CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: SUN. APRIL 11, 2010: HEADLINES-
VATICAN: POPE: MESSAGE FOR DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY-AMERICA: BRAZIL: ARCHBISHOP CALLS ON CATHOLICS TO HELP-
ASIA: INDIA: STORY OF A CONVERT: BHISHAM CHANDIRAMANI-
EUROPE: ITALY: THOUSANDS OF VISITORS TO THE SHROUD FOR OPENING WEEK-
AFRICA: SIERRA LEONE: PASTOR ABUSED BY ADDICTS YET CONTINUES TO HELP THEM-AUSTRALIA: FORMER PRIEST PLEADS GUILTY-
VATICAN
POPE: MESSAGE FOR DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
Dear brothers and sisters!
Today's Sunday concludes the octave of Easter, as a single day "made by the Lord", marked with the badge of Resurrection and joy of the disciples to see Jesus. Since ancient times this Sunday is called "in albis", from the Latin term "Alba", given to white robe that newbies wore in baptism the night of Easter and the storage after eight days. The Venerable John Paul II has called this same Sunday to divine Mercy, on the occasion of the canonization of Sister Mary Faustina Kowalska, on 30 April 2000.
Of divine mercy and goodness the page of the Gospel of St John (20,19-31) this Sunday. It tells us that Jesus, after the resurrection, he visited his disciples, crossing the closed doors of the upper room. Sant'Agostino explains that "the closed doors have not prevented the entry of that body where the gods lived. He that Pizarro had left intact virginity of the mother was able to enter the upper room behind closed doors "(121.4: CCL Ioh. 36/7, 667); and San Gregorio Magno adds that our Redeemer occurred, after his resurrection, with a body of nature incorruptible and palpable, but in a State of glory (see Hom. in Adorada., 21.1: CCL 141, 219). Jesus shows signs of passion, to grant the doubting Thomas to touch them. As you can, however, that a disciple essential? In reality, the divine condescension allows us to benefit also from incredulity of Tommaso apart from disciples believers. In fact, touching the wounds of the Lord, the disciple hesitant heals not only their own, but also our distrust.
The visit of the risen Lord is not confined to the space of the Cenacle, but goes further, so that everyone can receive the gift of peace and life with the "Breath creator". In fact, twice Jesus said to his disciples: "peace to you!", and added: "as the father has sent me, I send you". That said, blew over them, saying: "Receive the Holy Spirit. To those to whom you will forgive the sins, shall be forgiven; to forgive those who will not be forgiven. " This is the Mission of the Church constantly assisted by ghost: the comforter: complete all the news, the joyful realities of the merciful love of God, "because – as san Giovanni – believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and why, believing you life in his name" (20,31).
In the light of this word, I encourage, in particular, all Pastors to follow the example of Holy curé d'Ars that, "in his time, has managed to transform the heart and the lives of many people, why has their perceive the merciful love of the Lord. Urge even in our time a similar announcement and a similar testimony of truth of love "(letter Indiction year Priestly). In this way we will increasingly familiar and near him that our eyes have not seen, but whose infinite mercy we have absolute certainty. To the Virgin Mary, Queen of Apostles, ask that you support the Mission of the Church, and we invoke cock-a-hoop joy: Regina Caeli prayer ...
AFTER the Regina CÆLI
As we all know, yesterday the tragic plane crash in Smolensk where starved the President of Poland, Mr Lech Kaczynski, his wife, various high Polish State Authorities and all followed, including Archbishop military ordinary. In expressing my profound sympathy, assure you of my heart the prayer of suffrage for victims and support for the popular Polish nation.
Yesterday began in Turin the solemn exposition of the Holy Shroud. I too, God willing, I will go to venerarla on May 2nd. I am glad for this event, which once again is receiving a vast movement of pilgrims, but also studies, reflections and especially an extraordinary appeal towards the mystery of suffering of Christ. I hope that this Act of reverence all aid to seek the face of God, which was the intimate aspiration of the Apostles, as well as ours.
I extend a special greeting to the pilgrims gathered in Rome on the occasion of today's Sunday of divine mercy. I bless all of heart, in particular the animators of the center of spirituality Santo Spirito in Sassia: that the image of Merciful Jesus, dear friends, shine in you, in your life!
http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/25389.php?index=25389&lang=en
AMERICA
BRAZIL: ARCHBISHOP CALLS ON CATHOLICS TO HELP
CNA report: Amidst the torrential rains and mudslides that have led to more than 150 deaths in Rio de Janeiro in recent days, Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta called on Catholics to collaborate with those affected and announced a solidarity campaign through Caritas to help in this effort.
