CATHOLIC WORLD NEWS: TUES. JUNE 8, 2010: HEADLINES:
VATICAN: PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR CLOSURE OF YEAR FOR PRIESTS-
AUSTRALIA: GREAT INCREASE OF VOCATIONS IS MIRACULOUS-
AMERICA: CANADA: SISTERS OF LIFE OPEN MISSION HOUSE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN-
EUROPE: TURKEY: FUNERAL MASS FOR BISHOP PADOVESE OF TURKEY-
ASIA: IRAQ: CHRISTIAN BUSINESS MAN MURDERED AS TARGET-
AFRICA: CAMEROON: STRONGER PARTICIPATION AT MASS AFTER POPE´S VISIT-
VATICAN
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR CLOSURE OF YEAR FOR PRIESTS
VATICAN CITY, 8 JUN 2010 (VIS) - A world meeting of clergy will take place in Rome from 9 to 11 June to mark the end of the Year for Priests, called by Benedict XVI to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney, the holy "Cure of Ars".
All the priests of the world have been invited to the meeting, which is being promoted by the Congregation for the Clergy and has as its theme: "Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of Priests".
The theme of the first day, 9 June, will be "Conversion and Mission". Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, Germany, will preside at a meditation in the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls, which will also be relayed to the basilica of St. John Lateran. This will be followed by a period of Eucharistic adoration during which the Sacrament of Confession will be administered. Later, Cardinal Claudio Hummes O.F.M. and Archbishop Mauro Piacenza, prefect and secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy, will preside at Eucharistic celebrations in, respectively, St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls and St. John Lateran.
The theme of the second day of the meeting, Thursday 10 June, will be: "The Cenacle: invocation to the Holy Spirit with Mary, in fraternal communion". Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., archbishop of Quebec, Canada, will preach a meditation in the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls, which will likewise be relayed to the basilica of St. John Lateran. This will again be followed by a period of Eucharistic adoration during which the Sacrament of Confession will be available. Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. and Archbishop Robert Sarah, secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples will then preside at Eucharistic celebrations in, respectively, St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls and St. John Lateran.
On Thursday evening a vigil will be held in St. Peter's Square. In the course of the event a number of priests will bear witness; there will also be television linkups with Ars, the Cenacle in Jerusalem, and poor neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires and Hollywood, a dialogue between the Pope and the priests, and adoration of the Eucharist.
At 10 a.m. on Friday 11 June, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Year for Priests will officially come to an end with a Eucharistic concelebration presided by the Pope in St. Peter's Square. During the Mass the clergy will renew their vows and the Pope will proclaim the holy "Cure of Ars" as patron saint of all priests.
CPC/ VIS 20100608 (430)
NINE BEATIFICATIONS APPROVED BY THE POPE
VATICAN CITY, 8 JUN 2010 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has announced that the following rites of beatification, approved by the Holy Father, will be held over coming months:
- Manuel Lozano Garrido, Spanish layman, on Saturday 12 June in Linares, Spain.
- Lojze Grozde, Slovenian layman and martyr, on 13 June, 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time, in Celje Slovenia.
- Stephen Nehme (ne Joseph), Lebanese professed religious of the Order of Maronites, on 27 June, 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time, in Kfifan, Lebanon.
- Leopoldo Sanchez Marquez de Alpandeire (ne Francesco), Spanish professed layman of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins, on 12 September, 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time, in Granada, Spain.
- Mary of the Immaculate Conception (nee Maria Isabella Salvat y Romero), Spanish superior general of the Institute of Sisters of the Company of the Cross, on Saturday 18 September in Seville, Spain.
- Chiara Badano, Italian lay woman, on Saturday 25 September at the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love, Rome.
- Anna Maria Adorni, Italian foundress of the Congregation of Handmaidens of Blessed Mary Immaculate and of the Institute of the Good Shepherd of Parma, on 3 October, 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, in Parma, Italy.
- Szilard Bogdanffy, Romanian bishop and martyr, on Saturday 30 October, in Oradea Mare, Romania.
