, and of those eminent graces which are a just subject of our admiration, but which human praises can only extenuate. St. Luke was a native of Antioch, the metropolis of Syria, a city famous for the agreeableness of its situation, the riches of its traffic, its extent, the number of its inhabitants, the politeness of their manners, and their learning and wisdom. Its schools were the most renowned in all Asia, and produced the ablest masters in all arts and sciences. St. Luke acquired a stock of learning in his younger years, which we are told he improved by his travels in some parts of Greece and Egypt. St. Jerome assures us he was very eminent in his profession, and St. Paul, by calling him his most dear physician, seems to indicate that he had not laid it aside. Besides his abilities in physic, he is said to have been very skillful in painting. The Menology of the Emperor Basil, compiled in 980, Nicephorus, Metaphrastes, and other modern Greeks quoted by Gretzer in his dissertation on this subject, speak much of his excelling in this art, and of his leaving many pictures of Christ and the Blessed Virgin. Though neither the antiquity nor the credit of these authors is of great weight, it must be acknowledged, with a very judicious critic, that some curious anecdotes are found in their writings. In this particular, what they tell us is supported by the authority of Theodorus Lector, who lived in 518, and relates that a picture of the Blessed Virgin painted by St. Luke was sent from Jerusalem to the Empress Pulcheria, who placed it in the church of Hodegorum which she built in her honour at Constantinople. Moreover, a very ancient inscription was found in a vault near the Church of St. Mary in via lata in Rome, in which it is said of a picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary discovered there, "One of the seven painted by St. Luke." Three or four such pictures are still in being; the principal is that placed by Paul V in the Barghesian chapel in St. Mary Major. (SOURCE: http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/L/stluke.asp
TODAY'S MASS READINGS
29TH SUN. ORD. TIME, YEAR B
Isaiah 53: 10-11
And the Lord was pleased to bruise him in infirmity: if he shall lay down his life for sin, he shall see a long-lived seed, and the will of the Lord shall be prosperous in his hand.
11 Because his soul hath laboured, he shall see and be filled: by his knowledge shall this my just servant justify many, and he shall bear their iniquities.
11 Because his soul hath laboured, he shall see and be filled: by his knowledge shall this my just servant justify many, and he shall bear their iniquities.
Psalms 33: 4 - 5, 18 - 20, 22
4
For the word of the LORD is upright; and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5
He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
18
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19
that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine.
20
Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield.
22
Let thy steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in thee.
4
For the word of the LORD is upright; and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5
He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
18
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19
that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine.
20
Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield.
22
Let thy steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in thee.
Hebrews 4: 14 - 16
14
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15
For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
14
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15
For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
GOSPEL
Matthew 10: 35 - 45
35
For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36
and a man's foes will be those of his own household.
37
He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
38
and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
40
"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.
41
He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42
And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."
35
For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36
and a man's foes will be those of his own household.
37
He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
38
and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
39
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
40
"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.
41
He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42
And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."