In a statement the Brazilian archbishop said, “Amidst the calamities being experienced by our city Rio de Janeiro, I ask the parishes of our archdiocese to embrace those affected … joining efforts with public authorities and other entities at this difficult time.”
Archbishop Tempesta continued, “All donations we receive will be channeled through the parishes, in order to minimize the suffering of families, whether it be material aid—such as mattresses, hygiene products, potable water or food—or financial aid.”
“During this Easter Week,” he said, “I invoke the intercession of St. Sebastian, patron of our city, that the calamities might cease, and of St. George, that the people of our city might be strengthened amidst these difficulties.”
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishop_of_rio_announces_solidarity_campaign_in_response_to_natural_disasters/
ASIA
INDIA: STORY OF A CONVERT: BHISHAM CHANDIRAMANI
Asia News report: The night of the Easter vigil in the church of S. Anna in Mumbai, a young man was baptised after a journey that began in 1998. His story, and vocation to the priesthood, begin with a mass.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Bhisham Chandiramani is a young entrepreneur of 31 from the region of Sindh. The night of the Easter Vigil he was baptized in the church of St. Anna in St. Anne's Palli in the suburb of Bandra in Mumbai. On his entry into the Church he asked God to become his apostle, to "bring the world the Good News." But his journey of faith began in 1998 when for the first time he accompanied a friend to church.
He tells his story: "Entering the church of St. Anna, that first time, was totally unexpected, almost accidental. Instead of wandering around the neighbourhood waiting for my friend, in fact, I decided to go with him. I attended the function, I was very influenced by the Eucharist, I listened carefully to the Scriptures and the Gospel, I was attracted to their teachings, I felt a sense of inner peace. I could not understand what was happening, but I certainly felt the presence of God I knew I'd be back the next day. "
The family of Bhisham, all Sindh of Hindu faith, are not fundamentalists: "My parents are not very practicing, but we were still taught prayer and faith. Especially my mother, who brought me and my younger brother to the temple of Hanuman [the monkey-god] every Saturday. But we did not understand what was happening: the bell is struck, offerings were made and nothing else. No reflection, no time together. It was a ritual, nothing more. "
In any case, "my mother taught us the correct values, and has always stressed the difference between right and wrong. Every year, during the Mahashivaratri [the "Great Night of Shiva, one of the most important festivals of Hinduism ed], my father took us on a pilgrimage to the temple of the god. And there I never understood why god, in a fit of rage, could have decapitated his son: where was the compassion and forgiveness of this god? But my father also prayed to the Virgin Mary, and every year we went to the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount to give thanks. "
Bhisham continued to go to Mass, after his first experience in February 1998, almost every day: "Every time I felt peace, and the sermons helped me in everyday life." But one Sunday morning, his father saw him leave the church and he complained to his wife. Who defended her son: "Let him be as he wishes. And he thought, well at least he was not wasting his time on dishonourable activities". the mother responded in similar tones to relatives who were starting to fear young man’s conversion.
In 2001, Bhisham felt called to serve God for the rest of his life, but his vocation was hampered by the fact that it was not a Catholic and has not yet received the Eucharist. In May the following year, however, he discovered the rosary for the first time by going to evening Mass. Devotion to the Mother of God drew him immediately and he started reciting the Marian prayer. But the same day his father fell seriously ill and Bhisham became even closer to faith. The father died on Christmas Day of that year, in peace.
On 18 December 2003, the young man moved to work in Bahrain. Even there, a Muslim emirate, he built a small altar in his room before which every day he recited the Rosary: "Even when I was very tired, I prayed. I happened to fall asleep even in the middle of my prayers". He also went to church four days a week, travelling the country in constant heat. In July 2004 he started to wonder what he was doing, so far from home; he did not want to miss the feast of Our Lady of the Mount, 8 September, and so returned home five days earlier.
In May 2006, the old Catholic woman who leads the Rosary in St. Anna moved to Goa, and the community asked Bhisham to lead the prayer. A few months later, with his brother, he opened a clothing store: wanting to make an impression he clearly chose a Christian name "Adam and Eve", and now the boutique is known for its excellent service.
In 2009, the young Hindu took the plunge and decided to start catechism: "But I did not want it to be in St. Anna, where no one knew that I was not Catholic. So I went to a nearby parish: there, the catechist threw me out saying I was late, as classes began in early July and was already at the end of the month. " Saddened, he spoke with another parishioner of St. Anna, who in 2009 led him to the priest. Although August, Bhisham was accepted into catechism.