- Barbara of the Blessed Trinity (nee Barbara Maix), Austrian foundress of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, on Tuesday 9 November, Feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 8 JUN 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Fr. William Fey O.F.M. Cap., delegate superior of the Capuchin Fathers in Papua New Guinea, as bishop of Kimbe (area 25,300, population 205,000, Catholics 130,000, priests 19, religious 14), Papua New Guinea. The bishop-elect was born in Pittsburgh, U.S.A. in 1942 and ordained a priest in 1968.
- Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the archdiocese of Philadelphia, U.S.A. presented by Bishop Robert P. Maginnis, in accordance with canons 411 and 401 para. 1 of the Code of Canon Law.
- Appointed Msgr. John J. McIntyre of the clergy of the archdiocese of Philadelphia, U.S.A., private secretary to the archbishop, as auxiliary of the same archdiocese (area 5,652, population 3,887,694, Catholics 1,458,430, priests 999, permanent deacons 239, religious 3,770). The bishop-elect was born in Philadelphia in 1963 and ordained a priest in 1992.
- Appointed Carlo Carletti, professor of Christian Epigraphy at the University of Bari, Italy, as a member of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology.
AUSTRALIA
GREAT INCREASE OF VOCATIONS IS MIRACULOUS
Cath News report: The International Year for Priests ends this week on a strong note locally, reports The Australian, with Cardinal George Pell set to ordain six men at St Mary's Cathedral on Friday - the most since 1983.
The increased number of seminarians, which the rector of Melbourne's Corpus Christi seminary, Father Brendan Lane, describes as a "miracle" is national, the report states.
Six priests will also be ordained in Melbourne this year, where 50 seminarians are training for Victoria and Tasmania. Brisbane, which built a new seminary for 16 students in 2008, is doubling it to accommodate 32 by the end of this year. It has 21 trainee priests. Wagga Wagga's seminary has 20 and Perth has more than 40 in two seminaries.
Sydney has 63 seminarians. In 2000, the city was facing a chronic shortage of priests, with just 17 in training.
"Confronted by a postmodern world lacking in beliefs and values, many young people are seeking something solid and I would like to think they find it in the Catholic faith," said the rector of Sydney's Good Shepherd seminary, Father Anthony Percy.
"I also think Pope John Paul II and World Youth Days inspired this generation," he said.
Father Lane agrees: "Twenty years ago I thought we were finished," he said.
Meanwhile, in Southern Queensland, researcher Regina Ryan is conducting a study on how the area's faithful are coping with an existing shortage of priests, as part of her anthropology PhD course.
Ms Ryan says while lay leaders have been appointed to some parishes in the Toowoomba diocese, other parishes have been amalgamated and some have to share priests to cope with the nationwide shortage, reports ABC Southern Queensland.
"I certainly might be able to provide some really good information as to how people feel, either positively or negatively, about these changes," Ms Ryan said.
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=21781
AMERICA
CANADA: SISTERS OF LIFE OPEN MISSION HOUSE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
Life Site News report: The Sisters of Life, who first came to Toronto in 2007, will be hosting an open house at their new Visitation Mission to Pregnant Women on June 12. The June 12 event will include a Mass and special blessing of the center by Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins at 1 o'clock. Mass will be followed by a social gathering and tour of the newly renovated former rectory of St. Catherine of Siena parish, 1099 Danforth Ave., located along Toronto's Bloor subway line.
Since arriving in Canada's largest city the sisters, notable for their constant cheerfullness and spunk, have participated in most pro-life functions and activities in the region such as 40 Days for Life, pro-life conferences, meetings and prayer events, as well as many diocesan and other functions.
They have given spiritual formation talks to pro-life activists and been a regular presence at all National March for Life events in the nation's capital city. The sisters have also visited many Toronto parishes to tell about their special vocation and the need for co-workers to assist their mission.
The Sisters of Life is a contemplative/active religious community of women founded in 1991 by John Cardinal O’Connor, focused on assisting pregnant women in crisis and promoting the culture of life.
Like all religious communities, the Sisters take the three traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They also are consecrated under a special, fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life.
The Sisters welcome pregnant guests to live with them in the "Holy Respite" of one of their convents, assist pregnant women in need of practical assistance through their "Visitation Missions," and invite those who have suffered abortion to find hope and healing through day and weekend "Entering Canaan" retreats.
The Sisters also direct and staff the New York Archdiocesan Family Life / Respect Life Office and the Dr. Joseph Stanton Human Life Issues Library.
"We invite members of the community to join us in this work, to become co-workers for life, and just giving what you can to help pregnant women," Sister Mary Elizabeth said.
"There are different categories of volunteers," Sister Mary Elizabeth explained. "Some, who are called handmaids, actually will pair up with the woman who is pregnant and offer care and love, because a lot of times we find that women have no one who actually care for them, to be with them and give them material and spiritual support."
Sister Mary Elizabeth also said that the Sisters of Life have sought the support of men in this work through their group called St. Joseph's Workers.
"These men have so much to give, whether it's moving furniture, driving errands, or offering support and encouragement to the young men connected to the women we are helping," she said.
"Another initiative we have are the prayer groups that have formed in the various parishes we have visited and given presentations, that give us and the moms spiritual support."
Sister Mary Elizabeth remarked that she has found Toronto to be very welcoming to the Sisters of Life and their mission.
"We have over 1,000 co-workers in the Toronto area already, and we've been so blessed by the welcome we've been given by both the archdiocese and our neighbors."
The Sisters of Life website states that their "missions are carried out with the heart of the Church and with the hope of revealing to those we serve the inherent goodness and beauty of their own lives, so that each person may see and experience the truth that they are an unrepeatable creation of the Master."
To contact the Sisters in Toronto, call 1-877-543-3380 or (416) 463-2722, or visit their website here.
http://sistersoflife.org/
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jun/10060807.html
EUROPE
TURKEY: FUNERAL MASS FOR BISHOP PADOVESE OF TURKEY
Asia News report: Participants include members of other Christian Churches and state authorities. The homily by Mgr. Franceschini speaks of "a clergyman, a bishop, a close friend of Turks and Turkey. This land is thus confirmed, once again, a place of martyrdom for those who love her dearly. "
Iskendur (AsiaNews) - The funeral of Bishop. Luigi Padovese was held yesterday afternoon in his cathedral at Iskenderun, Turkey. An immense crowd of the faithful came in large numbers from all the parishes of the Vicariate of Anatolia, a grieving church, gathered in prayer around its pastor, attended the funeral presided over by the apostolic nuncio in Turkey Mgr. Antonio Lucibello. Among the concelebrants Mgr. Ruggero Franceschini of Izmir Metropolitan Archbishop, Msgr. Louis Pelâtre, Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul, Istanbul's Armenian coadjutor, Archbishop Georges Khazzoum and the bishop of the Maronite Catholic Church of Antioch. Present, together with the Italian vice-consul, were representatives of local authorities, the mayor, the prefect and the police chief. Also present were members of Caritas Turkey and the Council of European Bishops' Conferences.
An ecumenical prayer service in Turkish, in Italian, but also in Armenian, Arabic and Latin. The bishops and priests of other Christian rites have mourned, indeed, prayed for the soul of their dear friend and brother. They were joined by the local mufti.
The touching the homily of Mgr. Franceschini: "The tragic news of the violent death of Mgr. Luigi Padovese left us aghast, unable to understand how it could something so horrible could have happened, especially against a clergyman, a bishop, a close friend of the Turks and Turkey. This land is thus confirmed, once again, the place of martyrdom for those who loved her so much. " Bishop Luigi Padovese has been called "a good person, a decent man" and he really was.
"He was deeply involved in the studies concerning the Church, especially the patristic period; he knew these places where the Church took its first steps perfectly and loved them with passion. Far more that this he loved the people this land. In the spirit of cooperation with local authorities, the very day before he died he had met with them to discuss religious minorities (of Turkish nationality) and find ways of collaborating for the common good. For us Christians, in particular, his death reminds us that fidelity to the Gospel, in certain situations, may be paid with the spilling of blood".
And he invited the whole Church of Turkey and all the men and women of good will to believe with all their strength in the dream of peace that can be achieved only by mutual forgiveness, by prayer and sacrifice, he spoke these words of encouragement and hope: "As a father, brother and friend, full of pain but forcefully remembering the venerable Pope John Paul II, I say to you, to you all: do not be afraid!