The young man was thrilled by the class,: "The lessons were enlightening. I am fascinated by the universality of the Church which is everywhere in the world, and the fact that Catholics pray together every day on the planet with the same readings at the Eucharist. The day before my baptism, Holy Saturday, I spent in meditation I prayed asking God to be a worthy member of the chosen people. And I asked him to be faithful to him alone. However, I know that God forgives and is full of compassion for the sinner. "
The call to the priesthood is still alive in the young: "I asked the Lord to become one day, his apostle to bring the Good News to everyone." The mother of Bhisham did not attend the baptism of her son, but has no problem with his conversion. she also signed an agreement for the choice of her son and is ready to put up with the criticism of the family.
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Bhisham,-the-young-Sindh-baptized-on-Easter-night-18090.html
AFRICA
SIERRA LEONE: PASTOR ABUSED BY ADDICTS YET CONTINUES TO HELP THEM
All Africa report: Pastor Morie S. Ngobeh, who puts his age at "over 70", has been spat on and stabbed by addicts at a centre for drug abuse and mental illness in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown. He told IRIN how he got into counselling drug abusers.
"God just put this burden on my heart. I went to Bible college to pursue pastoral work. One day I saw small boys in the street; I was curious what they were up to so I approached them. They insulted me saying: 'We don't want any policemen around here.' I told them I was not a policeman. They said I was lying and told me to leave. I insisted I was not police. Then they said: 'Buy some bread for us'. I did.
"I realized they were smoking cannabis. I also saw that some of them lived in the streets, not with their parents. I was touched. I started visiting them in the ghettos. I invited them to my home. [In some cases] I worked on reconciling them with their parents. Children started coming around [to] my home; many were not ready to be free [from drugs], but came for food.
"Some of those going through treatment [for addiction at the centre] get violent. One woman took a knife and put it in my leg here." He showed a scar from the 2003 incident. "Blood started oozing out. But that lady has now been set free. Now when she sees me she greets me; even if she's in her car she brakes and gets out and hugs me and says 'This is my Daddy'.
"The joy of seeing them free is what I love...They spit in my face, stone me, insult me, insult my mother, insult my father. 'You are a bastard', 'You are this or that', 'You are a fake pastor'. So many things. But one needs to have courage. One needs to have patience and empathy. What if I were in their position?
"My doctor once told me, 'Pastor if you stay together with these people you will go mad.' I said, 'By the grace of God I will not go mad. Because God has called me to do this, I will not go mad.' I am their magistrate, I am their lawyer, I counsel them; even if they need me at midnight I am there.
"When they quarrel, I make peace and ask them to embrace themselves with these words: 'I love you'."
http://allafrica.com/stories/201004110014.html
EUROPE
ITALY: THOUSANDS OF VISITORS TO THE SHROUD FOR OPENING WEEK
CNA report: Saturday morning saw the first visitors enter the Cathedral of Turin, taking advantage of a rare opportunity to view the ancient relic at its first exposition in close to a decade. The Holy Father welcomed the exposition as "an extraordinary call back towards the mystery of the suffering of Christ."
The first public exposition of the Shroud since 2000 offers a "path of faith and prayer" for the more than 1.5 million pilgrims and visitors that will see it, according to the Cardinal Archbishop of Turin, Severino Poletto, who celebrated the opening Mass on Saturday afternoon along with the bishops of Italy's Piedmont region.
The Shroud of Turin was seen by thousands of people on the exposition's first day. Among those able to attend for veneration on the opening morning were local civil and religious authorities, journalists and the 4,000 volunteers who will provide assistance for the duration of the showing, from April 10 to May 23.
Following afternoon Mass, 12,000 pilgrims with reserved tickets were able to file through the Cathedral for a prayer and a glimpse at the burial cloth believed to bear the image of Jesus' crucified body.
Pope Benedict XVI said on Sunday that, "God willing," he will also be among the pilgrims to pay his respects during a visit he has planned for May 2.
He noted his happiness at the event after the Regina Caeli prayer at noon on Sunday, saying that it is "once again provoking a vast movement of pilgrims, but also studies, reflections and most of all an extraordinary call back towards the mystery of the suffering of Christ."
The Holy Father also expressed his wish that "this act of veneration may help all to seek the Face of God, that was the intimate aspiration of the Apostles, as well as ours."
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/thousands_visit_shroud_of_turin_on_opening_weekend/
AUSTRALIA
FORMER PRIEST PLEADS GUILTY
Cath News report: Former Fairy Meadow priest Kelvin Sharkey, who has pleaded guilty to two charges of sexually assaulting an altar boy, should go to jail despite his age and poor health, a Wollongong court has been told.
Solicitor Kristy Pearce, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the Wollongong District Court that while age and health were relevant to the length of any jail term, they should not necessarily be factors against prison, the Illawarra Mercury reported.
"This is a serious offence involving a significant breach of trust over a lengthy period," she told Judge Paul Conlon during submissions on sentencing.