"Do not lose heart, be happy, like the Apostles, to live in suffering and trial, without abandoning your faith, which is why we hope, it is the foundation of our joy.
Yes, dear brothers, joy!
And nobody will be able to extinguish this torch, because it is sustained not only by the many martyrs and saints of these lands, the Blessed Virgin patron saint of this community, but today, I am sure, one more angel is now at the throne of God: our servant, our Bishop Luigi.
We wish him, brother of St. Francis, a priest of God Most High and Bishop of the Holy Church, to rest in peace beside his Lord.
With him, we here continue to pray that the sky this Middle East will once again be serene and our hearts rediscover the path of peace, harmonious co-existence in collaboration for the common good.
Finally, the Metropolitan of Smyrna wanted to remember the prayer that Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, on the day of the killing of Mgr. Padovese, in his native Milan, recited during the Mass of Corpus Christi:
Lord Jesus,
Son of the Eternal and Son of Man,
never cease to invite and welcome us
to this wonderful feast of friendship,
so that our daily life,
the tasks of ministry,
the words we say,
the services we offer,
and even the dull stretches of our humanity
are a door and not a wall
for our brothers
a door that opens them to an encounter with You,
and the beauty of Your mystery
and not a wall that hides You and keeps You far from sight
“A door and not a wall" this was the life of Mgr. Padovese,
often under police escort and yet so free
in proclaiming the Gospel in arid land;
"A door and not a wall "- the church that he wanted,
a small flock open to the friendship of people;
"A door and wall" to welcome to the very end,
like you Lord Jesus,
the lacerations that inhabit the hearts of peoples and human beings,
even those of the one who so foolishly raised his hand
and for whom he continues to be both "brother" and "father."
The body, carried in a long procession, then left the town of Iskenderun. It will be buried in Milan, where, in the Cathedral, Monday, June 14 at 10.30 the funeral will take place again presided over by Card. Dionigi Tettamanzi.
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Immense-crowd-and-ecumenical-service-for-the-funeral-of-Mgr.-Padovese-18624.html
ASIA
IRAQ: CHRISTIAN BUSINESS MAN MURDERED AS TARGET
Asia News report: Hani Salim Wadi owned a mobile phone store in downtown. He was 34, married with a daughter. Local eyewitnesses say that he was shot to death in a “targeted killing”. The local Christian community now fears a new wave of violence.
Kirkuk (AsiaNews) – A member of the Christian community in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, was the victim of a new, targeted killing. Last night, a 34-year-old businessman was shot to death. Local sources told AsiaNews, “Christians are once more the target” of attacks. In the city, there is an “atmosphere of insecurity”.
An eyewitness said, “At 9 last night Hani Sali Wadi was killed in front of his house”.
Born in 1976, he was married with a daughter, the source told AsiaNews. He was a businessman and owned a mobile phone store in downtown Kirkuk.
At present, it is unclear why he was killed, but Christians fear the community might be in for a new wave of violence. “We Christians are once more targets of attacks,” the source lamented.
Northern Iraq, especially in Mosul and Kirkuk, has been the scene of targeted attacks against the Christian community for quite some time. The area is in the middle of a power struggle between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen.
Christians believe they are being persecuted amid an atmosphere of general indifference.
They are convinced that attackers “are not common criminals” and that behind the attacks “are precise political plans”, namely the creation of a Christian enclave on the Nineveh Plains.
In their view, both central and provincial governments “are doing nothing to stop it”. (DS)
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/The-killing-of-a-Christian-businessman-in-Kirkuk-rekindles-fear-among-Christians-18622.html
AFRICA
CAMEROON: STRONGER PARTICIPATION AT MASS AFTER POPE´S VISIT
Agenzia Fides REPORT– "The visit of Pope Benedict XVI is still very much felt in Cameroon, as evidenced by the strong participation of the faithful at the Mass celebrated in Yaounde one year after the Holy Father's visit to our country," Fides learned in an interview with Fr. Gaspard Menga Nka, National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies in Cameroon.
Pope Benedict XVI visited Cameroon, March 17-20, 2009.
"The Holy Father's visit has led to reaffirmation and strengthening of the good relations between the Church and the State and showed the face of a Catholic community that is very active and growing," says Fr. Gaspard Menga Nka.
"The growth of the Catholic Church in Cameroon is demonstrated by the increased number of dioceses, 24. The last, Kribi, was erected in 2008. Of the 24 bishops, 21 are Cameroonian. The other three are a Belgian missionary bishop, and two Polish “Fidei Donum” bishops," says the National Director of the PMS in Cameroon.
"The Cameroonian Church has a strong sense of the duty of the mission. From the bishops to the individual faithful, everyone is personally committed to spreading the Good News to the world. This is also reflected by the donations and offerings to the PMS, "says Fr. Gaspard Menga Nka.
"In Cameroon, there are still several foreign missionaries, but at the same time, there are also Cameroonian priests who are sent on missions. The dioceses of Cameroon have established an exchange program for priests, to help address the shortage registered in some areas of the country. Moreover, the Churches of the central African sub-region have embarked on a fruitful missionary collaboration. In this context, Cameroon diocesan priests carry out their mission in Chad and Gabon," said the Cameroonian National Director of the PMS.
"The Catholic Church also carries out a meritorious labor in human development, especially through the extensive network of Catholic schools. The Catholic school is very appreciated in Cameroon, because of the quality of education offered. In the north, where there are many Muslim children who attend Catholic schools and attend activities at the Catholic parish, with respect for their religion," says Fr. Gaspard Menga Nka. "Also, the Catholic University of Yaounde, with its four faculties (philosophy, social sciences, canonical studies, and management) is very revered."
"In May, Cameroon celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence. For the Catholic Church, it has been an opportunity to reflect on the collaboration between Church and State and the progress made in this period. In 2011, there will be presidential elections. The hope of all is that they may take place in peace and consolidate the peace that has reigned in the country for decades," concluded Fr. Gaspard Menga Nka.
http://www.fides.org/aree/news/newsdet.php?idnews=26819&lan=eng
TODAY'S SAINT
St. Medard
BISHOP
Feast: June 8
Information:
Feast Day: June 8
Born: 456 at Salency, Picardy, France
Died: 8 June 545 at Noyon, France
Major Shrine: Abbey of Saint-Médard, Soissons, France
Patron of: the weather; invoked against toothache
ST. MEDARD, one of the most illustrious prelates of the Church of France in the sixth century, was born of a pious and noble family, at Salency, about the year 457. From his childhood he evinced the most tender compassion for the poor. On one occasion he gave his coat to a destitute blind man, and when asked why he had done so, he answered that the misery of a fellow-member in Christ so affected him that he could not help giving him part of his own clothes. Being promoted to the priesthood in the thirty-third year of his age, he became a bright ornament of that sacred order. He preached the word of God with an unction which touched the hearts of the most hardened; and the influence of his example, by which he enforced the precepts which he delivered from the pulpit, seemed irresistible. In 530, Alomer, the thirteenth bishop of that country, dying, St. Medard was unanimously chosen to fill the see, and was consecrated by St. Remigius, who had baptized King Clovis in 496, and was then exceeding old. Our Saint's new dignity did not make him abate anything of his austerities, and, though at that time seventy-two years old, he thought himself obliged to redouble his labors. Though his diocese was very wide, it seemed not to suffice for his zeal, which could not be confined; wherever he saw the opportunity of advancing the honor of God, and of abolishing the remains of idolatry, he overcame all obstacles, and by his zealous labors and miracles the rays of the Gospel dispelled the mists of idolatry throughout the whole extent of his diocese. What rendered this task more difficult and perilous was the savage and fierce disposition of the ancient inhabitants of Flanders, who were the most barbarous of all the nations of the Gauls and Franks. Our Saint, having completed this great work in Flanders, returned to Noyon, where he shortly after fell sick, and soon rested from his labors at an advanced age, in 545. The whole kingdom lamented his death as the loss of their common father and protector. His body was buried in his own cathedral, but the many miracles wrought at his tomb so moved King Clotaire that he translated the precious remains to Soissons.
http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/M/stmedard.asp
TODAY'S GOSPEL
Matthew 5: 13 - 16
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13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
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