Sharkey, 80, who was parish priest at St John Vianney's Church, Fairy Meadow, has pleaded guilty to two charges of indecently assaulting the boy, and a charge of buggery, dating to 1969 and the early 1970s.
Much of the abuse occurred inside the church and later at Sharkey's home in Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast, where he was transferred in 1971.
The victim was 10 when the first incident occurred sometime towards the end of the 1969 school year after the boy agreed to help Sharkey run afternoon Mass at St John Vianney's Church.
Sharkey retired from active church life in 1988. Defence barrister Mark Dennis said it was highly unlikely Sharkey would reoffend and said he would ask the court to consider Sharkey's age and health.
Sentencing has been set for April 29.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=20507
TODAY'S SAINTS
St. Stanislaus
PATRON SAINT OF POLAND, BISHO OF CRACOW, MARTYR
Feast: April 11
Information: Feast Day: April 11
Born: 26 July 1030 as Szczepanowski, Poland
Canonized: 1253 by Pope Innocent IV at Assisi, Italy
Patron of: Cracow, Plock, Poland, soldiers in battle
Bishop and martyr, born at Szczepanów (hence called Szczepanowski), in the Diocese of Cracow, 26 July, 1030; died at Cracow, 8 May, 1079; feast on May 7 in Roman Martyrology, but on 8 May in Cracow, which has a special feast of the translation of his relics on 27 September; patron of Poland and the city and Diocese of Cracow; invoked in battle. In pictures he is given the episcopal insignia and the sword. Larger paintings represent him in a court or kneeling before the altar and receiving the fatal blow. No contemporary biography of the saint is in existence. At the time of his canonization a life appeared written by a Dominican Vincent(?) (Acta SS.,May, II, 196) which contains much legendary matter. His parents, Belislaus and Bogna, pious and noble Catholics, gave him a religious education. He made his studies at Gnesen and Paris(?). After the death of his parents he distributed his ample inheritance among the poor. Lambert Zula, Bishop of Cracow, ordained him priest and made him pastor of Czembocz near Cracow, canon and preacher at the cathedral, and later, vicar-general. After the death of Lambert he was elected bishop, but accepted only on explicit command of Pope Alexander II. He worked with his wonted energy for his diocese, and inveighed against vices among high and low, regardless of consequences. Boleslaw II had become King of Poland. the renown he had gained by his successful wars he now sullied by atrocious cruelty and unbridled lust. Moreover the bishop had several serious disputes with the king about a piece of land belonging to the Church which was unjustly claimed by Boleslaw, and about some nobles, who had left their homes to ward off various evils threatening their families and who were in consequence cruelly treated by the king. Stanislaus spared neither tears nor prayers and admonitions to bring the king to lead a more Christian life. All being in vain, Boleslaw was excommunicated and the canons of the cathedral were instructed to discontinue the Divine Offices in case the king should attempt to enter. Stanislaus retired to the Chapel of St. Michael in a suburb of Cracow. The king was furious and followed the bishop with his guards, some of whom he sent to kill the saint. These dared not obey, so Boleslaw slew him during the Holy Sacrifice. The body was at first buried in the chapel, but in 1088 it was transferred to the cathedral by Bishop Lambert II. St. Stanislaus was canonized 1253 by Innocent IV at Assisi.
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/S/ststanislaus.asp
St. Gemma Galgani
STIGMATIST
Feast: April 11
Information: Feast Day: April 11
Born: 12 March 1878 at Borgo Nuovo di Camigliano, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
Died: Holy Saturday, 11 April 1903 at Borgo Nuovo di Camigliano, Lucca, Italy
Canonized: 2 May 1940 by Pope Pius XII
Major Shrine: Passionist Monastery in Lucca, Italy
Patron of: Students, pharmacists, tuberculosis patients, love and hope
First, the Congregation of Rites, declaring that Gemma practiced the Christian virtues to a heroic degree, explicitly refrained from passing judgment on the preternatural character of the recorded phenomena; a matter (it adds) 'upon which no decision is ever made' (see
We must first register the alleged
St. Gemma Galgani was beatified in 1933, and canonized in 1940.
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/G/stgemmagalgani.aspTODAY'S MASS READINGS
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY/OCTAVE OF EASTER/YEAR C
Acts 5: 12 - 16
12 Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico.
13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women,
15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.
16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Psalms 118: 2 - 4, 13 - 15, 22 - 24
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3 Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
4 Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures for ever."
14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
15 Hark, glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
23 This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Revelation 1: 9 - 13, 17 - 19
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10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
11 saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Per'gamum and to Thyati'ra and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to La-odice'a."
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast;
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand upon me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last,
18 and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
19 Now write what you see, what is and what is to take place hereafter.
John 20: 19 - 31
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20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."
26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you."
27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing."
28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
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